High Tidings July 2022
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Upcoming Events
Monday evenings – Jr. Sailing Racing
Wednesday evenings – Grill Night – Join for a drink or dinner
Thursday evenings – Race Night – Be at the dock by 4:45 if you want to join
Friday evenings – Join with your friends on the deck
Sunday mornings in July 8:30 – Bike ride with Jan. Bring your breakfast for after the ride.
Monday to Friday 9:00 to 4:00 – Jr. Sailing (Duty Officer spots available)
Friday July 22nd 4:00 pm – NCYC is hosting the Navy Offshore Racing Team. (Sign up to help)
Sunday July 24th – Outer Light Classic Racing and Party
Friday July 29th 4:00 pm – ORCA Clean Up The Cove
Friday July 29th 6:00 pm – NCYC / ORCA hotdogs and sides
Commodore Remarks
The clubhouse has been in full swing. It is always great to see the energy the Jr. Sailors bring to the club. We are lucky to have such a well-run program–kudos to Amy Vinciguerra and her amazing instructors. Please remember not to leave any alcohol around the club (including in the refrigerator) while the sailing program is in session.
July is packed with events. On July 22nd, we are honored to host the Naval Academy Offshore Sailing team. Club member Ian Mason, who grew up in the NCYC Jr. sailing program, is the Helmsman of Gallant (Navy 44). Please come and meet the team members and join the cookout. On July 24th is the Outer Light Classic Race and Party. This race is sponsored by NCYC, and we encourage everyone to either race or attend the party. On July 29th, NCYC will be hosting another Clean Up The Cove event with Ocean Recovery Community Alliance (ORCA). We encourage everyone to bring your dinghies, kayaks, and paddleboards, and help collect trash around the cove.
The summer has started out with some challenges to our moorings. Both our moorings (Block Island and Hamburg Cove) are now repaired. In the clubhouse there is a pickup buoy that we want tied to the Hamburg Cove mooring. If you are going there, please take it with you and tie it to the NCYC mooring. Until it is attached, you will need to use a boat hook to pick up the pennants. One more note about the Block Island Mooring: The harbor master has requested that we record the amount of time the NCYC mooring is in use. There is a log in the Steward’s office. Please record usage on the log. It is important that we record all our usage because we don’t want to lose our mooring for non-use.
Yellow Streamers
Please remember to attach a yellow streamer to your mooring when you are out cruising. The streamers can be found in the Steward’s Office. The Harbor Commission rules state that “all vacant moorings are available to yachtsmen on a temporary overnight basis.” The yellow streamer attached to a mooring provides assistance to transients and to our Stewards, who need to know the mooring availability in the Cove.
Reciprocity
Reminder: the club has joined the Yachting Club of America. This provides NCYC members reciprocity to hundreds of yacht clubs across the country. The information can be found in the members section of the Club website, and there is a copy of the book in the Steward’s office.
Caroline Miller, Commodore
Membership
This month the Club welcomes to Membership:
· Errol and Caryl Horner
· Tina Pascoe and Mike Midgette
· Chris and Gail Griffin
· Sue and Dick Lacey
· Ron Lamprecht and Susanne Mei
Vice Commodore Remarks
Our season is off to a great start, and I’m looking forward to seeing you at club events!
Flagpole Update:
Our new 50-foot fiberglass nautical-style flagpole is ready and the manufacturer in Michigan is waiting on the freight company for shipping. They’ve advised us that there is currently a back-up on shipping/trucking companies, but when I get the call that the pole is arriving, I’ll reach out for a crew to assist in unloading. (I know a few of you have joined the NCYC “happy to be retired” club.) The freight company is a long sleeper rig and trailer and cannot pull in to our parking lot. We will likely unload on Sheffield Street or possibly the middle school. The pole will be in two 25 foot sections so I think four strong backs can carry with ease. Our plan is to work with a contractor for the installation.
