2.1 Facilities
2.1.1 Business Office
SB-24 HUB (Telephone: 543-2219 for office) - A good place to find answers
to questions is the Washington Yacht Club's HUB office, in the
sub-basement. Information, publicity, secretarial and financial records
are all a part of the Club activities that are carried on in the HUB
office, which is usually open during the noon hours every weekday. Office
hours change quarterly and are posted on the office door. A library of
sailing books and magazines is kept in the office for browsing and loan to
members. The address of the office is :
SAO Box 235 Box 352238 Seattle, WA 98195-2238.
2.1.2 Waterfront Activities Center
Sail Locker / Shop (Telephone: 543-9448) - In 1976, the WYC moved from the
old Canoe House, where it had been since 1948, to the Waterfront Activities
Center (WAC), which is located southeast of Husky Stadium. The sail
locker, workshop, lounge, lockers, showers, and sauna are all found at the
WAC, which also houses facilities for kayak and rowing clubs. Lockers can
be rented by the quarter or for the day by University students, faculty,
staff, and alumni members of the WYC. Information about personal boat and
sailboard storage can be obtained from the WAC staff.
2.2 Boats
The Club owns many different types of sailboats, totaling about forty
boats. Most are self-rescuing, meaning they can be righted and sailed
after a capsize. The larger fleets are purchased by the Club, such as
Lasers, Laser IIs, Flying Juniors, 420s, and 470s. Most other boats are
acquired as tax-deductible donations. Ratings governing the use of boats
are covered in Chapter 3.1. Detailed descriptions of the boats appear in
Appendix A.
2.2.1 Lasers
Lasers are 13 foot 9 inch, self-rescuing, cat-rigged (one sail) boats
designed to be sailed by one person. The mast is unstayed and must be put
in each time the boat is sailed. Special information on rigging Lasers is
available in the office or sail locker and in Appendix A.1.1. In light
air, Lasers may be sailed by two, but they are crowded when more than one
person is aboard. These boats are the basis of the single-handed novice
fleet.
2.2.2 Laser IIs
The 14 foot 5 inch sloop-rigged (two sails), self-rescuing Laser IIs are
usually sailed by two sailors. Laser IIs are equipped with spinnaker and
trapeze hardware for use by intermediate sailors. Laser IIs and Flying
Juniors are the basis of the double handed novice fleet. See Appendix A.2.
2.2.3 Flying Juniors
Flying Juniors are 13 foot 3 inch sloop rigged, self rescuing boats usually
sailed by two sailors.
2.2.4 420s
The 420s are 420 centimeters long, self-rescuing, sloop-rigged sailboats.
These boats were the basis of the previous double handed fleet.
2.2.5 470s
470s are 470 centimeter long, sloop rigged sailboats. They are designed to
be sailed or raced by a crew of two. The are equipped for trapeze and
spinnaker sailing. 470s require a double handed Intermediate rating.
2.2.6 Sailboards
The club has several sailboards that are kept in the Canoe House.
Sailboards have their own ratings system that is independent of the single
or double handed ratings. See Appendix A.3.
2.2.7 Finn
A 15 foot, high-performance, one person boat, the Finn requires
considerable skill to sail, and is highly responsive to minor changes in
trim. Finns are cat-rigged. Due to the skill required to sail them, Finns
require a single handed Skipper rating.
2.2.8 505
The 505 are 505 centimeter, high-performance racing sloops. They are
sailed by a crew of two people, and are highly responsive, challenging
boats. Because of their complex controls and the ease with which they can
be damaged, the 505 are restricted to use by skippers who have a double
handed Skipper rating and have been shown how to rig and handle the 505s.
2.2.9 Catamaran
Catamarans in the club fleet include Hobie 16s and a SuperCat 20. Because
of the double-hulled design, catamarans are extremely fast and require
special knowledge. Catamarans have their own set of ratings that require
an equal or higher double handed rating.
2.2.10 Other Boats
Additional boats of different designs are acquired from time to time, often
by donation. These are fit into the ratings structure as needed.
2.2.11 Spinnakers
These are regular equipment for many boats. Novices, Intermediates, and
Skippers may use them. Anyone wishing to learn to sail with a spinnaker
should ask for assistance.
2.2.12 Boston
Whaler
The WYC owns one 16 foot and two 13 foot Boston Whaler powerboats. These
rescue barges are used for the lesson program, club cruises, regattas,
rating exams, and in emergencies. Ordinarily, they are to be operated only
by Chiefs, Instructors and Ratings Examiners. In an emergency, any member
can use a Whaler for rescue if rated users are unavailable.
2.2.13 Rental Keelboats
The club owns a Catalina 27, a Caravel 22, and a Columbia 26, which are
operated on a self-supporting basis. Rental rates vary with the day and
season. Reservations may be made in advance for these boats and cruises of
up to two weeks are permitted. Keelboat Skippers may sail in all
interconnecting waters east of Cape Flattery, Washington, and south of
Malcolm Island, B.C. The boats are equipped with outboard motors, stoves,
heads, and other gear. All are sloop-rigged with various sail combinations
possible. All boats are equipped with a keel to provide stability.
Keelboat ratings are given by designated Chiefs only. See section 3.1.6
and 3.1.7 for more information.
