y-flyer

2012 Y-Flyer Midwinters

2012-01-28T07:28:00.000-08:00

Y-Flyer Midwinters are the first weekend in March.

Columbia Sailing Club, Lake Murray, South Carolina.

Let the preparations begin!

YF and YF-1 Regattas

2011-11-13T11:27:00.001-08:00

YF-1 is a Y-Flyer sailed singlehanded. Some local fleets allow it now.

It's time that singlehanded Y-Flyers (YF-1) be allowed to race in invitational and open regattas.

The Regatta Chairman should make the decision to invite YF-1's.

Start the YF-1's at the same time as the regular fleet or 5 minutes later with a special YF-1 start.

Trophies for the winners of the two groups?

Exclude the Midwinters, the Nationals, and the Internationals for 2012.

Y-FlyersMidwinters March 2011

2011-11-07T10:40:00.000-08:00

Finally posting pictures from the Midwinters in March.

Lake Murray, near Columbia, South Carolina.

Here comes the pack:

Interesting rounding:

line dancing:

Why Doesn't Everyone Sail

2011-11-07T10:32:00.000-08:00

So why doesn't everybody learn how to sail and then learn how to race?

1. Just not interested in sailing or racing sailboats.

2. There's too much other stuff in my life. My other hobbies, the kids and their interests, etc.

3. Too complicated. Learning to sail takes too much time and too many lessons

4. Sailboats can tip over and I don't like that.

5. The rules of sailboat racing are way too complicated to learn.

YF-1

2011-10-31T05:42:00.000-07:00

Y-Flyers are doublehanded racing sailboats.

Sometimes a crewmember won't show up for a club race and a substitute can't be found.

I know of at least two clubs that allow the skipper to singlehand the boat.

Which leads me to suggest that there should be a new division of Y-Flyer racing.

Much like classes that have skinnaker and non-spinnaker groups.

In 2012 we should allow racing in a new YF-1 division.

Perhaps even allow all Y-Flyers to use a "pole-launcher" and a self tacking jib.

cmments: elfraser@hughes.net

The American Y-Flyer Yacht Racing Association (AYFYRA)

2011-10-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

The Name:

I think the name of the organization should be changed to encourage all Y-Flyer owners to join.

Not just those who race.

Perhaps to The American Y-Flyer Association.

comments: elfraser@hughes.net

Code Blue pre-race:

Code Blue racing:

Name Change, Dues Change, Racing Change

2011-10-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

Putting out this message on this blog, Facebook Y-Flyer groups, e-mails to Y-Flyer officers, and to the Y-Flyer Yahoo group:

I'm thinking it would help increasing membership if we change our name to the American Y-Flyer Association. AY-FA. And then lower membership dues to $10 for all levels of membership (except life members = $0).

Add a division of single-handed racing. And allow the self tacking jib and pole launcher for all.

Comments?

elfraser@hughes.net

The Championship of Champions Regatta Visited

2011-10-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

I happened to be in the Dallas, Texas area on the very weekend that the US Sailing Championship of Champions Regatta was taking place on White Rock Lake and the Corinthian Sail Club.

So I stopped in for a visit. It happened to be lunchtime on Saturday, October 22nd, 2011. All the boats were at the dock.

The Flying Scots used for the event were in fabulous condition. Brand new sails.

One of the identically prepared Flying Scots sitting at the dock next to a mark boat.

The committee boat and a mark of the coures:

Casual conversation among competitors at lunch at the clubhouse.

More of the Flying Scots:

More Scots:

The clubhouse:

Rolex!

White Rock Lake Boat Club helping out with the regatta:

The odd thing about the Corinthian Sail Club is that all the facilities are built on docks and sit above the water. There are no shore facilities as far as I could tell. It's quite an amazing place.

Dale and Virginia Vogel

2011-10-12T05:16:00.000-07:00

Paul White presenting the President's Award to Dale and Virginia Vogel on Dale's October 5th birthday.

The Lake Mattoon Illinois (fleet 39) was gathered to celebrate Dale's 85th at a party.

The Vogels' were caught by surprise when Y-Flyer class Secretary/Treasurer Paul White made the presentation on my behalf!

In a very nice letter written by the Vogels they mentioned that Dale's first Y-Flyer was a boat he built in 1963 called "The Orange Slice."

At the 2011 National Championships: (picture from the AYFYRA website)

Receiving a plaque commemorating "The Orange Slice" at the 2011 National Championships: A well deserved award for many years of dedication and their intentions of "remaining active and involved."

el Presidente......

2011-10-11T12:45:00.000-07:00

October 1st, 2011. My two year term as the President of the American Y-Flyer Yacht Racing Association began.

October 1st was the day that Nile Hatcher released the September/October edition of "The Flyer" which is our digital national newsletter. Nile had previously given notice that the November/December issue will be his last as editor. Anyone can take a look at it here: http://www.yflyer.org/Documents/pdf/flyer/flyerSept11.pdf

Also David Robson, our national web site webmaster, notified me that the e-mail received through the web site would now be forwarded to the new officers. Here's the AYFYRA website: http://www.yflyer.org/

October 2nd was the day I co-signed a letter written by class Secretary/Treasurer Paul White to be sent to North Sails with information about a measuring problem with their 2011 sails that was found at our National Regatta.

October 3rd Lavon Hatcher accepted my invitation to be the editor of the "Flyer" which is our national newsletter. She starts her new job on January 1st.

October 5th was the day that our National Secretary/Treasurer presented the "President's Award" to Dale and Virginia Vogel at Lake Mattoon in Illinois on my behalf.

October 9th and 10th doctor j (my crew since 1975) and I attended the Saratoga Lake Sailing Club's Indian Summer Regatta. My AYFYRA northeast regional Vice President, John Smith, also attended. We all had a fantastic time at this great club.

Also that weekend was the Gilbert Beers Memorial Regatta at Y-Flyer fleet 1 at Lake Allatoona near Atlanta, Georgia. Reports are that the Atlanta Yacht Club put on a great regatta with John Bright (Louisville, KY) and crew Andrea Bright (Auburn) winning.

Today, October 11th, I've been working on my new boat trailer getting it ready for a weekend trip to the Western Carolina Sailing Club at Lake Hartwell for the Hospice Regatta.

And so it begins........
el presidente

Elmer Kenyon Cup Memorial Regatta For Y-Flyers

2011-10-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

The Kenyon Cup 2011.

A few inspirational photos of El Fraser and doctor J racing together in Code Blue.

(You can click on any picture for a closer look).

Here is my arch enemy on the water, "The Rickster" chasing Code Blue upwind. It is such a pleasant feeling to have that guy trailing me around a race course:

Rounding the bottom mark of the race course and pulling up my pants while doctor j is working at the console:

Just finishing a downwind jibe with doctor j pulling in the jib. In a moment I expect that I turned up a bit and brought in the main:

Oh...!!! There's The Rickster following behind again!

Another off the wind picture, this time with Jack "Flash" Nash giving Code Blue some trouble but Code Blue's got the inside track:

A Kenyon Cup start as a gust hits the starting line:

Code Blue warming up with an eye on Eric "Four Finger" Nash in Y-2818:

Calm, cool, collected...Code Blue: True athletes playing their game:

The Indian Summer Regatta at Saratoga Lake, NY

2011-10-09T15:40:00.000-07:00

Just got home after spending a fine weekend at the Indian Summer Regatta at Saratoga Lake. Here are some scenes from a very fine club and a very fine lake!

(Remember, click on any picture for a bigger image).

The Saratoga Lake Sailing Club clubhouse.

The mooring field:

A Flying Dutchman: Sneak peak at the inside of a Dutchman:

The Dutchman has controls!!:

A Kestrel:

A Flying Scot looking at the air moving in:

Turns out this is the top finishing Scot team:

A classic boat. The Ensign. Saratoga has a big Ensign fleet.

The Ensign fleet gathered at the end of the weekend to help each other remove their masts for the winter:

A Scot heading out of the harbor:

I haven't seen a laser in this fine condition in a very long time:

Another shot:

And another:

This great race committee did a very fine job!!

