CRUISING ASSOCIATION
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CRUISING ASSOCIATION |
North East, Maryland
DOCKLINE - April 2000
FROM THE COMMODORE:
By this time you must all be thinking about cruising! Dutch and I have spent many hours planning to make this another summer to remember.
It's been a very long winter for Pat and me. There hasn't been a weekend to just sit back and kick our shoes off, with all that's been going on. This has turned into a 52 week club! I'm enjoying all the social aspects of being commodore, and now am preparing to represent us at the various openings, as well as seeing you all on the cruises.
Our last meeting was very interesting. Ray Littleton from CBYCA did a great job explaining their function, as well as getting everyone involved in a Q&A session.
It has been a big effort, however, now, David Mangano and Brian Toner have your all new, and fantastic yearbook ready to go to press. Thanks to all who had the vision and supported us with this project.
Hopefully those who did not get involved will catch the spirit and participate in next year's edition.
This month's meeting will not be held on the regular date due to the Easter holiday. It will be held the following Sunday, April 30, 3:30 PM, North East Yacht Club. Our guest speaker will be from the Maryland DNR. They will be bringing us up to date on anything new relating to recreational boating as well as answering any questions you may have regarding Maryland's waterways. Please come out and support us!
Let me see your face in the place.
GREETINGS FROM THE REAR:
Spring is here and we all know what that means. Let's get the boats ready because boating season is almost here!
With the beginning of boating season, it is also the beginning of yacht club openings. Our Fleet Captain, Dutch, has scheduled the club for several. For the newer members I would like to take a moment to explain what a yacht club opening is. Basically it is a ceremony and a party given by clubs that have waterside facilities. (That's why TOBCA doesn't have an opening.) It's an opportunity for visiting yacht clubs, like us, to come and wish the host yacht club a "fun, safe, and wonderful boating season." It's also a place to see old "water" friends and to meet new ones.
As Ray Littleton told us at our last meeting, CBYCA attempts to coordinate the openings so not to overlap as much as possible. Also, because TOBCA is a member of CBYCA, we receive guest privileges at the participating yacht clubs where they often charge no dockage for overnight and minimal for electric. So we go and honor them and wish them well and keep TOBCA's good standing in the yachting world and best of all, they are fun!
Last season we won four plaques from the openings. Two were for the most boats attending a particular opening and two were for the "farthest traveled" to get to the opening. The distance is measured from the VFW in North East to the location of the opening. Hopefully, we'll do even better this year. You don't have to come by boat, you can "land cruise."
Before I go, I want to explain what the "Golden Crab Pot" award is. It is presented to the TOBCA member boat (other than the Fleet Captain) who has gone on the most TOBCA cruises that summer. For boating season 1998 (the first year this award was presented) the winners were Jack and Candy Varnes. Last year's winners were Dutch and Carol Hildebrand. So plan on being at our next meeting on April 30, sign up for lots of cruises and maybe you'll be the cruising season 2000 Golden Crab Pot winner.
FROM THE FLEET CAPTAIN
Ahoy there! We have all sorts of news. As was stated in last month's Dockline, the Chestertown Marina sold out in January for Memorial Day Weekend. We've talked them into allowing us to raft off the bulkhead in front of the restaurant. We expect to have ample electricity. You cannot just "show up". If you're interested in joining us, call Dan @ 410-778-3616 for reservations. You must mention TOBCA! One other thing regarding this cruise, they have a 2 night minimum there. We are booked for Fri and Sat. The plan is to leave Chestertown on Sunday morning and head down to Lankford Bay Marina to cook out on the shore there. We'll depart there Monday morning. I will make reservations at Lankford Bay for you, but I need to know who will be going ASAP.
The Inner Harbor cruise is booked for the tall ships event. We have 11 boats scheduled to attend. Those of you who did not send in deposits run the risk of being bumped. Please get up the $50 to guarantee your reservation.
The vacation cruise to Kings Mill Resort, Williamsburg VA is booked. We have 9 boats signed up for that cruise. Some of you have sent in your $50 deposit. Those who have not, please do so ASAP.
We currently have 14 boats signed up for the Labor Day picnic on the Wye River. Nolan has not put a limit on how many we can get in there. However, If you're not on the list and wait too long, you may have to anchor out. To be fair to all, we've always done this on a first signed up, first docked basis. This could be the largest bunch of boats going there to date. I've been informed that there will not be enough electric for all these boats.
The club has sent Inner Harbor Marina a deposit for the Fells Point weekend. As of today there are 3 openings left on that cruise. Anyone considering attending should decide quickly. Deposits are being accepted.
The "grand children" cruise to Tolchester was not real popular. So what we're going to do is call it the "kids cruise and adult beach party". The marina supplies the barbecue grill and volley ball net. There will be something for boys and girls of all ages.
You may contact Dutch or Dave for reservations or with any questions. Thanks.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
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