Hello Everyone! Our boat club is looking for ideas to increase the participation of sailors with cruising type vessels. We have an active racing fleet, but the majority of our local sailors would rather not race. What are some fun and creative things that your yacht club does that would interest the more "laid back" sailor? We're wanting events that would promote the use of their boats and not just an excuse for a party at the marina. If there is a way to raise money for our charities that would be a big plus! All ideas are welcome, we have a great group of people here with a good sense of humor! Thanks ! Charles & Lynn Duhon "Artistry" Bayview Boat Club Lake Ray Hubbard Dallas, Texas www.ArtistryMarineArt.com
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Cruising Destinations
Our club (in mid-upper Chesapeake Bay)was faced with the same issues years ago and we tried to maintain a calendar of both racing and cruising events. Racing and/or cruising to popular destinations for raft-ups, shared potluck dinners; kids and adults swimming, kyaking & wind surfing. Dingy in to a restaurant or crab house; taking slips in Baltimore and walking to an Orioles game, to the aquarium, or just knocking around Baltimore, Annapolis, St. Michaels, Oxford or Cambridge. None the less, our particular group has dwindled to a few die hard friends, most often on one two or three boats, and most of the kids are grown and have their own interests. Ironically, it seemed to be the races, particularly the charity type events that had longevity and a good draw. It takes at least some leadership and advance planning to get multiple boats together; a determination to carry on in the heat or the drizzle, with too little wind or to much wind and hopefully an effort to bring new people into the group as others no longer participate.
Our club (in mid-upper Chesapeake Bay)was faced with the same issues years ago and we tried to maintain a calendar of both racing and cruising events. Racing and/or cruising to popular destinations for raft-ups, shared potluck dinners; kids and adults swimming, kyaking & wind surfing. Dingy in to a restaurant or crab house; taking slips in Baltimore and walking to an Orioles game, to the aquarium, or just knocking around Baltimore, Annapolis, St. Michaels, Oxford or Cambridge. None the less, our particular group has dwindled to a few die hard friends, most often on one two or three boats, and most of the kids are grown and have their own interests. Ironically, it seemed to be the races, particularly the charity type events that had longevity and a good draw. It takes at least some leadership and advance planning to get multiple boats together; a determination to carry on in the heat or the drizzle, with too little wind or to much wind and hopefully an effort to bring new people into the group as others no longer participate.
Charles, check out our website at the link...
below. About 70% are power boats and the rest sail, but we all have a great time. Hope this helps.
below. About 70% are power boats and the rest sail, but we all have a great time. Hope this helps.
Treasure Hunt
A while back our club organised a treasure hunt each summer. You know the idea, a sealed envelope to each boat containing the clues. Each boat has the clues in a different order so there is nothing to be gained by following someone else. For those who get lost, a second sealed envelope contains details of where the party is to be held in the evening. No prize if this is opened. Local suppliers donated prizes. Plenty of work for the organiser but a great test of local knowledge, history and seamanship. Also tremendous fun.
A while back our club organised a treasure hunt each summer. You know the idea, a sealed envelope to each boat containing the clues. Each boat has the clues in a different order so there is nothing to be gained by following someone else. For those who get lost, a second sealed envelope contains details of where the party is to be held in the evening. No prize if this is opened. Local suppliers donated prizes. Plenty of work for the organiser but a great test of local knowledge, history and seamanship. Also tremendous fun.
OOOh. Can I plug my club?
We have been wondering this for a while. We have a few more power than sail, but everyone seems to enjoy. Besides, power boats are great to party on at the dock. Our cruises are generally to marinas to accomodate the power hungry boats, but raft-ups have been held when the weather cooperates. A halloween costume raft-up with trick-or-treating from boat to boat has been kicked around but hasn't been tryed yet.
We have been wondering this for a while. We have a few more power than sail, but everyone seems to enjoy. Besides, power boats are great to party on at the dock. Our cruises are generally to marinas to accomodate the power hungry boats, but raft-ups have been held when the weather cooperates. A halloween costume raft-up with trick-or-treating from boat to boat has been kicked around but hasn't been tryed yet.
Water Balloon Race!!
