October 2009 Issue 8 Sailorgram

Commodore Eric Vasquez 978-521-9017 FROM THE MASTHEAD Vice Commodore Bob Chadwick October 2009 • Eric Vasquez, Commodore 978-373-6106 Rear Commodore The Romans called him Neptune, David W. Hewey 978-373-6038 but the Greeks of 500 B.C. called him Poseidon Secretary Gary Gastman ngela and I just returned from a 2-week vacation to Athens and Santorini, Greece, and 978-462-6533 Awas it an incredible adventure. During our stay in Athens, we sought out the opportunity Treasurer to take a tour bus to Cape Sounion for a trek up to the Ancient Temple of Poseidon. Now I Douglas Cornell 978-474-4323 have always had a very deep affection for the sea, and my friends, the image of that temple structure before my eyes simply sent shivers down my spine. Standing at its base I look up Collector Pamela Mertinooke in awe, and at that moment, right before me is the temple of the god of the sea, the ancient 978-388-4515 Temple of Poseidon. My fellow members, for the cradle of western civilization (thousands Measurer of years) this was the theologic “ground-zero” for sailors and mariners alike. William R. Gynan 978-462-1157 The “Sanctuary of Sounion” (as sometimes referred to) is first mentioned in the Odyssey,as Membership Committee the place where Menelaus stopped during his return from Troy to bury his helmsman. Daniel Streeter Construction on the Temple of Poseidon began around 500 B.C. but was never completed; 978-462-4605 after the battle of Thermopylae, the Persians (defeating the 300 Spartans) destroyed the Mooring Committee Gene Piermattei temple and all the votive offerings in 480 B.C. Standing atop sheer cliffs overlooking the 978-374-7940 Aegean Sea, the marble temple of Poseidon has served as a landmark for sailors from House Committee ancient times to today. Robert A. Saldarini Continued on page 2 978-463-8219 Regatta Committee Bruce Brown 978-521-6802 Entertainment Committee Angela Vasquez 978-521-9017 Activities Committee Rob Brun 978-462-1948 Sailing Camp Sue Manzi 603-474-9644 Steward/Club House 978-465-9053 Sailboats towing their dinghies in the Cruiser’s Race. Marcia Edson photo October 2009 Issue 8

