Newsletter 16 August 2015

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SYC Annual General Meeting

A smaller than usual turnout to the AGM held on Tuesday 11^th August, but not unexpected. There was nothing conversational to discuss and committee members had all advised that they were all happy to stand again. The business of running the yacht club is humming, and we believe people can see for themselves what's going on around the place in terms of the marina build.

Updates from each divisional convenor was interesting, outlining how the year has been and what's ahead on their respective division programmes.

The haulout area, marina progress, trailer boat ramp update and other items were discussed, and whilst it was many times acknowledged that there have been frustrations because of the marina build, it was conceded that its all for a great cause, and with the project end in site, it's all eyes forward.

Membership subscription rates were set to remain the same for the forthcoming year. After some discussion, it was agreed that we should charge members to use the upgraded trailer boat ramp ($2.50 to go in, $2.50 to haul out), with the proceeds going to fund redevelopment of the pontoon and ramp among other things. This charge will not be applied until the resultant system is set up, but all members will be advised when it does take effect. Non-members will continue to pay $5 each way.

It was decided not to go ahead with the purchase of the marina berth with the Hayman bequest funds, which at the time of the last AGM was in principle approved.  It is believed that we can get a better return and better recognition to the benefactor as outlined below.

At this AGM, after discussion, it was agreed that the Ru & Betty Hayman bequest (approx $70K) be spent on enhancement of the wharf area to accommodate seating and a picnic area together with a plaque, fitting for these two who were at their happiest whilst partying with friends on the 'poop deck'.  In return we will own seven of the pile moorings from which we receive income, to ensure the bequest money provides a perpetual income.

Vice Commodore Peter Marsh enlightened all about the potential fuel berth (diesel) being established at the club. This could be some time away but it was necessary for the Executive to first establish if they had approval from the members in order to proceed. Members were happy to give their support to this so negotiations will now continue.

Jon Nicholson and Tony Merton were each presented with an SYC Life Membership for their services to the club over the last 33 and 29 years respectively.

Jon Nicholson

Jon is a highly respected and valued member of SYC​ who began ​his ​sailing​ life​ at Torbay where his family live​d​.  ​Jon​ ​initially ​joined the ​SYC​ with his own family so his son Jonathan could sail with the Centerboard division in Algies Bay, but very soon​ he​ was back sailing himself first in Lasers then Paper Tigers and finally in a Mystere Catamaran ​that were ​a ​strong​ class​ in the club at that time. During this period Jon was a dedicated committee member and for a while was Convener of the CB division and so started to attend the SYC committee meetings​.​

When young Jonathan moved to the City​,​ Jon​ and Louise​ purchased a Ross 930 called Stunned Mullet and became a stalwart of the Keeler division where he contributed as a committee member, handicapper and ultimately Convener, once again contributing to the SYC general committee.​ Other boats followed, all of which flew the SYC burgee with pride. Energizer, a racing Catamaran had the distinction of ​breaking an old Coastal Classic record with a time of 8hr 20min, and the Leopard cruising catamaran Camissa was to be seen in various islands of the Pacific with the club flag in the shrouds.

​Jon was ​Vice Commodore​ of the SYC from​ 1996-1998 and was SYC Commodore ​from ​1998-2001​ when he made​ it​ his mission to coordinate the building of a long discussed clubhouse. This was completed ​in 2001 ​with the voluntary help and support of his Committee and a number of other club members. To help this project along Jon successfully applied for and was granted $110k from the ASB Trust to assist with the construction cost.  It was during this time that the early planning for the new Algies Bay​ clubhouse​ was put in place.

Jon ​is one of the three prime movers who initiated the construction of the new Marina for the SYC and has spent the last 10 years heavily involved​ with ​obtaining the Marina Resource  Consent​ ​and the building of the marina.​

​He can also be seen on occasions doing other jobs around the club including more recently daily water testings for the marina and helping with the painting of the SYC buildings.

We believe​ through his many and varied contributions he is truly deserving of the honour his Life Membership represents.

Tony Merton

Tony may not have such a flamboyant record to show for his efforts, but none the less, he is indeed deserving of his life membership. A member for 29 years, Tony has been on the committee in one capacity or another for many years. For 7-8 years, he was the SYC Property Manager, ensuring the greater area around the clubrooms was kept clean and tidy. There's hundreds of small jobs that go into this role, most of them menial and thankless. Even today, Tony takes enormous pride in our club, is often seen with a in hand, filling potholes, waterblasting, painting and general making a daily difference around the club in his quiet and steady way. Tony has also spent a significant amount of time over the years ensuring the bar is up and running, the lines cleaned and the bar set up to go for the volunteers. A bit of a stirrer, keeping us on our toes, Tony is always one for a good yarn and is fun to have around. Long may he keep on with these small yet significant daily contributions.

We take a moment to also say a big Thank You to Jon's wife Louise and Tony's wife Lorraine for supporting their husbands in the many, many hours they have given to our club.

Photo below

Our most recent life members Tony Merton and Jon Nicholson donned suits to have their photo taken for this one.  Tony, standing on the left, Jon  on the right, Commodore Bruce Milne seated beside Marina Superintendent Graeme Maker (Grumpy).   They're outside the newly roofed, refurbished and painted 'tractor shed'.  What was once one big room with a old kitchen in it, is now a smaller modernised kitchen facility, with adjoining office (for small meetings) and a large storage room.  A roller door and sliding door have been installed and with picket fence erected out the front, it makes 'the old tractor shed' a much more eye-appealing and functional building. (Wonder what it will be referred to now?)

