Sunday Morning Coffee
Each Sunday morning the clubhouse is available for members to have coffee. This is an informal but ongoing activity so long as the membership enjoys it. Thanks to John and Margo we now have some lawn signs to stick in the grass to let others know our clubhouse is open and folks are welcome to come in for a cup of free coffee! (They are in the broom closet.) Perhaps we will make more friends and gain new members this way. So if you are among those early birds pouring coffee, please remember to put out the lawn signs.
Bill Rushfeldt, Steward
Enrollment continues between now and Sept. 1st. (Call Pete soon if interested he needs a head count and must order books)
Sept 11-12…0900-16:00 hrs each day—Courses split between the two days….The Boat, slow speed maneuvering, knots, handling at sea, rules of the road part one and two.
Sept 25-26… 09:00-Noon hrs second day–Courses split between the two days…Anchoring, Rafting , Coastal Piloting, Blue Water Cruising, Celestial navigation, Course review.
Members of the Power Squadron will be tested for USPS enrollment. LMYC Club members will be reviewed, audited and recognized.
General: The course cost inclusive of all material/books etc is $40.00…Please bring your own lunch–
Contact for registration or questions: Senior Instructor Pete Prantis (a LMYC member) telephone 956 630 0648. or if no answer please call me Bill Maples at 979 218 4850. Many of the instructors are dual members, USPS, and LMYC, such as Larry Lewis, Sid Rouch, Pete Prantis, Russell Judah and others who are told are expected to be involved….
Again Thank you to all who have made this year great…We have some great activities still planned like our first invitational long race in a while.in September….Off to Port Aransas..
Stay Safe
Bill Maples
The Padre to Port A Race Instructions can be found here
It’s coming right up! Saturday August 28 is our raft up for Strange Brew.
Boats will gather in the turning basin on the Inter-Coastal Waterway at 2 PM. (Colonel, that’s 1400)
The idea is to anchor and raft up together so we can party on each others boats.
I’m planning to bring something in the way of snacks to nibble on.
What should you bring?
Bring some kind of unusual beer or other brewed beverage to share with your friends. I’m hoping there will be a variety of interesting and different things to sample. It could be a foreign beer or ale. It could be a micro brew. Whatever you think will be enjoyed by you and your friends.
Remember if you don’t like beer, come anyway! Bring whatever you like. Perhaps iced tea?
It should be an interesting and fun event.
See you there!
Bill Rushfeldt, Steward
UPDATE
START/ Friday, Sept. 3rd
The original August 7th date has been changed to Labor Day week end. The start will be on Friday, September 3rd at 1400 hrs, (2 PM). This will be a pursuit race; starts will be staggered according to handicap. It is 105 nautical miles from jetty to jetty. I have made the trip in 18 hours but have also taken 24 hours to make it, so if we start the slower boats at 1400 hrs on Friday, we should all be there by mid day Saturday. This will give everyone time to get settled in a slip and meet up for dinner and a drink Saturday night. The return trip is up to each individual boat. Mark Fryer has told me that in the old days they would return down the ICW, meeting at pre-determined spots along the way. Wess Thom is familiar with the spots available for slips and anchorages, anyone considering that route should ask him for guidance, he is always willing to share his knowledge. I suggest we get a little closer to the race, see who intends to go, and fine tune the details then. In the mean time, anyone planning to make this trip should start preparing their vessel now. A few things to check are: fuel filters (install a new one and have spares), spare alternator belt, oil change, cooling system, clean hull and prop, and inventory safety equipment. Please give me a call at 956-535-2224, or email me at rockypoovey@yahoo.com. if you think you may make the trip.
Thanks, the SAILAHOLIC!
Commodore’s Corner
The month of February has ended with the initiation of great events for the future of the Laguna Madre Yacht Club. We have a new board with members that are individually accomplished in their respective fields and ready to accept responsibilities ensuring the will of the members is considered and employed. Our new steward Bill Rushfield has proven his worthiness in grand style with his rendition of a Cowboy Chili Cook-off. The participation by members was great, and the chili was enjoyed by all. Those declared winners were “the best of the very best.” Look for Bill’s new ideas for water events in conjunction with the Fleet Captain, as well as special indoor events.
