Luff 'N Laff December 2024
⛵ For 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 of the Season!🎄
And what an amazing year it's been for our club (our fiscal year ends June 30, but let's just talk calendar year!).
We've added dozens of On The Water activities, had many landside get-togethers, added the Wahoo member benefit, and keep making improvements all the time, based on your feedback. Thank you!
Always check the Calendar to see what's happening in the Club! This newsletter gives you a lot of the details too.
We are always open to your feedback and suggestions. If you don't know who to ask, reach out to me, or look at our Club org chart ON THE DOCUMENTS PAGE for direction (in Club Documents if you are logged in). We love to hear from you.
We look forward to seeing you at the member meeting🎁HOLIDAY🎅🏻 festivities on December 11!
Trudell Kolpack
Commodore
480-310-2330
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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 December!
Don't miss our December 🎁HOLIDAY🎅🏻 Meeting on the 11th! We had 92 attend our annual Christmas party last year, it was so much fun! We have a White Elephant gift exchange (optional: bring a wrapped unmarked gift $20-25 max). We provide ham and turkey, and please bring a side dish, appetizer, salad or dessert and show your culinary skills! Please RSVP so we can plan for the crowd! (additional details in the Member Meeting section below)
Join Us for Happy Hour at Wahoo's on Friday Dec. 20th (5pm to 7pm)! GCSC member or not - you can be our guest, we can only reserve a table for 12, if we fill up we can still socialize!
Thanks to Lora Donia for arranging this get-together!
See details for how to join Wahoo's in this newsletter: GCSC joined Port32/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.
Announcing an enhancement to our website and newsletter! Would you like to advertise your business on our website and this newsletter? Tell your fellow sailors what you do and let them get to know you better! All the details are on our Sponsors page here: Sponsors Page
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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 Kristy 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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Please Welcome our Newest Members!
Active Memberships: 137
Active Members: 236
Pending Members: 3
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Gulf Coast Sailing Club welcomes the New Members who joined GCSC in November:
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Gary VanDeWerken! Gary enjoys racing, cruising, and day sailing. We hope you can make our meeting on December 11 and can guarantee you lots of fun!!
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 you had a great Thanksgiving and I wish you all Merry Christmas with your families!
I know everyone is quite busy during the holiday season, but please take a few minutes and check out our upcoming racing and cruising events! You will see all the details below with links to register on either Yacht Scoring or the GCSC website.
We have three of our most popular cruises ready for registration. Please read below and if you are even just thinking about it, please go ahead and register or send me an email.
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.
We do need volunteers. I know I mention it every month, but if you have any interest in helping out in a small or large way, please do not be shy! Working on these events are fun and it's a great way to meet people and people get to know you. There is a lot more happening in this club than what you can read in the newsletter or see on the calendar. It's your club, get the most out of it by getting involved!
Cheers,
Bob Andreini
Rear Commodore
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Sign up for the GCSC Crew Board
So far 51 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 | November 16 - Ladies Day Regatta Winner!
Laura Kolpack and Running With Scissors! | Click Below for the (pdf) Notice of Race (NOR) |
WHO: The FUN CLUB “GCSC” invites all SW FL Sailors!
Organized by Sailing Vessel “NO NAME”
WHAT: The 2025 NEW YEARS CUP offers two days of FUN sailboat
racing with PRO – Trish Smotherman
WHEN: Saturday - 01/04/25 - Fleet racing around the buoys
Sunday - 01/05/25 – Pursuit start, distance race.
WHY: FUN + FUN + FUN
HOW: Register to race and pre-register for the party at Yacht Scoring
Party tickets are also available at the door
($30.00 cash or check)
WHERE TO SAIL: Gulf of Mexico – Near Gordon Pass
Racing Starts at 10:00 AM
WHERE TO PARTY: High 5 in ‘25 Happy Hour at Mr. Tequila!
Sunday, 01/05/25 at 1700 hours {5:00 PM}
3126 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL 34103
| Announcing GCSC Cruising Schedule
Season 2024-25 | | 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
Be sure to register on the GCSC website if you are interested so you get all the communications.
As usual, we are planning a landside lunch over the weekend. Please register if you plan to join so we can book an accurate reservation.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO JOIN!
| | | | Cruising Panther Key
Panther Key is a small, uninhabited island with a sandy beach located about 25 nm south of Marco. This is one of our Club’s most popular cruises and open to all sailors in SW Florida.
Bob Andreini will be the cruise leader. For questions or additional information, contact Bob at cruising@guflcoastsailingclub.org.
FOR THOSE ATTENDING, PLEASE RSVP on the GCSC website.
| | | | Returning to Marlin Marina Marathon Key after a successful cruise in 2024. Come enjoy the fun SATURDAY MARCH 22 - SATURDAY MARCH 29.
Registration is now open on the GCSC website with a lot of details about the cruise.
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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?
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
LAKE AVALON IS CLOSED DUE TO WATER QUALITY ISSUES!
The lake is closed until at least January 16, 2025. We will continue to monitor the situation and report back when we can reschedule our Sugden Sailing events!
SMALL BOAT FLOTILLA TO FORT MYERS BEACH
We are in the process of organizing a small boat flotilla from Naples to Fort Myers beach. Tentatively, we plan to moor at the Fort Myers Mooring field and meet for dinner on land.
Currently we have three small boat owners interested. They are Roy Anderson, Cape Dory 19’, Jim Shelton, Catalina 22’ and Doug Foss, Compac Legacy 17’. If you are interested in joining or in being crew contact Doug Foss at 630-464-0505.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
CPR and First Aid Classes
The Collier Country Sailing Center will be offering CPR and First Aid 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 Johnson 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 Johnson.
Closing Comments
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
630-464-0505
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Member Meeting December 11 at 6pm
(Always the 2nd Wed. of the month)
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS 🎁HOLIDAY🎅🏻PARTY
AND WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE!!
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 OR The GYM (we'll let you know) at Moorings Presbyterian 791 Harbour Dr. Naples (Signs are posted)
👨🏫 Speaker: White Elephant Exchange! Bring a wrapped, unmarked gift (No more than $20-25) (optional)
🍴🍪🍰 Serving: Turkey and Ham, Please bring a side dish, salad, appetizer or dessert!
🍺 🍷BYOB (Water and Iced Tea provided)
 And let us know what you'll bring so we can plan!
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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Have Your Friends Join the Club!
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Join Now! The annual membership dues are $115 and will cover a new membership for 12 full months for new members. Members that joined before August 1 2024 have a June 30 renewal date.
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 for past members, and a full 12 months for new members.
Club dues allow the Club to provide:
⛵ Port32/Wahoo membership for $99 (Savings of $300)
⛵ 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:
| Sailboat For Sale!
Wings
Please contact Rick & Candice Thiele:
239-292-6472
| 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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laurie@LCAssetManagement.com
PH: 239-785-2711
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