Luff 'N Laff September 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.
We look forward to seeing you at the member meeting on September 11!
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 September!
Member Meeting August 14:
Don't miss our September meeting with BM1 Justin Hartfiel Operations Petty Officer / AUXLO USCG Station Fort Myers Beach!
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Please Welcome our Newest Members!
We have 119 Memberships, and 210 Members.
Gulf Coast Sailing Club welcomes the New Members who joined GCSC in August:
Derek & Melissa Laffey Melissa and Derek are full time residents from Fort Myers interested in day sailing, cruising, and in especially the racing program.
Kathy Dixon - Secondary member newly added to Jeffrey Fabacher’s account.
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 getting out on the water! I've been in touch with several members who, despite the rainy season are making the most of their time sailing and cruising from Cayo Costa down to Marco Island. We have had several Tequila races this summer with some exciting results (see below recap from Jerry Watkins!), and most importantly, we are getting all our events into the planning and executions stage for our 2024-2025 season!
If you have not already registered, 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: www.summersetregatta.com.
This year we are going to tie together a couple of Racing and Cruising events. The first of its kind will be November 9 and 10 the "Reach up the Beach". This event features a BOTY pursuit race from Naples to Ft. Myers Beach, a cruise to Ft. Myers Beach and a landside / drive to event on Sunday Nov 10 where everyone is welcome to join. See below for more details.
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
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Sign up for the GCSC Crew Board
So far 41 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.
| Announcing SWFL Boat Of The Year (BOTY)
Notice of Series 2024-25 | To download the Notice of Series, Click Here |
Tequilia Summer Series Fun Racing
Next race is September 14
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!
| Island Dreams crew was Ann Graham, Jude Feingold, and Kari Kaestner, Peter Russo, Skipper
GCSC TEQUILA CUP CONTINUES
The Summer Sailing Fun at GCSC is always a great day on the water. Saturday August 17th was NO EXCEPTION.
Boats gather near Gordon Pass for their start on a course announced by the appointed race captain for the day. The course (1 of 4 predetermined) is selected by the captain for the day based on the weather forecast then announced to the sailors on VHF channel 72.
At the assigned start time, based on the course, each boat sets out for a high-speed cruise (speeds range from 2 or 3 MPH to a roaring 7 or 8 MPH), racing to the finish line back at Gordon Pass. YES, the TEQUILA CUP combines a cruise with a race to see what each boat can do against the clock and each other.
These sailing events involve time, talent, teamwork, and an empty Tequila Bottle. YES, the reward presented to the boat that has the greatest number of wins is an EMPTY TEQUILA BOTTLE – with a monkey’s fist knot attached!
Saturday August 17th was no exception, except for the fact that Peter Russo was skippering “ISLAND TIME”, with Jude Feingold, Ann Graham and Kari Kaestner, on a charter boat from Island Sailing which is owned by Rob Dawes who was the featured speaker at the August GCSC membership meeting.
“Island Time” was crewed by members of GCSC sharing a passion for sailing without the liability and obligations of boat ownership.
YES, ”ISLAND TIME” vs “NO NAME” for the last mile of the race with “ISLAND TIME” inching out “NO NAME” by stealing the wind, crossing the finish line just a few feet and seconds before “NO NAME”!
These adrenalin rushes give the skipper and the crew a satisfaction that goes with that old time ABC Wide World of Sports motto stating the sporting events offer “THE THRILL Of VICTORY and the AGONY of DEFEAT”
CONGRATULATIONS ISLAND TIME = WELL DONE
- Jerry Watkins
| | Announcing GCSC Cruising Schedule
Season 2024-25 | Please join us for our newest cruising event "Reach Up the Beach" on November 9. We are coordinating with the racing fleet where racers and cruisers can sail up to Ft. Myers beach either as part of the BOTY event or on their own. Stay a couple of nights at one of the marinas or on a mooring ball ($26 / night). On November 10, we are going to plan a landside / drive to dinner in FMB at Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville - EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Registration will be available on the website soon.
| Be sure to register for our January cruise to 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).
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Attention - Who wants to go day sailing?
It's official, GCSC has partnered with Island Sailing (www.sailnaples.com) where GCSC club members have the ability to bareboat charter Island Dreams a 31' Catalina sailboat! The cost is $450 or $550 / day depending on season or certain holidays. This is a significant discount off the normal $700 / day rental - but you MUST be a member of GCSC to participate. You must be checked out with Island Sailing to be a qualified skipper or we can plan day sails with several members who are already checked out.
