Since this was the first ever Spring Meeting in Daylight Savings time, Friday evening seemed to slip by at least an hour faster. Vanishing Animal had invited the gang aboard for hors de oeuvres at 1730, but with ten boat fulls, and some of the gang already ensconced within Woodbine's cozy dodger/bimini enclosure, the fleet split between the two. As usual, and planned this time, the nibbles easily substituted for dinner. What with tri-tip bites from Pat Salvo, shrimp from Betsy Fowler, more goodies from Barb Henderson (walking quite nicely with a new knee), corned beef from Sandy Van Mell, and a variety of chips, dips and even potato salad and coleslaw, dinner was not an issue. Why, by the time it started to get dark, we realized it was pushing on toward 8 pm anyway.

Maybe the wine helped too. Conversations rolled on into the dark, and when it got too cool, moved below. San Francisco YC's latest security bit was a pair of halogen construction lights on a stand that at first were directed at the boats, but then thankfully raised to illuminate the rigging - quite a nice effect. Leaning back in the cockpit, beyond the reflecting Windex arrows atop the masts, Orion, Pleiades and a host of stars graced the sky. It was delightful; it was peacful; but even the strongest party people were tucked in their bunks by 2200.

San Francisco YC is just completing a major renovation with everything from exterior shingles to a lounge skylight and exquisite mahogany varnish work throughout. Though the little adjacent Cove House, where we hold the lunch meeting, has not yet been upgraded, it was already set on Saturday morning with big round tables dressed in fine linen and silverware ready for us. Michele Williams arrived by 0840 with a car-load of goodies and equipment for both the Rules Clinic and the luncheon. With a little help (or hindrance!) from Lou Zevanov and Rick Van Mell, all was set and ready to go shortly after 0900.

Though relatively mild and calm at the SFYC docks, what the locals call fog and the weather pros call low stratus streamed through the Golden Gate clear to the Berkeley shore with plenty of cold ocean wind pushing it. That probably was a deciding factor to keep other boats from sailing over on Saturday morning. Besides, it would be really hard to get your boat to SFYC in time for the morning event - the Rules Clinic at 0930 featuring senior US Sailing Judge Tom Roberts.

And what a fun time the Rules Clinic was. Tom does an excellent job of starting with the fundamentals of rules 10 - 13, and then expanding as everyone gets comfortable with the basics. He has a great sense of humor too, as when introducing Rule 14 by reminding people that sailing is not a contact sport. So, you're wondering, just who the heck remembers just what Rule 10, etc, is anyway? Most everyone already knows Rule 10 - Starboard has right of way over Port, and Rule 11 too - Windward Boat keep clear. Rule 12 is like US Coast Guard rules - a yacht clear astern shall keep clear of a yacht clear ahead. Those three take care of most situations, and Rule 13 simply adds that a boat changing course shall keep clear of a boat on a course (plus a few things). Then there's that Rule 14 - thou shalt avoid a collision. See all the attentive faces in the pictures below and you'll know that at least 30 people are smarter and safer out there thanks to Tom Roberts and Michele Williams who organized the Clinic. If you'd like to read a little more, here's an easy-read version of the rules:

Pictures by Lou Zevanov, Judy Bush, and Sandy & Rick Van Mell. Plus, there's a bonus section of pictures taken by Dan Knox on Sunday morning as boats were leaving Belvedere. You could call it, "Islanders at Play," featuring Snowflower, Evanescence & Diana. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.