Membership Subscriptions

Invoicing for memberships will be going out next week via email so please look out for these as your prompt attention to settlement would be much appreciated. The handbooks won't be available for a further 3-4 weeks so don't be concerned if yours doesn't show up in the mail until late September.

ROCKBIND™ in place

We are pleased to report that the ROCKBIND™ layering on the 'Number 1' (haulout) ramp is now in place.  This metre-wide small-chip tarseal type layering, is the most effective pedestrian anti-slip surfacing available.  Although it has a curing time of just 4-hours, this was not sufficient to lay between tides so the ROCKBIND™ was applied onto an aluminium plate which was then bolted to the concrete. Use of this walkway will significantly reduce the potential for accidents of those using the ramp with their dinghies or in haulout situations, on what is often a very slippery surface despite the regular waterblasting it receives.

Hawks Nest Vineyard Winter Sailing Series

On Sunday 9 August, the last race of the 2015 Hawks Nest Winter Series was held.  Congratulations go to Kai Skowronnek on his yacht Scintilla for Overall Winner of the Hawks Nest Winter series, shown here with Sailing Convenor Jeremy Noakes.   Dave Wade on his fabulous new boat Hijinx was first across the line in all 4 races of the series. An excellent performance from Geoff Cooper aboard Sisken to finish the series second on handicap, with Phil Van der Mespel on Waimanu a creditable third.

Matakana Marine/Volvo Penta Cruising/Social Progamme

Those of you who attended the SYC AGM heard that there is to be a new and revamped cruising/social programme this season, which we hope will be of interest to all members, not just sailors. Our aim is to attract all members to the events.

The overall sponsor of the programme has just been confirmed and is Matakana Marine / Volvo Penta. Future newsletters will include their logos. Other sponsors from last year have also been confirmed. The sponsors have been very generous and we can assure members that the BBQs will be fun events.

This year the emphasis of the cruising / social programme is on members meeting at the end of a cruising day for a BBQ / social gathering on the beach, together with the awarding of “prizes” donated by sponsors. The prizes will not be performance based. Spot prizes will be the order of the day. So to get a prize you have to be there.

The details of the cruising events will be outlined in the Handbook. You need to read this carefully in order to plan your boating programme. Please put in your diary that the first event is on 25 October (Labour Day weekend). Details of the event will be sent out via email nearer the day and will obviously depend on weather.

While we hope that some of the events will be sponsored in respect of food and refreshments the general rule will be that members will bring their own. Two BBQs will be provided by “Kittyhawk” but we will need more if lots of people attend. If you have a portable BBQ on board it would be helpful if you could bring it ashore.

The intention is that those who wish to sail to the destination via a cruising course will do so from a start time and place (to be advised) but all those others who want to join in will simply congregate at the venue at the end of the day.

We look forward to seeing lots of SYC boats, all proudly flying their club pennants, at the cruising event locations.

We will be keeping you abreast of developments via the newsletters and emails. If you have any queries or comments about the programme please ring Conway Stewart ph 425 5892 or 027 296 0480, or email conway@pl.net.

Please support our sponsors:  Burnsco, Rush Coffee, Brick Bay Wines, Liquorland Snells Beach, Matakana Marine/Volvo Penta, New World, Canvasman.

'Our racing' is nothing compared to this.  Watch this video taken recently in the SSAS series (Shorthanded Sailing Assn of NZ), as a harsh wind passes through a fleet on the Waitemata.  Two SYC sailors, Peter Marsh and Jeremy Noakes took part in this race aboard Jeremy's Beale 33 and can attest to the somewhat 'trying' conditions at the time. Click here.  

Dinghy Expo

A sailing dinghy Expo will be held at Westhaven on Saturday 19 September from 10am-3pm.  The venue will be adjacent to Z pier with the floating jetty enabling organiseres to display boats both on the water and along the jetty.  Public can view from the new walkway, watch demonstrations, talk with boat owners, and possibly have a go at sailing.

Have A Go... Sailing

Primary and intermediate schools in the area have recently been sent an invitation from Yachting New Zealand for children aged 9-13yrs to 'have a go' at sailing.  This opportunity is organised by YNZ and the schools in co-ordination with the local yacht club, such as our Centreboard Division at Algies Bay.  If your children/grandchildren need encouragement to get out on the water, this this is a prime opportunity.  Minimal cost, a day off school having fun in small boat sailing - what could be more fun?  The courses take place in Term 4 2015 and/or Term 1 in 2016 and offer only minimal spaces, so if your school still hasn't sent out the information, keep an eye out and be sure to quickly return the form when it comes home from school. Parents or anyone wishing to help out with this fun day are invited to contact our Learn To Sail Co-ordinator Mischelle Mills on 022 171 2550. 

"Kookaburra" passes away

Many of you will already know that Chris Evens, affectionately known as Kookaburra, passed away on Tuesday night, 11 August 2015.

Chris’s family wish to have a quiet private funeral at their farm, followed by a Commemoration of Chris’s life at Warkworth Golf Club at 2 pm next Tuesday 18th August. They wish it to be a joyous occasion to which all family and friends are invited and will be followed by drinks and nibbles.  Sue, Danny, Jayne and Louise look forward to meeting you all and hearing tales of Chris.

Glenys Milne

Publicity Officer