Luff 'N Laff August 2024
⛵ For All GCSC Active Members ⛵
Please add our email to your Contacts so you never miss our updates!
If you have a question and don't know who to ask, just reply to this email and we'll forward your question/comment to to the right sailors!
| Our Gulf Coast Sailing Club Mission:
As Naples and Southwest Florida’s leading volunteer sailing club, we support inter-club racing, cruising, day sailing, social events, and boating education for the benefit of sailors and their families. Let’s keep it fun.
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From The Commodore:
The Commodore shall be the senior officer of the Club
|  | Trudell Kolpack
Greetings!
Summer is here and Tequila racing is in full swing! We're also meeting at Wahoo's after Tequila racing when we can, so join us whether you sail that day or not.
If you missed it, GCSC joined Wahoo's so members can join for $99 instead of $399 and save $300, as well as have a gathering place for more fun! Active GCSC members get this benefit. More details below.
We're planning regular monthly GCSC get togethers at Wahoo's starting in October.
Also, join us at Wahoo's on August 23rd! We are trying to get an America's Cup Watch Party going there, but in any case they'll have Live Music 5 - 8pm and we'll be there to welcome you.
No RSVP Required.
Wahoo's River Ball & Grill
475 North Rd, Naples, FL 34104
If you're not a Wahoo's member, you can check out the place and see why we picked it for a GCSC member benefit!
We look forward to seeing you at the member meeting on August 14!
Trudell Kolpack
Commodore
480-310-2330
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How To Join Port32 Marinas Wahoo's:
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When you want to join Port32 Wahoo's, you'll have to show Kristi at Wahoo you are an active GCSC member.
You can do this by showing her your Profile on our website:
3. Click on your name in the upper right hand corner
4. Click on Profile
5. Take a screenshot and print it to show Kristy in person, or email it to her with the contract. You can also show her your profile on the phone when you are at Wahoo.
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From The Vice Commodore:
The Vice Commodore is responsible for Membership, Communications, and Volunteer Coordination activities for the Club.
|  | Laurie Conrod
Happy August!
We have an announcement about membership this month. For many years we've managed membership on the 12 months from July 1 to June 30 because it's our fiscal year.
Our club does not pro-rate memberships based on months, because we wouldn't be able to operate for 12 months on the low dues we maintain.
But when New members join in January or later, we are mid-year, and some people want a pro-ration.
➡️ So All brand New GCSC members starting 8/1/2024 will have an expiration date 12 months from the date they join. They will establish an expiration date for their membership that does not change in future years.
➡️ Current Expired Members all have a June 30 expiration date, and that expiration date does not change. So if an expired member renews anytime during the year, their expiration date is still June 30 of the fiscal year they renew in. (Our fiscal year is July 1 to June 30).
We changed this renewal policy so new members always get a full 12 months, regardless of the month they join. We are unable to pro-rate memberships for new members or expired members.
Member Meeting August 14:
This month we're focused on Naples specifically, with our speaker, Rob Dawes of Island Sailing Naples charter company. Chartering locally is a great way to get on the water! More details below.
Join us at Wahoo's on August 23rd! We're hoping we can do an America's Cup Watch Party there, but in any case they'll have Live Music 5 - 8pm and we'll be there to welcome you. No RSVP Required.
Wahoo's River Ball & Grill
475 North Rd, Naples, FL 34104
If you're not a Wahoo's member, you can check out the place and see why we picked it for a GCSC member benefit!
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Please Welcome our Newest Members!
We have 121 Memberships, and 210 Members.
Gulf Coast Sailing Club welcomes the New Members who joined GCSC in July:
Christopher Byrne
Joseph and Mary Periard
Larry Murray
Charles and Lien Young
David Zapp
WELCOME TO GCSC! Any members (especially New Members) are invited join the ORIENTATION TABLE at our monthly member meetings.
Starting at 6pm, join a Director and/or Flag officers at the ORIENTATION TABLE to get acquainted, get your questions answered, and have an informal overview of everything the Club offers. Then the meeting starts at 7pm!
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From The Rear Commodore:
The Rear Commodore is responsible for the On The Water activities for the Club.
|  | Bob Andreini
I hope everyone is having a great summer and trying to stay cool while avoiding the storms! The summer months are quieter as many people are up north or traveling. However, NOW is the time to start planning for your upcoming On The Water events!
We are currently running our summer Tequila races. Be sure to watch for emails announcing the courses and cancellations in case of tropical storms or other factors!