FROM THE MASTHEAD continued from page 1

In a maritime country like Greece, the god of the sea occupied a high position in divine hierarchy. In power, Poseidon was considered second only to Zeus (later called Jupiter by the Romans), the supreme god himself. Poseidon’s implacable wrath, manifested in the form of storms and earthquakes, was greatly feared by all mariners. In an age of sail, storms very frequently resulted in all manner of shipwreck and drowning.The Temple of The Temple of Poseidon Poseidon, therefore, was a venue where mariners, and also entire cities or states, could propitiate Poseidon, by and a good time was had by all.You know, the making an animal sacrifice (often times by drowning Entertainment and Activities Committees have done just horses), or leaving gifts.This continued for thousands a superb job of providing a consistent high quality of of years. product for our events. It’s a lot of work, and I ask that you all speak up and let these committees know how In solemn respect for this once-in-a-lifetime moment, you feel; they make me feel like I’m part of something Angela and I climbed to the top with AYC burgee in very special indeed. hand. My friends, it was truly something to behold.The horizon stretched forever, and gazing out, I thought to I also want to take just a moment to mention and thank myself “this is where I would place his Temple too.”In our Laser Class sailors for their great contributions the attached photo, you will see our AYC colors being during our 2009 Pot Luck events.A few Sundays ago, I proudly offered at the Temple of counted 14 lasers vying for starting Poseidon, on Cape Sounion, Greece. advantage at the gun, and it’s a beauti- Imagine, what manner of good luck will ful sight to see these vessels luff-up and this bring our club my friends! Oh gather at the ramp for haul out. But the there’s more, just ask Angela or myself image must be captured very quickly about our trip sometime…do we have my friends.These sailors can mobilize some stories! literally in minutes, so you have to be ready at camera. Closer to home on Water Street, the fun continues, the vision endures, and the The American Marine property is back AYC shows no slowing of in the news, and the city is moving to celebration. On September 15, Mr. Rob Commodore Vasquez with AYC burgee take the property.You can read more Brun called all Gringo’s to attend the here: Mexican Potluck where a great time was had by all.And http://www.newburyportnews.com/archivesearch/ then on September 19, our annual Chet Young Regatta local_story_272232827.html. I want to thank Past was a blast.The winds were up and so were the rails! I Commodore Clif Robinson for keeping the club updated heard of one vessel that was so far over her lifeline as to the progress on this property. stanchions were snagging lobster buoys! A giant thank Looking forward to Closing day on October 17, please you goes out to Gail Becker-Saldarini for doing just a won- remember that the Club will need your good help during derful job of managing this event. It doesn’t stop. On this important event. Come on down!. It’s a great way to September 30, the Club invited all to participate in the meet new friends and touch base with the old ones for 2009 Chilifest & Apple Pie Cook Off competition.This one final day of sailing, cruising and racing stories. year’s winners were Gail Sears for her Awesome Chili, Thank you so much, and we’ll see you there! and Nancy Cornell for the Best Apple Pie. Hosted by Secretary Gary Gastman, Jim Grenier, and Phil and Pamela Fair Winds and Following Seas, Marshall, participation from the membership was great Commodore Eric T.Vasquez 2 October 2009 Issue 8 First-Ever Cruiser’s Race A Success submitted by Homer Shannon he first-ever race exclusively for cruising sailboats, Tthe (hair) brainchild of Homer Shannon, was run Sunday, September 13th after a one-day weather delay. The crews of the six boats competing all agreed this is a fun format. The race was conceived to allow cruising sailors to test their skills in activities commonly used in cruising but never included in normal sailboat racing.These included: using dinghies, getting under weigh without a motor, anchoring, and performing a man-overboard drill.And, of course, the race included sailing; about nine miles of sail- Photo Contest Winner ing between government marks. submitted by Jim Grenier The format for the race was modified slightly on Sunday morning when it appeared that there would only be four Another congratulations to Homer Shannon for his run- boats in the race. Instead of acting as stationary commit- ner-up award for his photo Moon Over Sailboats in the tee boat Cinderella joined the race as a competitor.The PortsmouthNH.com Summer 2009 Photo Contest.This rules for the start were changed to have all the skippers photo first appeared in the AYC Sketchbook feature in in their dinghies in a “dinghy float” roughly in the middle the August 2009 Sailorgram. Most of our readers are of the anchored race boats.When ready, the race was aware of Homer’s talents in photography, but its nice to declared started and the skippers dinghied back to their see recognition from outside of the club. race boats. Dinghy motors were allowed, but then you had to tow a dinghy with a motor attached. Hewey Do-ey Award for For the finish, the first boat to return and anchor back at October 2009 the starting point, as marked by GPS coordinates, would become the committee boat. Before taking their time, “As I was suffering a broken rib, a special however, a member of first returning boat would have to thanks goes to Tom Lochhaas, Bob Neumyer, Paul Melanson and Steve circle the anchored boat once in a dinghy.The subse- Osborne for helping unstep the massive quent boats would anchor, have a crew member dinghy Rosebud mast, and to Rob Brun who later to the committee boat and then their times would be helped me move it off the deck” – Jim recorded.Times would be adjusted according to the vari- Grenier ous penalty and bonus points allowed. If you have someone to nominate for a Hewey Do-ey Award, contact the Sailorgram. One of the most interesting features of the race was the

