May 31st 2023

May 31st Updates

General Updates:

Notable cruises: Martin Goodrich and Kevin Wheelen are making good progress in their round Britain sail and are now in Dublin.

Friday was Big Crane Day - with a hired crane lifting masts and other things around the yard. Notably, Tahira, the cat of sadly deceased member Roy Meynell was lifted back into the water. Although it did not look exactly smart, this boat was well loved and cared for - and we could not be more pleased that she floats again and did not need to be scrapped. Huge thanks to the yard team who worked a long hard day and achieved wonders.

The management of the clubs finances is a huge challenge and the workload exceeds what can reasonably be expected of volunteers. Late last year, our Treasurer, Paul concluded that he could not cope with the workload and wished to hang up his calculator in the first half of 2023. Since then we have been working on a new approach, which includes:

• Employ Brenda Miskin as (freelance) bookkeeper to keep on top of the day to day work.
• Move to a new accounts system (Xero instead of Kashflow).
• Appoint a new Treasure, at some point.
• Launch a new online member’s portal. In time this will link to the accounts system and allow some automation.

A special announcement provides more information on renewing direct debit mandates for those of you on monthly invoicing - and our efforts to chase unpaid invoices.

Cruisers:

Members wishing to crew on yachts, please see the list published in TNA or speak to skippers.

Last Sunday, the cruisers raced in the summer series and an open race. Some stayed for the BBQ at Thurrock YC, two of their boats joined our race. Thank you to Jim Four who manned the race hut and Chalky White for running sailors to and from the trots.

Not all boats sailed the course or demonstrated best seamanship. It is unsportsmanlike and doesn't go down well with other competitors. No protests were received.

Duke of York Challenge (open race)

1. Naiad
2. Lo Flyer
3. Mesečina
4. Keelboat
5. Blue Moon
6. Talulah
7. Cataleya
8. Midas Touch

Disqualified - Lili

Westerly Challenge (summer series race 2)

1. Naiad
2. Talulah
3. Lo Flyer
4. Ahoy Keelboat

Disqualified - Lili

Coming up:

Oven’s Buoy Race (summer series race 3) Sunday, 11th June, briefing 0700; start 0830 Trot boat after the briefing

RNSA Trophy (summer series race 4) Sunday, 18th June, briefing 1230, start 1400

Dinghies:

This Sunday, 4 June, we have the Courage Shield dinghy race. Approved helms should book online.

Volunteers needed: for the above dinghy race, we’re in need of a race officer, two safety crew and an approved helm to take out new club members in the club Stratos. Let Toby know if you can help.

Next events, along with briefing times: 18th June 12:30 pm – RNSA 1st July 10 am - Commodore Jubilee Trophy

Watch this space: we’re looking to add additional events to the calendar this summer, including beginner-focussed dinghy races and cruises. Beginners will be charged £13.50 per person and approved helms volunteering in a training capacity for these events will not be charged and the events will not impact results in the summer series. Let Toby know by email if you’re interested in taking part in any capacity (safety duties / race officer / approved helm / beginner) and if you can make the first of these which could be on 10 June. Further details to follow. First come first serve.

The dinghy section welcomes you to join us regardless of your sailing ability! All details are in the FAQ.

Rowing:

The row on 21st May was a lovely row to Erith. We had two full cutters Cito coxed by Paul with support from trainee cox McDevitt; and Buccanneer coxed by Jack. That's 16 folks in total, 6 of them were guest rowers. One of our guest rowers was a very experienced rowers from a rowing club in San Francisco - it was an absolute pleasure having rowers from around the world row with us. The seals came to check us out on our return journey which was amazing, unfortunately we did not have any mackerel to give them.

The next dates for the diary are as follows some :

• Sunday 4th June - Row to Westminster Boating Centre
• Saturday 10th June - Paul, our cox trainer, has agreed to do another Cox training / refresher / practice session.
• Sunday 18th June - Row to Isle of Dogs
• Sunday 2nd July - Olympic Park
• Tuesday's 5, 12, 19 and 26 September @7pm till 8pm- Cox theory will be taught by Peter Waugh.

If you are interested in any of the dates above please email.

Training:

New RYA Powerboat Level 1 course for youngsters - 31st May The course is for young people aged between 12 and 16 years. 1 place remaining

Time: 0900-1630 Instructors: Steve and Paul No of Places: Six (5 taken) Cost: £40

RYA VHF SRC course - 4th June Time: 0900-1730 Instructor: Tony No of places: 10 (7 taken) Cost: £90 Members, £110 Non-Members (Book included) Plus an extra £70 to the RYA for the examiner and certificate. Intensive course so homework advisable!

‘Taster’ sail - 17th June Time: 1300-1630/1700 No of places: 10 (8 taken) Cost: £30

Social:

Midsummer Madness, En Plein Air Sunday Painters Session – 12noon, 18th June in the Yard: For Member artists, to air drawing and painting skills but also invite artist colleagues from classes, clubs and societies that you belong to

Jazz and Jam Session - 8pm, Thursday 21st September, Clubhouse featuring a highly acclaimed pianist and group of professional rock session musicians but mainly volunteer musicians from within the club

Open House - 9th / 10th September GYC will be again be participating in the Open House scheme of Architectural Icons of which the the clubhouse is one. It also gives the club chance to showcase the diverse boating activities but also display members' creative and cultural prowess.

Olympic Sports Day - Time and Date to be Arranged, A series of events in the Yard (e.g. trolley , obstacle, roller blade and cycle circuit race with grandstand views from the landside balconies and a pit-stop outside the tea room – however, volunteers would be essential to champion activities and organise and rally participants...

Volunteering:

GMV Summer Fete organiser - the housing complex are organising a Summer Fete for July 15th - and it is proposed that GYC has a stall there, and possibly wheels up a dinghy to show off! We need a volunteer to help organise the GYC end of things.

Website Procurement - we intend to replace the club website but need some help to oversee the procurement process. The volunteer should have relevant professional experience.

LED Lighting Wrangler - this is a one off piece of work to help identify best lighting strategy for the workshop to replace the sodium lights with LED's. Some work has been done, but we need someone (with appropriate pre-existing skills) to get into the detail, talk to the various stakeholders in the club, research products and agree procurement strategy with Michael, Norman and the Commodore. There is a window of opportunity as the shed will shortly be vacated by Njord.

Gallery:

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