Bay Yacht Club

The Bay Yacht Club offers its members chances to participate in organized group cruises to local destinations around and/or near Corpus Christi Bay. After reaching the destinations, cruisers will either anchor out, raft up and have a party on a host boat or if, in a marina, head for a local restaurant for a meal together.

Express your ideas and thoughts about the destinations, entertainment and questions by signing into the 2010 Cruising Forum.

by Johnny Huddleston - Cruise Captain Coordinator

Mud Island is the first destination on Saturday. Those wanting to return to Ingleside Sunday to shorten the trip home Monday can gather and join up there  on the beach or the covered area at Bahia Marina. The pool at Ingleside is available. Ingleside makes the trip back to CC a later in the morning departure.

Those that prefer not to make the trip to Mud Island can tie up and power up  at either Island Mooring or Port A.

If anyone is concerned about the temp I have a windscoop or 3 that I will loan for the anchor out. Remember last year we had a North wind.

Wild racers and cruisers, hot windy weather, a titanic race, a cool night and a big party made the best ingredients for another great BYC Cruise weekend. Six BYC race boats, Elan, Tom Kat, Pazuzu, Windswept, Still Dreamin' and Kerry Ann participated in the race events while cruisers Honky Voodoo, Merlin, Adagio, Starfish, Live Free, Avalon, Concerto and Cabaret participated in the "let's have fun events" at the Naval Air Station basin.This year's on shore party at the Officer's club was even said to be better with great food, music and a little quieter crowd. Why you could even hear the speakers. 

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by Tammy Swart

The 2010 Bastille Day Celebration at Ingleside On the Bay was well attended this year. The weather forecast was favorable and accurate. A good time was had by all eating Pot Luck and dancing the night away to songs by Larry Joe Taylor. The mosquitos were out in droves and many revelers made it only to watch the burning of the Bastille, then fled to the anchored boats.

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by Johnny Huddleston - Cruise Captain Coordinator

The Father's Day Cruise/Race was pulled off with only a few hitches. The weather sailing over Friday was a bit windy and bumpy crossing the bay. Concerto was well loaded with provisions for the cookout so no real drama. That 40 pounds of Charcoal was a real hassle in the main salon. Extra ice chests were stored in the cockpit making things a bit crowded. We arrived to find Elan and SeaFlight tied to the long dock. As the day progressed Still Dreamin, Merlin and Tom Kat arrived. Tom Kat came in singlehanded by Doug Weakly. He said the trip over was wet and bumpy. 

Now all that was needed was to assure there was enough room for Eau De Vie to tie up on the long dock. I had it covered. Tally Ho, Hail Columbia, Honky Voodoo and Windswept tied up on the new transient docks. As usual the evening "dock crawl" began.

Saturday, Cynthia and I opted out of the offshore race since we needed to make sure all was setup for the Fajita dinner we had planned. All boats departed by 1030 heading offshore for the race. Seems only 2 MORF boats showed, Passion and Tom Kat. Several boats from RYC made the trip over for the race and dinner. Cynthia found several others to assist slicing and dicing the veggies and avocados. I must say they did whip up some tasty guacamole. Cynthia and I made up the Pico de gallo to make things a bit easier. By 1630 cooking began. Harry and Linda took over the chore of cooking the fajitas. 

Serving started on time and did the diners dig in. The menu was fajitas, tortillas, guacamole, pico, grilled onions/bell peppers, beans and iced tea. Doug Weakly provided the beer compliments of MORF. From the number that returned for seconds it appeared everyone was pleased with the spread. 

Cynthia and I remarked "who is doing the spread next time".

by Johnny Huddleston - Cruise Captain Coordinator

In January, when I planned up the Cruise Calendar for BYC I made "Fall Back" plans for weather conditions. I remembered last Memorial Day when BYC cruised to Rockport and Fulton. While in Fulton we had rain and up the coast severe weather rolled offshore. We had no such events for this Memorial Day at Mud Island. The weather turned out fantastic. Nights were cool enough that those aboard slept well. 

Friday Cynthia and I set off for Ingleside but left early enough to make Mud Island by 1830. Griffin with Ken and Carrie Sharp were already anchored. Cynthia and I were invited to Griffin for a great terriaki chicken dinner. 

