Brisbane Cruise Report by Bill Lewis

Great weather, decent winds, great turnout and wonderful facilities were the earmarks of the June cruise to Brisbane Marina, masterfully hosted by Tim McGinty.

I arrived early by car to meet my crew and Tim had already set up our picnic area close to our guest docks (which were free). The picnic spot was grassy with lots of shade. Tim was hailed by Iphigenia (Bill and Sue Worden-Ericson 32) and they arrived soon after. Once my crew arrived, we took off for Ballena Bay and Ericka. Leaving Ballena Bay, the wind was freshening up and we basically were on one tack for the entire trip. No motoring required.

It was decently cool on the water. As we approached the programmed GPS coordinates for the marina entrance, a series of channel markers materialized and we decided to furl the jib and douse the main to motor in. Since I had been at the marina earlier, I knew exactly where to go and we were guided into our slip by fellow Ericson people. Shock of shocks! Terry Owen was standing at the dock and I thought he was in France.

It was quite warm in the marina, despite the nice breeze. Doug Robbins, single-handing Wahine (Ericson 30) had arrived since my earlier visit. One more to go. In a while, Bonnie Breeze arrived with Hugh, Joanne , Frida and Noche Linn and we were all here.

Tim had started the coals - had corn soaking and was slow-cooking tri-tip, ribs and halibut. The rest of us had brought side dishes and desserts. There were lots of desserts. Wine was poured and conversation ensued. It was just a lovely afternoon with good friends and sailing buddies. We stuffed ourselves with Tim's great food and the potluck items. I waddled down to the boat and crashed, reasonably early.

Sunday morning, the wind was up before I was. After a very quiet night, the breeze came up (around 15-20 knots, I estimate). I wandered over to Bonnie Breeze where the Linns were fixing coffee (lucky me!). I came aboard and we had coffee and granola while we chatted about the meaning of life and other mundane subjects.

Then, we headed over to Tim's spacious Gemini 34 where we visited some more. The Linns were somewhat eager to leave before the flood got too bad and they had the most distance to cover. Hugh rigged some reef points in his new Hood mainsail and they were ready to go.

After a while, the Wordens on Iphigenia and Doug Robbins, single handing Wahine decided to leave for the estuary together. We cast them off and I was still waiting for my crew, so I visited more with Tim until they arrived.

We were the last to leave (unusual), but we were also the closest to our home port. My crew didn't arrive until 1130 and we took off immediately. The wind had subsided a bit and Continuedwe weren't making much headway going across the Bay in the flood. Then we ran into a wind hole and, after a bit, we motored for maybe 5 minutes. The wind picked up for a while and we tacked up the Bay for as long as we could. We encountered another wind hole and motored for another 5 minutes. When the wind picked up again, it did so with a vengeance and we made good time on the rest of the trip, Arriving at Ballena Bay around 1:30.

I can't say enough about the success of this cruise. Good turnout - 4 boats and 12 people. Great food and suberb hosting by Tim McGinty. I vote for Brisbane to be a "twofer" and do it again next year!

2008 Calendar

Ballena Bay Regatta
Don't forget to save July 26 for the Regatta at Ballena Bay (is it our 10th year?) We will be racing from the harbor around the center support of the Bay Bridge ("around the block") and back. This will also be a first for this course. Could be tricky with the fluky winds around the towers. Let me know if you are planning to cruise in or race and I will send you information packet as the date approaches. mxbag@comcast.net

Corinthian Time Again
One of our most popular cruises - to the Corinthian YC will take place August 9-10, hosted by the Blackburns. Great dinner at the Yacht Club, walking and shopping in Tiburon - all great fun. Berthing space is limited, so be sure to reserve your slip with Amy Blackburn: amyblack2000@gmail.com. P.S. The Yacht Club only takes cash for dinner.

Benicia Cruise - September 13th
Sailing to Benicia, sounding a lot like an epic poem. And a really memorable harbor on the Sacramento river. Going from the Bay it lies just past the S&H sugar refinery, and across from Martinez on the North bank of the river. The town is out of the early 1900's and must have seen a lot of the history of California. There's the first state capitol building to see, among other things. The dock we will be at is just a block from the main street, which is lined with restaurants, shops, both boutique and antique. Lots of dog dishes out in front of the establishments with fresh water for the canine friends, a dog friendly place. The city was at one time a small artists community, Robert Arenson for one(he the sculpture man). There is usually a good/great wind out of the West in the afternoon so heading back would be early for the wise. Most who have ventured up into the delta know where this is and most have stayed there. The entrance is a double breakwater extending out into the river, with the guest dock on the Port side as you enter. Should be a great weekend. Hugh & Joanne Linn - Bonnie Breeze

Tides and Currents

From your editor:
It was good to get out on the water last weekend. I had been under the weather for the last cruise and had missed Angel Island. Since I am now reasonably far from the Bay, I treasure the time I can spend on the water and the time I can spend with Fleet members.

If you haven't made a cruise yet, your committee members hope you will make it to one of the events on the calendar below. It's your participation that makes the events successful.

- Bill Lewis -

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