Cruising with OPCYC
Old Point Comfort Yacht Club
Membership Meeting, Sept 29 -- See Helmsman or Social Events webpage for Details
The Helmsman
Prior Issues
Calling all sailboats to come out and participate in the Tri-Service Cup. In addition to competition on the course between OPCYC and the Navy club, each club receives participation points for the number of boats that come out to race. To be able to win the club award, we need as many boats to come out racing as possible. The Navy is on a winning streak we would like to break. The cruising boats make the difference, even if you never race otherwise. Please consider coming out and sailing on September 10th to help the Club win back the Cup. Often the club with the most boats coming out to race prevails based on points.
Board elections will be in November. Please consider volunteering for a position on the board. You can reach out to Bob Killebrew, Keith Midgette, or myself if you are interested. The most pressing need is for someone to run the Pointer Maritime University program and for help in the racing program. The club is only successful from the help of the volunteers.
The last Saturday in August was packed with OPCYC events. We spent Friday night at Norfolk Yacht and Country Club on Navy Lady and attended the monthly seafood buffet with fellow Pointers. Saturday morning at oh dark thirty we were underway to set marks and anchor as the race committee boat for the Pointers Rally. Six boats came out to race on a light wind day. We were able to get three races in before the wind really died out. The courses were short, and the racing was close and tight. George Hernandez posted great pictures on the Old Point Comfort Facebook page. After the race, we gathered with thirty some Pointers at the afternoon social event at Salt Ponds. I enjoy seeing everyone at the club activities. We welcomed several new members attending their first club event.
I hope you can come out and join fellow Pointers for the upcoming club events in the next few months. PLEASE contact me or another board member if you will be attending. Especially on the cruises, as we try to plan dockage and boat activities in advance.
September 17-18 there is a cruise planned to Tidewater in Portsmouth. Several Pointers have already expressed an interest in attending. There are numerous activities that can be arranged for that weekend, including a concert or a baseball game. Contact Chip Miller for details or checkout the cruising chronicles later in the newsletter. On October 8th we are planning a cruise up to Cobham Bay on the James River. Karen and I intend to go up early. We will get together for drinks and may try to arrange a progressive dinner or gather on one boat, depending on how may boats sign up to attend. There is a beach easily accessible by dinghy. Rides are available so don’t worry about not having a dinghy.
On the social side, we are planning on going to Smithfield Station on September 29th for the monthly membership meeting. An email will provide details the first part of September, look for additional details coming soon. Mark your calendar and plan on joining us for an evening of good food and social gathering.
For racing, on September 17th the Sunfish Challenge and Dinghy Distance Race will be hosted by the Hampton Yacht Club. Boats will launch from HYC and sail from Hampton Flats, around Middle Ground Light, and back. The event will be followed by an awards ceremony and party at HYC. This event is open to any boats 20 feet or less. Boats will race as one design if four or more are entered in a class or as on open fleet if less than four. Family racing and doubles are encouraged. I have Sunfish available for loan if you would like to race. This is a great excuse to get out on the water.
See you on the water.
Tim