Luff 'N Laff August 2026
⛵ 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
Summer is in full swing in Naples!
We still meet every month with engaging speakers and activities, join us!
Tequila races started, Sugden Lake is open again - although we don't run our program except in season.
Don't miss Bob Andreini's update below on his sailing adventures in Australia!
We look forward to seeing you at the member meeting August 12!
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,
At last months member meeting we had Walter Johnson entertain us with his sailing adventure from Acapulco to Manila. Quite a trip! He is a yacht broker with Walter Johnson Yachts, right here in Naples https://www.wjyachts.com
This month we have Bev Duff! She'll review and explain The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS): which govern the conduct of various sailing competitions, including yacht racing and dinghy racing, and are updated every four years by World Sailing. These rules include guidelines on right-of-way, penalties for infractions, and the use of signals during races.
A big Thank you to Lora Donia for scheduling our speakers!
In June I introduced comment cards on all the tables at the member meeting. We want your feedback! It helps us plan for the upcoming year (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027) and also ongoing during the year.
I received a comment card saying we should keep doing the 'Find the Sailor' game...quarterly! What do you think?
You can always send any of us an email or reply to this newsletter if you have a suggestion or comment. Or fill out a comment card and give to Trudell, Bob, or me. Thank you in advance!
RSVP Now for the August meeting! Your sailing education awaits!
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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: 97
Active Members:163
Pending Members: 5
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Gulf Coast Sailing Club welcomes the New Members who joined GCSC in June and July:
Robert Friedel and Beverly Duff, they have a 42' Catalina and love to cruise.
Dean Ackerman and Tatiana Johnson, they are interested in cruising and day sailing.
Andrew and Mary Ann Robertson are interested in Sugden Small Boats and day sailing.
Sally Wilson has been added as Joe Barrett's tertiary member.
We look forward to seeing you at our August meeting!
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
G’day from down under -
Michelle and I are currently sailing the north of Australia on Quetzal (John Kretschmer’s boat). We pushed off from Cairns (pronounced cans) on Monday morning July 27. We decided to go through the Great Barrier Reef versus going outside, primarily due to weather, but also it’s about 50 miles shorter. The ride up was very spirited with winds often gusting north of 25-30 kts. It was a deep starboard reach with a wind angle of close to 175 all the way up. Didn’t raise the main until we cleared the reef.
Going through the GBR, was very interesting. Lots of shipping and commercial traffic and reefs on both sides of us. There is a marked channel, but in many places get a quite narrow and you want to make sure you are not off course. We had paper charts the entire route and while going through the reef we would plot our position on the chart to confirm our position and distance made good. Interesting thing is that lookin at a large scale chart, the reef didn’t seem as daunting when looking on the plotter on a small screen. This gave us confidence to maneuver successfully.
We reached the start of the Endeavour Straight about 7:30am on July 30. At that time, the wind shifted east, almost as planned, and we are still on a downwind run. We raised the main with a triple reef to allow the wind to clear the main and keep the head sail filled. With limited exception the head sail was on a whisker pole the entire time. This combination allowed us to average over 7.5 kts going up through the GBR and through the straight. At one time we hit 12.2 kts and often 9-10 kts.
Once through and crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Arafura sea, the winds died down but the following seas picked up, the sky cleared, and we saw the Southern Cross for the first time (everybody knows the song). The picture isn’t great but the 4 stars on the bottom right make up the Southern Cross.
As of August 1, we are 4 days from Darwin our destination completing 9 days of sailing and about 1,150nm. Only 395 nm to go.
| Bob & Michelle - Sailing in Australia |
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
Click here for instructions:
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For the cruisers in the club, this is an opportunity to help with the club and organize very fun events you are likely to participate in anyway! We are looking to bring in some fresh perspectives, ideas and energy into our cruising program.
Our usual cruising events are:
- January - Pink Shell Resort, Ft. Myers Beach
- February - Panther Key, 10,000 Islands 25nm South of Marco Island.
