Our 30th Season
The Official Newsletter of The Sailing Club, Inc. http://www.TheSailingClub.org Volume 22, Number 1 March 2013
Beau ful Belize Pickin’ and Shuckin’ in Maryland 2013 Preview Roughing it on the second largest barrier Three boats return to Tilghman Island Day A sneak reef: two for some tasty peek at the boats explore seafood and itinerary Belize’s Cays. breezy sailing. for the 2013 sailing Page 1 Page 7 season. Page 11
Caribbean Escape: You Betta’ Belize It!
By Julio Menendez After the uneventful but nonetheless white-knuckle Day 1, Monday, February 18th trip on a commuter plane Most sailors arrived at Placencia airport in from Belize City to Placen- groups throughout the day. Several arrived a cia, skippers and first mates day or more earlier, including Bob DuBois were given a thorough chart and Sally Harrison who spent several days and navigation review by scuba diving before we embarked. Diego, the assistant manager at the Sunsail base. We then boarded our two Lagoon 384s, Luna Sea with Skip- per Mia McCroskey and First Mate Bob Rainey, and Lovely Cruise with The Sunsail Belize fleet Skipper Julio Menendez (sans his suitcase lost between Houston ing we taxied to the Mayan Grill where and Belize City) and First Mate Bruce many of us started our delicious Belizean Gollob. Boat check outs were conducted meal with amazing conch ceviche. by skippers and mates while the crew organized and stored provisions, includ- Day 2, Tuesday, February 19th ing two large watermelons, about ten After an early boat checkout by Sunsail and papayas, and -- at least on Luna Sea -- a hearty breakfast, we hung around waiting twenty four cucumbers and more celery than anyone cared to count. That even- (ConƟnued on page 2) Luna Sea’s cucumber inventory 1 T H E S A I L I N G C L U B
trust. Then they dropped their anchor as cays and some coral heads, so lookouts on … Belize well. We settled in to swimming, cocktails, the bow were required. The first squall and a relaxing dinner on board. While Lovely passed as Luna Sea approached the entrance Cruise’s galley (ConƟnued from page 1) crew opted to grill for Julio’s luggage, which United Airlines steaks, Luna had found. It was delivered to the marina Sea’s grill was around 11:30 a.m., by which time various fired up to crew had disappeared on invented errands, cook ham- so we set departure for 12:30. burgers that were sup- Our destination was Wippari Cay, about posed to sixteen nautical miles away. We motored have been through the very shallow Placencia lagoon, for lunch. navigating from Sunsail-provided waypoint to waypoint as the depth gauges registered 0 Day 3, feet depth. What a relief when the water got Wednesday, thicker and we could raise sails! While un- February 20th derway, crew Jim Pierson asked skipper Mia Lovely Cruise what flora and fauna were to be found at was up early their first destination. Without missing a for bacon Carole, Randy, Bobby, Sally, and Julio on South Water Cay beat she told him of aquatic camels and and eggs while Luna Sea’s crew toasted ba- to the pass through the Cays of Blue elephants. gels over the stove and ate fresh papaya. Ground Range. Skipper Mia relieved Cherie Both boats enjoyed a beautiful sail to our Some went for a snorkel off the South side Comley, who was soaked, on the helm, and destination, arriving around 4:00 despite of Wippari Cay and found beautiful coral pointed the bow into the channel. Auxiliary Sunsail’s admonition to drop the hook by and colorful fish, but no camels. Our desti- crew Asa Coston and Jim Pierson were 3:30. Following Diego’s instructions, Luna nation was South Water Cay, about twenty- summoned from the salon to take up posi- Sea set two anchors while Lovely Cruise took two nautical miles away. We departed with the mooring that Diego had said not to fifteen- to twenty-knot winds and one reef (conƟnued on page 3) in the main sail. Part way we were hit with a strong rain squall and 30-knot wind gusts, which made The Official Newsletter of The Sailing Club, Inc. for very exhilarating 19 Manor House Drive, Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522 sailing and a wet helmsperson. In the The Sailing Club Board lead, Luna Sea’s three Officers Commodore Mary Ann Gordon deck crew put on life Vice-Commodore Bob Rainey jackets while the rest Membership Secretary Clara Matjeka fled to the salon and Treasurer Bruce Gollob Charter Liaison Jim Hills shut the door and Past Commodore Mia McCroskey hatches. Members at Large The last portion of John Foord, Henry Gibson, Steve Krakauer, Art Schlett, Larry Sherwood, Cecilia Sweeney the course to the destination had to be Please send all newsletter submissions to: made under power Mia McCroskey 19 Manor House Drive, K12, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 and between small Lovely Cruise’s fruit pantry [email protected]
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… Belize
