Frostbite Cruise January 13-14 hosted by Page Proffitt We will be at Ballard Park for another Frostbite Cruise on January 14. We will have the grills going about 5 p.m., so bring your entrée to cook, your beverage of choice, and a side dish to share. The pavilion is full of picnic tables and, if necessary, we will set up a wind screen. There is likely to be music as well. For more information, contact Page

New Years Eve!! Let's party!!  Host-Free !!! December 31 - January 1 As in years past, a few hardy souls will venture down to Vero Beach Municipal Marina to welcome in the new year. If you haven’t yet done so, call and make your reservations with the marina now (772) 978-4960.  This is an un-official event now.....   but if you're arriving from the North, be sure to spend Saturday night before (Dec 30) anchored in Sebastian for a free concert.

NOT an ECSA event, but you'll see some of us there !! Sebastian Inlet State Park Concerts Series http:// friendsofsebastianinletstatepa rk.org/?page_id=144 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!    Alize Saturday December 30, 2017 Alize has been getting people dancing to their reggae music with many years.  Recently reformed with some new band members which have ignited the positive reggae vibe.  Alize also blends other types of music into their show including Island, SOCA, Top 40, Funk, Soft Rock and even a little country. Souljam Saturday January 27, 2018 Souljam is a five-piece band that plays extended versions of rock n roll jam music.  Playing cover tunes of the Grateful Dead, Phish and the Tedeschi Trucks band with a few original songs mixed in. Creativity, self-expression and the joy of their music radiates through their sound and vibe. For more information about Souljam visit www.souljamband.com  

  Attend the ECSA Boat Parade Party and PotLuck Hosted by Marci & Dave Hutson: Arrive at 1700 with your covered dish. We will begin the fine-dining pig-out at 1730. The boat parade begins on the north end of the Grand Canal at 1800. The parade should arrive at our latitude starting around 1830. MYC will bring a keg! Come by boat – Bring your dink to our dock or to Simon’s dock. We are on the Grand Canal directly east of the cut-through between Tortoise Island and Samson’s Island. Simon’s dock is 2 houses north of us. Come by car – We are at 458 Nautilus Dr. in South Waterway at the end of the cul-de-sac. You may park on the street, in our driveway, or in Simon’s driveway (457 Nautilus Dr.) Everyone please bring a dish to share, your favorite beverage, and something to sit on. We will provide fine plastic dinnerware, cheap paper napkins, and equally cheap plastic cups.  Dining at 17:30 on the lawn overlooking the canal.  Boat parade after dinner.  Holiday sing-along after the parade. Bring your instruments and your best singing voice. Contact Dave Hutson To be in the parade instead of watching: Christmas Boat Parade Registration Information:  December 16, 2017 Registration is free:hofmanneg@juno.com Cash prizes $150 each to best decorated: - Power boat 31 feet and over - Power boat 30 feet and under - Sailboat Assemble at North end of Grand Canal by 5:30pm, parade starts at 6:00 pm South down grand canal, clockwise around Lake Shepherd, South to exit canal into Banana River, South past Mathers Bridge, head west at Dragon Point, circle judge's boat counterclockwise.  

- The plan is to drive over early Saturday morning and either return late that same evening or stay over to enjoy free beer/ pizza with Cruising Outpost cruisers party. If there is enough interest in staying over, there are Airbnb houses for 6-10 people to rent together. Please contact our Commodore if interested in going to the boat show. A meetup for meal and/or drinks will be put together once established how many will be attending. If interested in overnighting contact the Commodore ASAP so a big enough Airbnb can be reserved

This is IT !! Your chance for a place in the history books (of the ECSA, anyway).  If you think you meet the criteria for one of the Cruising Awards, then nominate yourself by "Buying a Ticket" for that award.  that's all !  You will be contacted by the Rear Commodore for details.  Please nominate yourself before December 15 so we have time to chisel your name into the history tablets. If you want to nominate someone else, just send an email to RearCommodore@ecsasail.com with the club member's name and award you think they deserve, or come to the November General meeting or any club cruise before December 15 and let the Rear Commodore know. CRUISING AWARDS CRITERIA      LONG DISTANCE CRUISES 1. The skipper must be a regular member, cruising aboard any boat as long as he or she is the skipper. 2. Each blue water cruise must be during a single trip and may leave any port and return to any port. Blue water is defined as ocean cruising port to port. 3. If cruising categories are combined, overlapping mileage can only be counted toward one cruise. 4. Contestants must submit a brief written itinerary and map of cruises to the Cruise Chairman prior to 15 December. 5. Chart mileage or GPS mileage may be used in computing cruise distance in nautical miles and a daily record, in terms of mileage A to D via B & C (rhumb line), must be provided to the Cruise Chairman prior to 15 December if he requires such information in order to determine an award winner.      SHORT DISTANCE CRUISES Contestants must submit a brief note to the Cruise Chairman prior to 1 December, listing the dates of the ECSA cruises in which they participated. Points will be awarded as follows: 5 points awarded if arriving by boat 3 points awarded if hosting the cruise 2 points awarded if arriving by land CRUISING AWARDS: BLUE WATER CRUISING Awarded to the skipper logging the greatest distance offshore. Blue water is considered ocean cruising port-to-port.  BAHAMAS CRUISING Awarded to the skipper logging the greatest distance, while cruising in and to the Bahama Islands. FLORIDA WATERS CRUISING Awarded to the skipper logging the greatest single cruise distance while cruising in Florida waters. INDIAN RIVER CRUISING Awarded to the skipper actively participating throughout the year in the most ECSA sponsored short distance weekend cruises.  (Note this is different from the 50th Anniversary Participation Award which is based on the sign-up sheets at designated events)  INLAND WATER CRUISING Awarded to the skipper logging the greatest accumulative cruise distance while cruising the inland waterways to a destination outside Florida. JIM ROSS MEMORIAL TROPHY (MOTOR VESSEL CRUISING) Awarded to the member, logging the greatest distance in any given calendar year on a single voyage, either blue water and/or inland waters in a motor vessel (not a sailboat). This award was created to recognize the cruising accomplishments of exsailors who have moved over to power vessels.  