2009 Cruisers Race Results Boat Skipper Finish Penalty Pts Bonus Pts Total Swamp Fox Don Sestini 1433 11 20 1424 Cinderella Homer Shannon 1430 0 0 1430 Equity Bob Neumyer 1438 10 3 1440 Classy Lady Dave/Murry Hewey 1433 20 5 1448 Felix Bill Brunet DNF Drifter Steve Ostrander DNF Marcia Edson photo

continued on page 4 3 October 2009 Issue 8 AYC’s Meet Your Steward: Michael Dragonas Submitted by Commodore Eric Vasquez ost of you met Michael this past summer gainful employment got him thinking about how Mduring his first season as an AYC Steward. to combine the two. Last winter into the spring This was not however Michael’s first summer he figured out how to do just that! (Boy, I wish I spent at the AYC. had at 18 years old!) He received his Launch When he was about 10, his older brother Operators License and his TWIC Card and start- Jonathan was crewing on board a lightning with ed working at the AYC. He thoroughly enjoyed Jenn Stone. Mike’s Dad David found out after this season, being on the water, meeting and talking with Joe Stone that the club offered sail- greeting the AYC members and their guests and ing lessons, which Michael immediately signed is excited about returning next season. up for.Well, the rest as they say “is history”! Michael is currently attending WPI in Worcester, Michael’s been on boats his entire life, helping MA majoring in Mechanical Engineering. his Dad on the family’s boat and later crewing on Say Hi to Mike next time you see him and your various sized sail boats with his brothers and sure to get an “ear to ear”smile, and a bright Hi Dad all over the Northeast. combined with a friendly handshake! Michael loves being on the water and the necessity to obtain

Cruisers Race continued from page 3 use of motor rule. In this race motors were allowed but with a time penalty that equated to roughly two knots of adjusted speed, so motors were used sparingly. However, skippers quickly realized tactical ways to use the motor. Undershoot a mark? Don’t tack, motor for two minutes. In a wind hole? Don’t sit there, motor to a wind line. No boat motored more than a few minutes and motors were not allowed during the getting under weigh, anchoring or man-overboard portions of the race. Bonus points were awarded for having young children aboard, fishing and being able to provide cold beverages to the committee boat at the finish. Swamp Fox and Classy Lady under weigh at the start The race began with six boats registered: Felix, Classy Lady, Equity, Swamp Fox, Cinderella and last minute entry, Drifter.The course started off Salisbury beach and ran around the Merrimack River N2 and MR buoys, then past Hampton N2, outside Breaking Rocks and back to the start.All the boats got under weigh at the start with- out incident but the wind was light. Bobby Neumyer’s light Catalina 27, Equity, quickly took a significant lead. Cinderella was in last place but pulled out a cruise ng spinnaker and was overtaking boats before reaching the MR buoy.The leg to Hampton N2 was upwind. Cinderella continued to gain on the fleet and Equity got stuck in a wind hole further outside.At the Hampton mark, Cinderella had taken a sizeable lead but Drifter was gaining ground. Some boats understood the mark Classy Lady running downwind and taking advantage and used their motors to avoid having to make a short of the outgoing river current. tack. Equity, who stayed stuck in a truly awful wind continued on page 8 4 October 2009 Issue 8 Choate Island - Another View of Essex Story and Photos by Homer Shannon

Choate Island 120’ high shown on chart 13279 as “Choate Island and “Choate Island Channel”, other charts show “Hog Island Channel”.

his past Labor Day weekend several AYC boats were Castle Neck River. It passes a large barn then crosses Tanchored in the Essex River. Sunday the weather over a small stone bridge onto Choate Island1.The trail turned cool with a strong northeast breeze. It was not a continues west past the cape-style shepherd’s house. great beach day. One of the group suggested that they all Here the trail forks.The main trail continues on to the take a hike over on Hog Island. Or is that Choate Island? Choate house and up the hill. If you take a right, past the Does it have public access? Where do you land? Was right side of the shepherd’s house, you will enter a deep there a fee? It was decided that the only way to know for sure was to dinghy over and check it out. So Peter Mertinooke along with Homer and Dee Shannon headed over to find out what they could about the island. The landing for the island is upstream from the anchor- age behind Crane Beach on Long Island.There is a dock and plenty of space to beach dinghies and kayaks.A sign placed by The Trustee’s of Reservation quickly answered many questions.The island is part of the Castle Hill Wildlife Reservation. It is open to the public from 0800 to 1600 hours. No motorized vehicles are allowed and there are 3.5 miles of hiking trails. The sign also con- tained warnings about poison ivy, ticks and mosquitoes. For the visitors from the AYC, who had been to many New England islands, this last part was not news. The island is an excellent place for walking.The trails are well graded and dry.The main path leads from the land- Shepherd’s Cottage ing on Long Island and goes about a half-mile along the