(ConƟnued from page 2) tions forward on the pontoons to watch for shallows. This was a nearly impossible job given the cloud cover and choppy water surface. Mia followed the dog-leg channel primarily by monitoring the depth gauge but also based on advice from up forward and waypoints from the chart entered into mate Bob Rainey’s GPS. They had made the last turn and were heading for South Water Cay when the second squall hit. And that’s just when Lovely Cruise entered the Blue Ground Range channel. Visibility was cut to almost nothing. They hovered in place in the driving rain and wind gusts for South Water Cay’s coral garden about twenty minutes until some visibility ner was arranged for both boats at a Dive while Luna Sea’s crew opted to swim from returned. Their two lookouts, Sally Harrison Camp that evening. where the big boats were anchored. A cou- and Randy Hove, were totally drenched and ple of stragglers were yelled at by a local cold, but did a super job of keeping them Day 4, Thursday, February 21st boatman who told them they should not from the hazards. We decided to stay at South Water Cay for After arriving around 4:00 both boats set another night since we had not had a two anchors, expecting ESE winds of 20 to chance to explore the island, which is right 25 knots. A nice, albeit pricey, lobster din- on the barrier reef. After breakfast, both crews proceeded to jump in the dinghies and go snorkeling and exploring the island. Jim was still looking for the camels. Instead, great snorkeling was found around a small cay off the South side of South Water Cay, right in South Water Cut. After lunch aboard, crews resumed the snorkeling, ex- ploring, drinking, and overall relaxation. Aboard Luna Sea Mia’s brand new, custom woven hammock made its first appearance. Dinner was on board, with grilled fish and rice aboard Lovely Cruise and one of Mia’s pasta creations aboard Luna Sea.
Day 5, Friday, February 22nd
After an early rise and some swimming, we Portraitist John departed at 10:00 for a short sail to the swim there, as the locals expect to be able South side of Tobacco Pass for some, as it to zoom back and forth unobstructed. After turned out, not so good snorkeling. The exploring the vast, shallow, sandy bottom crew of Lovely Cruise dinghied in and an- (ConƟnued on page 5) Regal trigger fish chored close to the back side of the reef
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Our 30th Season! Annual Mee ng and Buffet Dinner Friday, March 22 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Somerset Hills Hotel 200 Liberty Corner Road Warren, New Jersey $45 per person paid advance reserva on (by March 18) $55 at the door (limited availability)
Dinner Menu Tri‐Color Baby Greens Chicken Francaise Alaskan Salmon Sliced Roasted Sirloin Assorted Desserts
Please join us for a wonderful evening as we launch the 2013 sailing season. The fun begins with cocktails (cash bar) and a chance to talk with trip leaders about this year’s adventures. A er a short business mee ng during dinner, each trip leader will wow you with a presenta on. Throughout the evening there will be drawings for door prizes and we’ll honor certain Club members whose contribu‐ on over the last year — or longer — was excep onal. Visit the Club web site to download and print the reserva on form: h p://www.thesailingclub.org/events/annual_mtg/annual_mee ng.pdf
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Day 6, Saturday, February 23rd. she telephoned a physician and made an … Belize appointment for John. First thing in the Luna Sea crew member John had experi- morning, John, Jim, Bruce, Corry, and enced a couple of set-backs right before the Randy caught the market boat to town. trip: his house caught fire, and a fall resulted (ConƟnued from page 3) Bob, Sally, Carole, and Mia worked with in a head injury that required staples in his Chris to book a two-tank scuba dive back scalp. He had left management of house studded with a few coral heads and colorful out on the barrier reef where we’d been the fish, it was time to get going. previous couple of days. The For Lovely Cruise’s crew, trying rest of the crew explored the to get back in the dinghy after resort and indulged in some snorkeling was not very pretty, basic R and R. It was a glorious with lots of pushing and pull- day with a steady cooling breeze. ing and arms and legs flapping The divers returned with tales of and flopping onto the dinghy. more glorious coral and fishes. This made Luna Sea’s decision John returned with his staples to swim look not so dumb after stored in a locally woven basket all. They gathered their crew -- a gift for Janet. That night together for a group passage some crew went back to the back -- figuring a larger group resort for dinner while the rest would be more obvious to the ate aboard. speed-crazy locals. Day 7, Sunday, February 24th After a short lunch, Lovely The morning dawned dead calm Cruise had a lovely sail under The Thatch Cay dive party on a decompression stop and very hot so we motored to jib alone to the next destina- Lagoon Cay where Luna Sea dropped an- tion. Luna Sea hauled the anchor and set the repair to his stalwart wife Janet, but for re- chors on a very hilly bottom and Lovely jib, then the galley crew went to work mak- moval of the staples he needed Belizean Cruise picked up the only mooring. We ing sandwiches for all. John got out his wa- medical assistance. Chris, the manager of promptly jumped into the water to cool tercolors and began painting portraits of Thatch Cay Resort, became his aide and down and then explored by dinghy. Rumor each crew member. While the evening’s guide in this endeavor. The resort’s market has it that the local manatees like this pro- destination was just a few miles away, shal- boat was already