WRYC's Next 50 Years
Are you a visionary? Are you a dreamer? Your help is needed! 2021 will mark the 50th Birthday of the Ware River Yacht Club. Over the years, the Club has seen huge success, periods of growth, and changes in activities. In order to ensure the Club continues to thrive as THE place to be on the Ware River, we have formed the Next 50 Years Committee (Next 50). The purpose of the Next 50 is to outline a vision for where the membership would like to see the club in 2071. All ideas are on the table. We feel the current membership owes future generations a heartfelt look at what makes the Club vibrant and sustainable. We also understand that we currently live in busy times, families manage their schedules to ensure they include events and experiences that are most meaningful. If you are interested in steering the course (pun intended) of the Club on our way to the 100th Birthday celebration, please consider joining the Next 50. To join the team, reach out to me!
Regards,
Scott
Evolving Fleet
The fleet committee continues to work toward the goal of providing a right sized fleet, capable of meeting the needs of the membership while optimizing the budget. In other words, we have explored numerous options for spending WRYC funds appropriately. We have also had several long and hard conversations over the right size of the keel boat fleet. First of all, when I say “fleet committee”, I am referring to a group of sailors who have expressed interest in working on and sailing the WRYC fleet. We are always open to new input (both in ideas and physical effort); please contact me if you are interested in joining the team. After much consideration, and deep exploration of many options, the team determined that two keel boats is the current right answer for size. The question now becomes, how much money do we spend on existing boats considering their age and value. Again, many, many options were discussed. The group determined that WAGTAIL should be maintained and we should explore the option to install an inboard diesel engine. The other obvious conclusion that was reached was that SNAGGLEPUSS should be sold or donated. If anyone is in the market for an affordable Catalina 27 Tall Rig, please let me know. A more difficult conversation involved what to do with GABRIEL (a.k.a. GABI). If you have been following the story of GABI, you will know that t here have been a litany of propulsion problems that were not immediately apparent upon our purchase of the boat. The further we go in repairs, the more we uncover. At some point, very soon, we will have to make the decision to divest the boat and spend our resources on a boat that is more reasonably repairable. Please rest assured that the fleet committee takes these decisions very seriously and addresses every conceivable option before making a decision. The conversations are much more involved than I can do justice to in this article. Again, if you are interested, please contact me.
On another note, the club received the donation of a Scout 175 bowrider with trailer. The boat will be sold, with proceeds going to the Junior Sailing Program and purchase of a skiff that better suits the sailboat racing program. If anyone is interested in the Scout, please contact me or Clayton James. If we have no takers from the club, we will list the boat for sale, but we wanted to give the membership first go. It appears to be a solid little boat on a good trailer. The boat will be sold “as-is/where-is”.
Finally, if you have been around the club lately you will have noticed a cable across the boat ramp. The cable was placed due to several instances of non-members launching at the club. Concerned for liability, the board approved placing the cable. The intent is not to limit access to club members. The combination is the same as the one for the keel boats. If you don’t know what that number is, please call me or any of the other board members. Please understand we are only trying to protect the club, not limit access to membership. I apologize to anyone who was inconvenienced. Communication is challenging for a body that does not meet in whole on a regular basis.
See you on the water,
Scott Titus
Fleet Captain
Rental Interest Continues
It has been challenging for the upcoming rentals during these uncertain times. Most rentals are still on for August through November. As the opening recommendations unfold, time will tell if there will be additional changes in the summer/fall rentals. WRYC has continued to receive rental inquiries for 2021.
Know anyone celebrating a life event in 2021, please share what a “jewel” we have on the Ware River.
Stay safe,
Layne Brown, WRYC Manager
June 2020
June 4…………….Non-member Ceremony outside
June 6……...……...Non-member Rental CANCELLED
June 12/13……….Non-member Rental POSTPONED
July 2020
July 4 or 5………….4th of July Social (HOPEFULLY)
August 2020
August 1 & 2 ………………..Governor’s Cup Regatta
New Members Abound!
We are very excited to welcome three new families to WRYC this month and are so grateful our membership is growing, despite this pandemic.
First we have Jim and Carol of Gloucester. Currently boat-less, Jim is interested in helping out with fleet maintenance and is looking forward to his four year old grandson learning how to sail.
Next we have Gary and Beth from Charlottesville, VA. They have recently purchased a Topaz Uno and are interested in hooking up with other sailors and helping out on fleet and club sponsored work days. Gary also rides horses.
Finally, we’d like to welcome Leah and Lee of Gloucester and their family; daughter Mckinsey, and sons; Avery, Aden and Logan. They are interested in Adult and Junior Sailing, kayaking and socials. Lee is a contractor and I’m sure Building and Grounds will appreciate another “guy who can fix things”. Leah is a real estate agent and is looking forward to meeting new people. She is hoping her kids will grow to love sailing as much as she does.
We look forward to giving our new members a big welcome, face mask and all!!!
Commodore's Comments - New Normal
Well we made it through another month in quarantine! I hope this message finds you all well and coping with our new “normal”. As you all know, Club activities have been put on indefinite hold, at least until the Governor eases the current restrictions. However, the Club grounds and boat ramp are available to members. Spending time on the water is a great way to enjoy Nature while still social distancing! Keep an eye for news about fully reopening the Club as it is my sincere desire to do so as soon as possible. In conclusion, I hope that restrictions are eased soon so we can all gather at the Club and enjoy each others company and the beauty of the Ware.
Take care,
Jonathan Matthews
Fleet Committee is Making Ready for the Season
Greetings all. I hope this month’s article finds you well. As we continue to work our way through what has become the new normal for 2020, we anxiously await the return of some semblance of normal and a return to our activities on the River and the Bay. Since last month, the fleet committee has undertaken a healthy discussion on the future of Gabi, our Irwin 25. The overwhelming response was to look in to repowering Gabi with an inboard diesel engine. The search is on for an engine that will serve her well. Abandoning the inboard gasoline engine will be a HUGE safety improvement. The addition of an inboard diesel powered boat will give club members the option of a boat that is more well suited for longer trips with adequate power to undertake some more serious cruising. The Board also unanimously approved the sale of the donated power boat. Funds from this sale will be used to purchase a small skiff to be used as a mark boat/safety boat for adult sailing, junior sailing, and our regattas. Again, your fleet committee is staying busy during the off season, and we look forward to the lifting of restrictions so we can get moorings and boats in the water.
See you on the water (soon I hope),
Scott Titus
Fleet Captain
Rental Updates - Unusual Days
These have indeed been unusual days! It will be disappointing to miss our Flag Raising to open the summer season. But we will gather again soon and a celebration it will be indeed!
The mandated crowd restrictions forced WRYC to cancel all events through June 14, 2020. We have only had one request to cancel outside of those restriction dates. WRYC still has a full summer and fall rental calendar.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on the beautiful Ware River soon!
Stay safe,
Layne Brown, WRYC Rental Manager
Welcome West !
This month we would like to introduce our newest JR member, West. West lives in Richmond and loves being on the water. He is interested in helping out with fleet repair and maintenance. I’m sure Scott will be very happy to have another pair of helping hands!
Lastly, I just wanted to say we are all looking forward to meeting our new members. Hopefully that will be soon!
Beve Hermanson
Membership Chair