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GAM Registration (includes entry to the GAM and all breakout sessions, roundtables, and Keynote address):

• Members:  $95
• Non-members:  $110

Optional Meals:

• Friday Breakfast:  $10
• Friday Lunch:  $15
• Friday Happy Hour and Appetizers (cash bar):  $12
• Saturday Breakfast:  $8
• Saturday Lunch:  $15
• Saturday Buffet Dinner (cash bar):  $32
• Sunday Breakfast:  $10

Meals can be purchased individually or you may purchase the meal package, which includes all meals, at the discounted rate of $90.





On-site GAM registrations will be accepted but meal registrations can not be guaranteed.

View the Agenda

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Join us for our 2023 Melbourne GAM for a weekend of nautical fun and education.

The Saturday night Keynote Presentation will be given by Commodores Sherry and Dave McCampbell (www.svsoggypaws.com) who have contributed to our Bulletins and Cruisers’ Workshop with their articles on overseas destination cruising and technical subjects. The Dinner Keynote will include a collage of slides from their seven-year voyage from Florida to the Philippines. During the other three days, attend their seminar on 'Using Satellite Imagery with OpenCPN'. Due to the hard work of a lot of Pacific and Caribbean cruisers as well as the OpenCPN development team, you can now find charts and route information and also access/download the most recent marine charts for the USA. Dave McCampbell, the Editor of SSCA's Cruising Workshop, supported by Sherry will share their installation process and lessons learned in 'Are Lithium Batteries for You?'.

Other cruising seminars will include speakers on various marine topics and round table/hands-on sessions. Some of the seminars are listed below:

Commodores Rudy and Jill Sechez, authors of the book ANCHORING-A Ground Tackler's Apprentice, will be presenting on anchoring, along with a hands-on session.

Chris Parker of the Marine Weather Center will share his thoughts on the upcoming cruising weather, especially important due to the changes we are seeing with the return of El Nino.

Scott Berg will cover energy systems as well as an in-depth review of boat surveys. Note that energy is a very important topic with the changes in systems occurring in technology and insurance. During an Energy Troubleshooting seminar, the panelists will include not only Scott, but also Commodore Frank Smith and others who will talk through key aspects of your energy systems.

Commodores Deb and John Rapp, just returning from their Arctic Expedition (sailing Norway to Greenland to Iceland), will share their experiences during their adventures transiting east to west during August 2023 --- a fascinating look at far north sailing.

'Ideas for Cooking and Provisioning' will be presented by Deb Rapp, and 'Provisioning While Circumnavigating' will be presented by Anne Posner based on their around the world voyages and time in the shops of France.  Hands-on will include provisioning topics as well as what to do with those new-to-some 'ground provisions' --- many thanks to Deb Rapp and Anne Posner.

'The Bahamas, Where to Go 2023/24' featuring local Bahamas information and what/where to go will be presented by Commodore Addison Chan. With his current experiences and travels to Bahamas and Cuba, he will be an excellent resource. In addition, Cruising Station Hosts Lorraine Rolle (Bahamas) and Jesse James (Trinidad and Tobago) hope to provide presentations on their respective areas, covering arrival, where to go, and what to do for the 2023/24 season.

On Sunday, learn about the 'Thornless Path' from Eastern US, along the Bahamas, to the northern ports of the Dominican Republic and on to the Eastern Caribbean, presented by Commodore Joan Conover.

After a full day of seminars on Friday, we will end the night with a Happy Hour and  with Commodores Donna (Lange) and Bob Philburn.  We will also have a nautical flea market on Sunday morning at 9:00 am.  If you have nautical treasures you no longer need, make sure you reserve a table through the registration process. Tables are $10.00.

At the Annual General Meeting on Sunday, the SSCA Board will update members on the current status of the Association and the election results will be announced.

Don’t miss our end-of-year party.  Join us as we thank our outgoing board and welcome the new one. Education, information and SSCA’s famous camaraderie—all at one low price.

Dinghies: 

• The Melbourne Yacht Club offers free dock usage (donations to their youth sailing program are welcome and appreciated).  Attendees can tie up to their low dock adjacent to launching ramp on Friday and Saturday.  On Sunday, attendees are asked to tie up to the T-head of one of the reserved SSCA docks only.  NOTE: please do not lock your dinghies in case MYC has to make a move.
• Eau Gallie dinghy docks is also available, with transportation to Front Street Civic Center available via taxi service.
• There is limited dinghy access at the Front Street Civic Center.

Accommodations:  For those coming by land, we have arranged a discounted block of rooms at Hotel Melby.  Rooms must be booked by October 10th to receive the discounted rate.  *Extended through 11:59 pm on Thursday, 10/19.

• $155 (plus tax) for Thursday 11/9/23 and Sunday 11/12/23
• $175 (plus tax) Friday 11/10/23 and Saturday 11/11/23
• Discounted valet parking @ $15 per night/per vehicle

Click Here to Book Your Hotel