MIYC April 2025 Newsletter

Launch

Let the record show that on Wednesday, April 16, spring launch began at the Madeline Island Yacht Club.The first boats to hit the water, with ice out, were work boats for construction projects and fishing, not living in our marina. And today, April 22nd, we launched one of our own. The launch schedule - first reserved; first served - is filling up. Yet not everyone has submitted a launch form, you can submit one online by clicking on this link:

https://na2.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhB1CN1irxppImP-vMtbWiGoExk1s1T1Ynef5vSf-I22dGQ20embotFdDEiqqGfzXEk*

Low Water Level

All the boats this spring will be hitting low water. Lake Superior, like all five Great Lakes, has fallen to the lowest point in at least a decade, according to the Great Lakes Water Levels Boards of the International Joint Commission.

The commission’s predictions for the summer: “ … water levels at each lake will begin rising … through much of the spring, with the increases likely peaking in May for Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, in July for Lake Superior, and in June for Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.” Those increases, however, will only achieve “below average levels.”

Meanwhile, the marina crew has begun installing further dock extensions, and also modifying the small boat marina to accommodate the lower water.

The Tanks

The spring’s most prominent physical work is the completion of the fuel ranks project. The two new tanks, which replaced three half-century-old tanks, have been operable since last November. But landscaping, walkways, lights, and a new patio off the Members’ Lounge are on the way, as soon as weather and supply chains allow.

Also, electrical repairs and upgrades on B and D Docks are either complete or under way, along with general dock repairs.

MIYC Notes

All scheduled winter work on boats is complete. If, however, anyone wants to squeeze in a boat project before launch begins in earnest, please contact the shop promptly. Once launch has begun in earnest, most other boat work through the shop stops for several weeks.

Request: This summer, if members know they will be absent from their slips for more than a few days, especially around the holidays, the club requests that they notify the store. The marina can then rent the vacant slips for transient boats. The income from those rentals is shared 50/50 between the club and the member.

Events: The Commodore’s Reception, Saturday, May 24, from 4 pm to 6 pm in the Members Lounge; The Annual Meeting, Saturday, June 28, 9am Brunch, 10am meeting at the LKL. Information on Board elections coming soon.

One of the board's big winter projects was a review, update, and refinement of the club's bylaws. The results will be shared with the membership in the coming weeks, with a vote on the refreshed bylaws later in the summer.

And, last but not least, to bring awareness and recognition to the hard-working professionals who work on boats, the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) has designated the last week in April International Marine Service Technician Week. Thank you to our wonderful techs - Aaron, Chuck, Tony, Chas, Mikey, and Phil, for all you do!