We're America's Boating Club®!
America's Boating Club®
Boating is fun - we'll show you how!
Boating is fun - we'll show you how!
We are recreational sail, power, and people-powered boaters from north central Indiana and southwest Michigan. Find out who we are and how we can help you make boating safer and more fun! Check us out on the “What is U.S.P.S.?” page! Questions? Email us at info@sbsps.org.
Important Meeting Notice
Please note that our meeting location has changed. We will be meeting at the Varsity Club, 3800 N Main Street, Mishawaka, Indiana. Date and times remain the same For details of our May meeting, see the Next Meeting page.This Month's Highlights
Gone Boating!
South Bend Sail and Power Squadron will not be meeting during June, July, and August. Our regular meetings will resume in September. Until then, enjoy the boating season!
In Memorium - P/C John A. Shaul, SN
5 Jun 1934 - 6 May 2009
South Bend Sail and Power Squadron lost a valuable member and friend in Captain John Shaul. P/C Woody Talcott, P, the Squadron Chaplain, prepared this rememberance of Cdr. Shaul.P/C John A. Shaul, SN, was born on June 5, 1934. He loved sailing and joined the Squadron on March 2, 1982. He accomplished the grade of Senior Navigator and then went on to get his Coast Guard license. He achieved 23 merit marks and a full certificate, and was a Harbor Captain for the South Haven area. He also worked on the U.S.P.S. Cooperative Charting program with the National Oceanic Administration.
The tides of life have ebbed for our shipmate. Our dear friend and colleague embarked on his last voyage on May 6, 2009, and we his fellow members of the South Bend Sail and Power Squadron do honor our memory of him. We remember John’s hand on the helm of the Squadron as he steered us gently through the year 1997. We honored John that year with a Commander’s ball at the Cove. We remember his enthusiasm for education and the classes offered by the Squadron.
John set lofty goals for himself, and became a Senior Navigator, and obtained a Coast Guard license so he could operate a charter boat, purchase a bigger boat, and do what he loved and get paid for doing it.
Most of all, each of us remembers that we were always welcome on board the Mariposa. We remember the camaraderie we enjoyed while sailing with him. We remember his hospitality and willingness to share everything, even his boat. His accomplishments are permanently inscribed in the archives of this squadron and in the hearts of its members, for we are beneficiaries of his love for sailing and education. We honor and cherish the memory of our shipmate. We will miss him. We will miss his shoulder next to ours. We will miss his encouragement and counsel as we meet the storms and still of life.
Now the Supreme Commander of the Universe has called our shipmate to sail with him in eternal calm waters, free from the storms and tempests of mortal life. Let us go forward carrying on to the ideals he held so dear.
Respectfully submitted,
P/C H.W. Talcott, P, Chaplain.
April 2009 Roster
The April 2009 edition of the Roster has been posted on the Member's Page (access restricted to members).
Cookbooks Still Available!
Looking for that perfect birthday, anniversary, or “just thinking of you” gift? A limited number of our spectacular 50th Anniversary Cookbook are still available. You have seen them, you have read them, you have swooned over the recipes that have been shared among our members for generations. Now, you can have one for yourself and one for a gift. Save money, help your squadron and its projects, and share a memorable kitchen companion. These hard-bound, quality volumes sell for just $18.00, or two for $34.00. For more information call the squadron telephone number, 574-232-2307; or send your check payable to South Bend Sail and Power Squadron to P.O. Box 6931, South Bend, Indiana 46660. Be sure and write "Cookbook" on the check. These make wonderful gifts, and are perfect for birthdays or other special events. Get yours today!Boating Tip of the Month
Overnight Watchkeeping Systems
During the summer quite a few of us take off for an overnight run so we can make some longer miles to a cruising ground a couple of hundred miles form home. Since we're not really going to sea for a long time, we've heard skippers say that they don't bother with a watch system and just rest when they can. Trouble is, if you let yourself and your crew get too tired, you will start to make bad decisions that can lead to trouble. Even on a one-night run, sleep is essential to good seamanship.Assuming the boat is set up with an autopilot that can steer, most crews of two or three people can manage with a lone watch stander. If you have a complete novice aboard, you should make sure he or she has some company even if that person is dozing in the cockpit.
When you set off for an overnighter, make sure everyone aboard, skipper included, lies down for a rest or a nap for a couple of hours before the sun sets. Then, set a watch rotation that starts after dinner, say 2000. For crews of three, a three-on, six-off rotation works well. That way you are always fresh and ready to go when you come on watch. Crews of four can stagger the watches every two hours so each person has two hours on, two hours on standby and four hours off.
Couples need to find their own rhythms but it is wise to have a fixed watch system posted so the watch work is spread evenly. We like a three-on, three-off system, starting at 2100 and running through 0900 the next morning. But you have to tailor this to the likelihood of shipping lanes, the occurrence of squalls and weather changes and of course landfall.
Constant vigilance is the key to good seamanship and safe coastal passagemaking. Once you have night passages down, your cruising world will open up remarkably.
Courtesy of Cruising Compass and Blue Water Sailing Magazine.
USPS® Exam Waiver
USPS has waived the exam requirement for membership, at the discretion of the local squadron. Bring a prospective member to the next meeting!News Feed from USPS Added
All of the latest news from USPS is available on a news feed that is constantly updated. Keep up with what is going on on a national level. Follow the link to USPS News.Education
Our education program will resume in the fall.See the Education page for details.