State of the Club, Dec. 31, 2006
Dear Members,
This "State of the Club" message will review what we have experienced and achieved this past year as well as propose a vision for the coming season.
Membership Growth
As membership grows, so does participation in events such as the Annual Women's Championship. (Photo courtesy of Scot Surbeck)
We are a very dynamic yacht club. This is exciting and creates opportunities. Sailing is a growing sport here in New York Harbor.
Our membership topped 600 at the end of 2006. The year before, we topped 500. In 2004, we were at 420. In 2002, after the shock of 9/11, our club's membership was at 320. So we have more than recovered and are experiencing strong growth.
I want to express my appreciation to every person who is a member, especially those who have supported the club for several years. We are working together to grow sailing in this city.
Each member who joins the club brings with them resources and contributes to our operating budgets. This allows the club to purchase more equipment and, very importantly, attract and retain a high quality staff of employees.
New Docks
Members help to put decking on the new docks at North Cove. (Photo courtesy of Claudia Wieland)
A big milestone for 2006 were the new docks at North Cove. Without ever having stepped on the old docks, you would not know how they rolled back and forth and shook. Walking down the docks was an adventure and only safe for the sure-of-foot. The old docks were also narrow, making it impossible to fold a sail and walk by at the same time.
This spring, new 10-foot wide docks were installed. They are solid and people can walk safely and easily. They are also wide which allows for multiple uses at the same time. Quality-wise, this is a great step forward in our sailing experience.
More J/24s
More boats meant the most impressive J/24 line-up in the country. (Photo courtesy of Scot Surbeck)
The new docks also allowed the club to expand the number of J/24s at North Cove. From 19 J/24s in 2005, we added 5 more to 24 total. This was an increase of more than 25%! The additional boats made it easier for skippers to get reservations.
Improved Maintenance
We also increased the quality of our fleet and reduced downtime from repairs by putting 6 more boats through our keel to mast refurbishment. The process was begun in 2002 and over the years, we have improved techniques and now awl-grip the decks and topsides. Of our current fleet of 28 J/24s, all but 6 have been completely refurbished (boats 1 to 6 still left to go). Over the course of this winter, we expect to complete 4 more.
New Sails
Another great improvement to our fleet this year was new sails. Although we did not have a "sail sponsor" as we did in the past when we acquired new sails, the club felt new sails were essential to the quality of our sailing experience. We outfitted the boats with new mainsails, genoas and jibs. These sails are meant to have a useful life of 3 years and we will monitor their condition at the end of each season.
Admiral's Launch
"Admirals Launch" was our new vessel this year. She was purchased after being decommissioned by the US Navy. She is a 40ft utility boat. Over last winter, we refurbished and upgraded her. This summer, she received her US Coast Guard certification. Now she provides high quality launch service to members going to and from our clubhouse in the harbor. Some members will remember "Lil Toot" which provided this service before Admiral's Launch. Lil Toot did great for members but Admiral's launch is a big jump forward in quality and style.
First Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge
Dennis Conner, America's most famous sailor, discusses plans over dinner for the first Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge with Commodore Michael Fortenbaugh.
All of us probably have one or two favorite moments from this past season, but the overall greatest event organized by our club was the first "Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge."
Our club had created International Yacht Club Challenges many years ago, in 1988, 1989 and 1992. When we prepared to re-launch this idea, Dennis Conner agreed to come onboard as the patron. This took a small event and made it big. As Dennis stated in his letter of invitation, "The purpose of this regatta is to promote international goodwill through friendly competition."
In the end, 14 teams from around the world traveled to New York City for five days of racing. It was an incredible experience for our members who got to meet the foreign sailors both at social events and during the competition. In fact, we benefited from the rule requiring a club representative to be on every boat. Lots of members got sailing with lots of people. Because this first event was such a success, it will now become an annual event with new teams being invited for 2007.
