Dogwatch at the Richmond Yacht Club Beer Can Series
Cinde Lou Delmas of the Alerion 38 Another Girl sent us this shot taken by Kellie Ann Taylor of dogs watching dogs during the daytime dogwatch in Richmond Yacht Club’s Wednesday night beer can series last week.
Cinde Lou wrote to say, “Things are starting back — oh, so fun!
“Xunaan (goddess of the water in Mayan, foreground) on Another Girl talking to Cali on Carmelita, owned and skippered by Chris Lewis. Xunaan is a Portuguese water dog and, like Cali, she does not shed. Cali is a Woodle: Wheaton terrier and poodle mix. Both of these furry foredeck crew love to race and sail. Cali goes fishing too! She likes being forward and comes back when they tack.”
While ‘Caution’ flags continue to fly around the waterfront, the careful protocols of racers and race committees plus the increasing vaccination rate among the sailing population are resulting in better racing and sailing than last year. For dogs and people. If you haven’t registered for your local evening beer can series, now is the time. Find one near you here.
Was s/v ‘Freedom’ Anchored in the Sea of Cortez?
Our recent photo of Kirk and Char Wagner’s boat Freedom, and her dinghy resting ashore, prompted a question on where the photo was taken. Well, we sure did get a lot of responses.
Most readers guessed the location was somewhere in the Sea of Cortez — Chris Boome for example gave the Sea of Cortez as his chosen location. Probably a safe bet given the layers of hills, or mountains in the background.
Others took the plunge and were a little more specific with their answers. Sylvia Stompe picked Isla Partida; David Pressley and Geoffrey Breckner both said Puerto Balandra on Isla Carmen; for Susan Adams and Harrison Walls, Isla Espiritu Santo was the spot. Bob Huntsman ventured Bahia Concepción, as did Mitch Matthews; Don Currie suggested Puerto Balandra, Isla Carmen; Dean K. voted Isla Danzante-ish (keeping his options open).
Pat McIntosh got very descriptive with, “That sure looks like the beach in Puerto Balandra looking west, out the entrance to the Sea of Cortez and the town of Loreto someplace in the distance.”
… as did Brian Timpe — “South end of Isla Coronado (aka Smith Island), with the northernmost mangroves in the foreground. Didn’t know Kirk and Charlene were that far north already. I won’t be up around BLA for another month or so. Nice hiking area in that area, as I recall.”
Someone even said Tiburon. Erm … you had your eyes closed, right, Robert?
However, the majority of readers came back with Honeymoon Cove on Isla Danzante. Jim Coggan, Randy Fraser, Skipper Steve, Arjan Bok, Lauralee Church, Mark Thompson and Steve Bondelid all said Honeymoon Cove. And Steve in particular ought to know, as, “Last time we decided to go in there, the black flies attacked by the millions!!”
But, as we are somewhat investigative in our approach, we don’t want to just assume that the majority is correct. So we did actually email Kirk and Char Wagner to ask where the photo was taken. At the time of writing this story we hadn’t yet received a reply. If you happen to be in touch with the couple, please ask them to check their inbox!
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Little Boat Floats in from Hawaii — Maybe
Could a little homemade sailboat find its way to Emery Cove, all the way from Hawaii? Kwenu was kayaking on the Bay out of his home port, Emery Cove, when he came across what he took to be a sailboat.
“I came across a small sailboat with the inscriptions on it saying that it had been launched from Hawaii to USF. I don’t know if this is was really from Hawaii or not, but I thought maybe one of your readers might know about it, or possibly be the person(s) who actually sent it on its way!”
“Its sails were completely gone when I came across it.”
“I have no idea if is even possible to make that crossing in that time frame, as I have no experience with sailing, let alone a crossing as such. One day hopefully I will try to crew and learn some sailing skills!”
Well, readers, it’s over to you again. Does anyone know anything about this little vessel?
The Yacht Racing Association’s Latest News Roundup
YRA Summer Series Begins Saturday
The Yacht Racing Association’s Summer Series will kick off this Saturday, April 10, in conjunction with Berkeley Yacht Club’s Rollo Wheeler Regatta. You can sign up for either or both. “If you race under PHRF and are interested in joining this four-race-day series, sign up by Wednesday. You’ll automatically be added to Saturday of the Wheeler Regatta.” The Wheeler Regatta will conclude on Sunday with a pursuit race.
The Racing Rules of Sailing for 2021-2024
Next up on the YRA schedule is a Racing Rules Webinar. This session will discuss the changes that begin this year and their impact on race committees and race documents. Anyone involved in race committee work, or interested in it, will benefit. Mike Gross, Area G regional administrative judge, will lead the talk on Wednesday, April 14, starting at 7 p.m. The cost is $20. Register here.
Point Bonita Buoy Wandered Off Station
In February, the Point Bonita Buoy, RG Fl(2+1) R6s Bell, broke free and went missing. The US Coast Guard has been publishing the information in the Local Notice to Mariners. They do plan to reset the buoy. “We hope to see it back on station by the end of spring,” commented the YRA. The buoy is used as a rounding mark in a few Bay Area races, including the YRA Encinal Regatta (ex-2nd Half Opener), scheduled this year for July 31. At Point Bonita the Golden Gate opens up into the Pacific Ocean.
Speaking of the Ocean…
…It’s about to open up. The OYRA ocean series offers divisions for fully crewed and shorthanded boats. The first race in the 2021 series will be the Lightship Regatta on April 17. Sign up for the Lightship by 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 15.
For more regattas from the YRA, clubs and associations around Northern California, see our 2021 Sailing Calendar, but also check Latitude 38’s monthly Calendar for updates in these shifty times.