continued on page 6 5 October 2009 Issue 8

Choate Island continued from page 8 spruce forest which will take you up the back side of the hill to the summit.These two trails form a loop that goes over and around the hill. One of the prominent features of the island is the Choate House.The building is the second home built by the Choate family in the area. John Choate, the original owner, immigrated from England to the (then called) Chebacco area around 1640.The original homestead is now gone; the current house was built by descendant Thomas Choate in 1725.The house is commonly called the “Governor’s House” due to Thomas Choate’s political activities and large land holdings.Around 1910 the prop- erty was purchased by Richard T.Crane Jr., the magnate of Crane Plumbing.The purchase included Castle Hill and Choate Road Ipswich Beach, now commonly known as Crane Beach. In 1919 Mrs. Crane supervised numerous renovations and upgrades to the home which are well documented in the publication Old-Time New England, Volume 11-12.2 The house is also well known as the film site for a film adaptation of an play by the same name. Past the Choate House the trail turns up the hill through a meadow overgrown with milkweed plants.The milk- weed is home to many monarch larva who’s chrysalises hang from the clapboards and eaves of the Choate House.The trail climbs to the summit which has an elevation of around 120 feet.The summit is cleared and a grassy lawn is maintained along with the Choate family cemetery and the burial place of Cornelius3 and Mine Crane.The 70-foot spruce trees bordering the meadow add to the apparent height of the hill and the clearing Choate Meadow for the cemetery gives the hill its distinctive notched appearance. The view from the summit is wonderful.To the south the view extends from Crane Beach across with all of Essex Bay in full view.To the north a narrower view includes the entrance to Plum Island Sound and a section of Ipswich Bay. Far to the north, Mount Agamenticus stands prominently on the horizon. It is as lovely a spot as you can find along this part of the coast. A Choate Island visit is highly recommended to any cruisers staying in the Essex River. Its trails provide an alternative to walking the sands of Crane Beach. Its views enchant and will provide a useful visual aid to anyone planning to navigate the shallows of inner Essex Bay.The historic Choate House is worth careful examination. Plan a visit

continued on page 7 Long Island Meadow

6 October 2009 Issue 8 2009 AYC Sailing School Report submitted by Sure Manzi The American Yacht Club runs the Newburyport Sailing Program each summer.This year we had 81 children and 14 adults participating in the sailing school program.The down economy may have contributed to a decline in par- ticipation but it was only a decrease of 9 students from 2008.The total income for 2009 was $24,917 with a decrease of $2,223 from 2008. In June, our two instructors attended the US Sailing School Training Course to obtain their certification.Along with that cost and the staff payroll for the eight weeks of sessions, the total expenses were $11,335 giving us a profit of $13,582. Our expenses were limited this year as all equipment was in good shape and there were no major purchases. Dan Streeter, our volunteer maintenance person, did need to make repairs to one of the boats in July. We have an excellent training staff consisting of Andrew Spang, Head Instructor;Will Culver, Instructor and two Junior Assistants, Neil Hallock and Justin Krusemark as well as our special school mascot,Tommy Gynan.This team conducted an outstanding program for all the stu- dents with the last two weeks including the Racing Skills participated have all had several years of sailing in our training using lasers loaned to us by club members. regular program. It is very special to provide them with the opportunity of learning skills that may bring them I would like to acknowledge a special thanks to Dan into the club someday as future racers or members. Streeter, Clif and Phil Robinson, Bill and Tommy Gynan and Keith MacLean for their donation of the use of their Respectfully submitted, lasers for our racing skills program.The six students who Sue Manzi

