High Tidings September-October 2025
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ncyc
Upcoming Events
September 5 – Launch service Friday, Saturday, Sunday begins
Sunday, September 7 – Belle 8 Race
Friday, September 12, 6:00 – Pizza and Movie Night
Friday, September 19-Sunday, September 21 – Mattituck Bike and Wine Cruise
Saturday, September 27, 6:00 – Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 11-Monday, October 13 – Columbus Day Mini Cruise
Sunday, October 12 – Last day of launch service :(
Saturday, October 25, 6:00 – Friendsgiving
Saturday, November 1, 4:00 – Annual Meeting
Commodore Remarks
At this point in the year, I view the seasons as boating season or non-boating season! As it has been with most summers, we feel that we have not gone out on the boat as much as we have wanted. I am sure we are not the only ones who wished we had more time on the water. There are still a few more club opportunities to get out of the cove and on the water: a couple of Thursday night races, the Belle 8 Race on Sunday, September 7th, and the club cruise to Mattituck starting on September 19th.
The weather has been pretty good this year, especially for the two-week club cruise in August. Chris Griffin, our Fleet Captain, got us out to Block Island where we lingered an extra day. Walter organized a clamming party that netted enough clams for Elio to steam and serve with garlic butter that evening on Tom and Julie’s boat, Airbus. The free concert on the beach with the waves breaking and the last ferry heading out to the mainland was surreal. Thanks, Suzanne, for telling us about it.
The next stop was Montauk, Long Island and then a week exploring the South Fork. Rob had history books on both the North and South Fork with beautiful old photographs. We learned that farmers planted potatoes on Shelter Island and that Taylor’s Island was owned by John Smith who invented Borax soap. The dinghy brigade and hike to the brewery and restaurant, cocktails at Ram’s Head Inn and a great Italian meal at Isola in Shelter Heights rounded out the trip. Thanks, again to Suzanne and Walter for arranging a taxi to the Itzhak Perlman Summer Music Camp for the teen virtuosos’ final concert of the season. Extraordinary performances by the violinists, pianists, and cellists filled the tent as boats passed by. Again, surreal.
It has been a fantastic summer of club events with more to come. We have a pizza and movie night on September 12th and Oktoberfest with Pete Jenkin’s band providing the entertainment on September 27th. Friendsgiving is on October 25th.
Mooring holders have noticed that the cove seems to have more turtles, fewer bunker fish, and fewer birds landing on our boats this year. Word is the DEEP reported that the Stripers stayed longer in the river this spring due to the heavy rains. Perhaps they fed on the bunker that usually migrate into the cove for the summer? Less prey for the Osprey in the cove? It is just speculation on my part.
Junior sailing had another great year. The addition of the coach boat and a new electric motor on the skiff made for smooth operations. Our junior sailing staff, director and co-chairs make it look easy while they were working hard behind the scenes. If you are looking for a way to donate to a good cause, we provide scholarships to local students who want to learn to sail. The Saltzman Scholarship fund was established long ago and needs replenishing every summer. The co-chairs, Kathy and Cathy, are accepting donations of any amount.
Please feel free to drop a note to our stewards for their outstanding service, and a gratuity would not go amiss. Rear Commodore Deb Paulson, has some work lined up on the launch for this winter. The decommissioning of the boats is another opportunity to volunteer as we wind down the season. Please see Deb for information.
Last but certainly not least. Aren’t the NCYC flower gardens and flower boxes spectacular?
Signing off for now and happy travels,
Linda Tuzzio, Commodore
Vice Commodore Remarks
As summer begins to gently loosen its grip, let’s not rush it out the door just yet! There’s still plenty of sunshine, warm breezes, and good company to enjoy at the clubhouse. Whether you're popping in for an impromptu dinner, curling up with a book on the deck, or challenging someone to a game (winner does the dishes?), the clubhouse remains the perfect late-summer retreat.
