New AYC Racing Seminars Schedule. All Sailors Welcome! 

Happy New Year to all of our racing skippers, crew and friends!  We hope you all had safe and happy holidays! 

The AYC Sail Committee has been busy preparing some great VIRTUAL racing seminars to help all of us learn new information as we think about warmer days of spring and summer.  Please mark your calendars for these very informative seminars that you can enjoy from the warmth and comfort of your favorite room in your house.  We will use Google Meets to present the seminar online.  Prior to each seminar, we will send out the link to join online for all registrants.  (It's very easy to use!) 

Please review each seminar below, and if you would like to register send an email to Ray Douglas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .   Simply note in your email which specific seminar you would like to attend.  (You can attend one, two, three or all four seminars.)  Also, feel free to forward this email to any of your crew who may not be on this email list, or other sailors that you think might be interested. 

Saturday - January 30: 1pm - 2:30pm CST
"How to Run a Perfect Race Committee and Still Have Fun"

Description:  Every skipper volunteers for Race Committee duty for our AYC Summer Racing Series.  Some enjoy it, while others dred it.  We will discuss how to keep your Race Committee duties simple, while running a successful race.  We will discuss how to prepare and execute a perfect race and enjoy a nice time on the lake with your RC crew.  How do you set a square line?  What are each of the signal flags for?  Do I use the VHF radio?  We will also give tips on how to make this a fun evening on the water.

(Presented by Ray Douglas & Jack Amedio)  

Saturday - February 20: 10am-11:30am CST
"Optimize Your Boat for PHRF Rating"

Description:  This seminar will provide information on how the PHRF rating is developed and managed on Lake Michigan and how skipper's can optimize their boats to take full advantage of the rating.  

(Presented by Bob Warnecke, Lake Michigan Performance Handicap Racing Fleet & Jack Amedio)  

Saturday - March 20: 10am-11:30pm CST
"Beercan Racecourse Tactics:  How to Make The Complex Less Complicated"

We will provide simple explanations and tips on how to have good Starts, Upwind legs, Downwind legs, and Finishes.  We will cover "complex" topics and break them down into simple steps that you can use to make clear and better decisions on the racecourse:

·  How do I figure out which end of the starting line is favored?  What does it mean to be favored?

·  What side of the racecourse should I go to?  When are good and bad times to tack?

·  Is there a consistent way to determine when to tack on the layline?  (What is a layline anyway?)

·  How do I round marks faster and more efficiently?

·  Are there better downwind angles for my boat?

·  Should I sail low or high downwind?  How do I know my optimal angles?

·  What is the best way to handle high traffic areas of the racecourse?

·  Which side of the finish line is favored?

(Presented by Ray Douglas & Bill Strzelewicz)  

Saturday - April 10 - 10am-1130am CST
"Getting Your Deck Winches Ready to Roll:  A Guide to Proper Winch Maintenance For Every Race Boat"

We will take some time to review a straight-forward step-by-step process for maintaining your boat's critical winches.  Learn how to take winches apart easily.  Learn how to clean all the moving parts.  Learn the best method and products to use for lubricating your winches.  A perfect time to do this seminar, just as our boats are splashing or will be splashed soon!

(Presented by: Bill Strzelewicz)  

We look forward to seeing you all VIRTUALLY over these next few weeks and months! 

Thank you for supporting the Winter Racing Series Seminars and for helping the Waukegan racing scene!