- March - Marlin Bay Marina, Marathon Key
- April - Pelican Bay, Cayo Costa, just south of the Boca Grande pass of the ICW.
We need a Cruise Director for each one of these events, or they are at risk of not happening. We have lots of documentation and processes for organizing and running each one and I'll be happy to sit with anyone and show them how it's been done in the past. You can follow the same playbook or come up with your own ideas and have fun, fun, fun!
If there is a destination you'd like to see the club go to where you have some experience, please let me know and we can plan and organize the cruise.
This is a great way to meet people and get involved in the club. Some of the events have a land side component to them such as Pink Shell and Marathon. If you are not a boater, but want to help organize, there are definitely options to help plan.
If you are interested, send an email to cruising@gulfcoastsailingclub.org.
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Day Sailing Open Event
Was Saturday June 6, 2026
We had a nice turnout. There were 3 boats from the club and a total of 12 people were able to participate. The day started out with very light winds, but filled in nicely and even a few gusts that got our attention. As usual, the rain came in between 2:30 and 3pm so we made sure to be back at the dock before then.
General feedback is that people are enjoying getting out on the water for 3-4 hours sailing, having lunch, and hanging out with other sailors and boaters.
Look forward to the fall when we will ramp up the number of day sailing events for people to get out on the water!
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| SUGDEN SUNDAY SAILING BY GCSC
Lake Avalon is finally open. Just in time for summer camps!
We hope to bring this program back next season. We are looking for some volunteers to help organize and run the program with my help! If you are interested, please contact me.
Doug Foss
Small Boat Fleet Captain
630-464-0505
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Member Meeting August 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: Bev Duff will review and explain The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS): which govern the conduct of various sailing competitions, including yacht racing and dinghy racing, and are updated every four years by World Sailing. These rules include guidelines on right-of-way, penalties for infractions, and the use of signals during races.
🍴 Serving: Pizza and Salad
🍪🍰 Please bring a dessert to share
🍺 🍷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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Have Your Friends Join the Club!
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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 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 each year.
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 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. $11
E-mail Paul Carlson the exact spelling of your name and whether you want to have a boat name added to your name tag at least a week before a meeting so he can deliver it to you at the meeting: skippersail1@gmail.com.
Pay Paul with cash or check when you order.
| Boat For Sale!
Windy City was BOTY 2017.
She's a beautiful 2003 Catalina 320 air conditioning, flex-o-fold 3 blade folding prop, newer interior, huge refrigerator, ice box, microwave, table lowers to sleep 2 more- full queen aft with cedar closet. Showers both in head and ataft ladder. Comes with all records and achillles dinghy and west marine 3.3 hp outboard. Call Diane Fowler art 239-850-4935, just$ $62,000! Make offer!
Captain Diane Fowler
Cell/Text: (239) 850-4935
dianeflr@aol.com
| Boat For Sale!
1988 23’ Precision Sailboat
Electric Winch on Gin pole for lowering and raising mast. Solid trailer with new tires. Alcohol stove and porta potty. Sleeps 3-4. Solid boat. Draws 1’11” with the keel up and 5’ with the keel down. Carbon fiber jib and Dacron main. 4 HP Tohatsu on the boat and a spare 6 HP Yamaha comes with it. Complete cover for the boat and a spare Dacron jib.
New Price: $6,000
Captain Seaby 630-327-9772
| BOAT SLIP FOR SALE 38’ x 24’
Deeded slip located at SouthPointe Yacht Club in Windstar on Naples Bay.
PROTECTED Harbor on Gordan River. EASY ACCESS TO THE GULF!
Contact:
John & Vi Cochran
C: 219-671-1015
Vlanis@att.net |
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!
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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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
Anything holding you back? Specializing in eliminating limiting beliefs, emotional blocks & negative emotions, improving sports performance, breaking bad habits, starting good habits, eliminating cravings, creating confidence. In only one session. Make your mind work for you 😎 | |