Cruising Update

What a crazy spring we’ve been having!  We missed our first cruise and had lots of wind and rain for the Chesapeake and Memorial Day cruise.  Despite the weather, the cruise captains did an excellent job of organizing and creating opportunities for FUN!  When everyone works together, it makes a light load.  You can read more about the Chesapeake and Memorial Day cruises below.

Week-long Cruise

 Next up is the Week-long Cruise. We have 16 boats signed up as of today.  We will send a spread sheet of boat specs but each participant should make their own reservation.  Be sure to let them know you’re with the NSA group.Let Robert know which marina you’ve selected or if you’ll be anchoring out. 2023 Week Long Forum

6/17- anchor in Bay River.

1. We’ll raft up for a social then separate to anchor in Bay River.

 6/18 and 6/19- Bellhaven.

1.    Most of us will be staying at the Grand Manor Marina (previously known as River Forest Marina). 

• Mike Dunn is the dock master: 252-943-0030 e-mail: GrandManorMarina23@gmail.com or dunnbymichael@gmail.com.   

2.    You can also stay at  one of the 10 slips at the Bellhaven Town Docks at Cooperage Landing but they have no water or electric.

3.    There are lots of good anchoring spots close by.

 Remember to let Dan know if you want to participate in dinner in Bellhaven and he’ll make reservations. 

The town has lots of fun activities planned for us!

 6/20, 6/21, 6/22: We’ll be heading up to Little Washington!

1.    Washington Waterfront Docks: Rick Bass -dock master- 252-944-6661 or Docks@washingtonnc.gov.  or reserve on Dock

2.    Moss Landing Marina:  252-944-3045

3.    There are lots of anchoring spots close by.

 Notify Dan if you want to participate in:

•     Estuarium visit: $5.00 admission
•     River Roving Boat Tour - free
•     Underground RR Museum- Free
•     Turnage Theatre (historic building) tour
•     Small group dinners at various restaurants -we’ll draw numbers to see. Who you eat with!

 6/23 & 6/24: Dowery Creek Bellhaven

1.  Dowery Creek Marina- 252-943-2728 or on Docxwa
2.  There is limited anchoring up past the marina a bit.
3.   Activities here include a pool party and cookout.

 Food Needs:

• Social snacks: 1 for Bay River raft up and 1 for Washington.

• Cookout:  Dowry Creek - bring your own food to grill and a dish to share.
  

Other needs:

•    Yoga mat if you want to participate in morning stretches.
•    Dinghy to explore backwaters.
•    Paddle boards/canoe/kayak for exploring
• Pool Noodle for  Dowry Creek Pool  
  

 Looking forward to seeing you on the water!

Contacts for Weeklong:

Tracy Vail, tlvail25@gmail.com

Robert Pugh, rchristp@mail.com

Dan Cashman, dabekcashman2@gmail.com

See you on the water!
Tracy Vail and Robert Pugh
Vice Commodores of Cruising

M/V

For All Cruises

•  Make sure to fly your BURGEE during the Event!
• BYODC – Bring Your Own Dishes and Cups to events to cut back on trash and be environmentally friendly.
• If you need to cancel... ESPECIALLY if there is a Marina or Restaurant (headcount)

How to Cancel Registration for an Event or Cruise

Make sure to Log In.

• Click on the Event
• Click on "Already registered"
• If Cancellation is available...
    (usually no later than 7-10 days before event)
  
  •       Click on the Cancel Registration Button
  
  

Recent Cruises

Memorial Day Cruise to Ocracoke May 26th – 29th

Cruise Captains Chuck Gordon & Sharon Stephenson and David & Christa Kreutz.

Strong and persistent Northerlies kept many wise cruisers from attempting the crossing to Ocracoke. Several Chesapeake cruisers remained hunkered down where the weather caught them. But those 8 boats who were able to arrive in Ocracoke early were treated to a different kind of Memorial Day Cruise.

Despite the cold, wind and rain, we found ways to have fun and enjoy each other’s company and the island.

One evening, there was a traveling tapas party, where sailors got to visit each other's boats, play cards and socialise. (Capacity limits may have been exceeded on some boats.)

Saturday brought howling winds, with most folks hunkered down in the boats, maybe actually reading that book they packed. But the island trams were running with rain protection! And with few customers, the drivers even invited the dogs to ride, which they loved.

Some folks attended the fundraiser on Saturday evening, the Annual Fireman's Ball with an auction and BBQ. Slightly smaller crowds meant huge portions of delicious BBQ. Live music followed the auction. The event raised over $170k for the volunteer fire department.

Since there was a rainy, windy forecast for Saturday, the official NSA social was moved to Sunday afternoon for better weather. A couple of boats had to leave that morning, and we were sad to see them go. But the other 6 were there and we had a nice picnic on the government docks between boats. The sun even came out for a bit!

Over all this was a sweet, restful vacation. There was plenty of time for naps, card games, playing ukulele, and swapping sea stories. We enjoyed getting to know each other better and having the island (almost) to ourselves.

