Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Cape Lookout Power & Sail Squadron shows serious support


The U.S. Power Squadron has a long history of being involved in boating projects, including education... almost a century in fact. The New Bern area is home to the Cape Lookout branch (link) and this is a great organization of sailors and power boaters together.

(photo at right) Two weeks ago the Cape Lookout Power & Sail Squadron held a chili cook-out, charging only 5$ for an all-you-can-eat bowl of chilli; several different people cooked up their varieties ranging from "not all that hot" to "scorch your socks." This was held at Fairfield Harbour and was considered a big success by all!



This week, the CLSPS presented a check to Cadet Chris Wheeler, commander of the New Bern NJROTC sailing squad, of the funds raised at the chili cook-out. This will be a welcome addition to the "New Sail Fund," in fact it is a bit more than a new set of sails so we can afford to travel to some events this spring!

(photo at left, from left) Captain Richard Tobacco, Assistant Sailing Coach Doug King, Cadet Chris Wheeler, LCDR Craig Tyson



We offer sincere thanks to everybody who made this event possible, especially those who showed up hungry!

... posted by Assistant Coach Douglas King

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Cadets Racing in N.Y.R.A. series

Yesterday (Saturday Nov 13) was the 2nd event in the Neuse Yacht Racing Association "Winter Series." Three of our cadets were present, one manned the chase/rescue boat and 2 other crewed on one of the racing boats.

(photo at right Sail #130) Santana 23 BLUE YONDER, the smallest boat in the Spinnaker Fleet, was 75% crewed by New Bern NJROTC cadets, who got a quick lesson in how to handle winches and then proceeded to apply that lesson in tacking & trimming a genoa (headsail like a big jib, only much bigger). It was also their first experience flying a spinnaker.



There were several requests from vessels for crew, Coach King took advantage of his position to get a monopoly.

This photo (left) shows BLUE YONDER with cadet crew sailing into the action with the Race Committee boat PICCOLO (dark hull powerboat) in the background.

Races like this provide a test of sailing ability, concentration on precise boat-handling and sail trim, and a serious lesson on the Right-Of-Way rules.

There are several more N.Y.R.A. events scheduled thru the winter & spring, so this opportunity is open to cadets in our sailing program. Anybody interested should contact Coach Hittner.

... ...posted by Douglas King

Monday, November 1, 2010

A hearty THANK YOU to the Cape Lookout US Power Squadron


This Saturday (30Nov2010) the Cape Lookout Sail & Power Squadron (link) cooked up a big pot of very good chili.

Red Sail Park in Fairfield Harbour was the scene of this chili fest, and the proceeds are to benefit US. Our program is doing great, but there are certainly a lot of things we need and this will be a big help.

posted by Assistant Coach Doug King