Americas Cup 1988

This a great video about the 1988 challenge for the Americas Cup via New Zealand. The Kiwi's built a boat they thought the Americans would not be able to challenge due to the lack of time the Americans had to build a competing boat, they were wrong as the Americans chose a catamaran with innovative wing sail that was easy to build in a short period of time. It was amazing how the Kiwis thought the cat was unfair when they tried to steal the cup with a boat they thought could not be challenged. Needless to say the Kiwis lost big time. They did go to court in 1989 to try and get the cup in which the judge agreed the cup should go to NZ, but then Team USA went back to court and the judge agree the Cup would stay in the USA. So NZ lost on the water and in court. Good news is the sailing world learned about the advantages of multihulls and wing sails.

The wing sail has been used since in two more Americas Cups but not in 2021, however the racing series SailGP is still using the wings with great success, allowing SailGP cats to reach 50 knots, no doubt 60 knots is in the foreseeable future.

A fun note is Hobie Cat was involved in the designing of the USA catamaran.

I should not the news videos are heavily biased toward the Kiwi's perspective due to the reports coming from NZ. Regardless its a fun bit of AC history.

 

 

Nice 2020 show the AC 88 cat for sale in 2020

 

Mirror Lake, Bonner County, Idaho

MIRROR LAKE 
Mirror Lake is surely one of the most beautiful lakes in

 Bonner County. Set between two high mountains this lake is 

Click here to watch Mel online

absolutely stunning. Amazingly two movies were filmed on this lake... The better known movie Dante's Peak (also filmed in Wallace Idaho along the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River... click here to so Mirror Lake movie clip) and much less known movie Everyone Loves Mel. The movie Mel was about a big prehistoric turtle; one of the turtles large shells is on exhibit outside the only resort on this lake. Surrounded by aquatic vegetation, Mirror Lake is frequented by migratory birds and bald eagles, etc. There is one resort on this lake called Mirror Lake Resort established in 1919 which includes camping (tent & RV sites) and rental fishing boats, swim platform. The resort boat launch is gravel/mud combo with one dock (2 docks but one is private), store (sells ice cream/popsicles, pop, ice, and worms), restroom, running water, and camping. Contact them at 509-710-0889 for reservations, etc. Fishing: Fish species info coming soon. See sign when fishing at this lake. For more fishing info call 208-769-1414. Directions: rom Sagle Idaho on HWY 95 - Take Sagle Road. Turn right onto Talache Road/Forest Service Road 2233 and watch for the sign to Mirror Lake Campground after about one mile. Maps: View interactive google map above or visit 

Click on pic to enlarge

google.com/maps type in Mirror Lake, Bonner County, ID. or GPS coordinates 48.168755, -116.503117

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel, dirt parking area at or near launch; PATHS/TRAILS... There is one dirt primitive hiking trail that goes north of the campground. Not suitable for wheeled mobility devices/wheelchairs; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Restrooms not wheelchair accessible. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One public dock that is wheelchair accessible. Single lane dirt/gravel/mud combo launch at about 4% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices. Absolutely no access to water other than via dock. Can not get directly into the water due to weeds, mud; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Tent and RV campsites with electricity hookups, no septic hook ups. Campsites have not accessibility for wheeled mobility devices, but some are level enough for persons with wheelchairs to use; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Mud and marine vegetation along shoreline; Terrain: Level to 5% grades; H2O/Water: Water murky but very clean. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree, Is spring fed some stays cool even in the summer months. Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources:  /popsicles, pop, ice, worms for fishing available at the resort store. Resort store not accessible to wheeled mobility devices/wheelchairs. Restaurants, food, drinks, and gas in town of Sagle and Sandpoint, ID.

 

Bonner County Lakes Commission

Bonner County Lakes Commission Updates 

Greetings All,

The Corp announced today that they will begin Flexible Winter Pool Operations(FWPO) on Lake Pend Oreille beginning Jan 1st.  This means they can raise Lake Pend Oreille up to 5 feet and then drop it when needed in order to generate power.  They have rarely utilized this option in the past 6 plus years, but when they do, it is generally due to a predicted increased power demand in the PNW.  We will follow up when we learn more about the need for FWPO this year.  According to the email, it is predicted to only rise 1 foot by next week. Generally, this should have little impact, but can affect water infrastructure and bay and launch accessibility. To stay updated on lake levels, bookmark this link. https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=otx&gage=hopi1

You can also sign up to receive notifications from the Corp by replying to the forwarded email above.

In addition, Bonner County has informed us that cement was poured at the Hope Basin launch on Wednesday the 23rd.  7 days minimum is needed for this to cure.  They will be moving docks back and will open in the very near future.  We will update you when we hear.

Keep your eyes peeled for our 2021 Newsletter, where we will keep you updated on current events in the Basin. 

