High Tidings April 1, 2023

Commodore Remarks

Greetings from the desk of the Commodore.

Lots of happenings at the club, and temps are warming up. Folks are getting their moorings ready for the season, extensive work is being done on preparing the club launch, etc.  
Speaking of the launch, part of this year’s launch restoration includes the creation of the floating North Cove Tiki Bar. ( see photo below )
Yes !!!  We are installing bamboo posts, a grass thatch roof, and a sound system for island music.  Oh, and solar-powered flickering tiki torches!
Grass skirts and coconut bras and bros provided.  When this significant upgrade is completed, not only will you be able to call the launch for a ride back to the club, but you will also be able to order your favorite umbrella drinks–Mai Tais, Pina Colodas, or Margaritas! 

Even if you’re not going out to your boat, or don’t have a boat, members are encouraged to just ride along, dance, and socialize with folks on their moorings, enjoy the sunset, etc.

We are looking for other ideas to expand this party concept with fit-training; perhaps maybe Tiki bar YOGA classes?  Or using old exercise bikes linked together for propulsion and having on-the-water Spin classes!     

I’m looking forward to a fun 2023 season at NCYC!

Lou Vinciguerra
Commodore

NCYC Tiki Launch

Vice Commodore Remarks

As we undertook the task of clearing out the attic, we realized what a wonderful space we have up there. Consideration is being given to creating a loft space, perhaps moving the bar upstairs. A picture window will provide a spectacular view of the cove! Access will be via a spiral staircase where the current bar is located. Your input is welcomed!

Linda Tuzzio

Vice Commodore

idea for spiral staircase up to ncyc loft bar

Membership

Potential Members – Posted 04/01/2023

Dennis Connor and Louise Daintry Bell

San Diego, California

Dennis:  American Yachtsmen

Louise:  Retired freelance writer

Children:  Five Children over age 21

Proposed by:  Caroline Miller

Support letters:  Mason, Tuzzio, Chan

Boat: J/105 Pholly

Other Yacht clubs:  San Diego Yacht Club

Boating: Won bronze medal at the 1976 Olympics, two Start World Championships and three wins in the American’s cup

Skills/interests:   They would like to learn more about boating and sailing from members with more experience.  Dennis and Louis look forward to participating in Club activities and socializing with other members.  Dennis looks forward to Thursday Night Racing.  He has heard about Past Commodore Joe Carrol’s sailing winning record and hopes to beat him. 

Beyonce (Queen Bey) and Jay-Z

Bel-Air, CA

Beyonce: Greatest Entertainer Ever

Jay-Z:  American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Roc Nation.

Children:  Blue Ivy Carter, Rumi Carter, Sir Carter

Proposed by:  Cheryl Miller

Support letters:  Pavlos, Tuzzio, Mason

Boat:  450’ Super Yacht Flying Fox

Other Yacht Clubs:  None

Boating: Jay-Z and Beyonce have owned several super yachts.  Beyonce kept a boat in Old Saybrook for several summers. 

Skills/interests:   Jay-Z and Beyonce are very interested in learning how to sail.  They have heard that NCYC has a world-class sailing Jr. Sailing program and hope to get their children into the program this summer.  While they have no skills to help with the day to day activities, they are willing to buy the Old Saybook middle school and build club tennis and pickle ball courts as well an Olympic lap pool.

Jr. Sailing

After a strong initial outlook, registrations for summer 2023 have unfortunately plummeted. The junior sailing committee brainstormed creative ideas to turn things around! I am pleased to report we are now heading in the right direction again.  

First, we adjusted our approach to our instructor search and started to look for some names that could draw some attention. After some intense salary negotiations, our final instructor position was accepted by Gary Jobson. We are pleased to steal him away from coaching for the Naval Academy Offshore Sailing team to teach our beginner Opti classes. Gary will be a great addition to our program and bring the experience our beginners need! 

Also, this summer, we will be adding live music to our last Friday sail parades. After the Old Saybrook High School Band turned us down, Jimmy Buffett kingly offered his services in exchange for an occasional mooring. Thanks to the Harbor Commission for making an exception to allow his 15.24 metre Pacific Seacraft into North Cove! All club members are encouraged to attend our last Friday events.
Finally as you start to think of ways to get involved at NCYC, the junior sailing committee is always happy to have new members join the fun! 