Saturday morning we were up looking over the horizon to spot any early boats. Our ears were tuned to the VHF for any callers for directions. By late afternoon all but Tempest and Adagio were anchored. The attending boats showing up Saturday were Concerto, Cabaret, Elan, Eau De Vie, Griffin, Hail Columbia, Kerrie Ann, Lion in the Sun, On~On, Seaflight, Warrior and Windswept. Three of the newer members, Adagio, Lion in the Sun and On~On made the trip. The Host boat for the evening was Cabaret with Harry, Linda and (mom) Connie showing grand hospitality. Hot dogs, loads of tasty snacks and of course everyone brought their choice of beverage. Cabaret was loaded and I thought to myself with the participation we have had on recent cruises someone needs to buy a really large boat. The party continued until after dark when several pesky "skeeters" came in for dinner causing folks to scatter to the boats.

Sunday morning things began to buzz. By early afternoon a swim line formed on the back of Seaflight. Of course Linda's mother, Connie was in form hangin with the group. By 1530 folks began to show on the beach with their party goods. During the afternoon Adagio and Tempest showed for the party on the beach. 

Two competitions were lined up. The first was a Hermit crab race. Several of the group had gathered a bucket of crabs. The serious trainers had their thoroughbreds well marked, so I thought. I marked the circle with my trusty "Moses Stick" and the race was on. A slow start for the critters but when the first three entries hit the finish line no one could identify their race crab. I guess it will be called a DNF.

The "Plumber's Helper" beer holder was a hit all entries were very creative. Ken Sharp did the judging honors since he had no entry and he did not know who belonged to which holder. I (John H) was chosen as 1st, Amanda 2nd with her functional entry and Brenda Hiler 3rd. 

We cooked all the meat each had brought to the beach on the grill at the RYC palapa. Loads of fun and plenty of stories. 

As usual the skeeters showed and drove us all to our boats.

Monday all the boats pulled anchor and headed back to CC. Elan had planned their cruise to continue on to South Padre for the week. I heard they had engine problems and ended up in Port A with the assistance of Seaflight and crew.

As I have said before, "If you don't go on the Cruises you are the ones that miss the fun".

Start making plans for the upcoming Father's Day Regatta in Port A June 19.

More pictures of the cruise.

by Johnny Huddleston - Cruise Captain Coordinator

Due to the prediction of inclement weather, the Wounded Warrior Day Sail was canceled, as well as all other trips for the Warriors. I will keep working on getting them here for another sail.

Good news was we still had a nice dinner with over thirty five members attending. It just so happened we could also help celebrate Richard Butler's (pictured right) birthday! There is a silver lining to every gray cloud!

The planned destination to Port A was changed since there was a scheduling conflict  with the CCYC Race event. I changed the destination to Ingleside since a place to gather for a cookout was available at the Marina Store area.

The weather forecast was not favorable at the beginning of the week but I never believe a forecast more than 3 days out and that is suspect this time of year. The sail over was a mixture of light to moderate winds. One could easily say variable in direction as well.

Hail Columbia was first to arrive and elected to tie up along side the Bahia store. Concerto arrived first in the anchorage. It did not take long for 8 BYC boats to anchor with Vahalla securing a slip in the marina. A total of 11 boat showed for the event - Concerto, Tally-Ho, Hail Columbia, SeaFlight, NoETA, Kerry Ann, Starfish, Valhalla, Adagio, Tempest and Honky Voodoo. Jake counted 28 folks for dinner. Cynthia and I brought Angus burgers for 36 so we were well covered. Jim and Sylvia brought the fixins. Brenda Hiler brought some way too good deviled eggs. The Yorks brought some tasty cupcakes and the Spence's brought great potato salad that was mighty good. A good thing Cathy and Chris drove over since we had forgotten plates so a quick call solved that dilemma. The plan was to offer fixins for a Cheeseburger in Paradise so I had to bring Heinze 57. Several questioned the use of the sauce. The recipe for the cheeseburger is in the Buffet song. Thought everyone knew the words. We did forget the Kosher dill pickles aboard Concerto.

