Newsletter March 2026
⛵ For GCSC Friends ⛵
Please add our email to your Contacts so you never miss our updates!
If you have a question and don't know who to ask, just reply to this email and we'll forward your question/comment to to the right sailors!
| Our Gulf Coast Sailing Club Mission:
As Naples and Southwest Florida’s leading volunteer sailing club, we support inter-club racing, cruising, day sailing, social events, and boating education for the benefit of sailors and their families. Let’s keep it fun.
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From The Commodore:
The Commodore shall be the senior officer of the Club
| Trudell Kolpack
Happy Season!
Doug Foss did a very informative presentation at February's meeting on knowing how to navigate at night when you see all kinds of lights. What do they all mean? The lights are how boats communicate at night, thanks Doug for the important information!!
Stay connected, volunteer anywhere you can to meet your fellow sailors and skippers, and enjoy the club.
We look forward to seeing you at the member meeting March 11! Don't miss Bob Andreini's presentation!
Trudell Kolpack
Commodore
480-310-2330
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From The Vice Commodore:
The Vice Commodore is responsible for Membership, Communications, and Volunteer Coordination activities for the Club.
| Laurie Conrod
Greetings Sailors,
RSVP Now March's meeting! Bob Andreini will be demonstrating how to use Navionics while navigating on the water.
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Ready to get more confident on the water? Join us for an engaging, hands-on session exploring how to use the Navionics Boating App as your ultimate cruising companion on the Gulf Coast. Whether you’re sailing or powerboating, you’ll learn how to plan smarter routes, avoid shallow water, set and navigate to virtual marks, anchor with confidence, work offline, and even turn your trips into shareable maps.
This fun, practical presentation is designed to reduce stress, increase safety, and help you get more enjoyment out of every day on the water.
Topics covered:
* Setting up defaults for your vessel
* Creating waypoints
* Creating routes
* Tracking and creating maps
* Anchor Watch
* Working offline
* Racing with virtual marks
* Racing Committee mark set boat
Bonus: Real world example of using Navionics to navigate accurately and safely while fogged in with 50-100' visibility!
Navionics is not just for boat owners. Find out how you can use Navionics while aboard someone else's boat or chartering in the BVI's, Greece or even to the Florida Keys.
To get the most out of the presentation, be sure to download Navionics or sometimes called the Garmin Boating App to your mobile device. Navionics maps for the US and Canada is available for $49.99 with the ability to expand chart coverage globally.
⛵ Reminder: Every month for our member meeting, Jerry and Susan Watkins make sure the room is set up, food prepared, and then cleaned up and tidy. Can you help? Just contact Susan at swatkins@tee-global.com and let her know you can help at a meeting(s). Thank you!
⛵ Do you have friends that are sailors or interested in sailing? Invite them to a member meeting!
Or invite them to an afternoon at Sugden for sailing, a BBQ and beach!
Share GCSC and it's even more fun ⛵
⛵ Reminder: GCSC joined Port32/Wahoo's so members can join for $99 instead of $399 and save $300, as well as have a gathering place for more fun! Active GCSC members get this benefit.
Don't forget when you join Wahoo's you get reciprocity at 25+ other clubs with golf, dining, tennis/fitness, Pool & Spa in the Naples area as well as the discount on renting powerboats. See how to join Wahoo's River Bar and Grill in this newsletter below.
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From The Rear Commodore:
The Rear Commodore is responsible for the On The Water activities for the Club.
|  | Bob Andreini
Hi Fellow Sailors -
Finally great sailing weather! Winds have been decent (until they're not). We have been out several times now with some very enjoyable sailing on the Gulf.
The Presidents regatta held the last weekend in February was SUPER foggy. Limited visibility - maybe 100' and didn't lift much throughout the day. Our PRO made the right call and cancelled the race for safety reasons. I would like to thank the race committee and the 7 boats who joined us for making such an effort and returning safely back to the dock!
On deck is the Naples Classic and the Messmer Cup hosted by NSYC. See below for more information.
Check out the cruising section below for the opportunity to sail to Marathon Key early April - still slips available. We have 5 boats confirmed and 2 - 3 more are considering. Please join in the fun.
If you are thinking about going to the Dry Tortugas but would like to have a buddy boat or 2, check out the awesome offer from Island Sailing below to join their two cruising boats in a flotilla to the Tortugas, Keys and back to Naples.
Unfortunately, the algae bloom on Lake Avalon is still keeping the lake closed so our Sugden Sailing program is cancelled for the season.
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Stay tuned, read your newsletters, visit the club website, and if you are interested in getting involved in any of these activities, please reach out to me via the email below.
Cheers,
Bob Andreini
Rear Commodore
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Sign up for the GCSC Crew Board - For GCSC Members Only
Click here for instructions:
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Naples Classic Regatta!