2.3
Activities
The Washington Yacht Club provides a number of activities to promote
sailing.
2.3.1 Recreational Sailing
By far the most popular aspect of the Club is the availability of sailboats
for use during daylight hours in waters adjacent to the University of
Washington's campus. Members may sail the boats of any fleet for which
they have earned a rating. Boats are sailed on a self-service basis
subject to restrictions described in Section 3.2.5. There is no additional
charge for boat use except keelboats.
2.3.2 Lessons
Each quarter, free sailing instruction is offered to members. This program
is primarily for beginners; advanced lessons are given on the basis of
demand. All classes are taught by volunteers. There are 2 types of
lessons. Regular classes consist of one instructor and roughly ten
students and meet once a week for about six weeks. Weekend lessons meet
over one weekend in intensive, all-day sessions and are best for those with
some sailing experience. Additional practice is also available during
Ratings Examiner hours, posted in the sail locker and on the HUB office
door. Motivated members may learn to sail without signing up for classes
by attending Ratings Examiner hours. Class sign-ups are usually held on
the second Wednesday of the quarter. Information on this is available at
the HUB office.
2.3.3 Snooze 'n Cruise
Each quarter (except Winter), the club has an organized, weekend sailing
cruise. Club dinghies are towed through the Ballard locks and sailed to
Blake Island on Puget Sound, opposite West Seattle. Keelboats and power
boats carry gear for this trip. Ask the office for more information. In
past winters, an overnight ski trip, Ski 'n Freeze, has taken the place
of Snooze 'n Cruise.
2.3.4 Racing
The University of Washington Intercollegiate Racing Team is sponsored by
the Yacht Club. Sailboats for practices and regattas are provided by the
Club. The WYC belongs to several racing associations, including Seattle
Laser Fleet. Members with appropriate ratings may sail club Lasers in
these races. Informal racing among club members is sometimes offered.
Interested persons should contact the Rear Commodore, who oversees all club
racing, or the office.
2.3.5 Informal Racing
The Club holds informal regattas in which members, regardless of abilities
and talents can improve their sailing and learn racing techniques.
2.3.6 Work Parties
The Club maintains and repairs its own boats. Learning to repair boats is
also an essential part of learning to sail. Therefore, all members are
required to work at least two hours per quarter on boat maintenance.
Work parties are held almost every week, and a Fleet Captain or the Ratings
Examiner is around at various times to supervise those interested in
learning boat repair. In addition, the Keelboats are hauled out of the
water every Spring for a weekend and all Keelboat users are required to put
in some time before making reservations for the summer season.
2.3.7 Telltale
The Telltale, the club's newsletter, is mailed several times each year
to inform the members of important club developments and activities.
Telltales at the beginning of each quarter include phone numbers of Chiefs,
Instructors, and other Club Officials as well as a quarterly calendar of
events. Members should check with the HUB office if a Telltale has not
been received within a month after the beginning of the quarter.
2.3.8 Internet Resources
The club maintains a web page at
http://students.washington.edu/~sailing.
The Club maintains email lists. Check the Get
Connected web page or call the office for details.
2.4 Yacht Club Organization
The WYC, a nonprofit corporation, is a registered student organization of
the University of Washington. The Articles of Incorporation, Constitution
(Corporate Bylaws), and the Bylaws govern the Club. Copies of these
documents are available in the office. Membership is open to all UW
students, faculty, staff, and alumni, upon payment of the initiation fee
and quarterly dues. Alumni must join for four quarters at one time. Dues
are applied to entire quarters, regardless of when in that quarter the
member pays dues. Quarters begin on the first day of March, June,
September, and December. The initiation fee is paid once, provided the
member pays dues three quarters out of four and does not let two
consecutive quarters pass without paying dues. Spouses of members may
become associate members by paying the same dues as their spouse. They do
not pay an initiation fee. Dues and initiation fees can be mailed in to
the office. Details of club organization, responsibilities, dues, ratings,
etc. may be found in the Bylaws.
2.4.1 Officers
Officers, elected by the general membership, are:
2.4.3 Chiefs
The Yacht Club members who oversee the Club are called Chiefs. They have
been elected Chiefs because of their sailing ability, outstanding service
to the club, acceptance of responsibility, and general competence. Chiefs
have the absolute authority to handle all safety matters as they see fit.
They should be sought for sailing tests, information, registering
complaints, etc. The names and phone numbers of all Chiefs are published
quarterly in the Telltale. Chiefs are nominated by the Club's executive
council and must have both single- and double-handed Skipper ratings and a
Whaler rating. Their election is confirmed at a general meeting after a
six month probationary period.
2.4.4 Committee Chairs
Committees are appointed by the Commodore to help organize club activities. Standing committees include:
2.4.6 General Meetings
The Club holds a few meetings each quarter that all members should attend
to vote on major policy and financial decision. These meetings are held
roughly once a month except during class breaks.
2.4.7 Executive Council
The Executive Council, consisting of all Chiefs, Officers, Committee
Chairs, Fleet Captains, and current Student Instructors, meets regularly to
handle the day-to-day operations of the Club. All interested members are
invited to attend these meetings and voice their opinions. Voting is
restricted to the Executive Council members. Meetings are held roughly
every four weeks.