Happenings

By Michael Argyelan

It’s going to be above 60 degrees today. The ice on the southern end of the lake is melting. The sun is shining. Local scholastic sailors start sailing next weekend. Chicago Yacht Club Frostbite Series starts March 22nd (details here). In early to mid April the perch begin to run and the fishing season begins. Yes, it’s that time of year to really dig in and get ready to go boating! I’m a little excited. It happens.

One of the first things we do to get ready to sail is prep the hull with a good wash and wax. Some of us have newer, shiny hulls that simply need a quick touch up. Others may have older hulls that need a little more work. Want to know the best way to revive an older, tired, chalky hull or to maintain that glorious shine? Come to the aptly named “Care and Maintenance of your Gelcoat Surfaces” seminar during Yachtapalooza. The seminar begins at 9am and is hosted by John Spies and Matt Markiewicz (aka Matty) in the Fiberglass Shop. Check out the full Yachtapalooza Seminar here.

If you’re new to sailing or have a friend looking to learn, check out Corinthian Yacht Club’s Crew School. There is very limited space for this course. Check out the website here.

What: Learn basic to intermediate crewing skills for Lake Michigan - many opportunities to race or cruise.
Who: 18 years and up
Cost: $140 includes book and materials
When: 5 consecutive Wednesdays 7-9:00pm April 9 - May 21, 2014
Where: Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club 601 W Montrose Drive (east of Lake Shore Drive) 

If you’re ready to go boating in early May, you really, really should participate in the Dash to the Dock Race. Well, it’s not much of a race. It’s more of a rally than a race and it’s a lot of fun.

It’s May 9th and open to all sailing vessels. Motor vessels are encouraged to join in the fun with a "blackjack run" (a pared down poker run), accompany the fleet and peel off for informal drag-races with each other. Don’t forget to join us at the party!

The party is complete with food and beverages at the Columbia Yacht Club Dock in Monroe Harbor. Dock space will be available during the party for guests who would rather complete the trip to their slips on full stomachs. Yacht Clubs in other harbors have expressed interest in hosting their own parties, so please check with your closest yacht club for details.

For more information and to register for what’s going to be fun and relaxing trip to the harbors, visit http://dashtothedock.com/. You can also visit the Facebook Page here. 

Nelson Marek 68 pics

We’re Baaaccckk!

By Michael Argyelan

Winter break is over here at Lakeside Story. We are up and running and writing again. Perfect timing as great things are happening here at Crowley’s.

Can you say Stars and Stripes? America’s Cup? Abracadabra? Yes ladies and gentlemen, Crowley’s is now the winter home of 2 AC (properly referred to as IACC)  boats brought to Chicago by the new program Next Level Sailing. Check out their site here and a quick video of the first boat to arrive at the yard, Abracadabra, here. Stars and Stripes pulled in this morning and will be offloaded from the truck and into building D later today. Just a minute ago the masts rolled in. Very cool stuff.

Around the yard, mechanics are doing the typical winter gigs plus doing a complete re-power (changing out engines). That’s a huge job that requires a high level of expertise. In the fiberglass shop, Crowley’s is painting 3 hull sides and two Awlgrip non skid decks. This is on top of the usual touch ups, repairs, keel works, and other cool gigs.

Ritchie Geoghan (www.ritchiegeoghan.com) is overhauling a Nelson Marek 68. The project includes a complete re-core of the cabin top, relocating the companionway, building a custom internal companionway slider, re-coring the bow, full deck reconfiguration, Awlgrip non-skid deck, hull sides painting, deck painting, complete interior rebuild, and adding a custom electronic pod in the cockpit. The scope of the project is incredible. See the post of pics right here on the blog. 

With March around the corner, it’s time for Yachtapalooza! We are pretty psyched about the event this year. New seminars (updated list coming soon), live music, the Tamale Spaceship is back (http://www.thetamalespaceship.com/), a preview of the IACC boats, and more. I’ll be updating more about the event each week including not-to-be missed specials in the Ship’s Store. The event is here at the yard on Saturday, March, 28^th from 8am – 4pm.

Even though it’s pretty frigid out there, it’s starting to feel like Spring around the yard. The promise of warmer weather ahead has us fired up and working harder than ever to get boats ready to rock for the upcoming boating season. Speaking of Spring, check out the updated 2015 Spring Commissioning Form here. 

If you have any questions about scheduling work, your departure, or your account please call Customer Service at 773.221.9990 ext 330.

I hope this finds you all well and warm.

Real Quick Like

Annual Boat Show Ticket Giveaway Promotion!

Spend $50 or more in the Ship’s Store and get 2 free tickets to the Chicago Boat, RV & Strictly Sail Show. This offer is good through Friday, January 9th.

Friday, December 19th Crowley’s employees will be headed to our annual holiday party at 12 noon and will be out for the rest of the day.

Wednesday, December 24th we will have limited staff on hand and close at 3:30pm.

Closed December 25th through December 28th and resume normal hours the 29th.

Wednesday, December 31st we will close at 3:30.

Closed January 1st through January 4th and resume normal hours the 5th.

There will be 24 hour security on site during the closed periods. Please call Customer Service at 773-221-9990 ext. 330 if you plan to visit while we are closed.

That’s all folks!

Extra! Extra!

By Michael Argyelan

Clogged fuel filters and oil filters, broken belts, failed impellers; all can change the perfect day on the water into a total nightmare. If you plan ahead, the nightmare transforms into a mere nuisance. Engine spares, you want them. You need them. Let us help.

I was working with one of our mechanics and putting together an engine spare parts kit for one of our customers and he had a great idea, let’s offer engine spares kits to everyone. I carry spares. Do you? If not, let us help.

