July 21st Newsletter

A lovely sail on the VAr 37.

 

Summer Sailing is Here!
Summer is here and as usual, some of the larger boats in the fleet will be making extended passages.   The Contest 36 and VAr 37 will be making several one week cruises.   The Contest is already in Mystic Shipyard East, and the VAr 37 will join her in August.  Mystic Shipyard East is a lovely, resort style marina with a pool just steps away from our slip.   From Mystic, Shelter Island or East Hampton / Montauk are less than 2 hours away, while Block Island is just 3 hours away.
The Sweden 340 is available and perfect for longer passages, with all the gear and lots of availability for that week long August cruise.   There are only 5 days reserved in August so far.  There are only 3 days reserved on the Hanse 320 in August, so lots of availability.

 

Martin’s kids discover new uses for the sailbags !

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New VAr 37 Commissioned

 
Dear Members and Friends,
The new VAr 37 was out of the water this week and we were very busy commissioning her. I am happy to say that she is fully commissioned and back in the water. She looks absolutely beautiful at the dock with her new VAr sails. She was definitely worth the wait.
We have been very busy getting all of the boats in the fleet ready for sail. After the tireless work of our amazing Maintenance Staff – Tulio, Sean, Rob and John, we are in pretty good shape. We are also busy with Corporate Racing Events. If your company would like a team building event, Sailing is the perfect activity. Not only is it a beautiful day on the water, but everyone absolutely loves it! Teddie has been busy planning special events for many area corporations. She can even plan a lovely luncheon or cocktail party on one of the Norwalk Islands for your team. For more information, contact Teddie at sscsailing@gmail.com.
Due to Popular Demand, Teddie has created an “SSC Members Board” on the SSC website. We are listing members who are looking for other members to sail with or looking for crew. See more information below.
Our classes are filling up for the rest of the season as well. If you would like to improve your sailing skills to prepare for a Winter Charter Cruise in the Islands or get your spouse into a class to find her passion for sailing (and to help you crew) – sign up on our website at “Instruction”.
The Dories Camp is bigger and better than ever. Kelly and Peter are doing a fabulous job with the kids. The little sailors are coming up from the dock everyday laughing and soaking wet! Sign your kids up to join in the fun. We have camp sessions until the last week of August and we still have some spots available. You get a 10% discount on Camp with your Membership.
Happy Sailing!
Martin van Breems

 
Summer Camp in Full Swing

Dories Camp 
We had more smiling faces at our Sailing Camp this morning. The kids had a great time out on the water with our new instructor Kelly Weigold. Kelly ran the Nantucket Community Sailing Camp last year and we are lucky to have her teaching our Summer Camp this year. We still have some spots available in future weeks, we even have a camp the last week of August — after most camps have closed – if you’d like to sign your children up.

Another Successful Basic Cruising Class Completed

Our Latest Basic Cruising Class Graduates

Our Basic Cruising Course has been very popular this Summer. We have had 2 groups complete the class in July. The Basic Cruising Course teaches you all necessary skills to sail a boat successfully overnight or for a week. It is a very intensive yet comprehensive course designed by Martin with skills you will be able to apply to sailing any boat during your lifetime. Plus all members receive a 10% discount on our classes.

New VAr 37 Arrives at R Dock

New VAr 37 Arrives at R Dock
July 11, 2014

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Dear Members and Friends,

The new VAr 37 looks beautiful at R Dock. We welcome everyone to come view her this weekend before we take her out of the water to commission her next week. I will be doing checkouts for VAr members on Sunday afternoon and giving sails to all Big Boat Members who would like to check her out.

Please join us for the First Sound Sailing Center Full Moon Sail tomorrow night. We will be meeting at the docks at 6:30. There is no charge for Members now, since no one wanted to do the Champagne Tasting – we will just meet to get the boats ready to sail.

We are in High Season right now at Sound Sailing Center, happily seeing all of our members sailing the boats, taking advantage of the beautiful weather and the nice winds, so unusual for July. We would ask that everyone please respect the Appointment System and take out the boat that you have signed up for. If there happens to be something wrong with that boat, come to the office and we will work the issue out for you. Please don’t just take another boat that is down at the dock, since it may be reserved for another member.

Happy Sailing!

Martin van Breems
www.soundsailingcenter.com

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Summer Camp in Full Swing

 

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Dories Camp
We had more smiling faces at our Sailing Camp this morning. The kids had a great time out on the water with our new instructor Kelly Weigold. Kelly ran the Nantucket Community Sailing Camp last year and we are lucky to have her teaching our Summer Camp this year. We still have some spots available in future weeks, we even have a camp the last week of August — after most camps have closed – if you’d like to sign your children up.

 

Let’s Go Surfing

The trip yesterday was more than a little exciting. We were surfing waves at up to 14 or 15 nm after we rounded Cape May and made extremely good time. Good thing, since we got in 20 minutes before the frontal line and thunderstorms passed over us.

The final passage into Atlantic City was harrowing. With the tide running out and large waves coming in, there were breaking seas, even in the channel and we surfed the entire way in. I did not see the breaking waves until we were committed. The bow was almost submerged at times, as the spray completely covered the boat. I estimate we were doing well over 20 knots. I had the kids below, but still a bit more exciting than desired! The 37 did great.

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