A big shoutout to Jen Chadukiewicz for bravely tackling the refrigerator clean-out—your efforts are deeply appreciated (and smelled)! And hats off to Dan Ferrier for installing the new, sturdier closet doors. They look great and feel solid—just a gentle reminder to be mindful when wheeling out the chairs so we can keep them that way.
Now, about the alarm saga—drama worthy of a short film. On August 13, our alarm box service company installed a new fire alarm box to finally silence the persistent “low battery” alerts. Victory! …Or so we thought. Just four days later, at 6:30 a.m. on August 17, I got the call: alarm triggered. Old Saybrook Fire Department en route. Thankfully, we were overnighting on Sea Star in the cove, so with a quick dinghy dash (thanks, Jon!), I arrived to find four Old Saybrook firefighters enjoying the morning view from our deck. The new alarm box did its job, pinpointing the issue! And thanks to Lou Vinciguerra—who climbed into the attic with the alarm box service person like a true hero—we got it resolved. Knock wood – no more calls since then!
And finally, a light-hearted but heartfelt reminder: if you can sail a boat, you can rinse a dish. Please don’t leave your culinary masterpieces (or their remnants) in the sink for others to discover. Let’s keep our shared space as welcoming as the view from the deck.
See you around the club—summer’s not over yet!
Fair winds,
Melissa Mason, Vice Commodore
Rear Commodore Remarks
Greetings!
As we move into the fourth quarter of our 2026 season, I would like to remind members to check the calendar on the Club website for launch hours. Beginning September 1, the hours are curtailed to Friday through Sunday. Because of this, there will likely be more use of the dinghies and more use of the Club boats, and so I’d like to pass along a few reminders. Please do not leave your dinghy tied up to the dinghy dock for weeks. We don’t have space for all the dinghies to be on the dinghy dock, so please be considerate. When tying your dinghy to the dinghy dock, use a long painter, so that dinghies can be pushed aside to make room. And do keep your engine down, so the blades don’t slice into your neighbor.
When using Club boats, please use for short trips only. One of the Club boats now has an electric motor. The battery for this motor lives in the Steward’s office, where it is re-charged nightly. Ask Tanya or any other steward how to install it on the motor, and, when done for the day, bring the battery back to the Steward’s office and plug it back it to be recharged.
I’d like to thank everyone who came out to help with storm prep when hurricane Erin was trundling by. Thank you also, for everyone using the parking lot in a considerate manner. We have lots of members and using parking spaces judiciously (parking at the end of the lot when away on one’s boat; using the middle school parking lot for overflow if inviting guests to the club on weekends) is much appreciated. I also like to thank all those members who have volunteered to mow and weed whack, so our Club grounds look tidy and well-kept. Speaking of which, I’d like to echo Linda in her praise of our gardens, planned and tended by Cathy Murphy and Kathy Reddington. I was at Shelter Island Yacht Club this summer, and while it is très fancy, I’ll tell you, their flower displays have nothing on ours.
A note on getting on and off the the Launch. Please use the steps. Anything else may be slippery. Do not embark or disembark until the launch captain gives the go-ahead. We’ve had a few incidents of slipping and these can be avoided by following these common-sense procedures.
Thank you to everyone who makes this Club so welcoming and special.
Deb Paulson, Rear Commodore
{Ed note. That name sounds familiar…]
Membership
Please welcome the following members to NCYC Membership.
Maureen and Paul Knutsen
Lois Caldrello and Khary Fletcher and their sons Calvin and Elliot
Set Sail for Fun at the Belle 8!
North Cove Yacht Club’s Women-At-The-Helm Race Returns September 7th
Grab your crew and mark your calendars — it’s time for one of the most fun and empowering races of the season! The North Cove Yacht Club is thrilled to host the annual Belle 8 Race on Sunday, September 7th, with a 3:00 PM start. This race is all about celebrating women at the helm, competitive spirit, and good times on the water.
Here’s the twist that makes the Belle 8 so special: every boat must have a woman at the helm. And if you’re bringing an all-female crew? You’ll earn a PHRF rating bonus—because girl power should be fast, too.
