East Coast Rendezous Idea

[Bill]

Here's an idea for Onset follow up!! Time it to concide with OpSail 2000's stop at New London CT. That would be a crowd!!!, but what a bunch of ships!

<font color="#FF0000" align="center"><big><b>OPSAIL NEW LONDON (JULY 12-15, 2000) DRAWS MAJOR
INTERNATIONAL INTEREST:</b> </big></font>

<p align="center">For the first time ever, New London, Connecticut -- with its tremendous
port facilities and piers, home of the United States Coast Guard Academy and its tall ship
Eagle (official OpSail host vessel in New London) as well as the United States Navy's
principal submarine training facility -- will welcome the tall ships of the world. The
upcoming event has captured the attention of the international tall ships community. The
City of New London and the State of Connecticut are going all out to make New London a
great OpSail port. Nearby Mystic Seaport Museum will also welcome the crews of these
magnificent sailing vessels from around the world.

[Neil Gordon]

The rendezvous discussions have been interesting and there are a lot of good suggestions. Seems that when it comes down to it, though, what's needed are not only ideas, but a host willing to coordinate the event. Let's keep chatting about it, because keeping interest high will cause someone to step up and do that.

Having said that, I'll suggest that the summer is long enough for two meets... one for the whole northeast, like the Onset meet, and other more regional. North and south of the canal might be a fair dividing line, maybe a separate meet for Maine, etc. (Alhtough there's no problem with anyone who wants to cruise. <g>)

There's time to plan for next year.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Chris Reinke]

Neil - As a fool looking for punishment, I would toss my hat in to pull something together for next season, provided I get the same wonderful assistance that I received this past season. The recommendations and ideas have been continuing to come in so the potential for a bigger and better event is already been created.

On a side note, I have been contacting several of the marine suppliers in the New England area (West, Defender, Post) to ascertain if a club discount could be secured if / when we organize. As of this point I have not been able to find any discount program offered through the corporate offices of these stores. Some of the local stores may offer club discounts but that is on a per store basis. West marine had a catalog discount program which they recently discontinued due to tension between the catalog division and the retail outlets.

Does anyone have any information or suggestions on securing discounts for our group (whether we are a "formal" organization or not)?

The rendezvous discussions have been interesting and there are a lot of good suggestions. Seems that when it comes down to it, though, what's needed are not only ideas, but a host willing to coordinate the event. Let's keep chatting about it, because keeping interest high will cause someone to step up and do that.

Having said that, I'll suggest that the summer is long enough for two meets... one for the whole northeast, like the Onset meet, and other more regional. North and south of the canal might be a fair dividing line, maybe a separate meet for Maine, etc. (Alhtough there's no problem with anyone who wants to cruise. <g>)

There's time to plan for next year.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167

[M. R. Bober]

Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association (CDSOA) had an arrangement w/ local West Marine.



thebobers@erols.com

[john churchill]

Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association (CDSOA) had an arrangement w/ local West Marine.

members of the cdsoa are entitled to cheaper membership ($8.50/yr). additionally the are occasional "cooperating group night" at boat/us where everything (except electronics, i think) is 10% off.

[Chris Reinke]

Bob - Thanks for the feedback. The problem I am encountering is that the New England owners, both those who attended the Onset Rendezvous and those that were unable to make it, are not geographically concentrated in any one area. Unlike a local yacht club, we are scattered all over the area so a discount program with only one retail store like CDSOA has would have minimal benefit.

Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association (CDSOA) had an arrangement w/ local West Marine.

Chris.reinke@transamerica.com

[Leo MacDonald CD30K]

Neil - As a fool looking for punishment, I would toss my hat in to pull something together for next season, provided I get the same wonderful assistance that I received this past season. The recommendations and ideas have been continuing to come in so the potential for a bigger and better event is already been created.

Chris,
As promised at Onset FC, I will assist you in the CD Rendezous at New London, CT. I Live approx 12 miles north od the Groton/New London area. In fact the 'Heather Ann' is currently docked at the Navy Subase Marina.
Contact via landline 860-859-9600.
Leao MacDonald, ketch Heather Ann, CD30K