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Date: 8/7/2026
Subject: August Scuttlebutt
From: Grande Maumelle Sailing Club




Centerboards Cropped

Ahoy GMSC!

 
Our water level is very low at around 81ft on the Maumelle River gauge or what's now considered 8ft below pool. While caution is warranted, many boats continue racing and cruising. Our launch ramp is currently unusable and our ramp cove mostly landlocked. Thankfully centerboard boats can still crane in, but just barely.  Until our weather pattern changes, the outlook for splashing boats is not good.
 
We will continue making efforts to do what we can, but hand carting down the Hobie beach may by our last resort. Thankfully we have a thriving Hobie fleet and will continue supporting their racing season. 
 
A few additional items of note.
-The Kiko's Corner Workpad project is underway. Please keep the area clear until work is complete sometime next week.
-Repairs to our L dock have been made. 
-Repairs to our C dock have been mostly complete and some additional repairs are underway.
-All docks are at max low condition. If you're able, please shore up your dock slip floats and adjust your tie-ups to keep your slipped boat from leaning too hard. Many are grounded currently. 
-Pavilion improvements will soon begin. A new sail storage shed and rack will be built near the junior shed. If you have sails in the pavilion rafters, please move them. Storage is available in the pole barn and the scout house. Or in the yet to be completed new sail shed. If not moved by time the contractor is ready to start work in the next week or two, we will move them on your behalf. If you'd like help, please reach out.
 
At risk of sounding like a broken record, hopefully this will be the last time we experience these lowest depths. CAW's efforts to combat hydrilla have been successful, despite this unintended consequence. They do not plan on lowering the lake next year.
 
Don't let the low water get you down! We still have much to look forward to. If you don't like this Arkansas weather, just wait! Conditions will change!
 
Yates Phillips
GMSC Commodore



The remaining six race days of our centerboard season will use the attached updated Sailing Instructions. Changes are limited to section 10.2 and are noted in red italics. A printed copy will be posted at the bulletin board before the next race day in accordance with the rules.

This addresses the following: 
-Checkin before their prep flag vs the first fleets prep flag. 
-A sail number vs their sail number 
-Failure to check in properly may result in a DNS. Allows the race committee some flexibility to warn before enforcing.
-Checking in by radio is allowed, prior to the first fleet's prep signal. 

AS WAS
10.2 Boats will check in with the race committee before the fleet that starts first. Boats must display their sail number on the mainsail in the size and position prescribed in RRS, Section G. Boats will check in by sailing on starboard astern of the race committee boat and hailing their sail number and fleet. Boats are required to check in only once before their boat's first start. 

IS NOW
10.2 Boats will check in with the race committee before their preparatory flag. Boats must display a sail number on the mainsail in the size and position prescribed in RRS, Section G. Boats will check in by sailing on starboard astern of the race committee boat and hailing their sail number and fleet. Boats are required to check in only once before their fleet's first start. Failure to check in properly may result in a DNS. Checking in by radio is allowed, prior to the first fleet's prep signal.
 
If check-in by radio goes well, we may be able to continue this method. If so, expect additional language in next season's SI's regarding format and acknowledgement. 
 
The updated 2026 Centerboard Sailing Instructions can be found in the public document library linked HERE.

Our club was recently featured in Arkansas Living Magazine in an article showcasing all the great watersport opportunities our state has to offer. Many thanks to Neil Jones for supplying some great stills. Click through to see it here: ArkansasLivingMagazine.com
 
We were also featured on Arkansas Great Outdoors, a show on KTHV 11 airing weekly on Sunday mornings and nationwide on the Fishing Network. Many thanks to Yates for supplying the video footage. Click through to YouTube to view our episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdIO1izAkD4
 
Some of you recently requested videos from our 50th Anniversary. They can be found here! https://www.youtube.com/@GrandeMaumelle
 
 

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