Hello BCYC, I finally think spring is here to stay! Just hoping April showers stay away long enough to get back on the boat to get her ready for the upcoming boating season. So, if you are like me, you are preparing her for the water by painting the bottom, waxing the hull, and moving all the boat items out of the basement and back onboard.
It looks like it will be a busy year for boating on the Bay, and one of the reasons our Fleet Captain and Cruise Director already have had to switch locations for the fall cruise. Some of the places we want to go are filling up, and areas for the club to gather are reserved. Yes, people are already booking for fall. So please reserve your slips early when requested. If you're not sure that you can make it, reserve anyway and cancel. Usually, you have up to 3 days before the scheduled arrival date to cancel and get a full refund. If you decide you can't make it, you're not scrambling to find a place to stay. Just check cancellation policies before reserving.
The BCYC Boating Season begins with the Change of Watch Ball on May 7th at Oyster Cove Clubhouse. Gail Higginbotham and Madi Yates have been putting together what should be a memorable CoW Ball. This year we have a '70s Disco theme, with a prize for two of the best '70s dressed individuals. So go into your attics, dig into your long-term storage, and find your best '70s Disco outfit you can put together.
The season opener at Chappell's home on May 21st will be fun! Join the BCYC clan on Cattail Creek near the top of the Magothy River, where there will be a blessing of the fleet and a welcome to all new members. If your boat is ready, there will be places to tie up or anchor nearby and dinghy in.
The following weekend (May 28th) starts our Annual Cruise. This year, we are heading south down the Bay to Solomons Island, starting at the Bay Bridge Marina and cruising south via the Wye River and St Michaels, with a brief stop on the Little Choptank River before arriving at Spring Cove Marina on June 2nd. We end our cruise on a Saturday, giving you time to head back home on your schedule. I'm sure many will take their time, and I think we can organize an impromptu raft-up or other meet-ups, hint Herrington Harbor South Pool. June also brings us one of our largest events, the annual Lobster Feast and Flip, Flop, and Drop breakfast (June 18th and 19th). Always a fun time, and usually, 60 plus BCYC friends and family show up for this grand event!
So, don't forget to reserve your slips for the Oxford (Log Canoe Races) and Labor Day cruises, and get ready for an exciting year of cruising with your BCYC friends, Up the Creek!
May your anchor be tight,
your cork be loose,
your rum be spiced
and your compass be true!
Your Commodore,
Tim Feldmann
