BLISS 2001, July 20-22, 2001

Conanicut Marina/Conanicut Yacht Club, 

Jamestown, RI.

Newsletter Summary

The BLISS 2001 Rendezvous was held in Jamestown, RI on July 20-22, 2001.  30 boats were represented, about 90 people attended,  and the weather was spectacular.    Registration began on Friday, and the moorings and slips began to fill with Island Packets from up and down the east coast of the United States.    This being the fourth annual BLISS rendezvous, it was wonderful to see the faithful attendees from prior years as well as a strong showing of new boats.

This was our largest rendezvous yet!    While lack of dock space in Conanicut Marina prevented some from seeing the scale with which beige gelcoat had begun to mass in the harbor,  it was clear that people found this an attractive location.    Boats from as far away as North Carolina, Seattle, Hyannis and Hingham attended.  

On Friday night, there was a "Pizza dock party" for the boats who had arrived.   15 pizzas arrived along with soft drinks.  Various boats brought salads, snacks and hot dishes to share.   About 40 people gathered on the docks and shared conversation and pizza slices.

On Saturday morning, three seminars were conducted in the Jamestown recreation center across the street from the marina.  

At 9:15, Charlie Russell of New England Yacht Rigging in East Greenwich, RI showed Island Packet owners how to tune their rig and what regular maintenance of the rigging should consist of. Charlie brought with him a prop sailboat to show owners what-did-what, and where it was located.  Charlie probably regrets not clearing his afternoon, because he could have tuned about 10 boats at the rendezvous that day.   Everyone was impressed with his knowledge and insights.

At 10:30 Rick Fricchione (Time Bandit - IP45-029) showed the group his "wireless internet access for Coastal cruising"  solution.  Working everywhere a cell phone works, it provides the ability to access weather, satellite, coast guard and other web sites to help you in planning your passages as well as stay in touch via e-mail. 

At 11:15 Ben Givens of Lewmar gave an update on Lewmar's recent acquisitions of Simpson Lawrence as well as the new product line of the company.   In an "undivided attention" environment, Ben demonstrated the process for breaking down the winches on an Island Packet and rebuilding them (without losing parts or having any left over). 

The group was left to lunch on their own in town or Newport, with the caveat that they be back for pictures that would begin around 1:30.   The group pictures were taken on the Newport launch ramp, with the bridge in the background.   The "packet pet" photos were then taken.

Our popular "open boat" time was difficult to accomplish given the lack of dock space at Conanicut Marina.  People walked thru the IP's at the dock, and some took the launch or a dingy out to the ones at anchor.  Our next rendezvous will have plenty of dock space!   

The packeteers began to arrive at Conanicut Yacht club around 5PM.  A cocktail party was held until about 6:30PM with people continuing to arrive during that time.  Pictures were taken on the steps of the yacht club of the group again, however in retrospect a group picture with the wonderful Newport panorama behind us would have been beautiful as well.   

Dinner was lobster, mussels, corn, potatoes, salad, chowder and a host of other savory dishes.   Those who had previously requested steak, chicken or other meals were accommodated.    During the meal, Karsten Johnson from the Island Packet factory filled the group in on new developments, new boats, and how he was grateful for not being soaked to the skin as he was in the BLISS 99' rendezvous in Essex, CT.  

After dinner, the rendezvous cake was cut, and other deserts were served.   During the coffee and cake, prizes were drawn for.   A table full of prizes ranging from key chains, golf shirts, winch handles and electronic equipment (organizers, MP3 players) was given away.   Most boats (if not all) came away winners.   Particularly lucky that night was John Rankin (Charisma - IP31) who won electronic equipment, clothing and other goodies.  

Prior to the prizes being drawn for,  some critical questions were asked of the group in the hope of getting comments and recommendations.   Rick Fricchione asked the following questions:

1. Should we fix the date and/or  location of the rendezvous?

2. Where should the next rendezvous be?

3. Should we consider an "island" location?

4. Should we allow the Island Packet powerboat into the rendezvous?

 The last question being very important in peoples minds given the recent introduction by Island Packet. ]The discussion went something like this:

1. Moving the location tends to drive the date.  If we change locations, we have to accept what dates are available.  In general people liked the change in scenary and cruising location.  We will go to different places but we may end up rotating among 5-6 well equipped marina's to keep things simple.

2. The locations suggested for the next rendezvous were Mystic Seaport & Museum and Shelter Island. Others included Block Island,  and repeating the Essex, and Stonington locations.  All will be investigated.   In order to make planning easier, we will attempt to fix the location prior to December of this year.

3. The complexity of an "island location" (Block Island, Long Island, etc) is the difficulty in driving should weather get bad or circumstances prevent people from bringing their boat.  At this rendezvous we had 2 boats who drove and various sponsors and speakers who came part time.   The group suggested we check out an island location.  

4. BLISS stands for "Block/Long Island Sound Sailing" and therefore the concern about bringing deviant fiberglass into the event.    It was agreed that if Bill Bolin and Karsten offered 2 sets of Island Packet step plates for next years rendezvous dinner, we would agree to it on a trial basis.   Assuming they did not roll the marina with their wake,  use a loudhailer at the dock, or otherwise disparage the reputation that Island Packet sailors have earned, we would allow it going forward.

On Sunday,  a group breakfast was held at "Slice of Heaven" in Jamestown.   About 20 people attended and enjoyed conversation, coffee and excellent breakfast dishes.   The weather being extremely cooperative during the weekend, most sat at tables outside and basked in the sunshine and fresh air while eating.  Some boats left that morning trying to catch a fair tide thru the race and Watch Hill Passage.

At 10:30 the dingy scavenger hunt was held.   With first prize being an MP3 player, there were aggressive teams ready and willing to push their competition aside in the bid to come back with all the required "stars". At 11:00, after explaining the rules and wishing them well, the inflatables left the dock (imagine the movie Apocolpyse Now with the helicopters and Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" as background music) with fanfare and dash.   Jack and Cindy Ward (Calista - IP38) won first prize, with close seconds and thirds being recorded.

At Noon the rendezvous concluded and boats began to leave in a strong breeze and bright sunshine.  Another successful rendezvous, and another year of building new friends and re-acquainting ourselves with old ones.

Special thanks to Doug Wielhower of Eastern Yacht Sales and Dick Waterhouse of Hellier Yacht Sales. Without your help, we could not have done it. 

BLISS 2001 Group Pictures

BLISS 2001 Boat Pictures

BLISS 2001 Seminar Pictures

Charlie Russell from New England Yacht Rigging showing the group tuning tricks and maintenance procedures for Island Packets.

Rick Fricchione showing the group wireless internet access (WWW) techniques from coastal waters.

Ben Givens from Lewmar showing the group how to take apart (and rebuild without losing parts) winches.

BLISS 2001 Rendezvous Dinner Pictures

BLISS 2001 Dingy Scavenger Hunt

BLISS 2001 Scenery

BLISS 2001 Publications

BLISS 2001 Attendees