2020 Winter Rendezvous Reservations

2020 HBYC Winter Rendezvous
Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center, Oregon, OH

Join us on Friday night (6-10pm) for a hospitality suite “meet and greet”. Bring your favorite hors d’oeuvre to share and a beverage.

Room Reservation

Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center has a special room rate for HBYC members. It is $125. Call Maumee Bay Lodge at 419-836-1466 by 12/17/19 to ensure your reservation and your rate. The Maumee Bay Lodge address is 1750 State Park Rd. #2, Oregon, OH 43616. Click here for their website: Maumee Bay Lodge

Buffet Reservation

The $52 per person cost include the New Orleans themed buffet, ballroom and setup, the Saturday morning and afternoon speakers, the Saturday evening dance which includes a 20-piece band, and all gratuities and taxes.

The buffet features 3 entrees: chicken and sausage jambalaya, barbecue ribs, and shrimp etouffee. Salads and numerous sides are provided. Desert includes praline bread pudding with Jack Daniels sauce. Drinks include coffee and hot and iced teas. There will be a cash bar as well.

Click here to for reservation form: 2020 Winter Rendezvous Reservations

Please print and return this form with your check made out to Harbor Bay Yacht Clubby 12/17/19 to Tim Kemerley, 1306 Town Hall Rd., Dayton, OH 45432-2629.

Commodore’s Corner

 By Commodore Harvey Rickert

Here we are at the end of September and boats are being hauled out.  The season has gone by quickly, but even with the lousy weather at the beginning of this season, It has been another great year for HBYC members, family, and friends.

As it has been reported in previous articles on the web, our Racing, Cruising, and Social events created an abundance of great new memories in 2019.  I enjoyed watching our members using the clubhouse for impromptu dinners and lively conversations around the bar that went into the wee hours of the night.  I will have to say I have gotten to know many of you better this year and you all have enriched my life being a member of the Harbor Bay Yacht Club.

John Hukill and Susan Young getting light fixtures drilled and wiring for installation (HBYC’s Susan the Riveter)

John Hukill and Susan Young getting light fixtures drilled and wiring for installation (HBYC’s Susan the Riveter)

Vice Commodore Russ Marcks has spent many hours planning our new LED lighting for the clubhouse and he personally installed close to 50% of the new lights.  Last weekend, a large team of helpers that included Mike Zofchak, Steve Gast, John Hukill, Tom Ketchem, Nick Lewis, and Susan Young tackled the installations in the main room.   Dewey Hughes and I were on the clean up crew.  Most importantly, lunch assistance was provided by Lonnie Zofchak and Susan Young.  There are only 9 fixtures to finish the installation in the main room, so look for another workday to finish the entire lighting improvement project.

I might add the main room was cleaned and ready for the Saturday 4 PM Classic Boat Rendezvous speaker (Thank you Nick and Sharon for setting tables up) which was hosted by Sandusky Maritime Museum. The speaker, Katelyn McKindle, a PhD candidate and researcher from Bowling Green State University, spoke on the state of water quality in the Great Lakes and in the Sandusky Bay. It was very interesting and well attended.

Saturday early evening the clubhouse was very busy with the Classic Rendezvous speaker and two separate dinner groups!  I was pleased to see many people working three events and cooperating so well. Awesome!

The Classic Boat Rendezvous was a great time with beautiful boats from Michigan, Toledo, and as far away as A Dock!  It was interesting meeting the skippers and learning about their boats.  Thanks to Safe Harbor Marina, the Maritime Museum, and Harbor Bay Yacht Club for supporting this event.

Later in the evening, many members went to the museum to see the great exhibits and lectures on maritime history in Sandusky, Ohio.  Next season put the museum on your must see list of places to visit.

In other matters for the members, at the Sept. 15, 2019 membership meeting, we had a quorum and were able to vote on a number of topics.  Previous meeting minutes and club financial statements were approved.   These, as always, will be be posted on the HBYC website so that members not in attendance can read them online.

Additionally, membership voted in a new slate of officers, they are. Rear Commodore Janell Lundgren, John Hukill Trustee, who will be serving out Janell Lundgren’s 2020 year, Rick Billheimer - 2020-2021 Trustee, and Joe Ziarko Trustee - 2020-2021, and Russell Marcks as Commodore, and Tim Kemerley as Vice Commodore.

This is talented group who brings great leadership and plans to HBYC for the 2020 season. The new Bridge and Trustees will be installed at the Change of Watch Ceremony during the Winter Rendezvous at the Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center on Saturday February 1st. Stay tuned for details for this event.  

Sandusky Classic Boat Rendezvous!

On Saturday September 28th, in partnership with Sandusky Harbor Marina and Harbor Bay Yacht Club, The Maritime Museum is hosting a wonderful schedule of activities for classic boat enthusiasts: power, sail, woody, or glass! All are welcome and encouraged to come hang out with kindred spirits celebrating good ol’ boats.  Since all proceeds benefit the Maritime Museum of Sandusky, it’ll be a good time for a great cause!

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HBYC is supporting the event by hosting Katelyn Marie McKindles of BGSU who will be speaking on the environmental health of Lake Erie.  Katelyn is a researcher for the BGSU's Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health.  She will speaking at the clubhouse from 4-5pm at the clubhouse.  The talk will be followed by questions and answers and will conclude at 6pm.  This event is open to Rendezvous participates, HBYC members and Marina members.

Normal HBYC clubhouse activities can take place after the speaker has concluded with the kitchen opening after 5pm.

Robby’s Voice Recap

Harbor Bay Yacht Club’s annual Robby’s Voice Regatta and Fund Raiser was another great example of the club’s commitment to fun and charity. The race, raffles, and shirt sales raised nearly $2,000 for Robby’s Voice. The beautiful weather, lovely island music, and lively evening social brought an end to this year’s planned club activities.

