Update: May 10, 2010

We would like to update you on the coming season’s racing.   As some of you know, over the winter a small group of us have been meeting in an attempt to improve not only the overall racing in Nahant, but also to increase involvement by all the members in racing.  I would like to thank Commodore Dan McMackin, Rear Commodore Bill Brown, Town Class Fleet Captain Nick Strange, Jody Graul our PHRF Governor, Laser and Opti Fleet Captain John Fulghum, and Philip Kersten representing The Nahant Sailing Program (NSP) for their time and efforts.  

The tentative racing and social schedules are posted on the Club’s web site and will be updated as necessary.  I encourage all of you to send Social Chair Candace Cahill your ideas to improve the social events at the Club, and racing/sailing suggestions to me.  We also need more of you to step forward and assist or manage the various racing and social functions planned for 2010.  To paraphrase Winston, “So many owe so much to so few.”   Please check the Club’s web site for updates and contact Candace as quickly as possible so she and the Social Committee have plenty of time to prepare. 

In an effort to assist the NSP, we are integrating the NDC and NSP one-design racing by scheduling one-design races on Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons.  The NSP will continue to hold regular weekday races.  The Club will also continue to support the Family-Kids Racing on Tuesday nights, hoping to improve the racing skills of the “kids,” and encourage non-members who have kids in the NSP program to join the Dory Club.  Dory Club members interested in the Thursday night adult racing program in Rhodes 19s should contact Philip Kersten.  The NSP has 5 Rhodes available for “charter.”

As suggested by a member, we will be holding a knot tying class at the June Full Moon Party.  This will be a hands-on class, and we are asking those members who are Alumni of a “Sea Service Academy” to teach the class.  (We know who you are, right Jody & Pete).

In an effort to get additional members involved in racing, we will be offering a training class for new sailors in how to crew on one of the PHRF boats or if you desire on a one design.  Peter Koehler is looking in his archives to resurrect a syllabus for this crew training class. 

One requirement is that any member wishing to be in the class must have taken or be taking the NSP sailing class.  For those of you who would like an experienced racer to sail with you as a mentor, please let me know and I will attempt to arrange one for you.  In addition, for you experience racers, if you would like to assist please let me know as well.  Several members have already stepped forward and offered to be a mentor.

A reminder to cruising boat sailors, please file an PHRF Application to have your boat rated so you have a valid rating for racing both in Nahant and other New England PHRF races. 
The site is:  ttp://www.phrfne.org/uploaded_files/phrf_2009_application_v6_2010.01.25.pdf

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

Cruising Class (PHRF) Fleet Captain
Bob Cusack: (781) 581-1159
rjcusack@verizon.net

Other Notes:

For those of you who have not taken a basic boating course, which is now required by many states to legally operate a power boat, please let me know as the US Coast Guard Auxiliary will again be offering one at the Dory Club.  Part of the proceeds will again be donated to the Nahant Sailing Program to purchase safety related equipment.

As suggested by a member, we will be holding a knot tying class at the June Full Moon Party.  This will be a hands-on class, and we are asking those members who are Alumni of a “Sea Service Academy” to teach the class.  (We know who you are, right Jody & Pete).