August 16, 2026
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More than 50 Thames Yacht Club members gathered for a special local screening of the independent mockumentary Canoe Dig It on Friday, August 14, featuring New London resident and Thames Yacht Club member Troy Sill, who appears in the film.
Directed by Samuel Dunning, Canoe Dig It takes viewers deep into the little-known — and apparently very serious — world of freestyle canoeing.
Sill, a SAG-AFTRA actor, took center stage at TYC to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the film, explain how he landed the role, and answer questions from members. Naturally, once things got rolling, so did the jokes, with members happily paddling into the many Maine stereotypes.
The mockumentary follows some of the country’s top canoeists as they travel to the Moosehead Lake Regional Finals Competition in northern Maine to battle for the coveted title of “Top Paddler.” It’s a world of intense competition, serious paddling technique, and enough Maine flavor to make you say, “Ayuh.”
Sill plays Hecker, a plaid-clad local Maine bait shop owner who also serves as one of the judges of the freestyle canoe competition. Hecker is the kind of Maine character who presumably knows everything and everyone.
“It’s incredibly exciting to have one of our neighbors and Thames Yacht Club member in a feature film, and we couldn’t be happier to support Troy and celebrate this accomplishment with him. Troy is a valued member of our club, and we were proud to host the New London screening of Canoe Dig It.” – Thames Yacht Club Commodore Colin Redhead
“It was a great opportunity for our members and the community to come together, support a fellow member, and enjoy a fun night at the club, complete with a special dinner, ice cream, and, of course, popcorn,” said TYC Vice Commodore Nina Jeannotte, who decorated the club for the premiere, complete with a red carpet.
The evening at TYC gave our “from away” members (the Maine term for anyone who isn’t from the Pine Tree State), plenty of opportunities to laugh and have fun with the film’s Maine setting while supporting Sill.
“It was quintessential Maine humor, and I loved it,” said Dave Jeannotte.
For Sill, the night was a chance to bring a little Hollywood — and a whole lot of Maine — to New London.
“I am grateful to so many people for making the event such a success,” said Sill. “Commodore Colin Redhead for saying yes to hosting the event, Marsha Couture for her outstanding publicity skills, and Vice Commodore Nina Jeannotte for transforming the clubhouse into a Hollywood opening-night wonderland!”
Among the many special guests were Lee Howard, editor of The Day, and Steve and Jenny Seagal of the Garde Arts Center.
The film is playing in select theaters in Connecticut and across the country.
Sill is a longtime performer with numerous Off-Broadway credits, including Trial on the Potomac, starring Rich Little. He has also appeared in a number of film and television productions.
For Sill’s complete screen credits, visit Troysill.com or check out his profile on IMDb.
July 24, 2026
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The buzz of two hand sanders filled the air on a beautiful Sunday afternoon as Thames Yacht Club members Ken and Nancy Edwards rolled up their sleeves to give the beach picnic tables a fresh new look.
Beach members for 28 years, the Edwards spent the afternoon sanding weathered picnic tables before giving them a bright coat of red stain—one small project that will be enjoyed by members and families for seasons to come.
“We had the supplies at home, we live close by, and it’s something we could do to help improve our club,” said Ken. “We had a few hours free, so we came down and got to work.”
For Ken and Nancy, volunteering isn’t about taking on a huge project—it’s about doing what you can, when you can.
When asked what keeps them coming back to TYC year after year, their answer came easily.
“It’s an extension of our backyard,” they said. “We have this beautiful beachfront property right down the street, surrounded by good people. It’s the best place for kids to grow up. Ours learned to sail and spent entire days on the beach making lifelong memories.”
The Edwards hope their afternoon project inspires other members to lend a hand.
“We all have busy lives, but there’s always something you can do,” they said. “It doesn’t have to be a big commitment. If you have a couple of hours, you can make a real difference. Every little bit helps, and when everyone pitches in, our club becomes an even better place for all of us.”
Volunteer projects like refurbishing the picnic tables help keep TYC looking its best while building the sense of community that makes the club so special. Whether it’s painting, landscaping, cleaning up, helping at an event, sweeping the sand out of the clubhouse or tackling other small projects, every contribution—large or small—helps strengthen the club we all enjoy.
“Thames Yacht Club has always been built on the time, talents, and generosity of its members. We’re a volunteer club, and this club belongs to all of us. Whether you can spare a few hours, join a work party, or take on a larger project, every contribution makes a difference. I encourage everyone to pitch in, lend a hand, and help keep TYC the special place we all enjoy,” said TYC Commodore Colin Redhead.
If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, take a cue from Ken and Nancy. A few hours of your time can leave a lasting impact and help ensure that Thames Yacht Club remains a place where members, families, and future generations can continue making memories for years to come.
If you are unsure about what needs to be done, contact TYC Commodore Colin Redhead at commodore@thamesyc.org
July 24, 2026
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During a blustery July weekend and hazy skies filled with Canadian wildfire smoke, three Ensigns from Thames Yacht Club – Russ Carr on Swoose, Eleanor Mariani on Runnin Down A Dream, and Eric Jones on Teamwork – raced in the 2026 Ensign Regions II & III Championship in Niantic July 18-19.
