THE VSC CENTERBOARD YEARS 1966 - 1969

VALCOUR SAILING CLUB IS LAUNCHED

The Valcour Sailing Club was born out of a desire for an organization that would emphasize the needs of its members to race sailboats on a scheduled basis. As opposed to cruising, the very act of racing requires agreement about such things as rules of right-of-way, comparative boat ratings, schedules, setting marks, officiating, and - if things did not always go right out on the course - committees to hear protests. Just as in any competitive sport, satisfaction for the participants requires making up all the rules prior to the race.

But whenever highly competitive people come together there are bound to be strong minded individuals who have definite ideas about the sport. Although all the early members of the VSC were Corinthians, i.e. non-professional in the field of boating, it would be a sad mistake for the tyro to think that racing could be a laid-back affair! Even if there were no trophies to be won, or their cost was an infinitesimal fraction of the cost to campaign a competitive boat, this fun sport of yachting could be very serious business. If one did not strive to win, being in a parade of sailboats could prove pointless after a time or two.

Against this background of mutual interest, the activities of the Valcour Sailing Club in early 1966 reflected the single-minded purpose of its organizers. It may give more of the flavor of those times if the record speaks for itself rather than trying to characterize them some thirty-five years later. Much of what follows is a chronicle of minutes of meetings and material contained in the Valcour Sailing Club Log.

FIRST VALCOUR SAILING CLUB LOG

"An organizational meeting of the Valcour Sailing Club was held at the Plattsburgh YMCA on April 20, 1966. John Grant was elected President, Derek Alan Vice President, and George Copeland Secretary-Treasurer. A race committee consisting of David McDowell, John Tanner, and John Grant was appointed. It was decided that races would be held each week starting from the Valcour Lodge Dock beginning on Saturday, June 11, 1966 at 10 A.M. The second race will be on Sunday, June 19th at 2 P.M. and alternating on Saturday and Sunday thereafter. This schedule is subject to revision as may be necessary in order that the Club may participate in the Regattas to be held by the Plattsburgh Yacht Club. North American Yacht Racing Union rules will be followed and rule books ordered and distributed at the next meeting.

"There will be no entry fees for Club races and no trophies will be given, but a point system will be established and records kept. Since members' boats are of several different classes a system of handicaps will be arranged. Dues are set at two dollars per year. Of the thirty-six people who have returned questionnaire expressing interest in sailing, twenty-four attended the initial meeting. Those wishing to purchase boats may order Cape Cod Knockabouts (of which there are now three in the Club) from Dave McDowell. Other boats may be ordered from the Valcour Marina through member Bob Jesse who has offered to buy boats for the members during the next two months at cost plus $25.00. Moorings are available at Valcour Marina. A few used boats are for sale by members." (VSC LOG April 25, 1966)

'On that same day, George Copeland sent a letter to the North American Yacht Racing Union requesting 35 copies of the Rule Book at 50¢ a copy. The minutes of a meeting on May 10th showed that 23 of the Rule Books were distributed as planned. Dave McDowell talked about books on sailing that were available and discussed sailing terminology using a model sailboat that Harold Lieberthal of the Valcour Lodge had loaned the Club.'

THE FIRST VSC RACES

The first race sailed under the auspices of the Valcour Sailing Club occurred adjacent to the Valcour Lodge dock on Saturday, June 11, 1966 at 10 A.M. No record of the elapsed or finish times seems to have survived and we also don't know the wind conditions for that race. But a VSC Log of June 16, 1966 and other records of that year give us the results and this information:

1st place: Dr. David B. McDowell in VALCOUR IV Sail Nr. 340

2nd place: Dr. Paul C. Agnew in VALCOUR III (no sail no.)

3rd place: Dr. John Tanner in JOLLY T II Sail Nr. 329

4th place: Mr. John Grant in MINNOW Sail Nr. 360

Despite the resolve to keep records, many of the results of those early races have apparently been lost. Races in 1966 were held every other Saturday and every other Sunday in alternate weeks. Results of the Sunday July 24th race were recorded as follows:

"Race started 2:15 Around Valcour Is. Start off Valcour Lodge. Leave 2 Red Buoys on Port at N. end of Island". Order of finish:

1 D. McDowell in an 18' Knockabout

2 Dr. Moore in a Columbia

3 Dr. McTernan in an Ensign

4 Harry Walcoff in an Ariel

5 Derek Allan

6 Geo Copeland

7 Jerry Rudmin

8 Giambruno

THE EARLY BOATS

The early years of the Valcour Sailing Club were mostly small centerboard sloops under twenty feet such as the eighteen foot Knockabout and the slightly longer Champlainer. Also on the scene in those early years was the 15 1/2 foot Snipe and various other cruising boats of longer length. According to the Encyclopedia of Sailing (1978) sailboats are divided into two definite types - centerboard and keel.