Protected and overseen by The Trustees of Reservations, people can now cruise to continued from page 8 Choate Island Choate Island, also known as Hog Island, to view the and his- Notes: toric Choate Farm and experience an abundance nature, sightseeing and bird watching. 1. Choate Island has been know as Hog Island for most of recorded history but A bird-watcher's delight, Choate Island is the major landscape feature of the name was recently changed by the the more than 700 acres of islands, salt marsh and sand dunes that compose the Trustees of Reservations to more accu- Cornelius and Mine S. Crane Wildlife Refuge located in the Essex Bay estuary. The rately reflect the historic ownership of the abundant plant, fish and invertebrate food attracts many different species of birds, island. including sandpipers, plovers, terns, heron, egrets and songbirds. 2. Search Google Books under Richard T. Some of the island's distinguishing features are the dark spruce forest, planted in the Crane, Choate 1930s, which can easily be seen by boat, and the Choate House, an architectural won- der built by the Choate family, who inhabited the island for 300 years, sometime 3. Cornelius T. Crane (1905-1962), son of around 1730. It has stayed virtually intact for more than 250 years. Richard T. Crane source: http://www.essexheritage.org/sites/hog_island.shtml, http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/northeast-ma/crane-wildlife-refuge-on- the.html

7 October 2009 Issue 8

AYC Christmas Open House Saturday, December 5, 2009 The Unger Residence 12 Maple St. West Newbury, MA 6:00- Midnight No matter what the weather Come join us for some light appetizers and desserts Laser racing hosts a strong fleet at the AYC. Jim Raycroft photo.

Cruisers Race continued from page 4 hole, motored to the mark. The last leg required a man-overboard drill: drop a life jacket, come about, and pick it up under sail.All the boats performed the task without major incident. Cinderella was first back to the starting point.The anchor was quickly dropped, the required row around the boat performed and the time was logged at 1430hrs. Amazingly, all the other finishing boats arrived within the next ten minutes. Unfortunately two boats did not finish the race. Unknown to the racers, Steve Ostrander aboard Drifter, was having chest pains.These became more serious and in the final leg Drifter dropped out of the race and began motoring back to Newburyport. Bill Brunet aboard Felix recognized what was happening and dropped out of the race to escort Drifter. Discussions on the VHF followed and it was advised that the Coast Guard be notified so that a faster boat could bring Steve to shore more quickly.A Coast Guard vessel met Drifter outside of the Merrimack River and Steve was taken to the Plum Island landing and then on to the hospital by ambulance. Fortunately, Steve is OK.A special thank you goes to Bill Brunet for dropping out of the race and assisting Steve. In the final tally, Swamp Fox won the race based on an adjusted score that awarded boats having children under 10 years old aboard – they had two. It had been a lot of fun and all agreed that this is a race format worth running again.Tweaks to the rules are being considered and plans will be made to have a second race in 2010. Felix goes to weather

8 October 2009 Issue 8 2009 Chilifest/Apple Pie Cook-off! submitted by Jim Grenier

Even though I fretted over having enough entries for chili category for 2009 are: Gail Sears, first; Joe Stone, chilis and pies, I shouldn’t have.Though AYC members second; Mary Wilson, third; and Shannon Hewey, fourth. aren’t anxious to pre-enter, plenty of great food always The apple pies are judged by a panel of winners or sub- comes through the clubhouse doors when we host an stitutes from the chili winners.The pie winners are: Activities event. Nancy Cornell, first; myself, second; and Betty Neumyer, On Wednesday, September 9, 65 members and guests third.A special award was given to Maya Gastman for the crammed the clubhouse for the 4th annual AYC Chilifest, best pie by a child under the age of 12. Nice job Maya! and sampled some of the best chilis and pies ever.The This was Nancy Cornell’s second consecutive win for room was warmed from the wood flames in the fireplace, her apple pie. and the many smiles that arrived with the members. All top winners received ribbons and small gifts, and the There were 7 entered chilis and 9 apple pies.As always top winners will have their names engraved on plaques most of the chilis were demolished before the evening that hang on the walls of the AYC. ended. and only one or two slices of pie were left on the tables after everyone had their fill. Hosted by Gary Gastman, Phil and Pamela Marshall, and Jim Grenier Chilis are judged by popular vote.The top winners in the

