Lasers

To help celebrate our club's 20th Anniversary, we are reintroducing Laser sailing to New York Harbor.

This is part of the New York Harbor Sailing Foundation's longer term effort to establish a dinghy sailing facility which could include Optimists for juniors, Sunfish and Lasers for teens & adults plus a center for Collegiate and Olympic caliber competition.

In 2007, this will be a pilot program designed to gain experience and test the feasibility of this concept.

The sailing area will be the water south and southwest of the Statue of Liberty. This is a large area of shallows to the west of the old oyster reef. Because the depth is 6 feet and less, this area is not used by any commercial traffic. We will be able to sail in this area without danger of ferries, tugs, barges, etc. Because it is shallow, there is also less current.

We will launch the Lasers form the public boating ramp at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The Lasers and equipment will be transported to and from the park in an enclosed trailer. We have not yet received permission to store the Lasers on any land sites.

Dates & Times:

Our pilot program in 2007 will be run on Sundays. There will be two 3-hour sessions:

Session A: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (arrive at 10 a.m. to off-load, rig and launch boats)

Session B: 2 to 5 p.m. (after sailing, you will help unrig and load boats into storage trailer)

The program will run from August 26 to October 14.

Number of Boats:

For the first week, this program will start with 5 Lasers. If successful and we are able to store, move and launch this many boats, then we may expand to 6 boats the second week and 7 boats for the 3 week.

Qualifications to Participate:

This pilot program is designed for capable sailors, not for beginners. These are athletic boats. Sailors should be in good shape and be able to handle their boats without assistance. Sailors are required to bring their own PFD (inflatables not permitted in this program). Because of the rocky boat launching area, sailors must provide their own boots capable tof walking in water. You may not sail barefoot or in flip flops or anything non-substantial. Sailing gloves are highly recommended.

Pilot Program Format:

Each day will consist of a series of short course races. There will be 1 powerboat to provide support and race management. Once we gain experience this summer, we hope to create a larger program in 2008 which includes teaching and training.

Community Service:

Participating in this sailing program also involves community service. We will be launching the boats from Liberty State Park. This is a great resource for the people of Jersey City and we wish to give back as thanks for our opportunity. Below is a description of the first 3 community service days. In addition, sailors will perform clean up of launching facilities before and after sailing each day.

You must participate in one of the Community Service Opportunities before you may sail the Lasers. If you are unable to make any of the first 3, please let us know so we can see about scheduling another opportunity.

Community Service Opportunity 1: Thursday, August 16 - 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Meet at North Cove at 6 p.m. and ride to Liberty State Park by Greyhound.
Goal - Repositioning of the rocks which obstruct the public launching area. The tides and waves have shifted many rocks to the area which is meant for launching. If left in place, these rocks could damage boats. We will shift the rocks to the sides where they were originally and open up the full width of the launching area. Gloves will be provided. You need to bring shoes capable of walking in the water.

Community Service Opportunity 2: Saturday, August 18 - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Meet in Blairstown, NJ , 1 hour and 30 minutes from the city (you need to have access to a car)
Goal - Cleaning the Lasers, inventorying all parts and testing and repairing equipment as needed. Our Laser hulls have been sitting in a field for several years. We need to get them out, polish them, test all the fittings and get our equipment ready. Then we need to load it all up into our new trailer.

Community Service Opportunity 3: Thursday, August 16 - 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Meet at North Cove at 9 a.m. and ride to Liberty State Park by Greyhound.
Goal - Cleaning all garbage and debris in the vicinity of the public launching ramp and the nearby pier.

Cost:

The initial cost to participate in this dinghy sailing program is $10 per hour (or $30 per session). Our long-term goal is to create a program which covers its costs and provides for high quality equipment and race management. The initial per hour fees will enable us to study the economics of the program and evaluate the cost structure for 2008. Members who assist beyond the norm in organizing and administering this program (such as driving the trailer, maintaining equipment inventory, etc) will be able to sail for free.

Transportation:

The public launching ramp is on the south side of Liberty State Park. It is easy to get to by car and there is free public parking right next to the ramp. Car pool is a great way to get to and from the launching location. You can also take the yellow water taxi from BPC to Liberty Landing Marina and then walk through the park or ride a bike. PATH trains also run to Jersey City and you can then either take a taxi or Light Rail and then walk or bike, etc.