Islander 36 Association

'Round Alameda Parade
Wednesday, January 1, 2025



It's time for the really fun and unique way to start another year of sailing with the New Year's Day 'Round Alameda Parade with visits to the yacht clubs of Alameda. This can be a really 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!

New Year 2025 tide predictions are about as good as they ever get, so, weather permitting, put this event on your calendar! Plan to rendezvous in the Estuary off Encinal YC at 1000 hours on a rising 5.8' tide. We'll proceed to Aeolian Yacht club arriving by 1100 when the tide is 6.3'. Enjoy their wonderful Chili, Cornbread, Bloody Mary's and Gin Fizzes by noon when the tide peaks at 6.4'. That's as good as it gets to go out under the Bay Farm Bridge into south San Francisco Bay to enjoy an afternoon of sailing. If you arrive at Ballena Bay YC around 1300 to enjoy their hamburgers, you still have 5.9' of tide. But don't dawdle too long as by 1800 it's a -1.1' tide getting back into your home marina.



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 to Aeolian's navigation page with a good description of the route and a dramatic picture of the "channel" at low tide: http://www.aeolianyc.org/aeolian-navigation.html

These are typical yacht club offereings, and we'll try to update tham as we get closer to January 1st:

Aeolian YC - chili & corn bread,($5) Bloody Marys and Gin Fizzes ($7) Cash or checks only. (2024 prices)
Island YC - ??? for 2024 Coffee and Donuts aboard Laguna Verde on Dock 6
Ballena Bay YC - "Popular annual events include New Year's Day "Around the Island," usually some BBQ."
Encinal YC - Clam chowder typically offered.
Oakland YC - It's on their calendar.

To join the fun, assemble at Encinal YC, or just out in the Estuary off Encinal at 1000 hours. You can use the form below as "sign up" sheet.

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!)

Welcome aboard for a great 2025 season with the most vital "grand old fleet" on the Bay! Here's a link to 2024's fun : 'Round Alameda 2024.)

For additional details or questions, contact Rick Van Mell.


'Round Alameda 1/1/2025 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 (we) would like to sail with someone! Enter Comments below
Sorry - not this year.

Other Comments:

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