High Tidings, March 2022
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Commodore Remarks
Upcoming Events for March:
March 19 @ 9:30 am Activities Committee by Zoom
March 19 @ 4:30 pm - Join the Club for an informal Happy Hour at Penny Lane Pub
March 19 @2 pm - Join a cruise planning meeting at Acton Library
While it may still feel like winter, the days are getting longer, and before long, we will be outside working on our boats. David has already made several trips to Defender, and we even had to go to Hamilton Marine when we were in Portland this past weekend.
The Flag Officers and the Board have continued to work through the winter and a lot has been happening. I don’t want to duplicate what others write below but several things are important, and I want to give some thanks to people who continue to work on Club matters all winter.
Chris Bazinet is working with our insurance company on several fronts. Currently they are discussing a possible insurance claim due to high winds that blew tiles off the roof, our Club wind vane, and even our flagpole. Chris also continues to save money for the club by negotiating the best rates by closely reviewing what we pay for our coverage.
At the Fall Meeting, the Club authorized up to $8,000 for a new motor for the William T. However as with so many other things there just aren’t any motors available. Lou Vinciguerra has worked with Greg’s Outboards, Club Member Elio Betty, and others and has managed to find a used motor. The Board has approved the decision to purchase this used motor for $1200. If you are looking for a new outboard motor, you will find that delivery times are delayed and highly uncertain, and prices are very high.
Rear Commodore Karl Frost and Club Member Ed Rodier continue to make their daily bike trips by the Club to make sure the bubblers around the dock come on when the weather is below freezing. Sounds cold to me, but thanks.
Deb Paulson continues to publish a wonderful newsletter. This is not an easy job and her work is greatly appreciated. If you have material that you want to get out to the Club, please reach out to Deb. She is starting a section on your adventures at sea, and on maritime books you love!
Ways to Help
We are still looking for someone who is willing to work with the Rear Commodore as Grounds Chair. Let Rear Commodore Karl Frost if you would like to help. We have so many people who are willing to help and most of you just show up when there is work to be done. However, I am going to keep posting this link so you can see what needs to be done and let others know you are willing to help.
Club Racing
Thanks to Joe Carrol who has stepped up to be Racing Chair. He has already registered the Club for the Outer Light Regatta scheduled for July 24, 2022.
Jr. Sailing
Melissa Mason has been very busy registering the sailors for our Jr. Sailing program. As of the beginning of March: Session 1 is 68% full; Session 2 is 100% full; and Session 3 is 76% full. In addition, she has the highest number of Member-affiliated kids. This is very exciting. Only one of the instructors will not be coming back. The Jr. Sailing Committee is currently interviewing for that position.
Membership
Skills/interests: The Glynn’s feel lucky to have access to some of the best cruising waters in the country and want to take advantage of this beautiful area. Their daughter just turned three, and they want to raise her with an appreciation for the water-taking the opportunity to create all the great memories created by time spent on a boat. Kevin’s parents have been members of NCYC for a number of years, and he has seen firsthand the work required for facilities upkeep. He is always willing to lend whatever help he can, whenever it is needed.
The following family is posted for Membership:
Kevin and Brittany Glynn, Madison, CT
Peter: Pilot, Melissa: Manager
Children: Margot (age 3)
Proposed by: Ed and Ingrid Glynn
Support letters: Lou Vinciguerra, Melissa Mason, Laurie Pavlos
Boat: Rhubarb 30 ft Sailboat
Boating: Kevin served in the US Coast Guard. He grew up with boats and has been around them is whole life. Most of his experience has been with sailboats.
Vice Commodore Remarks
Hi All !
Have some not-so-good news. A recent wind storm brought down our flag pole at the club. The pole broke where the top through-bolt that secures it in the up position is located.
We believe the pole was hand-crafted by the founders of the Club and if you look at the upper spars, gaff, and yardarm, they were crafted out of salvaged sailboat masts.
It lasted over 50 years but many sections are broken or damaged. The failure appears to be the top through-bolt applying over 50 years of point stress to the pipe as the pole cantilevers fighting against the wind, finally gave up and the pipe snapped. My initial thought is the existing pole has served out its useful life and is not worth the cost and effort required to repair. However, we are exploring options. I am working with a supplier to obtain pricing for a replacement:
Pole Break Point
Our pole is aluminum twin-masted nautical style, 50-foot length, and the replacement cost will be in the $12,000 to $15,000 range when we add options. This cost does not include installation. They do offer a tapered fiberglass version that is still Nautical style, 50-feet, but without the twin mast, for around $11,000. An advantage of fiberglass is that it would be lighter and easier for us to raise and lower when a storm is headed our way; also it’s non-conductive for potential lightning strikes.
