I like the idea of mentoring [“Sailors Growing Sailors” by Molly Mulhern;], and have a suggestion with a slightly different twist. As we age and tasks aboard our boat become more taxing, I would like to start a program called “Adopt a Crew.” We, as boat owners, would share our knowledge and our boat with someone younger in exchange for crew duties. It would be a win-win arrangement. Is anyone aware of such a program in the Long Island Sound area?

Eileen Hawe, via email

The 2016 Newport to Bermuda Race has been a summer highlight, and I had the pleasure of following the race with special interest for all the participating junior sailors, especially the Young American Junior Big Boat Sailing Team from American Yacht Club. [“The Newport Bermuda Race Aboard High Noon” by Carina Becker appeared in our August issue]

© Barry Pickthall/PPL

I am continually amazed at the number of ‘We must grow the sport of sailing’ articles and letters out there. Yet, each and every month the pages of this magazine are filled with articles detailing that very thing. I suppose I would understand if the letters and articles read ‘Let’s continue growing the sport of sailing’ instead because collectively, I think we’re doing a spectacular job of increasing accessibility to the sport as well as decelerating the decline in participation in the ‘aged-out’ and ‘bored-out’ categories of junior sailors. Certainly there will always be attrition in the high school and college years, but with the multitude of truly exciting opportunities available to young sailors today, boredom can scarcely get a toehold. 

I’ve always identified with a quote from Benjamin Franklin: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Great mentors involve their students. In my academic studies, as well as instructing, coaching and now parenting, I often think of these words. Involve me and I learn. Hands-on training, immersion in a project, even inclusion in brainstorming all help a person to become a better learner, a better crewperson, captain and future mentor.

Owners and admirers of C&C Yachts are cordially invited to the 2016 C&C Northeast Rendezvous, which will be held September 10 - 12, 2016 at Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT. It’s our fifth year in a row pulling this off and so far it’s been a big hit.

Shoreline Sailing Club sounds like a great idea. So glad you published this piece.  Is there anything like that in other regional areas in Connecticut such as Stamford?

Holly Griffith, via email

Holly – Check out Singles Under Sail. Founded in 1987, this friendly club’s mission is to bring single people with an interest in boating and sailing together and provide opportunities to share those activities. The club’s next meeting is a Thursday Social starting at 6:00 pm at Ponus Yacht Club in Stamford, CT. To learn more, visit singlesundersail.org.

Last month, I wrote about a defining event in my sailing life. That article (‘Thanks, ACWS’, if you missed it) echoed with a lot of people, not only from the perspective of father and son sharing a memorable experience, but also because it seems every sailor has their share of those moments that they hold dear. It’s why sailing is such a special sport.

Recently, there have been numerous stories of young people making memories for a lifetime – just look at the cover of this magazine. High Noon, a donated boat sailed mostly by teenagers, made an enviable ‘dash to the Onion Patch,’ coming home heavy with silver from this year’s Newport Bermuda Race. No doubt these kids – and their parents – will remember that amazing triumph for the rest of their lives, and I’m sure that each of them had their special, private moments that will continue to resonate.

There has been a lot of negative press about the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series event held in New York last month. While I understand why people (spectator and competitor alike) were disappointed with the racing conditions on the Hudson, I cannot agree that the event was a failure. Races were run, and with three different winners in three races including a winner-take-all final race, a team came out on top…the same result as if there had been a baker’s dozen perfect windward-leeward races in 15 knots of breeze and flat water. But, I am not writing about the successes or failures of the Race Committee or course management or Mother Nature – and I’m certainly not writing about the TV coverage.

There is a great buzz of boating going on, and I am really looking forward to the coming weeks. As with the rapid arrival of warm temperatures, green grass, budding plants and chirping birds, life quickly returned to the harbors, bays and sounds here in the Northeast. The sight of freshly launched boats criss-crossing one another as they make their way to homeport, or stretching their legs on sea trial makes me eager to see our family boat splashed. And the first weeknight races of the season have me excited about high octane racing action to come.

I wanted to let you know that WindCheck has full East Coast distribution. As it turns out, the owner of a Baltic in Groton, CT brings her to Florida during the winter to race on the Indian River.

One of his Floridian crew had mentioned that he was interested in a Rodgers 26 that was for sale. The  timing of the April cover was perfect as the Baltic owner provided the April issue to his crew and we connected through WindCheck to discuss my Rodgers 26. Your magazine is a great source for Northeast sailing and I wish you continued success.

Best regards, Chris Miller, Stamford, CT

P.S. My son Christian was really jazzed when he saw the cover and can’t wait for another season to start!