February marks the full end of 2009 and the beginning of new efforts and ideas for 2010. The financial books are satisfactorily reviewed, accepted and closed; the new Fleet Captain and Steward’s schedules are published with new concepts that will include ideas for new power boat members; the new membership directory is being published and an outstanding recruiting colored brochure is at the press. We have already recruited two new members for the year, with one of them being a power boater. Through conversations with eight other Yacht Club Commodores and input from our Rear Commodore, it is readily apparent that many clubs are also facing declining membership due to age, loss of interest, boats in disrepair, poor communication, and the lack of young members. In many cases memberships have increased by simply dispelling the notion that Yacht Clubs are elitists with exorbitant membership fees, catering only to yachters in blue jackets and white pants. In fact, one of our new members felt this way, but realizing how wrong the impression was, he became one of our more active sailors. Aggressive recruitment of power boaters is also recommended. Efforts are now underway to reach out to local power boaters by our recruitment committee. All members have been asked to identify outlets for our recruiting brochures and possible members. This activity has already resulted in new members and increased communications within our club.
Soon the 2010 Directory will be mailed to members. In it will be copies of our club membership applications, color recruitment brochures, and a letter offering a challenge to all members to recruit at least one new member this year. Successes will be recognized in the Light and by other means. Many are already on a roll and will be recognized soon. We expect to soon announce new boating activities in conjunction with the local Power Squadron, of which one of our members is the Commander. Also, as a result of our outstanding relationship with the Galveston Boating Clubs, we have been invited to participate in the Galveston to Vera Cruz sailing race. I will receive more information soon on the event and will get it to our Flag Captain for coordination. This is going to be a great year in which everyone will feel a part of every accomplishment. Let us work together and bring Laguna Madre Yacht Club to even higher heights.
Stay safe and God Bless you,
Colonel Bill Maples
Commodore
I found this wonderful document on-line and thought it would make a nice reference for everyone.
Racing Rules
LAGUNA MADRE YACHT CLUB
UPDATED
2010 RACE AND ON-WATER EVENT SCHEDULE
Questions contact Fleet Captain Rocky Poovey at 956 371 0662
MARCH 20, 21 GULF AND BAY RACES- START SPRING SERIES
MARCH 27 WINE TASTING ON THE WATER
APRIL 03 EASTER EGG HUNT ON THE WATER
APRIL 17, 18 GULF AND BAY RACES
MAY 1 Annual Dottie and Mac McMillan Bay Race to Port
Mansfield.
MAY 15, 16 GULF AND BAY RACES
JUNE 19 CRUISE TO THE ARROYO COLORADO
JULY 17 BEACH PARTY
AUGUST 7 RACE TO PORT ARANSAS- OCEAN SERIES #2
AUGUST 28 STRANGE BREW ON THE WATER
SEPTEMBER 18, 19 GULF AND BAY RACES- START FALL SERIES
OCTOBER 16, 17 GULF AND BAY RACES
NOVEMBER 20, 21 GULF AND BAY RACES
To better serve our members, we have reworked the old site to provide more access to members, greater shared content and a new look representative of our continued growth and concentration on important boating and community activities in the Lower Laguna Madre, South Padre Island and Port Isabel. We welcome members and visitors and hope you find the site helpful. Come Sail With Us!
New Features
- Updated Layout
- Photo Gallery - Photos are now handled via Google’s photo hosting service, Picasa. You can view LMYC photos by clicking “Photo Gallery” under the Links category on the sidebar.
- Calendar - The LMYC calendar has been updated to use Google Calendar. If you use iCal or Windows Calendar, you can add the LMYC to your own personal calendar, and never miss another race or meeting!
- Twitter - Joining the social media craze, you can now follow LMYC on Twitter by adding @LMYC
Coming Features
- @lagunamadreyachtclub.org email addresses for members
- The Light RSS Feed - Have the LMYC’s official publication delivered to your favorite RSS Aggregator every month!
- …And Many More!
We hope you enjoy the new LagunaMadreYachtClub.com, courtesy of Benjamin Mikiten Design!