Melbourne Yacht Club

MELBOURNE YACHT CLUB March 2012 TELL-TALE http://www.melbourneyachtclub.com Officers and Board Thank you Past Commodore Bob Hughes for getting the Commodore new camera overlooking our harbor up and running! Del Wiese 321-773-4884 Vice Commodore/House Page Proffitt 321-806-0303 Rear Commodore/Fleet Lynde Edwards 321-704-1413 Secretary Pamela Worth 321-501-7336 Treasurer Eric Stord 321-757-0202

Directors Entertainment Jacqueline Cope 321-952-4049 Docks Lean Williams 303-956-6849 Bar & Kitchen Christopher Salmon 321-733-5833 Membership Jim Lacy 321-728-0389 Sailing Education Gary Briand 321-725-8731

Newsletter Editors Text Pete Anderson 321-541-6461 Layout/Historian Ross Herbert 321-757-9231 Layout Rochelle Yates 321-544-3764

TELL-TALE with color photos: Newsletter Archives

INDEX

BEHIND THE BAR ...... 4 BULLETIN BOARD ...... 8 CALENDAR ...... 7 COMMODORE’S LOG ...... 2 DOCKMASTER ...... 4 ENTERTAINMENT ...... 3 FLEET ...... 5 MYC SPRING REGATTA HOUSE ...... 2 Small Boats CRUISING SEASON THOUGHTS ..9/10 MEMBERSHIP ...... 4 April 21 & 22, 2012 PHOTOS ...... 6 Big Boats SAILING EDUCATION ...... 3 April 28 & 29, 2012 Details will be sent out and posted soon.

March 2012 1 Commodore’s Log I am very pleased to report that the board members are really digging in and addressing many issues including those identified by the LRPC. I may be a bit redundant with some of the other reports but let me mention a few (but not all) of the actions in process. Page has a long list of items to be fixed and painted around the House. He calls it his short list which indicates there are other items to be addressed later. Lean is working on getting the inoperative hoist removed and Lynde has the challenging task of identifying possible launching ramp improvements. Lean is also having Jack Leahy inspect the dock pilings for signs of needing replacement. Eric is working with the board members to define the 2012 budget, a very important element of the club management process. Page and I are meeting with the LRPC on March 19 to address planning for improvements to both floors of the Annex. We probably have more things that could be done than we have funds so some projects will likely span multiple years. Rachele and her team are hard at work to compile, print and distribute the new directories.

The spirit of volunteerism is a strength of this club, making it possible to put on events such as the recent La- ser Masters Regatta, and also helping us keep our dues low. While we do very well with volunteering, there is always room for improvement. Please respond when help is requested or even better, talk to any of the board members about what you might do. There are lots of small projects, painting the railing at the side entrance to the bar for example, that only require a few hours of time. A little bit of time from a lot of us can get lots of things done. Get involved, let’s make volunteerism for the club even stronger this year!

The July General Membership meeting is scheduled for 4 July which is not a good idea. I am moving the meeting to Tuesday the 3rd and have changed the date in the online calendar. Del Wiese / Commodore

House As I get into working the house position I have been looking at projects needing to be addressed at the club. I will be having a House Committee meeting set for Tuesday, March 27th. Anyone wanting to contribute, please stop by the club at 6:00 PM for the meeting. Some of the projects we have on the horizon are as follows: *Replacing the fence behind new sign. *Resealing the back deck. *Painting the walls in the great room (possibly more). *Looking into carpet and flooring in the club. *Looking into tables and chairs in the bar area. *Getting a rail for the preserving the bar edge. There are a number of smaller projects also on the list and will get to them in a work day we will plan for the near future. As always our club is a self run organization so we will need your help. Watch your email for times and dates for the projects to get started. We have had the water heater worked on and should be working properly now. We also have had the AC unit for the bathrooms being corrected. I do have a much longer list of projects to get done and would like your input as for projects you see that need to be addressed around the club. You can email me at [email protected] or call me at 321-806-0303. Page Proffitt / Vice Commodore—House

