Conference unifix::sailing

    RE .0  
    
    I have to smile at your "well heeled" comment.  'Cause I've seen a few
    yacht clubs whose members seem to go out of their way to present this 
    image.  Like the three clubs in Marblehead, for example.  But there's a
    sense of tradition among these kind of clubs that appeals to a lot of
    people.
    
    I prefer the atmosphere at the less "well heeled" yacht clubs, like
    Jubilee YC in Beverly, MA.  Jubilee is a lot of things these other
    yacht clubs arent.  It's casual, comfortable, and there's not a snob 
    in the whole place.  (I'm on the waiting list to join, which is about 
    5 years long).   The JYC has a full service boat yard, and most members 
    haul and store in the yard in the off-season.  Membership dues are 
    reasonable (under $500 per season) and the bar serves cheap drinks. 
    There are function rooms at the club which members occasionally use for
    various and sundry occasions (like wedding receptions and such).
    
    I've heard Jubilee described as the "working man's yacht club", and I
    think most members would take that as a compliment.  I think it's a
    good place to keep a boat, and to spend social time and activity.  And
    I think there are plenty of YCs like Jubilee around New England.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Corinthian YC is not at all like Jubilee.  It has no boatyard, just a
    small hoist (up to J 24's, E 22's).  It provides full launch service, a
    dining room, bar (not cheap) but lots of tradition, atmosphere, and a
    great view of the sunset over Marblehead harbor from the front deck.
    
    I belong to it because it does provide socializing in Marblehead and
    the launch service.  It is not cheap (roughly $1700/yr), but also
    provides a pool and tennis courts which I would like to see filled in
    and paved over to provide winter boat storage room for all I use them.
    Still, I do like a lot of the members and the ambiance.
    
    There is a waiting list unless you own a boat in the harbor.  That's
    how I snuck in.  Have to be nominated seconded and have a bunch of
    people lie about your character on paper.  Then there is this
    ridiculous cocktail party where you meet the membership committee.
    Then if you don't throw up on anybody you're in.
    
    While the place is very nice it is by no means snooty.  That is
    reserved for the Eastern YC.  They definitely consider themselves a cut
    above.  They have a nicer facility, but the view isn't as good.
    
    If the Jubilee was in Marblehead, I'd belong there and spend my extra
    $1200 on drinks.  At the going rate of $1.35 for a Mount Gay and tonic
    at the JYC I think I might be dead by August.
    
    Dave

    Now for the other side of the coin... The West Bay Yacht Club in East
    Greenwich RI...  Well actually Warwick, but you have to go through East
    Greenwich to get there.  Dues are $75/year (on the low side).  The
    clubhouse is a small building rented from Norton's Marina.  We sponser
    a number of cruises, Monday night racing, and some social activities,
    etc.  Oh yes, the club also has a mooring in Dutch Harbor that can
    raft up to three boats.
    
    We're very happy with our club and are always looking for new members.
            
    John Budzinski

    Staying on the RI side, I belong to Sakonnet Yacht Club, dues are
    low compaired to some mentioned ($250, $150 for out haul, $75 for
    locker) but considering the facility, one very small (20'X20") building
    known as the "club house" (with NO facilities in side), a mens and ladies
    room accross the street in a storage shed and a dock I consider
    the dues HIGH (ie due to services ratio).
    
    Membership is gained by two present member recomending you for
    membership in the SYC.  
    
    Most of the member are part of a class sailing program of yingling
    (sp), beetle cats and 17'John Alden design boats.  If you do not
    own one of these boats the club does not have much else to offer,
    EXCEPT the only dock (non-fishing) in the harbor.
    
    Members tend to be very snobby and if your family was not a member
    back in the 1940ies no one talks to you.  During a recent social
    event, my wife and I was not able to strike up a conversation with
    anyone, we left early (10:30) with a "I told you so" from my wife.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Tom
    
    

    In Newburyport there is the American Yacht Club.   I don't belong
    because I'm not crazy about their mooring location (they have bird
    problems) but I checked it out.   
    
    I think the dues were something like $100.00 plus the expectation
    that you pitch in for various club related maintenance activities.
    This is not a high brow place at all.   On the contrary, I was told
    by an officer that they are not at all interested in going high
    brow.  
    
    This is the oldest continuously operated yacht club in America.
    With a history like that I don't see them going upper crusty anytime
    soon.   We don't have any blazer types in the Merrimac that I know
    of (river is not conducive to martoonies on the after deck you know).
    

