41st Annual Melbourne Gam - November 11-13, 2016

by SSCA on 13 Sep 2016 It’s time for SSCA’s biggest party of the year. Join your fellow SSCA members and cruising enthusiasts on Florida’s beautiful Space Coast at the Eau Gallie Civic Center in Melbourne, Florida (1551 Highland Ave) and enjoy three days of nautical fun with presentations from fellow cruisers and industry experts, cocktail parties and food, and of course shopping. The Civic Center is right on the ICW with plenty of room for anchoring and a free dinghy dock just steps away.

Topics this year include Circumnavigation, Cruising the French Canals, the Western Caribbean, Fiji, Medical, the Art of Creative Photography, a Women’s Forum and more. Seasoned cruisers and industry experts will be on hand to present and answer questions about Anchoring Techniques, Cruising Sails and Sailmaking, and WINLINK Global Messaging System Updates.

This year’s Gam will feature Circumnavigators David and Marcie Lynn who will receive the Seven Seas Award. This award signifies the highest international recognition to a cruising sailor whose experiences on the sea demonstrate a deep commitment to good seamanship and an understanding of his ship and environment. Selection is on a worldwide basis and is not restricted to SSCA members. Since SSCA came into existence over 60 years ago this honor has been awarded in only about one-third of those years.

In 2015 Marcie and David completed a circumnavigation that included rounding all five of the Great Southern Capes, an unusual accomplishment for cruisers. The Lynns are known for their off-the-beaten-track cruising. They’ve put nearly 80 000 miles under the keel and have been living aboard and cruising since 2000.

Also, the prestigious Southbound II award will be presented to both Chris Parker and Lee Chesneau. This award was created to recognize individuals and/or organizations whose volunteer efforts have rendered a valuable service to the well-being of the blue water sailing community and is presented on a periodic basis when merited.

Lee Chesneau is a senior marine meteorologist with a degree in meteorology from the prestigious University of Wisconsin. In addition to a career as a naval officer serving on two aircraft carriers as a meteorological and oceanographic officer, Lee has distinguished and extensive career with NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), NOAA Satellite Service (NESDIS), and as a Route Analyst for a commercial weather and ship routing company (Ocean Routes, Inc.).

Today, Lee is an accomplished U.S. Coast Guard certified instructor for basic and advanced meteorology at several continuing training institutions for professional mariners, taught to international standards established by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Standards Training Certification and Watch-Standing for Seafarers (STCW) programs. Combining his extensive professional career with his accumulated experience Lee has adapted his material and teaching style significantly to become a primary instructor with the SSCA’s Seven Seas U online webinar program to meet the needs of the recreational cruising community. Since its inception in 2009, Lee has generously presented at SSCA’s gams both in Melbourne and Annapolis year after year. This award is our way of thanking Lee for his commitment and adaptability to the cruising community

Chris Parker is a source of many things to the cruising community. There is, of course, 'weather forecasting,' but also words such as friendly, reliable, caring, patient and generous come to mind. Chris's Marine Weather Center provides forecasts for cruisers six days a week, every week, via SSB voice, email, or telephone. He provides more than just a forecast, but also routing options when they exist, and recommendations as to the best day to begin a passage. He never fails to come to the aid of a boater in trouble, whether predicting, based on currents and winds, where a missing vessel might be found, or providing the best route for a cruiser to use in order to escape a hazardous weather system. He has been more than generous with his talents as a seminar speaker at SSCA Gams, seemingly whenever asked. We wish to acknowledge and thank Chris Parker for his service to the blue-water cruising community with the Southbound II award.

To register for the SSCA Melbourne Gam or for more information visit website.

Schedule:

Thursday afternoon (Nov. 10)

Before the official start of the Gam, SSCA is sponsoring the Heading South Gathering, this time at the Melbourne Gam in Florida where both new and experienced cruisers can gather and talk about their plans for heading south. If you are new to cruising, you will want to pick the brains of SSCA’ers who have been out a while and know the ropes. If you have made the trip south to the Bahamas or the Caribbean, you can share your knowledge and help new cruisers avoid the pitfalls. We’ll meet at the Eau Gallie Public Library at 3 p.m. Afterwards, the group will migrate to Squid Lips Bar next door, just a short walk from the Eau Gallie Civic Center (location of the Melbourne Gam) for Happy Hour. All of this is happening on Thursday, Nov. 10, before the official start of the Melbourne Gam.

Friday (Nov. 11)

The Vendor Area will be in the gym on Friday and Saturday. Take advantage of “boat show” discounted prices. Seminars will be held on Friday and Saturday and Roundtable discussions on Sunday morning.

Saturday (Nov. 12)

Happy Hour follows our Annual General Meeting, which will be held at 4 p.m. and is open to all members, both Associates and Commodores. Meet the SSCA Board of Directors and join us as we review the past and plan for the future.

Saturday night will feature a gourmet buffet dinner offered for $23.50 per person. Though we encourage everyone to attend dinner, those who choose to dine elsewhere may return after dinner to enjoy the after-dinner presentation to SSCA circumnavigators and recipients of our prestigious Seven Seas Award, Marcie and David Lynn of S/V Nine of Cups and participate in our annual fundraising auction.

Sunday (Nov. 13)

Our rain-or-shine Nautical Flea Market will be held in the gym. Pricing for tables is $10 members/$20 non-members. Concurrent with the flea market Gam registrants may attend our popular Round Table Discussions both technical and destination, hosted by presenters who’ve been there. Complimentary Ham Exams will be offered Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Local Boater Option Registration

We expect to have a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer to explain the Local Boater Option program and to register interested cruisers for their Local Boater Option card. If you are a U.S. citizen, signing up for the LBO will facilitate your entry into the U.S. from a foreign country. Once you have obtained a BR#, your entry into the U.S. can be processed over the phone by CBP. If you’d like to register, please bring a U.S. government-issued ID, such as a U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, or driver’s license and birth certificate, as well as your boat's documentation papers.

Looking for Dockage?

Waterline Marina is offering SSCA members a special rate. It is the only marina within walking distance of the Eau Gallie Civic Center, with sidewalks the entire way. The marina is kept spotless and the bathrooms have just been redone. Contact the dockmaster at 321-254-0452. Lat/Lon: near 28 07.342 N, 080 37.789.