The first BOTY event of the season is the 58th Annual Summerset Regatta, October 4-8 sponsored by CMCS in Ft. Myers Beach. For more information, visit their website: https://www.summersetregatta.com/.
The first cruise of the season is once again at The Pink Shell Resort and Marina back again on MLK weekend January 17-20. This is a club favorite and see below for details on what it looks like to stay at the Pink Shell for a long weekend!
Stay tuned, read your newsletters, visit the club website, and if you are interested in getting involved in any of these activities, please reach out to me at rearcommodore@gulfcoastsailingclub.org.
Cheers,
Bob Andreini
Rear Commodore
RearCommodore@gulfcoastsailingclub.org
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Sign up for the GCSC Crew Board
So far 39 people have updated their profiles to select the Crew Interests. Please make sure you complete your profile. This includes your picture, enter your sailing experience in the Biography section and any contact information you would like to share. The Membership Directory search is only available to members who are signed into the website.
The purpose of the Crew Board is to match members with skippers or boat owners. By updating your profile, you can let other members know if you are either looking to crew on someone's boat or if you are a skipper / boat owner and are looking for crew for your boat.
For more details and instructions on how to update your profile and then how to search the membership directory please go to our website under the On The Water menu or by clicking here.
The Crew Board page has instructions for how you can update your GCSC website profile, provide your sailing experiences, contact details and select the appropriate interests to let other members know you want to be crew, or you are looking for crew.
As always, please go to the club website where you can find all of the currently planned events and check back on a regular basis to look for additions and updates.
If you are interested in helping to plan and coordinate any of the events below, please let me know (RearCommodore@gulfcoastsailingclub.org). We have a FUN group of members already highly engaged.
Even if you are not a boat owner, this is a great way to get involved in YOUR club, get to know people, and get out on the water.
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Tequilia Summer Series Fun Racing
Next races are August 17 and 31
(note: August 3 is cancelled due to Tropical Storms)
All boats are welcome!
Racer / Cruiser friendly pursuit racing!
No cost, but register to get on the scratch sheet.
Not racing: Watch the emails for after parties.
Typically at Wahoo's
All members are welcome!
| Announcing SWFL Boat Of The Year (BOTY)
Notice of Series 2024-25 | TEQUILA SAILING EVENT – July 20, 2024
| These TEQUILA Sailing Events are wonderful sailing opportunities!
At the July 20th event “Sea Suite”, Jeff & Shelly Gage with Patricia Sampson and Laurie Conrod onboard were flying their
“NEW AWESOME GREEN MONSTER CHUTE!!
You will see it = Well OKAY, YOU WILL NOT MISS IT!!
So, to test the PHRF of “SEA SUITE” Shelly Russo (and Jeff), challenged “NO NAME” to a drag race! Using the West/East virtual course.
“SEA SUITE” takes “NO NAME” by inches and seconds, so YES, the challenge is to another round.
“NO NAME” inches past “SEA SUITE” to tie the challenge proving that the West FL PHRF System is credible and allowing GCSC members to enjoy safe sailing, in a beautiful environment with a warm friendly complimentary competitive environment!
OH BOY!!, Will the dueling be repeated again??
Don’t miss these GCSC “FUN SAILING” events.
SEE YA’LL ON THE WATER and at PORT 32 for MORE FUN!!
- Jerry Watkins
| ...
Be sure to save the date for the Pink Shell Cruise January 17-20, 2025. Contact the dockmaster (Dave O'Conner) to reserve your slip now! Be sure to tell him you are with GCSC as we have a block of slips allocated for our club.
| | This summer, if you are looking for some fun with your boat and crew, check out the Pink Shell Marina and Resort. The marina is now 100% rebuilt, including dedicated marina restrooms and showers. With your slip fees, you get FULL access to all the resort amenities.
- Full access to all 3 pools
- Full access to the beach, including chairs and umbrellas
- Pool and beach towels
- Poolside bar
- Three restaurants
- Free breakfast for your crew every day at Jacks (new this year).
Be sure to contact Dave O'Conner, Dockmaster, at
(239) 463-8620
doconnor@pinkshell.com
www.pinkshell.com
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DAY SAILING
Fleet Captain Day Sailing: Peter Russo
| | Boats needed to take sailors!
Going out sailing for a day or few hours, would like to take other members out on your boat to help them learn more about sailing from your experience?
