The Jacomo Sailing Club is the oldest public sailing club in the Kansas City area. It was founded in 1958 and has a rich history of running top-notch one-design races on Lake Jacomo. JSC is enjoying being Kansas City's sailing resource. Contact the Jacomo Sailing Club today. We can provide a starting point for your introduction into sailing, racing and fun on the water. The club welcomes all new interested beginner sailors, even if you have never sailed.

The Jacomo Sailing Club was founded in 1958, a year before Lake Jacomo was completed and filled. Late in '58, the dam was completed, the gravel roads were almost done, and the anchors were down in sailboat cove. The dry sail lot was planned, as well as the fishing docks at the south end, but the lake was dry. The scheduled opening was spring of '60.

 

The founders, a group of 12 men met in Kelly's Bar in Westport, and planned the formation of the Jacomo Sailing Club. At that time there was no public sailing in the Kansas City area. (Most of the large public lakes that now surround this area were not even built yet.--ed.) That winter 120 club members were signed up, the club elected officers, bought equipment, and waited. The winter and early spring were very wet in Kansas City, and the lake filled in by April. Although the park would not be fully done until '60, the J.S.C. started its first season. The names of the founding fathers are found in the list of club officers for the first 10 years, and as the names of the major club awards.

 

How good of a job did they do? Pretty good: we still have the same marks that they made, the same bylaws, and a reputation for running good races. The 1970 years were the high water mark of the club. In 1977, the year that I was Commodore, we had 350 members, and averaged over 175 racing boats each Sunday. My fleet of Demons had 24 boats and averaged 21 boats in our best 10 races.

 

Past J.S.C. members have spread sailboat racing all through the Midwest, and were the founding fathers of the non-private lake clubs in the Kansas City area. You can be proud to be a member of the Jacomo Sailing Club. By Bernie Kuse, C-Scow KC-227.

 

Starting out in a dinghy or small one design sailboat, will give you an easy lesson to learn as you begin the basics of sailing. The small sailing dinghy will help you acquire the basic skills of boat handling and sailing that can be transferred to any boat at a later date. In a larger boat, you may miss out on the best foundation for your sailing skills. The dinghy provides the pure form of sailing close to the wind and water that are not experienced in larger boats. In a dinghy you are just a few inches or feet from the water. As the skipper you have one hand on the tiller and the other one on the sheet (controls the sail). This allows you to instantly feel the boat heeling, the sails, the boat acceleration and to learn how your actions make the boat go. In a dinghy you learn how to make the boat balanced and how to be in control.

 

In a keelboat, you do not get the feel since a large boat is slower to react. Adjustments are delayed before you see any changes in performance. Many times changes in wind conditions are missed because the sheer size of the boat has carried it through by its momentum.

 

Learning in a small boat the whole body and mind is involved to deal with each situation quickly. The only consequence in a dinghy is that you tip over and getting wet is just part of the experience. Learning to upright your boat is all part of the learning process and in many conditions is fun. A learn-to-sail program, such as the Jacomo Sailing Club program, will be of great value to start your sailing experience. Instructors can guide you in learning the ins and outs of sailing plus, learning in a group can be a fun experience. You will enter a sailing social event where you're bound to make new friends.

 

Once you have mastered the general art of making a sailboat go where you want it to go, try crewing on a racing boat or take up racing for yourself. In this aspect of sailing you will learn many items which will greatly improve your sailing skills. The general navigation of a racing course will present the most exposure to all points of sail, boat handling and how to respond to different wind, water and sailing right of way conditions. Sailboat racing is not only a competitive sport but the club sponsored racing is an excellent social and shared experience activity.

 

No matter your age or skill level, the dinghy will allow you to enjoy the pure basics of sailing. This experience cannot be matched in other sailboat types. The dinghy can allow you to actually feel the movement of the water in every part of your body through the hull and sails. The wind is in your face and other sailors smile as you go by.

 

Specifications:

Length Overall 16'

Length WL 12' 3"

Beam 6'

Weight complete 450lbs

Draft centerboard down 40"

Draft centerboard up 11"

Mast Height 23'

Measured Sail Area 127 sqft

Spinnaker 200 sqft

 

The Jacomo Sailing Club is the home to S-16 Fleet #2. Chartered by the Sweet Sixteen Sailing Association, the fleet has been a presence on the lake for many, many years. At one point in our history, there were fifteen or more boats actively racing.

