Ocean State Catalina Association
OSCA
The Ocean State Catalina Association's charter was formed in 1984 as an All Catalina Association. The association is open to Catalina owners of all sizes and associate memberships are available to owners of sailboats from other manufacturers. The founder's vision of this association was, in order of priority, education and knowledge of sailing Catalina yachts, enjoyment of the social aspects of sailing, and establishment of a basic racing program. These three concepts make up the foundation of our By-laws and continue to guide us today.
Membership typically consists of owners whose sailing activities are primarily in the Narragansett Bay area. Club officers and member volunteers plan and host rendezvous events every month during the sailing season in addition to the weeklong summer cruise. Each year at the Haul-Out party, OSCA presents its Founders Award to recognize the member who, through his or her time, effort, and involvement, has promoted and improved the activities of OSCA. The Cruising Award is presented to the boat that has traveled the longest distance on a single cruise.
In the years since 1984, it has been the Board's goal to provide services to our members above and beyond the value of our annual dues. In 2000 OSCA joined the electronic age and began communicating with 90% of our members via e-mail.
Visit the membership page to see the many benefits of OSCA including a discounted subscription to the Catalina Magazine Mainsheet.
History
Although the Ocean State Catalina Association's charter is dated January 1984, the idea of forming an association was born the previous October. OSCA's founders, Rich & Nancy Alexander, Bill & Marianne Sullivan, and George & Loretta Wilcox, had each ordered C30s from Ted Lane, manager of Sailboats Northeast, Inc., and took delivery at Carlson's Marina in Warwick, RI.
To solicit members, the founders created a mailing list compiled from information gathered at marinas, canvas shops, sail makers, local marine retailers as well as by walking the docks looking for other Catalina owners. The first meeting of the Ocean State Catalina Owners Association ("Owners" was later dropped) was held in January, 1984, at the East Greenwich Yacht Club. The 26 members attending this meeting elected Bill Sullivan as Commodore and George Wilcox Treasurer. In all, our Association has elected 12 Commodores; in 1994, Jo-Ellen Ferriera became the first female member to serve in the top post. She fondly recalls "working with a wonderful group of people who love sailing".
We are pleased that the founders opened up membership to boats of all sizes, and we are proud to be among the very first groups founded as an "All Catalina Association." Since that auspicious day in 1984, OSCA has grown to over 120 families, with boats ranging in size from the C 22 to the C 47. Jo-Ellen also remembers the day 17 years ago when, with her husband and two of their three small children, she sailed into Potter Cove in their C 22. "It didn't matter that we had a small boat (everyone else had huge 30 footers); we were welcomed with open arms to be part of this group".
Over the years, individual OSCA members have stepped forward to organize special events. In 1994, OSCA hosted the C 34 National Regatta. This event, co-chaired by Mike O'Connell and Luke Thorpe, along with race chair, Jack Ellis, drew over 40 boats and included the C 30 Narragansett Bay Championship. In the summer of 1999, Bill Cote brought to fruition his idea of a "Block Island Bash" by sending invitations to all local fleets covering New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. A total of 71 Catalina boat owners and friends joined us for three days of sun, fun racing, relaxation and the chance to mingle at Block Island's Great Salt Pond. While the popularity of racing within our group has seen many peaks and valleys, our showcase event is the Ted Trudeau Memorial Day Regatta. In 1996, this race was established to honor a dear friend, and to celebrate the spirit he brought to sailing. The winner of this event not only takes one-year ownership of the traveling trophy, but also retains bragging rights for the season.
In 2001, founder Rich Alexander reflected, "Nancy and I are really proud of what many people have done towards the success of this organization. Never did we think or foresee that OSCA would be what it is today. We honestly believe all three objectives have been fulfilled and will continue to be fulfilled with the ever-increasing membership". It would not be practical to list everyone who has served on OSCA's Board, or hosted an event, or contributed in some way, but their efforts are always very much appreciated.