If so, please send me your dates and times when you are planning on going to sail and I'll setup a calendar event for people to sign up and go with you. Please include your name, email or text info, boat information, how many guests you can bring, and what each person needs to bring with them (lunch, beverages, gloves, etc).
| | | ⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵
Attention - Who wants to go day sailing?
Or maybe a sunset cruise?
We are looking to charter a sailboat for up to 6 people right here in Naples! There are a couple of options, and the cost would be about $80-100 / person. This is an excellent opportunity to get out on the water for a half day, day or sunset cruise.
If this is of interest to you, please email: daysailing@gulfcoastsailingclub.org
We are looking to schedule several events over the summer and fall depending on interest.
| Stay tuned for the next Day Sailing event, and always check the website Calendar!
Now Let’s Go Sailing,
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SMALL BOATS
Fleet Captain Small Boats: Doug Foss
| | If you are interested in learning more, reach out to
Doug Foss
| | | Message from the Small Boat Fleet Captain
New Arrival to the Sugden Collier Sailing Center Fleet!!!
The Collier County Sailing Center has just added a Hobie Gateway to its small boat sailing fleet. Our club members will have the opportunity to experience this fun and fast boat at our Sugden sailing events. The boat has roller furling jib and can accommodate up to six adults. This is great addition to existing fleet of Hobies and Precisions.
Updates on Sugden Sailing Events
The Gulf Coast Sailing club partners with the Collier County Sailing Center to offer our membership numerous opportunities to get on the water on a small sailboat on beautiful Lake Avalon (Sugden Park, Naples). The objective of our small boat program is to provide safe opportunities for members to experience the simple joy of small boat sailing.
As your small boat fleet captain, I am currently working with the Collier County Sailing Center to provide more opportunities for club members to get out on the water.
Beginning in October, we are planning to offer the following small boat events at the Collier County Sailing Center:
Traditional Sugden Sunday Sailing
Most members are aware of our fun family sailing events offered at Sugden on Sundays. This season will plan to increase the number of these events. There is a nominal fee for these events to cover boat rental.
Open Sailing
I am working with the county to offer an open sailing program. Club members that are approved skippers will be able to rent sailboats. Members who are not approved skippers will be given the opportunity to crew with an approved skipper. If you are interested in becoming a club approved skipper please contact me directly.
Hobie Gateway Sailing with a Club Skipper
This program is geared for new sailors or members that just want to enjoy sailing on a Hobie Getaway with a club skipper. Club skippers will also provide basic sailing instructions, if requested. There will be a nominal charge to cover the renting of the boat. Hopefully this event may be offered numerous times a month depending on demand.
Adult Sailing Instructions
Collier County offers a great eight hour introduction to sailing program. The instruction takes place at the Collier Sailing Center located in Sugden Park. Instruction includes both classroom and on-the- water training. This is offered at a very reasonable price. If you are interested please contact me directly.
As your small boat fleet captain, I am always open for suggestions on how to improve our small boat sailing program. Please provide me with any comments and/or suggestions and ideas for increasing our on the water activities.
Thanks!!
Doug Foss
Small Boat Fleet Captain
| ...THE NEW HOBIE!!
Do you know who TOWED this Hobie,
While SAILING,
from Marco all the way to Naples?
Your Commodore, Trudell Kolpack!
Then Jeff Gage helped get in on Trudell's trailer to get it over to Sugden.
Thank You!! |
Member Meeting August 14 at 6pm
(Always the 2nd Wed. of the month)
PLEASE RSVP! WE NEED TO SET UP AND HAVE FOOD FOR EVERYONE!
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🏨 Location: Moss Hall at Moorings Presbyterian 791 Harbour Dr. Naples (Signs are posted)
👨🏫 Speaker: Rob Dawes from Island Sailing Naples ⛵
🍴 Serving: Chicken and Macaroni Salad
🍪🍰 Please bring a dessert to share!
🍺 🍷BYOB (Water and Iced Tea provided)
Please Note: Non-Members and Guests are $15 each, payable at the meeting. Thank you!
Non-Members and Guests will be credited the $15 if they join the club at the meeting!
Everyone who RSVP's, and guests, will get a blue dinner ticket.
Non-RSVP's will get a red ticket. Blue tickets will be served first.
If all else fails, just reply to this email and we'll add you so you get a blue ticket!
Thank you!!
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Renew (or Start!) Your Membership!
| JUNE IS RENEWAL MONTH!
