FWYC Letter Log February 2018 | Page 14

Fort Walton Yacht Club Letter Log February 2018 30° 25.60’N 86° 35.58’W What Do All These Letters Mean? Many members of the Fort Walton Yacht Club have grown to know the Club as FWYC. It is certainly easier to write than “the Fort Walton Yacht Club,” and this abbreviated form of a yacht club’s name is used extensively throughout the country by other yacht clubs. The name of our club is not the only abbreviation or initials used in everyday life at FWYC. Often these abbreviations are confusing to members. So, here is more than you ever wanted to know about the initials used at FWYC. FCYC – The Florida Council of Yacht Clubs is dedicated to promoting fair boating laws and safer waterways for the boating public, but it is also an organization that fosters reciprocity between thir- ty-six yacht clubs in Florida. These member clubs offer one night free at their docks, the use of their club while a guest there and the ability to charge back to your home club. Some of these clubs have strict dress codes and a phone call to the club is always a good idea whether traveling by boat or car. FCYC offers cruises, and other adventures to member club participants. Check out information on the FWYC bulletin board. The FCYC Directors meet six times each year at various clubs throughout the state. Visit the FCYC website, floridacouncilofyachtlcubs.com, where you will find an interactive map of all FCYC clubs. This website addition was developed by our own Paul Eugenio. GYA – The Gulf Yachting Association is an organization of yacht clubs and sailing clubs in an area from Houston, TX to St. Petersburg, FL and north to Roland, AR, Jackson, MS, and Birmingham, AL. The GYA is the yachting arm of our club. We host the Meigs Regatta each year which is our GYA Capdevielle Regatta. Members of FWYC travel to other GYA clubs throughout the year for regattas in the Viper 640 as well as other one-design boats representing FWYC. There are thirty-five member clubs in the GYA, and many offer reciprocity to members of other GYA clubs. Although the reci- procity privileges of clubs in the GYA are varied, you will be welcomed by water or land. Most have restaurants, lounges and offer showers to visitors. There are 2018 GYA stickers in our office that you may place on your membership card to let the other GYA clubs know you are a GYA club member. Check with each club before visiting is the best policy. Visit their website, www.gya.org to find more information about the member clubs or upcoming regattas. Want to stop writing a check to pay your monthly club bill? Stop by the office and pick up the auto- matic bank withdrawal form. Fill it out and your Club bill will be paid automatially each month for you. How sweet is that? 14