The wind storm also ripped a number of shingle tabs off our aging roof and there is damage to the club deck handrail and the hull on the Carolina skiff. All can be repaired. The Board Of Governors approved approaching our insurance provider to evaluate whether, if the damage is grouped together, it is worth making a claim and paying our deductible. Member Chris Bazinet is taking the lead on that.
We are also evaluating whether the existing pole can be repaired, and at what cost. Does any member have a portable welder that can weld aluminum pipe?
So, we have some added tasks to our Spring Commissioning work parties! Hope folks can volunteer to assist. Once we have the insurance assessment, we will need some muscle to move the existing pole off the whalers, un-stack the whalers so they can be repaired and painted, and fix the damaged deck handrail. We will send out a bulk email soon.
Thanks!
Lou Vinciguerra
NCYC Vice Commodore
Mystic Seaport Dyer Dhow
Not sure if membership is aware that our club sponsored a Dyer Dhow at Mystic Seaport several years back. If you walk the sailing center at Mystic you will see that most of the Yacht Clubs in the area sponsor a boat. I believe our club should continue to provide some monetary support for the boat's upkeep. If anyone wishes to contribute individually, you can follow the instructions on the letter that follows. I'm also proposing that at the first few pot lucks, we pass a basket or I'll put a contribution box with info on the counter.
Any other ideas are welcome.
A photo of the sailboat with our club’s colors and burgee, and the transom has our club name.
Fleet Captain’s Update
Cruise Meeting & Happy Hour
When: Saturday, 3/19/2022 – 2pm to 4pm
Where: Grady Thomas Room, Acton Public Library, Old Saybrook
Why: Ports- of-Call - Come tell us about your favorite ports and activities
After meeting Happy Hour: Penny Lane Pub
Annual Club Cruise – August 6 to August 21
Annual cruise option: Stonington, Newport, Cuttyhunk New Bedford, Martha’s, Block
Annual cruise option: Stonington, Montauk, 3 Mile, West Neck, Dering Harbor
Annual cruise option: Newport, Cuttyhunk, Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod
Memorial Day Cruise: TBD
July 4th Cruise: Watch Hill, Stonington
Labor Day Cruise: Mystic Seaport
Activities Committee
With the days getting longer, brighter, and warmer it's easy to feel the boating season is right around the corner. We are still hoping to hold our virtual/zoom first Activities Committee meeting of 2022 on March 19th, at 0930. We plan to keep it brief, as there is always so much going on during the weekends, such as a cruise planning meeting, later that day. So count on an hour at the most-the itinerary will be short. We hope that the worst of the pandemic is over so we won't have to spend valuable time talking about precautions and masks.
Again, when thinking about how to volunteer at our volunteer club, please consider the activities committee. We welcome everyone! We have several men who have either served or continue to serve on the committee and they have been valuable to have on the team. Remember that there is always lots to do at the club, many people volunteer on three, four, or more, committees. We are a fun, welcoming group (all the committees are) and it is an easy way to get familiar with the club and its members.
We have received a few suggestions for activities so far, thank you for your emails. Please try to send us your ideas before April 30, so we can discuss the ideas at our May meeting. Speaking of which, we will discuss at our March virtual meeting whether our May meeting should be in person or again virtual, and when would be the most popular time and day to schedule meetings going forward.
So rest up, it promises to be a busy and active season at NCYC.
Ann Chan and Cathy Murphy
Activities Committee Co-Chairs
Activities Zoom Meeting Log-In Info
Meeting ID: 946 035 0522
Passcode: 042420
To Phone in: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 946 035 0522
Passcode: 042420
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9460350522?pwd=ZXRBaXhmeGtsMkdzSHhEZDJqMDdXdz09
Thursday Night Sailing
All of us have busy lives-usually centered on work and completing endless errands in the service of our employer and families. Most of us spend very little time in peace. The peace that comes with no barking dogs, no cranky-crying children (which includes no narcissistic bosses.) The peace that comes with sailing. Yes, life can be a week in, and week out drag. But because you have a weekly opportunity to sail it doesn’t have to be.