"The main functions of both these devices is to furnish lateral resistance to keep the boat from sliding sidewise through the water. There the resemblance ends. The conventional centerboard hull is shallow and has a wood, fiberglass, or metal plate which moves up and down through a well or trunk on the centerline. For stability this type of boat relies on its wide beam and the weight of the crew. A centerboard craft can be easily capsized, but this is counteracted by the knowledge that it will not sink if swamped."

These characteristics of the centerboard boat lent a distinctive aspect to the sailboat racing in the Club during that period. One can imagine that races in heavy air were primarily athletic events and taking an occasional unscheduled swim was not at all unusual. But it is in the crucible of small boat racing that one really learns what it is all about. Mistakes are readily made apparent to the skipper and crew that ignore good seamanship. The learning curves of participants must have been steep.

"At a meeting of the Club held at Valcour Lodge on 15 September (1966), three classes of boats were selected for racing next year and a committee selected to advise on each class. 1. Snipe - Ireland and Strang 2. 18' Knockabout - McDowell and Allan 3. Cruising Class - Walcoff and McTernan.

A meeting of members who wish to build or purchase Snipes will be held on 22 September. It is important to get kits ordered as soon as possible in order to have boats ready for next season."

Several possible boats were discussed at that meeting: the Flying Dutchman Jr; the Blue Jay at $325 for a kit, with sails costing $100 and hardware $160; and most prominently, as it turned out, the Snipe in fiberglass with no sails at $850. A kit for the Snipe was available for a cost of $349 for the hull, $94 for sails, and $65 for stainless steel hardware. At $508, less 25% if five or more were ordered, this must have seemed a best buy even with the labor required to assemble the boat and even in 1966 dollars. With quite a bit of interest in the Snipe kits, the Snipe was declared a class for the 1967 VSC season at that very same meeting.

THE SNIPE AFFAIR OF 1966-67

The decision to race Snipes as a class was to lead to the "great Snipe Swindle of 1966. "Subsequently, at the October 13th meeting, five people agreed to order the Snipe kits: Major Fowler Strang, Dr. James Ashe, Mr. Carl Armstrong, Robert Moore, and Doug Bruette. After they had written their checks, the Club Treasurer was authorized to "issue a purchase order to the Taft Marine Woodcraft Company for five Snipe boat kits with a check for one third down payment in the amount of $436.25."

Also at that same meeting it was announced that "four Knockabouts had been ordered for Dr. Agnew, John Washbourne, Dr. Boolukos, and John Grant." Other business indicated that "the Racing committee should develop suitable methods for handicapping cruising-class boats, scoring, and establishing standardized courses, ... a Protest committee should be appointed by the President to meet after each race and hear any protest. committee to consist of a member and alternate from each class." Also that "an Entertainment committee should be appointed to plan for movies and other activities at meetings; Harry Walcoff was appointed as chairman." And finally, "that membership as of October 13, 1966 be considered as Charter Members with all rights and privileges accruing thereto."

Returning to the "Snipe affair", George Copeland placed the order on the 15th of October for five hull kits at prices indicated above. Delivery was requested "not earlier than 1 November 1966." Taft Marine certainly complied with that part of the order. On November 15th, Copeland inquired of Taft Marine as to when shipment could be expected. Taft Marine replied by Western Union Telegram on January 18, 1967 saying "SHIPMENT NOT MADE AS PROMISED BOATS WILL BE SHIPPED BY FRIDAY 1/20" implying soon but not stating which year. On March 22nd Copeland sent, by certified-mail-return-receipt-requested, a request that the VSC's $436.25 "be refunded by the 10th day of April, 1967 _---or--- this club wants proof of shipment ..." (As a side note, the records kept by George Copeland re this affair are scrupulously complete indicating that he must have felt some heat from those who had ordered the kits regarding the probable delivery date.)