The Race

Six sailboats registered and made the first start on Saturday. Favorable winds and short courses allowed the Race Committee, Steve Gast, Russ Marcks, and Kevin Irwin, to start 4 races and make it into the marina to shower before the evening festivities.

Sandusky Sail Club’s crack crew on Jump Start, Skippered by Bill Kellner took top honors by placing first in all four races! True North and Tortuga rounded out the top three with proud Skippers George Mountcastle and Art Harden; respectively.

The pickle jar was ceremonially awarded to Bob Brandt, Skipper of Fresh Aire.

Detailed results are posted on the racing page. Click here —-> 2019 HBYC Racing Results

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The Party

The evening’s social was serenaded by wonderful island music on the steel drum performed by Erinn Krebs. Her performance on the patio allowed for conversation and the evening activities to progress on interrupted. This was even true when a tuba (played by P/C George Harizal) arrived and joined the fun!

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The evening continued with Bob Brandt giving the club an update on Robby’s Voice and their continued fight in breaking the stigma of addiction in our communities. He thanked HBYC for their continued support and kicked of the reverse raffle. Nick Lewis acted as the evening’s master of ceremony calling out the many “LOSERS!” And the big winners!

All in all a wonderful day and a great example of what this club is all about.

Commodore’s Corner

Commodore’s Corner 
By Harvey Rickert

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August was a busy and fun time for HBYC Cruisers.  The Island Unplugged Music Festival, as described by Vice Commodore Russell Marcks, was packed.  This year's festival had a new format and a number of high quality artists.  If you are interested in attending in the future, his advice is to sign up early next year.

A small group sailed to Sawmill Creek resort marina.  It was great to hear that Trustee Jim Altherris back on his boat sailing with his wife Social Director Pat.  There are olso others have ventured off for a few weeks of cruising.  Dewey Hughes and Bob Farthing were on an extended cruise up and around Michigan.  P/C Melanie Hitch and husband Dave along with Steve Feller, his Wife Charlotte, and his daughter sailed alongside the Hitch's.  Brian and Mary Penrod visited the North Channel, and Pat Kapper and Kelli Lyon are still out enjoying their cruise.  Keith Kreager is routinely motoring his classic wood Richardson to classic boat shows. 

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The Fun Race before the Commodore Steak Grill also was well attended with several participants. The Commodore’s Steak grill was a blast.  Commodores in attendance include P/C Larry Hurst, 2004, P/C Jennie Brandt 2005, P/C Mike Zofchak 2011, P/C Debbie Crall 2012, P/C Melanie Hitch 2015, P/C George Harizal 2017, P/C Don Petsch 2018. A special surprise for Larry was the attendance of his whole family to celebrate his birthday.  This surprise included a birthday cake to share with the club. The club was packed as you've seen from the great photos documenting the event taken by Trustee and web master  Kevin Irwin . Thanks Kevin!

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I want to thank the members who help with the planning and the work to put on the Commodores Steak Grill. Special thanks to P/C Don Petsch for coming up with idea of the Steak Grill and selecting the great steaks, sweet corn, and potatoes. Also, thanks to past Trustee Sandy Biesenberger for planning and ordering supplies. Susan Young for cooking and organizing the setup and cleanup and to Sue Henry and Kim Hannig for handling tickets sales and ticket collection.  Thus was truly a total club effort!

We still have the Vermillion Cruise coming up August 30th, I heard this popular cruise had 30 boats scheduled but unfortunately the high water decreased the number of docks available.  But you don’t have to miss the fun!  If you have the time, you can drive over and visit your HBYC family in Vermillion.

The clubhouse also has seen a bustle of activity including birthdays as well as various breakfast and dinner activities.  Vice Commodore Russell Marcks has worked single handily to install about 50% of the new LED lighting.  This included installation in the conference room, ships store, TV room, kitchen, and the restrooms.  If you haven't seen it, check it out.  This leaves only the main hall to complete.  Unfortunately, he has returned to his teaching. So we are contemplating a final work day that will need three to six persons with knowledge of commercial electrical installations to help Vice Commodore Russ to finish the project. Look for the sign up sheet to help with this project.

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The boating season is not over, September 14th is Robbies Voice’s Gotta Regatta and the hamburger bar cookout social including a reverse raffle.  Click here for more info —> Robbys Voice Flyer

I want to make a plug for the The Classic Boat Rendezvous on September 27-29.  This show will benefit the Sandusky Maritime Museum which is supported by Sandusky Safe Harbor Marina.  The Classic boaters showing their boats will be guests of our Club. Click here to learn more —> Sandusky Maritime Classic Boat Show

SAVE THE DATE - Robby’s Voice Regatta - September 14th

On Saturday, September 14th, HBYC and Sandusky Harbor Marina will be holding their annual Regatta and Fund Raiser for Robby’s Voice.

To learn more about Robby’s Voice and how you can help, click here —-> Robby’s Voice

The Regatta will be three races of varying lengths in Sandusky Bay. Click on the links below to learn more or call Racing Chairman Larry Hurst at 614-395-8035.
       Notice of Racing
Sailing Instructions
Racing Registration Form  

Following the Regatta at 6:30pm, HBYC will be hosting a Burger Cookout. Donations will be accepted for Robby’s Voice. Additionally there will be two raffle drawings. A Reverse Raffle and a Marina Raffle for 1/2 off docking or storage fees up to $2000! Buy tickets at the Clubhouse or Marina Office.

To learn more click here —-> Robby’s Voice

Included in the evening will be live entertainment provided Steel Drum musician Erynn Krebs. Get sample of her by click here —> You Can Call Me Al

You Gotta Regatta for Robby’s Voice!