An active month for the Club's Keel Boats........
………but not in the way you might think. We ended up doing a little sailing this month but only as part of the rescue efforts of our Irwin 25, Gabrielle ! If you visited the Club later in March you may have noticed only one keel boat on its mooring. At some point in early March during one our WNW blows, “Gabby” somehow managed to break from the mooring field and drifted out to the Mobjack Bay. Thanks to Scott Titus for notifying the USCG along with some local waterman and the Va. Marine Police who helped find her and tied her to a piling in Brown’s Bay. A big thanks Jay McGlohn and John Singleton for the use of their boats along with Bill Brown, as part of our search party to locate her, and for John S. and Clayton James’ help in getting her back to Holiday Marina. Amazingly she was unharmed and everything that should be working, still was. She is for sale and you can contact me for details. All’s well that ends well I guess.
The better news is that we did sell our Catalina 27 Snagglepuss and will be using those funds to get some much needed repair done to our Paceship 26, Wagtail (we’ve already put a solar panel on-board to keep the batteries charged) As the weather heats up I am also anticipating our interest in getting back on the water will as well. We have several events already planned besides our Sunday Albacore series, which include hosting the Albacore Class Nationals this summer in July ! This will require lots of member support and participation so if you aren’t sailing, PLEASE consider joining a committee. We want this event to be memorable, but we can’t do it without YOU. Look for details of the event in a separate correspondence or reach out to me or Joe Morgan ………more to come!
As we prepare for this years Jr. Sailing program we’re getting our skiff’s serviced and ready, adding a 3rd Club motor boat to the fleet, and our Walker Bay dinghy has a new set of oars. And finally, with the help of Scott Titus, I plan to re-set the mooring we lost and will most likely add a 5th mooring to the mooring field. The fun never ends !!
See you on the water.
Jim Garrett - Fleet Captain
Hoping for Reduced Restrictions
The venue rental industry has had a difficult time during Covid. With the restrictions it has been difficult for Brides and others to plan their special events. WRYC has been able to book additional rentals for 2021. However, there have still been cancellations and rental dates being pushed further out. Hopefully as more people are able to be vaccinated the restrictions will lighten and these special events can be held at our beautiful WRYC.
Hope to see you at WRYC soon!
Layne Brown, Manager
Better days ahead
With the few glimpses of spring-like weather we have seen these past few weeks, I’m reminded that good times at the WRYC are right around the corner. Time to get boats ready and make plans for spending time on the water and the grounds of the Club with friends and family. I for one am looking forward to warmer weather and brighter skies! Hang in there these next couple months and we will see you down at the Ware River Yacht Club.
Jonathan Matthews
Commodore
Gradually thawing out..........
It’s been Duck weather…….
I don’t know about you, but while February may be the shortest month of the year, it seems to take the longest to get thru. I was fortunate to travel to a warmer climate for part of the month which made it bearable though. I mentioned in the last Telltale some news about our larger keel boat fleet and it looks like we may take a step closer to right sizing that fleet as I believe I have a buyer for the Catalina 27, Snagglepuss. With the approach of spring and increased outdoor activity, I’m sure I’ll have more news on the keel boats, small boat sailing, sailing seminars and some general clean up before jumping in to the season. I’ve heard from a few folks about their interest in the Albacore sailing, and sailing in general, but I’d like to hear from more of you. Please shoot me an email and let me know your interest. I’m at jgarret1@gmx.com. Keep your fingers crossed for an early spring!!
Jim Garrett
Fleet Captain
Book Now, Rental Inquiries are Increasing !
In anticipation of restrictions lessening, rental inquiries are increasing. With limited available dates remaining in 2021 the time is NOW to book your 2021 or even 2022 date. So let your family and friends know “The Jewel on the Ware” is a great venue for all of life’s memorable moments.
Layne Brown, WRYC Manager
Welcome Alec, Laura and Family !
WRYC would like to extend a warm welcome to new members Alec, Laura and their three sons; Alexander, William and Barbour.
Welcome to 2021
I hope this message finds you all well and enjoying what is sure to be a great year. 2021 marks the 50thanniversary of the WRYC and the Board looks forward to celebrating this event with you all in the near future. It has been a long time since we have gathered and I am excited to see familiar faces and welcome the many new families who joined the Club in 2020.
Covid-19 has presented challenges to gathering, but rest assured that the Board is hard at work devising mitigation strategies to allow us all to gather safely and enjoy the comforts of the WRYC.
Thank you,
Jonathan Matthews
Commodore
Welcome 2021 WRYC Sailors !
The new fleet capt. Cruising down the Potomac with the old fleet capt.
Well we made it !! 2020 has left the building ! As your Clubs newest Fleet Capt. I pray this newsletter finds you healthy and optimistic about the new year ! First, I want to start by offering my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to serve the members of WRYC in this capacity. I’m also looking forward to being a representative voice for our Club to the sailing community of the Southern Chesapeake Bay. Second, I’d like to thank my predecessor Scott Titus for his excellent leadership and service to the Club - and while he may not be in an official capacity right now, rest assured he will stay involved ! ( I have him on speed dial !! ) We’re starting off the year in good shape with our fleet of Lasers and Opti’s, an Olympic class 29er, 3 Keel boats (more to come on these vessels) and 3 club owned Albacores. In addition there are 8 members that currently own Albacore’s as well as a few other member owned monohulled and multihull one designs. One of my early goals this year will be to go thru our sail loft and make sure we match our sails and blade inventory with our boats.
While there are many members of the Club I’ve known for years, thanks to our continued growth there are many I don’t. I look forward to getting to know each of you and learning about your interest in sailing - whether its learning the basics, racing in our one-designs during our Sunday Series events, or cruising in a larger keel boat to explore our beautiful waters. We have some great plans for our sailing activities in 2021 both in terms of growing our roster of Albacore sailors (skippers AND crew), as well as “right sizing” our keel boat fleet. So, whatever your goal is for getting out on the water - my goal is to help you achieve it.
Although its still just January, I’ve already attended 2 webinar’s representing WRYC as a member of CBRYA (Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing) Southern Region, and for the US Albacore Assoc. annual general meeting. Both of these groups have an active sailing season planned for 2021.
I look forward to an active boating season and getting out on the water, so be on the lookout for more details on these and others events !
Calm seas,
Jim Garrett