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Flying Scot Fleet Cruising Activities
Blue Angels Cruise, 2006.
The 2006 "Blue Angels Cruise" to Annapolis was the best ever!! Our Social Director, George Balas, picked the best day -- Graduation Day at the Academy -- and made flawless arrangements for the event. Three Scot Skippers and Crew, and two Ex-Scot Skippers participated in the fantastic day on the Bay. George Balas, Jim Doherty, Mike and Brenda Noone, sailed the Scots from the launch site at Matapeake, on Kent Island, to the mouth of the Severn River. Spinnakers were flown for about half of the distance, and they finally got some good breeze as they entered the Annapolis Harbor. They then tied up to the "Mother Ship," a 35 foot Freedom yacht. This "Mother Ship" sailed by Ex-Scot sailor, and former Fleet # 163 Champion, Fred Molden, makes the highlight of the day. This year Fred was assisted by another Ex--Scot sailor, Bob Weeks, who assured that the anchoring and tie-up procedures went safely.
On board the "Volant," the "show" by the Blue Angels was spectacular, and was directly overhead!!! The food, refreshments, relaxation, and "facilities" on the mother ship made the event another great success -- Thanks Fred!!!
The sail back to Matapeake, after the crowds of boats had left the harbor, was a "blast" with perfect close-reaching conditions all the way across the Bay in about 10 knots of breeze. A late dinner at Harris's Crab Shack on Kent Island capped a perfect day.
General Comments.
Flying Scot Fleet Cruising activities are scheduled for the non-racing days on most weekends of the summer, “weather permitting.” 20 Scots, with families and friends as crew - sometimes as many as seven in the boat!! -- participated in the Cruising activities during 2004. On one Cruise, on a particularly windy day (!!), our Fleet Treasurer, Len Evelev, celebrated his 78th Birthday by sailing with Helen in # 4583. Cruising is great “time on the water”, and, especially with other Scot sailors, is a great way to learn how to handle the boat with greater confidence - Cruising can be fun!! The experience has moved at least one more Scot sailor into the “Racing” game!!
These weekend Cruises are "informal" but if you intend to participate, it helps the organization if you leave a message with Fleet Secretary, Mike Noone. The generally begin around 12 and go through the afternoon -- as long as the breeze lasts!! If we know that you are coming, we will wait around the Marina area before setting off to distant parts of the Lake.
The Highlight of the 2004 Cruising Year was the "Blue Angels Cruise" to Annapolis, last May. The 2005 Cruise had to be canceled because of hazardous weather on the Bay for the entire week!! Watch this space for details of the 2006 "Blue Angels" Cruise!!