Luff 'N Laff February 2023
| 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.
|  | Trudell Kolpack
Hello fellow sailors!
I would like to welcome all of our new club members. I am excited to see that membership has grown so fast in 2022 and has continued picking up speed in 2023. I am thrilled to report that we have already exceeded our annual membership goal for this fiscal year. It is such a great feeling to see so many new members at the membership meetings, on the race course, and at cruising events. Welcome to the GCSC family!
Speaking of family, the 5 of us kicked off the New Year with an overnight family cruising excursion to White Horse Key. We welcomed the new year with a beautiful "fog rainbow" unlike anything I have ever seen before. The pictures never do it justice. We were able to beach our boat on the protected sand shoreline and we spent the weekend fishing, exploring, dolphin watching, and getting EATEN ALIVE by mosquitos;). All in all, it was a beautiful setting to relax and reflect on the past year, as we appreciated our beautiful surroundings and realize how lucky we are to live in paradise!
The Keewaydin beer can race/beach raft up was an extra treat that was added to the calendar this year. Running with Scissors barely kept her transom above water with 8 aboard for the race! Our three additional family members thoroughly enjoyed the racing experience and the beach gathering afterward. Special thanks to Bob A. and Doug F. for the dinghy shuttle service from the sailboats to the shore. It was great to see a few new members were able to make it to the beach for this special event. We had a great time socializing with everyone on land and look forward to the next opportunity for this type of gathering in the future.
Our January Sugden Sailing day had an outstanding turnout with warm weather, excellent grill food, and plenty of breeze. Special thanks to everyone who volunteered to cook, set up, and take down the boats. The help of our volunteers is greatly appreciated and is a key to make events like this such a success.
As I look forward to the February and March calendars, sailing season is officially in full swing. There are plenty of options to get together, including multiple regattas, many cruising events with both on the water and landside meetups scheduled, and of course our monthly meetings. I look forward to seeing all of you on land or on the water.
Feel free to bring a friend to an event because the more we reach out, the more people can share in the fun of our wonderful club.
Trudell Kolpack
Commodore
480-310-2330
TrudellKolpack@yahoo.com |  |  |  | John Steiner
Cheers GCSC Members,
Your Vice Commodore has three items to share:
1.Inaugural rental boat trip through the 10,000 Islands.
We had a perfect afternoon on January 25 for our 4 hour trip aboard a 22 foot Cobia.
Starting from the Port32 Marco Island marina, seven of us motored down the Big Marco River, past Goodland and out to Cape Romano. We had lunch and beautiful views of the Gulf on Cape Romano Key. Saw LOTS of bottlenose dolphin activity everywhere and spotted a large flock of white pelicans in Morgan Bay. We returned via Blind Pass and made a beach landing at Coon Key.
The wind, weather and companionship were wonderful!
I'm planning the next sortie for mid-February.
Please let me know if you'd like to join me--- the boat accommodates a total of 7.
I'll watch for your replies and follow the basic rule: First come, first served.
Please note, if you plan to board and disembark the Cobia 22 (e.g. at the marina and beach landings), you'll have to contend with high steps-- into and out of the boat. We used the stern swim ladder on this trip and waded through thigh high water to do so.
2. GCSC Membership Meetings "Speaker Coordinator"
Jonnie Westerop did a terrific job in this role. I thank her for her volunteer spirit and great work over the past year.
I now need a volunteer to step into this role.
Our club has a well-organized 3 ring binder (and thumb drive) that explains:
a. Responsibilities
b. Resources (many years of notes, contact information for prior speakers), etc.
Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about this important role.
We need to plan our speaking engagements for May 2023 and thereafter.
3. GCSC Storage Locker Organization / Clean Out
Big THANKS to our volunteer locker clean out crew:
Bruce Leng
Mark Smiley
Peter Russo
Doug Foss
The 5 of us completed this exciting project in one hour!
Cheers,
John Steiner
|  | | GCSC Storage Locker Organization / Clean Out Crew! | Jeff Gage
⛵Race this Saturday See Below⛵!
Thanks to all of those who participated in the race and rendezvous on Jan. 21! It was a great success with nine boats on the line. We did the short course with the light winds shifting from east to south on flat seas.
