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A Bright October Day in Vineyard Haven Harbor Brings People Out to Mess Around

A rare day of good weather and tender wind brought people out into Vineyard Haven harbor to work on their boats either in preparation for putting them away for the winter or in anticipation of one last sail.

Malabar II at the town dock with its spars taken down, only the two main masts remain.
Working or just messing around? Either way, you are on your boat and that's what counts.
A father and son in the sleek Minnehaha.

The schooner Perception takes a ride in the harbor under some gusts.




You don't have to be a big boat to enjoy the water.

Charlie Felder works on the beetlecat he's had stored in his garage for two years.

Malabar II returns to its mooring, stripped down for winter.

Trinity Yacht Club Officially Launched at Trinity Collge with President & Friends

Here are photos from today's official launch of the Trinity Yacht Club. Although the launch was held on land at Trinity College in landlocked Hartford, Ct, Dave McDonough, second from left, and Trinity College President and Commodore Emeritus James F. Jones and friends toasted the occasion with enthusiasm. More pics below.

Center, Paul Assiante, undefeated Trinity men's squash coach (13 years!).

Pre-Launch Rally for Trinity Yacht Club (photo)

Trinity Yacht Club burgees are on display prior to official launch on Trinity campus, Hartford, CT.

Trinity Yacht Club to Be Launched This Saturday at Trinity Parents Weekend

My good friend Dave McDonough has taken my idea of creating your own yacht club and gone me 10 steps better. He has created a yacht club for the college his daughter attends, Trinity College in Hartford, CT, calling it the Trinity Yacht Club--complete with bylaws and mission statement. See the brand new burgee in a handsome frame below.

This Saturday (Oct. 22) Dave is presenting a certificate to James F. Jones, president of Trinity College, at halftime in the Long Walk Society Tent during Parent's Weekend to officialy launch the organization.

The certificate proclaims that Jones, as Trinity's president, is named Commodore Emeritus of the Trinty Yacht Club, and all future Trinity presidents will be so honored as well. To top it off, any surplus funds from dues and fees accurred by the Trinity Yacht Club will be donated to Trinity College to use as it sees fit. A fun idea and a neat way to raise funds your alma mater. What about your college or school?

Annual Newport International Boat Show Sept. 15-18 Will Feature Morris, S&S

The 41st  Annual Newport International Boat Show takes place next week September 15-18, 2011. This popular boating extravaganza will feature new sailboats and powerboats, and thousands of products and services from both domestic and international exhibitors.

Among the exhibitors will be Sparkman & Stephens (find them in Tent A). Also Morris Yachts will have New Boat, Brokerage and Service teams on hand, in addition to displaying an M36 and a Morris 42 (Ocean Series). There will also be a private viewing of the M29, M36, and M42 on nearby docks. To schedule an appointment send an email to Morris Yachts.

Multiple waterfront facilities along America's Cup Avenue host the Show including Newport Yachting Center, Oldport Marine, Bannister's Wharf and Bowen's Wharf.  All Show sites are accessible by land or by  water taxi service. For more detailed information, visit the NIBS website. See below for show highlights.

Show Highlights

• Got talent? The Newport International Boat Show will be one of the stops on a nationwide casting call for the upcoming motion picture 'Yacht Club.'

• Special Two-Day Marine Weather Course offered. Instructor: Lee S. Chesneau Classroom Location: 250 Thames Street, 3rd Floor, Newport, RI

• Newport will be chockablock full of world-class racing events taking place during the Newport International Boat Show, so start planning your accommodations now.

       - The New York Yacht Club will host the Swan 42 World Invitational Cup, Sept. 15-19

       - The 12 Metre North Americans will immediately follow the close of the Boat Show

    - Puma’s Volvo Ocean Race Boat is currently being built at New England Boatworks in Portsmouth, RI. New England Boatworks is a NIBS exhibitor.

• Newport For New Products: The Show is the official venue for U.S. debuts of all new boats and boating products. This industry-wide promotion recognizes the best that’s being introduced for the 2012 model year at NIBS. Look for the red-and-blue balloons signifying new boats/products throughout the Show.