I must say I have never cooked 36 burgers on a pit before. As usual it must have gone well since little food was left. Maybe it is due to the hearty appetites of the BYC bunch. Most of the folks began to depart before sunset. Great evening with a Waxing gibbous Moon overnight. The anchorage was cool with the breeze freshening around 0200. All boats left early to avoid the closing of the Gap at the marina for the power boat races. Mostly a motor sail back with light fluky winds. By the time Concerto reached the gap the wind had died.

More pictures of the cruise.

Get ready for the Mud Island Cruise for Memorial Day.

by John Huddleston - Cruise Captain Coordinator

The 2010 Cruising season has turned out to be not so hospitable. Our scheduled BYC Cruise to Flato Cut  was postponed due to weather. I watched the weather forecast during the week on several sites looking for signs of a moderate forecast. Cynthia, our granddaughters and I anchored out at Flato the previous weekend and conditions, a bit chilly. As Thursday approached I determined it would be a "nogo" for Concerto. I had several emails from folks that had determined it not the weekend for them either. The forecast was for windy conditions 25/30 with Sunday morning temps in the hi 30s low 40s, windy conditions from the NNW and some rain. The forecast turned out to be accurate. Adagio volunteered to be the host boat if the cruise went on as planned. In fact Dean Dominque/Adagio said later he was hopeful that the cruise was  cancelled. I did not officially cancel the cruise since I am of the opinion each Captain and their Admiral's determine a cancellation.

Since a Cruise was planned I put out a BYC membersblast to notify those interested that we could have a potluck dinner at the club. After several memberblasts from me the plan was in order. Twenty four members showed up for a pot luck. All voiced their approval of the postponement of the Cruise.

Cynthia and I made a batch of Gumbo with several additional great dishes from other members. As usual BYCers had a good feed. Pictured above are Terry Butler, Johnny Huddleston, Lisa Kelley and Sharon Peterson at the impromptu Cruise Potluck. I will try and reschedule Flato Cut for later in the year.

by Russ York

The day broke badly. Low scudding clouds shredded by a howling gale that whipped the sea into a confused caldron of frothing peaks. Determined crews made preparations to get underway despite the conditions. Mindful of the perils, but steeled in their resolve to reach their goal, the final lines were slipped. The voyage had begun…

Naaaah! None of that happened. It was a bluebird morning with a nice breeze out of the north as three intrepid boats from the BYC set out for the Crab ‘N Restaurant near Rockport off the ICW; Ron and Jo Hebert aboard La Vie Dansante, Larry Frank and his guest and crewmember William Walton on Windswept, and Doug Weakly and Amanda Horne aboard Liquid Courage. The sail was uneventful for all, motor sailing not required until after the turn at Port A. Doug did say he bumped once at the entrance of the canal leading to the restaurant off the ICW, but other than that, it sounds like everyone had a pleasant crossing on this the second cruise of BYC’s 2010 cruising destinations.

Sixteen other BYC members joined the aforementioned sailors for libations and dinner at the Crab ‘N: Commodore Harry Armenia, Rear Commodore Chip Spence and wife Brenda, BYC’s resident bard Tom Arnold, Richard and Terry Butler, Kevin and Kerry Kaldenbach, Bud and Debbie O’Brien, Jake Jacobsen and Jenny Jackson-better known as J&J, Ed and Susie Portis, and Russ and Mary Lee York.

Festivities got underway about the beginning of the second Dog Watch, that’s four bells for the naval types, 1800 hours for those familiar with 24 hr. timekeeping, and 6:00 PM for everyone else. Crab ‘N had given us the back room to ourselves. Very nice of them, but it could be they remember us from years past and wanted to keep us away from the, shall we say, less “fun loving” patrons. Sure enough, crack out of the barrel, Mary Lee was showing pictures taken on the recent Carnival cruise that form the basis of a game called “Name that Cleavage.” Ron Hebert was overheard to innocently declare after very closely scrutinizing said pictures, “I wouldn’t recognize anyone else’s except my wife’s.” Incredulous, general laughter ensued. ML now has pictures for a new game, “Name that Chest Hair.” Chip and Brenda arrived somewhat late. According to Chip, winter Texans held them up coming up the island which so spoiled his mood that he took it out on a poor, unsuspecting female security maiden on the ferry. He jollied up pretty quickly after they got to the party however. Sea stories abounded, some of them believable. The food was excellent and the camaraderie even better. If you weren’t there, you missed a good ‘un.

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