Racing 6/5/25

After a cool start, the morning quickly warmed up and reached the low seventies. This, combined with the promise of a light breeze, enticed 8 members down to the cove.

Judy and Connie were there and looked after the starting and scoring as usual—many thanks.

Apart from the competitors, Bill Raposa, Brad, Bill Northup, and Shelley came along to watch. However, the promise of a breeze failed to materialize, and we waited 30 minutes before sailing could start. We only managed three races before the wind vanished, so the competitors resolved to meet again to continue today’s racing next Thursday.  Unusual, but in the fun spirit of the club, to call a “semi-weather” day.

New members, Mike Todd and Louis Cordeiro, raced today, Louis having acquired Al Meyer’s old boat, sail number 70. A big welcome to both.

Rob set the course with the starting line from the pin near the shore to the red/white mark to the west. Head south and take the blue mark and the green mark to port, then a long leg north through the gate formed by the red/yellow and pink/white marks in the north, and back to the line.

Three races and three winners: Bill David, Fokka, and Rob. Mike finished third in race three, a good start.

We had the DroneBuoy in the water, but it didn’t play a part until it was time to get it out of the water, when it refused to budge. The controller had a little encounter with water a little earlier, so the DB had to be brought to shore by the rescue boat and the efforts of Kim and Mike.

Henry and Al Sampson both had fourth-place finishes.

Today’s racing is to be continued………….. next Thursday, June 5th, when the tide will be coming in from a low at 09.55.

Expecting more favorable winds,

Derek

Racing 5/27/25

Yesterday was a sunny day, but there was very little wind in the morning, and the course was plagued by seaweed. I could only stay for a short while, but it was great to see so many familiar faces. Ladies first, Judy and Connie were there to help with starting and scoring. Kim has used a SkyFly transmitter to control the DroneBuoy, and he handed control to Connie.

A good turnout of eight members brought their boats: Bill David, Henry DiPietro, Kim Hanna, Rob Hill, Wes Siegner, Al Sampso, Fokka de Jong, and new member Mike Todd (Sail Number 77). Potential new member, Louis Cordiero was also there and would like to know if anyone has a DF95 for sale. Welcome Mike and Louis.

The wind picked up a little as I left, and boats were in the water. I asked Kim later what happened then, and this is what he wrote. Many thanks, Kim.

“We had one race, but the seaweed was stopping or slowing almost all the boats, so we stopped official racing.  The wind picked up, and there was some fun racing, after a fisherman’s line that went between the two southwest buoys (and snagged several boats—any excuse in a storm 😊) was removed by Rob.  The drone buoy seemed to be operating pretty well, but also had a fair amount of seaweed in the props—at least it got back in.”

Our weather day is Thursday, but the forecast is for rain until 4 pm, so that’s out.

Next racing will be on Tuesday, June 3rd, when the tide will be coming in from a low at 08.43

 See you then,

Derek

Al Meyer

I’ve just received an email from Al’s wife, Harolyn, that Al passed away in early January. Al was a true gentleman and will be missed in the club.

Condolences to Harolyn.

Sad news

Derek

5/12/25 Racing

Hi All,

On Monday, 5/12, Rob brought the repaired dinghy to the cove and a crew consisting of Rob, Wilkie, Bill David, Bill Raposa, Al Sampson, Mike Todd, and Kim set out the marks in the cove.  We were finished before noon and were in position for racing the next day.

Tuesday, 5/13, was a challenging day, with winds from the south and southeast, gusting, shifting, on and off, and generally miserable for sailing.  Sailing were Al Sampson, Rob, Bill David, Fokka, and Kim.  Mike Todd had his boat in the water for his first boating adventure, decided not to be scored, and made great progress for a first-time sailor.  Connie and Judy scored (thanks!) and Bill Raposa was on the beach for a while.  The results for the day are:

Next racing day is 5/20 with racing starting at 11:00 AM.  Let’s have some more sailors!