    Marblehead Yacht Club in Marblehead is the town's "Poor Man's"
    Club, offering a small but attractive facility with excellent launch
    service for a little over $300/yr depending on whether you live
    in Marblehead and/or contribute labor toward club projects.  
    
    No waiting list or membership formalities;  services inner one-
    half of harbor;  occasional barbecues, etc.
    
    Secretary is Steve Karger of Swampscott, # in phone book.

    The RIYC is in Cranston, RI.  Membership (annual) is $300 plus $100 for
    dredging (I think there are three more years of paying for that.) 
    Moorings are available for members at $400 per season.  There is a nice
    longe (although often very smokey) with inexpensive drinks.  Friday
    nights there is entertainment and during the season inexpensive and
    very good meals in the dining room.
    
    The crowd is not snobby at all and has lots of activities.  People work
    together on projects and are very willing to help another out.  I am
    keeping my 26' Pearson sailboat in the water at the club with 30 other
    boats - all of which are paying $10/foot for in water winter storage.
    
    (whoops - moorings for next year are $445, not $400 as quoted above.)
    
    If you're interested in joining, give me a call at work DTN 322-4187 or
    at home at 401-463-3149 and I'll introduce you to some of the people.
    
    	Regards,
    
    	Ron
    

    
    Does the new Massachusetts tax on Yacht Club memberships violate an
    individual's right of free association?
    

If you would like to discuss sailing, this is the notesfile. If you 
would like to discuss politics, there are other, more appropriate 
notesfiles. SAILING does not have unlimited disk space and this 
conference is already over 43 000 blocks. 

SAILING Moderator

    RE: .9  "no politics, please"
    
    >If you would like to discuss sailing, this is the notesfile. If you 
    >would like to discuss politics, there are other, more appropriate 
    >notesfiles. 
    
    Who said anything about politics?
    
    How is this subject out-of-bounds?  How does it differ, for example,
    from the notes referenced in 3.25 and 3.43?
    

Eastern Point Yacht Club in Gloucester has some openings this year (after 
a few years with none.)  If you own a boat, the costs are very reasonable 
compared to marinas, and seem to fall near the mean for New England yacht
clubs. 

Costs for a full family membership with club-maintained mooring are 
probably $1600-1700 per year, plus food & drink.

FEATURES:

- Right in Gloucester's Outer Harbor, with easy access by deep water to
  several gas docks, ice plant, marine supply stores and boatyards. 

- Protected sailing in almost any weather inside the 5 sq mi outer harbor; 
  open water sailing in Massachusetts Bay is just a half-mile around the
  end of the breakwater off Eastern Point.  Wingaersheek Beach is less
  than 6 miles away, Crane Beach is less than ten.  Provincetown is a
  45-mile straight shot across Stellwagen Banks. 

- Ample parking, swimming & wading pools, snack bar, fully-licensed bar,
  indoor restaurant, and beautiful view of Boston skyline 30 miles away. 

- Professional full-time manager.  Launch service.  Family atmosphere; 
  I think it's friendly, open and enjoyable in attitude.  

- Active racing fleets (210's, Rhodes 19's, Laser, (other??), Cruising) & 
  professional sail training available.
 
- About equidistant between Buzzards Bay and Casco Bay. 

As you'd expect, club budgets are very much a function of the number of 
members, and as a member, I'd like to see EPYC get back up to the limit of
150 families to maintain the on-going maintenance and development
programs, and service levels.

I'm willing to talk with anyone interested in more information, and be a 
sponsor if it comes to that.

John.

 Anybody familiar with or a member of the East Greenwich Yacht Club
 on Greenwich Bay in RI?

 Was interested in finding out cost, how exclusive etc.

 thanks
 /mike

    I sailed a regatta there a few weeks ago. It's a real nice place and
    has a crane for dry sailing boats. There seemed to be be a fair 
    balance between normal people and snobs. East Greenwich is a great town, 
    one of my favorite spots in RI. The harbor  is not the greatest, there was
    heavy rainfall that weekend and the water was filthy. The yearly cost
    is about $700 if you drysail.
    
    Paul

    Does anybody know how to get to the Squantum Yacht Club ... both by
    land and by sea ???  We are doing the Lipton Cup Regatta there next
    week-end.  I assume it's somewhere near Marina Bay.
    
    ... Bob
    

    
    	Hi Bob! ... on WAGS or Bo'? (Bo knows shifts)
    	OK whip down the North Channel, hang a right around Long Island
    (Nix's Mate to port!) buzz between Long & Rainsford Islands, and that
    big rockyard/mudflats is Quincy Bay. Best have a chart, if you draw
    more than 4'...
    	My mooring at Wessagusset will open up Saturday, if ya want- no
    depth problems there. We're headin' WAAY north on Sunday.
    	Not sure, but I think they either start in front of Rainsford, or
    else at the Pt Allerton Bell, by Boston Light.
    	Pray for good winds, and real Judges.
    	Good Luck!
    
