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Signing on for a Weekend Cruise

Each cruise is organized and led by a volunteer cruise captain.  The cruise captain selects the dates, destination and arranges reservations at local yacht clubs, marinas and restaurants.   Any member may sign up for a cruise by notifying the cruise captain.   Participants are asked to sign up no later than a week before the cruise so the captain has time to make all the necessary reservations.   Last minute reservations can usually be accommodated.

For a rendezvous cruisers can take their own route to a destination.  For a Shelter Island rendevous some go outside, along the southern coast of Long Island, which requires sailing straight through, 18-20 hours.  Others go through Long Island Sound - along the Connecticut coast, Long Island's nouthern coast or a combination of the two.  The Long Island Sound trip that usually takes four days and we may have several flotillas making their way to the rendezvous.

Signing up for a cruise is easy.  You can sign up on-line or use the sign up sheets posted on the yard bulletin board near the heads.   Please provide your name, boat name, number in your group, phone number and e-mail address.  Check the bulletin board often!  Some cruises may be cancelled or rescheduled at the skippers discretion (lack of participants, foul weather, etc.) Each cruise usually begins with a skipper’s meeting.  Topics covered include destination, sail plan, social activities, emergency contact information, VHF channel for communicating among the boats, and other information related to the cruise. Once we have reached our destination, there is usually a cocktail party on one of the boats.  The cruise captain will designate the host boat.  Each member boat attending the party brings an hors d'oeuvre to share.  Beverages are the responsibility of each boater.  The cocktail party usually lasts about an hour, followed by dinner on shore.

Windy Day off Bridgeport (La Neige, Dawn Fletcher) 7 August 2009

For New Cruisers

If you are unfamiliar with cruising you are most welcome to join us on the club’s cruises.  The goal is to make boating a pleasure and provide an opportunity to socialize with other members.  The committee recognizes that most of us didn't "learn the ropes" without the advice and help from someone else.   The cruising group includes people who have extensive racing experience, have sailed to exotic places, and who know the harbors of the Long Island Sound and Raritan Bay intimately.   Getting advice on local waters and discussing boating issues with other cruisers is a great way to develop and improve your general boating skills through advice and discussion with other cruisers.   Don't miss the opportunity to cruise with friends, enjoy the great outdoors, participate in stimulating conversation and have a wonderful learning experience with all the members of your family.

If you are fairly new to sailing, you may be a little anxious about sailing out of Raritan Bay for a weekend.   Members who feel the need of a bit more of a support system should contact the cruise captain and ask to be assigned a "cruising buddy."   The cruise captain will assign a more experienced member to help you by reviewing navigation and safety issues, keeping in close radio contact and sailing in company with you to the destination.  We want to encourage cruise participation and will do all we can to make it fun.

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Off Season

During the off-season, the Cruiser's get together each month for dinner at the club (including a potluck in January when the galley is closed).  This year's dates are at the beginning of this page.  We typically have a speaker or some planned activity before or after dinner. At our February 2009 Dinner we had an excellent speaker, lecturing on the U.S.S. Passaic, a Civil War ironclad monitor.  Prior to the dinner, we hosted a well-run seminar called "Skipper-Saver", given by the local chapter of the U.S. Power Squadron, covering how to plan for, and handle, shipboard emergencies when they arise.

We also have some "land-cruises", while our boats are on-the-hard.  In March 2009, RYC members visited the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Nautical Collection, which was on display at the South Street Seaport.  Republican and democrat alike had a good time viewing the former-president's artifacts.

19 March 2008 – Land Cruise to LI North Fork Wine Region

Almost any off-season Saturday you will find a work party busy in the house or yard.  You can verify specific days with the Vice or Rear Commodores.  Work begins at 0830.  Lunch is usually provided.

First-aid Kit Suggestions:

Item	Quantity
Flexible bandage	2-4 rolls
Triangular/Sling bandage	1
Tape	2-3 rolls
Band-aids	several usable sizes
Tongue blades	2 or more
Small tweezers	1
Small Scissors	1
Dressings	2 each assorted sizes
Antiseptic	1 or more tubes
Anbesol	1 bottle
Pain reliever (Aleve, Motrin, Aspirin)	Small Container
Lip Balm (SPF15 or higher)	1
Saline solution	Several Tubes or 1 bottle
Peroxide	Smallest available
Silvadene/Burn Ointment	1 tube
Rolaids/Mylanta	Small quantity
Anti-diarrheal (Imodium)	Small quantity
Decongestant (Sudafed or other)	Small quantity
Hand Sanitizer	2-3 small containers/pads
Thermal blanket	1
Small light	1

Extras:

For Bag/Kits: