Stingray Harbour YC members savoring a summer cruise.
Since our Opening Day Event and Shakedown Sail in April, things have been busy for the Stingray Harbour YC. Members brought nautical items to sell. New members jumped right into the swing of things with enthusiastic fellow boaters searching for bargains to complement their vessels and, as was to be expected, friendly bartering ensued and new homes were found for a wide variety of items.
As tradition would have it, current board members were introduced. Our current Commodore, Chris Corneilssen, acknowledged five former Commodores for their club contributions. New members were introduced and given a club burgee for their vessels. The ritual of ‘burning of the socks’ was executed with many socks thrown into the grill symbolizing the end of the old and beginning of a new sailing season. Dr. John Snow officiated the annual blessing of the fleet.
SHYC summer cruise photos courtesy of Pat DeVine
No Opening Day would be complete without an evening of food and fun. There was a pig roast and more side dishes and desserts contributed by members to ensure that no one went away hungry. The following morning was our official ‘shakedown cruise’ to test our boats before longer voyages were undertaken. All returned safely to port.
Our Rear Commodore/Fleet Captain, Pete Moxon, headed up the first scheduled Anchor Out. As luck would have it, the weather wasn’t particularly cooperative. “Windy” was descriptive of 20-25 know winds, which led to a day’s delay to their start. Undaunted, the group sailed up the Rappahannock and had a raft-up just past Bells Creek. Happy hour and appetizers were enjoyed by all. Then each boat anchored out on their boat for the night. Due to light wind the group motor sailed back to Stingray the next day with fun memories from the trip.
Stingray Harbour YC and Fishing Bay Yacht Club co-hosted the Southern Chesapeake Series Leukemia Cup Regatta 2013. The Friday night reception at SHYC was fortunate to have Rob Whittet, a fellow, sailor, regatta participant, and patient honoree, share his insights about the work and importance of the fund raising efforts on behalf of the group.
In mid-June, Commodore, Chris Corneilssen, lead five sailing vessels, which grew to sever, on the annual summer cruise. Ports of call included Reedville, Solomons, St Michael’s, Herrington Harbor South, and St. Mary’s. A variety of awards were distributed, tongue-in-cheek, to each of the participants—not the least of which included ‘Best Happy Hour’. The “Most Musical Stop’ award went to St Mary’s River Concert Series under the summer solstice full moon. Sometimes you just get extra lucky. All returned to SHYC having enjoyed a wonderful week of sailing with old friends and making new ones.