Other Firsts
H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco (center) presents Commodore Michael Fortenbaugh and wife Sharon with a plaque commemorating the "Twinned Club Status" between Yacht Club de Monaco and the Manhattan Sailing Club. (Photo courtesy of Yacht Club de Monaco)
We organized our first trip to the Grenadines in February. In June, renewed our relationship with Yacht club de Monaco which resulted in an invitation to participate in their Primo Cup in 2007.
12 Meter "America II" as Our Flagship
In late summer 2006, I proposed that we form a Syndicate of Members to acquire a 12 Meter which would serve as the flagship of our sailing club. The idea gathered momentum and by October, more than 21 members had joined the Syndicate. By December, we were under contract for "America II," a 12-Meter which represented New York City in the 1987 America's Cup Races in Freemantle, Australia. America II was delivered to New York City and now she is owned by our Syndicate.
What a great achievement. It is inspiring to think what you can do with vision and determination.
Here are two historical tidbits which make America II the perfect flagship for our club. First, you may know our club's support powerboat, "Greyhound." She is a 26-foot hard bottomed inflatable. We bought "Greyhound" in 1987 from the America II Syndicate. Tender and yacht have now been reunited.
Second, 2007 is the 20th Anniversary of America II. It is also the 20th Anniversary of our sailing club. Both were built in 1986 and began sailing in 1987.
Holiday Train Garden
We capped our 2006 season by doing something great for kids in Manhattan. A dedicated group of volunteers built a Holiday Train Garden on our floating clubhouse. Then kids young and old were able to come aboard and see an incredible train display as a way to celebrate and enjoy the holidays. Great job to everyone who was involved!
The year ahead.
One of the great privileges of being Commodore is the opportunity to think and envision. We have such opportunity and raw materials here in the New York Harbor that I always believe "it can be done!" When our season slows down every fall, it is time to let the experiences slowly settle and out of the mixture, new ideas to rise.
2007 will be our club's 20th Anniversary Season. This is a great reason to celebrate. We need to come up with celebration ideas. This is one of the questions on our Annual Survey. Please let us know your thoughts.
2007 Events
For specific events during our 20th Anniversary Season, we already have scheduled:
- "De Caribbean Regatta" from Jan. 20-27. You can still sign up to participate.
- The Primo Cup at Yacht Club de Monaco in February. Again, all members are invited.
- Dennis Conner has given us the approval to do the second Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge. This will again be the second to last week of August. It's a great reason to stay in the city and there will be lots of sailing and social opportunities to meet the foreign sailors.
More events will be added, especially with input and suggestions of members through the Annual Survey.
Increased Sailing Opportunities
The Flagship - America II
The most exciting addition to our club fleet is the new flagship "America II." This historic yacht was purchased by a syndicate of 21 members who will control access to her. It is likely that America II will be used for corporate charters and public sails. Syndicate members who put up the money to buy and restore her will sail for free. All other members will probably have the opportunity to sail onboard at a discounted rate from tickets available to the public.
Laser & Sunfish Dinghies
Test sailing two Lasers in the flats southwest of the Statue of Liberty. This body of water is to the west of the shallow reefs.
Another expansion of the club will be the re-introduction of dinghy sailing. In 1998, our club introduced a fleet of Laser class dinghies to the waters around Pier 25 on the Hudson. However, we did not have a large enough sailing area within the pierhead line so the Lasers have been mothballed since.
After additional study of the harbor, we believe it is possible to establish a dinghy sailing area on the flats to the south west of the Statue of Liberty. This 1/2 mile circular area of the harbor has water depths of about 6 feet and is not used by any commercial traffic. The first sailing tests were conducted in this area in September 2005.
Our club has purchased a large floating dock which we hope to anchor in this area and store boats on. Then we will transport members to and from the dock by powerboat. Members will be able to sail dinghies in this protected area without going into any of the commercial shipping lanes.
In addition to the fleet of 7 Lasers, the club hopes to add a fleet of Sunfish. Sunfish are easier boats to sail and better for novices. Once sailors have enough experience and desire, they could advance to the more challenging Laser fleet if they desire.