On that same day he also wrote to the Better Business Bureau in Minneapolis where Taft Marine was ostensibly doing business. Probably to relieve a bit of the heat, Copeland had apparently invited the potential Snipe owners to call the factory themselves for he indicates in the letter that "members of our organization have talked to Mr. Taft many times on the telephone urging him to fill our order and many promises have been made but no Kits have arrived." In a bit of understatement, George went on to say "The conduct of this business appears to be somewhat less than that which might be expected from a responsible firm." One month later, to the very day, Copeland again demanded that Taft Marine return the deposit "since you apparently have no intention of shipping the five Snipe Boat Kits which we ordered last October." The Snipe Kit Affair goes downhill from there and the records show an exchange of correspondence with a law firm in Minneapolis in an effort to recover VSC's loss. But the Taft Marine Woodcraft Company had gone out of business.

The Club survived the Snipe Kit Affair. In 1967, Fowler Strang was racing (and winning) in a Snipe as were Tom Sweeney, Jerry Rudmin, and Jim McKee. The records are silent on the issue of the other would be Snipe skippers. Two items from the 1967 Racing Schedule (yearbook) are self explanatory to anyone who has sailed a centerboard boat.

"High Winds: The Race committee may at its direction fly code flag "Y" if the wind is high and may cancel the race if the wind is too high or if there is the probability of a squall striking the area during the race."

"Additional Signals: Code Flag "Y" (Red & Yellow diagonal stripes) - all crews must put on wearable life jackets or suffer automatic disqualification."

RACING FLEET RESULTS 1967

SERIES A

Cruising: 1st Harry Walcoff, 2nd Dick Moore, 3rd George Copeland

Knockabout: 1st John Grant, 2nd David McDowell, 3rd Derek Allan

Snipe: 1st Fowler Strang, 2nd Tom Sweeney, 3rd Jerry Rudmin

OneKind: 1st Les Sellers, 2nd Ric Allen, 3rd Carl Lonnberg

SERIES B

Cruising: 1st Dick Moore, 2nd Harry Walcoff

Knockabt: 1st John Grant, 2nd David McDowell

Snipe: 1st Jim McKee, 2nd Tom Sweeney

OneKind: 1st Les Sellers, 2nd Lightning Leonard

PLATTSBURGH YACHT CLUB INVITATIONAL RACE -August 17th, 1967

Cruising: 1st John McTernan, 2nd Harry Walcoff, 3rd Keyser (Moll)

Snipe: 1st Tom Sweeney, 2nd Jim McKee, 3rd Fowler Strang

Mixed: 1st Giambruno (Star), 2nd Sellers (Rhodes19), 3rd Allen

LAKE CHAMPLAIN KNOCKABOUT CHAMPIONSHIP - August 26th & 27th, 1967

1st Derek Allan

2nd Dave McDowell

3rd John Grant

4th Bud Seawell in John Tanner's JOLLY T II

5th Scott Worrall

6th Bob Moore in Geo. Boolukos' Knockabt #359

7th Brewster of the Split Rock Yacht Club

8th Paul Agnew

9th John Washbourne

9th Noble of the Split Rock Yacht Club

LOOKING BACK AT 1967, LOOKING AHEAD AT 1968

MINUTES OF MEETING April 28, 1968

"Fowler Strang gave a report on the Snipe situation. The lawyer will take one third of any money. Mr. Strang moved that we keep the remaining freight money to pay any additional lawyer's fees. (passed)

Commodore Allan reviewed the activities of the last year. He felt we had a successful year as our second year. He hopes we will get more Snipes sailing this year. He felt that the members helping the race committee were not too successful. Also the plates for winners have not been purchased. On the plus side, the race schedule and booklet were very good. We had good turnout on the social affairs as well as {for} the races. Commodore Allan thanked Tom Sweeney for the markers. Harry Walcoff for handling the social affairs. Thanks too to the McKees for their work as starters and Sec. & Treas. .....(election of officers.) New Business.

A proposed schedule has been drawn up by Derek Allan and his committee. He started off with a sail to Stave Island on May 30th. Les Sellers was asked to call to make sure we are welcome. We will have just one series with nine races being necessary of the fifteen set up. Additional sailing activities could then be included. Bud Seawell asked about some newspaper publicity. Doris McKee and Sherwood Keyser have volunteered to do this. Frank Pabst has offered to have the Sailing Club use the Dive Shop now turned into a club house. He also offered the beach use to the club. He discussed the mooring plans and other things of interest to the club. It was recommended that the races start on time this year.

