On the Bay: August 7, 2009

Stormy Weather Hits Manhasset Bay

While northern New Jersey was having a tornado, Manhasset Bay was having a lot of severe weather also. From reports of those who were on the bay late afternoon on Monday, July 27, the winds were howling at 83 knots, moorings were dragged some 40 feet and there was general mayhem on the bay. One boat owner, Morty Bleetstein, MBYC, told of how his boat, a Hunter 36, was rescued from disaster when the high winds opened his roller furled mainsail. Due to the quick efforts of Captain Murray, from Grace, the Bleetstein boat remained safe. Many small craft on docks were tossed around like small toys. Thankfully no one was hurt. A few days later, one source said that the Quantum Sail Loft was doing quite a lot of business to repair damage to owners’ sails. The weather has been quite unusual this season, with lots of rain. Maybe August will provide a nice month for sailing on Manhasset Bay and LIS. We can only hope!

Feinstein Institute Sprint at Sands Point Preserve August 15

Runners from all over Long Island are invited to join in the fun at the “Sands Point Preserve Sprint for the Feinstein Institute” on Saturday morning, Aug. 15. This 5 Kilometer running race offers a unique combination of paved paths and runner friendly trails (and a surprise or two ) through the woodlands and Long Island Sound vistas of the Sands Point Preserve, at the north end of the Port Washington peninsula.

The 216-acre Sands Point Preserve is an unparalleled mixture of natural and landscaped areas. Forests, meadows, beach and cliffs, gardens, and freshwater pond provide habitats for a variety of plants and animals. The proximity of different habitats provided the club the opportunity to create a 5 Kilometer course that will enable local runners and walkers to experience the various aspects of the entire preserve.

Another Year – Another Great Model Boat Regatta!

In Port Washington, if it is the first Sunday in June, then it must be the Chamber of Commerce’s Harbor FEST. And a wonderful part of this annual event is the Model Boat Regatta. For sailors and landlubbers alike, it just doesn’t get better than this! Take all the third-grade children in our area, introduce them to sailing by teaching them how to build their own boat, add in some nautical terms and sailing theory, and end the “teachable moment” with a real regatta with a starting sequence, crowds of friends, families and classmates – and you get the idea of “the happening” over at Baxter Estates on the morning of June 7.

Port Washington Kayak Run to Be Held August 8

The Community Chest of Port Washington invites all to participate in the annual Manhasset Bay Kayak Run, to be held on Aug. 8, starting at 9 a.m. at the Town Dock. The event provides an opportunity to explore Manhasset Bay via kayak, with checkpoints along the way to qualify for prizes.

The Kayak Run is a family event open to kayakers of all skill levels, with checkpoints along the way to qualify for prizes. It’s not a race and all are welcome. This year’s course will be more than six miles but there is no requirement to complete it, you can kayak as much as you like.

On the Bay: July 24, 2009

Execution Rock Lighthouse as a B & B?

All you romantics out there, listen up! Ditto for mystery buffs….and adventurers, too.

Something big is going on in our backyard that you won’t want to miss. Well, not actually our backyard, but close. Out in Long Island Sound northwest of Sands Point to be exact. It’s Execution Rocks Lighthouse, that beacon of light that is full of mystery, and myths going back centuries. Seagoing vessels, racers, day sailors and cruisers all know about Execution Rocks Lighthouse – for if you don’t, you may end up on the rocks. Even those who don’t sail the high seas of Long Island Sound know about Execution Rocks Lighthouse.

Attention All Kayakers …

The Port Washington Twin Pines Kayaking Club’s next monthly meeting will be held Tuesday, July 21, at 7 p.m. There will be a special program, “Come By Land or By Sea.” Outside maneuvers will take place at the new kayak dock attached to the main town dock.*

If you need to rent a kayak, call the Twin Pines at 883-9777, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

*In case of inclement weather, we will meet indoors in the Community Center at 382 Main Street. Future meetings will be held the third Tuesday of the month.

On the Bay: July 17, 2009

When Olin Stephens sat down at the drafting table at the young age of 19 to design what has now become the Manhasset Bay One Design, little could he have known that 80 years later, these graceful wooden boats with their beautiful sheer line would be still actively racing? Not only are the MBODs racing, they are racing internationally. For four days last week, Manhasset Bay YC (MBYC) and the MBOD fleet hosted teams from the Royal Burnham YC (RBYC), from Burnham on Crouch, Essex, a historic town situated on the banks of the River Crouch in the East Coast of England. These two one-design racers have been team racing against each other since 1992, and this most recent race celebrated their 10th meeting. The America’s Cup, which is billed as “a friendly competition between nations,” which we all know hardly describes what is going on in that arena, captures pretty well what went on in Manhasset Bay from July 9-12.

New Kayak Ramp Put Into Operation July 4

A new kayak ramp at the Town Dock has been installed. Kayakers are reminded that they need a light and whistle if they kayak after dark.

On the Bay: July 10, 2009

Block Island Race Week 2009

Block Island is a special place and has been called “one of the last great places in the Western Hemisphere” by the Nature Conservancy in 1991. With 43 percent of Block Island preserved for open space, one can understand the draw this magical island has for people seeking a quiet little get-away. Let’s hope these souls looking for respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life did not choose the week of June 22-26 for their family vacation. For that was the week of the 23rd running of the bi-annual Storm Trysail’s Block Island Race Week. Multiply the 153 boats by number of crew, support teams, administration, family and friends who descend on this pork-chop shaped island and you get the picture. Pity the poor family trying to find some solace on Block Island the third week in June!

NHCC Women’s Golf News: July 3, 2009

On June 16, the NHCC 18 Holers held the final round of the Member/Member Tournament.

The winners were:

Cathy Gallagher and Loren King

The runners up were:

Cathi Rosso and Pat Kelly.

Also held on June 16 was a Beat the Pro Tournament. The winners were: Elizabeth Chang, Shelia Dunphy and Suzanne McKenna

On June 17, the NHCC 9 Holers held a Red and Blue Tournament. The winner was the Blue Team comprised of: Trish D’Agostino, Pam Gil, Rosa Capacchione, Helen Belsito, Yvette Wright, Kelly Morgano, Linda Kane, Pat Simmons and Sue D’Agnes.