Islander 36 Association

'Round Alameda Parade
Tuesday, January 1, 2019



Saturday morning 12/29 Email from Rick:

Those around San Francisco know about the traditional 'Round Alameda Parade on New Year's Day with stops at participating yacht clubs - sort of a great sailor's version of a Pub Crawl!

This year the Tide Gods put a barely workable high tide of about 6' to navigate the traditional way around the southeast end of Alameda island at 0800. Pretty darn early after New Year's Eve. But Islander 36ers are a resourceful bunch and hopefully want to get on the water on the 1st day of the year anyway.

I've talked with Commodore Eric Mueller and here's a thought: Those interested gather at Marina Village Gate 8, or the Encinal Guest Docks at 10:45. There are at least half a dozen Islanders at Gate 8, and room for plenty to arrive by water at Encinal by 10:45. Those who want to join the fun but it's not practical to bring your boat to the Estuary, rendezvous by car. That includes Eric, and Sandy & me Then we Carpool to Aeolian Yacht Club at 11:00 for their famous chili and Bloody Marys.

After enjoying what Aeolian has to offer, we carpool back to Gate 8 / Encinal and around 12:30 board the participating boats for a cruise out to the Estuary mouth and back - with I-36 flags flying. The forecast is for clear skies and NE winds up to 10 knots. So we might have a nice light beat or a cast iron jenny parade along the Estuary. Hopefully the skippers whose boats are willing to go will accommodate those of us (like Eric, Sandy & me) who will be coming by car.

Then we return to Gate 8 / Encinal to enjoy a final gathering at Encinal YC for a libation or perhaps their delicious Chowder Bowl.

Let's make this happen! It will take at least 2 - 4 boats willing to be on the water, and as many who want to participate by carpool.

Reply to this email, or use our placeholder web page, http://islander36.org/newyear19/newyear19details.html , to let us know your intentions. If you Reply To All, you will help encourage others to sign up, and be sure to include if you're willing to take other folks aboard if you're participating by boat.

We'll post updates tomorrow, Sunday, morning, and make a Go / No Go decision about noon on Monday.

Cheers,
Rick

 New Year's Day brings the 'Round Alameda Parade day with visits to the yacht clubs of Alameda. This is a fun day on the water if the weather is good (really is a "fair weather" event!) There is something special about our ability to get out on the water on the first day of a new year - something many of our members are envious of!

This year the tide is high, 6.4 feet, at 07;53 am, then it will drop to a low of 0.1 feet at 1441. As we get closer to year end, we'll see if Aeolian Yacht Club is opening for breakfast because it's going to be too shallow around noon for a comfortable passage there. A stop at Ballena Bay, if at all, would probably have to be done by goig out the Estuary and around, rather than using the Bay Farm Bridge.

For those that would like to know more, here are some basics. Alameda, CA is actually an island, just west of Oakland, separated by the Oakland Estuary. While the Estuary, particularly at its entrance, is wide and deep enough for 1000' container ships, when it narrows at its eastern end where three bridges connect it to Oakland, it's quite narrow and getting shallow fast. At the southeastern end, at San Leandro Bay, it is connected to Bay Farm Island - where Oakland Airport is located - by a 4th bridge. Going west from there into San Francisco Bay, there is an unmarked tidal slough that has 6-8 feet of water in a very narrow band and then a stretch of 2-4' of water to cross into the Bay itself. It's about 15.5 miles around the Island. Here's what it looks like on the chart:

[Click to enlarge]
Alameda - Overview		 [Click to enlarge]
Alameda - Bay Farm		 [Click to enlarge]
Alameda -Little channel


Here is a link toAeolian's navigation page with a dramatic picture of the "channel" at low tide: http://www.aeolianyc.org/aeolian-navigation.html

We will update Yacht Club offerings in late December, but typically it has been:

Aeolian YC - chili & corn bread, Bloody Marys and Gin Fizzes.
Alameda YC -
Ballena Bay YC - Popular annual events include New Year's Day "Around the Island," usually some BBQ.
Encinal YC - Clam chowder offered.
Island YC - (nothing posted.)
Oakland YC - It's on their calendar.

To join the fun, assemble at Encinal YC, or just out in the Estuary off Encinal at 0930 hours. You can use the form below as "sign up" sheet for members who would like to bring their own boat or might rather bring family & friends to ride along with other Islanders.

We typically stand watch on channel 72 to stay in touch. This is great fun if the weather cooperates (or stay home, play Groundhog, and watch football if it's bad!)

Finally, if there is any interest, we could even have a casual raft-up/ potluck for New Year's Eve at Encinal. That option is included below too.

Welcome aboard for a great 2019 season with the most vital "grand old fleet" on the Bay! (Here's a link to last year's fun: 'Round Alameda 2018.)

For additional details or questions, contact Rick Van Mell.


'Round Alameda 1/1/2019 Sign Up Form

THIS IS ALL "WEATHER PERMITTING!"

Owner Name: Email Address:

Boat Name:         Cell Phone:  

'Round Alameda Participation Level:
Count Me & My Boat In!    Maybe    I (or we) would like to sail with someone    I'll volunteer to help    Sorry - not this time   

Dock Space For:

Monday 12/31/18:               Interested in a New Year's Eve Potluck?:        

Other Comments:

For more information about cruising, E-Mail Cruise Chair Robert DaPrato
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