Every month beginning in March, our Yacht Club hosts a Commodore Dock Party, known around here as Docktails. Well, this year, Docktails is starting early! Our February party theme is Docktails in the Dark Oyster Roast. The Oyster Factory will provide May River Oysters – along with some shucking helpers!
In honor of this new event, we have prepared a little toast…
Last summer, we obtained a Sunfish sailboat and Harbourmaster Mark Dryden offered Junior Sailing Lessons. This year, back by popular demand, we obtained two Flying Scots, allowing us to expand this summer’s program.
This program was offered last month, just in time for our “Build It, Sail It” competition (August 6). This inaugural event requires some building supplies (cardboard box, duct tape), time and a little ingenuity! Members are challenged to put together a vessel that is human or wind powered to race the Harbour Center Staff’s (cardboard) boat. The course will be in the harbour. Winner takes all bragging rights! “The humblest craft that floats makes its appeal to a seaman by the faithfulness of her life.” -Joseph Conrad
To learn more about our Sailing Programs and Harbour Activities, contact the Harbour Center at (843) 686-8813.
Check out our new Harbour video! Whether you’re looking for adventure and exploration on the water or wish to relax and enjoy the local wildlife and natural beauty, our harbour offers it all!
Earlier this month, a group of members traveled down to St. Simons Island, part of Georgia’s “Gold Coast.” The voyage started Thursday morning, as the group headed out past Harbour Town, into the Atlantic Ocean, over to St. Simons Island (taking about 5 hours by boat). The first night they took in the scenery and grilled out dockside at the Morningstar Marina. Friday was spent exploring the island- sightseeing, historic areas, walking the beaches and what trip would be complete without a little shopping! Friday night they had an amazing dinner at the marina’s Coastal Kitchen restaurant, overlooking the harbor at sunset. The crew packed up their belongings and returned home Saturday morning – this time traveling back through the Intracoastal Waterway, taking in new views!
The next Wexford Yacht Club trip we’ll be heading to Charleston! Stay tuned for pictures and details from that voyage!
Last week we celebrated the Christening of New Boats, conducted by a representative of King Neptune himself aka our esteemed Wexford Yacht Club Commodore, Bill Haverland.
We recognized Blue Moon V, Sea to Tee, Good Vibrations, Dancing Queen, Miss Rutie and Sea Cruise, and “asked the sailors of old and the mood of God that is the sea to accept the names of these seven vessels, to help them through their passages, and allow them to return, safely with their crews.” Following the announcements made by the Commodore, the seven families broke a bottle of champagne over the bow to appease King Neptune, and laid a branch of green leaves on the deck to ensure safe returns.
Immediately after the ceremony, we continued the celebrations with our monthly Docktails Party!
Yesterday (Wednesday, July 8), the Wexford Yacht Club hosted a group of 30 children, ages 6-9, from the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island for a boat outing and lunch. Ten Wexford members took six of their boats out and traveled with the children and chaperones outside of the Wexford Harbour, past Harbour Town and Daufuskie Island. Following the hour and a half boat excursion, the children and chaperones returned to the Wexford Clubhouse for lunch.
The event was coordinated by Wexford Yacht Club Commodore, Bill Haverland, and the Boys & Girls Club in order to give the children an opportunity to see and experience the Lowcountry from a different view.
Commodore Haverland stated “One of the little girls said this had been the ‘best day of her life,’ and after speaking with the other Wexford Yacht Club members, we can all agree that it was probably one of the best days of our lives as well!”
Boys & Girls Club Assistant Unit Director Brooke Newsom stated, “One of the primary goals of the Club is to work with local organizations and groups to provide opportunities that they will never forget. We are thrilled to have been able to work with Wexford Yacht Club to provide our members with this ‘wow’ experience! The Boys & Girls Club provides afterschool programs and summer day camps for over 750 members each year. The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is to ‘enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.’ “
