The boat we have all sailed and loved has changed little in the past nearly 50 years. The racing has remained the same yet the sails have gotten more durable, the lines and rigging easier to adjust, and now the name we’ve all been used to is changing as well. The boat is going to start being referred to as the ILCA Dinghy as part of the ILCA Class. Any boat that was sold as a Laser before 2020 can race as an ILCA Dinghy and new ILCA Dinghies are now becoming available from multiple builders. There will still be standard, radial, and 4.7 rigs.
What does that mean for us? Very little in terms of the racing …
"I vividly remember my first Down The Bay race, delivering the boat to Annapolis," says Katie Yudkin our Membership Engagement Chair. "It was a grueling 14 hours. The rain was coming down sideways, the boat was crashing through four-foot seas and it was COLD. But I came to realize a few things after that long night: Boy do I love to sail."
Tasked with helping FBYC members to "get involved," Katie is actively working to increase participation across YAMS, Offshore and One-Design racers, Juniors and Cruisers. "There's something special about sailing and some of the kindest people I've ever met have been on the Fishing Bay dock."
Don't delay. Space is limited in many of our programs and people are ready to get on the water. We are thrilled with the programs we are planning including Opti Kids, Junior Week, Sailing School and our Development and Race Teams. Registration has been significantly improved through CampDocs which will make registration, and health form collection much easier.
Join FBYC members Carol Vaughn and Dave Tabor Wednesday, February 24 from 7-8 PM, online, as they describe how they sailed to exotic lands and foreign waters on other people's boats.
In 2018, Dave (right) and his wife, Carol (left), joined the Oyster World Rally as crew aboard a 54-foot Oyster sailboat. Although Dave has decades of offshore cruising and racing experience, Carol was a "relative" newbie. She became tremendously skilled at helming in 40 knot winds and ten foot seas and also became an expert at filleting fish. (She even helped with a 60-pound tuna!)
In their webinar, you'll learn:
How they found crew positions onboard these luxury sailboats
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 are the seminars at: https://virtual.torontoboatshow.com/seminars/
Another option is the Seattle Boat Show beginning Thursday, January 28-31. This show also has multiple sessions including Navionics usage, anchoring …
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 and I still proudly wear it.
"After growing up in the Junior Program, in Optis and Lasers, I transitioned to college racing at Christopher Newport University. My CNU sailing days …
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 in that boat, Some years later, I bought my first boat in 1990, a 27' Jeanneau Fantasia with the intent of family sailing and didn't think about racing until Brooks …
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 substance of your gifts to us all.
As members of FBYC we are in a community of gift givers and gift receivers. Whether you know it or not, you are …
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 13th. Please note that these boats are going to need a lot of work and most have hull integrity issues.
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 me if you have any questions and stay warm.
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 FBYC member Tony Sakowski, invited him to crew on a one design boat and taught him the fundamentals of sailing. They soon became members, initially to teach their two children …
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.
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.
The holiday lights are up & that special season is around the corner - Winter Decom season!
We will be decommissioning the facility & boats for the Winter over the next couple weeks. Barring any unusually cold weather, we will be closing down around December 7th. Our 2020 decom list includes:
Haul & winterize all Race Committee boats
Winterize select Junior Coach boats
Close & lock the Bathhouse
Close & lock the Clubhouse 1st floor (Upstairs will remain open)
Shut water off to the Jackson Creek Docks (Power will remain on)
Shut water off to the Fishing Bay Ramp
Shut water off to the Junior Yard and One-Design parking areas
As usual, Fannie's will remain open all winter. The front door …
But there was plenty of cruising, racing and welcome fellowship in between. This past Saturday, FBYC held its Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation. We welcomed our new Flag Officers and other members of the board who will help us navigate 2021, we hope NOT on Zoom, but in person. In addition, our annual awards were presented to those members who have excelled on the racing circuit, supported our cruising and junior divisions and arranged for numerous safe and socially-distant events.
Hear a recap of the year, learn about our future plans and recognize all those who worked so hard to move FBYC forward in 2020.
I'm please to announce we've hired Ben Boone as the Club Custodian. He'll be helping out around the club, making necessary repairs, & performing small miracles!
Please say hello & welcome Ben to the Club when you seen him!
Sunday was the final day of the Laser Series and the the final event of the One Design schedule for 2020 and it was a perfectly light day to end on. The forecast all day was for nothing and it was delivering. Those who sailed Saturday had the same forecast and knew the wind came in around 1 and so we waited. Sure enough an easterly breeze of 4-7 came in and we were able to sail 5 races with 9 boats right up in Fishing Bay just off the docks.
Mike Toms had a great first race – getting a lead and not letting it go. In the 2nd race James Jacob lead the fleet around the course while …
Make plans to "attend" FBYC's Annual Meeting this Saturday via Zoom. Although this event won't be part of the Commodore's Ball as in the past, the meeting is important for all members to meet the new Flag Officers, learn about the financial health of our club, anticipate plans for the 2021 sailing season and recognize our award winners.
Members will all be emailed a Zoom Invitation link soon.
So grab a Dark 'n Stormy, belly up to your computer and let's close out 2020 with cheer!
Should you require a slip prior to or after the parade, there are limited slips available on Carters Creek for early registrants. Please register your boat by November 14, 2020. Email your docking requirements to me at LightsontheCreek@gmail.com
Begin the Christmas season with a colorful boat parade!
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 FBYC member Tony Sakowski, invited him to crew on a one design boat and taught him the fundamentals of sailing. They soon became members, initially to teach their two children …
