Captains Blog

Thanks for the great season!

2008-11-07T18:52:00.002-06:00

Thank you all for another wonderful season. It has been a pleasure to sail with all of our old friends, and making great new ones. I hope you all stay warm this winter! If you do get cold just close your eyes and imagine being close hauled with a warm southwest breeze. The sun tucking behind the skyline, while we head back to G dock for a well deserved, ice cold beer! In the mean time have a wonderful holiday season, and I will let you all know when Jonah arrives.
Happy Sails 2008!

Storm Chaser Regatta

2008-08-27T11:31:00.004-05:00

On Monday August 25th the wind was blowing over 25 knots from the northeast. The lake was angry, and the seas were rough. However, our 3rd Coast crew was not intimidated. We pride ourselves in the ability to sail in conditions that would make most sailors cringe. 35 of us set out to race around the crib.

First, I would like to congratulate everyone that sailed in the Regatta. It was a truly spectacular night of white knuckle sailing! Perhaps the biggest testament to how salty you have all become is the fact that, NOBODY PUKED! Unbelievable, considering the conditions.

Second, I want to compliment all of the First Mates, Instructors, crew, and Captains. Your skill, and competence are the reason we are the best sailing company around. Thank you.

Now for the bad news(at least for me). The results:

First Place:
Miranda Rights, by a nose!
Congrats:
Theresa Ockaskis
Mike Pearson
Ulisses Gutierrez
Lu Gallucci
Erika Merizzi
Katie Roberts
Second Place:
Fledermaus, you came up a little short. (yes Bryan, that's a dig on you!)
Great Job:
Bryan Weiss
Susan Bedenk
Steve Kim
Theresa Morelli
Tim Veurink
Jessi Allender

Third Place:
Little Duffy, first of the big boats!
Thanks for not crashing into Lily:
Capt. Pam Lefebvre
Deb Tozzi
Janice Ward
Tom Passarella
Gary Babiarz
Bernard Peters
Gina Deguzman

Fourth Place:
Lily, stupid leeward boats rounding up!
Thanks for not letting Little D crash into you.
Capt. Jim Miranda
David Dornbos
Geno Helwig
Matt Taylor
Phil "The Aristocrat" Stubbs
Lana McCalmon
Erica & John bradnick

Last Place:
Virago, I don't know what happened!
My Bad!
Capt. Todd Williamson
The Veltman family
Rohnda Vohlken
Susan ManselleStephen Tivey

Everybody keep an eye on your inbox for our next Regatta! I need to redeem myself immediately!
Happy Sails,
Capt. Todd

2008-08-08T14:13:00.002-05:00

We would like to congratulate our newest Broad Reach Members!
-Ulisses Gutierrez
-Deb Tozzi
-Tom Martens
-Ken Jones
-Cindy Wilskey
These guys have worked hard to become great sailors and are now taking the next step in their sailing lives. They will be sailing on Lily and Peony our brand new Dufours. So everyone be extra nice to them and maybe they will invite you for a sail! Below is our link to the Broad Reach Video. If any of you are interested in sailing these boats please contact me.
http://www.bpfiles.com/3rdcoast/Broadreach-High.wmv

rEgatta rEsults

2008-07-25T21:38:00.003-05:00

Hey Gang,
On Thursday we held the 4th annual rEvolution rEgatta.(thats not a typo thats how its spelled) This is our longest running corporate regatta, and one of the best of the year.

I would like to thank John Rowady... for allowing Lynn Clemens, Kent Thomas, Judy Massuda, Will Pendleton, and myself to beat him at his own game! I believe the odds for a Royal team victory were set at about 100/1; in retrospect our only mistake was not taking those odds. Great job Royal team you will all be receiving a free sailing lesson for two people. Keep an eye on your inbox for details.

As for the white team........
Larry Mann
Darren Lachtman
Tom Walsh
Alfred Chu
I am going to offer you a free lesson as well.
You need them.

Thanks to everyone else for a great regatta. You are all eligible for a discounted rate on sailing lessons:

3 lessons-$200 regularly $290

I would like to thank my skippers and crew for running a good fast, and safe race.

Congrats New First Mates!

2008-07-16T15:21:00.001-05:00

Ahoy All,
These 2 have worked extremely hard to get to 1st Mate and deserve plenty of recognition. They will now be leading sails, are eligible for free parking, free certification classes on the Dufours and receive a 50% reduction in Navigation Class. Once they get to Sr. 1st Mate they will be eligible for free bareboating on MR or Fled and will also receive free Mini Magellan and Lake Crossing Trips.

I also want to recognize the following
Jan Ward- 3rd Mate,
Bernard Peters- 3rd Mate
Deb Tozzi- 3rd Mate
Jeremy Seeman- 3rd Mate
Mike Gucciard- 2nd Mate
Linda Samsa- 2nd Mate
Cindy Wilski - 2nd Mate

I have one spot left for the Navigation class on July 17th, this Thursday at 6:15 PM. If you have already finished Nav 4 and would like to sit in on Nav 1 and help teach there is no cost.

We have already certified the following people for bareboat on the Dufours: (They have proven themselves capable of bareboating the brand new Dufours)
Gary Babiarz
Bernard Peters
Mike Gucciard
Susan Herrick
David Gasinski
Dan Duggan
Linda Samsa
Cindy Wilski
Steve Jackson

Some of these students got certified in just one class, if you are interested in bareboat certification please email me and I will let you know about the next class.

