International Meeting
On February 19, our executive committee welcomed the Canadian executive to a meeting which was called especially to finalize the wording and terms of the measurement form so that it can be sent to the printer. Most members may recall that last year at this time we voted on several new rules and amendments to the Wayfarer Class Measurements. It is hoped that the results can be sent out by early summer. Copies of the new rules have been sent to the fleet measurers. Representing the United States were the executive officers and the measurer for Fleet 4, Bob Huston. Representing Canada were George Blanchard, Laurie Oxenham, Harry Jones, Al Schoenborn, and Rick Lye.

Honor Roll
The following members have paid their 1966 dues of $2.50 as of the date of publication:

Won't you send your dues so that we can add your name to this list? Send your $2.50 to: 
Nancy Glaspie, 4519 Elmwood, Royal Oak,Michigan.

Used Boats For Sale

WAYFARER #722. Fully equipped with spinnaker, cover, trailer, and two life jackets. Excellent condition. $l450. 
Contact: Hans Callies, 1484 W. Winnemac, Chicago, Illinois - 60640   Area Code 312, L0 1-1285 (after 6:00 p.m.).

WAYFARER #885. Contact: Jack Reulbach, 436 Oakmoor Road, Bay Village, Ohio

From The Commodore
This year, efforts are being made to publish a yearbook and to print the North American Wayfarer Measurement Rules. Both of these projects, when completed, will do much to improve the class. It is difficult for the two associations to meet regularly to iron out all of the problems connected with planning a yearbook and revising and printing the measurement rules. Whether we like it or not, we find we can facilitate plans by going ahead and asking our members to approve or disapprove any changes which require a vote.

At the last meeting of the Canadian and U. S. Executive Committees, discussion centered around the practice of leading the Genoa sheets inside the shrouds. A majority of the officers present believed it was the "designer's intent" to lead the sheets outside the shrouds. This, of course, is not in the present class measurement rules. Running the sheets outside the shrouds is the practice of most skippers but some have raced with them inside with moderate success under certain wind conditions. Changing the sheets inside does not require additional equipment but just a new location for the fairleads. Under some conditions it increases the backwinding of the mainsail. Currently in the United States, the Genoa lead location is the skipper's option.

If your dues for 1966 are paid by the time the ballots are counted, May 13, l966, you may mark the ballot enclosed with the Skimmer and return it to the class Secretary.

How to set starting line... ...square to the wind or square to the mark?

If you draw out an exaggerated course you will find that a line square to the wind will put all boats on the line the same sailing distance from mark even though it appears one end is definitely closer. While a square to the mark line looks fair, the windward end has a great advantage.

Lost and Found
Fred Lewis reminds us that someone left a boom crutch at Lake Orion last year during the the M.I.R. If you are that someone, please contact Fred at 165 North Shore Drive, Lake Orion, Michigan.
 

Around The Fleets

Fleet #1 - Chicago. Don Healy was in Chicago during the boat show and talked with many members of the fleet. Many of them worked at the show and talked to people about the joys of owning a Wayfarer. On March 25, they had a film show for their members and seven couples who are prospective buyers.

Anita Callies, Treasurer, reminds us that Fleet 1 has some very elegant silver spoons for sale. These spoons have a Wayfarer on the handle and would make great mementos of something. Anita is anxious to sell them, so she will let them go for only one dollar; that's right, a buck, one tenth of a ten-dollar bill..... If you'd like one or a dozen,please contact:

Following is the Fleet 1 racing schedule for 1966:

Fleet #2 - Detroit. There were about 40 couples at the annual pot-luck dinner meeting held by Fleet #2 in March. At this meeting, the racing schedule was presented to the members and a date was set for a stag racing rules and rigging meeting - OR -how can we find more work for the crew so that we have more time to stand around and talk? Here is the Fleet #2 schedule:

Fleet #4 - Cleveland. At the March 5 meeting, Fleet 4 discussed some of their plans for the summer. Grace Fay reports that, after a very pleasant dinner, they had a short business meeting, and then listened to Bob Huston's report on the executive meeting he had attended in Detroit. Fleet #4 has the great distinction again this year, of having 100 per cent payment of their national dues. Let's give Fleet 4 three cheers: "Cheer, cheer, cheer!"

Fleet #5 - San Francisco. No recent news.

Fleet #6 - Lake Orion. No recent news.

Fleet #7 - Longview, Washington. No recent news.
 
 

Dear Potential Female Sailing Landflowers:

In 1964, my ideal man gave up fly tying, fishing, furniture refinishing, grass cutting, and almost - sleeping. A strange bug had infected him out of the blue - it was actually a blue coated friend, Jack Pierce, who had invested in a Wayfarer.

