This pandemic has brought much tragedy, disruption and pain.  But it has offered some opportunities that many of us would have never considered--such as attending multiple boat shows, simultaneously, online.  So while we hope and plan for a beautiful sailing season, check out either of these two shows to lift your spirits and enhance your sailing skills:

The Toronto Show is going on now through this Sunday and is free.  There are many sessions ranging from sail choice to cruising locations to electrical improvements to VHF communications.  Your can see …

Have an article for the Log? Please send to Joanna Wensell by January 21 to be included in the Feb/Mar issue.

FBYC's future is very much determined by retaining and attracting new young adult members (YAMs) and there is no one better to lead that effort than Mary Catherine Buhl McAllister.  (Or "Cappy" as she will always be known to many.)

Mary Catherine's sailing career began during 1998 during Junior Week when she was seven years old. "That year, the Junior Week shirts were yellow and my oversized shirt fit me like a dress,"  she says. "I've grown a bit since then,  but that yellow shirt has survived the years …

Jim is currently FBYC's Long Range Planning Committee Chair.  He's as colorful off the water as his boat is on.  Here's his story:

"It all began in 1983 when a group of us at Virginia Tech decided to charter a sailboat for spring break.  One of us had some experience so our band of misfits sailed a Morgan 44 OI to Bimini in the Bahamas. (Can anyone ID Jim in this photo?)  It was my first sailing experience of any kind.  It's amazing how much beer fit under the settees …

From our much loved Chaplain and FBYC Honorary Member Doug Anderson:

During this holiday season of both tremendous stress and great hope, I am mindful of the gifts that don't go under the tree. These gifts are often priceless and just as often, cost very little.  They seldom have to be wrapped, but most often are. You and I are the gift givers,  as well as the recipient of many of these gifts.  We, you, are the wrapping, and it is your time, talents and your service that is the …

We are planning to dispose of all remaining abandoned boats in the Laser racks next to the Junior Shed. The old racks will be disposed of as well, and new storage for the club’s 420s will be installed. While the “Laser Graveyard” has a certain rustic appeal, we will end up with a much neater and useful space.

Unclaimed Lasers are available for club members to take, but must be removed from property by December 13^th. Please note that these boats are going to need a lot of …

Winter decommissioning is well underway. 

We have winterized Mr. Roberts, closed the Bathhouse, and shut off the water to the docks, ramp and yards.  Jackson Creek Docks' power will remain on.  

The Clubhouse will be closed down by Friday, December 11.  Unfortunately, the Clubhouse will be closed until ceiling work is complete.

Fannie's will remain open all winter.  The front door will remain locked for security purposes.  But you can access the building through the key-coded porch door on the Jackson Creek side of the building.

Feel free to contact …

Even though "real sailors" are still out on the Chesapeake's waters, many of us spend the winter to regroup, work on boats and plan for the next sailing season.  So now's a good time to share some stories about your board of directors, especially for new members. 

We start with our club historian, George Burke.  

George, wisely, embraced his wife Lyon's, childhood love of sailing.  Lyons had sailed at the Hampton Yacht Club as a junior, but George didn't step aboard a sailboat until he was 40 years old.  Long-term …

While some were eating turkey or putting boats to bed, other members were keeping our club looking beautiful.  Especially during the winter months, there's always work to be done.  Whether it's clubhouse cleaning, dock repair or lawn clean-up, there's always something to be done.  Thanks to Susan Roberts and Margaret Montgomery for ushering in fall at FBYC.

Now on to winter!

This year we had great participation in the Laser Series with 55 total sailors taking part in either Standard or Radial racing. The standards sailed 19 races over 4 days while the radials sailed 14 races over 3 days. The 5 day series consists of one spring, 2 summer, one fall and one frostbite race days. Only the first summer race was canceled for lack of wind. To qualify for series scoring, a sailor needed to participate in 50% of the races in the series.

Radial (18 boats, 4 qualified …