Fleet Captain Sails

Hi. I'm Randy Lewis. I've been asked to coordinate the Fleet Captain program at Manhattan Sailing Club this season.

This is my 9th season at MSC and the Fleet Captain program has always been an important part of my experience at the club. I believe that our dockmasters do a great job in matching members with Fleet Captains every day and in doing their best to see that our members get out on the water.

However, I'm interested in hearing more about the experiences that our members, captains and crew alike, have on the water. I'm sure that there are lessons that can be learned and improvements that can be made to the program.

I know that I learn something new every time I go for a FC sail with fellow members. I hope that among us we can bring new ideas to the program to assist our members toward achieving their sailing goals this year.

When you see me at the Mermaid say hello and let me know what you're thinking! Thanks.

List of active Fleet Captain Skippers

Thank you to these great skippers who are volunteering as Fleet Captains in 2010. Some skippers also have their profile here:
Patty Bryan
Ted Wallace
TJ Shea
Javier de Miguel
Janice Taylor
Lori Ruderman
Peter Wechter
James Sinclair
John Good
Boris Kavlakov
Ran Hilai
Andy Zangle
Ray Pennotti
Bob Trien
Al Talamini
Doug Moy
Neil Kelliher
William Lipscomb
Kinya Tago
Dan Apfel
Randy Lewis
Doug Bell
Peter Abelman (since 2010)
Prudence Thiry (since 2010)

How does the program work?

Boats are reserved for Fleet Captain every sailing session except on Tuesday and Wednesday race nights. Skippers and crew make reservations using the standard reservation link on the Club website. The Club Member Services Director and Dockmasters allocate crew to skippers. Skipper members can sign up as Fleet Captains for more than one sailing session; Regular Members sign up as crew and can maintain a reservation for single session but can sign up for another one as soon as they return from a sail. Guests are not permitted – this is a program for members only.

One major way in which we aim to improve the program is to have more skippers sign up for a regular weekly slot in the same way that racing skippers do. If you are a Skipper Member and would like to volunteer for a regular slot, please use the ‘Volunteer to be a Fleet Captain Skipper’ link above. If you cannot commit to a regular slot, please do sign up for individual sessions.

Fleet Captain Sail Cancellation Policy

A five dollar charge will be assessed to any member who signs up for a Fleet Captain sail but does not show up without canceling the reservation. A member that does not show up takes an opportunity to sail from another member and inconveniences fellow crew. Cancellation can be made by sending an email to Dockmaster@myc.org or by calling the club on (212) 786 3323.

- Cancellations for morning and afternoon sails must be received before 4:00pm on the day before.

- Cancellations for evening sails must be received before noon of the same day.

Cancellations will not be required if it is actually raining at North Cove in the three hours before the sail is scheduled, though note that many skippers are willing to sail in rain, provided it is not a thunderstorm, and will still welcome crew.

Fleet Captain Program