Commodore's Log

Carl Crothers, Commodore

 S/V Sanctuary

Commodore’s Log July 2021

I don’t want to ignite a Climate Change debate, but the scorching heat in the Pacific Northwest, early Atlantic storms and a record June rainfall in our area, makes you wonder what’s going on. Certainly, the weather has challenged our cruising plans more so than in the past. As Cruising Commodore Howard Cheetham writes in today’s newsletter, the weather has affected every cruise so far this season in some way.

Several intrepid crews braved conditions to sail to Ocracoke for an abbreviated week-long cruise, June 19-26. Sanctuary was unable to leave until Wednesday. We decided to “give it a go,” as Howard would say, hoping the forecasters were wrong, but we quickly turned around in heavy seas and went over later in the day by ferry for two days.  Once the weather cleared, we had a good time on the island and in our small group gatherings. When we sail to a schedule, as we often must do, the NSA makes the best of it.

As Howard notes in his article, we will have to stay flexible for the remaining cruises this season. Our Dog Days Cruise destination this weekend is changing to Beaufort, a favorite NSA spot with many restaurants, and also the option to plug in for AC.  Also, for those who have requested a slip at the Anchorage Inn for our Labor Day Weekend Cruise to Ocracoke, Chuck Gordon has sent the boat list to the marina, prioritized based on when you registered. If you get assigned a slip, the marina will call you to confirm. Don’t assume you have a slip if you are not called. As always, the anchorage in Silver Lake is an excellent choice and, if you arrive early, you may be able to get a spot on the National Parks Service docks, which are first-come, first-served.

In other news, plans continue for this year’s Charity Dinghy Poker Run, July 24, which is a joint effort of the three sailing clubs. Sharon Stephenson is organizing work teams and could still use more volunteers.

I hope to see you soon, weather permitting!

Sailing quote of the month: “Life is like sailing. You can use any wind to go in any direction.” – Robert BraultCarl Crothers
Commodore
commodore@neusesailingassociation.org
s/v Sanctuary

 Howard Cheethan, VC Cruising

 S/V Misto

For over a week prior to the scheduled weeklong cruise I watched as the tropics slowly developed and then threw Tropical Storm Claudette our way. At first, I thought we could adapt the plan for a bad day as the storm passed through the Outer Banks, then it became clear that a Cold Front would sweep down behind the storm, turning this into a storm after a storm… Reluctantly I cancelled the cruise.

By the time the cancellation notice went out on Thursday, our intrepid powerboaters David and Lesley on River Mist had already departed for Ocracoke and were anchored in West Bay. On Saturday night through Sunday, they braved the elements securely docked at the Anchorage Marina. On Monday, another three boats -- Island Girl, Sol Mate and Laura Belle -- determined to get the best of their vacation, left early in the morning to follow in the good conditions after the storm and had a great sail except for some strong winds approaching Ocracoke. The start of a party had formed!

On Tuesday we left late on Misto, hoping to stay behind the front as it passed – but it moved slower than forecast and hit us as we rounded Brant Island Shoals. We have a large enough boat and only had a head sail out, but the sudden wind shift accompanied by heavy rain was probably in the top 3 challenging conditions we have ever faced. It was getting dark after dinner and Ros had gone to catch some zzz’s when it happened, so I had to gybe the genoa and then reef it single-handed in sheeting rain. Having got thoroughly soaked, I belatedly changed into my foul weather gear. As the wind turned further, we gave up the pretense of sailing and furled the genoa to motor down 9 ft Shoal. By the time we reached Big Foot Slough the wind had died altogether, and the rain had eased, only to blow up and pour down again as we came into dock (with the help of Todd and Tammy and Bruce and Kay who all got very wet helping us). It was late, but time for a rum punch and some quickly prepared dinner.

On Wednesday and Thursday Carl and Donna came by ferry to join us and a series of parties and celebrations followed. Todd rescued a kayaker who was caught by the wind and current in Teach's Hole and we helped another boater who managed to drop his outboard in the harbor to recover it – just a couple of normal days for the NSA. Tim and Paula onShe's My Baby Too motored out to join the fun for the second weekend, and our cruisers returned home between Friday and Sunday, choosing the day and conditions that suited them best.

Weather has now forced changes to 4 out of 4 cruises so far this season! This is the challenge of sailing to a schedule. We redirected the Easter Cruise to Club Foot Creek, the Chesapeake cruise delayed departure by a day and had some bad weather returning. Memorial Day was changed from Cape Lookout to Vandemere and the Weeklong lost most of the week (and sailors prepared to face the conditions). As I write this the remnants of Hurricane Elsa are passing through North Carolina (the earliest “E” storm on record!) so we have to be prepared to accept whatever the weather throws at us and adapt plans accordingly.