Happy New Year!

ATTENTION to get updates related to Lake Pend Oreille, Pend Oreille River, Priest Lake and Priest River visit this website lakes-commission.com

Also here is a direct link to the Bonner County Waterways site for updates on launches, etc. https://www.bonnercountyid.gov/waterways

Molly McCahon
Lakes Commission
Executive Director
phone: (208)265-4568
email: lakescommission@gmail.com 
website: lakes-commission.com

Club Activity 2-13-21

Hello fellow Inland NW Sailors! Its a new year with new sailing activities and classes. To see 2021 activities please visit the Calendar/Club page. We are still doing some planning that has not been posted yet. We will either post activities on the calendar or in the comment section at the bottom of the Calendar/Club page. Actually most activities will be posted in the comment section. If you plan to attend an activity you must make a comment, if you do not make a comment I will assume your not attending.

Just this Jan 2nd we change the sailing location from Hayden Lake to Lake CdA because there was only two of us. So with no comments we assumed no one else was coming.

It is really important to make a comment at the bottom of the Calendar/Club page to introduce yourself as part of the club. Please tell people your first name and boat you sail or would like to sail, etc. Lets have a nice active club this year after a previous year of craziness.

We will be planning the following sailing activities... This May Potholes Reservoir sail and beach party; Priest Lake to Upper Priest Lake sail camp trip; Full length sail of Lake Pend Oreille; Sail to Wild Horse Island and back on Flathead Lake MT; etc.

Again visit the Calendar/Club page

Here is a video of the type of camp sailing we will be doing this summer...

First Sail of 2021

There are some crazies that do a polar bear swim on the first day of the new year, NOT GOING TO DO THAT, so my friend and I did a polar bear sail. Its a tradition I have done with friends the first day of each year for about 10 years now.

It was a nice super light wind day on beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene Idaho USA, so we primarily motored. We left the Panhandle Yacht Club marina near Arrow Point aboard a West Wight Potter 19 keelboat/sailboat. Was about 40 degrees for all of the sail.

Hopefully 2021 is a better year related to the pandemic, a year in which it goes away with all the associated craziness (not going to hold my breath on that). Luckily in Idaho (north Idaho) the affects of the pandemic were not heavily felt and life seems not that affected by it. The main thing that was different is seeing some people wearing masks. However driving just a few miles across the boarder into Washington State and Spokane it was totally different with major lock downs, etc.

Here are some pics and video of our adventure.

Click on pics to enlarge

Bald Eagle flying around

Happy New Year!

Corsair Pulse 600 is Here!

The first Corsair Pulse 600 in the Inland NW is here. FunToSAIL is your dealer and will be doing demo sails for those interested in purchasing a 2021 boat. Advance order is needed if one wants to receive a boat in 2021. Email to reserve spot on a Pulse Demo Day (deposit required).

To learn more about this boat by watching this video and visit this link.., Corsair Pulse 600 information!

Used Sailboats

Hello Fellow sailors! Just to inform you I have some great deals on used sailboats... check it out via THIS LINK. Also email us related to some great deals on new sailboats at funtosail@gmail.com

Just a couple picture examples!

Americas Cup Series 1

The first series of the Americas Cup World Series took place last week with mixed reviews on the boats. These large foiling monohulls seemed very unstable on day 1 but the teams seemed to get better control of the boats on day 2. Ultimately Team USA won the series over New Zealand.

Team New Zealand hit 49 knots for a moment but over all the speeds in strong winds was 30-40 knots as compared to the smaller SailGP cats of 40-50 knots. So the SailGP cats still have the top speed advantage and seems to be smoother in turns. Still the new AC75 foiling monohulls are fun to watch.

The whole AC Americas racing process to win the Cup starts with the Prada Cup this February 15th to determine which 2 boats will enter the Americas Cup final. My bet is on America Magic Team USA winning it all.

On a sad note is to watch it live in the USA it cost $175. It may be worth it to you to pay the fee but not so for me, thus why I am reporting on the results so late.

It was certainly nice to watch some sailboat racing again after a whole year of cancelled races.

Here is the highlight video from the racing (video does not show the difficulties they teams had in controlling their boats).

Visit AmericasCup.com to learn more

Christmas Specials!

This is a great time of year to purchase our many sailing products.

One of our most popular offerings is the Learn-To-Sail Certificates... it's a great stocking stuffer, etc. "Learn more about our sailing classes."

We have many new and used parts just right for your sailboat.

Get great pricing on new and currently an amazing selection of used sailboats.

You can also make a donation to the non-profit Access To Outdoors to support our marine access work, accessible sailing lessons, and other work/projects. To donate email accesstooutdoors@gmail.com

For sailboat, parts and accessories, and lessons Email or text us for more info... funtosail@gmail.com or text 208-704-4454