From left to right....Laser, Y-Flyer, top Ensign finisher, Ensign, Ensign:

Left to right: Y-Flyer (from Lake Lashaway Sailing Club), Nacra (from the Mayfield Yacht Club):

Top finishing Flying Crow:

Feeling quite at home, this club member was on regatta clean up duty:

The top Thistle team!!!:

The top Flying Dutchman team. You've got to be very athletic to race a Dutchman:

A picture of the clubhouse taken from a dock:

My Y-Flyer crew since 1975, doctor j, relaxing after telling me where to go all weekend:

A fantastic weekend!!!

Clam Bake At the Lake

2011-08-25T16:44:00.001-07:00

Steamers!!!

Yankee Y-Flyer sailors been eatin' clams!

The steamer chef, Tim, at work....

more steamers,

steamers getting critically low! more steamers comin',

We've got corn,

gin and tonic and corn,

Add a little bit of beer,

and corn,

steamers, Dick needs more steamers,

more corn,

gin and corn,

more corn,

Korn fan,

corn,

steamers,

corn,

sittin' around talkin' 'bout beer, corn and steamers, And that's what a New England clam bake is all about.

Trophy Presentation At Lashaway (One Year Late)

2011-08-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Lake Lashaway Sailing Club in East Brookfield, Massachusetts.

I'm a member of 25 years. And in 2010 I finally won the club championship for the first time!

However, I never received my trophy.....until yesterday.

It seems the 2009 champion, The Rickster, (my arch sailing enemy) kept the trophy for an extra year at his lake house.

That is until yesterday when he hosted a club clambake on his deck.

There on a shelf sat the trophy in plain view!

So I insisted on an immediate trophy presentation....in front of all members of the club. The Rickster was made to produce the dusty trophy.

And drop to his knee in a very humiliating gesture.

What a wonderful day for El Fraser!!! I am the champion of LLSC!

The traditional kiss of the trophy!

At last, the trophy is mine.

For 6 days.

Next Saturday I will have to present the trophy to the new 2011 champion....whoever that may be.

Y-Flyer Nationals

2011-06-22T05:12:00.000-07:00

We're in Neoga, Illinois at Lake Mattoon for the Y-Flyer National Championships! It was a 960 mile trip and we had no problems on the road.

I'll add pictures as the week goes on.

First Night At the Midwinters!

2011-03-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

First night of the Midwinters in South Carolina. The new van needs modifications, but we're quite comfortable!

Columbia Airport

2011-03-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

My crew arriving at the Columbia, South Carolina airport:

Some scenes from around the airport while I was waiting:

Delta:

A Delta gate crew having a tough time unhooking the towbar after push-back. Took them a long time.

2011-03-09T12:12:00.000-08:00

On the way to the Midwinters. Here is the Charlotte, North Carolina skyline.

Had to take a picture of this trailer on the way to the Midwinters. Somewhere in North Carolina on I-81! Wonder if the trailer is filled with snakes?

2011-02-28T04:37:00.000-08:00

Up early this morning. Inserted the battens in the new sails. Then rolled them up.

The jib and main are in the bags! Ready for on-loading in the raceboat hauler. Only three days before I leave for the Y-Flyer Midwinters in Columbia, South Carolina!

2011-02-27T14:43:00.000-08:00

Today was the last full day of getting the boat inside the carrier. Still a few things left to do but all the heavy work is done. The shelving that came inside the van was removed and installed inside the hauler.

The boat fits inside perfectly with extra space in the front.

The van is hooked up and parked in the driveway. Even if it snows again before Thursday I should be able to drive right out and head south.

Y-Flyer Midwinters in just 5 days.

2011-02-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

The new electric winch is now installed in the trailer. It will be used to pull the Y-Flyer into the trailer. The Y sits on it's own dolly.
Now to bolt in the shelving units and load up for the trip to Columbia, SC.

2011 Sailing Season

2011-02-26T14:17:00.000-08:00

The Y-Flyer Midwinter Championships are in just 6 days.

The boat is ready. Final preparations continue.

We leave for Columbia, South Carolina on Thursday morning, March 3rd.

The 5 race series will be on Saturday and Sunday, March 5th and 6th on Lake Murray.

Follow "Team Code Blue" as we begin the 2011 racing season!

The New Race Boat Hauler

2010-11-26T07:15:00.000-08:00

The new race team hauler. Can carry two Y-Flyers:

The New Team: Code Blue Racing

2010-11-19T06:17:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Y-Flyer sailing season was a good one.

Code Blue Racing traveled to regattas in South Carolina, Ohio, and Illinois, Massachusetts and New York. And of course we raced nearly all the races at Lake Lashaway and ended up with the season championship. Along the way we started using our newly discovered speed formulation. Code Blue's secret bottom rub.

Here are pictures of Code Blue in the shop for some trailer repairs:

Getting Ready for the 2010 Racing Year

2010-04-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

Nice action shot of a Y-Flyer at Sea Island, South Carolina:

A new Y-Flyer hull out of the mold at Turner Marine, Neoga, Illinois:

Paul White: He's Been Everywhere, Man

2010-01-01T10:19:00.000-08:00

Who's picture is over the mantle at the White House? It's National Y-Flyer Secretary-Treasurer Paul White!

The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater at Saugerties

2009-11-09T05:20:00.000-08:00

(Click on any picture for a closer look)

Yesterday was a beautiful warm fall day. While spending the time at our marina in Saugerties, we spotted the Clearwater tied to the town dock. We went over and I took a few pictures while some of the crew was working:

http://www.clearwater.org

The Clearwater usually spends the winter in the water at the marina in Saugerties. This year I have heard she will be in the Port of Albany getting a new bow:

Y-2806 Mark Rounding

2009-11-08T05:41:00.000-08:00

(Click on any picture for a closer look)

The start:

Code Blue (Y-2806) approaches close-hauled on starboard tach. (third boat from left):

We're the next boat to round:

Starting to bear off:

Sails are easing:

Rounding:

The jibe is nearly complete:

The sails begin to fill: On to the next mark......

Lake Lashaway Sailing Club Life Member

2009-09-27T04:55:00.000-07:00

Lake Lashaway Sailing Club presents Bob Barton with Life Membership:

Here's Executive Vice President "The Rickster" with Bob:

Labor Day Weekend 2009 On The Hudson River

2009-09-08T04:03:00.001-07:00

Cruising On The Hudson
Labor Day Weekend, 2009

Interesting ships along the way:

Near Tivoli, NY:

The first decked vessel to be built in America. This is a replica of the "Onrust:" (from goDutch.com)

New Netherland’ first ship the ’Onrust’ becomes replica project
Natives helped crew build new ship
Publish Date: Feb 07, 2006

SCHENECTADY, NY – A stranded 17th-century Dutch explorer made North American history in 1614, when he and his crew with the help of local natives built a ship as a replacement of the one which had burned down, the result of a mishap. This year, a group of history buffs and artisans will build a replica of Adriaan Block’s Onrust (Dutch for Restless).
The replica builders will use original 17th-century Dutch building techniques. The unique project is undertaken under the auspices of new nonprofit organization New Netherland Routes, Inc. Its project supervisor is Gerald DeWeerdt, director of the ’t Behouden Huys,’ maritime museum on the Frisian island of Terschelling, the Netherlands. The Schenectady County project will once completed act as a floating ambassador for Schenectady and the Mohawk River area. Originally, the region was settled by Dutch traders and colonists.
The Onrust was built by Adriaen Block and the crew of the Tyger, which had been destroyed by fire at the tip of Manhattan. The Onrust, a yacht, was the first decked vessel to be built entirely in America. The construction, with help from the Lenape Indians, took the entire winter. The ship was 44 1/2 feet in length, with a 11 1/2 feet beam and had a displacement of 16 tons.
The Onrust was launched into Upper New York Bay in April 1614. The ship sailed through the treacherous passage called Hell Gate (the English translations of Helle-Gat) in the East River and later became the first American-built vessel to sail in Long Island Sound. Block earlier had explored the waters with the Tyger. Block explored the harbors of Long Island and Connecticut discovering the Housatonic and Thames Rivers, and sailed up the Connecticut River (then called de Versche Rivier) past the site of Hartford. The Onrust continued on to Narragansett and Buzzards Bays, and Cape Cod.
Block’s name was immortalized on maps through Block Island. On the basis of this voyage, the Dutch laid claim to the territory of New Netherland, a territory that included Long Island (and all of New York), Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and parts of Pennsylvania.
The last known account of the Onrust has her on a 1616 expedition down the coast of New Jersey to explore the Delaware River with Captain Cornelius Hendrickson in command. No documents have surfaced beyond 1616. Since the ship was too small to cross the Atlantic, and records exist of its loss, it is assumed that the Onrust was abandoned when newer ships took over.