Junior Sailing is underway and Session One was a big success. It was a busy time getting the fleet ready as we had a massive influx of new beginner students and needed every OPTI dinghy and rig we have to be operational. Our instructor team worked their butts off during the prep week getting ready for the season.
I want to give a shout-out to members that assisted in getting Junior Sailing ready for the season. Expert marine carpenter Web Moore made us new tillers for the 420s molded from ash, and they look far better than factory-made. Joe Milke and Tom Tydeman were on the OPTI topside sanding and paint team, Ed Glynn (former member now) answered my call for drilling, riveting, and fixing rigs, Frank Borzenski was instrumental in repairing broken tiller hiking sticks, and Kathy Reddington impressed us with her sail hand-stitching ability, which enabled us to keep some older OPTI sails in service. Dave Gilmore was on scene for last minute epoxy on hull repairs. I hope I haven’t missed anyone.
I know other members have expressed interest in assisting with boat repairs. My plan is to have our instructors make an inventory of repairs needed on each hull or rig at the conclusion of the sailing school and have a few work parties in the fall to get the fleet ready for next season. This will give us more time to do more thorough repairs. If there is interest, I would offer a workshop on what I’ve learned over the years in working with West System Epoxy and the various fillers, Gel Coat, and other tricks to keep our junior sailing fleet operational.
Other good news is that the new-to-us motor for the William–T coach boat is running very well. Even though it is rated as three less horse power than the old motor it replaced, it has more thrust and no smoking!
See you on the water!
Lou Vinciguerra, Vice Commodore
Junior Sailing
Congratulations to Cord Enman, winner of the Phillip Wick Jr. Memorial Trophy for Sportsmanship and Seamanship!
Turtle Alert!
The Jr. Sailors got to watch a turtle lay her eggs near the clubhouse. All sailing activity came to a halt until she was safely back in the water.
Junior Sailing Duty Officer - Help out with Junior Sailing! You just need a willingness to offer a comforting smile and chat with a young sailor.
Here comes the Navy…
Coming Friday, July 22 at 5:30pm, Sign up to attend or help with the cookout for United States Naval Academy Offshore Sailing Team – including Club Member/Midshipman 2nd Class Ian Mason!
Who doesn’t want to meet these fine young people?
Thank you!
Melissa Mason, Jr. Sailing Chair
Thursday Night Racing
THe thursday night racing fleet heading home
Out of the blue of the western sky on any given Thursday evening in the summer on Long Island Sound off Old Saybrook, races Kewalo, Stella Blue, Air Bus, Osprey, Seacant, Gumdrop, Bianca, Scoundrel, Shearwater, and Madaket toward the finish line between Karl Frost’s trawler and the pin.
Meanwhile, along the shoreline at Cornfield Point, Knollwood Beach, Fenwood, Fenwick, and Old Saybrook’s Maple Avenue, the curious multitude stop what they are doing to look at the racing sailboats. People on the beach, in cars, on bicycles, and the Fenwick junk-bond and hedge fund dealers in their beach “cottages” look out at Long Island Sound in awe at the sailing craft whose crews are fighting to get their boat in the lead; fighting to steal air from the leading boats; fighting to position their boat in what they believe is the strongest current toward the finish line or in the weakest current against them. The onlookers make wagers as to who will cross the finish line first, or even if one boat will beat out another boat. Each onlooker becomes a racing expert. “Why did the guy with the glasses gybe the catboat? That crazy bas….d should of done a “chicken gybe”; “Little Seacant needs to get her centerboard up more;” “Why is Shearwater in so close to shore?” “Osprey is flying her Shute 10 degrees to windward;” “Where is the yacht Defiance?” “How come Gumdrop’s skipper is on Bianca?” “Who is the guy offering unsolicited racing tips on VHF channel 1A?”
Why it is that NCYC racers are so committed to the sea? I think it is because in addition to the fact that the sea changes and the light changes and the ships change, it is because we all came from the sea. It is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean and therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch it, we are going back from whence we came. [editor’s note: This is beautiful.]
