WBORA Kickoff Meeting
Come join the WBORA Kickoff Party!
When: Friday, May 30th, 6:30pm (rain date Sat 31st - 12pm)
Where: Mary Harrison's Deck

New to sailing? Come on!

Beer, Wine, Grilled Meat!
Bring a side if you like.

We're open to YOUR ideas, from both new and old members, and especially encouraging any suggestions to help bring more people out on the water to share the sailing experience, whether interested in racing or cruising (we're partial to both).

The tenative list of topics and speakers so far include:

• 2007 Year in Review - Mike Hession
  
• 2008 Calendar and Goals - Mary H and Bob Cowan
  
• Sam Barfield Regatta Committee - Mary H and Mike Hession
  
• Race Format - Doug Day
  
• Additional Ideas - All Encouraged to Contribute

How Do I Get There?

See Google Map to print or view (Click Map at right)

*From Market heading downtown

• L on Forest Hills Drive (stoplight)
• pass FH Scool on right, go across RR tracks
• L onto Columbia
• 2707 Columbia is about halfway up block on L. grey wall/stairs

*From Wrightsville Ave heading toward Independ Blvd

• on Wrightsville Ave, cross Independ
• R onto Forst Hills Drive
• L onto Columbia
• 2707 Columbia is about halfway up block on R. grey wall/stairs

Park anywhere ~ Come up driveway to back entrance.

***PLEASE ATTEND IFPOSSIBLE. WE NEED PARTICIPATION***

Besides, it's going to be fun and the next best thing to being on the water.

Thanks and see you all there!

- Mary

Mary Harrison
2707 Columbia Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910)233-3450

News from the Commodore

As you now know, we are planning to have a WBORA meeting on May 30, at 6:30pm at Mary Harrison's abode. A big thanks goes to Mary for hosting the event. We are really hoping to have a great turnout. Bring anyone interested in getting out on the water this year!

As for WBORA membership, dues will remain at 100 for skippers and 20 for crew.

I would recommend that we consider another Sam Barfield memorial regatta in July, the traditional Doxey cup couples race, and a fall invitation regatta. A gentleman by the name of Richard Skinner has contacted me about the possibility of holding a National Hospice Regatta in support of Cape Fear Hospice.

In other news, mark May 22, 2008 down as the Atlantic Orthopaedic- Seidel Cup Race to Beaufort is on with a current scratch sheet of two Cape Fear 38's (Tangent & Limited Inventory), an Amel 53 (Sundance), and our resident J40 (Coast to Coast). See the site and details on the home page. Cruisers race a shorter course, and usually are treated with an SE to SW wind. (Except last year when it blew on the nose at 15 to 25.) We are hopeful that The Edge, NY Times and Adios will make the race to defend their record.

If you have a slip available before the Offshore race for competitors from other areas please let me know. We hope that our WBORA cruisers will come out for the event. Racers can do the NCOC races and cruisers can head to the bight.

We also plan to do some cruise races using the fish reef buoys followed by raft ups at the newly replaced WBORA buoy. Early June sounds like a good estimate for the beginning of the season.

Also the Leukemia Cup will be held done in Southport May 16-18. This is a great event every year with a huge cruising division. See the latest links and details with all the info on the main WBORA home page.

I am sorry for the lack of communication, but I've had some medical issues.

Mike Hession
2007 Commodore

WBORA Sea Buoy

On a note closer to home, our own Murray Seidel went to considerable effort to obtain and install the new WBORA mooring buoy. He has specific instructions for its use.

• On top of the buoy there is pennant line with an eye in it. There is a S.S. hook where the eye is placed. This keeps the end of the line from getting fouled with marine life.
  
  
• Remove the pennant from the buoy and run your line thru the eye. Cleat both ends of your line to your boat. When casting off reverse the procedure making sure the eye of the pennant is on the hook of buoy.
  
  
• Never ever put a line around the chain attached to the bottom of the buoy. This will put all the strain into the plastic and is likely to destroy the buoy. They only safe way to transmit loads thru the buoy is thru the metal rod which goes thru the buoy. The load goes from the moored boat, to the pennant, thru the shaft and then to the anchor chain attached to the bottom of the buoy. If you do not understand these instructions call Murray.
  
  

Failure to comply will result in your boat being accidentally T boned by Sundance under full diesel power. That's Sundance above. That's not a good thing.

Calling all current/potential
WBORA MEMBERS!

Here is the current membership application for those of you interested in becoming a full-time WBORA member, whether as crew or skipper. Please try to make the Kickoff Meeting on May 30th, details above.

Note: 2007 Application .pdf below will be fine for 2008 (please add current date)

LINK: 2007-2008 WBORA Membership Application (PDF File)

Participation is the key to a great future for WBORA. Winning is not everything, lots boats out there improving their skills followed by good fellowship at socials and raft ups makes sailing fun. We have a lot of experienced crew out here looking for rides. Skippers, that can be great way to learn more about sailing. Also, the old hands around the club are full of advice and help for the less experienced.

Mary Harrison
Commodore