This summer, every Thursday night at 5pm bring yourself down to the North Cove Yacht Club and take that sailboat of yours-the one that spends an enormous amount of time unused on its mooring, out to our racecourse whose start and finish is right off the former home of Katherine Hepburn. Once there, locate the race committee boat, identify yourself, get the racecourse information over the radio, and at about 6-6:15pm start the race with the other boats. Follow the course until you cross the finish line. Usually, the race is finished about 7:15 or so. Afterwards, the boats return to North Cove in time for dinner with the other racers and their crews at the club house. It is at this time that “sea stories” concerning the race are practiced, honed, and perfected to create a plausible & believable narrative for retelling later to family and non-racers in the club.
For certain, within the 5pm – 7:30pm time range you and your crew will experience the rewarding quietness of an evening sail, the fresh salt air, and the joyous pleasure of getting the power of locomotion from even a gentle evening breeze. All the above, including the fellowship of the other sailors, all help to smooth out your troubles and prepare you for a very real restful sleep, and improved outlook on life.
Thursday Night racing, June 2021
This year, I see in my mind much clearer than I can convey in words, a group of NCYC sailors racing their sloops with all the assurance of Briggs Cunningham or Dennis Connor. On the water as a group, they are safe and learning to make decisions and to abide by them. They are learning navigation, how to sail their boats on the edge of the wind with ideal sail trim. In other words, they are learning how to make their sailboats move as swift as its design and the tide allows. Because of the PHRF ratings that we use to handicap boats, a slow heavy boat sailed skillfully can win a race, and ultimately become a champion-at least in the eyes of North Cove Yacht Club’s membership, and perhaps your spouse or sailboat roadies who follow winning boat crews from race to race.
Racing NCYC sailors develop a set of rules that will do them very well if applied not only in racing, but to most of the problems of living.
They will learn patience in calm fluky days when they have to hunt wind and move the boat almost with their own determination, to be the first of the fleet to catch a freshening breeze, they will learn the joy of battling a storm, they will learn to decide whether to reef or carry full sail, and the consequences; which will be more emphatic and lasting than anything I could write here.
They will learn the importance of keeping things “ship shape”, and how it pays off in the unexpected squalls. They will learn that it is the ability of the skipper that wins races, and that the small pennants representing a first place are not bought with dollars.
Sailboat racing is a family sport that can be enjoyed by young and old together, so it is hoped that families show up on Thursday nights starting in early June to learn to sail, race, and develop a love affair with their sailboat. If because of circumstances, you are unable to have family participation in Thursday night racing, there are always people on the dock looking to crew for someone. Some very successful racing teams are formed this way.
There will be an Offshore racing meeting in May. Probably either the 2nd or 3rd Thursday at about 6pm concerning this summer’s racing. You will be advised in the coming weeks of the time and date. For the time being, get excited about racing this summer. All participants have a great time, and yes, you will become a better sailor with each Thursday night race. We are a very nonjudgmental group, and everyone is welcome to race with us. Even professional sailors. Even neophytes.
I hope to see you on the racecourse this summer.
Joe Carroll, NCYC Secretary 860-908-0378
NCYC Yard “Sail”
On Saturday, April 30 (rain date May 1) NCYC will be holding a marine yard sale in the Club parking lot. It costs nothing to participate, and the only rule is that you MUST take back with you anything that didn’t sell—no dumping in the dumpster!
This is a great opportunity to find a new home for those unused boating items that we all collect as we upgrade or downsize. The sale will be from 9:00-12:00. Just show up, park your car, open your trunk and sell, sell, sell! (Or give away.)
Maritime Yarns
In this on-going section-alternating with members’ boating stories-I invite members to submit a review of a maritme-related book they have read and enjoyed. I find reading on the boat at the mooring a delight. And, for winter armchair adventures, nothing can beat stories of the sea, to my mind. Following are three of my picks.
Deb Paulson
Newsletter editor
MAIDEN VOYAGE, Tania Aebi
Setting out to sail alone around the world in a Contessa 26, Manhattanite Tania Aebi was singularly ill-prepared. Not the boat or the supplies, but she herself. She had never sailed alone, didn’t know you had to have two fix points for navigation, kinda forgot how to anchor at the end of her first leg from South Street Seaport in Manhattan to Sandy Hook NJ, and…she was only 18 years old. Needless to say, she made it, and this book of her adventure goes beyond sailing and into a moving coming-of-age. Poignantly, areas she visited are beyond the reach of today’s traveler—the Red Sea isn’t safe now, neither is Yemen. I love this book for its good writing, vulnerability, and true courage.