A tow boat pulling a barge approaching from the north:

Scrap metal heading south to the port of New York. Then to South Korea? China?

Derelict barges from another era sitting abandoned near Athens, NY:

There is no doubt, a lot of great history in these barges:

Lafarge Cement barge, the "Alexandria," heading south towards New York City.

Steering from the pilot house with the barge fully loaded and sitting low in the water:

Loaded with dry cement from the Lafarge plant in Ravena, NY:

Moran Shipping's tug, the "Doris Moran:"

The brand new Hudson River port at Ravena-Coeymans (south of Albany):

This ship is being loaded with scrap metal 24 hours a day in a race to get filled. There is a D-9 Cat bulldozer inside pushing the metal around.

Anoth Lafarge Cement barge heading north near New Baltimore: Riding high in the water, empty:

Heading north to be filled again with dry cement. This is the "Maria T" being pushed by Moran's "Jennifer Moran:" Steering from the crow's nest:

I was told that they are building a bridge for New York City at the new port. This may be a barge to move part of it south to the city:

The pilot can see between the side legs of the crane:

Wet Notes

2009-07-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

NEVER duct tape your Wet Notebook to the deck........because when you pull the duct tape off it rips the plastic covering off the wet note pages.....

Lake Lashaway Sailing Club, Sunday July 12

2009-07-13T01:49:00.000-07:00

Y-Flyer Fleet 53 at Lake Lashaway Sailing Club in Massachusetts

Club races July 12:

(click on any picture for a closer look!)

Cathy Murray and crew, Bob Latham:

Rich Goodell and Jack:

Dick Robideaux with Sean Barton:

John and Jackie Smith:

Paul Sabin and family:

Jack Nash and Leah Barton:

Rick Manser and Kathryn Whitenack:

Doug Sabin and family:

Cathy and Bob:

Rick and Kathryn:

The Ugly Truth About the Y-Flyer Nationals

2009-07-07T11:23:00.001-07:00

Our PRO....Paul White of Indianapolis. A man who's been everywhere:

Paul White announces that there will no food served during the entire week of the Nationals. Very disturbing news indeed. Most competitors are shocked:

Some innovative Y-Flyer sailors try to herd some ducks onto the dinner table.....with no luck! Outsmarted by some ducklings....they just paddled away to safety!

Then by Thursday someone saw a watermellon floating by the docks!!!!

Hungry sailors race for it!

Fighting for food!!! You know, this is how cavemen used to find nourishment....ending up in what we now have come to call "FOOD FIGHT!!!"

A break-away....this watermellon could feed an entire family for the rest of the Nationals Regatta!!!

Desperation!!! Where'd the food go?

Big, big fight...all the cavepeople...er, sailors are getting involved! After 4 days of no food, someone will eat tonight!

It looks like the Hodges family of Atlanta may be the only survivors of the weeklong regatta!

But no....someone says, "What is this stuff??"

The Y-Flyer sailors have gone so long without food they don't know what to do with it when they find it!!!

Indy Nationals for Y-Flyers

2009-06-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

Hello from the Indianapolis Nationals: El Fraser and doctor j....

Y-Flyer 2009 National Championships at Indianapolis

2009-06-25T03:43:00.000-07:00

Day 1: No wind.

Our supply tent:

The boat is ready:

Cleaning the bottom in 90 degree heat and bright sun:

So we'll try again tomorrow.

Grandparents

2009-06-08T06:45:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the world Blake Ulysses Fraser. Our first grandson. 7 1/2 lbs, 0300AM 6/7/09. Born in Buffalo (initials BUF)! Thanks Kathryn for making the cutest baby sweater I've ever seen!

Canadian National Champs

2009-06-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

Friends from Canada....Pierre Dignard and Parker Cudney

Next Regatta on the Y-Flyer Schedule

2009-06-01T05:20:00.000-07:00

The next regatta on the Y-Flyer schedule:

The Riviera Regatta
Lake Mattoon
Neoga, Illinois
June 6 and 7

Big giant bonfire....steak dinner....costume party (come dressed as your favorite cartoon charactor).....two days of racing....Guest Competitor: Greg Fisher of North Sails

A couple messages from Jan about the Regatta!

Hi all!The "cartoon characters" of Fleet 39 inadvertently left a bit of pertinent information off the regatta invitation!Free Camping On LMSA Grounds!!!!! as always!Hotel Choices in Mattoon:Comfort Suites 217-235-6745Hampton Inn 217-234-4267Fairfield Inn 217-234-2355Super 8 217-235-8888Also, there's a new Holiday Inn Express across from Home Depot in Mattoon (near the intersection where the rest of the hotels are)The phone number is 877-863-4780.Be sure to let us know if you're coming so we call tell Virginia to have a ribeye steak for you!!! :) My number is 317-753-9086 or e- mail me at jan.irons@mac.com.Cheers!!JanY2802

Greg Fisher made last minute plans to join the Fleet 39 characters rigging up for this weekend's Riviera Regatta at beautiful Lake Mattoon, IL! Maybe you should too!!! :) Don't forget to join the fun as your favorite cartoon character on Saturday evening!Yep, you heard it right. Greg Fisher from North Sails is planning to join our cast of characters from mid-day Friday until after lunch on Saturday-- he can't wait to eat "Beans" Mickey Irons' hearty ham n bean lunch Saturday! If I remember correctly, last time Greg joined in the fun at the Rivi was the "Come As You Were in the 70's" regatta ... and there were reports of naked streaking around the bonfire. But since we're missing one of the key cast of characters from that epic event, I doubt there will be an animated repeat!So if you haven't already made plans to come to the Rivi, do it now.... trust me, mowing the grass or painting your bathroom will still be there AFTER you have a great time at the Rivi!See you there!
Sincerely,Minnie MouseY2802

Paul White's Been Everywhere, Man

2009-05-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

Click on the picture to enlarge:

Paul White of Indianapolis is best friends with the President:

The Ballad Of Paul White

2009-05-20T15:24:00.001-07:00

The Ballad of Paul White of Indianapolis
(I've Been Everywhere)

Lyrics by El Fraser

(Introduction)
C
Driving down the interstate....towing my old Y
C
Had my van on cruise control.... man that rig can fly
F
Stopped at a truck stop.... to take a little break
C
When a semi pulls up..... driver walks up says "goodness sake
G7
That’s a beat up old boat...... she’s banged up and almost done
C
Where do you sail....... that ol’ thing, son?"
(spoken)
I said "My name is Paul White..... and man……."

(Chorus)
C ................................................C
I’ve been everywhere, man I’ve been everywhere, man
.........F................................................. C
I’ve raced in midwest air man. Up north I’ve sailed my share, man
........G7................................................... F .................................C
The south, I’ve been there too, man. I’ve been everywhere…..

I’ve been to……..