Friday March 20 - 22, 2026
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Schedule of Events:
Saturday, March 21 09:55 First warning for buoy races
10:00 First Class Fleet Start
Sunday, March 22 10:00 First boat start, pursuit distance race
Sunday, March 22 17:00 Dinner and Awards Party
Everyone Welcome!
Dylan’s Drafthouse
1258 Airport Pulling Rd N
Naples FL
Pay as you go
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We are in need of people to volunteer their boat to serve as the Race Committee boat for Saturday February 28
You will be reimbursed for gas, lunch, and receive a free awards dinner ticket!
This is an amazing opportunity to observe the Race Committee and our PROs in action. As well as observe the race from a great vantage point! You get to see the exciting starts and finishes as well as the wind/strategy happening out on the course.
If every racer volunteered their boat, you would only miss one race every 5-6 years or more! What a great way to give back to the club!
The Race Committee consists of 4 people and the flags.
We are also in need of a volunteer for a Mark boat for the same dates. If you know of anyone who has a motor boat that would like to volunteer, we reimburse for gas for them as well.
Please let me know if you are willing to volunteer as soon as possible.
I appreciate your consideration and if you have any questions, please contact me.
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Messmer Cup Regatta!
Friday April 17 - 19, 2026
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Schedule of Events:
Friday, April 17 18:00 Skipper’s Meeting @ NYSC new Slip 82
Saturday, April 18 09:55 First warning for buoy races
10:00 First Class Fleet Start
Sunday, April 19 10:00 First boat start, pursuit distance race
Sunday, April 19 17:00 Dinner and Awards Party TBD
Everyone Welcome!
Naples Sailing and Yacht Club
896 Riverpoint Drive
Naples FL 34103
$35 / per person - must register in advance
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Details and NOR will be available soon. This is not a BOTY event and will be run by the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club.
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Cruising Marathon Key
April 1 - 7, 2026
Marlin Bay Resort and Marina
If you are interested in Marathon this year, please contact me as soon as possible so we can make arrangements at the Marlin Bay Marina. They have good availability in the inner basin starting April 1, which is why we adjusted the dates to be April 1 - 7. There is limited availability and probably in the outer basin prior to April 1.
Marathon Key is a lot of fun, and you can make part of a larger trip to Key West, or even the Dry Tortugas. You can find out more information by visiting the Club Website.
If you are interested, send an email to cruising@gulfcoastsailingclub.org and I will coordinate all the details with you and the marina.
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Dry Tortugas Flotilla
July 2026 - Dates to be finalized
This is an opportunity to cruise on your own boat with Island Sailing who is taking passengers on both of their charter boats (Island Dreams and Island Time). Sailing directly to Dry Tortugas and there for a few days, then on to Key West for refuel, water and dinner before sailing up to Marathon and then back home.
There is no cost to other boats (except your own slip fees where applicable) - just some fun and camaraderie.
The flotilla is excellent for anyone who has wanted to make the trip but would prefer to plan and buddy boat with experienced captains and other members of GCSC.
If you are interested, send an email to cruising@gulfcoastsailingclub.org.
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Day Sailing Open Event
Saturday March 14, 2026
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Attention Skippers:
Get your boats out on the water with other club members for a day sail. Head out to the Gulf around 10:00am for a meet up with other sailboats. Maybe do a raft up in Champany Bay or just cruise for a few hours.
Skippers you don't need to register, but please send an email to: daysailing@gulfcoastsailingclub.org and let us know you are attending and how many members you are able to host on your boat.
Attention Members:
Anyone interested in sailing on a club member boat should register using the link below. Skippers will be asked to review the registrations and ask members to join them. Be sure to update your profile to include your information and sailing resume in the Biography section. See the club page on Crew Board for more details.
Note: It's the decision of each skipper who they would like to invite on their boat for the event.
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| SUGDEN SUNDAY SAILING BY GCSC
Lake Avalon is still closed until further notice!
The rest of the season is unfortunately cancelled. We hope to bring this program back next season.
Doug Foss
Small Boat Fleet Captain
630-464-0505
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Member Meeting March 11 at 6pm
(Always the 2nd Wed. of the month)
PLEASE RSVP! WE NEED TO SET UP AND HAVE FOOD FOR EVERYONE!
Do you need help renewing online or logging in to the website?
We'll have a computer and someone to help you at the meetings!
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🏨 Location: Moss Hall at Moorings Presbyterian 791 Harbour Dr. Naples (Signs are posted)
👨🏫 Speaker: Bob Andreini will demonstrate how to use Navionics (Garmin app) to navigate on the water
🍴 Serving: Rotisserie chicken and Salad
🍪🍰 Please bring a dessert to share
🍺 🍷BYOB (Water and Iced Tea provided)
So we can plan!
