Publisher's Log

Building & Land Technology (BLT) owns several parcels of land on Stamford Harbor that are in varying stages of development. Where once stood a full service marina is now a cleared lot, sitting in limbo awaiting development. Whether this will be a new office park or a refurbished marina remains to be seen, but BLT has their vision for the site and the some of the local boating community and residents have another.

More than 65,000 recreational boats were damaged or lost as a result of Hurricane Sandy, according to BoatU.S., who also estimates that dollar damage to all recreational boats (only) is $650 million, making the late October storm the single- largest industry loss since the Association began keeping track in 1966.

During this year’s Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta, I was able to take a tack down memory lane.

There is much written and discussed regarding the state of our sport, be it junior sailor retention, professionals vs. amateurs, Olympic performance, and so on. I am constantly provided with statistics and studies, panel discussions and focus groups that all have differing opinions of why junior sailors have lost interest in the sport, don’t have the necessary portals by which to continue sailing, or won’t enter the maritime trades in their late teens and twenties. I see things a bit differently. We’re at the gateway to growth and success.

When I was younger, I used to sail on lots of other people’s boats and the experience of learning about new boats and meeting new people was a big part of what I loved about sailing. But, as I got older, I’d met a lot of people and sailed on lots of boats, so my boating schedule became simple – sail on my own boat when I wanted, with whom I wanted…comfortable and easy.

We’re on the lookout for someone to write a monthly (or semi-regular) column, as well as folks who simply want to share a special experience with fellow boating enthusiasts. So if you have a story to tell, a helpful hint to offer or rant to rave, send us what you’ve got.

Ten years ago, there were two new releases that rocked the summer of 2002. One was “The Bourne Identity”, the film adaptation of Robert Ludlum’s thrilling novel, starring Matt Damon. The other was WindCheck Magazine, starring (at that time) Long Island Sound Sailors.

Much of my time on the water is spent with family and close family friends

I spoke with UK-Halsey’s Adam Loory following the Hands-on Safety at Sea Seminar held at SUNY Maritime last month. We discussed how far along this type of educational experience has come, and the tremendous benefit it provides to crew and vessel safety.

I love sailing and I often get to thinking how being on the water has always been a part of my life, even when life got in the way of being on the water. I guess that’s what makes our time out there so special.