Former GLSS President - Phil Rubright

October 30, 2008

It is with a heavy heart that I pass along the news that former GLSS President Phil Rubright died off the New Jersey coast, Tuesday, October 28, approximately 100 miles SE of Atlantic City. He was on board the 44 foot Freefall along with GLSS member Kevin Hogan and Teresa Garvie. The conditions were pretty dramatic, with 50+ knot winds, and estimated seas of 40-50 feet when a distress signal was sent out from Freefall. Hogan and Garvie were ultimately rescued, along with a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who was injured trying to save Phil.

Please refer to the following links for further information:

http://lifefloatingby.blogspot.com/2008/10/coast-guard-rescues-2-mt-pleasant.html

Rescue Video from a Coast Guard C-130

Atlantic Storm October 28-29, 2008

FWB official's daughter injured in fatal sailing accident

Phil spent many days upon the Atlantic, having done several OSTARs and deliveries upon the deep blue. Prior to his last OSTAR, he related to me that out on the Atlantic was one of his favorite places, and that the OSTAR was especially important, as that meant he would be celebrating his birthday out sailing.

The memorial service for Phil took place on Monday November 3. 2008 at the Sawyer-Fuller Funeral Home, 2125 12 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072, phone (248) 398-6500.

Phil will be terribly missed...

Godspeed Phil, and Fair Winds!

Tony

2008 Solo Trans-Pac features GLSS member Eric Thomas

by Tony Driza and David Herring

July 8, 2008

Now that the Mac Solo Challenges are over, and the Lake Superior Solo Scramble is approximately a month off, one might think there is a lull in solo sailing activity. Perhaps it takes a brief hiatus here on the Great Lakes, but one GLSS member is taking the freshwater skills honed on Lake Superior to compete in the 30th running of the Solo Trans-Pac, from San Francisco to Hanalei Bay, Kauai.  More...

Chicago to Buffalo - Singlehanded and Non-Stop!
Part Two
by Bill Tucker

January - 2007

Part One of Bill Tucker's saga dealt with the preparations, and the trip through Lakes Michigan and Huron. Here's the finale, with an accounting of sailing the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers, Lake St. Clair, and a nasty beat the length of Lake Erie. This is somewhat appropriate, given the upcoming AGM vote to modify the GLSS Constitution to allow for a Lake Erie Solo Challenge. Check out the conclusion to Bill's adventure.

Chicago to Buffalo - Singlehanded and Non-Stop!
Part One
by Bill Tucker

December - 2006

A Super Mac is a lengthy endeavor indeed, but it's far short of the journey that GLSS member Bill Tucker accomplished back in the fading days of summer, 2006. For some Holiday reading, Part One is here... Stay tuned for the conclusion!

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Rearick Rambles to Key West Race Week
by Dave Rearick

February - 2006

If ever there was a member in search of a grand adventure, especially one which involves a trip to the little latitudes when the winds become icy in the north, it is Dave Rearick. As only Dave can recount, there's more to the story...

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Wally McMinn's Excellent Adventure
The 2005 Travels of the Odyssey
by Wally McMinn

January - 2006

The short version of the story is that the Odyssey traveled to Duluth, MN and back. As we all know, there is always more to the story than that during a 1500+ nautical mile passage on the Great Lakes. So here is a bit of a tale I hope you will find interesting and amusing. More...

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