With that thought, the following cruises are in the height of summer, so be prepared for destinations to be flexible:

July 16-18 Dog Days Cruise: Bath was the original plan, but Commodore Carl has selected our new destination: we'll be at beautiful Beaufort Docks for the weekend where we can plug in and have AC.  There will be a social on the docks Saturday afternoon from 4-6 pm. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. If you register you do not have to contact the marina.  They will receive a boat list and will be expecting you. Tip: plan to arrive at slack tide, if possible. The current on Taylor Creek can run 2-3kts.

Aug. 7-8 Lazy Days Cruise South River or where the wind takes us, given the crazy weather we may have.

Sept. 4-6 Labor Day Cruise Ocracoke - Chuck Gordon has this thoroughly planned and it will go ahead fair wind or foul! When Chuck’s in charge the weather will be great!

Oct. 9-10 Fall Cruise West Bay – hopefully by October the weather will have settled down again, so we can go back to planned destinations – but we will have a backup if the wind is in the wrong direction.

Oct. 30-31 Halloween Cruise New Bern (or Bath or Beaufort, or Ocracoke – somewhere with a history of Pirates!)

Sail to the wind, not a schedule,

 Howard Cheetham

S/V Misto

S/V Misto

Labor Day Ocracoke Cruise 

Sept 4^th – Sept 6^th

It will not be long before our cruise to Ocracoke on Labor Day will be here! We have 28 boats registered for the weekend of which 19 boats have requested a slip at Anchorage Marina. Please remember that the Marina has reserved 10/13 slips for NSA and they will try to accommodate more boats if possible. Our sign up for a slip was based on a 1^st come, 1^st serve basis so most likely not all people will get a slip. Please remember that you received a message from NSA that you registered for the event but that message did not guarantee you a slip. The list of those requesting a slip has been sent to the Marina and they will call you if you have been assigned a slip. Not sure when that will happen but will let you know when I hear something. Be patient! Looking forward to a great weekend!Thanks

Chuck Gordon

S/V Pelikan

New Member Social in August 

Please be sure to welcome our newest NSA member, Lynn Fontana of Durham, owner of S/V Lovely Day, which she keeps at Pecan Grove Marina. Say hello to Lynn when you see her! We hope some of our new NSA members will be sure to attend the Dinghy Poker Run on Saturday, July 24!

Also, new members from 2021 and also 2020 (when no socials were possible), please keep an eye out for information on a New Member Social on August 21! The NSA held its first New Member Social in 2019 and found it was a great way for our newest members to meet the Bridge and each other, and to learn more about the club. We soon will let the NSA’s new members know the time and location of the New Member Social. Just bring yourself – beverages and appetizers will be provided.

See you on the water soon!

Donna Crothers

Vice Commodore, Membership

S/V Sanctuary

Don’t miss your opportunity to purchase NSA merchandise at the Dinghy Poker Run! There will be men’s & women’s tee shirts ($20), caps ($20), visors ($15) & koozies (one for $3 or two for $5) on site. If you can’t attend the Dinghy Poker Run you can make a purchase at the NSA Marketplace at www.neusesailingassociation.org. 

The requirement to be approved to join the NSA Facebook group is to have paid membership dues to the NSA. This is to keep our members as safe as possible since we do post photos while on cruises and who may be away from home on those cruises. With that said, please continue to post photos & anything else of interest for your NSA friends. 

Kathy Kenny

Vice Commodore, Social Media

S/V Cool Change

Wednesday Night Racing Has Started

Boats will sortie from the various creeks and marinas to rendezvous at Oriental "1SC" on each Wednesday (weather permitting), for an impromptu race around the government marks. No need to register, just show up. I've developed a mailing list and will try to get an email out each Monday to remind everyone.

The start will be at 1800 GPS time. We will try and do the normal US Sailing countdown. This will allow those new to racing an opportunity to learn and practice the start sequence.  Social will be at the Tiki Bar afterwards. Tell your friends and neighbors and if you have any questions or comments email me at joesail1@gmail.com

If you want to be dropped from this mailing list, please let me know. If you know someone who wants to be added, email me their address.

See you on the water,

Joe Valinoti

S/V Il Gatto

Jeff Kenyon
S/V Calitri (website)

Pat Thomaier
S/V Wild Goose (Neuse Juice)

More photos!

Keep those great event photos coming to to jeff.kenyon@gmail.com for inclusion in the main website scrolling photos area. We’ll also select one photo per month as the website background picture. For the background, the photo needs to have "interesting" content along the top and sides, since the website content consumes the entire middle.

Jeff Kenyon

S/V Calitri