Melissa Mason

Jr. Sailing Chair

Cruising Club News

7 Continents & 375 Destinations!

We are looking into doing a 36 month cruise starting at $30,000 per year. Would there be any interest from the NCYC Fleet? We will discuss at our next cruise meeting – April 15 at 3:30pm at our clubhouse.

Departs Istanbul on November 1, Barcelona on November 5 & Miami on November 16. So much to talk about!

A Launch Update

We are very excited about the in-the-works NCYC Tiki Bar Launch, and this has inspired us to expand the whole launch concept. Why just use the launch for partying and boat service? To that end, we are looking into procuring a second launch–an all-electric one–which will also be used as a fast ferry service from NCYC to NYC & Block. We will be setting up a future launch committee and soliciting members to serve on that committee as well as looking for launch captains.

Outer Light Classic

Planning for the Outer Light is in full swing! Weather predictions show an area of high pressure moving through Long Island Sound for that weekend of July. Due to the unpredictable weather, we are holding the Outer Light Classic this year for trailered boats only. Trailer your boat, hitch it to your vehicle and race around the course, which will be the parking lot. Round and round. We'll be doing laps. Trophies will be awarded for the top three finishes in each class. Classes will be adjusted as follows: Class 1- Single Axle, Class 2- Double Axle, Class 3- Dollies. Come set up your lawn chairs and cheer on the competitors from the sidelines!

Bell 8: Men at the Helm

Late in the season, North Cove sponsors our annual Bell 8 race to recognize those who do not often have the chance to show their skills behind the wheel of a yacht: Men. This year the Bell 8 will be switching to a Men at the Helm race. Most races at North Cove see women as the superstars. Women at the helm display the sought after traits of any sailor: sharp decision making, wise tactics, fair sportsmanship. The women of North Cove have set an example for clubs across the region that we are the better sailors. This year it is time to give the men a chance. We will be setting up a small race course of only half a mile. This will give them a small experience of what it's like in a real racing environment. Any male members who would like to participate can contact our current female racing champions to ask permission for use of a boat.

Activities Report

Have you ever wanted to learn to rap? Or maybe you already rap, but want to take it to the next level. Well, have we got a treat for you!

North Cove Yacht Club and Essex Yacht Club are teaming up to bring history-making rapper, entrepreneur and business mogul (and prospective NCYC member!) Jay Z, to NCYC to give a workshop on “Nautical Rap”. Using iconic sea shanties (“Way aye blow the man down…” etc.) participants will work with Jay Z to identify the overall theme of each shanty as a predicate to re-writing it in the nautical rap style.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity caps at 14 participants at a cost of 10,000 dollars per attendee. The workshop runs two consecutive Tuesdays from 9:00pm to 4:00am.   

We are thrilled to be able to offer this to our membership and look forward to hearing your Nautical Rap efforts at the next NCYC outing!

Sincerely,

Melissa and Lucy,

Activities co-Chairs (Here’s our first attempt—so excited!)

We been spending most our lives
Livin' in a sailing paradise
We're just plain and simple guys
Livin' in an NCYC paradise

Guest Editorial

by David Crosby

David Crosby was a member of the Byrds, with whom he helped pioneer the genres of folk rock and psychedelia in the mid-1960’s and later was a part of Crosby, Stills & Nash, which helped poplularize the California Sound of the 1970’s. Sadly, Mr. Crosby died in January of this year, but not before he had forwarded this guest editorial to the editor.

Hey everybody! How are you all doing? I’m honored to be asked to write this bit for your groovy magazine, and I’m also excited, because I know this subject. Like, real well.

So, now that weed is legal, we’ve all got tons of choices and don’t have to trust that street stuff. Never know what’s in the street stuff. I remember (vaguely) one time….what?.....oh, this is a family magazine?....oh, never mind.

So, to get right down to it. There’s like two strains of weed and one makes you sleepy and the other one makes you, like, kinda creative and you can mix and match to get the mood you want. I personally,….what?....this isn’t High Times?.....well, what is it then?

…..High Tidings?? What the heck is that?.....Boats??......Kinda think it still applies, just sayin’…..you don’t?.....whatever dude….your magazine.

….if you’re sure…I know my weed…ok, whatevs….Hey tho, for all your weed needs, be sure to check out the real High Ti….Okay! I’m going! 

Love + Peace dudes,

David

Many, many thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue! The “real” April High Tidings will be coming out on April 3rd.

Deb Paulson, Editor