POWER FLEET

CYC POWER FLEET: THE 2022 SEASON IS IN FULL-SWING

BY RANDY SCHMIDT

The Power Fleet’s on-the-water season is now underway. Our events included several Navigational Rallies, our initial Fleet Cruise to South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee, and our first Giving Back Cruise - the Special Need Cruise.

SPECIAL NEEDS CRUISE

It was a hot and humid day this year for the Power Fleet’s annual Special Needs Cruise. The event is organized by Loren Wolf (Noanne) and this year we hosted 120 guests from Misericordia, Helping Hand, and Good Shepherd Manor. It takes the hard work of our CYC staff and the generosity of our club members who donate their time and boats to put on this event each year. New this year was docking assistance provided by six Sea Scouts who are part of CYC’s Sea Scout Ship 5870. In light of the extreme heat, CYC’s dedicated staff came through with changes necessary to make our guests comfortable for lunch in the air conditioning of the dining room. Club members and Sea Scouts volunteered to assist our guests at lunch and during the cruise. Our flotilla of 15 boats cruised along the lakefront, past the museum campus and out on the lake with an escort provided by the Chicago Marine Police Unit. The cruise ended with a water cannon display provided by the Chicago Marine Fireboat, Christopher Wheatly. If you ask our guests about the best part of the cruise, they will answer in their own way, THE FIRE BOAT! Watch the club calendar next season to volunteer for this very worthwhile event.

NAVIGATIONAL RALLIES

With cooperation of the weather, the Power Fleet had a great start to its Navigational Rally season. The first contest - “Monroe ride along” designed by Captain Clyde Ainley (Spontaneous) - was 13 miles long and included 5 Marks. Clyde was multitasking that day: he gave a very helpful introduction about essential rules of the rallies and discussed course details, he participated as a contestant, he scored the event, and he announced the winners.

The second event was held in connection with the Power Fleet’s Shakedown Cruise to Milwaukee. The course for the “Are We There Yet?” Navigational Rally was 16.7 miles and began at the Belmont Buoy and finished at Red Buoy #4 by Wilmette. Five boats started the Rally on their way to Milwaukee. Race Committee was not present and therefore participants called the Marks and used an App called TimeStamp to record the time. Those who started early in the morning had practically ideal weather: no waves, 5-10knt wind, clear visibility. But by the afternoon, the weather had changed: the wind and waves picked up, and storms blew through. As a result, some of contestants were not able to finish the course due to the weather. In the end, however, we had a great Post-Rally party the next day. Kenn and Loren Wolf did an amazing job presenting the results and awards. Nobody went home without a prize. Finally, two Rallies were planned for June 25. Unfortunately, weather allowed the

Power Fleet to hold only one of the Rallies – the “Monroe Opener”. This course was 14.2 miles long. Although it was raining, visibility was decent and all of the participants were able to find the Marks and complete the course. We also welcomed first time Ralliers Dave and Laura Zehner.

The Power Fleet has 3 more Navigational Rallies planned for July and August. Check the Club calendar for details and dates.

SHAKEDOWN FLEET CRUISE

The Power Fleet’s Shakedown Cruise was held from June 10-12. Seven boats with 17 members onboard cruised from Chicago to South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee. The highlights for the weekend, organized by Ed and Carrie Falkenhayn (Lakehouse) were a Friday night buffet with DJ at South Shore Yacht Club, a potluck breakfast with champagne Saturday morning, followed by a dingy ride to Milwaukee’s Public Market for lunch and shopping, ending with a Happy Hour onboard Lakehouse. There was a little bit of rain, a full rainbow, quick dingy police encounter, and a lot of fun. The above on-the-water events are just the beginning. The Power Fleet’s schedule for the rest of the summer includes more Navigational Rallies, additional Fleet Cruises, and more Giving Back Cruises. Plus, we have our annual End of the Season Party set for August 27. So there is still lots of time and many events for you to get involved in the activities of the Power Fleet. For more details about any of the Power Fleet’s events, please check the CYC Calendar or contact Randy Schmidt, Chair of the Power Fleet, at r-schmidt@uchicago.edu, 312-718-1995. ✶