Although some activities have slowed down for the season, the sailors never know when to quit! For example the BHYC sponsored high school sailing team ran and finished second in a major fall regatta hosted last weekend. The complete story is elsewhere in the Register but congratulations all!

Then several other of our sailors tried the fresh water venue for a change:

Two BHYC J/80s, Bill Hunt’s Firebolt (with crew Heidi Hunt and neighbors Jim and Jen Stenberg) and Jeff Curtis’ Silkie, with Maria and Gabriella Boord, traveled to Lake Winnipesaukee to sail in the 29th Annual J-Jamboree hosted by J/80 Fleet 1 and the Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association (LWSA).

The weekend started launching at Fay’s Boat Yard in Gilford on Friday and a great chili dinner at the LWSA Adams Sailing Center for all racers. Saturday opened with good 13-15 knot breezes which then grew throughout the afternoon to sustained winds over 20 with gusts over 25. Both Boothbay boats started with good mid-fleet races but then fell back as the wind increased. Silkie, skippered by Gabriella Boord, was particularly disadvantaged sailing with only three on board in the heavy winds. Firebolt was over early in the second race but recovered with a strong start in the third race achieving planing speeds over 13 knots on a couple downwind legs before a medical issue on board forced retirement for the day.

Saturday night the Lake Winnipesaukee Yacht Club hosted a wonderful barbecue as the sun set over the lake. Sunday brought no relief from the strong winds and both boats elected to take it easy and enjoy the beauty of the lake with less aggressive sailing. While neither boat finished in the money, we all had a wonderful time on the lake and with our hosts and other traveling boats. We are looking forward to having some of them come join us in Boothbay next year and both boats will be going to the 30th J-Jamboree next fall and are hoping other Boothbay J/80s will join us there! It was a wonderful way to end our fantastic J/80 sailing season.

We lost two more of our own last week. Joan Rubel passed away in Florida with

Phil's loving care and Charlotte Druce mercifully ended her long Alzheimer's struggle with John standing by as he faithfully did for 70 years. Our condolences to both families.

The lunch bunch has found a winter home at Le Garage but their start time has been advanced to 11:30 to guarantee seating and time for the after munch competition. Le Garage dies close for a month later in the winter but there is more time to plan for the future.

Speaking of planning, the closing Potluck Supper is next and you can call Sandy Gillespie or Sandy Wheeler to make reservations! No reservations needed for Work Day on Saturday when many hands will make quick work if closing the club for the winter.

The first board meeting under the Commodoreship of Bob Scribner was held last Saturday and we are clearly in a strong planning mode for 2017. Exciting renderings and plans for the McKown house project were unveiled and the process is underway.

Lastly (if there is such a word), a splendid closing, end of term, letter was sent to all members from retiring Commodore Eric Hakanson. Thanks Eric and Sandi for a fabulous year!