How to join the fun:
Sign up by contacting Amy Vinciguerra
Bring $20 (cash) on race day
Show up ready to race at 2:00 PM, Start is at 3:00 on the water
Once the sailing wraps up, stick around for a post-race hangout featuring pizza, awards, and plenty of high-fives. Whether you're a seasoned racer or just looking for a fun way to get on the water with a great crew, the Belle 8 is the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this awesome tradition where women lead the way, the sailing’s competitive, and the vibes are always top-notch.
Jr. Sailing
North Cove Junior Sailing Wraps Up a Successful Season
North Cove’s Junior Sailing program celebrated another exciting and successful summer on the water, with three full sessions of sailors learning, racing, and making memories. This year's Instructor team was led by Amy Vinciguerra as Program Director, Alex Beauchene as Head Instructor, Felix Zapf as 420 Instructor, Scott Soukup as Intermediate Opti Instructor, and Lucy Soukup as Beginner Opti Instructor.
Sailors spent their days in the sun, heat, and even a little rain, gaining valuable skills and building friendships along the way. The program was filled with activity both on and off the water, from competitive racing to lighthearted fun.
Opti sailors took part in several racing events, showcasing their skills against sailors from other clubs, while the 420 sailors made the most of their time training and racing on the Connecticut River. Fridays were a highlight for many participants, with scavenger hunts and Olympic competition days adding extra energy and fun to the program.
The official North Cove Travel Team, led by Head Instructor Alex Beauchene, represented the club proudly in five regattas over the course of the summer. (In bold are the names of member children). Among the standout performances were Harlan Marjah’s 3rd place finish, Jack Scierka’s 6th place finish, and Jack Variccio's 9th place finish out of a competitive fleet of 23 Optis at the Pettipaug Regatta. North Cove had two 420s participate in the Non-spinnaker division of the Pettipaug regatta, Madison Muratori and Charlotte Skidmore brought home 1st place while Hunter Swales and Blaise Dwyer-Surwilo took home 3rd place. Several sailors attended the Pettipaug regatta as their first ever travel event. Sailors Cavan Davis, Alden Raynold, Eli Morgan, and Tucker Ayer all traveled to compete. We hope to see them join the travel team for more events next year.
Another Travel Team highlight was the outstanding season sailed by Hudson Lentnek, who competed in her third competitive Opti season. Hudson delivered impressive results across multiple regattas, earning 3rd place at the Niantic Bay Regatta, 3rd place at the Pettipaug Regatta, and 4th place at the Weekapaug Regatta. Her consistency and determination paid off, as she finished the summer ranked 5th overall in the Red Fleet Optis and also secured 5th place among all Opti girls for the season.
From local adventures to travel-team triumphs, this summer was a testament to the enthusiasm of North Cove’s young sailors, the dedication of their instructors, and the support of the community. With so many successes and so much fun packed into the season, the future of junior sailing at North Cove looks brighter than ever.
Amy Vinciguerra, Program Director
Fundraiser to Support Junior Sailing Scholarships
For many decades North Cove Yacht Club has awarded scholarships to young sailors in the community who are in need of financial support to reach their sailing goals. These scholarships have been awarded from the Saltsman fund, honoring Past Commodore and Junior Sailing supporter Charles M. Saltsman.
This scholarship account is getting low, with only a few years of scholarships left.
We are holding a raffle for an electric outboard to help replenish the funds! Tickets are $20 each or the special deal of 6 tickets for $100. The raffle drawing will occur once we hit our goal of raising $1,500 and we are more than a quarter of the way there!
This electric outboard may look familiar because it is a crowd favorite among the NCYC cruising community. They are extremely light weight, easy to use, and can charge off a solar panel (sold separately).
To purchase tickets, email or text Amy Vinciguerra amyvinci94@gmail.com or 860-395-7625. Please list your name and the number of tickets you would like to purchase.