(Verse 1)
C
Chippewa, Arkansas, Ottawa, Fanshaw
C
Ramsey Lake, Clinton Lake, Alton Lake, Acton Lake
F
Columbia, Canada, Florida, Iowa
C
Chattanooga, Lake Mattoon"a", Allatoona, sang a toon-a
G7
Mooresville, Millegeville, Louisville, Greenville
C
Medina, Savannah, Augusta, sail I must-a……yeah (to chorus)

(Verse 2)
C
Bloomington, Wilmington, London, Charleston
C
Governor’s Cup, Mayor’s Cup, MAC Cup, Kenyon Cup
F
Clark Hill, Charles Mill, Keowee River, ‘Hi-o River
C
Orlando, Ontario, Beer and Boats, hope she floats
G7
Britainnia, Alabama, Looosiana, Riviera
C
White Lake, Webster Lake, Geist "Lake," pete’s sake………yeah (to chorus)

(Verse 3)
C
Y-Knot Regatta, Beers Regatta, Indy-Outy, Wateree--ee
C
Hot Missouri, Cold Lake Murray, East Moriches, Lake St. Louis
F
Shreveport, Beaufort, Camden, The Helmsman
C
Fort Walton Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Lake Lemon, should’a won
G7
Summer Madness, winter sadness, Lake Glendale, Grande Maumelle
C
Whale of a Sail, Carbondale, Jersey snow at Sail Expo…….yeah (to chorus)

(Verse 4)
C
Early Bird, Early Hawg, Hawg Wild, Lake Carlyle
C
Heart of America, at Quivira, West Hampton, Lake Martin
F
Hazlet State, Hartwell Lake, Wales Mass, Bluegrass
C
Little Rock, White Rock Lake, Rock Creek Lake, Big Creek Lake
G7
Redskin, Corinthian, Big Lake Norman, Club Mohican
C
Old Cap, lost my hat, Lake Sinclair, lost my hair……yeah (to chorus)

(verse 5)
(spoken) "So Mr. Truck Driver......I've been everywhere....and I've used..."
C
Rowland sails, Kenyon Sails, Bowers Sails, Planar Sails
C
Shore Sails, Fisher Sails, North Sails, Gilreath Sails
F
Leading Edge and Gus Sails, Waters Sails, Boston Sails,
C
Turner boats, Helms boats, Lundquist boats, Phillippe boats
G7
Gibbs boats, McKinney boats, homebuild woods, Hueston Woods
C
Been there, sailed it, fingers to the bone….heading home…..yeah (to chorus and end)

Scenes From the Redskin Regatta, Oxford, Ohio

2009-05-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

Jerry and JoAnn Callahan of Hueston Woods Sailing Association starting the "roast" of Paul White.

Celebrating Paul's 200 Mid America Cup Regattas in a row and still counting!

And the stories begin! Here's Dave Irons recalling some of Paul's finer moments:

Paul and Kaye White taking it all well!

JoAnn Callahan:

Jan Irons:

Carol Gebhart:

Sandy Rowland:

Part of the quilt that the Whites had gotten after just 100 MAC Regattas in a row:

The quilt:

Some of the crowd enjoying the entertainment:

El Fraser singing the "Ballad of Paul White of Indianapolis." Or "I've Been Everywhere, Man!"

Tony and Vicky Passafiume show the original duct tape patch they made to cover the hole that Paul put in the side of their boat long ago:

National President Kevin Black tells a story:

Sunday morning and I found my crew cuddling Dave and Carolyn Shearlock's little Mexican dog:

A relaxing cruise out to the starting area on Sunday morning:

Dave and Jan Irons sailing out of the harbor:

Other boats starting to leave the launch area:

"doctor j" eagerly anticipating the racing for the day:

And then it was over and the packing and wrapping begins. The bottom cover is already on and the mast is down:

The Fraservan is ready to haul Y-2806 back to New York:

John and Andrea Bright (Y-2632) take home the championship trophy!

The Redskin Regatta Racing Day 1

2009-05-16T18:42:00.000-07:00

doctor j and I had breakfast at a Bob Evans Restaurant. Then on to Acton Lake where we had left the boat yesterday.

We took the travel covers off and got the boat rigged up. We had Y-2806 launched and tied to a dock by 11:30 and in plenty of time to get to the skippers' meeting at 12 noon.

The organizers gave us a nice lunch, the meeting was just a rehash of the racing instuctions and some local information.

Then to the boat for a 1 o'clock start. They decided to use a 3 minute countdown start for this regatta and so every minute a flag was going up or down on the committee boat until all flags were down for the start.

We had a great start on the committe boat end and immediately flipped over on to port as it was favored by 15 degrees on the compass. New wind was coming from that direction and we ended up rounding the windward mark in 2nd. The new boat is fast and really accelerates very well.

We rounded the next two marks of the triangle course in 2nd but I did a poor steering job on the 2nd windward leg and was out of synch with the windshifts. We rounded the next mark in 4th and lost another postion before the finish to end up 5th.

The second race started in similar windy and shifty conditions but the committee had corrected the start line for a more equal windward leg. We had another committee boat end of the line start and again flipped over on to the port tack. This time it was only slightly favored and we tacked back and forth up the leg to round the first mark in 4th but got swallowed up by the boats following around and had to fight all the way down to the wing mark and fell into the middle of the pack.

The race committee had decided to make this race longer than the first by extending it to 3 times around the triangle instead of just 2 times around like the first race. With the extra lap we were able to climb back to finish 6th.

Race three was also three times around and once again we had a good start at the committee boat end of the start line. This time the compass was showing the tacks to be fairly even so we went up the middle and played the shifts. We rounded the first mark well but not with the front runners.

We stayed stuck in the pack for the first two times around but on the third windward leg we made great gains and ended coming to the windward mark very close to the leader....unfortunately when I tacked onto starboard for the mark rounding I fouled another boat and had to do penalty turns after we got clear of the incident.

That put us back into the pack again and although we sailed well we didn't have enough race left to catch back up to the leaders. I don't know what position we got in race three because there were a lot of boats that finished before we did.

I later found out at the dinner party that we are 6th overall.

Sunday's races start at 10 AM.

The Redskin Regatta Trip

2009-05-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

Day two of my adventure at the Redskin Regatta at Acton Lake near Oxford, Ohio.

Woke up this morning at the Days Inn of Conneaut, Ohio. Had coffee, USA Today, a bagel and at 9AM I headed west on I-90. Listening to Mike and Mike in the morning on ESPN radio.

Warm and sunny. Traffic was light to moderate with no slowdowns. Turned down I-271 to I-71.

Stopped for lunch at a Subway near Columbus then cut around the city on I-270 and then to Dayton on I-70. Headed down some state roads to the state park and found Jerry Callahan in the parking lot! Had a good talk.

Left the park and found the Baymont Inn in Oxford. Luckily Miami University's graduation was last weekend, so I may the the only guest here at the Inn!

Two interesting things that Jerry mentioned....Greg Fisher went to Miami University. Also Miami U finished second in the NCAA college hockey championships this year, losing to Boston University.

Now I'm lazing around the motel room waiting for my crew (doctor j) to fly in from Newark to join me! Then for a late dinner some place.

The Redskin Regatta

2009-05-14T20:13:00.000-07:00

Day one of my trip to the Redskin Regatta at Hueston Woods State Park has come to a close.

A long day of travel after working the night shift at the hospital started with a stop in Schoharie, New York to properly document my boat trailer.

Then southwest on I-88 to Binghamton and then west on I-86 along the New York State Southern Tier.

Needing gasoline I pulled off at three different exits in the Seneca Reservation and there was NO GAS! All pumps were blocked off. Is there some sort of Seneca gas tax revolt going on?

At any rate, I made it to Jamestown and finally was able to fill up the tank. Then after the Yankee game ended (with a win over Toronto 3-2) I have stopped at a Days Inn near Conneaut, Ohio. Only 4 1/2 more hours to drive tomorrow to get to Acton Lake.

In Memorium: Joe Whitesell

2009-05-14T01:36:00.000-07:00

From: Drew Daugherty Sent: May 13, 2009 1:11 PM To: yflyer@yahoogroups.com Subject: [yflyer]

As many of you may have heard, we lost Joe Whitesell to cancer this week. Joe is a longtime Y Flyer sailor and about the most pleasant person you could ever be around.
Joe hadn't been sailing since he moved to Florida several years ago but he was one of the most active sailors and an avid traveler to regattas. He loved nothing more than to go to regattas to see old friends, drink a few beers and tell stories. Joe was a gifted story teller and would delight young and old with lyrical tales of who knew what. In fact the tradition we still carry on of reciting poetry was started by Joe. I can still hear him reciting, with much expression, "The Piddlin Pup," or "Dangerous Dan Mcgrew," or the WC Fields classic "sublimely drunk".
An intellectual in every sense of the word, Joe was a renaissance man. Joe was a college biology professor, student of life, and tremendous woodworker. In the early seventies he built his own Y and the wonderful addorindac chairs we still enjoy at our club. Joe recycled long before the rest of us as he hand planed the old sunfish docks into beautiful cypress chairs that sat on his back deck.
I had the privilege of knowing Joe as a young boy, and later as an adult contemporary. He was no different from either point of view. I don't believe I ever heard the words, "Dr. Whitesell" in my life. He was always, Joe, Slo Joe, Uncle Joe, or as toddler Andy Moore called him, Junca O. His incessant arguments (in good nature) with Paul Moore about the virtues of white pine over oak still bring a smile to my face.
The world is a lesser place without our friend, we will miss him, but never forget him.

