ECSA will be hosting the Brevard Summer Sailstice, to coincide with the closest weekend to the Summer Solstice.  This is a worldwide event, to take advantage of the longest daylight of the year in the northern hemisphere.  Join us Saturday and Sunday, June 23-24, 2018 at Grills Riverside restaurant on North US 1 in Melbourne. All sailors and clubs are welcome to participate.   A tent will be set up on the south side of the building; just look for the ECSA banner.  Arrive by water or land as early as 2:00 p.m.  Blessing of the Fleet will take place at 4:00 p.m.  For more information on the global celebration, see the main organizers' Web Site at www.SummerSailstice.com.

Commodore Pat invites all of you to join her for Happy Hour, on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at 5 p.m.  We plan to gather at Long Doggers, 1201 South Patrick Dr, Satellite Beach.  They are one of our advertisers so let's all show up and reward them with a big club turn-out.  Take time to enjoy a beverage, good food, and club camaraderie.  We have been enjoying outstanding turn-outs for these Happy Hour events, so let's keep it up! If you plan to come, please email Pat at  patvipisland@gmail.com so that she has a head count that she can pass to Long Doggers.  Thanks !

We are very sorry to announce that that due to inclement weather we have decided to cancel the Memorial Weekend sailing event to Cape Canaveral. All is not lost however. After attempting to find a place to have dinner on Saturday for the group with no success we have decided to host happy hour at the Cape Canaveral Grillz at 4pm on Saturday afternoon the 26th of May. You are welcome to find dinner afterwards wherever you wish.  Commodore Pat reports that Little Attitudes is going to brave the weather this weekend and we will be at Ocean Club Marina from Friday to Sunday. So who ever still has reservations we will see them there!! Ray and I have decided to do a potluck BBQ at our home on Sunday at 3pm and anyone is invited. We will be having ribs and chicken with baked beans for the main entree. Lemonde and iced tea will be provided. Please RSVP by Wednesday night  to 585-356-3704  with your name and how many people so we can purchase accordingly.  We are sorry for any inconvience this has caused for those who were planning on attending. We hope to attempt this event at a later date.  Thank you for understanding, Raymond and Diana Cox.  

We have updated the plans for this weekend ... Sail to historic Cocoa Village for dinner at Ryan's at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and stay overnight at Cocoa Village Marina (as the nearby anchorage may be unsafe due to sunken boats in the area).  Then on Sunday, take your pick (flip a coin?!): either continue on to St. Augustine with the flotilla heading there for the week, or return home with memories of a fun weekend.  Ryan's is located at 4 Harrison St #100, Cocoa, FL 32922.

Commodore Pat invites all of you to join her for Happy Hour, 5 p.m.,  at Long Doggers, 1201 South Patrick Dr, Satellite Beach, on 25 April, 2018.  They are one of our advertisers so let's all show up and reward them with a big club turn-out.  Take time to enjoy a beverage, good food, and club camaraderie.  We had an outstanding turn-out for the last Happy Hour so let's repeat that event.   If you plan to come, please email Pat at  patvipisland@gmail.com  so that she has a head count she can pass to Long Doggers.

*** CANCELLED*** The weather forecast is looking unfavorable for a cruise in the river this weekend, so organizer Pat Fletcher wisely decided to cancel this event.  We may reschedule -- watch this space (and your e-mail) !   If we do reschedule, here is the plan...   Bring your favorite grilling food, a side to share and chairs to this spoil island. The plans are no plans -- get to the island by Saturday, where we will start the cocktail around 5 p.m. and we will have the grill hot to cook by 6 p.m.  Paper plates, plasticware and cups are supplied. Just add your favorite beverage, sample the sides, unfold your chair and kick back with the camaraderie of our sailing group.  Boy Scout Island is located in the Indian River between Rockledge and Merritt Island, near ICW Marker 80 and Statute Mile 900, 2 miles south of the Route 520 Causeway, 9 miles north of the Pineda Causeway.  This is a good starter cruise for those thinking about hosting one of our club cruises.  Let’s go sailing!   To get to Boy Scout Island, sail to green marker 83.  Align with a 3-story house to the east and a cell tower west (90°).  Head east until the island is on your port quarter, then turn north.  Do not go past the sandbar on the northeast side of the island.  Generally there is 6-7 feet of water.  Dinghy to the beach on the north side of the island.

Once again ECSA will hit the water to watch the exciting Melbourne Air Show, followed by lending kids a helping hand at the Child Abuse Prevention Task Force fundraiser dinner at Squid Lips. The Melbourne Air & Space Show is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 24-25. The official event is held at Melbourne International Airport, but we expect to have an opportunity to view the high-flying aircraft from an anchorage in the Indian River, roughly midway between the Eau Gallie and Melbourne causeways, in line with the airport runway. The show is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m.  Click here for more information. Following the air show, the ECSA and Squid Lips team up with the Child Abuse Prevention Task Force to lend a hand to the kids in our community.  From the Air Show anchorage, we sail a couple of miles north to Squid Lips, who will donate 4% of the revenue from food sales between 5 and 8 p.m. to CAPTF. The ECSA attempts to get as many boats as possible to attend, drawing attention to this very worthy cause. This is a wonderful cruise for children also, as there are several activities on the beach for them.  For more information, check out their web site *here*. So grab some friends and a table, enjoy the delicious food, and help a deserving cause at the same time!  We can also discuss breakfast plans for those staying overnight on their vessels.