 

The Sweet 16 was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Designed and build in the 60's, this two person, sloop rigged, day-sailor is ideal as a trainer, day-sailor or one-design racer. It has an optional spinnaker rig and is easily trailered and launched. A great boat for beginners or to day sail.

 

Crewing can be a great way to get involved in sailing at little or no expense. You don't have to be an expert our group is happy to help you learn to sail. Simply come out to Lake Jacomo at about 11:30-12:00 on racing Sundays. Ask around and usually there is someone who needs a crew for the day. Bring clothes and shoes that can get wet, sunscreen and something to drink. You are in for a lot of fun with great people!

 

Designer--Clark Mills First Built--1953

Number Built--5300

LOA--15'6"

Beam--6'

Beam--4'9"

LOA--15'6"

Displ.--224 lbs.

Draft (CB) (up/dn) -- 6"/4'2"

Draft (CB) (up/dn) -- 6"/4'2"

SA (sq ft) Main & Jib 119

 

The Windmill is an open planing boat with main and jib, and is normally raced with a crew of two. Its unique construction puts the flotation along the sides, giving it a comfortable gunwale to sit on, yet eliminating the extra weight of a deck. The boat easily planes, and is easily handled by two people, not just while sailing, but while launching. One person can set up the Windmill in less than 15 minutes.

 

The boat was originally wood, and many fine examples are available today. Modern Windmills are fiberglass. Plans are available to allow you to build a Windmill yourself. It is not a difficult boat to build, and should make a fun project. Our fleet has been on Lake Jacomo for over 25 years.

 

 

Although the strength of Jacomo Sailing Club lies in its one-design fleets, there is always a need for an open handicap fleet; for entry level racers who already own boats, and for budding one-design fleets to bloom. The following classes are included at the moment in the Portsmouth Handicap fleet: Sunfish, Flying Junior, Sonar, MC Scow, Capri 14.2, Butterfly, Laser and Capri 21.

 

If you own a boat other than the one-design fleets, you are invited to join in with our handicap fleet. The handicap system used is Portsmouth Yardstick with Wind Strength Factors, which is a pretty fair method.

 

 

Come join the one of the most sailed racing boats in the Midwest. Scows have been actively racing for 100 years. JSC's C Scow's are easy to pick out on any Sunday from May to early October by their distinctive KC on the sails.

 

The C Scow is twenty feet long with only a mainsail. So, why are we so into scows? We are not really sure. They are a lot of fun, plenty fast, and a feeling of power and awe of making the wind do your work....or putting your strength to the severest test. I think the another answer would be the people. We've met people from all over the Midwest (and traveled all over the Midwest, too) because of scow sailing. Everybody's is always willing to lend a helping hand.

 

Specifications

Length...................20ft.

Beam.......................7ft.

Hull..............Fiberglass

Sail Area..........216sq.ft.

Mast..............Aluminum

Hull wt...............650 lbs

 

 

Many of the members and crews at Jacomo Sailing Club feel that sailboat crewing is one of the best deals in all of sailing. A crew does not need expensive equipment, sailing skills, or money for entry fees. From time to time all skippers at the club need crewmembers. You will not get rich but can obtain a can of beer after the race. The on the job training is always free and the excitement of sailing and competing is a blast. There are many ways that individuals can start racing and crewing on sailboats.

 

We have scheduled an open sail day in early June. You are welcome to come out and take a ride on several of the boats raced at the club. Hope to see you this spring!!! Just start asking the members about how to contact skippers who need crew. We have many skippers who are looking for crew and several boats on which you can learn the ins and outs of racing and crewing.

 

Just show up about one hour before the Sunday races (12:15). The club holds Sunday afternoon races, from May through October. The races start at 1:15, and boats sail from both Sailboat Cove on the East Side, and the marina on the West Side. The club welcomes all new interest, even if you have never sailed. (See JSC 2007 Schedule) Start asking around about who needs a hand. While this is best for a people with some experience, a desire to learn is the key element. Many club skippers are looking for crew.

 

 

Send article to the webmaster at jacomosailingclub@yahoo.com for consideration in our club publications.

 

Jacomo Sailing Club Home Page

 

JSC Contacts

 

JSC Membership

 

JSC Schedule

 

Sweet 16

 

Windmill

 

Portsmouth Handicap

 

C Scow