Complied by Pam Gaskill

July 2022

June Meeting

By Elaine Berberich

FHYC Publicity

Summer is always a busy time for Fairfield Harbour Yacht Club members who enjoy spending time on the beautiful waterways in our community.  The club met June 9 at the Community Center and enjoyed a great program as well as spending time together. 

The speaker for the evening was Bob Arthur, an engineering manager at Hatteras Yachts in New Bern. Bob has been a long-term fixture at the New Bern company since he started as a stock runner 45 years ago and has advanced to the engineering manager for the plant, which has 350 employees. The company is planning an expansion for the physical plant as well as an expansion in employees, and is a primary contributor to the economy of New Bern. A recent development has been White River Marine acquisition of Hatteras Yachts with a target of 500 new jobs. Bob showed slides of boat building, and members learned that it takes about 9 ½ months to make a 70-foot yacht and costs around seven million dollars.

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Sunfish Races

By Georgie Jackson and Joan Wilson

After missing a few weeks due to bad weather, the Sunday afternoon Sunfish races returned to the Inner Harbour. On June 12, seven boats raced in the Inner Harbour for two races before the skies opened up and pelted everyone with heavy rain drops. Race results were:  1) George Sechrist, 2) Jude Brown, 3) Eric Frank, 4) Jerry Rezab, 5) John Jackson, and DNC Neil Watts. Everyone had a great time! After taking Father’s Day off, we hope to have a good turnout of racers and a crowd to cheer them on for the last day of the Spring Series on Sunday, June 26.

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John Walsh Memorial Oar Race 

By Georgie Jackson

Regatta Chair

The 2022 FHYC Oar Race had two problems this year: COVID and hot weather. Two racing boats and one safety boat reported they were short of crew because of COVID. One skipper called to say he was completely bowing out due to exposure. Two other skippers called to say they would not be at the after party because their wives were testing positive for COVID. 

All in all, the pre-race excitement continued. Between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, the decision was made to shorten the length of the course due to hot weather –mid 90s is not safe weather to be out with a light breeze, sitting in a fiberglass boat. The race was shortened from 22 miles to 15.2 for Class A boats and 7.6 miles for Class B boats. In Class A, Al and Mary Lang on Mystic Blue (aka Ursa Minor) took first place, Russ and Barb Robinson on Rampart Lion took second, and Paul Mills on Vertical Wing took third place. In Class B, Mark Hittner took first place on Blue Note, Blake Sohn on Long Shot took second, and Gordon Osborne on Raptor took third place. 

Mary and Al Lang took first place in Class A of the Oar Race this year and won the coveted Oar. The first and second place winners in each class have their names engraved on a permanent commemorative plaque in the Community Center. The plaque has an oar that was used during the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940. 

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Chesapeake Cruise

By Peter and Kathy Clay

Cruise Captains

We started with high hopes and a bit of interest from several boats, and we ended up with three boats: Island Girl with Greg and Lorrie Winfrey, Salt and Light with Ted and Beth Warnock, and Gentle Presence with Peter and Kathy Clay. The cruising is great in the Chesapeake, despite taking a while to get there. The group endured less than favorable weather conditions along the way but enjoyed new experiences and new places to visit, while getting to know new people and making new friends. 

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Cruising Events

By Phil Katz

Cruising Captain

The first overnight cruising event of the season was the Shakedown Cruise to Oriental Marina and Inn, led by Jon and TJ Bendicksen, in May. The weather was good for the weekend and a fun time was had by all. 

The activities included Nautical Trivia, a potluck supper, a Wine Tasting Contest, and dining at the Toucan Grill. The first cruising event in June was the Cape Lookout Cruise June 13 to 17 led by Steve and Leigh Hart. It is a fun trip down the Neuse to Adams Creek then leading you past Morehead City through Beaufort Inlet. The next event in June is scheduled for Saturday, June 25; it is a one-day, small boat outing along Upper Broad Creek past Lee’s Landing to the docks at Latham-Whitehurst Park. Take your shallow-draft boat, dinghy, kayak, canoe, or whatever on an enjoyable picturesque boat ride to the park for the outing. And if you choose, you can join the group by land yacht to park and take the half mile walk to join us. 

On July 4th we can enjoy the fireworks and celebrate Independence Day on our boats at an anchorage just off Duck Creek on the Neuse River. Our Local Waters Cruise this year will be Monday, July 18, to Thursday July 21. Enjoy the waters of the Neuse River exploring anchorages and marinas. If you are new to the area, it is a great way to familiarize yourself with the local cruising opportunities close by. Join Chris Town, our Cruise Leader, for this event at the Captains Meeting (to be announced) to finalize the cruising itinerary in our local waters.

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Membership

If you are interested in becoming a member of this active water-oriented group, contact Membership Co- Chairs Pam Miller, 631-1747, or Paula Phipps , 808-352-3810.

The Fairfield Harbour Yacht Club is committed to promoting and encouraging safe boating, education, camaraderie, and fellowship for our members. More information is available on the website at www.fhyc.us.

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