Pointers U. at Old Point Comfort YC
Did you know that Old Point Comfort YC members enjoy cruising, racing, socializing – and going to school? That’s right. OPCYC is known for its vibrant education program, called Pointer Maritime University, now in its seventh year. Saturday mornings during the months when we are not usually out on the water “Pointers” gather in the classroom to learn anew or take refresher courses about operating and caring for our boats, and being safe while boating. Courses run the gamut from basic boating techniques to man overboard drills and even field trips.
2014 will be another great year for PMU with classes such as navigation using paper charts as well as new electronic “apps”; offshore cruising; teak finishing; hands-on practicum for gel coat repair; installing solar panels; and dealing with (ugh) holding tanks. We’ll also have another Virginia Safe Boating class to help members get certified to operate watercraft in the Commonwealth. For something unique we will have a class, complete with video and photos, on how to pull a mast using the mast of another sailboat.
When the weather gets warmer we’ll be going out of the classroom and aboard several of our members’ boats for “Drivers Ed for First Mates”. Note: No Skippers allowed at this class – this is for First Mates and Crew only! Also out of the classroom, the history and US Navy buffs among us will especially want to take our field trip to the Battleship Wisconsin docked in Norfolk. And to round out our curriculum we'll also have sailmakers and engine repair guys, classes on racing, and lots more.
Sound like something you’d like to do? Then visit OPCYC.org and see about becoming a member of our yacht club. OPCYC is located at historic Fort Monroe in Hampton, VA.
As “Pointers” say: See you on the water AND in the classroom!
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Jeff Rogers is Dean of PMU for Old Point Comfort YC; Eileen Turner is Public Affairs Officer of OPCYC.