With a fleet of over 12 Ensigns, Jones, a longtime TYC member and his crew aboard Teamwork, mastered the challenging conditions to capture first place.
The regatta tested every crew on the course, with strong winds and demanding conditions throughout the weekend.
“It was heavy air, and we were the only boat sailing with a crew of three,” Jones said. “The breeze was up all weekend, so we spent most of the races hiking hard on the rail to keep the boat flat and fast. My crew did a terrific job keeping me informed about the wind direction so we could sail right on the edge without getting overpowered.”
Jones said the favorable incoming tide also played an important role in the victory.
“We were fortunate to be racing on the flood tide,” he said. “The ebb tide in Niantic Bay can create tricky currents and swirling water that make boat handling much more challenging.”
Joining Jones aboard Teamwork were Tim Stern of Rhode Island, who trimmed the mainsail, and Jones’ son, Rick Jones of Massachusetts, who handled both the jib trim and foredeck duties. Their teamwork, communication, and boat handling throughout the regatta proved to be a winning combination.
Jones has raced in more than a dozen regionals and this victory marks his second Ensign Regional Championship. The first was in 2015.
Jones and the Teamwork crew will next compete at the 2026 Ensign National Championship, scheduled for August 12–16 at the Toms River Yacht Club in New Jersey.
While Jones has previously finished as runner-up at the Ensign National Championship, he is hoping this year’s regional title provides the momentum needed to capture the national crown.
The entire Thames Yacht Club wishes Eric fair winds and following seas as he represents the club at the national championship.
July 5, 2026
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For 250 years the spirit of America has been defined by resilience, adventure and the pursuit of freedom.
Since 1932, the Thames Yacht Club is proud to be part of that legacy; honoring our past, celebrating our present, and inspiring the next generation of sailors.
June 30, 2026
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The annual Solstice Cruise got underway on June 19, with a fleet of adventurous sailors setting their sights on Coecles Harbor. Mother Nature, however, apparently hadn’t gotten the memo that this was supposed to be a relaxing cruise. Instead, she greeted the fleet with gusty winds, steep chop, and enough excitement to satisfy even the most seasoned sailors.
“It was hairy,” laughed Nancy Andrews a fair weather cruiser, who was aboard Sebago with her family. “I had a white-knuckled death grip on the rail while everyone else was having the time of their lives!”
The route was no leisurely afternoon sail. Boats beat their way close-hauled toward the sluiceway, tacked down Plum Island, squeezed through The Gut, and finally arrived at Coecles Harbor—some with bigger smiles than others.
Not everyone chose to wrestle with the conditions. A few of the smaller boats wisely waited until the following day when things calmed down, while others decided discretion was the better part of valor and skipped the trip altogether. No shame in letting the weather win once in a while!
After everyone safely made it into the harbor, a celebratory rum toast aboard Zennora was in order. (Because nothing says “We survived!” quite like a little rum.) Spirits were high as everyone climbed into their dinghies and headed over to Taylor’s Island for a potluck barbecue.
The evening couldn’t have been more perfect. Grills were loaded with chicken and steaks, tables overflowed with delicious side dishes, and the grand finale featured lemon bars and gooey s’mores enjoyed with a spectacular sunset. The rough ride over was quickly becoming just another sea story.
Of course, Coecles Harbor has a reputation for breezy nights, and it didn’t disappoint. The wind howled through the anchorage, but thankfully everyone’s anchors held fast. There were no midnight anchor resets—always a reason to celebrate—although there were a few sleepy, underwear-clad cruisers making emergency cockpit appearances to double-check that everything was still where it belonged. Better safe than dragging!
On Saturday several boats departed early for the comforts of the Shelter Island Yacht Club, while others lingered another night in Coecles, capped off with a happy hour aboard A Domani. As every cruiser knows, any excuse for another happy hour is a good one.
By Sunday, everyone was moored at the Shelter Island Yacht Club and scattered to enjoy their own adventures around Greenport before regrouping for another happy hour aboard Sebago. (Cruising, after all, is really just a series of destinations connected by happy hours.)
“One of the best parts of the Solstice Cruise was seeing new friendships form and creating lasting memories on the water,” said Fleet Captain Marsha Couture. “It was especially exciting to have members who were new to the club join us alongside longtime members who were experiencing a club cruise for the very first time. That’s what Thames Yacht Club is all about—bringing people together through a shared love of boating. We hope this is just the beginning and that even more members will join us on future cruises and make memories of their own.”
“Our Fleet Captain Marsha Couture has done an outstanding job creating cruises that are welcoming, enjoyable, and offer something for everyone,” said TYC Commodore Colin Redhead. “Members can travel at their own pace, enjoy the destinations however they choose, meet new friends, and experience the camaraderie that makes TYC so special.”
Some crews headed home on Monday, while others stretched the adventure into Tuesday. The return trip couldn’t have been more different from the ride over. Gone were the pounding waves and gusty winds. Instead, boats motored home across calm, glassy water, leaving many to wonder if Mother Nature was apologizing—or simply saving the wind for next year’s Solstice Cruise.
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