November-December 2018

Hmmmm…so much to talk about. Let’s begin with the issue you’re holding in your hands. It is the last WindCheck of 2018. It’s also the shortest in terms of pages. But it might be the best one of my tenure. We tackled a number of large projects for this “two-month” issue and I am extremely proud of the WindCheck team on how they came out. First up, we put a ribbon on the “Optimist vs What” conversation…

Editor’s note: We’re still getting lots of feedback on the Publisher’s Log in our September issue, “Resume Hand Wringing!”, in which Ben Cesare opined, “I think we need a better tool [than the Optimist] for the job [of teaching kids to sail].” Across two junior sailors I never had issue with the [Optimist]. I honestly think it’s a great class, but again, I’m a focus group of one. At a beginner’s level, say a 9-year-old, you can simplify…

The 28th edition of the Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week will be held Sunday, June 23 through Friday, 28, 2019. The plan is for four days of racing, bringing back the popular lay day (if weather permits). The highlight of this event is the Around Block Island Race in which the entire fleet circumnavigates the island. Over 150 boats are anticipated for an expanded number of racing formats that seek to accommodate an even wider…

Extremely light winds prevailed for the 2018 Ideal 18 North American Championship, hosted by Larchmont Yacht Club in Larchmont, NY on September 29 & 30. Thirty-seven teams competed, and when the dust had cleared one of the 12 teams from the host club stood atop the podium. Cardwell Potts was at the helm with Ted Ferrarone calling tactics as these two LYC sailors raced neck-and-neck with Skip Shumway and Aslan Sweeney (Rochester, NY) throughout the four-race regatta….

Italia Yachts, headquartered in Venice, Italy, has expanded its international footprint with the opening of Italia Yachts U.S.A. in Milford, CT. Building on its existing European and Australian customer bases, Italia Yachts’ presence in the U.S. will enable it to better serve a growing client base in this region and meet rapidly expanding demand for sailing yachts in the 34 to 54-foot range that deliver optimum levels of speed without sacrificing comfort and luxury. “This is an…

The National Sailing Hall of Fame, currently located in Annapolis, MD, is relocating to Newport, RI. Executive Director Gary Jobson said the Sailing Hall of Fame hopes to welcome visitors at its new location in the Armory building, located at 365 Thames Street, in May 2020. Jobson said the Sailing Hall of Fame would enter into a contract with the City of Newport to purchase the Armory on or before November 8, before the actual closing takes…

We had a really good time doing our staff picks for this year’s Gift Guide. Some are recommendations from our advertisers and some are simply things we really want! Enjoy and have fun this holiday season! JCD Custom Race Parts 20mm Carbon Fiber Tiller Extension Designed and built in Southport, Connecticut by Lightning racer Gianni Cuccio, JCD’s carbon fiber tiller extension has a beautifully woven shaft, 24 inches of JCD’s exclusive spiral-ribbed handle design and the unsurpassed…

Join together ‘neath the mistletoe By the holy oak whereon it grows Seven druids dance in seven time Sing the song the bells call loudly chiming – Jethro Tull, “Ring Out, Solstice Bells” Christmas at the Newport Mansions Monday, November 19 to Tuesday, January 1, 2019 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI The Preservation Society of Newport County cordially invites you to tour The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House, each decked out in Yuletide finery. Highlights of this…

By Felix Kloman “What shall I call thee?” asked William Blake many years ago. It has been a lifelong question of mine, as the owner of many boats. Her name: Dianthus, and she has carried me on Long Island Sound, the Connecticut River, Tenants Harbor, Rockland Harbor, and Penobscot Bay. A perfect flower of a boat! It all began shortly after our move in 1967 from Philadelphia to Rowayton, Connecticut, a small town with water on three…

By John K. Fulweiler, Esq. I was in San Diego last week. A quick jaunt. Out and back in forty-eight hours. As I’m in a committed relationship with the Atlantic, I scowled at the Pacific and counted the time to boarding. Lonely travel has you chewing on thoughts until there’s just the gristle: an elastin mouthful of issues reduced to the basics. I like the occasional solo jaunt for that reason. I return with new clarity. I’ve…