Drew Daugherty_/) _/)

Leaving For The Redskin Regatta In Less Than Twenty Four Hours

2009-05-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

Preparing the boat for the trip to Hueston Woods State Park near Oxford, Ohio.

Here is Y-2806 still wrapped in her winter covering:

Winter cover is off, inspecting and airing out the boat:

Cleaning, polishing.....

And finally all wrapped up for the road.

Hueston Woods State Park....The Redskin Regatta

2009-05-12T14:18:00.000-07:00

All is well in the Y-Flyer world! Regattas have already started in the South at Lake Murray, Atlanta, and Keowee.

The Mid-America Cup Series starts this weekend with the Redskin Regatta in Ohio, then the Hawg Wild Regatta in Arkansas, followed by the Riviera Regatta in Illinois.

Let the fun begin!

Y-2806 (my new Y) is all packed up and ready to travel. I leave here in less than
48 hours and I plan on a 12 hour drive to Oxford, Ohio for the Redskin.

doctor j will fly in to join me for the regatta and then fly back to New Jersey on Sunday after all the fun is done.

I hope to have pictures and a narrative of my trip starting tomorrow....

El Fraser
Y-2806

Today's Special Edition: A Guest Blog From Tweezerman!

2009-05-11T03:41:00.000-07:00

A Guest Blog From Tweezerman
(Rod Mincher)

(From Tweezerman's Blog)

Saturday, May 9, 2009

I ran into a Y Flyer sailor! From Ohio!
One thing I've noticed as I've aged.... there is that one particular class you sailed as a youngster (probably either crewing with Dad and then branching out, or even learning to sail, as in an El Toro pram), that one sailboat class of your youth has put a hammerlock on you for the rest of your life. Many return to that class and continue racing in it, becoming the wizened veteran competitor. Some of us move on to other boats. Still, we hold those memories; those sweet, sweet memories of a carefree summer of our youth and of glorious regattas in days gone by.

The Y Flyer scow is that sailboat class for me. I ran into Naval Academy midshipman Josh (skipper of the Academy's Farr 53 "TomCat") who it turns out, sailed Y Flyers on Chippewa Lake, Ohio. I sailed Y Flyers on Berlin Lake, about an hours drive away and though our time in Y Flyers is separated by more than 30 years, when two sailors share the love of the same sailboat, the stories come flowing out.Josh's Dad and other fleet members from Chippewa have been building wooden Y Flyers. The Y Flyer class has been mostly fiberglass, even back in the ancient past when I was sailing (Bob Turner built a wood Y back in my era, we ran in the same crowd in Annapolis in our twenties, but today our paths cross every once in a Blue Moon).The Y Flyer is a great scow class. I'll devote another post to wax lyrical about the boat (I know, I know, all small boat sailors can pontificate endlessly about the virtues of their particular class ..... but this is my blog.)Many sailors on the East Coast have no clue what a Y Flyer looks like so I've lifted some pictures from El Fraser over at his Y Flyer blog. Click on the pic for a larger image.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fKT-X4VETZY/Se-PWI0m2EI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/j6UAR2GTJL4/s1600-h/image002ccdonhill.jpg

(A picture of Nate Ireland (L) and skipper Ivan Baker of Chippewa)

Tweezerman

Age 56, bald. Sailed Windmills and Y-Flyers in the 1960's. Founded Miami University (OH) sailing team. Sailed International 14's and Lasers in the 1970's. Sailed International Canoes in the 1980's to mid 1990's. Sailed Classic Moths since 2002. After choosing this username (Tweezer is the name of my Classic Moth), further research on the Internet turned up that Tweezerman is a corporate name for a line of pedicure products. Let me emphasize that I do not work for, nor endorse these products.

http://earwigoagin.blogspot.com/

Thank you Tweezerman for this great blog!! Maybe we shall meet on the racing circuit someday!

El Fraser

Y-2806

How Can You Spot A King?

2009-05-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

First of all, a King has to be a Y-Flyer sailer....then he has to wear a crown:

My Y Can Fly!!

2009-05-03T14:54:00.000-07:00

My Y Can Fly!!!

A Field Guide To Y-Flyer Identification (Part 5)

2009-04-24T06:38:00.000-07:00

(click on any picture for a closer look)

Dan Eskew/South Carolina fighting upwind in Y-2769 and winning the 2007 Nationals Challenger Trophy:

A first leg picture of one of the races at the last Lake Norman Midwinters in 2006. In Y-208 is skipper Eric Nash/Massachusetts, Y-2627 is El Fraser/New York, and driving Y-2656 is Dan Eskew/South Carolina:
Current International Champion Paul White/Indiana with El Fraser (that's me)/New York steering Y-2782 at the 2009 Midwinters at Lake Murray near Columbia, South Carolina:

Another picture of the Dynamic Duo as they buzz the dock!

A Field Guide To Y-Flyer Identification (Part 4)

2009-04-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

(Click on any picture for a closer view)

Thanks to Dan Eskew for all of the following pictures....

Finally! An excellent picture of Dave Miller/Illinois on Y-2755 with grandson Drew Miller at the 2009 Midwinters in South Carolina:

Ivan Baker/Ohio on Y-2789 with crew Nate Ireland coming in for a landing at Lake Murray:

A trio of Y's. Charles Murphy/North Carolina in Y-2678 with Tom Deaton as crew. The next boat is Carl Swail/Canada and Richard Hart as crew in Y-2502 followed by Tom Stannard/Ohio in Y-2647 with Justin Adams crewing:

David Parshall in Y-2595 and crew Amber Parshall sailing majestically after racing at the Midwinters:

Don Hill/South Carolina in Y-2786 with Juliet Hill as crew at the Midwinters:

John Bright at the helm of Y-2632 at the Midwinters. Andrea Bright prepares for landing on the bow. Andrea was the actual skipper in the event:

Lyle Miller driving Y-2797 towards the Columbia Sailing Club docks with crew Brenda Moderow:

And the 2009 Midwinter champions Tony and Vicky Passafiume from Kentucky in Y-2670:

A Field Guide To Y-Flyer Identification (Part 3)

2009-04-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

(click on any picture for a closer look)

Lloyd Adkins/Missouri in Y-2520 singlehanding upwind:

Another angle:

John Parker/South Carolina steering Y-2794 (Pink Panther) upwind with Emily Hanckel at the jib:

Pat Passafiume/Kentucky in Y-2681 finishing a jibe:

Shelby Hatcher/Georgia at the tiller of Y-2762 (Toad Suck Ferry) with Nile Hatcher crewing:

Bill Latimer/Massachusetts steering Y-2706 with Dennis Stage in the front as they sail the waters of Lake Allatoona at the Beers Regata at the Atlanta Yacht Club:

A Field Guide To Y-Flyer Identification (Part 2)

2009-04-12T15:12:00.000-07:00

(Click on any picture for a close up view)

Bob Somek/Canada rounding a mark in Y-2758 (Burnt Ya') with Carolyn Bilodeau working the jib at the Kenyon Cup:

Dennis Bardle/Missouri driving Y-2514 (Dazed Sailor) with Carol Gailbraith crewing at Creve Coure Lake near St. Louis in exciting wind:

Bill Totten/Illinois in his old boat Y-2704 (The Original Cherry Bomb) lending a helping hand to a stranded power boat at the 2004 Midwinters at Lake Norman, North Carolina:

Paul White/Indiana crewing in his own Y-2782 "Kaydid It Everywhere" with El Fraser (that's me)/New York holding the stick at the 2009 Midwinters at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina:

Ed Hone/Canada in Y-2687 with Adam Sokolowski crewing at the 2008 Internationals at Sudbury, Ontario:

In the background is Stephanie Andrieux/Canada steering Y-2394 with Gigi Andrieux in the front of the boat chasing down Fast Eddie as they round a corner at Lake Ramsey in heavy wind:

Pierre Dignard/Canada aboard Y-2776 on Lake Ramsey with spinaker on deck ready for launch at the 2008 Internationals. Parker Cudney is crew:

Eric Nash/Massachusetts with Lori Thompson aboard Y-208 at the 2009 Internationals in Sudbury.

(Eric and Lori have a brand new baby boy)!

Dan Haile/Missouri aboard Clueless Y-2784. Jolene O'Brien is on the high side at the 2008 Nationals:

One Less Woodie/Illinois:

Kate Hodges/Georgia steering 2799 through rain with Neecee Coryell at Lake Allatoona:

Dave Miller/Illinois:

C. Hodges/Georgia:

Daugherty/Arkansas:

B. Hanckel/South Carolina:

Turner/Illinois:

H. Roeschlein/Indiana:Hanley/Georgia: Bright/Kentucky

Shearlock/Illinois:

Bigus/Kansas:

Brooks/Missouri:

Bouknight/North Carolina: Dotterer/South Carolina:

I. Baker and J. Baker/Ohio:

A Field Guide to Y-Flyer Identification (Part 1)

2009-04-12T06:53:00.000-07:00

(Click on any picture for a closer look)

Goodell/Massachusetts:

E. Nash/Massachusetts:

J. Nash/Massachusetts:

El Fraser/New York:(in Relentless)

Robidoux/Massachusetts:

Manser:Massachusetts:

P. Passafiume/Kentucky:

W. Hanckel/South Carolina:

Y-2749

Cyrul/Tennessee:

Hatcher/Georgia:

Haile/Missouri:

Black/Indiana:

P. Passafiume/Kentucky:

Totten/Illinois:

Womble/Georgia:

I. Baker/Ohio:

Kinzer/Indiana:

Irons/Illinois:

El Fraser/New York: (in 2806)

Smith/New York: White/Indianapolis

King/Canada

Y-Flyer National Champions

2009-04-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

Here are Bob and Sandy Rowland....our 2008 Y-Flyer National Champions: Very good in heavy air!

A Weekend In New Jersey

2009-04-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

We recently spent a weekend at doctor j's weekday home in New Jersey.

We decided to go see a boat over at Liberty Landing Marina near Jersey City on the Hudson River..

Liberty Landing State Park looking south towards the Atlantic you can see the Verrazano Narrows Bridge:

A map of the state park:

The seawall at the Landing:

The Manhattan skyline across the Hudson:

The Jersey City skyline from the park:

We took a good look at this ketch that's for sale at the marina. Center cockpit/pilot house:

The Central Rail-Road Company of New Jersey (the New Jersey Central) museum at Liberty Landing State Park:

The trains stopped running long ago... http://www.northeast.railfan.net/cnj.html

doctor j takes a look at the old platforms:

Inside the station....this is now used as a ticket office for the ferries to the Statue of Liberty: Outside a ferry is loading for the trip to the Statue:

Some of the old platforms:

El Fraser waiting for the train to Whitehouse.....it may never come:

This is the George Washington bridge looking north:

Circle Line tour boat with Manhattan in the background:

The ferry is leaving for the Statue of Liberty:

It's not very far away:

Then a quick trip down to Sandy Hook:

And seafood:

A good restaurant at the base of the bridge out to the Sandy Hook:

Sandy Hook Light House in New Jersey with Manhattan in the background:

Verrazano Narrows Bridge from the ocean side: A very nice day.

Cuttlebone

2009-04-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

Over the past few months Cuttlebone has been practicing in my studio.

They are currently putting the last few tracks on their first album at a recording studio.

Their first performance will be at the Albany College of Pharmacy in a couple of weeks.

Here's their website: http://www.myspace.com/cuttleboneband

So one evening I went over to the studio to take a few pictures...

Here's Nemo on lead and vocals:

And Berto on vocals, keyboard, and his Gibson Les Paul:

Nemo's "feather fingers on the frets:"

And Arnie on the drums:

I've got a good feeling about this band.......

Their new album will be available online at CDbaby soon.

Skiing

2009-03-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

Last day of skiing this year:

Windham Mountain in the Catskills: doctor j:

Enjoying the sun and warm temperatures....

NCAA Bracket

2009-03-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

This year my college national championship bracket has an all Big East Final Four.

Of course I'm picking Syracuse to win it all!

The 2009 Y-Flyer Midwinters...Columbia, South Carolina

2009-03-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

The first weekend of March means "head south!"

The Y-Flyer Midwinter Championships are again being held at the Columbia Sailing Club on Lake Murray in South Carolina.

This year is the first year I'm not towing a boat. Friend Paul White has offered to let me sail the current International Championship boat with him as crew.

So off I go...leaving snowy upstate New York behind and driving south. The farther south I drive, the warmer it gets.

Here is a nice view of the Blue Ridge Mountains from I-81 in the Shenendoah Valley:

I left at about noon on Thursday and arrived at noon on Friday. This is a view of the clubhouse and the lake:

Here's an interesting site at the club:

An old Helms Lightning converted to an outside bar:

The plaque inside the main entrance to the clubhouse:

The club has all flags flying for the Midwinters:

A view of the parking lot side of the clubhouse:

In the foreground is the boat that I'll be sailing:

My van...my home for the next three days:

Paul and I took the boat out on late Friday afternoon in a nice warm heavy breeze to give me some practice time at the helm. The racing begins on Saturday morning.

The 2009 Y-Flyer Midwinters

2009-03-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again! It's time to race! In just 48 hours Team Relentless will be heading south where the temperatures are warm and the hospitality is great!

The 2009 Y-Flyer Midwinter Championships at Columbia, South Carolina.

Lake Murray is the venue.

I will have the honor to sail with Paul White on his boat. Yes, this is the same boat in which he won the 2008 International Championships.

There will be no excuses for El Fraser.......oh, by the way, Paul wants me to skipper the boat....

Hope to see you all in South Carolina on Friday!!!!!!!

2009 New York State High School Wrestling Championships....Day 2

2009-03-01T15:58:00.000-08:00

Jason Fraser:

There are 11 Sections of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

Starting in the last blog we have been following the progress of my nephew in the state wrestling championships.

He is a five time Section 5 class champion.

2005 at 103 pounds

2006 at 119 pounds

2007 at 130 poumnds

2008 at 140 pounds

2009 at 152 pounds.
Yesterday we saw him defeat the New York City champion and then the Section 1 champion in the Quarterfinals.

Today he goes against the Section 6 champion (Buffalo and surrounding area) in the state Semifinals:

Early morning warm-ups and weigh-ins.

Mat 6 is the scene of the Semifinal match...Fraser vs Betts from Fredonia, NY:.
(Click on any picture for a closer view)

Betts gets the red ankles and Fraser the green:

Betts holds a tie for the all-time New York State wrestling career victories. Betts is on the left and Fraser is on the right:

The match was pretty even until all of a sudden Betts gets a quick take-down and ends up with 5 points at the end of the first 2 minute period.

The end of the first period...Fraser 0 and Betts 5:

The start of the second period:

Then end of the second period. Fraser 2, Betts 6:

The start of the third period. Fraser on top:

Fraser 2, Betts 8 with 26 seconds left in the match: It's over and Fraser loses for the first time....the opponent, Betts, sets the all time career win record for New York State:

The "Wrestle-Back"

Now Fraser has to "wrestle-back" into the competition for a chance at the top 3 in the state:

The Times-Union Center in Albany, New York:

doctor j is enjoying a good book in the upper deck:

This time Section 5 champion, Fraser, faces the Section 7 champion from Northern Adirondack Central School in Boonville, NY. Fraser vs Charland:

Once again...mat 6. This time Fraser with the red ankles and Charland with the green:

The start of the second period...Fraser 0, Charland 0:

Still 0-0 with 1:25 left in the second period:

Fraser has Charland's right arm and Charland looks hurt: 12 seconds later the opponent gets a point and has a problem with his arm. Fraser gets 2 points: Looks dislocated....injury time out: Still looks dislocated:

Charland is almost getting up:

And now a complaint that it was an illegal hold:

The referee decides to consult: Fraser explains that it was not illegal:

The ruling was that it was legal and the action resumes. Fraser gets 2 more points:

A flurry of activity and points given to both wrestlers: Score is Fraser 7...Charland 3 with 1 second on the clock:

It's over:

Fraser wins and now wrestles for 3rd or 4th place:

The Consolation Match for 3rd and 4th Place in the State:

Jason Fraser from Alfred-Almond Central School in Section 5 against the wild card entry from Section 6....Strong from Frewsburg, NY:

Fraser at the table getting his color....mat 5: putting on the green ankle bands:

Strong gets the red ankles:

And it begins with Strong on the left and Fraser (my nephew) on the right:

Fraser 0...Strong 0:

Second period starts: Oh, Oh...my camera battery went dead and I had to switch to another camera.....

