Community

By Paige Constantine About a year ago, I went sailing for the first time. I grew up on the water, but my experience was only in powerboats and I had absolutely no knowledge of sailing. That said, I love the ocean and I love boats, so when I found out that my school had a sailing team I thought, “Why not join?” I knew it would definitely be hard to start at age fifteen, on a team…

Kerry Gonzalez of AMG International Insurance was honored with the prestigious 2023 Annapolis Boat Shows Sailing Industry Distinguished Service Award. Established in 2014, this award recognizes individuals within the sailing industry who consistently uphold the highest standards of excellence, unwavering service, and continued commitment. Kerry received the award at the Sail America Industry Breakfast during the 2023 Annapolis Sailboat Show in Annapolis, MD. She was nominated by her peers in the sailing industry, and the final selection…

By Courtney Moore, CMB Creative Group Our friends at Sails Up 4 Cancer are pleased to announce the first annual Creating Hope Gala in recognition of World Cancer Prevention Month. The Gala, at Mystic Marriott in Groton, CT on February 3, 2024, is the eve of World Cancer Day. Tickets are $150 per person which includes dinner, two drink tickets, a silent auction and live music from The Cartells. The Gala is black tie optional, and proceeds…

Our friends at Offshore Sailing School, headquartered in Fort Myers, FL, are launching several major initiatives to kick off a year-long celebration of the company’s 60th Anniversary. “We are thrilled to announce that we are opening a new location in Key West!” said Offshore President and CEO Doris Colgate. “Starting in January, we’ll have Colgate 26s and a new 40-foot catamaran available for US Sailing certification courses from Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina.” The company has…

Women racing sailboats isn’t new. The picture on the cover of Mystic Seaport Museum’s book on women and boating, On Land and On Sea, depicts the wife of an English lord at the helm of a massive J boat. In barely two generations from that time, women’s sailing has catapulted to an international sport across hundreds of countries. In the next two issues, we’ll present a few moments in time over the last fifty years of women’s…

By Buttons Padin   Like many of my friends, I grew up sailing dinghies. As such, the lingo as kids was that powerboats, of any description, were “stink pots.” Now, when some sailor tells me they purchased a powerboat, they say they went over to the dark side. It’s funny how a sailor’s perception of powerboats will change with age as do the boats they go out on. While I am still predominantly a sailor, the reality…

By Courtney Moore, CMB Creative Group     For over thirty years, the enthusiastic sailors of the Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association have raised funds and awareness for worthy charities with the Mudhead Benefit Regatta & MegaParty. On Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Mystic Shipyard in Mystic, CT, under the Sperry tent with rock and roll from Wooly Mammoth, the annual Mudhead Benefit Cup Regatta & MegaParty netted over $15,000 for the Mystic-based nonprofit Always Home. Tricia Cunningham,…

By Aurora Meunier Mott Editor’s note: In this most recent Coop’s Kaper, an enthusiastic young sailor enjoyed her first taste of overnight sailing on a delivery after the Bermuda 1-2 Race. I recently got an amazing opportunity to sail with Peter Becker on the Young American Sailing Academy’s J/105 Young American from Newport, RI to Rye, NY. While I was at work I got a text from Joe Cooper, my high school sailing coach, asking if I…

By Courtney Moore, CMB Creative Group 2023 marks the thirteenth year of Sails Up 4 Cancer (SU4C). Leading the local charge to assist families and individuals going through the trauma and treatment of cancer, Sails Up 4 Cancer has become synonymous with hope. The Annual Regatta Weekend at Mystic Shipyard in Mystic, CT started off with a Cornhole tournament on Friday, June 16. Despite inclement weather, 32 teams from across New England came out and threw bags…

  Newport International Boat Show Presented by BankNewport September 14 – 17, Newport, RI Walk the docks and view a spectacular display of shiny new sailboats and powerboats, some making their first ever debut in the United States. newportboatshow.com   Newport Brokerage Boat Show September 14 – 17, Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard Newport, RI This show features the largest collection of quality brokerage sailboats and powerboats from 40 to 140 feet. brokerageboatshow.com   Progressive Norwalk Boat Show…