Pinedaville - Rotary Park Mark your calendar to attend the Rotary Park Cruise scheduled for November 18th , Hosted by your BOG. We have reserved the Rotary Park Pavilion from 2pm – 9pm. Sail over and anchor off the beach or drive to the park across from Suntree Boulevard. ECSA will supply the main course. Members bring your own beverage and side dish to share. Dinner will be served at 5:30pm. Cruisers can gather in the park for a potluck breakfast on Sunday morning. There was damage to the park during hurricane Irma. One of the smaller pavilions is gone and the end of the pier is gone, but the large pavilion is ok and being painted. Electric is operational. Brevard Parks and Recreation says all should be fine for our event. Looking forward to a good cruise and potluck at the park!  

SSCA Melbourne Gam 2017 This is the first Melbourne Gam under new management, but don't worry; the ECSA will be there in our usual role; doleing out the snacks and helping with setups and lunch.  Some volunteers are needed, please contact Commodore@ecsasail.com.   Get registered at the SSCA website and come see some great presentations ! Date: 11/10/2017-11/12/17 Time: 08:30 Local Time Details: Day 1 of 3 fun-filled days of cruising seminars, vendors, activities and camaraderie. Seminars begin in the morning (Day 0-Thursday there will be a "Heading South" gathering at the Eau Gallie Public Library at 3 p.m, followed by happy hour at Squid Lips Bar next door, to get you into the Gam spirit.) Day 2 of 3 fun-filled days of cruising seminars, vendors, activities and camaraderie. Seminars begin in the morning. See Day 1 to register online Day 3 of 3 fun-filled days of cruising seminars, vendors, activities and camaraderie. Flea Market & Round tables in the morning. . Location: Eau Gallie Civic Center 1551 Highland Avenue Melbourne, FL 32935 Registration: $50.00

WWWB MOVED to Oct 28 and became the legendary  "Marker 21 That Was Cancelled by Irma" Cruise, hosted by Don & Joanne Theriault. Yes, Irma didn't just destroy docks in the lagoon and most of the Virgin Islands; she also put a spin in our cruise schedule. But we're almost back on track...... Join us on the spoil island west of Marker 21 on the ICW. (See your Cruising Directory for location details). Relax and enjoy a laid-back afternoon on the water or on the beach. Page will be bringing a large grate so we can cook over a fire in the sand. Bring your chairs and beverages, as well as your own entrée to grill and a side dish to share. Members of the Melbourne Yacht Club are also invited to this event. Potluck breakfast in the morning. See you there!      

Marker 21 Cruise Hosted by Joanne & Don Theriault

Labor Day Ft. Pierce Cruise September 1 - 4 Hosted by Jesse & Carmen Camp Some basic information for the upcoming Labor Day Cruise to Ft. Pierce. We will be at the Harbortown Marina in Ft. Pierce from Friday, September1st through Monday the 4th. Harbortown Marina has a restaurant, a pool, a large pavilion and easy access to the ocean via inlet. We will have two vehicles for transportation to the Farmer’s Market Saturday morning, breakfast Sunday morning, as well as for dinner. Harbortown does not allow to make reservations more than one and a half months prior to cruise dates, which means that you should start calling them NOW for your reservations. Harbortown Marina Ft Pierce 772-466-7300 (Sat Sept 2, Sun Sept 3, optional for Fri)

Titusville “Survival Planning” Cruise August 19-20 Hosted by Scott and Ellie Kiesling The Titusville Marina Cruise is back! It is a beautiful full -service marina with parks on both sides; one with a splash area and the other a dog park. There is plenty of shopping and restaurants within walking distance. It is an estimated 5-hour cruise from Satellite Beach, or 3 hours from Cocoa Village, at 6 knots. Once you arrive there is an air-conditioned captain’s lounge and an out-door covered, screened in patio. We will have an ECSA Cookout at 5PM at the marina picnic area with covered tables, grill, seating and a great view of the harbor. Scott and I will have a brief display of our “Bug Out” bag (ie; starting a fire without a match, desalinating water) and help with your “Bug Out” boat list. Come by car or boat, there is lots of parking. There will be coffee and a continental breakfast in the Captain’s Lounge Sunday morning to mid morning. Scott and I will be staying both Friday and Saturday nights, come join us. (Titusville Marina detail/photo will be emailed as cruise date draws nearer.) Ellie will be available at the membership meetings for more info or call Ellie