Thursday night racing also gives the racers a chance to think about something else other than work or how to squeeze more out of a deflating dollar. Thursday night racing allows the racers to bone up on their sailing skills. Skills like sail trimming, line handling, anchoring (if there is no wind some of us will anchor; others will drift to New York City) anticipation of wind shifts (reading the wind), balancing the boat for maximum speed, andreading tidal rips for favorable positioning of the boat. Also, paying attention to wildlife such as sea birds chasing bait, or even communicating with the occasional curious seal who is practicing mind-communication skills with Humans. At one of our after-race dinner parties the winning skipper was relating that the seal in the middle of the fleet was mind-communicating sailing intelligence to him. A psychiatric referral was offered to the “jubilant” skipper in addition to another pint of beer.
There are many races left this summer since we are not even at the halfway point!
Joe Carroll, NCYC Racing Enthusiast
Outer Light Classic: North Cove's Biggest Regatta!
The Outer Light Classic is on July 24th! We need help on the water for the race, and on land for the after party. This is a great opportunity to get involved with racing by supporting not only North Cove, but all the sailors from across Connecticut who will be visiting to sail in our event. Click the link to sign up and to find more information. If you have more questions, contact Amy Vinciguerra amyvinci94@gmail.com 860-395-7625
Activities
In June we had the annual Commodore’s cookout and dinghy race. A great number of members signed up and made it to the event. We had the chicken bar-b-que man, Mike B. again and he was fabulous. Our Commodores did a fine job of serving up the food and making everyone laugh. We had many interesting appetizers, and some wonderful desserts, thanks to our generous members. Thank you to all who helped with this event.
June's social gathering was a requested repeat from last year, Fajita Night, catered by Moe’s Southwest Grill. We had approximately 50 people attend and this year, unlike last year, we just about ran out of food. Thank you to all who helped make this social gathering a success.
Don’t forget to read the weekly update from our Commodore, there is always something going on down at the club this time of year.
ON THE RADAR: July 15th, 22nd, 24th and 29th
On Friday July 15th at 17:30 (5:30 PM) there will be an Activities meeting at the club, please feel free to come and join in the fun and then stay for Happy Hour. All are welcome.
July 22 the club will be hosting the United States Naval Academy Offshore Sailing Team for a cookout at the club. Melissa Mason has made a sign-up for this, keep an eye out for this event. She will be asking for help setting up, cleaning up, and people to bring picnic salads or desserts. If you would rather, just reach out and tell her how you can help.
Our July Friday, social gathering is on July 29th. This month we will be holding our 2nd Annual ORCA ( Ocean Recovery Community Alliance) cove clean up. Last year we collected so much trash in the cove, that ORCA said it was the most they had ever collected. We will need volunteers to show up and offer to drive trash collecting people around in their dinghies or small boats. Paddleboards and kayaks or canoes are another way to get around the cove to collect unwanted items.
After the collected debris is weighed, we will have a hot dog roast for anyone who helped. This is open to the community as well. We will need members to help supplement with a salad or dessert. This is truly a “feel good” get together. And you are doing something awesome for our environment. Here is the link to help out with this important community event.
Also, don’t forget that the Outer Light Classic is back. On July 24 there will be the race followed by a fun party later in the day. This is another important community sailing event. There are many ways you can help. They need sponsors, set-up volunteers, racers, and people at the party. Please look for the sign up and more information in this newsletter and follow up flyers. If you miss the sign up, just reach out to Amy Viciguerra. If you aren’t a sailor, the party is always a nice spread and a great time to party.
As always if you would like to organize any great ideas you may have, we are always available to jump in and get involved. Joining in on club activities is the best way to get to know people, whether you are a new or seasoned member.