It was moved that the class representatives act as a committee with Commodore McDowell to get together to get the scoring system in and the racing schedule done by two weeks. (passed) There was discussion on putting out of markers. It was decided that the Vice Commodore be put in charge of officer of day. This officer of the day is to be named in the club bulletin. Officer of the day will put out and bring in markers. Motion made by Bud Seawell, seconded by Don Ireland, to have a steering committee set up to develop By-laws for the club. Motion carried. Commodore McDowell to appoint committee. Motion by Seawell, second by Ireland, that we have one type of membership $5.00. (passed)

Jim McKee suggested that anyone interested in a Snipe can find advertisements in the Snipe Bulletin of Snipes for sale. Sam Heyman asked if there might be a Sunfish class. Derek Allan said the club was started to develop three classes of boats but if there were enough it might be possible. Otherwise, they would go in the "One of a Kind" Class. .... adjourned .... Resp. Sbmtd, Doris N. McKee

These early years of the Valcour Sailing Club were nearly pure racing activity. Review of the minutes of meetings in those years reveals total dedication to the business of acquiring and racing sailboats. The VSC budget for 1967 is eloquent on this point. The following budget for 1967 was adopted.

Ammunition for starting races: $10.00

Mailing costs: $45.00

Racing Schedule: $35.00

Trophies: $20.00

Flags, buoys, etc. $25.00

Dues were set as follows:

Racing Membership: $5.00

Non sailing: $2.00

SERIES RESULTS 1968

CC Knockabout: 1st David McDowell, 2nd John Grant

Cruising Class: 1st John McTernan, 2nd Harry Walcoff

One of a Kind:

Over 16 Ft: 1st Les Sellers, 2nd Bud Seawell

Under 16 Ft: 1st Bob Rousseau, 2nd George Burrell

THE LAKE CHAPLAIN RACING CONFERENCE

In 1969, the Valcour Sailing Club joined the existing Lake Champlain Racing Conference (LCRC) consisting then of members of the Lake Champlain Yacht Club in Shelburne, Vermont and the Malletts Bay Boat Club of Burlington, Vermont. The purpose of the Conference was to coordinate a lake wide racing series which consisted of three races sponsored by the MBBC (Long Distance, Lake Champlain, and Royal Savage) and two races sponsored by the LCYC (Commodore MacDonough and Ladies Cup). Added that year was the VSC sponsored Valcour Race which was held on June 21 & 22, 1969 but subsequently moved to an earlier weekend in June.

One effect that joining the LCRC had on the VSC was exposure to many more relatively large keeled boats which had the capability for night sailing. Also, several of the LCRC races were of considerable distance which implied a need for greater boat stability in chop and high winds. The small Knockabouts and Snipes were essentially limited to daysailing and lacked the navigational and lighting equipment for overnight sailing. This factor, as well as the last race of 1969, proved to be a large factor in the sudden change in the VSC racing fleet of 1970.

END OF THE VSC CENTERBOARD ERA

The end of the VSC centerboard racing fleet came in the fall of 1969. The following year would see a group of keelboats at the forefront of the Valcour Sailing Club fleet. Dave McDowell recalls the circumstances of one of the last races in 1969:

"Basically, the overall feeling was that members wanted keel boats. And we did have, in 1969, one disastrous race. It was a West wind and we were on a spinnaker run over by Red Nun 2, off Bluff Point. I was in the lead and we got a gust that subsequently some of the fellows checked back with the meteorology people at PSUC and it had been above fifty knots. I was the first one that went over, to Grant's glee and despite Mimi's accusation that 'you told me they wouldn't tip over!' And as the story goes, John Grant said 'Isn't that a shame, Dave just went over,' and he went over. And right down the line Grant, Brown, and Worrall followed suit - until we had five or six Knockabouts that were over in the water. Mimi was on the boat and my son Dave. She was absolutely furious with me because I made Dave swim out to grab the cushions and stuff like that."

The end of the centerboard era had come in gale force winds that would certainly result in a small-craft warning today on Lake Champlain. But the VSC sailors of that period had surely paid their dues in the small centerboards and it was time to move up to a more stable boat. It is the lessons and experience of sailing a small sailboat, in the opinion of many sailors, that can really pay off when bigger boats come on the scene.

As Dave McDowell expressed so well "... people ought to learn to sail in small boats. I think they ought to learn to sail dinghies first. The reason I say that is that you very shortly find out whether or not you really like sailing. You have to know everything you need to sail a big boat to sail a dinghy. And I think it improves your seamanship much quicker than sailing a big boat. Then, OK, go on to a big boat if you want to."

So they did.

René du Fort 5/2001