DATES TO REMEMBER

As we are in a season of transition, so too is our Club. On October 3rd, the new 2024/2025 slate of Officers and Committees was approved by membership.  On behalf of my fellow Flag Officers and Board of Directors, we thank you for your support and we commit to keeping the Club on course in order to obtain a strong, resilient, and viable future. A list of Officers and Committee Chairs is included in this edition of the Burgee.

Though not inclusive, some of the objectives we will tackle are; 

• Finalize an updated lease agreement
• Continue to develop plans for a prioritized, common sense list of capital improvements that enhance Club operations and member experiences
• Reinvigorate the Club’s on-the-water boating experiences  with competitions, Club rendezvous, and Club Cruises
• Continue to upgrade the clubhouse appearance and day-to-day operations
• Streamline expenses 
• Establish and carry out normal, standard ‘Yacht Club” protocols

Keeping with our transitions, we welcome our new General Manager to the Newport Yacht Club team. Hallie Payne joined us in late September and while working with the Staff, has been effectively developing processes and procedures toward streamlining Club operations. The General Manager and staff and along with the Board of Directors and Committees are working hard to improve the member experience at the Club and make it even more enjoyable and pleasant.

Newport Yacht Club is now the new home for the Annual Newport Illuminated Boat Parade. The Club will serve as home base for the event and information is provided on the press release in this issue. 

I look forward to meeting you down at the Club and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

FJ Ritt, Commodore

BRAVO ZULU LEAH REYNOLDS!

Recently, Boston Duck Tours published this story and image of Newport Yacht Club member Leah Reynolds on Facebook:

“Our community shines brightest when it’s people have a bias for action.”

On September 28th, the Boston Duck Tour boat NADIA, crewed by Captain Leah Reynolds and Robert Jackson, put years of boating safety and rescue training to the test. While travelling on the Charles River, they heroically rescued an individual in distress clinging to a bridge abutment. Deftly maneuvering their vessel while communicating with emergency services, Leah and Robert swiftly rescued the person in danger and brought them safely to shore. The immediate response and rapid thinking by the Nadia’s crew are a shining example of professionalism in action and serve as a testament to the importance of competent and well-trained mariners on the water.

Friday, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boston presented Leah and Robert each with a Certificate of Merit and unit coins. The Certificate of Merit recognizes members of the public who demonstrate exemplary action and help the Coast Guard carry out its missions. Leah and Robert, you showed us and the greater Boston community how people with a bias for action are this city’s heroes.    Bravo Zulu!

FROSTBITE NOTICE

Time to break out the woolies and your oldest foul weather gear and get ready for Frostbite 2025.

We will start, as tradition dictates, on January 1, 2025 at noon, everyone on deck by 11:15. The season runs through April 13, 2025 last race day.

All members will have the chance to register first. Please check the frostbite page on the yacht club website for Notice of Race, 2025 Registration Forms and Sailing Instructions that will be available soon.  We do not accept credit card payments or payment to the office. All fees are payable in cash or check the first day of sailing to the frostbite committee. We save our 3%.

Again, this year, we will encourage teams if you don’t think you have the time to commit to every Sunday. Find a partner that also has limited time and share a boat. One partner per Sunday can sail and your team is scored as a single entity. Both participants must pay appropriate registration fee.

These are 10’ dinghies. We ask that only experienced dinghy sailors apply. January to April is not the time to learn how to sail a persnickety dinghy in Newport Harbor. They do tip over and they are not self-righting. That means we need to stop the race, scoop the sailor out of the water and return them to shore and a hot shower. Then rescue the swamped boat and bring it ashore to be hauled out by many hands and emptied out. Yes, you get to sign the turtle at the end of the season, but that’s small consolation to a very cold dip in February.

We are looking at having work parties in Bristol Nov 16 and/or 23 then bringing the boats to the yacht club somewhere between the 7^th and 21^st  of December. If there are any members that have dinghy trailers, pick up trucks or large utility vans that can transport a boat please let me know. We need to get all coordinated to bring down 12 boats from Bristol to Newport. If you’re thinking about frostbiting, joining in on these events introduces you to the group and with many hands makes light work. And quite honestly…

Frostbiting is Fun!

Bea Grimmitt, Chair; Caryn Cummings; Mary Ann Jencks

Questions or comments please contact: Bea_Grimmitt@hotmail.com

NEWPORT YACHT CLUB NEW HOME OF ILLUMINATED BOAT PARADE!

Our Club is the new home of the Illuminated Boat Parade, serving as home base for parade activities this year and into the future. The following is the text of the press release, which is also linked for you to share.

Kick Off the Holiday Season at the Annual Newport Illuminated Boat Parade                                                          

Holiday Boat Parade Finds Permanent Home Hosted by Newport Yacht Club

NEWPORT, RI (November 5, 2024) — The City-by-the-Sea celebrates its vibrant waterfront community on Friday, November 29, at 6:00 p.m. with the annual Newport Illuminated Boat Parade every Holiday Season. The grassroots parade founded 25 years ago by then Harbormaster Jake Farrell has grown into a cherished holiday tradition in Newport.  Leaders at Newport Yacht Club have embraced the boat parade to provide a permanent host home for the parade for the enjoyment of the community. 

“Since our founding in 1894, visitors to Newport Yacht Club have been experiencing the beauty of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. On behalf of our members, we are thrilled to be home to this long-standing holiday tradition,” states F.J. Ritt, Commodore, Newport Yacht Club.

