the Helmsman Commodore s Corner Mark Brzozowski, Commodore Volume 4, Issue 5 May 2011

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1 the Helmsman MEMBER: UNITED STATES SAILING ASSOCIATION Old Point Comfort Yacht Club P. O. Box Fort Monroe, Virginia CHESAPEAKE BAY YACHT RACING ASSOCIATION CHESAPEAKE BAY YACHT CLUBS ASSOCIATION REGISTER OF AMERICAN YACHT CLUBS Commodore s Corner Mark Brzozowski, Commodore s I write, the last weekend of April split with the first weekend of May promises to be spectacular. Looks like it is going to be a great opportunity to get down to the boat and make final A preparations for what promises to be a great boating season. I think I'll put this winter's PMU acquired knowledge to good use and tackle an overhaul of my winches. We really get the season in full swing on May 7 with Coast Guard Inspections, the Blessing of the Fleet, and Derby Day party. Let's hope the weather cooperates and we can enjoy a great kick-off to the 2011 boating season. See Club News and Cruising Chronicles for all of the details. After a race on May 21st, we'll wrap up the month with the ever popular Memorial Day Weekend Cruise May to Cape Charles. I understand the Rear Commodore, Fleet will be cooking up something special for the occasion so sign up early. On the BRAC fron, we continue in negotiations with the Fort Monroe Authority. The OPCYC board deemed FMA's initial offer for use of the club house to be beyond our means and we are in the process of making a counter proposal. We are continuing to explore alternative options. We will provide the membership with a complete report of the state of play in the June Helmsman. For now I intend to spend a great weekend aboard Damn Yankee. And finally, I wanted to let all of you know that $150 has been donated to the Peninsula Food Bank in memory of Charlotte Wagner. Hope to see you on the water! Volume 4, Issue 5 May 2011 A monthly newsletter for the members of the Old Point Comfort Yacht Club Editor: Carol Morris Tel: (757) Fax: (757) helmsman@opcyc.org Mail: OPCYC P.O. Box Fort Monroe, VA Inside this issue: Commodore s Corner 1 Club News 2 Members Tidbits 2 Cruising Chronicles 3 Due dates for 2011 submissions to the Helmsman Any member can send in an article to helmsman@opcyc.org. Next due date is circled. Jan 2 Jan 30 Feb 27 Mar 27 Apr 27 Jun 1 Jun 26 Jul 31 Aug 28 Sep 25 Oct 30 Nov 30 PMU 4 Racing News 5 Clubhouse Cleanup 1 Clubhouse Cleanup Reminder Scott Peeke 2-May-11 to 8-May-11 David Perkins 9-May-11 to 15-May-11 Louise Pesnicak 16-May-11 to 22-May-11 Thomas Plunkett 23-May-11 to 29-May-11 Charles Prewitt 30-May-11 5-Jun-11 The person responsible for cleanup should follow the instructions on the clean-up checklist located on the bathroom wall nearest the commode. Note: The Club does not have a cleaning service; club members are assigned this chore based on home address. If you are unable or unwilling to help clean up, please let me know, and I will take you off the list. If you have a conflict with the date, please DON'T call me, but swap duty with anyone else on the list. If you need the combination to enter the clubhouse, please call one of the Board Officers Helmsman Editor helmsman@opcyc.org

the Helmsman Page 2 Club News June O Brien, Rear Commodore, Logistics ANNUAL OPCYC KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY SATURDAY, MAY 7 By Rich Payne, Colonel, Commonwealth of Kentucky y now, the annual gathering of

2 the Helmsman Page 2 Club News June O Brien, Rear Commodore, Logistics ANNUAL OPCYC KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY SATURDAY, MAY 7 By Rich Payne, Colonel, Commonwealth of Kentucky y now, the annual gathering of Pointers to watch the Run for the Roses in the clubhouse has become so institutionalized as to B need no introduction or explanation. The first Saturday in May comes early (May 7 this year). Because we are also conducting the Blessing of the Fleet at 2 P.M., and our annual sock burning event (see Cruising Chronicles for full details), we will gather in the Clubhouse for our Derby Day Party at approximately 4:30, with beverages provided by the Club. Members may wish to bring food, but if you do, it will be most appreciated if you use the recipe websites listed below. This event will take full advantage of the Clubhouse s flat screen TV, and the telecast from Churchill Downs will provide information you need to back your favorite horse. Just prior to post time (probably around 6 P.M.), we will sing My Old Kentucky Home, along with the national TV audience and the crowd at Churchill Downs. Then collectively, we ll experience the most exciting two minutes in sport. By 7:00 or 7:30, we ll have toasted the winners, consoled the losers, and the cleanup crew should be in action. Please join us. From its inception the OPCYC Kentucky Derby party has featured authentic Kentucky food provided by selected members, and the food provided is one of the things that gives a Derby party its unique character. The Paynes will bring a good quantity of burgoo and other Kentucky delicacies, but other members are also encouraged to contribute traditional dishes. The websites below provide recipes for traditional Kentucky fare. Some of these websites also sell commercially-prepared Kentucky dishes, if you don t want to bother with cooking. Miscellaneous Appetizers: The Brown Hotel s own recipe for the Louisville Hot Brown Sandwich: Kentucky Burgoo: Members Tidbits Submitted by Paul LaPoint The 9 th Annual Watkins Chesapeake Bay Rendezvous is scheduled for May, 2011, at Compass Marina, Mobjack Bay. Information is available at or by contacting Captain Paul LaPointe at lapoints@bellsouth.net, or Captain James Brewer at W27sail@verizon.net. All prior, current and future Watkins owners and/or sailors are welcome.

