Two Ways to Go Sailing at HYC If You Don't Own a Boat

We're adding more ways for Intermediate and Social members to get out on the water.

For years, HYC's Old Salts afternoons have given members and non-members weekday opportunities to sail on members' boats and then socialize at the Clubhouse.

Now, the Sailing Ambassador program gives HYC members--especially Social and Intermediate members--a chance to go sailing on weekends, as well.

To Go Sailing (for Volunteer Crew)

HYCers interested in either the Sailing Ambassador or Old Salts opportunities can find both posted on the New York Metro Sailors page at MeetUp.com.

To take part, first sign up for MeetUp. It's free. You can do it on the web, or download the MeetUp app.

Then go to the MeetUp  New York Metro Sailors page, join our group (under the leadership of member David Reitman), bookmark it, and look to see what sails are scheduled.

Check the dates and times, and click a sail that appeals to you.

Weekday Old Salts sails are group affairs. Typically, several skippers will go out, and crew will be apportioned among the available boats. It usually works out. The boats usually sail independent courses, and then all return to the club for drinks or a meal.

Weekend Sailing Ambassador trips are offered on individual boats, so attendance is limited. Again, sign up by clicking on the event listing. The skipper should let you know if space is still available.

Those are the basics.

To Host Sails (for Boat Owners)

Old Salts. If you want to offer the hospitality of your boat for a weekday Old Salts outing, message impressario David Reitman via the MeetUp New York Metro Sailors.

Sailing Ambassador. If you would like to take other HYC members out for Sailing Ambassador sails, you should also sign up for New York Metro Sailors at MeetUp.com. Then register as an "Event Organizer" by contacting MeetUp power users Eyal Segal (At Last, Catalina 30) or David Reitman (Lady Kat, O'Day 28).

When you become an Event Organizer, check under "Draft Events" for an event template ["TEMPLATE: Sail on the yacht [name] at the Harlem Yacht Club (for HYC Members)"] You can copy, paste, and edit this as necessary to offer to take other members out.

A few notes for creating events:

• You can upload a picture of your boat if you want. Or a shot of yourself at the helm.

• For Sailing Ambassador sails, ask respondents to confirm that they are HYC members. We don't want to ask people for their actual member numbers for privacy reasons.

• Set the attendee limit to "1" - this will make all the guests start as waitlisted and then you can select which one(s) you want to confirm for the event.

• You can set the RSVPs function to open and close applications when you wish, or you can keep receiving responses until you sail.

For technical questions about Sailing Ambassadors, please contact Eyal Segal (eyalsegalus@gmail.com).