The Albany Yacht Club is excited to announce new forums. We hope these new forums will re-ignite vibrant discussions on boating, and we have packed the new forum with new features to inspire just that. We divided and named some categories to try to make the forums more useful for our community. We built this platform as a place for all our members and non-members boat enthusiasts to communicate with each other, share the unique ways you are using your boating skills, and learn best practices and excellent tips and tricks from one another.

Now, let’s get familiar with the layout. Under the main topic on the main menu, under - “Boating,” you will find four main categories. You can access them by clicking the links on the submenu or the links below.

Docking a boat: Here, we exchange our experiences, tips, tricks, and best practices regarding our encounters with docks. How do you approach it, what do you avoid, etc.?

Going Places: We all know that the Albany Yacht Club is the best and most beautiful marina on the Hudson River. But what other places have you landed? What was your experience? What other marinas would you recommend visiting?

Equipment and Electronics: Did you purchase a new GPS, Glass Display, or radio? What is your experience with it? Are you happy, or do you have some complaints? Maybe you are not sure why it is doing what it is doing. You could advise other users on its use and installation.

All Things Boating: Here, you can enjoy friendly conversations with other forum members and boaters on marine-related topics, boats, and boating in general. Your imagination and curiosity are the only limits.

Our forums are new and populated with just an initial question only. Could I challenge you to respond to one of those questions? Let’s get the conversation going.

Of course, nobody is perfect, so please give us feedback and comments on how we can improve; all suggestions are welcome.

AYC’s website is where members connect. To help our members make more of these connections, we’re introducing Buy and Sell Marketplace, a convenient destination to discover, buy, and sell boating-related items with people in our marine community. Marketplace will make it easy to find new things you’ll love and find a new home for the things you’re ready to part with. We’ll continue to build new options and features to make this the best experience for all our members. We’ve all got marine stuff we don’t use, never used, or will not use anymore. Why not sell it or trade it instead? It takes just minutes, and listings are free and available to all Albany Yacht Club members. Remember, one person’s trash could be another person’s treasure. You can list anything boating- and marine-related, from parts to boat equipment to boats.

But remember, somebody else must list it first for someone to find a new thing. This is a brand-new area of our brand-new website. Please use it!

To visit Marketplace, tap on the link here.

For your planning…….

• The canal system is scheduled to open for the 2024 season on Friday, May 17, 2024 (subject to weather conditions).
• It is scheduled to close on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

NYS Canal System has been designated a National Historic Landmark. The designation places New York's operating canals among the premier historic sites in the United States.

The National Historic Landmark designation includes the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca canals. Direct successors of canals built during the 1820s, these waterways were enlarged to their current dimensions between 1905 and 1918. They remain in service today passing commercial and pleasure vessels between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.

The NYS Canal System is remarkable in its span, scope, and historical integrity. The National Historic Landmark designation includes 450 miles of navigation channels and 552 contributing structures and buildings that operate today largely as they did when the system went into operation in 1918. The NYS Canal System's navigation channels, locks, lift bridges, dams, power houses, and maintenance shops together represent a significant, distinctive, and exceptional entity.

During our regular monthly Membership Meeting on Tuesday, February 13th at 7:00 p.m. members had an opportunity to preview a new Albany Yacht Club’s website and all its' new features. The website, which includes news, forums and even calendars, among other improvements, will be available to Membership to test it before it goes live in March of this year.

Are you ready for your spring cleaning? Do you have bunches of deposit bottles piling up? You can use them to help your Club. Bring them to 6 Center Redemption, 550 South St., in Rensselaer, and tell them to credit the Albany Yacht Club. They are open Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00 and Saturday 9:00 - 2:00.

Every month, we at the Albany Yacht Club pick a different country or region and make that food for you. Treat yourself to an edible trip! These fun, flavorful dinners will take your taste buds on a worldwide journey and may introduce your family to some exciting cuisines. Experience the tastes and cultures of a new nation on the last Friday of every month. Think outside the box the next time you think of eating your dependable chicken or hamburger. Gathering for a meal with family and friends is a tradition that transcends cultures, from Italy to Poland. Consider your next dinner party at the Albany Yacht Club as an opportunity to explore another culture and ethnic background and a chance to sit down with your family and see your friends.

Each meal is $15-$18. Includes main course and dessert. Online registration will be open two weeks before each event.

Examples of articles might include (but shouldn’t be limited to):

• An interview with a member;
• An article about our history;
• An article about another Mohawk Hudson Council club;
• An article about a boating trip you took at some point;
• An article on boat maintenance or repair;
• Information on Hudson River or boating related businesses.
• And if you have any pics from last year, or ten years ago, or from any time in our 150 year history - I’d love to see them.

Express your interest in helping, or just send an article or pics, to c.labattsimon@gmail.com.

Dock Applications Due February 28th

Important Date: All boaters need to get their dock applications in, along with payment and proof of insurance, by FEBRUARY 28th. If you are a day late, you pay a penalty. Click here for a copy of the application.

Blessing of the Fleet

We're working to set up a "Blessing of the Fleet" for all AYC boats in June - date to be determined. All boaters who are interested would take their boat out, line up and pass by one of the T's to have their boat non-denominationally blessed by a local chaplain.  We would also be having a contest for the best decorated boat. This would be followed by a pot luck lunch. If you have an interest in helping to coordinate this event (all social and boating members welcome to help), please e-mail c.labattsimon@gmail.com.

Captain’s Course

We're looking to run a CAPTAIN’S COURSE (also know as the six pack or OUPV) most likely in April or May. It would be two consecutive weekends with class all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, followed by an exam during the week. If you have an interest, please e-mail c.labattsimon@gmail.com.