Please Note: Non-Members and Guests are $15 each, payable at the meeting. Thank you!
Non-Members and Guests will be credited the $15 if they join the club at the meeting!
Non-members may be a guest 2 times before membership is required.
Everyone who RSVP's, and guests, will get a blue dinner ticket.
Non-RSVP's will get a red ticket. Blue tickets will be served first.
If all else fails, just reply to this email and we'll add you so you get a blue ticket!
Thank you!!
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Join Or RENEW Now! The annual membership dues are $115 and will cover a new membership for 12 full months for new members. Members that joined before August 1 2024 have a June 30 renewal date.
Don't Miss Out!
✅ When your membership expires, you will no longer be able to login to the Club website, and no longer have access to members only content.
✅ The Club Luff 'N Laff will be sent to active members only, and general information will be sent to non-members.
✅ The Port32 Marina/Wahoo membership is available to active members only.
✅ Some Club events will be available to members only, so keep/start your membership!
Plus, we'll miss you if you let your membership expire!
Renew or Join Now!
The annual membership dues are $115 and will cover a new membership for 12 full months for new members. Members that joined before August 1 2024 have a June 30 renewal date each year.
Club dues allow the Club to provide:
⛵ Port32/Wahoo membership for $99 (Savings of $300)
⛵ Races & Cruises planned and put on
⛵ Day Sailing events planned and put on
⛵ Raft-Ups planned and put on
⛵ Charters planned and put on
⛵ Small Boats Events planned and put on
⛵ Sugden Sunday Fun Day's 🏊🍔 planned and put on
👩🏫 Monthly meetings planned with activities for engagement, fun, food, and occasional speakers
🎉 Parties with food
😋 Comradery with your fellow sailors
🙋♀️🙋♂️Unlimited volunteer opportunities
You can complete the payment process online with PayPal or a credit card.
If you prefer, you can mail a check for $115 to Gulf Coast Sailing Club, P.O. Box 2121, Naples, FL 34106 and your membership will be manually renewed. Please renew online first, and then mail in the check. Thanks!
Please include any changes to your contact information.
We look forward to seeing you at events, on committees, and on the water!
| Boat For Sale!
1988 23’ Precision Sailboat
Electric Winch on Gin pole for lowering and raising mast. Solid trailer with new tires. Alcohol stove and porta potty. Sleeps 3-4. Solid boat. Draws 1’11” with the keel up and 5’ with the keel down. Carbon fiber jib and Dacron main. 4 HP Tohatsu on the boat and a spare 6 HP Yamaha comes with it. Complete cover for the boat and a spare Dacron jib.
New Price: $6,000
Captain Seaby 630-327-9772
| Boat For Sale Coming Soon! | BOAT SLIP FOR SALE 38’ x 24’
Deeded slip located at SouthPointe Yacht Club in Windstar on Naples Bay.
PROTECTED Harbor on Gordan River. EASY ACCESS TO THE GULF!
Contact:
John & Vi Cochran
C: 219-671-1015
Vlanis@att.net |
Catamaran For Sale
2014 catamaran — 35’ Gemini. The boat is at our slip in SouthPointe Yacht Club Marina in Naples. If there is interest, ⛵️⛵️⛵️Many Thanks—John & Vi Cochran C: 260-403-5314 Vlanis@att.net
| Sailboat For Sale!
Wings
Please contact Rick & Candice Thiele:
239-292-6472
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Do you have a sailing story to share with the rest of us sailors? Please submit your story to
| Our Gulf Coast Sailing Club Mission
As Naples and Southwest Florida’s leading volunteer sailing club, we support inter-club racing, cruising, day sailing, social events, and boating education for the benefit of sailors and their families. Let’s keep it fun.
Our Gulf Coast Sailing Club Strategy
· Be an innovative volunteer and non-profit organization of beginner, intermediate and experienced sailors.
· Provide year-round on-the-water and land-based activities for our members, their families, and their guests.
· Build a robust sailing program by interfacing with all southwest Florida sailing clubs and coordinating interclub activities.
· Build community outreach through supporting local boating programs and marine industries.
· Actively support sailing and seamanship education programs.
Our Gulf Coast Sailing Club Core Values
· Maintain a welcoming and friendly environment for all.
· Respect all levels of experience and interest.
· Exhibit leadership, Integrity, and honesty.
· Have fun!
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PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS
| | Would you like to advertise your business on our website and this newsletter? Tell your fellow sailors what you do and let them get to know you better! All the details are on our Sponsors page here: Sponsors Page | | Hypnotherapy / Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Laurie Conrod MNLP, CCHT, MTT, EFTP, MSC
laurie@LCAssetManagement.com
PH: 239-785-2711
Free Presentations: www.lcassetmanagement.com
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