2 March 2012 Entertainment The Entertainment Committee had their first meeting February 11th. In that meeting we were able to work out the Entertainment Calendar for the year. The Summer of Love party is back by popular demand. The date on the calendar is tentative at this time until we receive confirmation from the band. All scheduled events for the year are up on the MYC calendar for viewing. The Commodore’s Ball was a sellout and an elegant event to remember. If you haven’t had the chance yet, please take the time to view some of the photos from this event. We had 120 guests in attendance and the following awards were given out: Jay Moultin Cruising Award – Floyd Bryan Member of the Year Award – Ross Herbert MYC Spirit Award – Jim and Amy Lacy USSA Sportsmanship Award – Dave Noble and Jim Edwards Brenda Lee Shadbolt Memorial Trophy – Dave Nesbitt After Guard Perpetual Trophy – Buzz Mantle Charlotte Tuttle Memorial Award – Joe Blouin Bert McAllister Perpetual Trophy – Dave Nesbitt Mermaid Regatta Overall Trophy – Erin Walters John Drawe’s Low Country Shrimp Boil was a bubblin’ success and a sell out. Unfortunately, we had to turn down some late requests. (RSVP before the deadline for our next party to ensure a seat at the table). We had 120 hungry mouths in attendance to enjoy the fine food and camaraderie. John and his crew were up to the challenge and did a fabulous job with the food and service. Thanks guys! Upcoming Events

TGIF St Patrick’s Day dine in – Friday, March 16. Jacqueline Cope / Entertainment

Sailing Education MYC Sailing Education calendar for adult and youth sessions has been established. The class calendar has been loaded into the MYC Event calendar The Classes are being promoted in print and web media that has historically been used and in some new venues. First adult session will begin April 26. The committee is seeking suggestions for other classes, informational or skills based, that MYC may want to organize or host. Remember to document your and your guest’s use of the club owned boats on the sign-out sheets. Also, be sure to note anything found broken on the sheet posted for that purpose. An email to me at [email protected] would help expedite our repairs where new parts or materials are needed.

Gary Briand / Youth & Sailing Education

March 2012 3 Membership Matt Salatino has been granted Non Resident membership by the board. He will be in the Bahamas’ and then NY, RI, ME and MD starting in March through the spring and summer and then the Caribbean for the winter. Jim Yates has resigned his membership as of Jan. 31, 2012 and plans to begin cruising in April. Carolyn Parker sent a thank you note to the club for granting her Honorary membership. Dr. Sally Sange has written a thank you for granting her parent’s, Ty and Phyllis Harris, Honorary membership. The thank you note is on the bulletin board. Russ and Ellie Handler, sponsored by Paul Anstey and Dick and Linda Tillman, have been granted Provi- sional membership. Please come and introduce yourselves to them. If any member meets someone at the club who seems interested in learning about or joining the club please take some time to tell them about us. In the membership slot at the computer desk are membership information envelopes. Please give them one. Current membership is 153 Resident, 17 Non Resident, Corinthian 20, Honorary 12, Provisional 2 Jim Lacy / Membership Director Docks February was a quiet month for docks. The docks on the whole seem to be taking care of themselves. Nobody reported anything being broken ... so I am sure nothing is. March is going to be a little more busy. It is time to measure the pilings to see if any need to be replaced. Jack and Jacki Leahy will be doing this task, good weather per- mitting, sometime this month. We will also be starting work on removing the broken hoist near the boat ramp. I am hoping to have most of that process completed by the end of the month also. Safe Sailing! Lean Williams / Dockmaster

Behind The Bar Have you wondered why the Key west beer is out? They are moving the plant and increasing the size to keep up with production. Because of this will bring in a Fire Rock so we keep the selection up until Key west is available. For St Patrick's Day your bar is ready and stocked to serve you some St Patrick's Favorites. Let's make sure we all toast the Irish amongst us in the club and have fun bringing out the Irish in all of us.

A very special thank you for all involved in the Entertainment Committee for making this event as successful as it will be. Looking forward to a serving all of you and making sure we make your experience here at the Melbourne Yacht Club satisfying. Thank you very much. Christopher Salmon/Bar & Kitchen

