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May 2026 | 'The Neuse Juice' | Volume 53 Number 4 |
Commodore's Log The 2026 cruising season has begun! Based on the pictures I have seen of the the cruise to Slocum Creek to watch the air show, the season has started off very well. I certainly had it on my calendar at the start of the year and was disappointed at not being able to join those who did make it. Although my leg was not quite sea (or even river) worthy for that cruise, it is healing well and I have my fingers crossed that we will be able to participate in the Memorial Day cruise out to the Cape. I hope many of you are making plans to join cruise captains, Jean & Erik, also. If you did not get a chance to attend the Oriental Boat Show last month, I can report that there were many others who did. The NCO table featuring all three Oriental boat clubs drew a fair amount of interest; especially on Saturday. We had about 10 people/couples sign up for more information. If you know any boaters who have expressed interest in NSA but have yet to join, encourage them to join the club and benefit from the great cruises that are still upcoming. In addition to the Cape for Memorial Day, consider Ocracoke on June 5th or Cape Lookout again on July 4th. The July cruise has week long option down south to New Hanover and, possibly, Brunswick, County. Three Quarter Time should certainly be ready for those. Check out their descriptions on the NSA website. See everyone on the water soon! Rick Edwards 
Membership Log The season is underway! We hosted a well attended annual New Member Social last month where members who have joined within the past year got to meet the current board members and each other. We heard a little bit about everyone’s sailing journeys and answered questions about the club. We look forward seeing all of our members - new and returning - on cruises this season. Please help me welcome our members who joined within the past month! Corporate Members
Patron Members
Yacht Members
Lost your name tag? You can order a new one through our website for just $5. Liz Mason
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Cruising Log Dear fellow water-borne transport enthusiasts, Two cruises down so much more to come! Wow we’ve had a great season so far. Sincere thanks to our cruise captains and cruise attendees for the well-structured and attended events on Southwest Creek and at the Cherry Point Air Show. I especially appreciated the expert tutelage of the Hardtle’s as Liz and I experienced our first raft-up with Knot Shore as planes whizzed by overhead. Don’t forget to watch the spreaders! Coming up next is the NSA’s annual (one of several this year) pilgrimage to Cape Lookout for Memorial Day weekend. For those new to sailing, this trip is a fantastic mix of intercoastal waterway navigation (watch out for that speeding sport fisher’s wake!) sandwiched between sailing across the mighty Neuse and then out into the Atlantic, however briefly, from Beaufort to the Cape. The view of the NSA fleet as it emerges into the ocean and takes wing is one of my favorite visual memories of previous Cape Lookout adventures. Just a quick point of emphasis for those that haven’t ventured out of Beaufort before, timing the exit and entry to coincide with favorable wind and tide conditions is critical. If you haven’t seen what the waves can do off Fort Macon when those primal forces stand in opposition, you really don’t want to see if from the heaving deck of your boat for the first time! No cause for alarm or stress however as the Whatsapp group and other communication channels (VHF 72, personal calls and texts to the Cruise Captain Hardtle's, semaphore) will be replete with recommended windows and the experiences of fellow NSA’ers as they transit. After Lookout, we have what I think is our first organized event to the Ocrafolk festival as a club although Ocracoke is one of the crown jewels of every NSA cruising season. The anchorage in Silver Lake is substantial so don’t let a lack of slips at the marina (if you wanted one) or the inability to reserve government dock space (there is almost always a vacancy and earlier NSA arrivals are always happy to help shoehorn another boat in) deter you from making the trip. As with many of our cruises, weather is a key factor in planning for a successful passage to the isle, so register early and get on the appropriate communications forums to do your part to fuel the wind and waves speculation as the date approaches. With that, I’m off to change the oil on Jane Danger so she’s ready for the ICW motor this coming weekend. We look forward to seeing y’all on cruises to come! Rich Mason
(for more pics click here for the Facebook Album) Cruise Captains: Cara & Jason Keys
(for more pics click here for the Facebook Album)
The fleet gathered this past weekend for the Air Show Cruise, and despite some uncertain forecasts, it turned out to be a fantastic outing on the water. With approximately a dozen boats in attendance, the anchorage was lively and full of spirit.
Navigation & Weather
The weather proved to be the first pleasant surprise of the weekend. While the skies remained mostly cloudy, conditions were much nicer than expected, with only a brief, negligible drizzle in the late morning.
Due to a consistent South wind, the fleet opted for the comfort of the Neuse River. We dropped anchor near the Officer's Club rather than venturing into Slocum Creek, which provided a stable vantage point for the day's festivities.
Socializing & Fleet Highlights
The social atmosphere was high, bolstered by the fact that some drinks were consumed throughout the afternoon.
 Island Girl made a strong showing as a day-tripper, bringing along a lively crew of twelve.
 Jane Danger and Knot Shore opted for a classic raft-up.
Most other vessels chose to anchor apart, with crews using dinghies to hop between boats and visit friends.
In a move that provided the day's most baffling entertainment, Rich decided to bypass the dinghy entirely.
 For reasons that remain a mystery to onlookers, he leaped from Island Girl and swam back to Jane Danger, leaving Liz behind with their dinghy and oars.
The Show
While the primary choreography was designed for the crowds on base, the "river view" did not disappoint. Various jets and helicopters banked over the water, providing the fleet with decent viewing and plenty of roar.
The undisputed highlight, however, was the Blue Angels.
 Their performance was absolutely terrific, capping off the afternoon with the precision and power they are world-famous for.
Thank you to everyone who attended! Those who made the trip were rewarded with a fun, memorable weekend. See you at the next one!
Cruise Captains: Bruce & Kay Nuechterlein
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The weather was warm and the wind was light so we thankfully avoided any rain the majority of the weekend. Saturday was spend leisurely except for setting up the camp in anticipation of the social on the beach. That didn’t disappoint and we had good food, good music and good company. 
Most left before dark, but a few stayed to enjoy the gas firepit, smores and the glow of the solar lights strung in the trees. The next morning if you left early, you got to avoid the Nasty Neuse, but for those who left later, they had a wild ride. All got rained on but made it safely back into their slips. Thanks for a great kickoff to the 2026 sailing season. 
Communications Log (aka website) How to:
(or ask the VC of Communications to make a Facebook Album for you) Neuse Juice Newsletter If you missed something going on with the club,... catch up here -> Our past Newsletters “The Neuse Juice” Please send your stories and photos to vccommunications@neusesailingassociation.org, and add "Neuse Juice" in the subject line. Erik Hardtle
1974 Gulfstar
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Social Media Log & Chandlery
I hope everyone has a meaningful Memorial Day and be safe in your travels. Those of you that are going on the Memorial Day cruise to Camp Lookout, take plenty of pictures. Please post your pictures on our Facebook group for all to enjoy! For any of our new members that have not joined our Facebook group yet, please do so! It is a private group for our members only so be sure to answer the questions when requesting to join to avoid being automatically denied.
Just a reminder that Christa Kreutz is handing our merchandise orders now. If you would like to order some new tee shirts and/or koozies for the upcoming cruise, just go to Marketplace on our website. Christa will get in touch with you regarding delivery of your items.
This Memorial Day let’s remember those that sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
Kathy Kenny
Vice Commodore - Social Media & Merchandise
S/V Cool Change
Nautical Lore and More
Aloof: To be in a state of indifference.
History: Coming from the Old Dutch ‘loef’, meaning windward, this term was used when referring to a ship sailing higher to the wind and becoming separated from the rest of the fleet.
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Neuse Sailing Association | PO Box 253 | Oriental, NC 28571