• Best-selling Nautical Authors Lin and Larry Pardey to Speak at Newport Show - Hosted by Blue Water Sailing Magazine. Exhibit space and seminars hosted by Blue Water Sailing Magazine. Newport Seminar Topics include:

               -Storm Tactic - Friday, September 16th, 12:30 - 1:30 PM, Tent J

               -Cost Control While you Cruise - Saturday, September 17th, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Tent J

               -Booth Location - Book Signing - Tent C - #45 & 46

• SAIL FOR PRIDE: 2011 Charity Partner - Just days after the 9/11 attack, a group of sailors led by Scott Murray, Mick Harvey and Brad Read founded the Sail For Pride Regatta to raise money to support the victims and their families. And indeed they succeeded in raising over $110,000.

        Over the past nine years they have continued to raise money under the name Sail For Hope to reflect the RI state motto. From 2002 on, the funds were directed to support local Rhode Island charities. This year, being the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the name Sail For Pride will be brought back.

• Latitudes & Attitudes hosts the Show's first-ever Cruisers Party--all Boaters are invited. Join others with your same passion for boating, along with the exhibitors and industry folks, for a great evening of free pizza, beer, and soft drinks at the Lats & Atts Cruisers Party! Enjoy the music of The Eric Stone Band, live and in concert! Visit the Eric Stone website at www.boatsongs.com.

• Make Pink Your Color: PINK HEALS is touring the USA and will make a stop at NIBS. The Pink Heals Foundation is a national, non-profit organization committed to raising breast cancer awareness. You can help raise funds for various breast cancer support programs by purchasing t-shirts or other accessories such as dog bowls, stickers, mouse pads, etc., or make a monetary donation in the amount of your choice. 100% of the proceeds will go to Pink Heals.

• AL JARDINE. Following the close of the Boat Show on Sunday, September 18th - spend the evening at a concert with Al Jardine, founding member of the Beach Boys, and his Endless Summer Band. Boat show Exhibitors and Attendees - receive a boat show special offer of 10% off regular ticket prices. The Concert takes place at the International Tennis Hall of Fame front lawn courts.

Parking Made Easy

Purchase your show ticket and an Easton’s Beach Parking Pass in advance. Shuttle Service from the Easton’s Beach Parking Lot to the show is free and runs continuously from 8 AM to 8 PM all four days. Shuttle buses are handicapped accessible.

Morris Yachts Rendezvous on Martha's Vineyard for 2011 Vineyard Cup

Morris Yachts jockey for position at the starting line.

A record number of Morris Yacht owners--including local skippers Mike Loberg/Masquerade and Ed Cerullo/Undine--turned out in force for the 2011 Vineyard Cup and a Morris Rendezvous that included an evening at the Loberg's Vineyard Haven home. See story and photos here on the Morris Yachts blog.

Holmes Hole Sailors Make Their Mark in Annual Vineyard Cup Regatta

The annual Vineyard Cup for the benefit of Sail Martha's Vineyard ended its 3-day regatta on Sunday with a flourish. Winds gusting up to 25+ knots buffeted the fleet as it passed East Chop en route to the finish line for the 17.7 mile final race.

Boats heeled sharply in the heavy winds off East Chop.

The weather was flawless for the weekend with cloudless skies, temps in the high '70s and winds 5-10 Friday and Saturday with a heavier go on Sunday that saw boats heeling severely in the face of occasional heavy blasts and swells from the SW winds.

Perception with John Amabile aboard bearing down.

Holmes Hole SA boats made their mark with Andy Berry (Isobar), Ed Cerullo (Undine), Mo Flam (Penelope) and Jerry Goodale (Stormalong) all finishing in the money in their respective divisions.

Sunday's first leg, running off East Chop to first mark, belied what was to come later in the afternoon: building seas and heavy wind.

Final leg, a pair of Nonsuch boats come upon Trinka, a Bristol Channel Cutter.

Trinka up close with skipper John Rose, an accomplished sailmaker, at the helm.

Magic Time on the far left, Mischief, and Gloria, far right, on Sunday's first leg.

Avanti crew David McDonough, a future Holmes Holer and Vineyard Cup competitor (Trinity, Morgan 37), accepts an Avanti burgee from its grateful skipper.

Trinka heeling on the last leg.

Avanti skipper David Lott with crew Elise Ryan: Wait 'til next year!

 

Vineyard Cup Sailing Weekend Gets Underway Today with 1st Gun at 1 PM

Here's the schedule of Events for this weekend's Vineyard Cup sailing regatta on Martha's Vineyard. The annual event is being held for the benefit of Sail Martha's Vineyard which gets Vineyard kids out on the water and into sailing. You will see beautiful sails everywhere on the water this weekend including our own Cape Dory 270 Avanti!