    	Scott.

    Thanks Scott ... I'll be on WAGS for the Lipton Cup.  Good luck in the
    Halifax.
    
    ... Bob
    

Can anyone tell me about the Quonapowitt Yacht Club in Wakefield?  They're 
right outside my door and might be good for a pleasant evening sail, but it
looks like they're racing, racing, racing all the time.  I would prefer a
relaxed little cruise about the lake.  Also, how is their sociability?

    
    
    I feel like this subject must have been covered before but heck if I
    can find it.
    
    I want to join one of the sailing clubs in Boston harbor this spring. 
    Anyone care to make a comparison of them for me?
    
    My interest is in weekday evening racing.  I have my own small boat
    which I race on the weekends on the Cape and am looking for something to 
    complement this activity.
    
    Last year I took a racing class at Boston Harbor Sailing Club (? the
    one one Lewis wharf).  I enjoyed it tremendously.  But the season
    membership is very high.
                                                                    
    At the Boat Show I got some literature about the Courageous Sailing
    Club in Charlestown.  The membership here is about 1/3 that of BHS.  I
    guess this is in part due to its non-profit status. 
    
    And then there is the "other" Boston Club whose name I continually mix
    up with the Lewis Wharf club.
    
    Courageous offers a pre-season discount for memberships paid before
    March 31st so the pressure is on.  Your input is appreciated.
    
    
    Tom
               

Tom --

Yup, I think you mixed up the names...

I've been a member of both. Boston Sailing Center (on Lewis Wharf) is a
terrific place to sail (IMHO). I've been a member there for 5 or 6 years, and
it's run by a guy who's a real sailor -- Dave Franzel. He's competes in some of
the regional Sonar races and takes lots of silver, and he's a pleasure to
deal with. I just started racing with their Thursday night fleet last year,
and they have some real good sailors and good after-race video and commentary.
(But if you took their racing course, you probably know that.) I hear their
Tuesday night fleet is very competitive.

I was also a member of the Boston Harbor Sailing Club (behind the Aquarium
parking lot) for maybe 3 years (before joining BSC). I guess you could say it's
professionally run, the guy who runs it runs it like a business, and it shows.
I kept feeling I was getting nickel and dimed to deal. I quit when he started
charging for launch rides (how else are you going to get to boats - swim?). I've
never seen the guy sailing. **Unconfirmed ***rumor has it he watches the races
from his palce in Harbor Towers to make sure no boats get too close together
(they have some additional race rules, I hear), and I've also heard that
(presumably for insurance reasons) Solings are no longer allowed out of the
inner harbor. I've met several people from BSC who left BHSC. In fact, the owner
of BSC used to work at BHSC (15 years ago?) and left to start BSC, which is 
probably the source of some apparent competitiveness between the memberships
of the clubs. (Member shaip rates were similar when I last checked (years ago).)

I don't know about the Courageous center, and I'd like to find out what you
hear. But, if it comes down to one of th other two, I'd give the hands down
preference to Boston Sailing Center.

			Steve

    The lower cost of the Courageous Sailing Center is also in part due to
    the smaller boats they have - Rhodes 19s and J22's.   And they also
    share dockspace with the Fireboats, Police boats, and Harbor taxis.
    
    But racing is their schtick and the people in charge do a lot of it.
    Many of them are familiar faces in the local racing scene.  No lack
    of knowledgeable advice here.  
    
    There are separate series for each type of boat.  But I think the fee
    covers all but the 12 meter and a C&C 38 that's sold on a share basis.
     
    There are also several random boats that have been donated:  a small
    C&C, an Impulse 21, a Ranger 22, a Sea Sprite lookalike, a few lasers
    (fairly new), other assorted craft I can't remember.
    
    Boston Sailing Center and Courageous are both open Saturdays during the
    winter for frostbiting.  It may be worth a visit to each to check out
    the wares.  
    
    Boston Harbor Sailing Club at Harbor Towers has some larger boats that
    are suitable for cruising in addition to the Solings for racing.  They
    may still have a racing only membership which is cheaper but permits
    use of the Solings only during evening races.
    
    There is also racing on the Charles River weekday evenings.  Members of
    Community Boating are eligible to participate in the Summer Series held
    at the MIT boathouse.  But this can be humiliating unless you're a roll
    tack artist.  
    
