OSCA jumped right into the 2011 sailing season with its first “on the water” event, the Memorial Day Rendezvous at the East Greenwich Yacht Club, hosted by Peter and Sandy Borowiec, s/v “Alpenwind.” Saturday, OSCA members reconnected after a long winter with a potluck picnic in the club’s gazebo overlooking Greenwich Cove. On Sunday evening, a delicious buffet catered by Excelabrations was presented in the club’s dining room where Commodore John Impagliazzo welcomed all and Cruise Captain Bill Kaylor previewed the plans for the July 23-31 summer cruise. After dinner, OSCA Vice Commodore Jeff Chirnside introduced Matt Franco, comic/magician, to entertain.
On June 10-12, OSCA rendezvous’d at the Rhode Island Yacht Club to join in R.I.’s annual Gaspee Day celebration, which included fireworks Friday night, a parade on Saturday morning, and a re-enactment of the burning of the British ship, the Gaspee, by colonial rebels. Members Bill and Stella Cote hosted an impromptu cocktail hour aboard s/v “Sail La Vie” at the docks at RIYC, where one could also partake of lobster, steak, or ribs in the yacht club’s dining room. Thanks to RIYC for allowing OSCA once again to rendezvous at the club. Not even the miserable rainy weather could dampen our spirits.
OSCA’s summer cruise commenced July 23 with 11 yachts: s/v’s “Pooka”, “Prints of Tides”, “Sudsea”, “Wicked Winch,” “Seanchai,” “Argo”, “Galexy”, “Nunki,” “Morning Star”, “Morning Star II,” and “Allure.” No one could miss us in our florescent yellow 2011 cruise t-shirts, courtesy of Dave Arnold, s/v “Prints of Tides”. Fleet Captain Bill Kaylor scheduled the first stop at Third Beach in Portsmouth, RI. Members cooled off from the 90 plus degree heat by swimming off the boats and later dingying in for an evening cookout on the beach. The fleet then spent two days in the New Bedford, Ma., harbor, where the Harbor Development Council along with Harbor Agent, John Anderson, did their best to acquaint us with this working fishing port. Highlights were the whaling museum, the cobbled-stone streets of the historic district, and a rather raucous dinner at Fathom’s.
On Tuesday, the fleet relaxed in secluded Sippican Harbor in Marion, Ma., home of the “Marion to Bermuda Race” and Tabor Academy. On Wed., OSCA traveled to Woods Hole, Ma., still waiting for the wind to pick up without thunderstorms. There, cheered on by dozens of onlookers, the entire fleet paraded through a narrow canal and under the raised drawbridge to moor in Eel Pond for the night. Continuing on to Vineyard Haven, Ma., the following day (still no wind!) the boats stayed the night in the inner harbor, and a number of sailors enjoyed the fine dining of the “Blue Canoe.” Finally, the wind picked up, and some long-awaited sailing was enjoyed in Nantucket Sound and Buzzard’s Bay. No mooring was available inside crowded Cuttyhunk, so the fleet anchored for the night outside before proceeding to Westport, MA., where chef/ Fleet Captain Bill and Paula Kaylor held what has become the annual OSCA lobster boil.
OSCA Fleet Departing Eel Pond, Woods Hole, MA, July 28, 2011
On August 20th, Lee and Kevin Rabbitt, and Jill and Matt Clement, s/v Sorritas, hosted the 3rd annual wine tasting at the Dutch Harbor boatyard. On Sunday morning, the OSCA gang hiked up to the Village Hearth Bakery in Jamestown, where Sorritas crew had arranged a variety of freshly- baked croissants, muffins and other pastries for breakfast.
Despite massive power outages from Hurricane Irene, Bristol Yacht Club was able to restore their docks. Just as we about to cancel our annual Labor Day Rendezvous, BYC emailed us that power had been restored and they would be able to host Labor Day Weekend. Lobster chef/ Fleet Captain Bill and Paula Kaylor, s/v Seanchai, delighted the club with their renown Lobster Boil. Commodore John Impagliazzo took the opportunity to thank those members who volunteered to host OSCA 2011 events.
He was also honored to present William and Kathleen Hague, s/v Carpe Ventum, OSCA’s 2011 Founders Award for their years of service to the club.
John Impagliazzo
Commodore
Ocean State Catalina Association