Thanks to Bob Andreini and the crew of Believe and Dennis Auray and the crew of No Name for the assistance with setting and retrieving the mark. Thanks also to our cruising fleet and Bob Andreini for the wonderful beach party. See pics below.
Please watch the Calendar on the website for updates, as well as emails from the Club.
| Pursuit Race this Saturday February 4th!
| Greetings fellow sailors!
I apologize for being a bit late in sending out the information, but I have just returned from Key West. We will be hosting the Fort Myers Commodores cup out of Naples this coming Saturday, February 4th.
As Fort Myers is still affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, the race will be run in a pursuit format with the start of the first boat at 10:00 AM.
The race course length will be between 15 and 26 miles, depending on weather conditions. The sailing instructions will be sent out on Friday. If you are interested in joining, please let me know so I can add you to the scratch sheet.
Frank Brown
racing@gulfcoastsailingclub.org
Fleet Captain
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KEEWAYDIN ISLAND - Day Event January 21 pics!
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Panther Key Cruise
Panther Key is Feb 18, but you should start planning to join us on this club favorite weekend cruise.
As many people are concerned about the conditions after the hurricane, Rick Reed and myself did a recon trip mid-December. What we found is that the everything is as we expected it to be. We drove around the anchorage and the channel into and found no issues with shoaling or shifting. The beach looked to be in great shape! On our way out we went through the Cape Romano Shoals and found the favorite shortcut everyone likes to take to be intact.
All in all, it appears that conditions are looking very good for this trip and we hope that we can see you all out on the water for the weekend! Next month, we will have more information on Panther Key and other cruises during our 2023 season!
Here are the current dates for the 2022-2023 cruising schedule. More information is posted on the GCSC website here Cruising Overview with the opportunity to register, including landside dinners either the day before or during some of the events.
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SUGDEN SUNDAYS at SUGDEN PARK:
| New Date for February!
Sugden Sundays at Sugden Park From 12 -3 PM:
- Sunday, February 26th (due to Super Bowl on February 12th, date has been changed to the 26th)
Where: Lake Avalon in Sugden Park – 4284 Avalon Drive, Naples, Florida
Cost: $15 for a single, $25 for a couple and $30 for a family – pays for the facility & staff
($5 more for non-members)
Justin W. Jaffry
Cell:(618)-363-3722
Fleet Captain – Small Boats
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January Meeting Chili Cook Off Pictures:
A great time was had by all!
Congratulations to Jeff Gage for winning the competition!
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Our Next Member Meeting is
Wed. February 8th! 6pm
🏨 Location: Moss Hall at Moorings Presbyterian 791 Harbour Dr. Naples
🙋 Speaker is Dominique Dillman of Tow BoatU.S. (see below)
🍴 Join us at 6pm for Hickory smoked on the bone spiral ham, roasted potatoes, big, wonderful salad, plus "build your ice cream sundae"
P.S. Burgees will be available for sale at the meeting please bring $65 in cash or check (see image below)
See you on the 8th!
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January Meeting Speaker:
Naples and Marco Island Tow BoatU.S.
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With an extensive commercial fishing background but just having his second child Todd knew he wanted a job where he would be present more with his family but still on the water. It would be a bonus if he could be helping people at the same time. In 2021 it clicked and we started searching for Tow BoatU.S. ports for sale. When we came across the Naples and Marco Island Tow BoatU.S. ports for sale you couldn’t beat it. Great weather, city, beaches and school districts. Thats when we decided to make the move and purchase Tow BoatU.S. Naples and Marco Island.
We run a tight crew of 2 full time captains and 2 part time captains. Our full time guys live here year round and maintain the boats also. You can catch Captain Nelson mostly in Naples and Captain Hunter in Marco Island. They will switch areas here and there but they definitely have their preferences.