planning to make two tected lagoon that is almost entirely en- lows studded with coral heads re- closed by mangrove -- the “cay” has quired that they sail two or three no solid ground. No manatees were times the distance, first northwest, found -- nor aquatic camels -- just then back south, to get to the west- calm water, wading birds, starfish, and ern side of Thatch Cay. Although bugs. Some good snorkeling was the briefing, chart, and cruising found north of the cay with beautiful guide spoke of moorings here, the corals, lobsters, star fish, and a couple only one present was small and of barracuda. suspect. Both boats dropped two That afternoon, the crew of Lovely anchors. Cruise hosted the Luna Seas for some Although Thatch Cay is a private libations and snacks. Everyone had a resort, we were all welcomed to a great time and enough snacks were buffet dinner of BBQ Chicken and consumed that the Lovely Cruisers Fish Ceviche, both delicious. Before skipped dinner. The Luna Seas re- John makes new friends on the way to Dangriga dinner we had cocktails on board turned to their boat and grilled the round trips to Dangriga on the mainland. while watching a beautiful sunset, followed steaks that they’d left marinating in papaya John and any companions who cared to by cocktails at the resort’s Starfish Bar built and onion. were welcome to ride over in the morning on stilts over an enclosed lagoon. and back in the afternoon. But beyond that, (ConƟnued on page 6)
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boats. Lots of peli- … Belize cans diving for fish also added to the (ConƟnued from page 5) beauty of the place. Day 8, Monday, February 25th Swimming over their anchors, Luna Since we’d learned at the chart briefing that Queen Cay has been Sea’s skipper and designated an off-limits marine preserve, we changed our planned mate were dis- itinerary. Off to mayed to find the Hatchet Cay -- recom- primary anchor mended by Diego in lying on its side on the briefing -- we some coral. Mia Thatch Cay Resort’s Starfish Bar went. This cay turned free dove several times to haul it onto an adjacent sandy spot. Then out to be the jewel of she dove on the secondary anchor, digging its flukes deeper into the our trip. Tiny and with sand where it had landed. a very small resort ashore, it offered the The resort bar was offering lion fish Ceviche, so crew from both best snorkeling of the boats decided to go for cocktails and appetizers and a terrific sun- (ConƟnued on page 10) trip, and right off the Lunch aboard Lovely Cruise Commodore’s Corner
As I near the completion of my two year term as Commodore, I realize not only how quickly time flies, but also what a learning experience this was for me. I am grateful to the extraordinary team of folks that make up The Sail- ing Club Board of Trustees. Their support, help, and humor has made the experience one I will always cherish. Thanks to all those I served with for their hard work, time, and thoughtful insight to the issues we addressed monthly. When I took over the job of Commodore in 2011, I stated that in addition to the usual duties, my specific concern was to increase membership. I requested all members’ help in doing that. And you all got the word out! Thanks to all of you who told a friend about a trip, extended an invitation to a co-worker, or brought someone to a Meet & Greet. Julie Zuk and Steve Krakauer kept the Club’s webpage up to date and interesting. Jim Hills put some of our social events up on the Meet-Up page and we had a great response. Our trip leaders planned and executed interest- ing trips to exciting locales, creating buzz all over the internet. Thanks to everyone’s efforts I am proud to say that we increased membership over these last two years by 32; 20 of those in 2012! It is my hope that the Club will continue to grow and change, but will also hold fast to the core principles of our club: Volunteer organization Safety first Dedicated to bareboat charter sailing Open to all who enjoy or would like to try the fun and adventure of sailing For everyone to have a good time along the way See you on the water! — Mary Ann Gordon 6 T H E S A I L I N G C L U B
Tilghman Island 2012 Oysters, Crabs, and Great Fall Sailing
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CPR and First Aid: Spend a Day to Save a Life The Safety Committee is pleased to sponsor CPR/AED and Basic First Aid training. These invaluable skills are proven to save lives and are an asset for every sailor, both on the water and in every day life. Saturday, April 13 CPR/AED 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Basic First Aid 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. AHA Instructor: Bob Rainey Whitehouse Rescue Squad 269 Main Street Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, 08889 Squad telephone: 908-534-2509 Instructor Cell Phone: 908-872-9101 The Whitehouse Station ZIP code is in Readington Township. Main Street is also called Hunter- don County Rt 523. The squad is about 300 feet south of the grade level railroad crossing. The building is set back from the street. Map: http://mapq.st/ecENGV Certifications are valid for two years. If you are a refresh student and have a previous expiring CPR or Basic First Aid card, bring it. You also do not need to order the student manuals. First time students need the book(s).
