From the Commodore: March 2014

[OverEasy]

Greetings friends, fellow sailors and NE-TS followers!

It's been a while since I put out a NETS NEWS update and I want you all to know that we (the club) are still here! It's been a busy winter for all our Board members, but there are things happening behind the curtain!

First, to sum up the 2013 season, I'd like to thank everyone who participated in any of our club events, even if you only had time for just one. Welcome to new members Shawn & Jen from NH, with whom I sailed at the Winnipesaukee Rendezvous aboard their MacGregor 26M s/v Chameleon. Also new to the group and joining us at Allen Harbor 1 was Jim from CT, as well as Ken & Sue and family of MA aboard s/v Tsatzsue. I hope you all had a good NE-TS experience and we look forward to sailing again with you this year!

The end of the year Christmas party was low in attendance this time around, but thirteen of us did make it to Bruce & Pam's house for a memorable gathering. Sympathies go out to those not able to attend due to family loss and illness. This annual gathering was comprised mostly of the original and founding members from twenty years ago that we appreciate for what we now enjoy today. While they have moved on to bigger boats and blue waters, their commitment to this club is testament to the friendships and bonds that form thru our sail gatherings! With encouragement from various club members, the attending members of this meeting elected me as the new NE-TS Commodore. To figuratively take the helm from outgoing Commodore Al Hill, I accept the vote of confidence and appreciate the opportunity to serve as Commodore of this great organization.

Moving into 2014, I am looking forward to sailing new waters, revisiting some favorite waters, and helping to facilitate the same opportunities for you. Our Board of Directors have been working on projects and issues to update and enhance your NE-TS experience. Soon, I will be confirming a date and location for the next General / Board meeting, taking place in the second half of April.

Karen, our Fleet Captain, has posted the new rendezvous schedule for 2014. Please make note of it and see what you can work into your summer schedule. Also note that several venues currently do not have dates or organizers. If you are interested in organizing a club event but have never done so, please feel free to contact myself or any of our other rendezvous leaders for questions and / or assistance.

I, as much as any of you, enjoy a good sailing story, and our club is built on friendships and stories. Stories from people we've met once, to stories from people with whom we've sailed and shared a meal aboard amidst a rainy eve. Even stories of tangling mast stays during an early morning anchorage drift! Our website archive and forum are a great place to read, write and share our sailing stories thru text, pictures and video. I ask and encourage all of you to continue, or start sharing your sailing stories with us!

Eight years ago, before Sandy and I committed to buying our MacGregor, I had spent many months scouring the internet for information on the Mac brand, as well any other type of trailerable sailboat. I felt like I had hit the jackpot when I discovered NE-TS.com! Thru the stories, I recognized the waters, appreciated the boats and resonated with the NE-TS community. Now eight years later, I still have more stories to share and have even discovered the storytelling medium of video making / editing. Along with many of you who have shared your sailing stories and adventures, I am looking forward to submitting regular content to this club thru a 'From the Commodore' / 'NETS NEWS' style narrative as well as thru video via my YouTube channel, 'EZSAILN with Andy'.

If there is anything I can do to help you have a positive North East Trailer Sailor experience, please feel free to reach me thru any of the club avenues and / or comment on any of our forum postings!

SEA you on the water!!

Andrew Found, Commodore
s/v Over Easy

[Tsatzsue]

Nicely penned Commodore. I am dying to open the boat. Climbed in this weekend, although not as dramatic as you, and had a look around. All looked good including the bag of trash I found under the laz!! No stink after four months on the hard.

Hey I couldn't find the rendezvous schedule on the site.? maybe I am missing something.

[OverEasy]

Hey I couldn't find the rendezvous schedule on the site.? maybe I am missing something.

The new rendezvous schedule is in the subforum Member's Only Rendezvous Information which requires log-in to the forum. When you log in to comment, scan the Board Index again for the 'Member's Only' topics.