Mexican Night Lyn Grenier photos

Barges? We don’t need no stinking barges!

or some reason, every year Mexican Potluck brings out Fthe hombre in us all.This year attendance was excellent and the table was filled with fantastic ethnic fare.About 45 people attended this annual event. Rob Brun hosted. Rob Brun “Tengo un pimiento en la lengua!”

9 October 2009 Issue 8 Chet Young Regatta

Joyce Stoehr photo Joyce Stoehr photo

Joyce Stoehr photo Joyce Stoehr photo

Homer Shannon photo

his year’s Chet Young Regatta made for an exciting Trace with plenty of wind, high spirits and competitive seamanship.What else need be said about a race where one boat picked up a lobster buoy on its deck stanchion? continued on page 11 Homer Shannon photo 10 October 2009 Issue 8

Chet Young continued from page 10

Homer Shannon photo Homer Shannon photo

Homer Shannon photo Joyce Stoehr photo

Joyce Stoehr photo Joyce Stoehr photo Joyce Stoehr photo

Joyce Stoehr photo Joyce Stoehr photo

11 October 2009 Issue 8 Laser Racing photos by Jim Raycroft

Nominating Committee 2010 Slate of Officers Submitted by Jim Grenier, Committee Member

The Nominating Committee has been meeting to We encourage members to volunteer if they feel select candidates for the various committees and they can contribute their time and talents to any of open positions for our 2010 operating year. Before the open positions. the committee finalizes its selections, we would We also need members to provide feedback on very much like to hear from you with your thoughts existing officers or committee members. This feed- and opinions as to candidates you would like to see back can be positive or negative which will be used installed as officers and committee members. by the Nominating Committee to formulate next There are several open positions for Secretary, years slate of officers. Rear Commodore and Executive Committee at Large, Membership Committee, Audit Committee If you have input please contact any member of the and Regatta Committee. Nominating Committee. There are some positions that have become vacant Respectfully submitted by the 2009 Nominating due to standard rotation, and other openings are a Committee: Dan Streeter, P/C John Bouchard, P/C result of members moving on. In both cases the Clif Robinson, Paul Morin, Jim Grenier, Gordon AYC constitution calls for all positions to be filled Bailey (standby) and voted on at the annual meeting.

12 October 2009 Issue 8 Closing Day Work Party submitted by Jim Grenier

13 FIRST CLASS The American Yacht Club MAIL P.O. Box 1360 US POSTAGE Newburyport, MA 01950 PAID Topsfield MA Permit 325

October 2009 Issue 8

Jim Raycroft photo American Yacht Club P.O. Box 1360 Newburyport MA 01950 Organized 1885, Incorporated 1890 Please send all digital* Sailorgram submissions to [email protected] Send all physical** Sailorgram submissions to: Jim Grenier, 5 Folly Mill Road, Salisbury, MA 01952 Due date is the 5th of each month. Sailorgram will only be published when there is enough material to warrant it. *Copy submissions must be in .txt, .rtf, or .doc format; image formats must be .jpg, .gif, or .tif; images should be min. 150 dpi at 5x7 size. ** All written matter must be typewritten; images can be photos, drawings, or other flat art- work. Artwork can only be returned if provided with a self-addressed and stamped envelope.

Errata and Omissions The Sailorgram apologizes in advance for any errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, or the accuracy of identifications. Sailorgram articles are the sole responsibility of the author, including stated facts, opinions, commentary, and humor. We include as many submissions as possible and may, due to space limitations, choose to omit or delay certain submissions for later issues. In other words, the Sailorgram takes responsibility for hardly anything.