More boaters choose a BoatUS Membership with TowBoatUS towing services than any other boat towing provider. We have the largest network of towing vessels standing by all over the US to serve you, plus offer more than 25 additional Membership benefits and discounts, so you always get more than what you pay for! We have multiple membership options that cover towing, soft ungroundings, fuel drops and more. |
Please Welcome our Newest Members!
| January 2023:
Gulf Coast Sailing Club welcomes the New Members who joined GCSC in January:
Bill and Susan Gilbride (Volunteer legal advisor and Committee Boat. Has a Boston Whaler 23)
Jeffrey and Elizabeth Lorell (Has sailed for 65 years. Very experienced blue water sailor who owns two boats in NE and is eager to help in Day Sail mgmt, Cruising mgmt, Instructing, and Events & Planning)
Stacey and Julian Onorato (SAMI)
John Quinlan (Volunteer Committee Boat, has a Sea Ray 250 SDO)
Nick Rezac
Skylark Sinclair (Volunteer Cruising management, Website/Tech)
Dan and Robin Singer (SAMI, Volunteer Cruising Mgmt.)
If you have signed up but have not paid yet, please contact Terry so he can add you to the database as an active member. Thanks!
| Have you Renewed your Membership for this year?
Your current Gulf Coast Sailing Club membership expired at the end of June, 2022. The annual membership fee is still just $95 and will cover your membership until the end of June, 2023.
Renew Online Here.
You can complete the payment process online with PayPal or a credit card.
If you prefer, you can mail a check for $95 to Gulf Coast Sailing Club, P.O. Box 2121, Naples, FL 34106 and your membership will be manually renewed.
Please include any changes to your contact information. Please contact Terry Nauck at membership@gulfcoastsailingclub.org if you have any questions.
Thanks for your membership renewal!
| 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!
| If you would like to invite other Gulf Coast Sailing Club members to go out on your boat for a day sail, simply email your invitation to membership@gulfcoastsailingclub.org and we will forward it to all active club members.
As a minimum, your invitation should include your contact information, your boat’s size and location, and your desired sailing dates. We’ll distribute your invitation the same day we receive it.
| 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. E-mail Paul by Friday February 3rd if you want your name tag at the member meeting.
Pay Paul with cash or check when he gives you the name tag.
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SAILBOAT FOR SALE
2006 Seaward 34 retractable keel sloop, currently docked at Beacon House Condominium, Doctors Pass. Mainsail, roller furling jib and spinnaker, diesel engine, bow thruster, new GPS, standard navigation instrumentation and autopilot. Great for day sailing and coastal cruising. Slip is transferable to new owner. Asking $55K. Contact Dave Huntington, (239) 963-8806 for details and viewing.
|  | Sailboat For Sale:
(due to age & health – moving to power boat – located Marco Island FL)
“STARFIRE”
1984 EVELYN 26 OD Fractional Rig
Updated and Ready to Race with Fin Keel
26’ Long – 9.5 Beam – 4.5 Draft - 4,000 Pounds
NEW Main, Jib, and 135% Genoa
NEW Mercury 15 HP 4 Stroke Outboard
NEW Garmin Chart plotter with Depth
Lewmar winches – Harken Genoa Cars
NEW ICOM VHF Radio
NEW (2) 12 V Batteries
All safety equipment, sheets, halyards, docking lines & fenders, mag compass, vents, spin and whisker poles, swim ladder, boat hook, porta-potti, lights, double axel trailer (needs upgrade – lights – brakes etc.), and added sailing gear all inclusive.
CONTACT: Ken Cort @ Cell 239-588-0089 |  |  | 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!
😃 Membership Assistant - Help Terry Nauck maintain the member database.
😃 Mentors for new members - Help new members get acclimated to the club and introduce them to other members.
😃 Sugden events - Registration table Thank You Ann Graham for volunteering for this position!
😃 YouTube video collector of educational sailing videos
😃 Committee Chair - Landside Events and Member Meetings - Thank You Bruce and Linda Leng for volunteering for this position!
😃 Committee Members - Landside Events - help plan, execute, and set up & clean up at member meetings as well as social events.
😃 Backups for all Communications - for Facebook, the website, and luffnlaff newsletter
😃 Sailing Certification Program Chair 😃 and Certification Captains - Help members improve and prove their sailing literacy so skippers can recruit them for crew.
😃 and Certification Captains - Help members improve and prove their sailing literacy so skippers can recruit them for crew
😃 Speaker Coordinator - line up the speakers for member meetings | |
Most recent is journals from the Most Memorable Regatta!
Do you have a sailing story to share with the rest of us sailors? Please submit your story to Michael Charalambous or Laurie Conrod at newsletter@gulfcoastsailing.org.
| 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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