We Are Sailing!!!
Sailing has resumed at the Ware River Yacht Club! While practicing all practical social distancing recommendations, the Sunday Series fleet made it back on the water this past month. The fleet has been small in recent weeks, but several boats have made it out on the water and enjoyed some rather “sporty” conditions. With the Governor announcing a move to Phase III in early July, fleet size is expected to increase in coming weeks. By all means, go with your gut feelings and return to the water and club activities as you feel safe. If you are interested, feel free to come out on Sundays and either jump on a boat or just enjoy the sailing from the beach, maybe fire up a barbecue or bring a picnic. If you’d like to sail, please contact Joe or Jim.
One change around the local waterways includes the reality that there are far more boats out and about than in recent memory. While seeing other boats in the Ware River and Mobjack Bay has been an oddity over the past three or four years, boaters have been out in force the past month or so. What an absolute joy to see other boats out enjoying the beauty of the lower Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The keel boat fleet remains in transition. GABI has returned to the club and will soon be moored up the river in Steve’s cove. GABI is for sale/donation and available to a good home. She is a real project boat with some potential, but too much work for the club fleet. WAGTAIL is getting some fresh bottom paint this week and should be back to the club soon! WAGTAIL will be available for adult sailing lessons and use by qualified club members. We have already had several inquiries in to check rides and look forward to working with members to provide the opportunity to sail and eventually skipper the Club’s fleet on their own. Please contact me if interested.
And now I can finally say, once again, SEE YOU ON THE WATER!!!
Scott
Putting the 'Social' back into WRYC
Greetings ! To update our Social Committee plans, which are still in the planning stages, we will be having our annual Governor”s Cup Regatta. Yea!!!! Registration will be done totally online with a check -in station that morning.
Meals will be handled by Va. Blue Crab Co. food truck offering breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. It will be a seafood inspired menu with non seafood options as well. We have not yet finalized the choices as yet, but will keep members informed. This is one of our biggest events and we are trying hard to be able to host this while keeping safe so we can continue with this tradition. If you wish to participate in any of the meals, we would appreciate you making a reservation……particularly for dinner so enough food will be available.
We would also like you to be aware that friends of members are welcome. The outside picnic tables or the screened porch will be available for your enjoyment. There is also a charcoal grill that is can be used as a dinner option. Just make sure the grill embers are all burned out and cool before you leave.
This is our first Social Plan since the outbreak of the Coronavirus and we know everyone would love to see friends and enjoy the WRYC as usual, and we are planning with your safety in mind. We will see how this goes before making any future plans. We will keep you updated.
Looking forward to seeing many of you in August!!!
Social Chairs: Alice Bredin-Karny & Jane Smith
Greetings New Members!
I have had several inquiries as to why new member last names are not included in the TellTale. This is not an oversight. The new format of the TellTale is on-line and for security purposes, it has been suggested that we not disclose last names.
That being said, we have several new members to welcome aboard. Both have close ties to WRYC through family.
First we would like to welcome Matt and Karen of Richmond, VA. They are interested in getting involved with the sailing and racing committees. We are always happy to have Junior members as they are the future of the Club.
Lastly, we have Alice of Washington DC. Alice grew up in Ware Neck and wants to continue her family’s legacy at WRYC. She is very interested in supporting the Club and participating in events whenever available. I think everyone knows Alice and we are so happy she has continued the family membership!
We look forward to our upcoming socials where we can welcome all of the new members in person!
Ever Changing Rentals
Many Rentals have been forced to move their event dates due to COVID-19. At this time we have moved 6 rentals from 2020 to new dates in 2021. It has been a bit challenging to keep up with the ever changing regulations to ensure everyone’s safety during these unprecedented times.
At this time WRYC is moving forward with the planning of the 56th Annual Governor’s Cup Regatta. Anyone wishing to lend a hand your help would be greatly appreciated. ALL planned activities will take place outside and we will be securing a food truck to serve meals.
Stay safe,
Layne Brown, WRYC Manager
Memorial Day Gratitude
Greetings from the Seaford quarantine zone. I hope this message finds you all in good health and that you were able to enjoy Memorial Day. Despite the strange times we are living in, it is still important to remember the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform.
Governor Northam’s quarantine Phase 1 restrictions are still in place and the Club has been abiding by the guidelines set forth in these documents. These include gathering size restrictions, stay at home orders for at risk populations and the elderly, and the soon to be added face mask guidelines. That being said, all Club social events are still on hold.
As we look to the future, it is encouraging that WRYC continues to receive membership applications. I am excited to meet our new members as soon as we can do so, safely. Our Club has a lot to offer and it is good to see that the word is getting out!
Remember that the Club grounds and boat ramp are available to members. There are worse ways to spend quarantine than out on the beautiful Ware River and Mobjack Bay.
Here’s hoping we will be able to gather again by the end of summer!
Sincerely,
Jonathan Matthews
Commodore
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