Injury time-out for blood: Head to head talk with the coach during the time-out:

Fraser lifting Strong off the mat:

Fraser 3....Strong 1....with 4 seconds left:

It's over and Fraser wins 3rd in the state: And the final standings:

1st place....section 6.....Betts...Fredonia Central School (setting the New York State all time win record)

2nd place...section 5....Scott...Lyons Central School (the wild card entry from section 5)

3rd place....section 5...Fraser...Alfred-Almond Central School (my nephew)

4th place...section 6...Strong...Frewsburg Central School (the wild card enty from Section 6)

New York State High School Wrestling Championships

2009-02-27T15:13:00.000-08:00

2009 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Wrestling State Championships.

(click on any picture for a closer view)

Featuring the Section 5 (Rochester and the surrounding area) "Super Sectional Champion" at 152 pounds:

Warm-ups:

Introduction ceremony:

First round match against the PSAL champion from Baruch High School, Manhattan:

Fraser in control:

Fraser gets 3 points:

Going for a quick finish:

Almost over:

Pin!!!:

Win:
Quarterfinal Round:

Against the Section 1 (Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester area) Champion from Putnam Valley Central School:

Take down and Fraser gets 2 points:

Putnam Valley getting close with only 18 seconds left in the match:

Another win!!!

Signing the winning score card.....on to the Semifinals!

Our First Y-Flyer

2009-02-23T10:36:00.000-08:00

Here's one of the earliest pictures that I've found of the first Team Relentless Y-Flyer. It probably is from about 1974. She was a used wooden Y that we bought in Nashville. She had an older heavy rotating mast and a wooden boom. We painted her the Vanderbilt University colors...gold and black. Her name was Relentless: (Click on any picture for a better view)

Here is another early picture. Notice that the 2nd time Relentless was painted we went with a Petit bright yellow paint. Still has the same mast and boom, so this picture must be from around 1975.

Another view from around the same time:

Here we've added the 2298 number to the side of the boat:

El Fraser....used to be a very young guy:

doctor j racing at the Percy Priest Yacht Club:

And here is a picture from around 1987....the last year for Relentless. This picture was taken at the Lake Norman Midwinters and shows a new DP-1 bendy mast and a metal boom. The boat number has been moved from the side to the top of the deck. We've also got Relentless printed on the boom and the side of the hull. Notice the duct tape on the deck covering some rough spots!! Later this year we bought a newer fiberglass boat and the first Relentless was burned at the landfill:

The Apple Tree Showdown....Fuzzyface vs. Ginger

2009-02-10T15:27:00.000-08:00

In the past few days you might have come to meet our little white tailed deer friend who we know as "Fuzzyface"

Fuzzyface comes to visit the apple trees in our backyard a number of times every day to dig for apples.

Our dog Ginger has taken it upon herself to be the backyard guard. She feels it is her duty to keep Fuzzyface and his/her friends from eating the apples.

Time after time Ginger runs out the door and chases all the deer out of the yard. It's happened so often that Fuzzyface has started to stand ground as you can see in the next sequence of pictures.
(you can click on any picture for a better view)

After a while, Fuzzyface remains and Ginger returns to the house......

Deer Watching On A Winter Day

2009-02-09T04:07:00.000-08:00

Sunrise:

Leo watching deer digging for apples in the backyard:

Leo asking to go out and play with the deer:

Leo expecting the door to open:

A frequent visitor is this youngster we've come to name "Fuzzyface:"

He's very good at finding apples under the snow:

Digging:

Chewing:

Digging for more:

Fuzzyface is always alert:

Fuzzyface is joined by a few others:

Moonrise:

A late afternoon view of the northern Catskills from the back deck:

Apple Tree Dispute

2009-02-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

Ginger thinks it's her job to keep deer from eating the fallen apples under the apple trees:

This deer likes the apples and feels entitled:

Ginger wins this time:

El Fraser's "Rec Center Studio" AKA..."The Wreck"

2009-01-31T07:05:00.000-08:00

When it's the evening time and it's cold.......

Outside isn't the place to be.....

You need to be behind a microphone at El Fraser's "Rec Center Studio:"

Come on in and hang your hat. There's beer in the fridge.... We've got all the powerful creature comforts in this studio:

Not to mention powerful music makin' stuff:

Fender and Peavey are right at home at "The Wreck:"

And Fender and Peavey can make noise....lots of noise: The "Cuttlebone" band moved in it's new mixing board yesterday: And here's my baby.......my "Tele"

And one of my favorite songs.....y'know, everybody in the whole world should be a cowboy:

Another favorite for when you're out on the long road at night:

You find good friends at Rec Center Studio...including the Drummond Brothers, Chippewa Pride, Humphrey Bogart on the phone, Olde Frothingslosh, 14 Karot Pure Grain Hudepohl, New York Gold, and Sterling.

Bud and Miller, Jack Black, Evan, and Captain Morgan are hanging around, too. And that bottle of Linie Aquavit has crossed the equator twice......it's got stories to tell that need to be put to music: And that is how we make music at the Wreck.......

The Y-Flyer Racing Season Is Only Six Weeks Away!

2009-01-24T17:11:00.000-08:00

The Y-Flyer Midwinter Championships is in just six weeks.

The retatta will be on Lake Murray near Columbia, South Carolina.

Preparing for a regatta is a lot of work.

Preparing for the Midwinters is even more work.

There are checklists that must be completed so you don't leave anything important behind.

And of course sailing things must be found that you haven't used and haven't even seen since last fall......

Here in the higher elevations of upstate New York, a lot of times you have to find the Y-Flyer!!!

Yes, it's there....sitting on its trailer under a lot of snow!

Flying Into Albany, New York

2009-01-19T07:31:00.000-08:00

(Click on any picture for a larger view)

Newark Liberty International Airport with Manhattan in the background:

After takeoff from Newark, a nice view of Manhattan with the Empire State Building seen at the tip of the wing. I-95 is the major highway seen at the bottom left of the picture. The huge white building below the center of the wing is the US Postal Service bulk mail center at Jersey City. If you mail a letter to the US Virgin Islands, the military, northern New Jersey, southern New York State (including the City) and some of Connecticutt....your letter will go through this building. The city on the near side of the Hudson River is Hoboken, New Jersey (memories of Frank Sinatra?)

The Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey:

Looking at the George Washington Bridge (I-95) across the Hudson River into the Bronx. After I-95 crosses the GW Bridge it becomes known as the Cross Bronx Expressway. Fort Lee, New Jersey is the city between us and the bridge. East Rutherford (home of the NY Giants, NY Jets, and the NJ Devils) is right below the airplane:

The complex highway system in New Jersey can be very confusing:

I=95 in New Jersey:About 100 miles up the Hudson our plane gets low enough to see the ground. For 140 miles north of New York Harbor the Hudson River has a 3-4 foot tide approximately every 6 hours.

The big island seen in the middle of the Hudson River is Middleground Flats. On the far side of the river is Athens, New York and on the near side is Hudson, New York:

Stockport Flats near Hudson, New York. The ice covered area on this side of the two islands is a favorite protected anchorage on our sailboat:

Coxsackie Island in the middle of the picture and Rattlesnake Island is only partially visible on the right center:

The southern tip of Castleton Island is in the center of the picture. The near ice covered water leads to Schodack Landing to the right of the picture:

The lake in the middle of this picture is the Alcove Reservoir owned by the city of Albany. My house is off in the haze:

Coxsackie Creek comes into the Hudson River in the center of this picture:

Coeyman's Landing on the Hudson River:

The huge LaFarge Cement plant in Ravena, New York. You can see some of the quarries at the top of the picture. Cement from this plant is delivered to distributors all up and down the east coast of the US. Not in the picture is the Hudson River where LaFarge has a river terminal.