Want to help out, but don't want an engine? Donations are graciously accepted. Contact Amy about making a donation to the Saltsman Fund.
ECSA
ECSA Sailors take on US Sailing Championship!
(Eastern Connecticut Sailing Association- North Cove is a member club of this association)
ECSA Junior Sailing Chairman Brendan Peary shared the following report on an impressive summer for our youth sailors!
This summer, a group of four young sailors, sponsored by ECSA Junior Sailing, competed at the US Sailing Sears Cup, the US Sailing Junior Keelboat Championship, at St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California. This group, ranging from aged 13 to 16 years old, consisted of David Fantarella (skipper), Fischer Smith (crew), and Carter Mikolay (crew) of Sachem's Head Yacht Club and Cordsen Enman (crew) of North Cove Yacht Club. In early June, the boys started sailing together, preparing for the Sears Area B Qualifiers. To be selected to attend the Sears Cup, you must be one of the top two finishers in your respective area qualifying event. US Sailing hosts 11 different Area Qualifiers in late June and early July.
With the help of their coach Emma Cowles, Yale Sailing '25, the boys won the Area B Qualifiers. After securing their berth in the finals in early July, the team worked incredibly hard, training in Newport and San Francisco to prepare for the event. In the end, they finished 12th out of 20 boats in San Francisco, seeing all sorts of conditions with ripping flood and ebb currents, 20+ knots of seabreeze, and large swell. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and their commitment to representing our region well. They were the top finishing boat from our region and the first ECSA boat to reach the finals in over a decade, while also being one of the youngest teams on the race course. Congratulations to this squad!
Amy Vinciguerra
Around Long Island Regatta 2025
Members will have noticed a new face in the Stewards’ shifts–Artur Piotrosky. He is friendly, professional, skilled…and he is also one heck of a racer. This year, his Catalina 320, Maggie, took first-place honors in the Around Long Island Regatta, Division 1. Congratulations Art! You make our Club proud.
Art piotrosky with his first place trophy
Thursday Night Racing
Thursday Night Racing Series Extended into September
Skippers and crew can look forward to more excitement on the water this fall, as the Thursday Night Racing Series has officially been extended.
This summer brought an unusual number of storms on Thursday evenings, which caused several races to be canceled. To make up for lost time, the series will now continue into September while the days remain long enough for evening competition.
Races are scheduled for Thursday, September 4th and Thursday, September 11th, giving sailors two more chances to enjoy weeknight racing under late-summer skies.
Once daylight begins to fade earlier in the month, the series will shift to Sunday afternoons. Races will be held on Sunday, September 14th and Sunday, September 21st, ensuring the season ends on a strong note with plenty of opportunities to compete.
The extension not only helps balance out the stormy summer season but also offers more time for the sailing community to gather, race, and celebrate the sport together.
However, in order for these races to happen, the Race Committee desperately needs volunteers. Running each race requires extra hands on the committee boat and support on shore, and without volunteer support, it will be difficult to keep the series running smoothly. Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to reach out on discord and respond to the call for volunteers.
Amy Vinciguerra, Program Director
Activities
I can’t believe the summer is almost over already!!! But the weather has been perfect, especially for the club cruise! We have packed in SO many social events so far this year and we even MORE coming up!
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Everyone LOVES ice cream!! We had a great crowd for the Ice Cream Social. It was nice to have families attending. Thank you to our Commodore Linda for hosting and providing a variety of ice cream flavors. There were plenty of toppings too from fresh peaches, strawberries and blueberries, caramel, homemade maple syrup, and some really good ooey-gooey dark hot fudge! All of course, with a cherry on top! The weather was perfect so many members sat outside and ate bowls of delicious ice cream sundaes. There were other groups that stayed inside, lounging on our comfy sofas and enjoying friendly conversations. After spoiling my dinner, I challenged anyone who DARED to a competitive game of Corn Hole. David Madacsi, Kathleen Mitchell and Greg were good sports and came down to play. None of us knew exactly how to score and eventually it was just a matter of actually getting the bags ON the boards. Every once in a while, we would get a “hole in one” which got a rousing round of applause from the peanut gallery on the deck. Max Madacsi was the ringer that both teams took advantage of for his Corn Hole skills. As the sun set and the no-seeums starting to bite we called it a night. It was a very fun evening!