    Or one can spend no money at all, except for the occassional round of
    beer, and just hang around a yacht club.  Bodies are always in demand
    for evening PHRF racing. 
    
    - gene 

    Gene and Steve,
    
    
      Thanks for your input.  
    
      I did like the atitude of the members of BSC (have I got the name
    right now?).  But I must say that if I can get the same enjoyment from
    a cheaper club, I'm going there.  Do you (Gene) know anything about the
    availability of boats at Courageous?  
    
      How are the boats allocated amongst the crews?  I know that at BSC, a
    skipper gets a different boat each week, but how do you get to skipper
    status?  I would think there are more crews than boats.  How is this
    all managed?
       
    
    Tom
      

    ps.
    
    I forgot that I had the price list for Courageous in the office.  A
    full membership at Courageous (May 22 - Nov 1) is $499.  This
    membership includes use of J22's and Rhodes 19's, refresher course or
    intro to sailing, club racing, island trips, and other special events.
    
    They also have a weekday membership for $349; A weekend for $349;
    monthly for $175; 30% off for 2nd and 3rd persons when purchased
    simulataneously and paid before March31; 15% off individual memberships
    paid before March 31; 2 hour private lesson or Courageous shirt for new
    members in 1992.  How can you beat that!
    
    Tom

Anybody know what the availability is like?

And what if you want to use the C&C 38, is that handled as a separate
membership, or is it on a "per use" basis?  What does that cost?


F.
(who's afraid of "clubs" since he got a membership in BHSC and could not
actually get to use the boats much....)

    I'm not a summer member of Courageous so what follows is based on 
    conversations with those who are.
    
    Availability of boats for racing is handled on a round robin basis.  At
    the beginning of the season, boat numbers are drawn out of a hat.  The
    next higher numbered boat is used on successive weeks.  The number of
    people accepted into the racing series is equal to the number of boats
    times a crew of 3 per boat for the r-19's.  Don't know what the formula
    is for J-22's.  The crew rotate among the positions after each race
    with several short races held each race day.  Not everyone shows up so
    boats sometimes go out with pickup crew or short handed.
    
    I'm not sure what the availability of boats for random daysailing is. 
    But they do have a lot of boats and you can't go very far in them.  I
    think you have to stay in the harbor.  On a busy summer's weekend, you 
    might have to wait for boat to come in.  
    
    The emphasis of Courageous is on racing, teaching city kids how to
    sail, and short term daysailing.  None of their boats are suitable for
    overnighting except the big C&C for which a separate, expensive 
    membership is charged.  If cruising is your main goal, the Boston
    Harbor Sailing Club at Harbor Towers has the more appropriate boats. 
    But there is the cost and availability problem to deal with.
    
    - gene 
    
    

    I, too, am an impoverished sailor (kids in college) and use sailing
    clubs almost exclusively.  I have investigated almost all of them.
    There are 3 in Boston, which have been mentioned.  I learned about the
    Courageous Sailing Center from the boat show.  This club is supported
    by public funds (Boston Mayor and Parks & Rec. Dept) and private
    (memberships) funds.  In addition to providing boats they hold programs
    for "handicapped" and "underprivileged" kids.
    
    If you want to sail Narragansett Bay, Block Island Sound, Buzzards Bay,
    etc., I belong to a club that provides that opportunity.  I have been
    in that club for 3 years and would be glad to send you information.
    Basically there are 3 clubs in Narragansett Bay, one in Newport  (Sail
    Newport) which is similar to Courageous Sailing Center, one in
    Portsmouth (my club - used to be called Adventurer Club, now called
    East Passage Sailing Club), and one on the west side of the bay in
    Warwick, called North Star Sailing Club.
    
    Paul

Tom --

Yup, they rotate boats for racing. As far as I know, if you want to be skipper,
just say so. They race several series, maybe June, July, August, and fall, 
(besides the frostbiting) so I suspect that would be easier to do at the
beginning (not too sure). If you need a crew, just ask -- there are always a few
folks looking to crew.

Skippers and crews agree among themselves about rotating positions. There
are usually three races each night, so if everyone wants to rotate among a
crew of three, everyone gets to do it all. My sense is there are probably fewer
crews that rotate, but that's a guess.

Oh, by the way, BSC has cruising memberships also (for other noters who may be
interested). The C&C 29 is a bit tired, the J-30's fine if you don't mind
a racing boat masquerading as a cruiser, and they have an Olsen 30, which I
haven't sailed but looks to be quite nice.

			Steve