March is here and it will soon be time to get back on the water. Last winter, our new boat was delivered to Willis Marine in Huntington. We weren't planning on a new boat. We were planning on a newer, bigger boat. Our search on the Internet led us to Cape Cod and a 38' center cockpit Moody. It was a little bigger than we needed, a little older than we wanted, but it was a "Blue Water Boat." We could cross an ocean in it.

We had never planned to cross an ocean, but when you have a boat that is capable, you start to think you're capable too. After two or three trips to the Cape and much negotiating, we settled on a price. We had a wonderful, windy sea trial on Buzzards Bay. We were making plans to sail the boat back to Oyster Bay after the closing, but unfortunately there was no closing. After a few days, we realized the sellers had changed their minds. We think they went to the Newport boat show and saw what it would take to replace what they were planning to sell. They decided to keep the Moody.

Now it was mid-September. Our previous boat had already been sold, and we were without a boat. We quickly got back on the Internet for a "worldwide" search. We didn't have to go far. Our search led us to Dave Malach at Willis Marine in Huntington, and an almost brand new 36' Beneteau. We called Dave, who by chance, already had our name on a short list of prospective boat buyers. Good friends of ours, who are living on their sailboat in the Bahamas, knew Dave and had given it to him. Dave told us the boat we had called about, had just left for the Stamford Connecticut In Water Boat Show. After a worldwide search, our boat had just crossed the Long Island Sound.

The next morning we were in Stamford before the show opened. We spent the whole day on board inspecting, learning about the boat, and negotiating. When all was said and done, instead of buying "almost new," we decided to buy a brand new boat that would deliver in January.

We had a great season with our new boat. We had a lot of three and four-day weekends but were not able to get away for an extended vacation. The year before with our previous boat, we were out for two weeks in July and it rained almost every day. Even in the rain, we had a wonderful time and sailed to Block Island for the first time. Block Island is the Mecca for all new sailors. At one point in the trip you lose sight of land.

Actually during the entire trip home from Block Island to Stonington, Connecticut, we lost sight of land in the fog and rain. We have a photo of Shelley-Sue in the cockpit, where you can barely see her the fog is so thick. Later in the week, on a windless day, the sun finally came out as we were crossing the LI Sound from Branford, Connecticut to Port Jeff. Despite the inclement weather, we thoroughly enjoyed our two weeks out.

We enjoy not having a set plan on the weekends. We prefer to see where the wind and tides will take us. One of the great benefits in being a member at Sagamore Yacht Club is the reciprocal rights. We can go to most yacht clubs, and for a small mooring fee, be treated as members.

Last winter was warmly spent planning and dreaming about our new boat. This fall, we tucked her away under a cover and ran away to Florida. But, luckily, it seems that I will have another new boat to sail on this spring. I have been crewing on Wednesday nights with Captain Darren on Comanche, a 30' O'Day. We lost a few races this spring that we shouldn't have lost, considering the new sails, and a hard working crew. Captain Darren was very upset and promised his crew a newer and faster boat. Even after winning our division for the year Captain Darren was true to his word. He sold Comanche, and is now shopping for a newer, faster boat for his faithful crew. I'm sure the captain will find the proper boat that will please his crew as well as his wife.

The last few years a Catalina 30', called Waterfront, has been our nemesis. The captain of this boat and his all female crew, have been an embarrassment to the crew of Comanche. Our captain and crew read all of the latest racing information, discuss tactics, study wind shifts, attend seminars, and try very hard to win every minute we are out on the water. But, in the past, while we were working away, Waterfront would breeze past us. Her captain eating a cheeseburger and drinking a beer, steering with his belly, and sometimes even taking photographs- all at the same time. In the name of good sportsmanship, we should mention while Comanche won her division for the Wednesday night series, Waterfront won the Sunday division.

The Wednesday night races will be starting up again in May. All sailors are welcome to come out and race. There will be a pre-racing meeting at Sagamore Yacht Club on April 8th at 8:00 p.m.

By the way, with spring just around the corner Sagamore Yacht Club is having their annual New Member Open House on Sunday, March 10 from 2 p.m to 5 p.m. Sagamore provides boating, entertainment, social, and recreational activities for its members. Membership provides boaters and non-boaters the opportunity and access to enjoy beautiful, historic Oyster Bay Harbor. Throughout the year the club offers activities such as fishing derbies and tournaments, sailboat racing, cruises, raft ups, catered dinners and much more. If you've never visited the club, this is your chance to do so. We look forward to meeting you.

Bob and Shelley-Sue Williams can be reached at swpny@aol.com