Proposal for Use of Claytor Lake State Park Shoreline for Small Sailboat Docks
Prepared by
Sailing Club at Virginia Tech
Demetri Telionis
Faculty Advisor
300A Norris Hall, MC 219
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-7492
Nathan Post
Committee Chairman
121A Patton Hall, MC 219
Blacksburg VA, 24060
(540) 320-9482
Draft 1
July 12, 2004
Introduction
The Sailing Club at Virginia Tech was initiated in August of 2003 by a small group of undergraduate and graduate students. at Virginia Tech. The mission of the Club is to provide Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff with the opportunity to learn and participate in recreational and competitive sailing. In January 2004, the club became an associate (preliminary) member of the Mid Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (MAISA) and participated in five MAISA sponsored intercollegiate regattas at other east cost schools during the Spring 2004 semester. Currently the club has about 25 members and is planning to recruit additional members this coming fall. The Sailing Club primarily operates during the fall and spring semesters although a small number of students have continued sailing during the summer. This fall, the club plans to hold regular practices and “learn-to-sail” days on Claytor Lake for its members as well as continue to send teams to MAISA regattas.
During the fall of 2003, the Sailing Club created an agreement with the Boy Scouts of America to store and launch their boats at the Scouts Aquatics Base on Claytor Lake. However, the club has found that the Aquatics Base is not an ideal location on the lake and desires to relocate to the State Park because it is easier to access from Virginia Tech, provides important facilities including a launch ramp, and is located on the main part of the lake where the sailing conditions are generally the best, particularly for teaching beginners to sail and for holding races. In addition, being located at the state park will provide the Cclub with greater visibility and ready access to members of the Claytor Lake Sailing Group who keep theirre boats at the marina and are currently providing additional advice and support to the club. Thus, relocating the Cclub to the Sstate Ppark would strengthen the overall sailing community on Claytor Lake.
Sailboats
Intercollegiate racing takes place primarily on double-handed dinghies including Club 420s and Flying Juniors both of which are about 13 feet long and sloop rigged. Lasers are also sailed in single handed races. The club owns two Vanguard Flying Junior racing dinghies and a handful of small boats are owned by individual members. Ideally, the club will eventually have the funds to acquire a small fleet (8 to 12 boats). These boats are light weight (about 200lbs each) and are designed to be stored out of the water either on dollies or on carpeted docks as pictured in Figure 1. As rigging the boats is time consuming, it is ideal to be able to leave the boat rigged and only remove the sails at the end of a day of sailing.
Requested Space at the State Park
We request permission to keep floating docks at the state park in one of the coves near the boat ramp and marina. The Cclub currently has one dock (described below) and would like to be able to build additional dock space of similar design to accommodate a small fleet of 10 to 15 dinghies. Once the club acquires a small motorboat (for safety and coaching) this will likely be tied alongside the dock.
In addition, permission is requested to build a storage box or small shed (possibly on a floating dock) for the purpose of storing sails and life jackets would be ideal. Another option would be for the state park to provide a space inside one of the buildings in the proximity of the docks for this purpose. If possible, some space on shore to store a few boat trailers and boats on dollies would be helpful, but is not required if it is unavailable.
The Cclub would be responsible for the initial construction and future maintenance of these floating docks. The docks will not require any permanent alterations to the shore and could be moved to a new location at the Ppark, if they were in the way of a future development. Also, the design of any additions, changes or improvements to the Cclub docks would be subject to approval of the park director prior to their construction.
Current Dock Construction and Design
In May of 2004, a small floating dock was constructed to hold two boats allowing them to remain rigged and easily sailed. The design schematic showing overall dimensions of this dock is provided in Figure 2. Figures showing the dock during construction and in use follow. Future additional dock space will likely be constructed based on a similar design but will be wider to accommodate additional boats. Linking of this original dock to additional docks will be desirable.
Figure 2 Schematic of current sailing club dock
Construction Specifications
· Entirely constructed with treated lumber and treated plywood.
· Floatation is closed cell Styrofoam (insulation board) contained inside a wood box structure that provides rigidity to the dock.
· Structural fasteners are galvanized or stainless. Decking is screwed in place using plated screws designed for outdoor applications.
· Top surface:
o Outdoor-carpet on treated plywood on slope surface (1:10 slope).
o Standard 5/4 x 6” treated decking on flat surface.
· Overall dimensions: 19 feet long, 10 feet wide, 38 inches high (~32 inches above water).
· Anchored using 1/2 inch braided nylon ropes to 6 cement blocks on bottom and 4 trees on shore (could be attached to stakes instead).
· Boats are attached using lines and ratchet binders at 3 points to prevent rocking motion relative to dock.
· 15 inch wide walkway plank provides access from shore.
· The main part of the dock is sloped to allow rainwater to drain from the boats and carpet. The top surface is supported well above the surface of the water and keeps gear and lines dry.
Figure 3 Four images showing the dock construction
Figure 4 Finished dock as seen from across the aquatics base cove
Figure 5 As seen from shore
Figure 6 View showing how the dock fits in its surroundings on Claytor Lake