Club Notes 

Date Line, April 2008

As usual for this time of the year, most of the last three months were busy with preparations for the annual Boat Show and Regatta. We did keep up with our monthly sailing dates and meetings through all the preparation. The weather played havoc with us on a Sunday or two (typical Florida winter), but there were always a few hardy soles to brave the cold wind and rain. Of course, the cook out Sundays are always well attended.
The regatta for this year was a "first" to have co-chairmen, Ken Pote and Mike Sulzbach. They did a great job of looking back at past Regattas and making some much needed changes. Starting with our (night before) set-up that went very smoothly, all the way to the awards on Sunday, everything happened just as planned.
Added this year was participation by the Maritime Museum of Florida at Cortez. Their function is the preservation of Florida's boating history. They brought a full size, restored boat to display, and on Sunday, they accepted the model boats our members had built for display in their museum. Although we got some rain showers on Sunday, this year's event had lots of spectators. As you look at the pictures of the Regatta, (sorry their isn't many "on the water" pictures, I was busy!) please take note of the list of our sponsors, they all stepped up with donations when we ask, so be sure to spend your hobby dollars with these people. It's not just all about tugboats. We had a variety of boat types as always, it's my fault for not getting pictures of the different entries We were sorry to not have you and your boat there this year, keep us in mind for 2009!
The club is looking forward to the great Florida late spring / early summer weather we are seeing now. Our schedule is very much low key for now except for the annual "bike safety" event we take part in every year. This is put on by a local attorney for the benefit of the community kids and is nice get together.
Well, I've got boats to refresh after the contest so I'd better get going. I don't want to miss having a boat to run when you visit us, and remember, the first sail date of the month is a HOT DOG Sunday. See you there!

Stay tuned for more to come,

 Bill