Our fiscal year is July 1 to June 30, so memberships expire June 30th each year.
Renew or Join Now! The annual membership dues are $115 and will cover your membership until the end of June, 2025. Less than $10 a month!
Don't Miss Out!
✅ When your membership expires, you will no longer be able to login to the Club website, and no longer have access to members only content.
✅ The Club Luff 'N Laff will be sent to active members only, and general information will be sent to non-members.
✅ The Port32 Marina/Wahoo membership is available to active members only.
✅ Some Club events will be available to members only, so keep/start your membership!
Plus, we'll miss you if you let your membership expire!
Renew or Join Now! The annual membership fee is $115 and will cover your membership until the end of June, 2025.
Club dues allow the Club to provide:
⛵ Races & Cruises planned and put on
⛵ Day Sailing events planned and put on
⛵ Raft-Ups planned and put on
⛵ Charters planned and put on
⛵ Small Boats Events planned and put on
⛵ Sugden Sunday Fun Day's 🏊🍔 planned and put on
👩🏫 Monthly meetings planned with activities for engagement, fun, food, and occasional speakers
🎉 Parties with food
😋 Comradery with your fellow sailors
🙋♀️🙋♂️Unlimited volunteer opportunities
You can complete the payment process online with PayPal or a credit card.
If you prefer, you can mail a check for $115 to Gulf Coast Sailing Club, P.O. Box 2121, Naples, FL 34106 and your membership will be manually renewed. Please renew online first, and then mail in the check. Thanks!
Please include any changes to your contact information.
We look forward to seeing you at events, on committees, and on the water!
| Our Very Own GCSC Online Store!
You can also get to the Store on the website at Membership --> Merchandise (see pic below)
Please Note: Because all merchandise has our logo, it can be returned only if defective. If you need help with the Store, please contact Michael Charalambous michael@charalambous.us
Thank you Michael for setting up this Store for GCSC!
| Do you have a boat or equipment to sell? Equipment you need?
GCSC BURGEES and NAME TAGS:
You’re a member – say it loud and proud with a GCSC official Burgee or Name Tag!!
(Not a boat owner? Hang it at home or in your office!)
Burgees are large (17” X 25”) fully embroidered – not printed. $65
Name tags are magnetic (no damage to clothing) and feature our logo, your name, and either “member” or your boat name if you choose. $11
E-mail Paul Carlson the exact spelling of your name and whether you want to have a boat name added to your name tag at least a week before a meeting so he can deliver it to you at the meeting: skippersail1@gmail.com.
Pay Paul with cash or check when you order.
| Sailboat For Sale!
Cathun Sun Too (pdf) is a beautiful boat and perfect for cruising/racing in SW FL.
Please contact Tom or Mary beth:
| Our Club thrives on your expertise, enthusiasm, and your presence!
This is a list of current volunteer opportunities - and there are always more, so if you have a desire, let any flag officer or director know what that is and we'll help you find a spot you love! We appreciate you 😃
The fastest way to get to know your fellow sailors and members is to volunteer!
😃 Committee Members - Landside Events - help plan, execute, and set up & clean up at member meetings as well as social events. We have the blueprint, many hands make light work!
😃 Communications - Want to help getting the word out about the club?
😃 Sailing Certification Program Chair 😃 and Certification Captains - Help members improve and prove their sailing literacy so skippers can recruit them for crew.
😃 Race Captains - We will train you!
😃 Race Committee - We will train you! | |
Do you have a sailing story to share with the rest of us sailors? Please submit your story to
| Our Gulf Coast Sailing Club Mission
As Naples and Southwest Florida’s leading volunteer sailing club, we support inter-club racing, cruising, day sailing, social events, and boating education for the benefit of sailors and their families. Let’s keep it fun.
Our Gulf Coast Sailing Club Strategy
· Be an innovative volunteer and non-profit organization of beginner, intermediate and experienced sailors.
· Provide year-round on-the-water and land-based activities for our members, their families, and their guests.
· Build a robust sailing program by interfacing with all southwest Florida sailing clubs and coordinating interclub activities.
· Build community outreach through supporting local boating programs and marine industries.
· Actively support sailing and seamanship education programs.
Our Gulf Coast Sailing Club Core Values
· Maintain a welcoming and friendly environment for all.
· Respect all levels of experience and interest.
· Exhibit leadership, Integrity, and honesty.
· Have fun!
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