NSA boats present:

Kindred Spirit, Sol Mate, Carolina Ketch, Eärendel, Misto, Island Girl, Private Idaho and Cymbeline.

Thanks,
Christa

Chesapeake Roundup

Rain, high winds, cold temps – the 2023 Chesapeake Cruise was a testament to NSA’s ability to have fun in any conditions.  Nine of the ten boats reached the Chesapeake around April 28, but severe storms immediately scattered the fleet.  That tenth boat, Absentia, last seen at Alligator River Marina, embarked on her own unplanned odyssey of improvisation.   Sample: pulling a 38’ Cabo Rico back across the Albemarle Sound and through the bridge, in darkness, with a 6 hp outboard motor. Lots to tell, but for now let’s just say Darlene and Steve returned safely and are waiting for their new diesel engine.

Back to the Chesapeake

While the storm kept us apart, text messages (Thanks, Dan) kept everyone in touch, and most eventually made it to Solomons, MD for a meet up. While we were touring and enjoying the area, Wade Ellison quietly arranged for a surprise ceremony at the Calvert Marine Museum. We all watched as the Faith and Freedom Quilts of Valor organization of Lusby, MD presented beautiful quilts to three of our veterans: Carl Crothers, Peter Flood and John Messer.  John Taylor, also a vet, was already enroute to Havre de Grace.  A visit to Solomons is always on the Chesapeake itinerary, but this time it was extra special.

After Solomons, the weather improved, and the fleet again spread out to explore. The NSA burgee flew in Havre de Grace, Baltimore, St. Michaels, Yorktown, Urbanna, Cambridge, Oxford, and Deltaville. Everyone enjoyed delicious seafood and learned more about the crabbing industry and the significance of these ports during the War of 1812.  Captain Ron made his customary appearance on a slow night in Deltaville.   Eventually, it was time to turn southward, but once again, the weather took control. The forecast was calling for winds of 20-30 kts and higher. Some boats got ahead of it, but a small contingent will be forever grateful to Coinjock Marina for providing secure dockage as a one, maybe two-night stay turned into six nights.  The winds howled, but everyone had found a safe port, whether at Coinjock, back in Oriental, or at Manteo, Urbanna or Ocracoke.   Finally, after almost a week, the winds quieted, and we had two beautiful days to make the trip home.  The 2023 Chesapeake Cruise officially ended when Loro Loco reported in at 5PM on May 30. What a cruise!

Pat Thomaier
S/V Wild Goose

 

 

Welcome Our New Members and NSA Name Tags

Joining us in May, please help me welcome Paul Hutchins and Paige Livengood of Newport, NC, owners of S/V Liberi. Please be sure to say hello to them when you see them!

If you have friends who might wish to join, please direct them to the website for more information!

The NSA now has our own Name Tag Machine and can make new name tags and adjustments quickly and efficiently! The tags are white plastic, with our updated burgee logo, and they have a strong magnetic backing. Name tags are $5 each.

If you are a member in need of a new name tag please reach out via email with your name (how you would like it to appear on the tag), your vessel type (S/V or M/V), and your boat name.

Also, many of you ordered NSA name tags at the New Members Social and were able to swing by and pick them up at the boat show. If you ordered and have not yet picked yours up, I will bring them on the week-long cruise. If you ordered name tag/s and have not yet paid, please bring exact cash or check when you collect yours. If you will not be making the cruise and still need to collect your name tag/s, please email me and we can make other arrangements.

• Check out our New Member area!   Learn about our newest recruits!
  

See you all soon!

Sharon McDonald
Vice Commodore of Membership
M/V Mischief

Social Media & Swag

Seeing all the pictures on our Facebook group of all of you that were able to leave early to Ocracoke for Memorial Day showed that nothing can stop the NSA from having a good time! I was sorry that Buster and I fell into the group that the weather changed our plans. I especially liked seeing our NSA tees on some of you.

If you would like to purchase any of our merchandise before I see you in person, please message me at (615) 828-8621. If you aren’t a member of our NSA group yet, please request to join and be sure to answer the questions, as this is a closed group for our members only. Hope to see you soon!

Click here to visit our online shop!

Kathy Kenny

Vice Commodore of Social Media & NSA Wear Coord.

S/V Cool Change

 

NSA Website

Now is a good time to update your profile avatar… (avatar means Picture) as we are now featuring pictures on the Directory and Home Page of all members... so we know what we look like!

   ---> or send your picture to vccommunications@neusesailingassociation.org and we'll take care of it!

We have some new sections of the website for this year… (click the links to view)

Erik Hardtle

VC of Communications -Website

S/V  Knot Shore
1974 Gulfstar

Neuse Juice Newsletter

If you missed something going on with the club... catch up here  -> Our past Newsletters “The Neuse Juice”

Please send your stories and photos to vccommunications@neusesailingassociation.org, and add "Neuse Juice" in the subject line.

Jean Hardtle
Vice Commodore of Communications - Neuse Juice

S/V  Knot Shore
1974 Gulfstar
 

 So if you made it this far... did you know you can get a 10-15% discount with Boat US as a member of NSA, and it will only take 15 minuets or less.  -> Click Me