We put together a simple kit consisting of primary and secondary fuel filters, an oil filter, belt(s), and an impeller. Each part was put into a watertight zip lock bag to keep moisture out. Ryan, our resident expert mechanic, took this further and placed the parts in a dry bag. We tagged the bag with the appropriate and obvious label, “Spare Parts Kit.”

Want us to make one for your boat? Contact me with your engine information as well as your primary filter info (if applicable) and I’ll put one together ready for your spring launch. Call me before the end of the year and I’ll take 10% off your whole order.

When you winterize your boat, use the spares and replace them to keep the spares fresh. If we winterize your boat, let us know you have spares on board and we will use and replace them for you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at mma@crowleys.com.

Stay warm, friends.

Exchange

By Michael Argyelan

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, awesome. It’s one of my favorite days. Pie, turkey, football, friends, family, more pie, inclement weather and all, I look forward to it each and every year.

Although distanced from the original 1621 celebration of hunting deer and menus completely absent of potatoes and turkey, the exchange of thanks is still front and center. This year let’s give thanks, enjoy the warmth of home, welcome even the most stubborn of our relatives, and be grateful together.

If you find yourself stuck in traffic, arguing about politics over dinner with your polar opposite cousin, or being forced to choose from a Jello loaf or a sugarless cake at dessert, remember to be magnanimous. Be noble, courageous in spirit, and generous. Make others feel right even when they are wrong. Be larger than life, grateful, and give thanks to all you encounter this holiday season.

From all of us here at Crowley’s, we wish you prosperity, warmth, and happiness.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Notice, Follow Up

By Michael Argyelan

I would be remised if I didn’t remind you all that this weekend is the Annual Two Day Sale in the Ship’s Store at Crowley’s. Everything in the Store, and I do mean everything, is 25% off. If it’s on a shelf, a hangar, a peg, or sitting on the floor, it’s on sale. This means our 35% off closeout items are now 60% off! We couldn’t stop there. There’s more. 

All in stock Lewmar and SealLine products will be sold at 10% above cost. Yes, I’m serious. Need a new block? How about a folding wheel? Need a new winch? Maybe you’re looking for a dry bag? They’re all on sale at 10% above cost this weekend.  

Where? The Ship’s Store at Crowley’s Yacht Yard, 3434 E. 95^th St., Chicago, IL 60617

When? Saturday, November 22 from 8am – 4pm and Sunday, November 23 from 10am – 4pm

Why? Because we like making money as much as you like saving it!

Mmmm Mmm Good, continued…

After last week’s column exploring food on boats, I received a couple of great responses from fellow boaters. As promised, I’ve included their responses this week (see below). Enjoy and if you want to contribute to the food on boats theme, please do.

“Ever since Craig Juel brought Joe Froggers for the 2013 Mac they have been on board for every offshore race Hope has sailed.  For warm food/drink we heat water and keep it hot in a large thermos which then provides for instant coffee, tea, and most importantly for me oatmeal with brown sugar and a dram of Scottish whiskey.

For Mac races we bring three crew meals of frozen stew in individual boiling bags.  One is Guinnes beef (Viks traditional recipe), one either savory pork or turkey (my creation), and one pasta (Fred's).  We've never used more than two on the race.  This system must be working as suggested by our record!

For my ocean crossing in 2016 I'll bring a dry Virginia or Serrano ham, two dozen freshly laid free range eggs which I'll keep in the bilge un-refrigerated, potatoes, carrots, onions, root vegetables, nuts, dried fruit, and for the first few days a couple of frozen Mac stews. Of course I'll bring limes (to prevent scurvey), Tonic (to prevent Malaria), and rum (to keep me happy).

When I do solo distance, I don't drink coffee and only a little alcohol (most of the alcohol evaporates from my oatmeal).  I need lots of protein. I eat no processed sugar. I take a multivitamin every day.  I have plenty of fat stores on my body, so I don't need to bring any additional on board.”

Michael Leland, MD

Hope  USA18

“On my T-10, Rainbows End, like Mike's crew (on Mischief), I make dinner at home, freeze it and boil it on the boat during the race.  Everything brought aboard to eat is pre-made at home.  I make a jambalaya for Saturday night and a beef stew for Sunday night.  Sandwiches, which we make and store for lunches, can be switched out for dinners if the sea gets too rough for easy cooking.  The boiled meals are sealed in a vacuum seal bag. One quart bag gives two servings and the used bags get tossed so there is no cleanup.  The heels and small slices left over for sandwich making are brought aboard to eat with dinner.  We use a hearty craft-baked rye bread.  Try Bruno’s, which Jewel can order.

Breakfast consists of a concoction my wife adopted from an oatmeal cookie- it’s called a breakfast bar.  It’s flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, molasses, and raisins all mixed into deliciousness.  It eats like breakfast and tastes like a cookie: its no muss, no fuss, and filling.  Along with that we have juice or V-8 and hard boiled eggs kept on the frozen water bottles.

Use 8 oz. water bottles- they're small and one serving.  I don't like half full bottles rolling around in the cockpit.  We drink them and toss them.  The crew is allowed 6 of their favorite beverages for the race so that a couple of times a day you have your favorite.  For my crew of 6 we freeze 144 bottles and keep one cooler full and taped up under the cockpit for use on those Mondays we find ourselves running low.  I also bring a dozen, unfrozen 16 oz water bottles to use in the pot for cooking on the race and on the way back to make coffee or tea.

The snacky parts are filled in with jerky, chocolate cookies, brownies, carrots, celery, peanut butter, small sized candy bars, peanuts, and saltine crackers in the event people might feel sick.  We also carry instant coffee for the night watch.  Sometimes people have brought instant latte mix and shake them up in the 8oz bottles.”

Steven J. Fink