Spectators can view the dazzling display of nautical holiday spirit from many points on the Newport waterfront as the decorated vessels circumnavigate Newport Harbor. WADK will broadcast parade coverage with host Martha Parker and Bruce Newbury on 1540 AM Radio starting at 6:00 p.m.

Viewing of the parade is free, making this a great family event to get into the spirit of the holiday season. The Parade boats rendezvous south of the Goat Island Causeway and then proceed east, passing Newport Yacht Club, where the panel of judges will be located.  The parade continues past Perrotti Park, then passes Bowen’s and Bannister’s Wharf with the finish of the harbor loop at Goat Island Causeway. The Best vantage points for spectators include Perrotti Park, Bowen’s & Bannister’s Wharves, and points around Newport Harbor.

Magnificently decorated vessels will compete for a first-place award in the following categories: Best Decorated Sailboat (commercial and recreational), Best Decorated Powerboat (commercial and recreational), Best Decorated Fishing Boat, and the parade’s most festive category, The Tim Mills Team Spirit Award. This award, named after former harbormaster Tim Mills, is given to the boat that best embodies the spirit of community and camaraderie. It’s a tribute to Tim’s dedication to the parade and his love for the Newport waterfront. Following the conclusion of the parade, the awards ceremony will be held at the Newport Yacht Club promptly at 7:30pm.

Any organization, business, or boat owner that would like to participate in the Annual Newport Illuminated Boat Parade is asked to REGISTER FOR BOAT PARADE ONLINE by 12:00 p.m. on November 28th.

The event is proudly hosted by the Newport Yacht Club, in partnership with the City of Newport, Discover Newport, and community volunteers.

FLEET CAPTAIN NEWS

Member Championship Regatta

This new regatta would be non-spinnaker on two Friday nights in July and two Friday nights in August. The first racing run would be at 5:30 pm with plans for 2 to 3 races per night.

 A maximum of fourteen J-22s could be made available from Sail Newport for those who want to participate. The cost is $ 500 per boat to enter the regatta. I need to commit to the number of boats by May 15. Please email as soon as possible if you have interest or any questions.      Dennis Ferreira, Fleet Captain  Gallop1958@gmail.com  

REGATTA COMMITTEE

Regatta Committee Hosts Spring & Summer Series Awards Presentation

More than 80 sailors filled the main deck Saturday, October 26 for the NYC Annual Spring and Summer Series racing awards. Alan Renfrew, Regatta Chair 2024, presented 35 awards to top finishers in one-design, PHRF and multihull classes. NYC first place finishers include Bill Steel in Cydarydigo in the Ensign Class, Roy Guay on Floating Point in PHRF I, and Chuck Taylor on Seeing Red in PHRF II. Commodore FJ Ritt, Bea Grimmitt, Dave Wilson and Michael Ryan and Fred Roy are among others who received awards. This year, 50 boats registered and competed in the two series with zero protests.

In addition to the annual awards, a special half-hull Herreshoff S-boat model was presented to the club by NYC member Fred Roy. The model lists all S-Boat names that have participated in NYC Tuesday races since 2008. The hull is mounted on the south wall under the Ensign half-hull model. The committee hopes to increase competitor registrations in 2025. Races are held Tuesday and Wednesday evenings starting at 1800. Sailors interested in racing from NYC, nearby clubs as well as Sail Newport are all welcome.

 This past summer, the Regatta Committee (RC) conducted additional support to outside sailing organizations including the Twenty Hundred Club, Sail Newport and the multihulls. Three Twenty Hundred Club races included the Three Bridge Fiasco, the Prince Henry Race and the Block Island Race. NYC served as race committee for the Newport Unlimited Regatta (multihull), provided a “circle” for the 40th Anniversary Sail Newport Regatta, and served for the Offshore 160 Race. Thank you, Alan Renfrew, for taking on the additional races and the responsibility of RC Chair – your positive energy, attention to detail, and inclusiveness are applauded!

Please welcome Steve White as the new 2025RC chairman. If you are interested in joining the race scene at the club, keep an eye out in the Burgee or email Steve at steve@srwesq.com. The RC welcomes new volunteers. This winter there will be a number of practical training sessions held at the club. If you or someone you know is interested in getting out on the water while giving to the club and to the racers, please contact Steve.

FLOAT AND DOCK 

The Club marina has now transitioned from summer to winter customers and folks are working to secure their boats for the winter.  We invited fewer boats this year to free up space for necessary repairs.  We appreciate everyone’s support and patience while we work down our priority repair list.

Many thanks to everyone who volunteered for Dock Day. We had an excellent turnout. I also want to thank past Float and Dock chairs Andy Vouras and Steve Damas for their support and counsel.

In mid-November 2025 leases and deposit requests will be sent out to slip holders.  This year we will process the small boat corral at the same time.  Steve Parks, Chair Float and Dock 

OFFICER AND COMMITTEE ROSTER

Per the Commodore’s message, here is a list of current officers and committees.

Officers and Board

Commodore: FJ Ritt

Vice Commodore: Kyle Lepley  

Rear Commodore: Lew Abramson  

Treasurer:  Morgan Everson

Secretary: Jim Houston

Communications:  Mark Marosits

Entertainment: Pam Grant   

Finance: Janet Bottiglieri

Fleet Captain:  Dennis Ferreira  

Float and Dock: Steve Parks       

Frostbite: Bea Grimmitt

House: Kurt Schlicting

Junior Sailing:  Al Sgambato  

Membership: Scott Walker

Offshore: Roy Guay

Regatta: Steve White 

Young Adults: Kelsy Patnaude

Members at Large: Laura Dargan, Steve Damas, Peter Jencks, Tom Robinson