November 2025 Newsletter
⛵ For GCSC Friends ⛵
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
Frank Brown sent us a Debrief on the Summerset regatta. Put it on your calendar for next year and join us, even if you're not racing! It's not a bad drive and you can join the fun. Even volunteer for race committee!
Somerset 2025
We headed up to the regatta on Friday and stayed at the Pink Shell, which offered convenient access in and out of the marina. There can be a bit of current at times, but nothing unmanageable.
The Skippers’ Meeting was, as always, quite the event. It was fantastic to reconnect with so many old friends and kick off the new racing season. It felt great to be back in an environment buzzing with energy and camaraderie. Kudos to Tom Horner and his team for pulling it all together.
Saturday morning, we left early to scout the race area. Upon raising the mainsail we found multiple holes 2-4 inches across. I can only figure a rat got in there some how. The first race got underway on time, but due to a conflict in the race instructions, it was ultimately canceled—which worked out in our favor, as we were over early on the initial start.
The second race was a windward-leeward course, three times around. I had high hopes for this one, We struggled with all the turns and unfortunately, it didn’t go our way.
The third race started in just 3.1 knots of wind, but oddly enough, we performed better. The Swan seemed to generate some apparent wind as we progressed, which gave us a bit of an edge.
Sunday’s long-distance race (13 miles) began promisingly, but the wind gradually faded. Fortunately for us, they shortened the course while we were well ahead.
All in all, it was a fantastic race weekend—great competition, fun parties, and outstanding company.
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Always check the Calendar to see what's happening in the Club! This newsletter gives you a lot of the details too.
We look forward to seeing you at the member meeting November 12!
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.
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
Greetings Sailors,
This month's meeting will have Tom Horner and others giving awards and a recap of the Summerset Regatta. Come join the fun and put it on your calendar for next year. It's drivable to join the parties!
⛵ Reminder: Every month for our member meeting, Jerry and Susan Watkins make sure the room is set up, food prepared, and then cleaned up and tidy. Can you help? Just contact Susan at swatkins@tee-global.com and let her know you can help at a meeting(s). Thank you!
Member Meeting is November 12!
🎁Get Ready for our December 🎁HOLIDAY🎅🏻 Meeting on the 10th!
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!
⛵ We will soon be offering a CPR class! Stay tuned for details!
⛵ Reminder: 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.
Don't forget when you join Wahoo's you get reciprocity at 25+ other clubs with golf, dining, tennis/fitness, Pool & Spa in the Naples area as well as the discount on renting powerboats. See how to join Wahoo's River Bar and Grill in this newsletter below.
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From The Rear Commodore:
The Rear Commodore is responsible for the On The Water activities for the Club.
| Bob Andreini
Hi Fellow Sailors -
Hope you are ready for an exciting season of Racing, Cruising, Day Sailing and for those so inclined Chartering. We have our initial schedule published in this months newsletter for you to "save the date" for all of our On the Water events. Please reach out to any of the Fleet Captains or myself with any questions on any of the events.
Don't forget about Bills Boat Shoe Bash coming up November 8, 2025 at Wahoo’s Riverfront Restaurant from 6-9PM. It's not too late to Click Here and purchase your tickets and join many of us for a FUN filled evening of Food, Drinks Music and Impact.
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 via the email below.
Cheers,
Bob Andreini
Rear Commodore
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Sign up for the GCSC Crew Board - For GCSC Members Only
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SWFL Boat Of The Year
Calling all Racers - See below for our wonderful season of racing. New to our series is our lead off event sponsored by the Marco Island Yacht Club on Saturday, November 22 and then Frank Brown will host his annual Ladies Day Regatta on Sunday. Register for the event Here. If you are not able to race, please join us for a wonderful party Saturday evening. Use the same registration link and look for Event Purchases on the right.
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Remember, to get your PHRF certificate renewed. All valid certificates expire on July 1, 2025. Certificates that expire on 7/1/2025 or 7/1/2024 can be renewed on line at West Florida PHRF. If you certificate expired 7/1/2023 or earlier, click New Application to access the new application.
For those interested in racing, be sure to contact racing@gulfcoastsailingclub.org
For more details on upcoming races and events, you can visit the Gulf Coast Sailing Club's official website.
| | Ahoy fellow cruisers!