CHRISTMAS IN JULY POTLUCK
What a fun night!! A small but jovial crowd attended. We had the sad little Charlie Brown style Christmas tree with lots of gifts propping it up! Diner was fantastic as usual with a great variety of delicious dishes and topped off with a fantastic “Seussical” styled (however unintentional) cake baked by Eautha! Then the Yankee Swapp began. The anticipation was high as to what could be in all those beautifully wrapped presents. As the game went on there were many contentious trades and battles over certain BEER (Hmmm Walter, what kind do you think it was?) But in the end, everyone left with a full stomach, a great gift and a heart full of camaraderie with our sailing peers. Thank you to those who attended.
UPCOMING EVENTS
PIZZA & A MOVIE
Friday Sept 12 - 1800 - 2100
Bring a pizza or salad to share and we will supply popcorn and a family friendly movie!
OKTOBERFEST IS BACK!!!
Saturday Sept 27 - 1800 – 2000
This is a catered event from the famous East Side Restaurant! There will be German meatballs w/spaetzle, German potato salad, coleslaw, 3 varieties of sausage w/sauerkraut, Chicken Schnitzel and Sauerbraten with all the fixings! (There will be vegetarian and vegan options available also.) A veritable German Feier!
The band has been practicing so if the spirit moves you there could be dancing involved!
When you see the sign up come out, please register right away! Early sign up is critical, especially for the Oktoberfest so I can be sure to have enough food.
I look forward to seeing you all at the next event!
Melissa Clark, Activities
2025 Cruising Memories
Brownie’s Weather Lessons
by Joe Carroll
In previous articles, I discussed my Nantucket Jr. Sailing and American Red Cross Intermediate swimming instructor, “Brownie”, AKA Wilson Brown
In the early days of the 1960’s weather forecasting was rudimentary. Weather forecasts were made after studying a series of weather maps with charted front lines and areas of high and low barometric pressures and temperatures plotted along curves from which one would guess upcoming weather.
Brownie’s lesson plans included teaching Nantucket children on rainy & windy days weather forecasting-as he was taught back in the 1890’s. No, Brownie didn’t fancy himself a student of Meteorology, and probably never saw, much less ciphered, a weather map. However, Brownie descended from famed whaler Owen Chase, of the Nantucket Ship “Essex” which was sunk after being rammed by a white whale on November 20th, 1820 A.D. Captain George Pollard in Command, who also shared DNA with Brownie.
Brownie lived with his spinster sister Lucretia in a ramshackle, deteriorating Nantucket mansion passed down in Brownie’s lineage from Chase, whose experience of the 1820 ship wreck of the “Essex” was the basis of Herman Melville’s book “Moby Dick”. That heritage was all the credentials that Brownie needed to teach us sailing, swimming, and weather forecasting. Brownie never lectured from a Red Cross manual.
Brownie taught us that Southeasterly winds are often associated with a falling barometer, increasing cloud cover and gusty winds, 8 to 25 knots. Rain normally following within 12 hours of the wind change.
Easterly winds are generally accompanied by light rain.
Northwest winds break the normal weather patterns and last from one to three days. A high barometer, few clouds and excellent visibility accompany these winds of 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots during late September and October. A northwester is proceeded by thunderstorms and a squall line with wind strengths up to 60 knots.
North winds are usually light and variable, swinging through the northerly quadrant west to east and back and most often follow a dying northwest system of high pressure. On rare occasions, there are freak northers with gale force winds and a low barometer.
Northeast winds accompanied by a falling barometer indicate severe gale conditions and time to take cover in a protective anchorage. A Northeaster, although rare in the summer months, can interrupt normal weather for several days. Winds can be from 20 knots up, with heavy rain blotting out visibility.