Schedule of Events

Friday, July 15th
1100 hrs PHRF Competitors Meeting
 1200 hrs PHRF Harbor Start
 1300 hrs PHRF First Gun
 1630 hrs Opening Party … Beetlebung Steel Band!

Saturday, July 16th
 0700 hrs Breakfast at the Black Dog Tavern
 0900 hrs PHRF Harbor Start
 1000 hrs PHRF First Gun
 1000 hrs Classics Parade of Sail
 1100 hrs Classics First Gun
 1230 hrs Catboat First Gun
 1300 hrs Menemsha Pond Fleet First Gun
 1430 hrs Post Racing & Daily Awards Party

Sunday, July 17th
 1000 hrs All Divisions Harbor Start
 1030 hrs First Gun for Pursuit Race
 1300 hrs Menemsha Pond Fleet First Gun
 1630 hrs 2011 Vineyard Cup Awards Party

Final Day of J Class Newport Regatta Has Moments of Drama & a Velsheda Win

The final day of the J Class Regatta in Newport, RI, had Velsheda playing for pride and she in fact finished strong to claim her point. It was her only win in the five-race match which Ranger took, four races to one.

The Sunday race started on a downwind leg that immediately cast some drama into the race when Ranger's spinnaker ripped to pieces shortly after being deployed. The crew quickly replaced the 10,000 s.f. sail, but it gave valuable space to Velsheda which she maintained throughout the day.

Ranger bears down on a closing beat at day's end, but could not make up the time.

At the start, the two giant boats jockey for starting line position.

Over the line together, the J Class racers are even for just a moment.

Each boat sent a crew member up the mast to look out over the spinnaker.

A perch not for one afraid of heights.

Ranger's spinnaker suddenly and completely rips across a seam and plummets to the water.

The crew worked quickly to pull the torn sail onto the boat while working up a replacement.

Further down the leg, Velsheda runs by Castle Hill light.

The spinnaker and pole come down on Velsheda in preparation for the beat back to Newport.

Close-up of the Velsheda main and jib.

The Ranger team hops to the spinnaker and pole.

Close-up of Ranger's jib and main.

Ranger tacking as the final leg nears its end.

The winning Ranger team: Earl Williams, professional helmsman, Ranger owner John A. Williams of the New York Yacht Club, and Alastair Tait, Captain.

To the victor, the spoils.

Read all the post in the series on the J Class Regatta:

Off to Newport & the J Class Regatta

Cruise to Newport & J Class Regatta Begins with a Run to (a Quiet) Cuttyhunk

Cruise to Newport/J Class Regatta: Sakonnet's Elegant Clubhouse & Warm Welcome

J Class Regatta at Newport Puts Big Power, Precision and Majesty on Display

Everything Is Big on a J Class Yacht: Crews, Sails, Accessories & Maintenance

In Newport for J Class Regatta, World's Most Beautiful Yachts Compete for Attention

In Newport for J Class Regatta, World's Most Beautiful Yachts Compete for Attention

The visual boating feast in Newport during the recent J Class Regatta was not all about the stunning Js. Row upon row of magnificent vessels were on display, including the world's most expensive sailboat, the Maltese Falcon. Here are some of the beauties we saw. (Click the photo to see the full picture.)

 The owner of the J Class Velsheda, Dutch businessman Ronald de Waal (European retail fashion chain WE), provided on-site hospitality for his crew on his super yacht Bystander.

One of the belles of the ball, the bright-work beauty Sophie.

Close-up of Sophie.

One of several regatta chase boats which originated in the same era as the Js.

From Royal Huisman, Meteor combines the classic lines of the Gloucester schooner with 21st century sail and rig technology.

La Forza del Destino, a 167-foot Swan 77.

Braveheart.

Gracie at her home berth.

Read all the posts in the J Class Regatta series of articles:

Off to Newport & the J Class Regatta

Cruise to Newport & J Class Regatta Begins with a Run to (a Quiet) Cuttyhunk

Cruise to Newport/J Class Regatta: Sakonnet's Elegant Clubhouse & Warm Welcome

J Class Regatta at Newport Puts Big Power, Precision and Majesty on Display

Everything Is Big on a J Class Yacht: Crews, Sails, Accessories & Maintenance

Final Day of J Class Newport Regatta Has Moments of Drama & a Velsheda Win