See below for the 2026 Cruising Schedule. Drop me an email at cruising@gulfcoastsailingclub.org and let me know which events you are interested in. They will be on the website soon. | | |
CHARTERING
Fleet Captain Chartering: Anthony Short
| | Chartering a sailboat offers the ultimate way to explore stunning destinations around the world—from the Bahamas and Caribbean to the Mediterranean—while enjoying the freedom and adventure of life under sail. Whether you're anchoring in a quiet bay, exploring vibrant coastal towns, or simply soaking in sunsets from the deck. Chartering delivers unforgettable experiences.
| | |
SMALL BOATS
Fleet Captain Small Boats: Doug Foss
| | If you are interested in learning more, reach out to
Doug Foss
| | | SUGDEN SUNDAY SAILING BY GCSC
Our first Sugden Sunday Sailing event of the season will occur on Sunday November 16, 2025 between 12pm and 3pm.
The Sugden Sunday Events are held at the Collier County Sailing Center located in Sugden Regional Park on beautiful Lake Avalon, 4284 Avalon Drive Naples.
• Everyone welcome!!! Bring family and friends.
• Best value in town for getting out on the water.
• Sail with experienced Club Skippers.
• New sailors, receive instructions from a club skipper.
• Enjoy a Barbecue (included)
• Socialize and enjoy the beautiful location.
• PLEASE REGISTER HERE (on the Calendar) as this allows us to make sure we have enough boats rigged and enough food for everyone.
• All skippers must pass on the water review.
Event Fees
· $20 per adult (GCSC Member)
· $35 Per adult (Non-Member)
· Child no charge but must be accompanied by a paying adult
· Paid by credit card or cash at the event
Future Sugden Sunday Events
• December 7, 2025
• January 2026 – TBD (To be determined)
• February 2026 - TBD
• March 2026 - TBD
• April 2026 - TBD
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
| OPEN HOBIE SAILING IS COMING AT SUGDEN
This season, the Collier Country Sailing center will be offering open Hobie sailing several times a month. The exact dates have not yet been determined.
All skippers must pass on the water review before renting a boat. The fees last year were $50 hr for lesson and $25 hr for boat rental.
ADULT & CHILD LEARN-TO-SAIL PROGRAMS
Adult and Child Learn-to-Sail Programs are offered by Collier County at the Sugden County Collier Sailing Center (Sugden Regional Park 4284 Avalon Drive Naples, Fl) and will begin in October. Please contact Barbara Johnson at 239-252-4052 or SugdenPark@colliercountyfl.gov
Normally, this is an 8 hour program over a 4 week period (i.e., two hour sessions per week). This includes classroom instructions and on the water instructions at a very reasonable cost.
Additionally, one-on-one sailing instructions are also available please contact Barbara Johnson at 239-252-4052. |
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).
| | |
Member Meeting November 12 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: Summerset Regatta Recap and Awards
🍴 Serving: Baked Potatoes with the Fixin's + Ham
🍪🍰 Please bring a dessert to share! (and feel free to take it home if there's leftovers!)
🍺 🍷BYOB (Water and Iced Tea provided)
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!
Non-members may be a guest 2 times before membership is required.
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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Join Or RENEW 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!
| BOAT SLIP B-32 FOR SALE
Marina at Factory Bay, Marco Island
Size: 39 feet
Max LOA: 42’x18’
Listed at $139,900 - lowest price at the Marina
(Selling this slip because I bought a larger one for my new bigger boat!)
Please contact me to learn why Marina at Factory Bay
is a convenient and secure choice for your vessel.
Valarie Milazzo
678-386-3176
valmilazzo@icloud.com | A New Boat is Coming up For Sale Soon....it's a Hunter. Stay tuned!
Catamaran For Sale
2014 catamaran — 35’ Gemini. The boat is at our slip in SouthPointe Yacht Club Marina in Naples. If there is interest, ⛵️⛵️⛵️Many Thanks—John & Vi Cochran C: 260-403-5314 Vlanis@att.net
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 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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PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS
| | 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 | | Hypnotherapy / Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Laurie Conrod MNLP, CCHT, MTT, EFTP, MSC
laurie@LCAssetManagement.com
PH: 239-785-2711
Free Presentations: www.lcassetmanagement.com
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