Visit the Club website to download the registration form. Must be received by April 1, 2013.
http://www.thesailingclub.org/training/firstaid.pdf
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2013 Sailing Adventures Reservations for our 2013 trips will open at the Annual Dinner on March 22; here’s a preview of what you can plan on this summer.
On the Water Training San Francisco Bay and The America’s Cup
May 18 - 19 September 15 - 22 Homeport: Havre de Grace, Maryland Homeport: Sausalito or Alameda, California Your chance to get back on the water and prac- We’ve timed this trip in conjunction with the tice your boat handling and sailing skills. last week of racing in the America’s Cup finals. That means we are very likely to spend at least St. Michael and the Chesapeake Bay one day as part of the spectator fleet watching the pros maneuver those huge, expensive boats June 15 - 17 around a watery race course. But what about the Homeport: Rock Hall, Maryland rest of the days? How about Angel Island, Berkeley, and the gem of the Bay, San Francisco June on the Chesapeake offers a little bit of eve- itself? We’re lucky to have two 41-foot Hunters rything: fresh breezes for sailing, a raft-up party, for this unique opportunity. a night in a marina, and time to visit historic St. Michaels, home of the Chesapeake Bay Mari- This trip is already open for reservations due to time Museum. an early charter company cancellation policy. Visit The Sailing Club web site for more infor- NY Harbor Daysail mation (www.thesailingclub.org/trips/).
August 17 Homeport: Jersey City, New Jersey True North Sailing School will provide us with skippered J-24s for a fun afternoon of sailing in New York Harbor. No northeastern sailor can claim that title before experiencing this busy wa- terway first hand. Bring a camera and your en- thusiasm for an active day of small boat sailing.
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been tied the night before. Luna Sea’s skipper used the boat’s two … Belize engines to spin the boat and successfully unwind the two anchor rodes before they hauled them. The ropes and chains of both an- chors followed a twisted path over the bottom in between the coral (ConƟnued from page 6) heads. The GPS tracks show quite a dance as the boat twisted and turned at the direction of those hauling the rode in. Since all but one sailor were interested in taking the eco tour of Monkey River, we again decided to change the itinerary to anchor at No Name Point, closest safe harbor to Monkey River Town. We set off under power, with Luna Sea making a fairly straight course across some shallow spots while Lovely Cruise chose a more souther- ly course with deeper water. Luna Sea’s crew kept testing the light air, and about mid-day found enough in roughly the right direction to shut off the motor and go for it. Tacking twice to keep the keels in deeper water, they sailed the rest of the way to the mainland on a perfect course for Monkey Point, arriving just before the loosely observed 3:30 curfew. Lovely Cruise also found some sailing in be- tween the motoring, getting to No Name point in mid-afternoon.
Bathing au saline set. On the way back to the boats, Lovely Cruise’s skipper decided to show off by stepping into the dinghy from the dock. He proceeded to fall on his face with nothing more than his pride hurt. Once back on the boat, however, he realized that his watch was gone and must have broken from his wrist during the fall. Dinner was on board with an early bed time. That night the wind shifted and crew on both boats were up often to monitor their position relative to shore and the other boats. Fortunately, anchors held. Unfortunate- ly, Luna Sea’s two rodes twisted around one another.
