As our sailing season gets underway, it’s important to remember just how fragile our environment is and how even the smallest errant piece of litter stays with us a long, long time. While you’re out on the water with family and friends, please be mindful to bag your trash and dispose of it properly. Earlier this month, NOAA published a helpful infographic that illustrates the estimated decomposition rates for common marine refuse. Did you know that a plastic bottle is estimated to take 450 years to decompose? A discarded or fly-away plastic grocery bag can stay with us for up to 20 years!

“How Long Until It’s Gone” Source: NOAA (Click to enlarge)

As informative as this infographic is, it doesn’t include the detergents, petroleum products, bottom paint, cleaners, solvents and other materials used by many in the commissioning of their boats for the season. PLEASE, remember to use tarps and dispose of all trash properly — and remember, it’s the law.

Movie Night returns to Hempstead Harbour Club this Saturday evening, August 24th beginning at 7:30pm.

This year GREASE is the word! Wear your favorite fifties outfit and get ready to rock to one of the greatest soundtracks ever. Admission is 5$ at the door and includes soda, candy and popcorn.

And don’t forget, the GREASE party is followed by another fun sleepover and Sunday morning breakfast. HHC Movie Night is open to Hempstead Harbour Club members and invited guests.

Hope to see you there.

The 2013 Lobster Bake held on Saturday, August 3 was a huge success. Meredith and Dennis Brosnan hosted the party that was attended by over 100 people. The volunteers, dressed appropriately for the occasion in red t-shirts, did a great job cooking and serving the steamers, rolls, cole slaw, corn, potatoes and lobsters. We were all then treated to Klondike Bars for dessert and a beautiful sunset.

While their is plenty of sailing season remaining, 2013-2014 Winter Storage Documents are now due. Club Members should visit My HHC to access Winter Storage Agreements and scheduling information. Members who did not store their boat at the Club last year and wish to do should fill out and mail the applicable agreements. You will be notified as soon as possible whether or not there is space available. Members who have stored their boat at the Club previously must submit their storage agreements immediately or risk forfeiting their spot.

Flyers have been mailed to members for the very popular Lobster Dinner ’13. The dinner will take place on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 1800 hours. The menu will consist of cole slaw, steamers, baked potato, Long Island corn, steamed lobster, dessert, coffee and tea. Remember it is B.Y.O.beverage and plates, cutlery, claw crackers and picks. Dinner for members is $30 and $35 for guests. Dinner without lobster is $15. If you wish to attend send checks made out to Hempstead Harbour Club to Meredith and Dennis Brosnan.
Seating is limited though.

Come down to the club on Saturday, July 20th for Hempstead Harbour Club’s annual Junior Sailing Cocktail Party and Raffle. This event is for the whole family with fantastic raffles from private donors, local artists and merchants and is the principal fundraiser for the club’s growing Junior Sailing Program. Bring your own libation and an appetizer to share — Junior Sailing provides all mixers, music and an evening of fun. All proceeds benefit Junior Sailing.

Interested in bringing a raffle item? Please contact Chris Lucas at 674-2412. Saturday’s event starts at 1800 hours and all proceeds benefit our Junior Sailing Program. Admission for Adults is $10 and kids are free. Non-members are welcome. Don’t miss this fun event!

Thanks to John Power and his reliable ranch hands over one hundred cowboys and cowgirls enjoyed an evening of eating, dancing and yeehahing under the stars. The Club was decorated Texas- style which provided the backdrop for a real Texas Barbecue. On the menu was pulled pork, ribs, brisket, chicken, salmon, corn,baked beans and salads. After dinner boots and jeans were on view instead of the usual topsiders and shorts as everyone made their way to the floor for professionally led line dancing. Good times!

Join us at the Hempstead Harbour Club on Saturday, July 13th at 1800 hours for a night of rollicking fun, great BBQ, country western music and line dancing. No need to know how — we’ll have excellent instructors on hand to show you the ropes. Just don yer boots, hats and spurs.

Menu
Baby Back Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork, Salmon, Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans, Salad, Cole Slaw, Potato Salad, Coffee/Tea and Dessert.
— BYOB —

Attire
Hats, Boots, Vests — anything Western (leave your six-guns at home, please)

To Attend
Contact John Power to reserve your spot. $25 per person (Under 12 – $15.00)
Make your check payable to Hempstead Harbour Club and mail to:

John Power
923 Brush Hollow Road
Westbury, NY 11590

DEADLINE July 6th! (HHC Members and invited guests only)

Several HHC members are exploring the installation of helix moorings in our harbor. Helix mooring anchors offer increased holding power, longer life and significant cost savings over traditional mushroom anchors. Pull-tests conducted by BoatUS Insurance and Cruising World Magazine have shown that helix anchors have 4 to 5 times the holding power compared to other alternatives. Properly installed, a single helix anchor can withstand the pulling force of a 800hp tug boat. Test pulls have registered in excess of 20,000 lbs of holding power.

Helix anchors are highly cost-effective and include a 15-year warranty on the anchor material. Helix anchors recommended for our mooring field have 1-1/2″ square shafts and are hot-dipped galvanized. Anchors would be turned 15′ into the substrate with three (3) helices (8″/10″/12″) and a mooring termination. Each anchor would produce between 12,000-20,000 lbs of holding power and last 25-30 years. We are being offered variable pricing based on the total number of helix anchors ordered (pricing includes installation). If we have 12 members order helix anchors, the price is $1,250/each. The price drops to $1,150/ea if we have 25 orders. This price includes the helix anchor and installation, which requires specialized equipment. Additional tackle (chain, shackles, mooring ball and pennant) is available for an additional $800-1000/mooring, though you may choose to use your existing tackle (if compatible).

Additional information about helix mooring systems is available at BoatMoorings.com

Interested?

An ad hoc committee has been formed to gauge the level of interest others may have in upgrading their mooring. An informal meeting is being scheduled in the near future to answer questions members may have about helix moorings, benefits, costs, etc. If you would like to be notified about this meeting, please contact Xavier Wauters.