"May"be its time to get back on the water!
Ok not my most clever play on words but you get the idea. Both the air and water temps are rising and we’re ready to start launching some boats. We haven’t announced an official start to the season, but I believe we’re looking at May 14th/15th to start getting boats in the water. As I reported last month, we had a very successful workday, and the fleet is in good shape. Thanks to Joe Morgan, John Singleton for putting TB back on her mooring and David Waldman for getting Wagtail positioned back on hers.
We also have new inflatable dinghy’s that will accompany both Keel boats as tenders. There are few items to address with Wagtail before she can do an overnight, but the new Keelboat TB is ready. We are still working out details on a checkout procedure and release forms, but if you want to get checked out, please get with me or Joe Morgan and we’ll make arrangements. For those that want to do a day sail we can accommodate up to 4 on Wagtail and up to 6 on TB. If you're not comfortable skippering there are several qualified members who can assist and again, get with me or Joe to make arrangements.
I will be working on several of the details on Albacore sailing and adult sailing classes this week and will get something out to the sailing community soon. Thanks, and I look forward to a robust sailing season at Ware River. Hope to see you on the water soon!
Respectfully, Jim Garrett , Fleet Cap’n.
Seaworthy Social Summer--Incoming!
Warmer weather means WRYC is gearing up for sailing season, along with…SOCIALS! Our next scheduled social is Flag Raising/Derby Day (two for one!) on Saturday, May 7th, hosted by our own Bill and Layne! The day will commemorate the start of the sailing season, a chance to meet your Board, and converse with some delicious food. Please get those RSVP’s in now at wareriveryc@gmail.com!
Mark your calendars for our next scheduled social. The Summer Kick-Off Social, hosted by the WRYC Sailing Ladies, will be held on Sunday, June 12th! As always, we are looking for volunteers for all our social events—we can always use a helping hand in set-up, kitchen prep, and clean-up! Email bariautumn@gmail.com or wareriveryc@gmail.com to volunteer.
Ahoy New Members
It was a busy month for membership as we welcomed 4 new families to WRYC.
Perry Hammond and fiancé, Sara Prysi of Norfolk.
Mark Holthaus of Gloucester.
John & Linda O’Keeffe of Williamsburg.
Brian & Christina Beach and their three children: Kaleb, Kameron and Karter of Ware Neck.
Members Classifieds
There is a new section to the Members Area of the website. You can now share ideas, kudos or water related items you wish to sell or are looking for. Contact Harry Taylor, hjtaylor3@gmail.com, if you have questions when completing the form for your post.
Jr. Sailing Camp Openings
We have a few open spots in the WRYC 2022 Jr Sailing Camp Session 3, July 25-28 & August 1-4, 2022. Please have anyone you know interested in attending, contact me at wareriveryc@gmail.com.
Layne Brown, WRYC Manager
From the Commodore
Careen is a nautical term that means to run a ship aground, preferably on a sandy beach, let it roll to one side and scrub the hull. A good word to learn before the annual Yacht Club work day.
We held our first Board meeting on March 8, 2022. It was very productive and I enjoyed catching up on Club business. We have sufficient funds to maintain our status quo but we need additional funds to support our major projects of pier replacement, tennis court repairs, and some basic remodeling. The keelboat fund raising project run by Jim G. has been very successful and is on track to pay for itself. The tennis court fund raising program is commencing and has a long way to go, but this is your club and you own these assets so when asked, please support the project. When completed the court will have regulation tennis and pickle ball lines. The estimated project cost is $25,000. We need everyone’s participation to make this long-needed repair a reality.
The rental apartment is undergoing some minor repairs and should be ready to rent this month. Gary H., in addition to his many duties as head of buildings and grounds, is supervising the pier replacement project. A less elegant project in need of attention is the bulkhead adjacent to the boat ramp. Although the bank is holding for now, a severe storm could spell trouble. The Board will keep thinking of ways to make the bulkhead last a bit longer or fund the replacement. Magical thinking will not do it alone. We estimate a need to replace about 75 linear feet of armor stone. Jon L. continues to monitor our water treatment and well compliance.
On the income side, we have 12 rentals on the books for 2022. The Club is a great location for parties of every variety. Now is the time to capitalize on our great location and make some improvements to the clubhouse. Here are a few examples: clean the freezer, improve the lighting, paint the kitchen, strip and polish the floor, align all the pictures and plaques on the walls, remove the old baseboard heating units, repair or replace the outdoor speakers and replace the carpeting. If you want to be on a renovation committee, please let Layne know.
Club merchandise like hats, bumper stickers, T-shirts, burgees and camp chairs are great to have and good advertisement for the club. We are working on some new designs and articles for sale.
Flag Raising in May will be a great event with the Kentucky Derby in the background. Most importantly, we hope to have all the club boats, in the water and ready for action.
Fair winds and following seas.
John A. Singleton, Commodore
john@gibsonsingleton.com