Jack's enthusiasm for this vessel of surprises was so contagious that I found myself and spouse on the rain-swept shores of Lake Erie one day. By word of mouth, we had heard of a used boat and trotted right out to try her. Jim Wright, the owner, was overjoyed with the weather and the prospect of showing off his boat's prowess to brand new sailors. I could see from his wife's face, though, that if the small craft warnings weren't up, she'd like to call the Coast Guard and make sure they went up quickly.

Donning life jackets, rain parkas and trying to keep my curls from getting damp, we waited in a small canal while Jim started an outboard motor on our future investment. We couldn't see the big water from where we started out but Jim assured us that the winds were right and we should get going before it began to rain again.

I had never really crewed before and Bill, my husband, had little more experience than I. We had been joy-riding in Jack's boat a few times the season before. Since Bill was so game to try this, I wasn't about to show my misery - besides, the sooner we got this over, the sooner I could put some curl back in my hair.

Our craft seemed seaworthy enough for the three of us and the canal was nice and easy since we were motoring out. After ten minutes of cruising down the lazy river, I saw a white monster of foam opening its jaws to take us in. In twelve minutes, I found my voice and shouted, "We aren't going out there, are we?" "Sure thing," was the chorus from skipper and crew.

With tremendous rattling, thrashing, whipping, and protesting, the main and jib were hoisted, and motor stowed. Lake Erie here we come," I suffered. Being rather shallow, we tacked (I know the meaning of the term now) through a channel and headed into waves of unknown size (estimates varied).

Twenty minutes from a landlubber's dream I was drenched, frozen physically and mentally. I ventured to look up and a mountain of a wave looked right back, trying to decide whether it should let us top it or cover us. Orders were being shouted, I thought much too softly, and the crew was responding. Wonder of wonders; somewhere a joyful laugh let loose and the crew bit his pipe harder and grinned back at me. What a lift! What an adventure! Oh, and what a boat!

As the wind progressed, it seemed to get shiftier and gusts lasting five minutes or more carried us onto a plane of great excitement. It quickly proved to be the boss though, and before I was exhausted anymore from the weather and my tense exhilaration, the skipper put about and headed shoreward. Hitting the dock with both feet, I crumpled up and was really frightened but found to my amazement that my legs were just a little rubbery and soon took hold.

We trailered that lovely sloop and shook hands with the past owner, reassuring him that we would care for her and learn to handle her proudly. He almost tearfully patted the Pandora farewell.

My excitement of that turbulent sail didn't wane until after twilight as my husband wasout putting Pandora to bed. (I struggled with kids.) I couldn't get it out of my mind that I was going to have to learn all those tricks that the skipper depends on from a crew to lay a smooth course. I had never tried back bends so was positive that I would miss the hiking strap and float bottomward - and besides when I looked in the mirror after that trip - I looked like a drowned rat.

It didn't take long for the local fleet captain to contact us and welcome our family into a flurry of activities including racing, of all things.

The emphasis on family picnics and sailing on different inland lakes each Sunday encouraged me. My husband's courage egged me on. We soon got the hang of it and the children loved sailing.

To my surprise, the wind in my face and a wave or two over my curls began to tantalize me. I learned to hike out, come about, jibe-ho, raise and lower, as well as put away, the sails and looked forward to every minute of wind.

We ventured into a race after having the boat two weeks but I must admit I flunked out as a crew that time after one lap of heeling and with some mighty fast tacks for an inexperienced crew and skipper. The wild winds, by the way, were on Stony Creek, which I know might be hard to believe for some out-of-town sailors who sat becalmed at our Championships there. But from that day forth, I was bitten by the racing bug and put all my strength into it.

Now entering our second full season, we have actually taken some first, second, and third prizes, as well as some eighteenth and nineteenth, etc.

With my hair worn short and straight, I'm looking forward to skippering our Wayfarer myself now. There's always pleasure in sailing and constantly something to learn. That first female fear of a man's sport has almost completely vanished and anyone not believing can come watch me sail.
 
 

Are There Any New Fleets Forming?
Add more fun to your Wayfarer sailing and form a local fleet. It only takes three boats in your area to form a fleet. It is not necessary to join a yacht or sailing club (although that is helpful). When Wayfarers are seen sailing together, others are more likely to select a Wayfarer than some other craft. The Detroit (non-yacht club) fleet grew from five boats in 1963 to 47 boats today.
If you need more information, write the Secretary, Marianne Ayres, 755 Parkdale, Rochester, Michigan 48063.
 

The Skimmer Staff welcomes comments from members on anything we print. We do need more information on fleet activities, sailing tips, etc. Write:
The Skimmer Don Healy, 1168 Avon Manor, Rochester, Michigan  48063
            or        Mrs. Paul Ayres, 755 Parkdale, Rochester, Michigan  48063