Presidio Yacht Club Celebrates Change of Watch

Sometimes we’re a little behind with our news. Our excuse? Perhaps the plentitude of emails, texts, social media and other forms of communication that breeze through our offices? Or maybe it was the flurry of the holidays and a few unusual events that occurred along the West Coast. Whatever the reason, thankfully things are not always lost. In this instance, we have recovered an update from the Presidio Yacht Club about their recent change of command.

“With the winds and rain warnings for the Bay Area to hunker down and PG&E notices for power outages, we were able to serve 50 members and guests to the lunch (in spite of the lack of electricity) and membership meeting to thank outgoing Commodore Scott Pasternak and formally promote Vice Commodore Dr. Stephen Golden to Commodore and incoming 2025 Vice Commodore Dr. Travis Bellicchi, a dentist at Travis Air Force Base, to the command. In addition, Robert DaPrato, USMCR, was appointed Rear Commodore.” This news arrived via Robert DaPrato who proudly accepted his appointment in December.

“Unfortunately, I did not have a military uniform on, but look at the Latitude 38 T-shirt and hat!” Robert adds. We see you, Robert, we see you!

“The meeting and luncheon occurred at Fort Baker in Horseshoe Cove, next to the Golden Gate Bridge, which is shared and supported by the United States Air Force within the Golden Gate Parks and Recreational District.”

Robert continues, “As a longtime Latitude 38 reader and supporter, I have enjoyed meeting and sailing with veterans, family members and active military personnel on one of the three yacht club sailing vessels available for use at our harbor. Additionally, many of the members have Islanders, Santanas, Catalinas and other yachts for sailing enthusiasts or wannabe sailors.”

Travis Marina is one of those “hidden (in plain sight) gems.” It has a great bar and restaurant upstairs with large windows that offer views to the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay. And guest boaters and the public are welcome! Did we mention they make great burgers?

The Travis Sailing Club has opportunities for people to experience an introduction to sailing — “We did provide rides to 350 people on the 4th of July as well as working with veterans’ organizations; we were able to support 500 people in 2024. We have 92 members and added another 37 new members last year.”

For more information about the yacht club, and its mission and objectives to support the sailing community and mental well-being through sailing, see the website at: https://www.presidioyachtclub.org

Some readers may recall our 2020 story about saving the Marina. Read here.