Encinal Cruise,
Svendsen's Discount Night &
Sail Trim Clinic
April 24 - 26, 2009

(If you like, you can skip down through the prose and go straight to the pictures below!)

A dry cold front swept away Friday's morning overcast and ushered in blazing blue skies with a mighty blast of west wind. When Skipper & Nancy headed Snowflower out of Pier 39 for the Estuary and Encinal Yacht Club clouds were still around and the wind was in the 10 - 15 range. By the time Rick & Sandy got Vanishing Animal under way at 1100 from Brisbane Marina, in the South Bay just above San Francisco Airport, gusts were already peaking in the high 20s and gusts grew into the 30s after noon. Ron & Karen Damsen started after noon and reported 31 - 32 knots when Woodbine arrived at Encinal about 1400. John Melton had it easy bringing Freedom Won from Marina Village right next door in the Estuary. Commodore Corky Stewart had an equally easy ride with Brigid also from Marina Village. At 1630, Gary & Pat Salvo were hunkered down with Ophira at Emeryville hoping for the wind to back off before heading out with young Skylar on board.

Here's the whole list of 26 boats represented by 53 people who made it a great weekend. If we've missed anyone, let Rick know and we'll make the updates.

Boat Owners Crew
1 4RSanity (car) Roger & Linda McClellan Zachary McClellan
2 Andiamo (car) Gearld Schippers
3 Because Tim & Rhonda Shea Ian Shea & friend
4 Blockbuster (car) Jim Higdon
5 Brigid Corky & Anna Stewart
6 Captain Hooke (car) Tom & David Newton
7 Cassiopeia (car) Kit Wiegman
8 Dayna Marie Glenn Zimmermann Warren
9 Diana (car) Lou Zevanov
10 Freedom Won John & Nanci Melton
11 Groovy (car) Allen Warren
12 Kindred Spirits (car) Don & Barbara Henderson
13 Luna Sea Dan Knox & Myphi Alloy
14 Mas Tiempo (car) David & Jamie Cowell
15 Mischief (car) Kathryn Munn & Charles Hodgkins
16 Natural High Dennis & Judy Bush Sarah
17 Ophira Gary & Pat Salvo Skylar
18 Pacific High Harry Farrell & Carol Williams Michele Williams
19 Paradesia Rick Vulliet
20 Pegasus (car) Robert Aston & Mary Gleim
21 Serenity (car) Eric Mueller
22 Snowflower Skipper & Nancy Wall
23 Vanishing Animal Rick & Sandy Van Mell
24 Vitesse Tom Furlong & Elizabeth Gard Paige, Katherine Furlong
25 Woodbine Ron & Karen Damsen
26 Zen (car) Captn Zen & Chie French


Charles Hodgkins served as Encinal's Dockmaster for the day, moving power boats so the Islanders could raft 7 across in two rows at the bottom of the encinal "U" shaped guest dock area. This weekend is Opening Day On The Bay, and many Encinal power boats like to dress ship for the occasion, and a major tour boat leaves the Encinal dock on Sunday morning for the big event.

Friday evening's fun began, as advertised in Charles & Kathryn's handy flyer, at 1700 when Skipper & Nancy Wall climbed aboard Vanishing Animal as the evening host. As more people boarded, the table filled with goodies, and the nav table collected a bar full of wine bottles. Teak insisted on defending her carpet turf under the table, even when we reached 14 people on board representing the crews of: Snowflower, Brigid, Woodbine, Freedom Won, Mischief, Kindred Spirits, Because, and Vanishing Animal. Anna Stewart arrived late, as did Rick Vulliet with his I-40 Paradesia, and finally, at 2115, Dan Knox & Myphi on Luna Sea. That made for ten boats represented by Friday night.

Saturday morning dawned chilly, but clear with only a light wind. Tim Shea brought his new Jenneau 45 Because over from Marina Village -- sure is beautiful and we'll be hoping Tim & Rhonda show up at every event to host nibbles time!

Natural High, Vitesse, Pacific High, and Ophira arrived Saturday morning, plus others by car. By 1230 the coals wer lit on the BBQ and Commodore Corky Stewart masterfully took up station behind the grill. A crowd formed and all marveled as burgers, dogs and chicken cooked to perfection and flipped onto waiting plates. The tables stretched in the sun quickly filled with happy Islanders. the kids splashed in the pool - and even Tom furlong took a few laps. Everyone relaxed until it was time to go to Svendsen's.

The last of our arrivals rolled up to encinal in time for everyone to pile into cars for the short ride to Svendsen's chandlery and a big Discount Night. 40% off on line, and lots of other great discounts. Whether it was the safety flares or the entire TicTack wireless instrument system, our shoppers from 25 boats found lots of things on their Santa wish lists. Everyone was so busy shopping there were even some nibbles and beverages remaining when we left! It was rumored that Eric Mueller, who is completely rebuilding Serenity, was the last one out with a mighty heave sack and much lighter wallet! Corky thanked Sean Svendsen and the who Svendsen's shop crew for this our 5th or 6th Islander Discount night. We all hoped they would continue.

