Optimist Sailing Dingy -Vero Beach Yacht Club -Built by Judy Allan

NOTE: The text was copied from the " The Siren a publication of the VBYC." August/September 2011
Member Florida Council of Yacht Clubs Volume 31 Issue 7

http://www.verobeachyachtclub.com/Newsletters/2011/Siren08-09-11.pdf

Optimist Sailing Dingy -Vero Beach Yacht Club - Built by Judy Allan

Judy Allan stands beside the first boat she has ever built, an Optimist Sailing Dingy, aptly named for the Vero Beach Yacht Club, which was her sponsor. Judy shared that she became involved with building the Optimist Sailing Dingy earlier this year at the request of Dan Thomas, the Vice Chairman/Director of the Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, Inc. This was the first time Judy had built a boat and she thoroughly  enjoyed the process, except perhaps for all the sanding.  She worked a half hour or several hours at a time and so it took her over six months to finish.  An observer can tell that a good portion of that time was spent using a brush to apply many coats of varnish, an effort which greatly enhanced the boat’s appearance. Judy found everyone she worked with to be both helpful and fun and she is now ready to build another one. Her first boat will soon be going into the fleet of Optis that are available for children to sail through the Youth Sailing Foundation.  Way to go Judy!  She is a beauty!

The OPTI 420

Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County Seeking Support

Some of you may have already heard about the successful Summer Camp Program held at the Moorings by the Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County.  The sponsors as well as the kids who attended learned much. Even the parents learned something.

Heard on the water during this learning experience was the need for larger boats. Who said that? It seems that the parents saw how much fun the kids were having and after many nights of listening to the kids about the days on the water started thinking about getting out on the water.

So here comes the good news. There is another size OPTI class known as the 420, just for that purpose. It seems that the folks at YSF took it seriously and so they have a request of the local entusiats.

The Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, Inc. has received a matching grant from Heisman Trust to be used for the purchase of two larger sailboats (420's).  The “420's” are needed for the children who either become too old or too large to race the 8 foot Opti sailing dinghies YSF now uses.  Any donations made between now and December 15, 2011 will be matched dollar for dollar by the Heisman Trust up to a maximum amount of $7,500.00.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution can do so or by mailing a check to Youth Sailing Foundation,  P.O. Box 612,  Vero Beach, FL 32961 or by credit card at http://ysfirc.org/support.asp .

Since YSF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, donations are eligible as charitable deductions for income tax purposes.  YSF greatly appreciates the continuing support from our generous donors.