Thunderstorms may come during the late afternoon, but on occasion can occur any time during the night or day. Winds 25 to 60 knots can exist. Most of the time they blow from the west, but on occasion from the northwest, north, or northeast. Look for black cloud buildup in the west and lightning. Anvil shaped thunderheads and perhaps a yellowish glare are early indications of a squall. Visibility can be a problem, and one should anchor with sails stowed until the squall is over.
Brownie also related that weather such as wind, rain and storms result from the collisions between air masses of different temperatures. The first clouds identifying an approaching warm front are hazy thin layers call cirrus. These indicate that rain will be following in less than 24 hours; The rain is getting closer with cirrostratus followed by thicker clouds altostratus and nimbostratus. Accompanying this weather can be thunderstorms, squalls, and fog.
Rapid changes in barometric pressure usually indicate strong winds. A rise or fall of 8-millibars or more in three hours is often followed by a gale. Less rapid changes in barometer readings may mean less wind. Sometimes, the worst of the wind may not come until the barometer has begun to rise again. Brownie always taught, “First rise after low, foretells a stronger blow.” Gales with rising barometric pressures are usually squallier than gales with a falling barometer.
In relation to utilizing clouds Brownie often said “Mackerel skies and mare’s tails make tall ships carry low sails”-which I took to mean one should “reef” their sails.
People in decades past supplemented weather forecast information via observations of cloud formations, and wind directions with information from aching joints and the smell of the air.
Based on this summer’s Thursday night racing weather forecast from I-Phone radar seemed to me to be occasionally inaccurate. Perhaps we need to pull out the weather forecasting training notes from Brownie who was more connected to nature than today’s meteorologists are. Weather forecasting in past generations relied on the rhythm of nature, and knowledge of cloud formations and barometric pressure and temperature readings.
It is best to supplement our natural observations with those of the scientist so that we have confidence in the weather, and our safety when we go down to the sea in ships.
Joe Carroll
Old Sails Wanted
Consider Donating Your Old Sails To This Worthy Cause
sail bags made by Glenn Ferrell for the homeless from sails donated by NCYC member john waanders
NCYC member and Treasurer extraordinaire, John Waanders, donated some of his old sails to Glen Ferrell and this is Glenn’s update:
“Thought you might like an update on the old sails you donated to me. I made the first round of 25 sail bags and delivered them to the Columbus House in New Haven where they were handed out to their homeless clients. I received feedback that they are a big hit (need) and they can use as many as I can make. I'm in the process of sewing the next batch. Anyway, thank you for the contribution. They are being put to good use.”
Glenn Farrell
450 Main Street
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
The Ship’s Store
A selection of items from the Ship’s Store. Clothing is on sale!
Fall sale is starting now thru the end of the season!
$5.00 off the marked price on all clothing (excluding hats)
Stop by the store and take advantage! This brings some merchandise at cost or even below. Is small or medium is your size? If so, lucky you! There are several smaller sized t-shirts available that are already marked down to $10.00, which will now be offered at $5.00!
How to make a purchase? We’ve added a QR code, simply scan and complete the form. Don’t have your phone available? No problem… cash, check or Jon Waanders will happily email you an invoice. Happy shopping!
We plan to place an order in late winter and have our store stocked with new merchandise for the start of next season. As always, please let us know if there is anything specific you are interested in.
Don’t forget to check out the LLBean Business Website for many quality products ready to be embroidered with our NCYC logo. Also, Eliza B Leather Man LTD in Essex for products custom made with our NCYC ribbon such as key chains, canvas belts, dog leashes, collars and more!
Thank you for supporting NCYC!