4 March 2012 Fleet The Laser Masters Midwinter East Regatta was a huge success even if the weather didn’t really cooperate (who was supposed to schedule the wind?). John Fox had his hands full with 57 sailors and 40+ volunteers to make it all happen. The term “herding cats” comes to mind, but John and his crew did a great job! First 2 days of little wind, and then too much on Sunday. After a total of 6 races the very experienced sailors (Masters, right?) were happy to be on shore when the really gusty stuff finally showed up. The results are on the website along with hundreds of pictures taken by Ross. Overall it was a good weekend with great food and people. John and I appreciate everyone who helped - Thank you! Wet Sunday racing has been a little extra challenging so far this year, but some hardy souls have braved the elements to have bragging rights at the bar! The race committee job for small boats is running on a volunteer rotation this year – there is a calendar on the notice board to sign up to run the races. It’s great experience and the best place to view the races. Dragon Point Racing is heating up – 15 boats are registered for the co-ed series and 7 in the women’s series. It’s been awhile since the group was so large! If everyone shows up for the same race Gerry will need a longer starting line! Rum Racing has been fun and running smoothly as always under Hasty’s guidance, with just a few weather challenged days. We change back to Friday nights on March 30th –remember that the first couple of races may end in the dark and require lights (that work) on your boats. The Spring Regatta is just around the corner and planning is well under way. The Flyer, NOR’s and Registra- tion Forms are on the website. The small boat weekend (April 21-22) will be run by me and Jim Edwards at Ballard Park. Jim and Becky Henry are organizing the big boat weekend for PHRF class boats, cruisers and of course the ever growing Wine & Cheese Fleet! So, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to not be on a boat at least once during the Spring Regatta! If you want to sail, but don’t have a boat, let me know and we’ll find one that will welcome you! The other side of any regatta is the volunteers that make it possible, most of whom also sail in at least one of the races. If you would like to help out either weekend let me know, many hands make light work! I’d like to make a special invitation to newer members – participating in the regattas is the best way to get to know people. Everyone does a little and we all have a good time! The cruise to Market 21 that was scheduled for March 31 has been moved to May 19-20. The weather should be warmer and hopefully a little less windy than March. I’ll post a flyer soon. We have added another regatta to our line-up this year: The first annual Femme Fatale 420 Regatta, June 9- 10. All women, all competitive fun! The flyer is on the website, NOR to follow. Start practicing! And lastly, maintenance: 1. The LRPC has asked us to address the problems associated with the launching ramp this year, so we will put together a committee soon, starting with the information gathered by the last ramp improvement committee. I will report to you each month on our progress. 2. Jack Bibb has been maintaining the Key Largo and we will fix or replace the gas gauge soon. Thanks Jack! And thanks to all of you who support Fleet and the club throughout the year. Lynde Edwards / Rear Commodore—Fleet Captain

March 2012 5 2012 Commodores Ball - Moonlight Sail

6 March 2012 Mid March—April 2012

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Art group TGIF Happy St. Patrick's Day Light 10am St. Patrick’s Day Day Savings Dine In

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Art MYC Dragon Point Bar Opens at 2PM group TGIF Women’s Race #3 Bar opens at 5:00 10am Rum Race

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MYC Cruise to

Art TGIF Marker 21 Small Boats group Bar opens at 5:00

Bar Opens at 2PM 10am Rum Race

April 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 MYC Dragon Point April FOOLS Membership Art TGIF Race #3 Meeting Rum Race group Bar opens at 5:00

10am 6:30PM Good Friday

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Art TGIF Small Boats group Bar Opens at 2PM Bar opens at 5:00

Happy Easter! 10am Rum Race

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Art TGIF MYC group Bar opens at 5:00 Spring Regatta

10am Small Boats

22 23 24 25 26 27 28/29 Adult Sailing MYC Spring Regatta

Art Class Session TGIF Big Boats MYC group #1 Bar opens at 5:00 Spring Regatta Rum Race 10am Small Boats

March 2012 7 Bulletin Board

INVOICE REMINDER: Please remember to use (and print clearly) the PRI- MARY MEMBER'S LAST NAME on all purchases; Bar Checks, House Checks, Bosun Locker Checks, etc., including member payment personal checks, so bookkeeping errors can be kept to a minimum.

ARTISTS GATHERING Every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM.

The local Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering a boating safety class, “About Boating Safety”, on Saturday, Feb- ruary 25th. The class includes information about boat handling, state and federal regulations, and recom- mended safety equipment. Successful students may qualify for boating education discounts, and will earn their Florida State Boater Education ID Card. Cost for the class is $35, with discounts for families, and includes lunch. If interested, contact Public Education staff officer Grant Ball at 321-727-1500.

Boathouse Discount Marine on US1 by Crane Creek is offering 10% discount to all MYC members. There are discount cards in the Commodore's box at the club or you can identify yourself as a MYC member to the sales person. Thanks to Rick Biron, Boathouse Manager, for making this offer.

March 31st and April 1st are the dates for the Child Abuse Awareness Cruise to Squid Lips and all MYC members are invited to participate. Boats attending will be given a blue pennant to fly from a halyard to show support. Squid Lips will donate 5% of food sales to the Child Abuse Prevention Task Force (CAPTF) during the hours of 4 to 8 pm. Sorry, bar drinks don't count. Like last year, CAPTF will have face painting and someone making balloon animals for the kids. You can dinghy to the dock at Squid Lips, the city dock or beach it on the shore to the south of the restaurant. Last year they were really impressed with the turn out. Let's make this year better than last! thanks, Commodore, Del Wiese

8 March 2012 Cruising Season Thoughts - Protocols and Etiquette on a cruise to the Bahamas This Cruising Thoughts was written by Jacki and Jack Leahy covering thoughts on Protocols and Eti- quette during a Bahamian cruise.

