A Preview of Next Weekend’s Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show
The Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show is on next weekend, May 16–19, at Westpoint Harbor, Redwood City. This year’s four-day event is offering an “expanded footprint” with more in-water and on-land displays of new yachts, sailboats, powerboats, catamarans, electric boats, gear, accessories, and more.
“We are thrilled to be returning to Westpoint Harbor, for the second year with even more to offer newbies and boating enthusiasts alike,” said California Yacht Brokers Association President Mark White. “From all-electric boats for on-the-water fun to luxury sailing yachts, this year’s show is back with more boats and more fun for the entire family.” This year’s show includes “fun for the little ones,” entertainment, and more food options, including the newly opened Hurrica Restaurant.
Latitude 38 is looking forward to seeing our readers and supporters at the show. And to help you get ready and get the most out of your time at the show, here’s a sample of exhibitors with whom you can learn, discover and explore: Bainbridge International, Inc, Bair Island Marina, Club Nautique, Compass Canvas, Cruise RO Watermakers, Cruising Yachts, Denison Yachts, California Division of Boating and Waterways, Helmut’s Marine Service, Inc., KKMI (Visit KKMI’s booth to enter for a chance to win a free haulout with the purchase of a bottom-painting package!), Modern Sailing School, NAOS Yachts, Outboard Motor Shop, Richard Boland Yachts, and Latitude 38! Tap here to learn about the innovative and interesting products and programs these companies will be showcasing.
Other exhibitors attending the show include: Bay & Delta Yachtsman — Recreation Publications, Edgewater Marine LLC, Handcraft Mattress Company, Jeff Brown Yachts, Newcoast, Principal Financial Group, Seattle International Yachts, Tektite Industries, Inc./TEKNA, ZIZZO folding bicycles.
And there’s much more going on — In conjunction with National Safe Boating Week, the show will feature a fun photo opportunity with life jackets, as well as a life jacket giveaway on Saturday, May 18. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about boating safety, take fun photos, and receive a free life jacket, courtesy of the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (100 life jackets will be given away on a first come, first served basis.)
Also on Saturday, everyone is invited to board the Marine Science Institute’s 90-ft research vessel, Robert G. Brownlee, for a hands-on educational adventure with San Francisco marine life. Children will also enjoy hands-on fun including model RC boat races and bounce houses.
The Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show will be open to the public Thursday, May 16, through Sunday, May 19.
Show times:
Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $20 for adults; children 12 and younger are free, and active military personnel enjoy complimentary admission on Thursday and Friday. Purchase advance tickets at www.PacificBoatShow.com.
Sailagram: A Snapshot of April Sailing
Welcome to April’s Sailagram! A big thank you to all who have embraced our new submission process — it saves us a lot of time and helps ensure that we can keep this page going.
We just need one more thing: Please ensure you include your name, or the photographer’s name, in the photo description. This way we can give credit where credit is due.
And now, for your viewing pleasure, we introduce … April!
See In Stock Sail & Power Boats from Naos Yachts at Pacific Sail & Power
Join Naos Yachts at Pacific Sail & Power to view in stock inventory and spring pricing incentives.
Blue Frontier Celebrates the Sea and Its New Flagship, ‘Queen’
Last weekend’s wild-ish weather played its part in Blue Frontier’s “Celebration of the Sea” — an event to highlight the work being done by Bay Area organizations and individuals promoting ocean and coastal environmental work. The event was held in Bolinas overlooking the ocean, with the rain clouds parting just in time for a wonderful gathering that included American marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer Dr. Sylvia Earle, and folk singer Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, a longtime sailing and tall ship aficionado.
The day was a mix of celebration, information, fun, and fundraising. Woody Skoriak was among the guests and shared, “Who knew kelp tacos could be so good? Yummy …”
Blue Frontier was also celebrating its “new” vessel — a 1931 51-ft William Hand ketch-rigged motorsailer named Queen, which was donated to the organization by Robert Wright of Fort Bragg and Grass Valley, CA. Queen was built in Brooklyn, New York, in 1931, and has made numerous trips up and down the West Coast from Alaska to Mexico. Blue Frontier plans to use it as a research platform for coastal environmental work. The organization’s founder, David Helvarg, an author of numerous books on oceans, ecology, environment and sustainability, will use Queen as a platform from which to conduct research on kelp along the Northern California coast.
Natasha Benjamin, Blue Frontier’s director, expressed her thanks to the many organizers, volunteers, donors and supporters who came together to make the celebration a success. “It was inspiring to hear from [ocean youth activists] Leilei [and] Ava Haro, Marin Supervisor Dennis Rodoni, Blue Frontier’s David Helvarg and of course ‘Her Deepness’ Dr. Sylvia Earle. Thanks also to our volunteer musicians including Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, the artists and the creators who donated to our silent auction and those who bid on their gifts.