Rob Lauren, Rear Commodore is doing an ECSA membership drive at the annual Harbortown Flea Market (March 24&25, 8am-4pm) & we need volunteers to help meet & greet attendees..!     I already have three members to help; however, I will need at least 6 to 8 more members to help with the membership drive..?  Just a couple hours or more on either a Saturday or Sunday or both days would be fine.   I know there are many members who will be going to the air show and Squid Lips cruise that weekend; however, for those who are not, I would appreciate their attendance at the Harbortown Flea Market..?   The deadline for volunteering is Thursday, March 22, 5 pm...if we don’t get enough volunteers there will be no membership drive..!   It is vital to the health and longevity of the club that we bring in new members on a continuous basis..!   Please help and thank you,  Rob, Rear Commodore email:RL7988@icloud.com phone: 212-602-1622

Arrive early on Saturday, by boat or car, and enjoy the parade, which begins at 11 a.m. in downtown Melbourne, then enjoy the zany Irish festivities at Meg O’Malley’s. Anchor off Front Street Park and dinghy into Melbourne Harbor, or call Melbourne Harbor Marina for a reservation (321-725-9054). Melbourne Yacht Club will allow ECSA to use their dinghy docks, and there is room for two boats on the T-dock, first come first served. Call Tom O’Shea for the gate code. ECSA activities will begin at 5 p.m. in “The Mansion” downstairs courtyard, just a short walk over Crane Creek from MYC or from downtown Front Street. Lots of parking available at the Mansion – but remember you get extra points for coming by boat! Enjoy Blarney, Irish Humor, Irish music and a get-to-know-St. Patrick (even if you’re not Irish) contest, complete with prizes and perhaps a visit by ECSA’s very own Leprechaun. Wear your GREEN and join us for some magical fun! The Mansion (http://thebigmansion.com/ 321-345-5800) has good food at reasonable prices, including sandwiches, burgers and entrees, and most of all, a great variety of beer and wines. Stick around or come back to join us Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. for a potluck breakfast in Front Street Park. We would like to have a good estimate for the number of people coming to the Mansion, so would appreciate a phone call, or 'buy' a free ticket here if you plan to be there.  For more information or to sign up, call Tom O’Shea at O'Three-Two-One-986-8772 or O'NineOneNine-423-1508.  Or send email to teoshea@bellsouth.net  

Sebastian Inlet State Park Concerts Series A number of us cruisers head down to the Sebastian Inlet Concert Series. The anchorage on the South side of the South/West point makes for an east dinghy ride in to listen to the wonderful concerts! Friends of Sebastian Inlet Saturday February 17, 2018   SIRSY is an Indie Pop Rock duo that The Boston Globe calls “Little band, big sounds”.  SIRSY’s music is chock full fo soul and sincerity, with a touch of sass.  They have CD’s of original music.  Their lyrics can be a little dark or introspective but their stage presents radiantes joy.  The Times Union says “Clever, smart songs with more hooks than a tackle box”.  Melanie Krahmer’s voice is capable of a lion’s roar or a floaty whisper.  Rich Libutti’s guitar work has been called “Killer rock guitar riffs” by Instrumental Magazine.  Together they have created a dynamic, full sound.  Their newest CD was produced by Grammy winning producer Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade. For more information about SIRSY visit www.sirsy.com.

Once again, the ECSA Miami Sailboat Show Bus Trip is a great deal: for $50 !  You get an admission ticket (worth $25) and round trip transport from Merritt Island and Satellite Beach on a comfortable bus with breakfast, snacks, & beverages.   The pickup locations and times will be: 6:00 a.m.: Harbortown Marina, 2700 Harbortown Drive, Merritt Island, FL 6:30 a.m.: Atlantic Plaza (Publix),1024 Highway A1A, Satellite Beach, FL     You can buy tickets directly on the website with your credit card, or reserve a seat and send a check.  There are only 50 seats, so don't wait too long! The 2018 sailboat portion of the show will be at Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin, Virginia Key. Miami Boat Show Map Here are some more handy links: Strictly Sail Miami Saturday Seminars

It's time again for the annual ECSA Awards Banquet !  Maybe it won't look exactly like the picture above, but all dinners will include herb-roasted potatoes, Chef’s choice of seasonal vegetables, freshly brewed coffee, iced tea, and dessert, and appropriate dress is requested.   PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY! Reservations will be accepted through January 22, 2018. You may make your reservation and pay online by buying a ticket for your preferred entree; please buy one for each attendee.  If you prefer to pay by check, please complete the form found in the Foot Tack and Clew newsletter, including your choice of entrée, and return with your check made payable to East Coast Sailing Association. Bring it to the general membership meeting, or mail to: ECSA, P. O. Box 372054, Satellite Beach, FL 32937. Attention: Banquet. ___________________________________________________________________________________________     The form looks like this: Annual Awards Banquet Reservation Form Name of members/guests attending: _________________________________________________________ Entrée selection: Chicken Marsala _______ (number) x  $36 =   __________ Mahi Mahi _______ (number)          x   $36 =  __________ Sirloin Steak _______ (number)       x   $36 =  __________                                                        TOTAL   __________