Fleet Captain Sails

Fleet Captain is a great way to meet new members, learn from each other while spending an afternoon or evening sailing.

Hi, I’m James Sinclair. This year, Commodore Michael Fortenbaugh has appointed me as Fleet Captain Director for the club.

I have participated actively in the Fleet Captain program since 2002, sailing most weekends and on many weekday evenings since then. I usually skipper a boat, but equally enjoy crewing for other members, learning and sharing experiences.

My role as Fleet Captain Director is to ensure the high quality of the program, provide feedback to the Commodore and his staff as well as to encourage participation by new Fleet Captain skippers.

I am just one of many people who participate in the Fleet Captain program as skippers and crew. Our main objective is to ensure that all members are able to sail as often as possible. We aim also to provide an educational experience that allows members an opportunity to practice their sailing skills and knowledge.

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.

The Fleet Captain program is working well. Every week, almost all members who wish to go sailing are able to do so. We are very interested in hearing your feedback on how to improve the program further still. If you have comments or ideas, please contact me either in person at the club or by emailing me.

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