Kicking Off The 2026 Season With Full Sails

Dear LSYC Members,

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.  I look forward to seeing you out on the water and at social events during the 2026 sailing season. 

At our year end meeting in November, the Board of Directors for 2026 was installed and are listed below.  The board meets monthly to discuss LSYC business and future activities.   We have a dedicated group of volunteers that are committed to bringing you a safe, fun, engaging sailing season.    We will continue the great work Past Commodore Mark Ham accomplished during the 2024 & 2025 sailing seasons. 

Commodore	Greg Moerer
Vice Commodore	Barry Nelson
Rear Commodore	Bec Fenton
Past Commodore	Mark Ham
Treasurer	Jim McCraw
Race Committee Chair	John Borowski
Social Chair	Lisa Jewell

Your board has already met three times, tuned the calendar, launched a mentoring program, and started work on fairer PHRF ratings so that more boats feel confident sailing in regattas.  I would like to bring everyone up to speed on various club business topics:

·        80 / 80 Rule: Welcome to the new season at Lake Stockton Yacht Club, where the 80/80 rule means more chances for you to socialize, race, learn and simply enjoy being on the water.  Our goal is to expend 80 % of the club time / talent / treasure in a way that impacts or offers opportunities to 80 % of the membership on a continuing basis.  Not every event is for everyone, but in 2026 everyone will find their event.  The other 20 % is used to cover operating costs.  Our major operating costs include:  committee boat rental ($1400), insurance ($850) and website maintenance ($350). 

·       2026 Activity Calendar: the board has finalized the 2026 calendar and are working hard to plan exciting regatta races and memorable social events.   We refrained from scheduling club activities on holiday weekends.  Barry has updated the website with all the planned events.  I encourage everyone to go to the website to learn about club activities.   Lake Stockton Yacht Club | Sailing & Racing on Stockton Lake, MO.

·       Mentor Program:  Barry consulted with a group of experienced sailors and 10 members offered to provide sailing and tactics mentoring to other members in our club.  This program will be added to the website over the next few months.  Matt P suggested we also establish a Crew List for members that like to race, but not in their own boat.  This will be included in the mentor program.  Good idea Matt !       

·       Currently Barry maintains the club website.  We are looking for someone that has website maintenance experience to offer

back-up support for Barry.   Maintenance work could include adding race results, pictures, calendar changes, meeting minutes, etc.

·       PHRF Sub-Committee – John B and Paul N have a working group of ten (10) members that are updating the clubs PHRF rating table.  A long-term objective is to develop a fair rating process that will increase regatta participation.   A final draft will be discussed at the February business meeting.  This draft will be communicated to the membership, asking for comments, in March.  The final PHFR table to be published by April 1^st. 

·       A review of club financial information from 2023 and 2024 was completed and all was found in order.  Mark H and Jim M had tight control over the money transfers and expenditure required to operate the club.  We are entering the new year with an appropriate surplus in the club budget.  Many thanks to Mark and Jim for setting a good example for the new board. 

·       Fleet Day – we are going to have a fleet day in July where we would like a lot of boats on the water at the same time.  This will include a cove-up for those interested.   Personally, I want to get all the “Catalinas” together for an hour of sailing and picture taking.    

Greg Moerer

LSYC Commodore 2026