The New York State Thruway and the Berkshire Spur interchange on the west side of the Hudson River:

The CSX Railroad's Selkirk train yard. If your rail freight is going anywhere in New England from the rest of the United States it will go through this yard:

The whole lower part of this picture is of the former General Electric Plastics plant in Delmar. The new owner is a Saudi Arabian company named Sabic:

The Delmar Bypass highway approaches Albany from the south:

Delaware Plaza in the very center of the picture:

The New York State Thruway passing south of Albany with the city owned Capital Hills Golf Course on the left of the Thruway. It's a very nice golf course (in the summer.)

The University at Albany....a SUNY University Center:

Colonie Center Mall is just the other side of the graveyard:

The Wolf Road shopping area near the airport:

Landing at Albany:

At the Albany International terminal:

Still In Florida....Avon Park

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Here's the Crystal Lake Club where the parents spend their winters:

Right on the golf course:

The Clubhouse:

Haynes City is the home of a major orange juice company:

Some of their oranges come from Avon Park:

A tribute to Bob Hope at the Crystal Lake Club:

doctor j working while on vacation:

Took advantage of a chance to sample a 15 year old single malt scotch:

Team Relentless Visits Daytona and Sebring Race Tracks

2009-01-17T16:26:00.000-08:00

Daytona:

The pits:

Lake Lloyd in the infield of the Raceway:

Sebring:

A few cars were practicing:

Splash Down Heroes

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Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine, Florida

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(You can click on any image for a larger picture)

El Fraser and doctor j take a sunset cruise on Freedom: A two masted schooner:

The helm and afterdeck of Freedom:

The standing rigging:

Captain Doug:

And his crew:

We set sail from the St. Augustine city marina:

We sailed out through the inlet into the Atlantic:

Then we turned about and headed west....back into the inlet for a nice sunset:

The St. Augustine lighthouse in the distance.

The cross marks the spot where the first Spanish priest landed at St. Augustine:

Approaching St. Augustine:

The cruise ends with a nice view of the lights of St. Augustine:

Hiking Among the Wild Animals of Florida

2009-01-12T16:07:00.001-08:00

"doctor j" here!

I don't often get to participate in this blog that "El Fraser" has started. I thought I'd take this opportunity to tell you what happened on our vacation in Florida.

It all began when I decided to take a hike through a swamp to see the wild animals of Florida.

While I was gathering my hiking gear I was approached by this character:

He introduced himself as a licensed professional swamp guide. He'd spent his whole life in the swamps of Florida and would gladly guide me. I'll never forget.....he said, "Trust me, I know what I'm doing."

He said, "I'm known as the 'Greatest Florida Swamp Guide.'"

Well everything seemed okay, so I hired him and agreed to pay him "twenty five dollars a day, plus expenses."

And so we started out.....

Our first encounter with a wild animal was this talking bird. He said, "Get rid of that guide....."What did the bird mean by that?????

An hour of walking and we came across another wild talking bird. This one whispered to me. He said, "Confidentially, you need to get rid of that guide......" What in the world was going on?????

A short distance later we ran into this bird.....he didn't talk: Thank goodness for that but by this time I was really starting to wonder about my "Greatest Florida Swamp Guide....."

After walking a while longer we came across this Buzzard waiting for food:

My "Greatest Florida Swamp Guide" said, "Don't worry, you have to be dead before that bird will eat you."

So we continued on our hike and after a while my "Greatest Florida Swamp Guide" stopped and surveyed the swamp. "We'll cross the swamp here," said my "Greatest Florida Swamp Guide:"

I wondered quietly, "Hmmmm:"

I looked at the swamp again and wondered, "Hmmmmmm:"

So we climbed down from the pathway into the murkey Florida swamp water that was up to our knees. And I started following my "Greatest Florida Swamp Guide."

As we started wading through the swamp I heard a faint noise behind me:

My "Greatest Florida Swamp Guide" had ventured out in front of me quite a way.

All of a sudden he yelled "Run!!! Run for your life!!"

There was a lot of splashing around in the water way up ahead of me but I couldn't see much of anything.

And that's the last I ever saw of my "Greatest Florida Swamp Guide......in a flash, he was gone:

Anyway, I was kind of glad to be rid of him, so I continued the hike on my own.

These Sand Cranes were busy nibbling at whatever they nibble on:

But this one approached and asked, "What happened to your 'Greatest Florida Swamp Guide?'" I told her I didn't know and continued the hike.

I came across this Wood Stork:

And a pleasant little Egret:

A wild squirrel eating a nut:

Another one:

A White Ibis:

A bunch of Pelicans:

And this talking Gecko.....after I told him I didn't know what had become of the "Greatest Florida Swamp Guide" he wanted me to buy insurance:

As it turned out I never had to pay the "Greatest Florida Swamp Guide" his twenty five dollars a day plus expenses...

...and I saved a lot more money on my car insurance!

Thank you Geiko!

St. Augustine Lighthouse

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Our visit to the St. Augustine, Florida Lighthouse:

The Light Keeper's house......now a museum:

Getting ready to climb a couple hundred steps to the top:

We made it and here's a view from the top of the lighthouse looking east southeast:

The Atlantic Ocean is in the background of this picture. We're looking northeast:

Looking down on the top of the Lighthouse Keeper's house:

Looking north there is a good view of the Intracoastal Waterway:

The Bridge of Lions is gone and is to be rebuilt stronger and will look almost the same as it looked before. In the meantime you can see the temporary lift bridge in the distance:

And now for the stairs back down:

Scenes From St. Augustine, Florida

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Team Relentless At The Castillo de San Marcos In St. Augustine, Florida

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A visit to the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida.

(Click on any picture for a larger view)

The Spanish Battle Flag flying over the Castillo de San Marcos:

(definitions are from the National Park Service web site)
bastion --the pointed, projecting corner of a fort which allows for crossfire and for visibility along the walls. The Castillo de San Marcos has four bastions, each named for a saint.

garrison --a body of troops stationed at a fighting place. St. Augustine was a garrison town

curtain wall --the expanse of wall between two corners of a fortress. The curtains of the Castillo are about thirty feet high.

lime --(calcium-oxide) The ingredient used in cement or mortar which causes it to harden. The
Spanish would burn oyster shells to make lime.

coquina --a type of a limestone rock formed from shells (mostly the tiny coquina clam) cemented together by their own calcium over about 500,000 years. Beginning with the building of the Castillo de San Marcos, coquina became used as a durable building material in St. Augustine.

El Fraser at the ready and about to enter the fort:

Flags that have been flown over the fort:

doctor j at the fort:

canister shot --a metal can filled with musket balls and shot out of a cannon which produced a
scatter effect very effective against ground troops.

solid shot --a non-explosive, solid cannon ball, the most common shot of the 17th - 18th century.

crenellation --an opening in a parapet through which a cannon might be fired.

loophole --a small, narrow opening in the wall of a fort through which to shoot.

cannon --During the 17th-18th centuries, these were mostly muzzle-loading guns. Powder and shot was loaded from the front and rammed down and then touched off with a "match", a
glowing rope on a long stick. Cannon were named according to how much the cannon ball
weighed. For example, a gun that shot a ball weighing six pounds was called a "sixpounder".

On Vacation

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The lighthouse at St. Augustine, Florida:

Team Relentless Is On Vacation!

Blog entries will be sparse for a few days until we return from Florida.

Currently we are in St. Augustine for a few days and then on to Avon Park.

My Beer Can Collection---Genesee Beer, Rochester, New York

2009-01-01T10:37:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of my Genesee Beer can collection.

You can click on any picture for a closer look.

Steel Genesee Cans: Including "cold aged" and "one brewery:"

Aluminum Genesee Beer cans:

Aluminum Genesee Ice, Genny Ice, Genny Red, and Genesee Bock

Aluminum Genessee Cream Ale cans:

Aluminum Genny Light: