Commodore Message
FROM THE HELM
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Commodore for the 2025–2026 season Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Commodore for the 2025–2026 season of the Down East Yacht Club.
Jeanne and I joined DEYC ten years ago—on the club’s 50th anniversary—and now here we are celebrating its 60th. We first joined to cruise the coastal waters of Maine with others, to lower risk and share the camaraderie of being on the water together. Those early outings quickly grew into something more: valued and lasting friendships.
Yes, we volunteered to “take the watch,” but it hasn’t been a hardship—it’s been a privilege. The true strength of this club lies in the people who show up, lend a hand, and make things happen. Jeanne set the bar high as Commodore during the 2021– 2022 season, so following in her wake is no small task. What she, and so many Commodores before and after her, proved is that DEYC thrives because of the teamwork between its Bridge, Board, and members who pitch in for the sheer joy of being part of something larger than themselves.
Membership remains strong and full of promise for the years ahead. I’m especially inspired by the energy of our newer members—their eagerness to volunteer, host, and participate ensures that DEYC’s next decade will be every bit as vibrant as its past six. Together, we’ll keep the “Fun Club” tradition alive: good boating, good friends, and good times shared on the water and ashore.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being part of this club, it’s that the more you give, the more you get back. Pitching in, showing up, and sharing the moment—on the dock or at the dinner table—turns acquaintances into lifelong friends. That’s the spirit that has kept DEYC strong for sixty years.
Bob Ewing
Commodore, DEYC, 2025-26