Day 9, Tuesday, February 26th Another hot, calm day with one last destination to reach before the end of the trip. But first, Lovely Cruise’s skipper decided to go search for his watch. He found it after a short dive where the dinghy had Local boat at Wippary Cay We found a very protected anchorage in very shallow water. It was totally surrounded by mangroves, which should have given us a clue about what was to come. With the boat coming to pick us up at 8:00 the next morning for the trip to the river, after swimming, cocktails, and dinner, we retired early to the worst experience of the trip.
Day 10, Wednesday, February 27th We all woke up with numerous bites from no-see-ums and other insects. Even with the usually prohibited, power sucking, cabin fans going, some had had difficulty sleeping since there was no wind and it was very hot. (ConƟnued on page 11) Cherie and Bob handle the helm
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Yoli’s dock bar, which turned out … Belize to be closed. So they walked inland to the Barefoot Beach bar for cock- tails and then had dinner next door (ConƟnued from page 10) at Omar’s Seafood place. Many of us had conch steak in a mild coco- Groggy and scratching, we climbed aboard the tour boat at 8:00 and nut curry sauce with rice and beans proceeded to the river and the tour. Our guide pointed out a variety and some opted to share orders of of birds and found some sleeping bats on the upriver voyage. To a mixed dish of barracuda, conch, some, the adventure had the feel of Disneyland’s jungle cruise, so shrimp, snapper, and grouper in the much so that Mia was expecting the guide to pull a pistol and start same sauce. Before we were firing at hippos wiggling their ears. served, John decided to take a self- Julio’s in charge guided tour of the kitchen where he was welcomed by the staff, About four miles up the river they beached the boat and we disem- busy pounding the conch steaks. It was a great barked for a hike in the jungle to look for meal seasoned with stories of trip experiences. black howler monkeys. Our guides found them lounging high in trees, but no amount of Day 11, Thursday, February 28th tree banging and human howling would con- After a leisurely breakfast, members of both vince them to howl back. At least we did hear crews took the dinghies to town for shopping others vocalizing in the distance. Our guide, and wi-fi use. After lunch, Lovely Cruise hauled who grew up in Monkey River Town, and anchor and made the trip back to Sunsail’s made the jungle his playground, also pointed base. Luna Sea’s crew lingered in the harbor out numerous medicinal and edible plants. On swimming, reading, and napping, waiting to the trip down river, sharp-eyed Asa spotted a hear Lovely Cruise’s radio call to Sunsail that crocodile in the shallows that the guides they were outside the marina before hauling missed. It was so still some of us thought it their own anchor for the last time. The Sunsail just supported the Disney feel of the place. team met each boat outside, putting a pilot We got back to the boats in time for lunch aboard and taking the dinghy away. The crew and then raised anchors for our next destina- were relegated to line handling is the skilled Asa at the helm tion: Placencia harbor. Lovely Cruise motored Belizean parked the wide, unwieldy boats in north and arrived in mid-afternoon, while Luna Sea decided to sail narrow slips cheek by jowl with one another. Everyone spent some for a while. Both time preparing for an early departure the next day. That night, a boats found the group went to a nearby Mexican restaurant, while the rest had a holding ground in must-go dinner and tried (but failed) to drink everything that was the most crowded left from the trip. anchorage of the trip Day 12, Friday, March 1st very difficult, with each crew having to Everyone but Mia, who had decided to stay an extra day to decom- drop the hook sever- press, caught the Tropic Air white knuckle flight to Belize City and al times to make it then back home, where most arrived very late that night or early the stick. The crew of next morning. Lovely Cruise went ashore to explore the town of Placencia Belize is bright gem for sailing and snorkeling. Her people are and make arrange- friendly and polite, and in some cases ready to go above and ments for a group beyond to help a sailor in need. They are proud of their nation, dinner that night. and protective of its resources. This attitude pays off with vast, healthy coral reefs and large, beautiful fish. In all, I believe that a In the early evening, everyone had as fantastic time, and no noticeable mishaps were Never smile at a crocodile both boats met at experienced.
11 C/O Mia McCroskey 19 Manor House Drive, K12 Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
2 0 1 3 S A I L I N G E V E N T S Date Event May 18 - 19 On the Water Training June 15 - 17 Chesapeake Bay and St. Michaels, Maryland August 17 New York Harbor Day Sail September 15 - 22 San Francisco Bay and the America’s Cup October 19 - 21 Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore Inner Harbor
Photographers in this issue: Thanks to Mia McCroskey, Bob DuBois, Corry Grant