A fleet of dinghies should empower more members to get sailing. For example, if you are a crew member and the Fleet Captain Program is booked up, you could still travel out to sail on the dinghies. Dinghies are also great educational boats. Sailors learn more about the sport and in a faster manner when sailing on dinghies versus keelboats.
If the dinghy sailing facility is a success, then we also hope to add Optimist Dinghies for kids. New York City would then have its first true Junior Sailing Program.
The Classic G-Sloop Class and Barnegat Bay
Our club recently acquired G-1, the first G-Sloop ever made.
G-12 is currently undergoing restoration at Beaton Boat Works in Mantoloking, NJ.
In 2007, we will take a page out of the European sailing scene and introduce "classic boat" sailing to our members. In the modern world of high tech and fiberglass boats, sailors are being more and more drawn to the feel and beauty of classic design and wooden boats.
To do this, we have acquired two 18-foot G-Sloops. These were popular boats which raced on Barnegat Bay beginning in the 1930s. They are outfitted with a mainsail, jib and spinnaker, sail with a crew of three and are similar to the Lightning class.
We plan to keep both of these boats on moorings in Barnegat Bay. Not only will members be able to sail on classic boats, but these boats will also open up a whole new sailing area.
Barnegat Bay is a beautiful and tranquil body of water located in middle New Jersey between Bay Head and Seaside Park. The water is protected from the ocean yet benefits from consistent sea breezes. Many notable sailors grew up on Barnegat Bay and there is a very active sailing and racing community. Because the bay is shallow (6 feet is considered deep), the sailing community has grown up around smaller centerboard boats.
Our boats will be kept at the north end of the bay, just south of the Mantoloking Bridge. This location is about a 1.5 hour drive from Manhattan. We expect to access our boats from the picturesque Beaton's Boat Works. This wooden boat yard is a visual joy to New Yorkers who will appreciate the slower pace of life and the beauty of working in natural materials like wood.
From the mooring, you will be able to sail south to the expanse of Barnegat Bay or north under the bridge to the Metedeconk River. These sailing experiences will be beautiful.
The introduction of these classic boats to club members is the most unusual idea of the coming year. I do not expect any members have ever heard of G-Sloops, let alone Barnegat Bay. But we should try and innovate. And I can tell you from personal experience as a kid, sailing on these boats in Barnegat Bay will be a pleasure. Just like the vision behind the "Honorable William Wall" was ground breaking, I hope these G-Sloops will also become well-loved by members. But if the program is not successful, then we will just change course and try something new.
2007 Dues & Fees
For two years, our club has operated without a dues increase. But with recent rises in operating costs such as fuel, insurance and dockage, we need to increase club dues by $25 per quarter in 2007 (full year increase is $100 for Regular Members and $50 for Junior and Senior Members).
In addition, we will raise the initiation fee for new members from $150 to $250. New members benefit from much greater offerings and opportunities at the club than existed just two years ago.
The fees for Skipper privileges will remain the same as will the entry fees for the weekday racing programs.
Because of the increase in quality provided by "Admiral's Launch," there will be an increase in ticket price. However, this will not affect members. All "Clubhouse Members" who helped build the clubhouse by subscribing to the Clubhouse Bonds will continue to ride the launch free of charge by showing their gold membership cards. Other club members will continue to pay the $5 launch fee by showing their membership cards. But for non-members, we will increase the launch fee from $5 to $10 round trip.
Communication
With the digital revolution, the club has communicated more and more with members by email. We will continue this trend. Printed and mailed communication, although enjoyed, is not environmentally friendly and consumes resources. Recently, we have begun an e-newsletter and this will continue as our main method of communication.
In closing, I wish to once again thank you for being part of the club. I encourage you to complete the Annual Survey so we know what's on your mind.
Together, we have accomplished great things for the harbor and for the quality of life of all New Yorkers. I hope we can continue to do well and serve you as well as our city.
Best wishes and Happy Holidays to all of you.
Sincerely, Commodore Michael W. Fortenbaugh