Sailing News
Sailing Center announces plans to transform Lake Michigan shoreline with new "green" facility

The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center (MCSC) is pleased to announce that its capital campaign for a new facility - the Campaign for Today's Youth and Tomorrow's LeaderSHIP - is nearing completion. In a communitywide effort to support the future of MCSC, more than 500 individuals, organizations and companies generously contributed to the fundraising campaign. Because of this outstanding support, MCSC broke ground on the nearly $1.5 million building on June 6, 2009, for the newest, environmentally friendly facility on Lake Michigan.

MCSC outgrows facility; looks to expand

For more than 30 years, MCSC has been operating from a facility with less than 900 square feet of administrative and classroom space and no indoor plumbing. The current facility can accommodate just 12 students at a time.

Despite this severe space limitation, MCSC has provided sailing experiences to more than 100,000 people in southeastern Wisconsin, and has used sailing as a tool to touch the lives of more than 20,000 at-risk and disadvantaged children, as well as children and adults with disabilities.

In order to expand its reach in the Milwaukee community and maintain its fleet of much used boats, in 2005, MCSC christened its capital campaign, the Campaign for Today's Youth and Tomorrow's LeaderSHIP. More than 500 individuals, organizations and companies have generously contributed thus far. Because of this support, MCSC will break ground on a new, environmentally conscious building in late spring 2009.

Fountaine Pajot Launches New Lipari 41 Catamaran

Fountaine Pajot has just launched the stunning new Lipari 41, a world class cruising multihull that shatters the benchmarks set by its peers.

From the yard of the world’s leader in cruising catamarans, the Lipari 41 replaces the immensely popular Lavezzi 40 and brings with it enhanced performance and design.

The catamaran has been constructed with a low centre of gravity and light displacement of 7.6T to ensure safety, stability with optimal comfort and performance in all conditions. Its two 20Hp standard engines provide a cruising speed of 7.7 knots, while the option of two larger 30Hp engines offers up to 9.5 knots if required.

Aesthetically, the Lipari 41 represents the pinnacle of European excellence with elegant lines and a revolutionary design that maximizes space, storage and comfort.

The catamaran’s ergonomically designed deck provides convenient centralized handling with obstacle-free movement. Built with advanced RTM éco technology, the Lipari 41 outshines its competitors in innovation with the mast built into the deck rather than the roof for reinforced structural rigidity and ease of handling.

The Lipari 41 also features an integrated dual-seating helm station with excellent visibility and has the cockpit and saloon on the same level to help make short and long passages a cruising pleasure.

The cockpit features all-weather protection, ample seating for eight guests, a stainless steel framed dining table and open-plan entertaining facilitated by a large sliding door opening into the saloon.

Inside, the saloon and galley have been designed for spacious and relaxed living with large windows that provide outstanding natural light, ventilation and visibility, beautiful timber cabinetry and the highest standard of fixtures, trims and upholstery. Dining for eight is comfortably accommodated with the saloon’s stylish table that also has stainless steel legs, an integrated plate stand and extraordinary under-bench storage. The adjacent chart table is also large, comfortable and practical.

The generously-equipped galley has been cleverly designed to ensure entertaining onboard is a breeze with an easy access ‘piano-hinged refrigerator’, outstanding storage and quality designer fixtures.

Each of the roomy cabins is wellventilated with large portholes, superb visibility and an abundance of hanging and cupboard space.

The Lipari 41 is available in two versions: The Quatuor features four cabins with two separate bathrooms and is ideal for family and charter use. The Maestro is a true Owner’s version with an exclusive private suite in the starboard hull including a decadent queen sized bed, desk, library and beautiful ensuite with contemporary designer fixtures.

Lipari 41 Specifications
LOA: 11.95 m / 39.21 ft
LWL: 11.82 m / 38.78 ft
Beam: 6.75 m 22.15 ft
Draft: 1.10 m / 3.61 ft
Air draft: 17.56 m / 57.61m
Full load displacement: 9 800 kg
Sail area:
- Genoa: 33 m² / 355 sq ft (approx.)
- Mainsail: 56 m² / 602 sq ft (approx.)
Engines: 2 x 20 cv / 2 x 14.70 kW
Tank capacities:
Freshwater: 2 x 265 l (approx.) / 2 x 70
US gallon (approx.)
Diesel: 300 l (approx.) / 2 x 79.23 US
gallon (approx.)
Boat CE certified: Category A : 8 pers.,
category B : 10 pers., category C : 12
pers., category D : 15 pers
Architect and Designer: Cabinet Joubert
/ Nivelt

Fleet Sails, LLC of Walker, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, began as a private holding company for a fleet of sailboats throughout the country.

Tom and Judy Beriou have loved sailing the lakes of Minnesota and in 1998 purchased their first out-of-state boat, a new 36-foot Catalina in San Diego, Calif., and sailed there whenever their travels brought them to the West Coast.

To cover the ownership and storage costs, they formed Fleet Sails, LLC to oversee the chartering of the boat when they were not able to sail it themselves. In 2000, while visiting friends on Leech Lake they fell in love with the area as a sailing destination.

Then while living and sailing on a lake near St Cloud, they would come to Leech to sail their 26-foot sailboat that they kept in a private harbor on Steamboat Bay. Within a year they secured some bare land and began clearing it.

On weekends they would come up and sail the lake, sleep on the boat and clear the land. Out of the tangle of the woods a building site emerged, and new home plans were drawn. However selling their St. Cloud area home became the challenge.

During the building process and while living out of a travel trailer on the property, friends inquired about getting someone from the Twin Cities to start a sailing class for the local residents. Being an experienced sailor, Tom took on the job of getting certified as an American Sailing Association (ASA) instructor, and a branch of the Northern Breezes Sailing School was born.

Before long a sailor wanted to sell his current sailboat and get a bigger one. Thus the sailboat brokerage business was born.

Presently 39 sailboats on the lot are available for resale. After several years and a couple of relocations, Fleet Sails found itself at the location previously known as Dick’s Marine.

The sailing school has received the coveted “Sailing School of the Year” award presented by the ASA. Tom loves sailing and especially introducing new students to the challenges of harnessing the wind in a sailboat.

Fleet Sails quietly celebrated their 10th year in the sailboat business. Quiet is one of the joys of sailing.

Tom has served two terms on the Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, is active with the Retail Service Committee, maintains a master’s license from the state of Minnesota, a U.S. Coast Guard license and is certified to teach for the ASA.

Judy still travels throughout the country in the medical field, and the couple spends winters in Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., where they have a sailboat and Tom teaches sailing; obviously a year-round passion.

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