Notice to OPO Mariners, August 1st, 2005
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Hank Schmitt, P.O. Box 2032, Halesite, NY 11743
631-423-4988, 1-800-4PASSAGe, Fax 631-423-9009
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Editorial
We just returned from the Rolex American Swan Regatta. There were 39 Swans in 4 divisions. We ended up racing against a Swan 68, a one-month-old Swan 601 and three Swan 56's and learned we need to get a few new sails. The racing was spectacular and our 15 OPORT members were setting chutes (spinnakers) and jibing as often as the pros on the other boats and never tore or dropped one in the water. The receptions and meals at the New York Harbor Court were elegant and Swan/Rolex Quality. It was announced that a new one design Swan 42 will be built and offered to NYYC members and affiliate yacht clubs. Rumors were 23 were on order.
We have joined the Chamber of Commerce in Newport and enlisting the help of the town in promoting and hosting our 6th Annual NARC Rally. This should build participation and open up a lot of opportunities for members. Members wishing to secure a berth in the Swan Program should contact us right away since we may not have a lot of boats this fall and the three or four will fill up fast. The dates are from October 29th until Nov 17th. There is a $200 discount for OPO members before September 15th.
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OPO Swan Race Team (OPORT)
We have 18 OPORT Race Team members (13 of whom made it to Newport for the Rolex Regatta,
plus a bow-woman and myself to make 15.) There are still positions open since we will be
sailing in at least 5 and as many as 7 winter Regattas in the Caribbean this Winter. The
next 3-day practice weekend in Huntington Harbor will be 4th weekend in September Friday
September 23rd to Sunday the 25th. Like our last practice this will be started with a
social Friday Night. Two practice sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday ending by
about 2:00 pm. The practice is free and included in your OPORT membership fee.
Members also get a $500 discount (about 25%) on every winter Regatta they participate in.
To sign up for the race team and plan to come to our next practice please contact
Hank and get signed up. OPORT Team membership is $1000 for the year. In September
we will publish the preliminary Winter Regatta Schedule and OPORT members will have
first choice for as many regattas as they wish. They will then form the core
experienced half of the crew for the regattas who will then teach and guide
the new non-OPORT crew. New members have first dibs on the September practice.
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Avocation Opportunities
Avocation is being put back together for Cruising and a possible Photo Shoot in a couple of weeks. At the end of August through Labor Day weekend Captain AJ Smith will be skippering the only full week sailing trip in the Northeast this summer. If you would like to sail between Sunday Aug 28th and the following Monday September 5th, than call and plan to join AJ. AJ has been one of our Swan skippers for the past 4 years and has been skippering the J-World Offshore Course in Newport and Key West for a while. The cost for the 8-day trip is $1700 per person (couple welcome) for the boat and skipper. This does not include food or dockage. Simply contact Hank in the office and he will help you sort out the details. The trip will start in Huntington New York and you will sail out to Block Island, Newport, Narragansett Bay etc and back by the end of the Labor Day Holiday.
Newport Boat Show - Tuesday September 13th to Sunday September 18th. I will be skippering Avocation to and from the Newport Boat Show. We will depart Huntington NY but first sail to New York City before sailing the South Shore of Long Island around Montauk Point and to Newport in time for the Newport Boat Show. After seeing the show in Newport we will sail a long way course back to Huntington NY. This 6-day trip is $1600 with a $200 discount for OPO members before August 15th. This includes all onboard provisioning, linens, boat show ticket, fuel etc. Everything but transportation to and from the boat and for meals ashore.
October Annapolis Boat Show - This will be the forth year we have made the trip to the Annapolis boat show sailing all the way to the mouth of the Chesapeake and up to Annapolis for two days of sailing. Then we attend opening day of the Show on Thursday and depart Friday for the C & D Canal, Delaware Bay, Jersey Coast and through Manhattan back to Huntington. This is a good part offshore/part coastal trip. I will also be skippering this trip. If we get enough people we may fill a second boat. The dates are from October 1st until October 10th. This ten day trip is $2200 with a $200 discount for OPO members before September 1st. This includes all onboard provisioning, linens, boat show ticket, fuel etc. Everything but transportation to and from the boat and for meals ashore.
FALL NARC Rally Swan - This is our 6th Annual Rally and 8 years sailing Swans south from Newport. Avocation only has a couple of berths left for the NARC Rally. We will have one or two other Swans but not nearly the fleet of 11 we had in 2002. If you are planning to sail one of the Swans in the NARC Rally you will need to mail in a $500 deposit and reserve your berth soon. The full price for the trip including everything except your transportation to and from the boat and meals ashore is $2865 with a $200 discount for OPO members before September 15th.
NARC Rally - This month we will be starting the list of participants. I will be mailing posters to those that offered to hang them near the water. I will be working with the Chamber of Commerce in Newport to promote the event and get ready for the TV crew. If you are planning to join with your boat or know someone who is thinking about sailing south this year, please get in touch and sign up soon.
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