It's a BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-10T18:48:00.003-05:00

To quote the ultra sound technician; "It's a boy. Oh wow, its definitely a boy." Holly and I are super excited. Thanks for you comments. Gayle I think your guess was the most accurate.
Capt. Jim your baby psychic streak has come to an end.
See you on the water,
Todd & Holly

Boy, or Girl?

2008-07-10T12:13:00.004-05:00

As many of you know Holly, and I are having a baby! We are going to have a sonogram today. If the baby cooperates we will know if we are having a boy or a girl. If it does not cooperate we will know that it takes after its father. Anyway I was wondering if any of you would like to make a guess? Just leave a comment Boy, or Girl? I will let you know the results when we find out.
Todd

Congratulations Gary Babiarz!

2008-07-10T11:38:00.002-05:00

Gary has been certified to bareboat the new Dufours! I recommend that everybody be real nice to Gary, maybe he will invite you the next time he takes one of the Dufours out.

If you would like to get certified we still have a couple of openings left for Monday July 14th at 6:30pm. Just let us know. The cost is $50. However, First mates can sign up for FREE!

Mini Magellan SOLD OUT!

2008-07-10T11:36:00.001-05:00

The July 25th Mini Magellan is SOLD OUT! Keep an eye on this blog for future Mini Magellan dates.
Todd

Only one spot left for Mini Magellan!

2008-07-09T12:58:00.001-05:00

There is only one spot left for the Mini Magellan on the 24th! If you would like to spend that day on the lake please let us know asap.

July 12th Certification classes SOLD OUT!

2008-07-08T11:07:00.003-05:00

First the bad news, July 12th certification classes aboard our beautiful new Dufours have sold out.
Now the good news, we are opening another class on Monday the 14th at 6:30pm. So, if you would like to be able to take friends and family out on one of our new yachts please reserve your spot now.
Happy Sails,
Capt. Todd

Mini Magellan

2008-07-08T09:40:00.002-05:00

Ahoy!
I would like to announce this years first Mini Magellan. We will be setting sail on July 25th at 10am. We will meet at Dusable harbor, and plot a course to another Chicago harbor. The wind will decide which harbor we will sail for.For those of you that have taken some Navigation classes this is your chance to apply your new charting skills. For those of you that still need to take some nav classes this will give you a great head start. When we arrive at our port of call we will grill some lunch, and plan the return trip. This is a full day of sailing with an emphasis on cruising skills. We will need to contact the harbor via the VHF to obtain a mooring assignment, or decide on a friendly anchorage. This experience will give you the skills, and knowledge to pull into a new harbor anywhere in the world.

The cost is $150 for students, but only $75 for Unlimited Students. Spaces are limited so please make your reservation today.

We will provide beverages, and a bratwurst lunch. If you have anything special you would like to drink or grill please bring it along.
Happy Sails,
Capt. Todd

New Certification Class for Lily, July 12

2008-07-04T09:04:00.002-05:00

Please email me if you would like to participate in this certification class. Captain Pam will run you through everything you need to know in order to safely rent these magnificent boats. Some of you will be finished after just one class, with others it may take several classes but once you are done you will be Certified to day sail a quarter million dollar Yacht!
Classes will run at 10am and 1:30pm, Saturday, July 12th. Cost is $50.00 Last class filled very quickly so let me know if you want in soon,

CJ
j_m@comcast.net

1st Dufour Certification Class filled in 10 minutes

2008-07-03T08:09:00.002-05:00

Be on the look out for new emails regarding Certification to rent the new Dufours. These classes are very limited in size and demand is extremely high! Next class should be coming up very soon. Happy 4th of July!
Captain Jim

Thanks for the memories now lets go to the Bahamas

2008-07-02T14:51:00.002-05:00

Ahoy Chicago,
It is good to be home from our adventure in the Greek Islands. I want to thank everyone who went for all of the amazing memories. We definitely had quite an adventure over there in Greece. I just hope Greece can recover from us as well as we are recovering from our time in the Ionian Sea.

Next year we will be going to the Bahamas!

Now it is time to get back on Lake Michigan! I look forward to seeing all of you on the water soon.
Pam

Welcome Home You Greecey Sailors!

2008-07-02T14:24:00.004-05:00

Welcome to our new blog! Summer is in full swing, and now we have one more way to keep our sailing community in touch. With that in mind I would like to make a few announcements:

First, welcome home Pam, Peggy, Jan, Robin, Lu, Ulisses, Deb, George, Karen, JT, Bryan, Irena, Rosie, Kristy, Del, and Joyce! This salty crew has just returned from the Greek Islands. Pam tells me they were all wonderful sailors, and shipmates. Except Bryan.

During this trip Deb has earned a new title: First Mate... of drinking.

I want to thank Capt. Pam for keeping everybody safe, and happy. She has done an exemplary job as a Captain. Even in the event of an R.O.B. she kept her cool and got everyone home without any permanent damage.

The destination of our next sailing adventure will be .......................................................
THE BAHAMAS!

We will be announcing the dates and pricing in the coming days.

In the mean time I hope to see you all on the water.

Our new Captains Blog

2008-06-03T13:32:00.000-05:00

3rd Coast Cruising's Captains Blog, will help keep crew and students up to date on sailing events and news.