Cruising Fleet News – July 2017 So much is happening in the Cruising Fleet, it’s hard to know where to begin. The Sunday July 2nd cruise to Bowline Point consisted of two groups rafting up to watch the Haverstraw fireworks. Someone said there were 22 Nyack boats in the cove along with a zillion motor boats of all sizes. As usual, the fireworks were 30+ minutes of awesomeness. The weather was perfect and food & libations flowed from boat to boat. Osman provided the most entertainment with his new paddle board, and Dave Horton/Joey G provided excellent technical assistance to boats that ran aground, unwrapping props, moving anchors, and managing the herd of nautical cats. Coming Up Movie night, Friday, July 14th, weather permitting on the lawn Come for dinner on the patio, and stay for the movies. We’ll show a kids movie from 7 – 9 pm (this month Walt Disney’s classic Jungle Book), followed by one of the funniest movies ever made, Airplane, when it is dark enough. Bring your own wine, snacks, popcorn and a blanket. If there is no wind, we could set everything up on the pier where you could watch the movies from your boat. Wouldn’t that be a hoot? Cruise to Block Island If you’re interested in going with a cruising flotilla to Block Island, please contact Carol Marsh and/or Morris Azar. The cruise was scheduled for the last two weeks of July, but those going will have to decide how to cope with the less than ideal currents the weekend of July 15-16th. Cruising Fleet Pier Party – Saturday, August 12th (rain date Saturday August 19th) This classic Cruising Fleet party on our pier Saturday, August 12th, is free for all Cruising fleet members and their immediate families. All others pay $35/person with reservations required. Once again, Karen Horton and Joe Glogiewicz will announce the party theme at the last moment, so watch your e-mails if you want to dress up (or rent a costume!) for this best of all Nyack Boat Club parties. If you’ve never been to a Cruising fleet Pier Party, or want to remember how great they are, visit <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z02sofkq8dk> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z02sofkq8dk for Vin Landers, Jr. classic drone video of the August 2014 party. Thanks, Vin, for making this event so memorable. Ambrose Light Rally August 19 – 21st Fleet Captain Cruising Morris Azar is organizing the Ambrose Light Rally, leaving NBC Saturday morning August 19th (9 am high tide), sailing down to the Statue of Liberty (or Liberty Landing Marina) to raft up and socialize Saturday night. Sunday will be the Ambrose Rally sailing from New York harbor, under the Verrazano Bridge, out into the Atlantic around the Ambrose Buoy, and back again to the finish at Liberty Landing. After another night of socializing, the group will head back north early Monday morning with the current. Please contact Morris asap if you are interested in joining the group. What’s happened to the 2017 Cruising Fleet hats? The 2017 Cruising Fleet hats should be arriving before the end of July. If you are a paid-up Fleet member as of July 1st, you will get a free hat. All others will pay cash. Please contact Morris if you know you want to buy an extra hat. Also, if you haven’t picked up your 2016 hat and Cruising Fleet flag, Morris has them in his locker. Cruising Fleet Racing News Fleet Captain Racing John Michael reports that Wednesday Night racing has settled into a pattern, and we’ve only lost one night of racing due to no wind. All results are posted on the white leader board under the porch. However, Sunday racing is still under-attended. What a shame because the conditions are often far superior to the dying wind of a Wednesday night. The best is when the air heats up during the day - ocean breezes come up the Hudson providing a steady southerly that’s absolutely delicious for sailing. With few lifts and headers the wind is just a steady 180° from the south. The Race Committee tries to give us two races, and you can correct your mistakes when you repeat the same course again. Remember that the Cruising Fleet Club trophy goes to the boat with the best sailing record for the entire season in both the spinnaker and non-spinnaker fleets. That means all of the points are added up for 1) Wednesday Night racing, 2) regatta weekends, and 3) Sunday racing. The more you race, the better you will do in the overall standings. Skippers who are not members of Nyack Boat Club or members of the Cruising Fleet are not eligible for this award. So come and race on Sundays to add to you point score, develop a super crew, socialize, and have a reason to sail on the weekends. Lee Luce Cruising fleet Secretary