Tom & Julie Tydeman
Tom Cell: 860-877-3343
Julie Cell: 860-877-3344
Flag Etiquette
Yacht Flag Etiquette at North Cove Yacht Club
Like so many nautical traditions, the etiquette around proper placement of flags on modern boats has evolved as an important connection to long-held conventions. The rules and protocols around yacht flags at the larger yacht clubs can be very detailed, and are often enforced with a heavy hand. Fortunately, North Cove Yacht Club provides more leeway to its members and only states in bylaw XV.2 that “The Club burgee is proudly flown from a member’s vessel…” However, following certain conventions serves as a way to honor our Club and its traditions, and to express to all observers a certain respect for maritime protocols.
The following voluntary guidelines have been distilled from Chapman’s, from the US Power Squadron and other yacht clubs, and from conversations with some of the “old guard” of NCYC. If you are looking for some entertainment at the next Club event, ask other members for their opinions on this issue, but in general following these guidelines will generally serve you well.
Yacht Ensign In the United States, the proper yacht ensign is the “Old Glory” with 50 stars and 13 stripes. The only acceptable alternative is the United States Yacht Ensign with 13 stars and a fouled anchor in the union. On all boats, a properly sized ensign is flown on the stern staff. A power boat with a mast and gaff may fly the ensign on the gaff. Gaff rigged sailboats fly the ensign at the end of the gaff. Marconi-rigged sailboats may choose to fly the ensign 2/3 of the way up the leech, approximating the location of the end of a gaff. On all sailboats it is also acceptable to fly the ensign on a stern staff.
Us Yacht ensign approximately two-thirds up the leech of a Gunter rig (almost a gaff but not technically); and the club burgee on a pig stick
a properly dressed morris yacht with club burgee on a pig stick at the top of the mast and the “ old glory” ensign on the stern staff
The yacht ensign is to be displayed from 8 AM until sunset when the captain is aboard the boat. This includes any time the yacht is under way, or is occupied such as while moored on a cruise. Many yacht clubs fire a cannon at sunset, and this is your reminder to stow your ensign for the night. The ensign is never to be flown during a race. There are also specific rules and expectations if you leave the country on your yacht, but this is not the place to get into that.
The NCYC Burgee The club burgee is proudly presented to all new members, and a replacement for your worn and tattered burgee may be purchased at the NCYC chandlery. On a power boat, the burgee is flown on the bow staff. On a sailboat the preferred location for the burgee is on a pig stick above the main mast, but by convention and for convenience, the acceptable alternative is on a halyard at the starboard spreader. The burgee may be flown at any time on a member‘s yacht, regardless of whether the boat is occupied. Similar to the ensign, by convention the burgee is not to be flown during a race.
Other club flags, such as officer flags, or courtesy burgees such as Mystic Seaport, are typically flown under the North Cove Yacht Club burgee.
the club burgee flown on a halyard on the starboard spreader with the officer flag underneath it.
Your boat is a highly visible part of our wonderfully scenic New England landscape, as well as a representation of the objective of North Cove Yacht Club to support the sport of yachting. Whether you are on your mooring, underway, or visiting another harbor, follow the first rule of flag and burgee etiquette for the Cruising Club of America “Flags shall be flown properly or not at all”.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Miller
From the Chaplain’s Quiet Corner of the Cove
Have you ever seen
anything
in your life
more wonderful
than the way the sun,
every evening,
relaxed and easy,
floats toward the horizon
and into the clouds or the hills,
or the rumpled sea,
and is gone--
and how it slides again
out of the blackness,
every morning,
on the other side of the world,
like a red flower
Mary Oliver
From the Editor
It’s been quite a week! I hope you have enjoyed this issue. Many thanks to all the wonderful photographers who took and shared such beautiful photos, and to all the talented contributors. Photos by: Alex Beauchene, Joe Carroll, Melissa Clark, Walter Gayeski, Chris Griffin, Melissa Mason, David Miller, Suzanne Miller, Deb Paulson, Linda Tuzzio, Julie Tydeman, Tom Tydeman, Amy Vinciguerra…and no doubt a lot more that I’ve neglected to mention—my apologies!
And now I’m going to have a large whiskey!
Deb Paulson, Editor