Before you go: To make clearing back to the US easier:

Local Boater Option. Each member of the crew should go to their website or customs office at Melbourne Airport (call before you go 674-5796). They will assign you a number that eliminates the necessity of driving to a Customs Office to do the “face to face”. Have passport in hand! All boats 25’ and larger Must have a DTOPS permit. Go to https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov. $25.00 fee. This should be done on line. With both of these, clearing back in is just a phone call.

If you are bringing a pet with you, go to the Bahamas web site and copy the Application to Import Domestic Animals into the Commonwealth of the Bahamas 2 months before you leave. Mail the completed form to the NASSAU address. (Dept of Agriculture, PO Box N-3028, Nassau, Bahamas) Enclose a $15 MONEY ORDER so they can FAX your Health Certificate back to you. (Bahaman mail is iffy and slow). Do not try to do this while you clear in the Bahamas, unless you clear at an office that has an Agriculture Office in the same build- ing. (read Nassau or Marsh Harbor). They can and do place you and your boat in quarantine and someone other than you has to go to an Agriculture Office and pay the $10 for you! As close as possible to your depar- ture date, have your vet fill out the permit and file it when you clear.

Make sure your passports and boat registrations are up to date. Give the [email protected] eMail address to anyone who might want/need to contact you in an emergency while you are in the Abacos. They will do their best to find you. (They do a great job) Be sure your friends know to include the vessel's name in the subject line. When you get there:

When you enter Bahaman water, display your yellow quarantine flag. The Captain of the boat brings all passports and Bahaman permits to the custom office. (Most offices don’t mind if all passengers tag along, but some (Bimini) do. Make sure you ask for the Fishing Permit and check to see if the days they allot you will cover your planned stay. Boats under 35 feet cost $150, boats 35 and over cost $300. Dinghy's 17’ and over are considered a BOAT and are charged the $150 rate.

VHF Channel 16 is used in the Bahamas by ALL Police and Rescue, as well as all the local Businesses. Be- cause of this, cruisers have started using Channel 68 as an alternative channel to free up 16. Hail other boats on 68 then change to a working channel for conversations.

Do not depend on the Bahaman mail service, use Fed-Ex or DHL. Marinas will hold packages for you.

If you need to have parts flown in, make sure to fax a copy of your Cruising Permit to the company doing the shipping. If they attach a copy to the OUTSIDE of the box, you should escape the 50% duty fee. Remember to have them put the words ”repair parts for a boat in transit” on the box. Marinas will hold packages that are pre- paid. Ask at office.

Always start your day with the Cruisers Net in the Morning. At 8:15 on Channel 68, you will get weather, news, local events and a chance to ask for info/help on any subject you wish.

While listening to the radio, don’t be hesitant to join in if someone is asking for assistance. If you don’t have the answer, you might know who to ask. Sometimes, only a relay is needed. We have taken a very active part in many rescues because of our radio.

Next month we take a look at Navigation and Provisioning. See you then. Continued on Page 10

March 2012 9 Continued from Page 9

Find out what channels are used by local police/rescue. Then stay off them. These people are often working with hand held radios and we walk all over them with our big radios. You can interfere with a rescue.

Keep beach attire at the beach or beach bars. Cover up when going ashore.

When in town, keep your dog on a leash. Local dogs roam free and can be a problem to your dog if you are not in control. Jackson has a tag with our boat name on his leash. Pick up after your pet.

While traveling about in your dingy, it is acceptable to stop by another boat to say “Hi”. A “We love your boat” will often extract a “Come on board to see her better” from her owners. DO IT!!

“Come for Cocktails” is our favorite expression while Cruising. Remember that unless the host says “I have this bottle of wine or I am dying to try a new recipe for punch/Mohitos/etc, you are expected to bring your own booze, mixers and glasses. Bringing an appetizer will insure an invite back and if you have ice to spare, that will make you a preferred boat in any anchorage. Remember to take back all your stuff, including trash. Don’t take your pet with you unless the invitation mentions him by name! Also remember to leave! They didn’t ask you for supper.

Trash is a big problem. Eliminate as much as possible before you leave. (I have this picture in my mind of someone sitting on a potty, trying to eliminate as much as possible. I’ve been at this article too long). Com- press as much as possible. In each location, find out where you can leave trash. DO NOT LEAVE IT ON A DOCK FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO DEAL WITH. If you are heading to the local trash depot, you can really score points by stopping by a friend’s boat and grabbing their trash.

Many times, we have formed a group to go out snorkeling. Remember to ask boats anchored around you that you don’t know. Many people are nervous to go off shore in their small dinghy's but would be happy to go in a group. Have met some of the best people this way.

10 March 2012