Message from the Commodore:
October 27, 2020
To: Red Brook Harbor Yacht Club membership
On Saturday October 24th Red Brook Harbor Yacht Club held it’s annual meeting via Zoom video conference. Many thanks to all who joined us for the first ever RBHYC Virtual “Cocktail hour and Annual Meeting. Many stories were shared regarding the challenges of the 2020 boating season and ideas for a safe and healthy 2021 season.
Details and documents from the meeting can be found on the member’s info page.
Remember to stay safe
James Emo – Commodore
News:
Executive Committee, Cruise Committee, Membership Growth Committee will soon begin planning for the RBHYC 2021 calendar year.
Upcoming Events:
We are looking to have, most likely virtual through Zoom, tech sessions on various boating topics. Details & dates coming soon.
Cruise Calendar: RBHYC Cruise Calendar 2020
Hadley Harbor Weekend Rendezvous:
The weekend of September 25, 26 and 27, Moondance hosted the annual RBHYC Hadley Harbor Rendezvous. We were a week late due to Covid related issues. Claire had to renew her drivers license and the only appointment we could get was for Saturday 17 September. Despite the delay, which I think was a blessing because the weather was much more agreeable to those that participated, we had a terrific outing.
There were 7 RBH boats present and the weather was very nice. Moondance was rafted with Oceana (Anita and Todd Smith) and was joined by Don Chapin and Maura Surprenant on Don’s power boat. Also attending were the Coleman’s on Stardust, the Tamucci’s on Stella Mare, the Delmore’s on Serenade and the Woodley’s on Nereus. We started the “cocktail party” at 1500 hrs. and keeping with the social distancing guidelines everybody brought their own Hors Devours and beverage and remained in their dinghies and hung off the stern of Moondance or Oceana. We had a wonderful social hour and everyone remained safely socially distant.
Thank you to all that attended and We are looking forward to next September and hopefully a more normal rendezvous.
Fair winds and following seas to all.
Pictures: Hadley harbor pictures 2020
John & Claire Gardner
S/V Moondance
Martha’s Vineyard & Buzzard’s Bay 1 Week Cruise:
Aug. 14-23, 2020
With favorable currents through Woods Hole Passage (7.9kts), Jim and I headed over to Edgartown on Thursday, to have an extra day there. Such a beautiful day, so relaxing; and the most beautiful sunset we’ve ever seen! Unfortunately, Tropical storm Josephine was heading up the east coast….so, decided to go back to Red Brook Harbor to be safe. Monday, we had a beautiful sail down Buzzard’s Bay on a N/NE tack to Quissett Harbor; wing-on-wing for the last few miles – such fun! Riding the Whoosh Trolley into Woods Hole is a fun experience. After taking a long walk, we had delicious clam chowder and lobster bisque at Captain Kidd’s before heading back to the harbor on the trolley.
Left Quissett on a light wind to Cuttyhunk…..so hot…..eventually no wind at all; motored into Cutty. Louis and Anna Sebok, Big Bird joined later in the day, as did Tom Campbell, Ebba; and Hank and July Turko, Estanche. Before everyone arrived, we helped a couple from Dutch Harbor unjam their main sail from inside the mast. A beautiful Hanse 48 from Marblehead moored behind us. As they were new to the mooring type in Cutty, they tied the eyelet right up in their anchor roller. During the night the mooring ball some how circled around their anchor chain, going in between the boat and the mooring ball! They tried for a long time to unwrap it. We could see he wasn’t able to reach the lines, so we dinghied back to help them. So, we now have 4 new friends! As there were no more moorings inside, Hank and Judy rafted with us. Their new boat, a Bristol 41, is beautiful.
Friday, we had a single tack to New Bedford – great wind! Although, it picked up so much in the afternoon, we called the launch for the ice run. The driver was not experienced in bigger wind and made several attempts to come along side. The same happened arriving at the dock. I helped by throwing the bow line and stern lines to the other driver on the dock. Not realizing she was going to take a couple of people to the hurricane barrier, I had to wait 30 minutes for her return! So, got to see Hank and Judy, again. The return trip to Lotus was also difficult for the launch driver. She was so grateful for my help; she didn’t charge me. The most beautiful private mega yacht was tied at State Pier, “Rising Sun”. We learned it was owned by David Geffen, a business magnate; creator of DreamWorks. We had the cruise dinner at Merrill’s On The Water. By boat, Hank and Judy Turko, Estanche, Tom Campbell, Ebba, for cocktails only; Jim and Suzanne Chandler, Lotus. By land yacht, Terry and Barbara Dane with their granddaughter; and Sue Flannagan.
Just after Lotus passed the New Bedford light house, a gray seal swam up along-side us. As we passed, it just kept looking at us……so cute. Sailed back on a great wind – fantastic! What a way to end an exciting, fun-filled cruise.
Pictures: Martha Vineyard & Buzzard Bay cruise 2020
Jim and Suzanne Chandler s/v ‘Lotus’
Vineyard 2020 Cruise July 17 – 25:
The first RBHYC cruise of 2020 was a 1-week cruise, and I had the pleasure of hosting the cruise aboard “Dolphin” with Nina & Adrien Rock. Some people joined the cruise for the week, while others came and went for different parts of the cruise. We started by convening in Hadley’s Harbor on Friday July 17th and enjoyed the company of the Jim & Linda Emo (“Sunday”), Jim & Suzanne Chandler (“Lotus”), Tom Campbell (“Ebba”) and Pat and Bob Parker (“Front Row”). While there, some of us dug quahogs, a couple of us went striper fishing, we enjoyed at least one sunset, but mostly enjoyed the pleasure of each other’s company for laughs, a drink or two and some quahogs and snacks, all while maintaining a safe social distance.
Two days later, the Chandlers, Tom Campbell and the Rocks & I departed Hadley’s for Lake Tashmoo on Sunday morning, July 19th. We connected with other members while at Hadleys: Louis and Anna Sebok (“Big Bird”), as well as some other club members and weekend visitors we met up with there – including the Delmore’s, the Hanley’s and the Coleman’s. While in Tashmoo, some of us enjoyed a walk around Vineyard Haven, brunch at the “Black Dog”, and a lovely sunset dinghy cruise around the harbor.
Our next sail was on Tuesday, July 21st the Sebok’s, Chandlers, Tom Campbell and the Rocks set sail for Cuttyhunk Harbor. We enjoyed walks around the island and a beautiful sunset on Tuesday evening. While there we saw the Balboni’s and their guests, and also the Scavotto’s were there with their guests. After two nights in Cuttyhunk harbor, and with a “threat” of the weather turning against us, we ended the cruise early on Thursday July 23rd and most of us returned to our home ports. So the balance of the trip that was planned (Quissett Harbor, West Island and Pocasset) was cut short. However – some of us then re-connected for dinner on Friday evening July 24th, by car, at West Island’s “Off the Hook” restaurant. It was a nice ending to a fun week with folks joining in for various parts of the cruise.
Pictures: Vineyard sound cruise 2020
Sue Flanagan
Adrien & Nina Rock (Dophin)