SUPERNATURAL MYSTERIES and Other Tales, Richard Rowe Snow
Mr. Snow specializes in the rich maritime history of the New England coast and this one explores some famous and infamous mysteries. The Bermuda Triangle, sea serpents, and wrecks are featured in this volume. While Mr. Snow is not the most adept of writers, avoiding drama for hard fact, still his stories are fun to read, and his documentation of all the old tales is a valuable labor of love.
MASTER AND COMMANDER, etc. (Aubrey/Maturin series) Patrick O’Brian
I am on my third reading of this amazing series; it seems to be my go-to for long winter evenings. Beyond the heart-pounding descriptions of Naval battles in the Napoleonic Age, there is the deep, nuanced friendship between Steven Maturin-intelligence agent and doctor-and Captain Jack Aubrey of the English Navy, that is a joy to behold as it unfolds over the course of twenty novels.
Sometimes it’s hard to find an old book-it’s either out-of-print, or otherwise unavailable. I’ve had great success with Thrift Books. Thrift Books carries millions of used in-print and out-of-print books. I’ve always found what I was looking for; it was inexpensive, and was shipped to me in a timely manner.
2022 Calendar
JULY
June 27–July 8............... Junior Sailing Class–Session I
June 30-July 28............. Thursday Night Racing | Summer Series
July 11–25........................Godfrey Junior Sailing Race Series | Mondays | 1700
July 2-3.............................Fourth of July Mini Cruise
July 6-27...........................Grill Night | Wednesdays
July 11-22........................ Junior Sailing Class–Session II
July 10...............................Summer Club Activity
July 24.............................. Outer Light Classic Race & Party
July 25–August 5......... Junior Sailing Class–Session III
July 29.............................. Friday Night Social | 1800
AUGUST
July 25–August 5.........Junior Sailing Class–Session III
August 1..........................Godfrey Junior Sailing Race Series | Mondays | 1700
August 3-31...................Grill Night | Wednesdays
August 4-25.................Thursday Night Racing | Summer Series
August 6-21..................NCYC Annual Club Cruise
August 25.....................Thursday Night Racing Party
August 26.....................Friday Night Social | 1800
SEPTEMBER
September 7-28................. Grill Night | Wednesdays
September 3-5.................... Labor Day Cruise to Mystic Seaport
September 11....................... Belle 8 Race | 1000
September 11....................... NCYC Activity
September 17-18................. Mattituck Bike & Wine Cruise
September 30..................... Friday Night Social | 1800
OCTOBER
October 8-10....................... Columbus Day Mini-Cruise
October 28.......................... Friday Night Social | 1800
NOVEMBER
November 6........................ Annual Meeting | 1600
November 6........................ Penny Lane Pub (after meeting)
November 7........................ Club Closed for Season
DECEMBER
December 10...................... Torchlight Parade & Open House | 1730
MARCH
March 19.............................. Activities Meeting by Zoom | 0930
March 19.............................. Cruise Meeting – Acton Library | 1400
March 19.............................. Happy Hour – Penny Lane Pub | 1630
APRIL
April 16................................. Grounds & Inside House Cleanup | 0900
April 17................................. Rain Date House Cleanup | 0900
April 23............................. . Boat Prep | 0900
April 24............................. . Annual Spring Meeting | 1600
April 30……………………… ….Marine Yard “Sail”
MAY
May 6................................... Cruising Planning Meeting | 1800 (TBD)
May 15................................. 53nd Commissioning | 1600
May 19................................. Offshore Racing Skippers Meeting | 1830
May 27................................ Friday Night Social | 1800
May 28–30....................... Memorial Day Mini-Cruise
JUNE
June 1-29........................... Grill Night | Wednesdays
June 1................................. Wine & Cheese with Prospective Members
June 2-30......................... Thursday Night Racing | Spring Series | 1700
June 4............................. .. New Member Orientation | 0930
June 4............................... Activities Meeting | 10:30
June 18............................. Jrs.Opti Race | 1300
June 18............................. Commodore’s Cookout | 1500
June 20–24................... Junior Sailing Prep Week
June 20-24.................... Junior Sailing Race Clinic | 1630
June 24...........................Friday Night Social | 1800
June 27–July 8.............Junior Sailing Class–Session I
June 27............................Godfrey Junior Sailing Race Series | Mondays | 1700
June 30-July 28...........Thursday Night Racing | Summer Series