Northern Star Hunter SA members enjoying life on the water.
The Northern Star Hunter Sailing Association, Inc. (NSHSA) is one of three Hunter Sailing Associations on the Chesapeake Bay, and our members sail primarily on the northern Bay, north of the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge (US50/301).
NSHSA was founded and chartered in 1983 by several sailing enthusiasts having Hunter sailboats led by Mr. Robert Murnane. The Club Members established Bylaws and Objectives, and set to the tasks of forming the new Club. The Objectives were, and still are:
A. Promote medium and long range racing and cruising among Hunter sailing yachts.
B. Collect and disseminate information relating to Hunter sailing yachts.
C. Conduct educational programs related thereto.
D. Advance the tenets of good sportsmanship.
E. Promote or develop any other activities, which may be of benefit to the membership.
In the early years, NSHSA did not have Officer positions, and had a total membership of approximately 12 boats. Robert Murnane was the Leader and Guide for the fledging Club with the continuous support of these enthusiastic Member Boats (just to name a few): Rapid Transit, Gypsy Aires, Mi–Joy, Chablis, Teacher's Pet, Sea Horse, and Nightingale. By 1985, NSHSA had elected a traditional Officer Group.
The Club Members held events / raft-ups that focused on boating safety, boat maintenance issues, family activities and having fun. Nearing the end of the 1980s, the Club Membership grew and stabilized at approximately thirty (30) boats. Most of the initial Club Members have retired from sailing, but it was their vision and love of the sport that charted and set the successful course of NSHSA.
Through the 1990s, NSHSA Membership grew to approximately fifty (50) boats and played leading roles, in partnership with the other Bay HSAs, supporting the semi-annual Hunter Marine Corporate sponsored Chesapeake Bay Rendezvous. NSHSA continues to hold Membership events such as: sailing education, long and short distance cruising, club racing, and family fun events. The sailing education includes: United States Coast Guard OUPV Captain Licensing Classes, Docking Maneuvers, Emergency Safety Signal Guns and Flare Exercises, Night Navigation, Man Overboard Drills, and Maritime Law.
The Membership sponsors cruises including voyages to Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Long Island, and Delmarva Cruises every couple of years. The Club also holds events for all ages, and these have proven to be lots of fun. A few of the most popular have been the July 4th Celebrations, The Pirate Life for Us, Survivor Raft-up, etc. If you sail the Bay and enjoy the company and shared experiences of fellow sailors, we welcome new members. Visit us at the Northern Star Sailing Association website www.NSHSA.org.