When we got back to Encinal, Kathryn picked up with her tradition of serving Tuckers Ice Cream, with lots of toppings, as dessert. Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawbery, with whipped cream, butterschotch and chocolate sauce plus sprinkles and nuts were enough to satisfy every taste. The kids crowded the table to be first in line, but the big kids were right behind. With a full day of sunshine, pool, good food and good people, the harbor was quiet by 2100. Even the afternoon wind gusts diminished so all could get a good night's sleep.

Pictures, so far, by Rick Van Mell. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.


[Click to enlarge]
Great place ...		 [Click to enlarge]
for a cruise ...		 [Click to enlarge]
been around awhile ...		 [Click to enlarge]
ready for us ...		 [Click to enlarge]
not these though ...
[Click to enlarge]
big wind day.		 [Click to enlarge]
Teak sniffs the air		 [Click to enlarge]
Nancy & Skipper Wall
Snowflower		 [Click to enlarge]
Here comes ...		 [Click to enlarge]
Woodbine ...
[Click to enlarge]
Karen's ready ...		 [Click to enlarge]
Ron at the helm.		 [Click to enlarge]
First tucked in ...		 [Click to enlarge]
then signed in.		 [Click to enlarge]
Friday at 1500 ...
[Click to enlarge]
flags really fly ...		 [Click to enlarge]
here's why: 41 mph!		 [Click to enlarge]
What you do then?
(the Title)		 [Click to enlarge]
Sitting pretty		 [Click to enlarge]
Freedom Won and ...
[Click to enlarge]
John Melton		 [Click to enlarge]
Brigid with a very ...		 [Click to enlarge]
serious Commodore Corky!		 [Click to enlarge]
Hauling against the wind ...		 [Click to enlarge]
now secure.
[Click to enlarge]
Still whipping.		 [Click to enlarge]
Nibbles time ...		 [Click to enlarge]
big crowd ...		 [Click to enlarge]
enjoys ...		 [Click to enlarge]
they agree.
[Click to enlarge]
Ho hum.		 [Click to enlarge]
Main course ...		 [Click to enlarge]
salad ...		 [Click to enlarge]
and veggies.		 [Click to enlarge]
Delish!
[Click to enlarge]
I'll drink to that.		 [Click to enlarge]
Wise men		 [Click to enlarge]
However it is ...		 [Click to enlarge]
very chilly!!!		 [Click to enlarge]
Not down here ...
[Click to enlarge]
just happy.		 [Click to enlarge]
More ...		 [Click to enlarge]
Friday night fun ...		 [Click to enlarge]
upwind too ...		 [Click to enlarge]
with breeze.
[Click to enlarge]
More.		 [Click to enlarge]
Saturday morning		 [Click to enlarge]
Because looks good ...		 [Click to enlarge]
coming and ...		 [Click to enlarge]
going.
[Click to enlarge]
Morning exercise ...		 [Click to enlarge]
all rest.		 [Click to enlarge]
Looking for breakfast.		 [Click to enlarge]
Luna Sea		 [Click to enlarge]
Paradesia
[Click to enlarge]
Vitesse arrives ...		 [Click to enlarge]
here comes Ophira		 [Click to enlarge]
Gypsy heads for fuel.		 [Click to enlarge]
Teak & freinds		 [Click to enlarge]
Gary's ready to move.
[Click to enlarge]
Nice lines		 [Click to enlarge]
The Master, Lov Zevanov		 [Click to enlarge]
Brain trust		 [Click to enlarge]
Commodore Corky cooks ...		 [Click to enlarge]
draws a crowd ...
[Click to enlarge]
and flips burgers.		 [Click to enlarge]
Good sides too.		 [Click to enlarge]
When they're happy ...		 [Click to enlarge]
they are happy.		 [Click to enlarge]
Ron & Allen
[Click to enlarge]
Where's ours?!		 [Click to enlarge]
Tables full of ...		 [Click to enlarge]
Islanders having ...		 [Click to enlarge]
a good time.		 [Click to enlarge]
Chill time.
[Click to enlarge]
we agree.		 [Click to enlarge]
It was a ...		 [Click to enlarge]
beautiful afternoon.		 [Click to enlarge]
Here's to Sevendsen's ...		 [Click to enlarge]
libations and ...
[Click to enlarge]
Michele helps set up ...		 [Click to enlarge]
nibbles.		 [Click to enlarge]
How much?!!		 [Click to enlarge]
It's here somewhere ...		 [Click to enlarge]
No, not really ...
[Click to enlarge]
Much concentration ...		 [Click to enlarge]
... should I?????		 [Click to enlarge]
Corky thanks ...		 [Click to enlarge]
Sean Svendsen.		 [Click to enlarge]
Happy shoppers.
[Click to enlarge]
Saturday sunset is ...		 [Click to enlarge]
Tucker Ice Cream time ...		 [Click to enlarge]
kids are ready ...		 [Click to enlarge]
wow !!!!		 [Click to enlarge]
Mary & Kathryn serve...
[Click to enlarge]
big kids too.		 [Click to enlarge]
Sunday breakfast ...		 [Click to enlarge]
me too!		 [Click to enlarge]
Judy & Dennis		 [Click to enlarge]
Ron, Anna & Corky
[Click to enlarge]
Paige & Katie's Business		 [Click to enlarge]
Elizabeth, Katie & Mara
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