3 the Helmsman Page 3 Cruising Chronicles John Pence, Rear Commodore, Fleet t here!! Boating Season has officially arrived!! May 7th promised to be a day jam-packed with activity. I First, Coast Guard Courtesy inspections are now scheduled starting around 10AM at Old Point Comfort Marina. Owners should be available during the inspection to unlock/secure your yacht and to receive inspection results. It takes about 30 minutes to inspect a yacht. Next, the traditional Blessing of the Fleet in Mill Creek at approximately 2 P.M.. Afterwards, other Spring traditions will also be kept with the burning of the socks on the beach signally the definite kick-off of boating season. Then join us for Derby Day celebrations and the run for the Roses to follow at approximately 4:30 P.M. Bottom line: Show up with your boat to be blessed, old socks to be ceremonially burned on the beach, and an appetite for all things Kentucky. We could all use some fun about now and this sounds like a fun day. Details: The annual Blessing of the Fleet is open to all, not just OPCYC members. The Blessing will take place on Saturday May 7th, at 2 P.M. as yachts pass by the Commodore Mark Brzozowski s Catalina 42, Damn Yankee, anchored in front of the Old Point Comfort Marina in Mill Creek, weather permitting. If the weather is sour that day, or you wish, you may have your boat blessed at the dock. In any case, we will end the day with our traditional Derby Day Celebration. Sign-up today at Club members, who do not keep their boats at the OPC MARINA and need a transient slip for the day or overnight, please contact the marina office ( ). Identify yourself as a club member. The marina has to know in advance in order to accommodate transient yachts. MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MAY 28 30, 2011 oin us for our summer kick-off cruise to Cape Charles over the Memorial Day Weekend. This year promises to be nicer than ever J before with the installation of 40-plus new floating docks and new bathhouse at the City Marina. It s always a first class adventure and great fun to cross the Bay and explore the Eastern Shore. It is not too early to contact Smitty (William) Dize, the Harbor Master for reservations by calling (757) , or at harbormaster@capecharles.org. Adventure waits. Let s go! Sign-up today at opcyc.org/?q=node/529 For additional information contact: John Pence Rear Commodore Fleet jpence6188@aol.com m/v Island Time Ron Leta Fleet Captain ronwleta@gmail.com s/v To be Named!!!

the Helmsman Page 4 Pointer Maritime University Jeff Rogers, Rear Commodore, Training Dick Beaver, Training Captain Wild Nights! Wild Nights! Were I with thee, Wild Nights should be Our luxury!

- Emily Dickinson I m not quite sure I understand what she was saying, but it sounds a little like Spring Break, so if that s true, then it s appropriate for the season.

4 the Helmsman Page 4 Pointer Maritime University Jeff Rogers, Rear Commodore, Training Dick Beaver, Training Captain Wild Nights! Wild Nights! Were I with thee, Wild Nights should be Our luxury! Rowing in Eden! Ah! the sea! Might I but moor To-night in Thee! Futile the winds To a heart in port, -- Done with the compass, Done with the chart! - Emily Dickinson I m not quite sure I understand what she was saying, but it sounds a little like Spring Break, so if that s true, then it s appropriate for the season. April at PMU: Joan Conover gave us a great class on offshore weather, how to get weather forecasts, how to plan routings based on the forecasts, and a little on the practical consequences of heeding or failing to heed the forecasts, her part in the Haiti relief effort AAE (Association Amis des Enfants de l'isle de Gonave, or Friends of the Children on Gonave Island ) and her efforts to assist sailors in Fiji during the tsunami. Capt. Herb Gordon came to tell us how to catch fish in the Bay. His program The Weekend Fisherman airs Saturdays at 5:30 AM on WTVZ-myTVZ 33 or COX 2, and Sundays at 10 AM on Cox channel 11. During the class, we found out that he doesn t even like to eat fish! But he has lots of great recipes on his Web site, courtesy of many local restaurants. PMU Statistics for Spring 2011: Well, it has been a great Spring Semester at PMU, but it s over. We had 115 different people attend at least one class, and a total of 1,167 student-hours over the 16 different subjects we covered in 13 class days. Six people each attended more than 30 hours of training this spring, garnering Honor Graduate status; eighteen more students each attended more than 20 hours of training, and seventeen more students attended more than 10 hours of training. These are your dedicated students. We also (as usual) had some students that attended just one or two classes presumably the only ones that they were interested in. But all of them will probably agree that the course was well worth the price they paid to attend. Next year, we may double the tuition! See you in the classroom and on the water!

the Helmsman Page 5 he first race of the season is under our belts. Four Boats made it out to the starting line.

