January 23rd Newsletter

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Key West Race Week 

January 19-23, 2015

Going to windward en route to our best finish so far.

(KWRW) is one of the premiere racing events in the US with about 200 boats competing.  We brought our VAr 37 and have been racing with 6 SSC people including Martin and Sean.

Our foredeck team – Alice, Jason and Mark.

The first three days of racing had atypical light winds – not ideal for a medium displacement Cruiser Racer like our VAr 37. We finished in 4th place for the first 3 days consistently beating the only a similar Racer Cruiser – a C&C 121. We initially had an impossible PHRF rating of 90.  By yesterday out rating was 105 and we were up to a more typical12-15 knots. Our finishes tightened up till we finally placed ahead of a J80 in the strongest wind over the last race.

Andrea did an awesome job keeping us fast downwind. 

Over the past 4 days we have set, jibed and taken down the chute some 28 times.  We are getting pretty darn good at it and at the end of each day we are all ready to relax a bit.  Of course – keeping more of the fleet behind us is extremely exciting!

The crew has been awesome.  Our spin sets and jibes have been near perfect and everyone is doing a great job calling out the numerous wind shifts.  Upwind we have been taking turns driving and doing the starts.  Downwind we have Alice on the bow, Jason at the mast, Sean and Martin grinding and Andrea driving.  Great fun!

44th Newport International Boat Show September 11 – 14

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Dear Members and Friends,

It’s that time of year – Boat Show Season! The 44th Newport International Boat Show at the Newport Yachting Center is this coming weekend.  Our VAr 37 will be on view at Dock . Read below for all the information about the 2014 Newport Boat Show.

Due to Popular Demand, We have 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. Please contact us for more information and to get your contact information listed.

Have you been putting off taking our Basic Cruising Course? Well, now is the time to sign up! There are still openings to get your Basic Cruising Certification while sailing the VAr down to Annapolis for the Boat Show in October. We set sail from Norwalk on Friday, October 3rd. We will arrive in Annapolis late Sunday afternoon.  You can sign up for this Basic Cruising Course at our website www.soundsailingcenter.com. These trips are some of our Members’ favorite memories of Sound Sailing Center.

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”.

We really appreciate the efforts of our Members in following the procedures to sign up for their boats on our online appointment system, as well as taking the boats they are assigned and not taking another boat from the dock. Many Thanks!!

Happy Sailing!

Martin van Breems
www.soundsailingcenter.com  Continue Reading →

Harlem Yacht Club Open House a Huge Success

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Dear Members and Friends,
The Open House hosted by Harlem Yacht Club on Sunday, August 10th was a wonderful success. We had 40 Members from both Clubs sharing delicious wine and snacks, as well as sailing on the VAr with me. Harlem Yacht Club is a fabulous facility, with great sailing and, as you can see from the photos, and amazing view of the syline of New York City.  I am thrilled that SSC Members have already been taking advantage of our Ensign “Intrepid” that we have moored there to discover this new sailing vista. Visit www.hyc.org for more information on this storied yacht club.
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. Please contact Teddie for more information and to get your contact information listed.
Have you been putting off taking our Basic Cruising Course? Well, now is the time to sign up! We have 2 unique opportunities coming up to get your Basic Cruising Certification. I am sailing the VAr to the Newport Boat Show on September 5th and am conducting a Basic Cruising Class in conjunction with that sail. We depart the morning of Friday, September 5th and follow the curriculum of our Basic Cruising Course throughout the trip. On Saturday evening the lucky students will get to sail the VAr to Block Island for their Practice Sail/Overnight. We will arrive in Newport by late Sunday afternoon. We have 1 spot left in that class for the first person to sign up online at our Website www.soundsailingcenter.com. Then I will be sailing the VAr down to the Annapolis Boat Show on Friday, October 3rd during which I will again follow the curriculum of our Basic Cruising Course on that trip. We will arrive in Annapolis late Sunday afternoon. You can sign up for that Basic Cruising Course online as well. These trips are some of our Members’ favorite memories of Sound Sailing Center.
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”. Teddie has also been scheduling weekday classes for all levels, if you would like to take a “sailcation” from work this Summer, please contact her.
We really appreciate the efforts of our Members in following the procedures to sign up for their boats on our online appointment system, as well as taking the boats they are assigned and not taking another boat from the dock. Many Thanks!!
The Dories Camp was a huge success this Summer! We have never had so many young sailors at SSC and we are excited to start planning next Summer’s Curriculum as this season comes to a close for our Junior Dories.
Happy Sailing!
Martin van Breems

 

 
Summer Sailing Camp Draws to a Close this Week

Dories Camp 

We would like to thank all of our Junior Sailors as well as our fabulous Instructors this Summer, Kelly Weigold, Peter Nestor, Kat Nohre, Martin van Breems II and Richard Roosen. We had an amazing Summer of happy, smiling, wet and salty Junior Sailors all Summer and can’t wait to see everyone again next Summer! Please enjoy these pictures of the kids having fun on our Ensigns.

 

 

Sound Sailing Center Partners With Harlem Yacht Club

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Dear Members and Friends,
I am thrilled to share the news with our Members that Sound Sailing Center is partnering with Harlem Yacht Club on City Island, New York. It has been in the works since the Spring and I am happy to say that on Sunday, August 10th I will be sailing Courageous this weekend to HYC for our SSC Members to use. SSC Members will also have access to HYC facilities including the Restaurant, Bar, Showers, etc. as well as HYC Events and Activities. Harlem Yacht Club was founded in 1863 and is one of the oldest Yacht Clubs in the United States. It is a wonderful Club providing a great area to sail. I hope that all of our Members avail themselves of this incredible opportunity to expand their sailing world and meet new sailors at HYC. To welcome SSC Members, HYC is hosting a Wine & Cheese Open House this Sunday, August 10 from 1 pm to 3 pm. Please join us at HYC and tour the beautiful facilities that Harlem Yacht Club has to offer. Visitwww.hyc.org for more information on this storied yacht club.
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. Please contact Teddie for more information and to get your contact information listed.
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”. Teddie has also been scheduling weekday classes for all levels, if you would like to take a “sailcation” from work this Summer, please contact her.
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.