Should be a very short leg course pref. windward leeward and a gate that all boats must pass through. Each boat gets 12 water balloons to use as bombs. Any hit scored on another boat adds one minute of time to his finish time. The kids especially, really enjoy this race.
Should be a very short leg course pref. windward leeward and a gate that all boats must pass through. Each boat gets 12 water balloons to use as bombs. Any hit scored on another boat adds one minute of time to his finish time. The kids especially, really enjoy this race.
Rob, is there a typo...
in the first paragraph of you "Aides to Navigation" section on your site?? Things might get confusing coming and going around the Solomons.... AD Chesapeake Isle
in the first paragraph of you "Aides to Navigation" section on your site?? Things might get confusing coming and going around the Solomons.... AD Chesapeake Isle
Check out our site
Our association is all sail. We have a very strong membership and do things year round. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to talk!
Our association is all sail. We have a very strong membership and do things year round. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to talk!
Cruising and Racing combined
I race with a club that has a fairly active cruising group as well. One of the new activities this years in a race/cruise combo. The cruisers are heading to a local river followed by the racers racing to the same destination. Raftup and party to follow. MDB
I race with a club that has a fairly active cruising group as well. One of the new activities this years in a race/cruise combo. The cruisers are heading to a local river followed by the racers racing to the same destination. Raftup and party to follow. MDB
Cruising World/Tom Oneal
Some years ago, just before I started cruising, I recall an artcle that Tom O'Neal ran in Cruising World about just such an event. It was a Cruiser's Race. Rules included adding points for every inch the boat floated below the Mfg's recommended waterline, you had to motor at least half of the time, all tanks, including the holding tank should be full at the start of the race...it was really a fun idea! Griffin. Waiting for the ice to thaw between Catawba and Put-In-Bay
Some years ago, just before I started cruising, I recall an artcle that Tom O'Neal ran in Cruising World about just such an event. It was a Cruiser's Race. Rules included adding points for every inch the boat floated below the Mfg's recommended waterline, you had to motor at least half of the time, all tanks, including the holding tank should be full at the start of the race...it was really a fun idea! Griffin. Waiting for the ice to thaw between Catawba and Put-In-Bay
Our association is mainly cruisers
Check out the OSCA web site. We do a number of things, both in the water and out. We have a fleet night in the spring where members can shop at a local chandlery and get discounts on marine supplies, we do various rendesvous throughout our sailing area hosted by different boats, we do an annual cruise. We alsdo try a mystery cruise every year, where no one knows where they are going until the day of. Les Murray Fleet Captian Ocean State Catalina Assoc. s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
Check out the OSCA web site. We do a number of things, both in the water and out. We have a fleet night in the spring where members can shop at a local chandlery and get discounts on marine supplies, we do various rendesvous throughout our sailing area hosted by different boats, we do an annual cruise. We alsdo try a mystery cruise every year, where no one knows where they are going until the day of. Les Murray Fleet Captian Ocean State Catalina Assoc. s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
New York Sailing Club
No, not New York Yacht Club. It's a paper club (no club house nor much of any assets) made up of boat owners and boatless Corinthians. We have functions all year round -- meetings, excursions, summer cruise, weekend and holiday raftups, races, etc. Our Board keeps pretty busy coming up with programs that will get people out on a snowy weekday night and others that will get as many as sixteen boats for a Halloween raftup. We're cheap, too. Dues are only $60 a year. Mostly sail but we have a couple of motor boats. Corinthians provide experienced crew while owners are always assured of crew and good company. Check the website. The best way to keep people coming is to have strong programs that appeal to most of the members. You don't need gimmicks.
No, not New York Yacht Club. It's a paper club (no club house nor much of any assets) made up of boat owners and boatless Corinthians. We have functions all year round -- meetings, excursions, summer cruise, weekend and holiday raftups, races, etc. Our Board keeps pretty busy coming up with programs that will get people out on a snowy weekday night and others that will get as many as sixteen boats for a Halloween raftup. We're cheap, too. Dues are only $60 a year. Mostly sail but we have a couple of motor boats. Corinthians provide experienced crew while owners are always assured of crew and good company. Check the website. The best way to keep people coming is to have strong programs that appeal to most of the members. You don't need gimmicks.
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