“With all the challenges we face on our blue world today, it was reassuring to meet and interact with others who appreciate that we get so much from the ocean [and] we need to give something back.”
You can learn about some of the work Blue Frontier is supporting on its Rising Tide podcast.
And if you’d like to add your support, you can donate here.
By the way, Woody adds, “At 92 years old, Jack can still sing his tunes, one of which included Woody Guthrie’s Talking Sailor.”
Short Sightings — News Bites From Around the Waterfront
Race, cruise, sail and sing. There’s lots of sailing on the Bay, along with sea chanteys starting up again along the Oakland shoreline. It’s hard to keep up with it all. If you haven’t found a reason to sail, you might want look at some of the events and activities below.
Laughing All the Way to Mexico — the 30th Annual Baja Ha-Ha
Sign-ups for the 30th annual Baja Ha-Ha opened yesterday at noon, and in less than 24 hours, there were almost 60 boats signed up! Number one on the list are Zac Singer and Karina Velasco with their Andrews 56 Encore. Zac is founder of SailMS, which aims to empower folks challenged by multiple sclerosis. While most boats hail from California, there are folks signed up from British Columbia, North Carolina, Toronto, ON, Oregon and Washington. It’s just the beginning. You can see the full list of boats already signed up here. The Ha-Ha starts from Shelter Island in San Diego on Monday, November 4. But sign up now to make sure you receive all the mailings along with the First Timer’s Guide to help you over the border on your sail south. You can sign up here.
St. Francis Yacht Club Invites US Clubs to Race in Sailing Leagues Regatta
St. Francis Yacht Club invites interested yacht clubs based in the United States to race in an inaugural Sailing League Regatta in San Francisco. The Sailing Champions League organizes high-level club-vs.-club fleet racing throughout Europe and Australia. Currently, over 500 different yacht clubs compete in the series, which is focused on spectator-friendly events.
As the league expands into the United States, St. Francis Yacht Club will be running a two-day pilot event on June 8–9, in its fleet of J/22s. All clubs are welcome to send a crew to compete at this unique event. It’s coming up fast. You can see the Notice of Race here.
Quinn’s Lighthouse Reopens
No sooner had we reported on the closing of the popular waterfront watering hole, Quinn’s Lighthouse at Embarcadero Cove in Oakland, than we got word that it’s reopening. Reader John Palme, who appeared in the photo in our February story identified as “Name Unknown (guitar in back),” alerted us to a story in Berkeleyside saying a new owner is stepping up. Palme said, “The current version of the sea shanty band was back there last night, May 9, from 8–10 p.m. It’s kind of a trial run. Hopefully, it will lead to a regular gig, but nothing is set just yet.” We’ll hope it continues so you can sing along next time.
Opening Day South Bay
While most all of the Bay’s sailors and yacht clubs celebrated Opening Day on the Bay on Sunday, April 28, the South Bay Yacht Club is marching to a different drummer. Reader Dean McCully of SBYC sent a note to remind us that they are celebrating Opening Day this Sunday, May 12, alongside Mother’s Day. It happens at noon with boat rides and a parade of boats preceded by a 10 a.m.–12 noon brunch. Learn more here.
Free Sailing at Alameda Community Sailing Center
Alameda Community Sailing Center (ACSC) has thrown its hat into the ring to join other Bay Area organizations inviting the world sailing on the June 22 Summer Sailstice weekend. Located on the western shore of Alameda, ACSC will be getting out their boats and hosting free sailing and a BBQ. It’s a free event open to all. Bring the kids, invite friends, and check out sailing the Bay at ACSC. Learn more here.
You can find more on Latitude 38’s calendar page.
Sunday, May 12: “Nothing Going On” in the YRA Calendar
What’s a sailor to do? When we put together our Northern California Sailing Calendar last fall, we noted there was absolutely nothing on the calendar for this upcoming Sunday, May 12. We know that’s not a problem for everyone because, believe it or not, some people just go sailing for the fun of it. No start times, racing rules, practices or essentially much preparation at all. If that’s difficult for you, this Sunday is your day to try sailing aimlessly around the Bay with no particular destination in mind.
As luck would have it, after we went to press the Moore 24 Roadmaster Regatta at Santa Cruz Yacht Club on May 11–12 came to our attention. So there actually is an organized regatta for Sunday if you have a Moore 24. Or you could head over to the South Bay YC’s Opening Day and Mother’s Day celebration.
Why would such a busy sailing region have have nothing scheduled during the peak sailing season? Do we need to remind you it’s Mother’s Day? Apparently the Moore fleet is the only fleet willing to risk the wrath of their mothers. A flower shop would do well to email an FTD link to all the Moore 24 owners.
If you do want to firm up some sailing dates you can check out our calendar here. Otherwise you can wander around the Bay with the best of them.
Vallejo Marina: Gateway to the Bay, Delta, and Napa River
40′ to 45′ foot slips are now available at $9.97/ft. www.ci.vallejo.ca.us