Jim Beaudry on Black Dog finished first in cruising and Jeff Rogers on Halaha finished first in Non-spin followed by Mark Wolfe on OBS.

The month of June will bring two club races, Southern Bay Race Week and the Race to Cock Island. We hope to see you out at as many of these events as you can make.

5 the Helmsman Page 5 he first race of the season is under our belts. Four Boats made it out to the starting line. The race started in knots of wind T which looked like it would provide a great day of sailing. By the end of the race, the wind had built and we were putting in reefs to keep our boats upright. Jim Beaudry on Black Dog finished first in cruising and Jeff Rogers on Halaha finished first in Non-spin followed by Mark Wolfe on OBS. By the time this is published, the Azalea Festival Race will be on the books. Next Club race will be May 21. The month of June will bring two club races, Southern Bay Race Week and the Race to Cock Island. We hope to see you out at as many of these events as you can make. See below for details on the Down the Bay race and Southern Bay Race Week. Racing News Steve Ritz, Rear Commodore, Racing 62 nd DOWN THE BAY RACE for the VIRGINIA CRUISING CUP This long-time favorite starts in Annapolis on Friday, May 27 and dashes non-stop to Hampton, with boats expected to finish sometime Saturday, May 28. The Storm Trysail Club of the Chesapeake organizes the start and HYC handles the finish. For detailed information and to enter the DOWN THE BAY RACE, go to and click on the event logo. Questions? Call Graham Garrenton at(757) Entry fee: $175/$170 Entries due May 6, 2011 SOUTHERN BAY RACE WEEK for the BLACK SEAL CUP Thursday evening - June 2: Welcome, Check-in, and Skippers Meeting Friday, June 3 Sunday, June 5: Racing, post-race parties and awards presentations HYC, OPCYC, and CCV are organizing authorities - HYC is the headquarters-host for the most significant racing event on the southern Chesapeake Bay. This year there will be racing for PHRF (spinnaker as well as non-spinnaker fleets), One-Design fleets, and a newly revised Cruising Fleet, which will race only Saturday and Sunday, one race each day. Detailed information is available at the event webpage or by contacting Lin McCarthy at for event information. Entry fees: PHRF and ONE-DESIGN: (3 multiple-race days) $150/$155 CRUISING FLEET: (2 days - one race each day) $99 SBRW 2010 Returnees discount - $5

6 the Helmsman Page 6 OPCYC BOARD OF OFFICERS COMING EVENTS Mark Brzozowski Commodore MBrzozowski@cox.net Curtis Morris Vice Commodore c.morris@charter.net John Pence Rear Commodore, Fleet jpence6188@aol.com June O Brien Rear Commodore, Logistics ijmo@aol.com Steve Ritz Rear Commodore, Racing SRitz@us.IBM.com Jeff Rogers Rear Commodore, Training Jeff.halaha@gmail.com Bob Wagner Rear Commodore, at dueler6@verizon.net Large Paul Mellen Treasurer pmellen@cox.net Bob Williamson Secretary sunlion61@msn.com Ron Leta Fleet Captain :ronwleta@gmail.com Bob Killebrew Logistics Captain Bkillebrew@sprintmail.com Dick Beaver Training Captain RJBeaver@verizon.net Jeff Rogers Racing Captain Jeff.halaha@gmail.com Anne Racel Webmaster AMRacel@stuffandjunk.net Carol Morris Helmsman Editor helmsman@opcyc.org Jack Moran 1 st PastCommmodore Seajack@pfg.va.net Buck Rodgers 2nd t Past Commodore buck4sail@aol.com Dick Cassat Member at Large Rcassat@cox.net Eileen Turner Member at Large egret@widomaker.com 30 Apr Race #2 (Azalea Festival) Spring Series 7 May CG 10 A.M. 7 May Blessing of the 2 Mill Creek/OPC Marina 7 May Derby Day OPCYC Clubhouse, 4:30 p.m. 21 May Race #3 Spring Series May Memorial Day Weekend Cruise To Cape Charles Mike Hollsten Member at Large MHollsten@cox.net Carl Stein Member at Large LARC1726@aol.com Michael Turner Public Affairs Officer egret@widomaker.com

CHESAPEAKE BAY YACHT RACING ASSOCIATION CHESAPEAKE BAY YACHT CLUBS ASSOCIATION REGISTER OF AMERICAN YACHT CLUBS

the Helmsman MEMBER: UNITED STATES SAILING ASSOCIATION Old Point Comfort Yacht Club P. O. Box 51163 Fort Monroe, Virginia 23651 CHESAPEAKE BAY YACHT RACING ASSOCIATION CHESAPEAKE BAY YACHT CLUBS ASSOCIATION