Best,

Kim

Pulling Marks and Next Year

There were six of us Tuesday afternoonand the marks were well and truly pulled. The marks are in the box, the blocks are nearby and the buckets are lurking in the undergrowth, The boat is in its normal winter location chained to a tree, waiting patiently for snow.

Thanks to all who came down to the cove. Rob did all the rowing, Bill Raposa did most of the heavy lifting, and Kim, Al, and Jim Kelly did everything else. Please remember to thank them next time you meet.

Thanks, everybody.

In May we’ll do it all again in reverse.

The season schedule for next year will be formulated in the near future with the major change being that the race day will be Tuesday.

Stay safe and happy,

Derek

Banquet and Trophies

The banquet took place yesterday evening and for the first time was a catered event. Everyone had a good time. I thanked Pat and Kim Hanna, Bill Raposa, and Kathy Melven for their roles in organizing the banquet. Applause. Special thanks to Pat who had the brilliant idea of using club funds to get a caterer to supply the food. Louder applause! 

Venda Ravioli was the chosen caterer and they did a fine job if the reaction of the twenty-one diners was anything to go by.

We had three Soling Regattas during the season. The winners were Paul Mercer (twice) and Greg LaPlante. Runners-up were Jim Kelly, Kim Hanna, and Paul. Third place finishers were Bill Raposa (twice) and Bill Northup.

We held one DF95 Regatta which was won by Fokka de Jong with Greg LaPlante in second place and Henry DiPietro in third.

Now for the big one: The DF95 Championship held over 16 race days. The full results are attached. 

Five prizes were awarded with fifth place going to Nick Bailey, fourth to Fokka de Jong, third to Paul Mercer, second to Bill David, and first to John Reilly.

Wilkie Marvel made presentations to Judy David and Connie Sampston who have been so helpful to the club this season.

Wilkie then made comments about the Corinthian Trophy which is awarded once per year to the member who is a champion of fair play and makes a significant contribution to the success of the club. The 2024 Trophy winner is Paul Mercer. A very well-deserved and popular winner. Congratulations, Paul.

So that’s the 2024 season……well, almost.

Tomorrow ( Tuesday) we’ll be lifting the marks and stowing the dinghy at 1.00 pm. Please help if you can.

Rob Hill will be leading the effort. thank you, Rob.

An early reminder that for next season racing will be on Tuesdays with Thursday as the weather day.

Take care and have fun,

Derek

DF95 #16. September 17, 2024

The temperature was nudging seventy, it was sunny, and the wind was light from a westerly direction. It was more humid than in recent days but it was the last race day of the season and seven members brought their boats for some friendly end-of-season competition. The tide was low and going out so there was lots of room on the beach.

The starting line was formed by the yellow and a throw in red (the drone buoy was on the bench). The line was parallel with the shoreline and the course was west to the red/white, taken to port, and back to the line. Sounds simple, and it was, but with this wind also slow.

Once again Judy looked after starting and scoring. Thanks, Judy, not only for today but for the whole season. Connie was there to cheer Al on and to take some pictures but, unusually, we had no other visitors today.

We had seven close races but, with four out of seven wins, Paul came out on top.

Other race winners were Kim, John, and Nick but Kimhad one second place and three third places to finish second overall.

In third place was John who added to his win with two second and one third places.

Seven slow races with sedate down-wind finishes but everyone had a good time.

The full results can be viewed on our website mhbmyc.org

We had 16 race days this season, a record. That means that there will be 7 throw outs.

Awards for the first five places will be presented at the Banquet.

The next event is the Awards Banquet which will be held at 6 pm on Sunday, September 22nd in the Great Room of the Village Clubhouse. The Club is providing food and drink so bring nothing except yourselves, your wives, your husbands, and significant others.

And after that, the final event of the season. Thursday, September 26th at 10.00 we will pull the marks and store the dinghy. Rob Hill will take charge but he will need help so get to the cove at 10 am and do your bit. Thank you all.

We have 28 people signed up for the banquet so see you there.