Island Sailing also has Captained charters on both their 31' Catalina and 47' Beneteau available for GCSC Members throughout all seasons with a 15% discount of the regular charter prices.
If you have a group of up to 6 people who would like to explore this excellent opportunity to get out on the water, please email: daysailing@gulfcoastsailingclub.org for more information!
| 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
I have been working closely with the Collier County Sailing Center (Patricia and Barbara) to offer more opportunities to get out on the water to enjoy the joy of small boat sailing. I am pleased to announce that we will be offering the following three small boat sailing opportunities this season. These events will all occur at the Collier County Sailing Center, located on beautiful Lake Avalon in Sugden Park, Naples.
Traditional Sugden Sundays
The traditional Sugden Sunday events occur on Sundays between 12PM and 3PM between October and April. These are great opportunities for approved Sugden Skippers or individuals who wanted to experience sailing on a Hobie and/or Precision with an experienced club skipper to get out on the water. If you want to become an approved Skipper please contact me directly (630-464-0505).
The following are the seven tentative Sugden Sunday sailing dates:
- October 20
- November 17
- December 08
- January 12
- February 23
- March 30
- April 27
Reservations will be required five days prior to the event. This is necessary so that we have the adequate number of volunteers, boats and also the proper amount of food.
The cost for members will be $20 per adult and there is no charge for children under 13 accompanied by an adult member. Non-Member rate is $30 per adult.
Please reserve on our website Calendar page. After you reserve we will contact by a club volunteer to arrange a tentative sail time(s).
Hobie Gateway Sailing with a Club Skipper
This is a new program which is geared for new sailors or individuals that just want to enjoy sailing on a Hobie Getaway with a club skipper. Club skippers will also provide basic sailing instructions, if requested. These events with be available, depending on demand, on Tuesday and Thursdays during the season between 12:00pm and 3:00pm at the Collier County Sailing Center. The first event will be held on Tuesday October 15.
If interested, please RSVP on the website and provide your phone number and email so that the assigned Club Skipper can contact you directly.
New Open Sailing Program
This is also a new program. The Collier County Sailing Center will be offering open sailing to GCSC Sugden Skippers. Club members will be able to book 5, two-and-a-half hour sailing sessions for $150.00. This is an unbelievable deal as it costs less than $15.00 per hour to rent your own small sailboat. The exact times are yet to be determined. Also, in the event you are not an approved Sugden Skipper, we will assign you at no additional charge to sail with an approved skipper.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
CPR and First Aid Classes
The Collier Country Sailing Center will be offering CPR and First Classes (two separate classes) to our Membership. The approximate cost is $60 per class. Please email me if you are interested so I can work with Barbara to arrange a class for our membership.
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 the Collier County Sailing Center (239-252-4052) and ask for Barbara.
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 September 11 at 6pm
(Always the 2nd Wed. of the month)
PLEASE RSVP! WE NEED TO SET UP AND HAVE FOOD FOR EVERYONE!
Do you need help renewing online or logging in to the website?
We'll have a computer and someone to help you at the meetings!
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🏨 Location: Moss Hall at Moorings Presbyterian 791 Harbour Dr. Naples (Signs are posted)
👨🏫 Speaker: “Q & A with a Coastie” BM1 Justin Hartfiel of the USCG
BM1 Justin Hartfiel is a Boatswain Mate First Class Petty Officer for the U.S. Coast Guard. He is a second-generation Coast Guardsman with over 11 years of service.
He will be speaking about himself and my career as well as what the station does for the community then open the floor for Q&A.
Throughout his career, BM1 has been stationed at various locations, including USCGC VALIANT in Mayport, Florida, Station Annapolis in Annapolis, Maryland, and USCGC THETIS in Key West, Florida. He is currently assigned to Station Fort Myers Beach.
BM1 Hartfiel serves as the station’s Operations Petty Officer. BM1 Hartfiel is responsible for coordinating operations for the station as well as partnerships with local and federal Law enforcement agencies. He ensures the unit is manned and equipped to respond to all missions Station Fort Myers Beach is responsible for.
🍴 Serving: Chicken Sandwiches and Sides
🍪🍰 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!
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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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