Thank you
Ann Chan and Cathy Murphy, Activities Co-Chairs
Cruising News
Our annual cruise itinerary is evolving due to the inability to confirm reservations at East Greenwich. As a result, we have decided to spend two nights in Point Judith and two nights in Dutch Harbor before heading to Bristol. There are no changes to the itinerary from Bristol onwards. The latest Cruise Itinerary, version 3.0, has the mooring details and port notes. There are lots of social activities scheduled for August 6 in Stonington. Reservations are still available at the Stonington Yacht Club. As of June 20th, Dodson’s Boat Yard has stopped taking reservations, requiring a phone call on the morning of your arrival for any available moorings. Anchorages are subject to first-come-first-served. In the morning, Akvavit will plan to be on our mooring and should be able to monitor the anchorage area between the two mooring fields. Do text me on August 6 if you want a to know about the availability of anchorage space in Stonington. An alternative is West Harbor on Fisher’s Island or arriving on August 5 to enjoy the full Saturday’s activities of the 70th Annual Stonington Village Fair and the Stonington VFD twin lobster fund raiser. Details are in the latest Itinerary – Ver 3.0.
We will plan on another cruise meeting on Wednesday July 20 at 6pm to confirm the number of vessels and clarify any latest/outstanding issues.
Mystic Seaport
The Club is going to Mystic Seaport for Labor Day. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW! Make your reservations through Dockwa. Put in the comments section ‘With NCYC’. The Seaport will release the spots reserved for North Cove in a week.
Looking forward to a pleasant and exciting 2022 Annual Cruise,
David Chan, Fleet Captain
From the Chaplain’s Little Corner of the Cove
Mark Twain's best-known stories remind us of summer days adrift on a river. In addition to his tales about the Mississippi, Twain also spent time in the Connecticut River Valley. His poem Warm Summer Sun is about life's journey. May your travels this summer be filled with warmth.
Warm summer sun,
Shine kindly here,
Warm southern wind,
Blow softly here.
-1896
For Sale, For Free
Free core cell material. Various sizes. Longest at 36”; widest at 15.”
Contact Tracy van Vliet 1-860-575-3977.
The Great Umbrella Caper
Members Eddie and Ruth and their daughter Julia, are enjoying some wine on the NCYC deck. It is Father’s Day, and they are relaxed and happy. Deb comes off the launch and waves a hello. They invite her to have a glass of wine with them. She says sure, because, really, why wouldn’t you?
The friends talk about how incredibly windy it is. And just then, as if the gods of wind have heard, a huge gust sweeps across the deck and in an instant, lifts the open picnic table umbrella up and out of its holder. The umbrella sails gracefully over the driveway and lands deep in the marsh.
They inform Stefan the steward, who invites Eddie to take the skiff out with him to rescue it. Eddie says “no thanks.” Stefan appears not to hear and Eddie stands up somewhat reluctantly but with good humor, and the two men walk to the skiff. Stefan fires her up. The plan, apparently, is to run the skiff as far as possible into the marsh since it is high tide. Stefan thinks this will work. Eddie is not so sure. The women on the deck, enjoying their wine, withhold judgment, but Deb does get her phone out to record this possibly epic event.
The skiff is off the dock and heading for the marsh. Stefan guns it. Eddie hangs on. Swish! They have breached the marsh grass and are lost to sight. The women cheer.
Eddie jumps out and after a few valiant tries, captures the umbrella, which luckily has behaved itself and not sailed further away. More cheers. He brandishes it like the winning gladiator and climbs back into the skiff. Stefan puts the motor in reverse and revs it. Eddie pushes with the oar. They do not move. The women groan and shout encouraging words. More revving, more pushing. They are free!
They tie the skiff back up and Eddie carries the umbrella to the picnic table where he and Julia anchor it down firmly, and Stefan goes back to the steward’s office to await the next, er, activity.
From the Newsletter Editor
If you have Club news to share, a maritime story to tell, a sailing read to recommend, a lively anecdote, or something boat-related to sell, please email me to have it included in the next newsletter.
Send me your pets-on-boats photos for the next newsletter. Thanks! Deb Paulson
Thanks!
Deb Paulson, Newsletter Editor