San Rafeal Cruise Report by Bill Lewis

A blast-to say the least. It was Ericka’s first sail to SRYC and a little planning went a long way to make the trip pleasant. First-we wanted to ride the flood into the marina. We spent Friday night on the boat with our 4 dogs - that was a first also.

We left :Ballena Bay around 0815 and motored to the West side of Treasure Island ;before the wind showed itself. The sun shone in a cloudless sky. We took off under sail and were moving along briskly. Sailed East of Angel Island through the Richmond bridge and used our GPS to find the channel marker off Marin Island-turned left and sailed in 7 feet of channel depth to the San Rafael canal. The canal depth was running 11 feet deep most of the way in. It took another 30 minutes to reach the fixed bridge where we found a nice, empty guest dock and tied up at 1215. Terry and Shari had arranged with the San Rafael Yacht Club for our stay and we were allowed dock space and shore power without charge.

Having 4 dogs aboard, it was important to get to land and there was a little marina park right next to the yacht club. We were feeling peckish and there was a nice restaurant with outdoor seating - however no dogs allowed. We wandered up and down the adjoining street to see if we could find some place to eat. Finding none, we decided to go back to the boat and eat sardines and crackers. Afterwards, Chris took her folding bike and went in search of a deli, she found a Starbucks and settled for. We were wondering where everyone was. I tried hailing Bonnie Breeze, Tango II and Josephine II several times, but was never successful. Oh well, we were having a fine time alone. About 1515, I saw another Ericson. It was Tango II - good. We weren’t alone. We assisted Terry and Shari in docking. Terry explained he was touching bottom as he docked. Soon after, we saw Josephine II (Eric and Ann Quamen) coming in and warned them about the shallows. We got them tied up and went for a dog walk again-this time with Joey Eric and Ann’s boxer mix. The 5 dogs had a fine time chasing each other around the little sandy park while I acted like a gate-keeping the dogs out of the restaurant.

We returned to the docks. The Yacht Club was having a spaghetti dinner that evening, but we opted for dinner next door at "The Seafood Peddler". It was very tasty. Right around happy hour, BJ and Amy Blackburn and their two children and dog Jasmine (a Jack Russell mix) showed up. They live very near by in San Anselmo. We had snacks and wine on Tango II before heading out for dinner. BJ and Amy are looking for an Ericson 34 to sail their enlarged family, but Amy said they are all on the East Coast, so they haven’t taken the plunge, yet.

After dinner, we walked the dogs once more and went onto Tango II one more time for a nightcap. I was falling asleep, so we said good night and walked 27 feet to our boat. The docks were very quiet and we drifted off. Chris decided to give the V-berth to the three salukis (because sleeping with a saluki is like sleeping with a bag of antlers) and she spent a restful night in the quarter berth.

Sunday morning we had intended to leave early, but on reflection, decided it was stupid-so we slept in a little longer - until the dogs had to go ashore. We had coffee and decided to leave about 0930 - just as the Quamens and the Owen-Balassas headed out for breakfast. Getting underway was no sweat, but once we hit San Pablo Bay, it was very cold and we couldn’t seem to keep warm. The sun came out just as we arrived at Ballena Bay.

We found out a few days later that Joanne Linn had been out of town and Hugh and their dog (Freda) would have had to make the trip alone. You missed a good one, Hugh! Thanks to the San Rafael Yacht Club for their hospitality and to Terry Owen and Shari Balassa for arranging the cruise.

Cruise Notes:

Bill, sorry to have missed your call Sunday night. Joanne is up in Vancouver to visit her Mom. So I was confronted with possibility of single handing to San Rafael. We had taken Jo's niece out on Monday for a trip to Angel Island, lunch and a nice cruise back to SF. With a small jib, a reef in the main on the way back we took waves, several times over the boat. The two guests were sitting in the back of the cockpit and were soaked. Neptune was dumping at regular intervals, 5 gallons or so of the bays finest saltwater on them. A bedraggled lot for sure. Anyway, with my only crew to be Freda, I opted to say "See you in Presido for sure next month."

Hugh Linn

Ann and I had a fine, albeit cold, trip back from lovely San Rafael. We motored until we were south of the Richmond Bridge, then had a fairly quick trip until we hit the wind shadow of Yerba Buena in the ebb and started going backwards. Once past the hole, we made it almost all the way down the Estuary before the wind stopped. We even managed to stay ahead of a Columbia 29 that was after me from the Southampton Shoal to T.I.

Eric Quamen

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Tides and Currents...

Note received from Hugh Linn regarding someone looking for an E-27.

Bill, I had a phone call from the fellow that I have known for some 30 years. He is a member of the Presido YC by the way who is interested in finding a E-27 to buy. He has had a Triton for a long time and it finally met its demise. Know of any that are of interest that I could recomend?

If you or someone you know is interested in selling their E-27. Let Hugh know at hughlinn@aol.com.

Received an interesting web link from a friend related to why boats sink. Check it out.

http://www.oceanmarineservices.com/why_do_boats_sink.htm

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2004 Cruise Schedule

• May 8-9 at Presidio YC
• June 19-20 at Angel Island
• July 10-11 at Ballena Bay (Round the Rock Race)
• August 28-29 at Point Richmond Potluck
• September ? Coyote Point or Oakland
• October ? Open (make a suggestion!)

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Presidio Cruise Info

Hugh and Joanne Linn have arranged for our 5th annual cruise-in to the Presidio Yacht Club under the North Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Yacht Club will be having a Mexican dinner Saturday night and, based on past cruise-ins, it should bevery good. There will be fireworks on the city front, courtesy of KFOG.

The Presidio area is great for hiking and exploring. It's a leisurely 45-minute walk into Sausalito. There are old buildings and structures to explore. There is a large lawn for dogs to run on (but beware the ticks). The view from the yacht club is spectacular.

Try not to miss this one.If you plan to cruise or drive in, please let Hugh and Joanne know by April 30 hughlinn@aol.com. Guest dock space is limited and dinner seating may be also.

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