The Sailing Club - September 2011

The Sailing Club, Inc.

Gloucester Schooner Race MA

Boston to Gloucester
Aboard the S.V. Liberty Clipper
September 3 - 5, 2011

a Victory Chimes boat The Sailing Club has sailed on the Victory Chimes in Maine, the Polynesia in the West Indies and now we will be racing and cruising in the 27th annual Gloucester Schooner Race. Last year, sixteen tall ships participated in the festivities off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Ships hailed from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Bermuda.

The Liberty Clipper, a 125-foot tall ship, is a newly renovated gaff rigged schooner. She is a faithful reproduction of the Baltimore Clippers used to carry gold seekers around Cape Horn to the gold fields in California. There are accommodations for twenty-eight passengers and we have reserved all ten of the passenger cabins. Because we have reserved the entire ship, Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships is giving members of The Sailing Club trip a ten percent discount. The Sailing Club is acting as an agent for this trip with no additional markup.

Boston is easily accessible by automobile, air, and my favorite for this trip – the train. Those of us who were on August 2009 Boston Day Sail know of at least two fantastic restaurants near the ship which is docked at Long Wharf by the New England Aquarium. We will stow our gear Friday evening and then meet at either the Black Rose or the Chart House.

Schooner race Saturday, it’s away from the dock at 8:00 and an offshore sail to Gloucester. Look out for whales in Massachusetts Bay and stay ahead of any accompanying tall ships on the way to Cape Ann. The evening festivities will include a lighted Parade of Sail followed by fireworks. Both the festivities Saturday night and the race the following day may include additional passengers – talk up The Sailing Club!

Sunday is the Mayor’s Cup Race in the coastal waters off Cape Ann. Get your camera ready to capture the unforgettable images of tall ships under all canvas beating to windward – in our wake hopefully. The race starts at 9:00 and finishes around 4:00. There will be plenty of time to explore Gloucester, America’s oldest seaport with America’s oldest Art Colony.

Monday, we head south for Boston in the company of whales and the tall ships we beat in the race. Listen to the crew tell how their skill saved the day, and the parties they survived ashore. We will be having a special BBQ before arriving back in Boston (between 4:00 and 5:00) Once secure to the dock, it’s time to disembark – no need to fuel up, pump out the head, or empty the refrigerator.

You can choose from one of two cabin types on the "Liberty Clipper". For the Standard Cabin and Premium Cabin, if you have someone you wish to share a cabin with, please indicate that on the reservation form. Of course cabin availability is on a first come, first served basis.

Standard Cabin for two with upper and lower single berths at $607.50 per person.
Premium Cabin for two with upper double berth and lower single berth at $675 per person.

All cabins have a sink with hot and cold running water. There are three shared heads with toilets and showers. Friends of members are welcome too, but note that they must join The Sailing Club.

The per person price covers early boarding Friday evening, three meals aboard on Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Sunday and Monday. Sunday dinner will be ashore at the awards tent. Anyone wishing to stay aboard Monday evening will be charged a discounted $45 per person charge. Please indicate this on the application. Also available is a $100 open bar plan, payable upon boarding.

Trip cancellation insurance should be considered. One source is insuremytrip.com where you can compare prices from several providers. Any cancellation results in a ten percent cancellation fee. If the berth can’t be filled by The Sailing Club or Liberty Cruises, then the full berth cost is forfeited.
A $100 per person deposit is required to hold your position. Please make your check payable to The Sailing Club, Inc. and mail it, along with your completed reservation form to Larry Sherwood at the address below. Reservations will be processed beginning on April 8, 2011 with a random draw of those received by that date. All reservations received after that date are on a first-come, first-served basis. A second payment of $300 per person will be due by May 31 and the balance of either $207.50 or $275.00 [plus $45 for Monday layover, if desired] will be due on June 30, 2011.
A pre-trip meeting will be held Monday, August 22, 2011 at 6:00 PM. The location will be provided with your confirmation notice. All participants should plan to attend.

We look forward to seeing you on another exciting schooner trip. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Larry.

Please note that sailing conditions are dynamic, that your safety, and that of your crewmates, depends on your good physical health and agility.