Derek

DF95 Racing on 9/17

The weather forecast looks horrible for next Thursday so the last race day of the season will be next Tuesday, September 17th when the tide will be going out with a low at around 1.20 pm.

This means we will have raced 16 days this season and the best nine days will count towards the championship.

With awards to the top five, there’s a chance for everyone. So come down to the cove and have some fun.

Reminder: Racing will be on Tuesdays next season with Thursday being the weather day.

And don’t forget to come to the Banquet on Sunday, Sept. 22nd at 6 pm

Have a great weekend.

Derek 

DF95 #15 September 12, 2024

Another very nice late summer day with temperatures in the low seventies and a gentle breeze from the southwest tempted eight members to bring boats to the cove.

Judy looked after starting and scoring once again. Thank you, Judy.

Bill Raposa, Wes, and Wilkie also paid visits and Connie was there to support Al.

The wind was up to its usual tricks and varied in strength and direction but at least we kept to the same course. The start/finish line was formed by the drone buoy and the orange/blue mark. Head south from there and round the green/white and orange/white marks, then head north to the blue mark and back to the line. All marks were taken to port. We held six races and from race five the start line was changed by replacing the drone buoy with the yellow/red mark and we raced the same course twice around.

We had some close racing, which resulted in four different winners, but John won three races and with a second and third was easily today’s champion.

The other race winners were Greg, Paul and Rob. Rob also had two second places and one third place to finish second overall

While Bill David didn’t have a win today, he was second in two very close races and third in another two races, enough to clinch third this morning

Another day of racing for fun. very enjoyable.

Don’t forget you can see all the results and other news on our website mhbmyc.org

The last DF95 race day of the season will be next Thursday, September 19th when the tide will be high at 09.30.

The Banquet will be entirely catered and paid for by the club, so bring nothing other than yourself, your wife or husband, or your significant other.

The Banquet will be held on Sunday, September 22nd at 6 pm in the Greatroom of the Village Clubhouse.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Derek

DF95 Racing and Announcements

It was another beautiful late summer’s day with temperatures in the low seventies, a gentle breeze, and a receding tide from a high at 10.17.

Nine members brought their boats to race on the course set by Paul. A more unusual course this morning owing to the wind from an easterly direction, actually the wind had such fun with us on Tuesday that it decided to do it again! 

The start line was formed by the drone buoy and the orange/blue mark. Out to blue, then green/white, and back to the line all taken to port. After the first race, the course was lengthened to include going west to the red/white mark after the blue and also taken to port. For race four onwards the start line was changed to the orange/white mark, as before, but with the yellow/red mark forming the other end. The drone buoy drifted off in a huff!

We held eight races today and, with these challenging conditions, had six different winners: Fokka and John won two each, and Bill David, Nick, Kim, and Henry were the other winners.

At the end of the event, Fokka emerged as today’s champion with 19 points just two ahead of our runner-up, Henry. There was a three-way tie for third place on 25 points but John prevailed over Nick and Bill through the tiebreaker.

Judy kept score and looked after the starts once again. Thank you, Judy. Connie was also there to support Al and, as usual, had her camera with her. We had a welcome visit from Jim Kelly who has recently recovered from Covid. Stay well, Jim

The full results are on our website mhbmyc.org

Well, the year has gone by quickly and we only have two more race days in the season. The next one is Thursday, September 12th when the tide will be coming in towards a high at 3.28 pm.

Now for the ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Pot-Luck Awards Banquet will be at 6 pm onSunday, September 22nd in the Great Room of the Village clubhouse.

Please let me know if you will be attending, and we hope you will.

This will help with organizing as we will ask you to bring food while wine and beer will be provided by the club. 

Last week I asked who would not be attending and I only got two replies. This week, I’m asking who WILL be attending. Thank you for your cooperation.

We will pull the marks and store the rowboat on Thursday, September 26th at 10 am Rob will lead the effort, but volunteers will be needed.

Have a wonderful, summery weekend.

Derek

Photos by Connie Sampson