Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club is located on the north shore of the Peace River with a magnificent view overlooking the Harbor. We certainly enjoyed that view this past weekend when CHYC hosted the FCYC general meeting. 

Friday night we participated in Charlotte Harbor’s traditional Pub Night which provided us with the opportunity to mix and meet with CHYC’s friendly and welcoming members.                                                     

Saturday morning the FCYC Executive Committee met to review issues and prepare for the General Meeting to follow in the afternoon. At noon the ladies met for a spectacular lunch and then left for an afternoon of shopping at Fisherman’s Village and Guiditta’s.  

The Director’s meeting was called to order at 1300 hours by Commodore Stanley. Thirty three of the thirty-six clubs were in attendance.  Absent were the Captiva Island Yacht Club, Coral Ridge Yacht Club, and Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club.   

Past Commodores present were Benson, Bogue, Broadway, Ferguson, Hardy, Larson, and Riley.  

Commodore Stanley thanked everyone for attending and the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club for hosting the meeting. He reported on the small ship river cruise in France in June and reminded us of the February Commodore’s cruise through the Panama Canal. He is considering sending a letter to the Governor offering FCYC member assistance in the oil spill cleanup.  

V/C McDaniel reminded attendees that the source for FCYC Tri-folds and Guides to the Clubs by Land and Water is Mr. Ed’s Print Shop in Sarasota. The Cruise Logs can be downloaded directly from the FCYC website.  

Government Affairs Chairman Perlet reported that the Federal EPA is still working on questions relating to ethanol/gasoline blended fuel and expects to issue final regulations by the end of the summer.  The Florida EPA has released its Lake Jessup cleanup plan and announced that the US Supreme Court has upheld the Florida Clean Beaches Act.  He also provided some web sites for boaters to check on the current status of the Gulf oil spill.  

Communications Chairman Link requested that directors advise Fleet Captains and Alternate Directors that are not receiving FCYC e-mail to send an e-mail to him so that he can correct their e-mail address.

Jack Burwell introduced Wayne Sallade’, Director of the Charlotte County Office of Emergency Management. Sallade’ spoke to us about the oil spill, how the cleanup is being managed, the potential impact of the spill on the Gulf with emphasis on the Florida coast, and complications that might ensue from a hurricane in the spill area. He reminded us that we had seven land strikes in two years including four storms in six weeks in 2004. Interestingly, from 1900 to 1950 there were far more hurricanes and more intense hurricanes then in the next sixty years including the 2004/05 events.  

Steve and Chris Briggs gave an exciting presentation about the February Tropical Passage Cruise from Miami to Costa Rica aboard the Crystal Symphony. The ship has recently undergone a $50 million refurbishment. There is a $1000.00 per couple shipboard credit and free economy class air or $700.00 per person credit. There will be a number of special parties on board for FCYC participants. 

Jake Dye spoke about the Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance. The Alliance represents 28 organizations in the Charlotte Harbor area with the mission of advancing and protecting the interests of the boating community in Punta Gorda.  Jake explained the advantages of having an organized umbrella group devoted to the area’s boating interests.  He highlighted several of the group’s successful programs, including those acknowledged by Interlux Paints and BoatUS.   The Keep A Clear Head program educates local boaters on the importance of not discharging waste holding tanks into the local marine environment, and it provides an incentive to boaters to use proper pump-out facilities.  This program was selected by Interlux Paints as an international winner of programs promoting the health of local marine environments.  The Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance volunteered to help other communities implement the program. 

Jack Burwell reported that the website to get the NOAA Extreme Weather information sheet was sent to all directors by John Link. They are available in packages of 200 and should be ordered by county location. Burwell agreed to make every attempt to get 50 copies of the “Open for Business” tool kit that is a disaster protection and recovery planning book for small to mid-sized business as well as “Homeowners’ financial tool kit” to have available at the September 18 general meeting. He was in hopes that they would be available for distribution during the meeting; however, a shipping error prevented this. 

Fleet Captain East Thomas Smith reported that he and Fleet Captain West, Tony Cole, are trying to develop FCYC cruises on each coast and are looking for clubs with activities in addition to a pool as host clubs. There is also exploration of renting house boats on the St. Johns River. More information will follow. 

A number of summer club closings were announced. Clubs should always be called before visiting. Dates are: 

St. Pete 26 July to 9 August but docks remain open

St Pete at Pass-a-Grille 11 to 24 August but docks remain open

Venice 12 to 28 September. Docks are closed.

Key Biscayne 9-23 August but docks remain open

Royal Palm Open all summer

Naples Closed in August but docks remain open

Naples Sailing Closed in September but docks remain open

Eau Gallie closed 3 to 16 August. Docks available but not attended.

Bradenton open all summer

Charlotte Harbor  First 3 weeks of August. Fuel by appointment only.

Vero Beach closed last two weeks of July. Docks are closed. 

The Moorings and Vero Beach Clubs have worked together to establish a youth sailing foundation. It involves children building eight foot sailing dinghies from kits and racing them. Much interest was expressed and the subject will be added to the agenda for the Halifax River meeting scheduled for September 18. 

It was also requested that part of the next General meeting be devoted to an open discussion of membership issues and various methods employed to improve membership. This will be placed on the agenda for September 18. 

A third suggestion for the September 18 meeting was to discuss the possibility of FCYC getting a pooled rate for boating insurance for member boats. 

Davis Island is adding slips and has three tall ships visiting.  

St Pete is planning a St Pete to Lauderdale race. Interested racers should contact Ron Broadway for details. 

Venice has received permission to add 22 new docks. 

It was announced that plaques for clubs with the most members attending, longest distance cruised, and most boats at FCYC meetings have been reinstated. It was requested that the award of Yachtsman of the Year Burgees be reinstated also.  

Following the General meeting all were invited to observe the Charlotte Harbor Sundowners Ceremony and all past commodores present were invited to participate as the flag was lowered. It was a moving and patriotic ceremony enjoyed by all.  

Saturday night there was a tie for the Club with the most members attending between Eau Gallie and Smyrna Yacht Clubs. Each had eight. The award was given to Smyrna as they had travelled the furthest. Isles Yacht Club took home the honors for most boats and St. Petersburg won for the furthest distance traveled by boat. 

After a fantastic dinner of scallop encrusted halibut and sliced roast beef tenderloin we danced to the music of Billy Dean and Dawn until late into the night.  

The weekend ended on Sunday with a great buffet breakfast enjoyed by many of us before heading home. 

Thanks to Commodore John Aloisi, Director Jack Burwell, Club Manager Tom Foley and all the other members and staff of the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club for an enjoyable and productive weekend.

The next General Meeting will be held at the Halifax River Yacht Club on September 18, 2010.