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Islander 36 Association |
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Islander 36 Association |
'Round Alameda Parade
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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 2026 tide predictions are very good early in the morning, and peak at San Leandro Channel at 0923 at 8.17'. However, thereafter it starts to fall, getting to 5.5' at noon, then dropping to a keel dragging -1.4 at 1646. So, weather permitting, put this event on your calendar! Plan to rendezvous in the Estuary off Encinal YC at 1000 and we will proceed to Aeolian YC, arriving by about 1100. We eat and imbibe promptly, and aim to depart the docks around 1200 noon. We the fearless (or foolhardy) can turn right under the Bay Farm Bridge and try to make it out the San Leandro channel to South SF Bay, but the rest of us will turn left and retrace our wake back under the 3 bridges into the Estuary. We're looking forwad to Aeolian's wonderful Chili, Cornbread, Bloody Mary's and Gin Fizzes. Note: Cash Bar Only. In addition, a few boats have expressed an interest in sailing over to Marina Village on Wednesday, New Year's Eve, and getting a slip so they won't have to come a long way to rendezvous off Encinal at 1000 Thursday morning. And, that could be a great New Year's party in itself. Kapai is planning on doing that, so join up and make it a party. Choose that option below. 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:
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 - The Aeolian Yacht Club will be open from 9a - 1p (early high tides) and serving Chili and Cornbread for $10. The bar will be serving Bloody Marys & Ramos Fizzes for $8; Mimosas & Irish Coffees for $6 (cash bar only). Commemorative T-Shirts available. (Cash or checks only). VHF Channel 69, 980 Fernside Blvd., Alameda. Island YC - (Nothing Posted) Ballena Bay YC - (Nothing Posted) Encinal YC - (Nothing Posted) Oakland YC - (Nothing Posted) 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 2026 season with the most vital "grand old fleet" on the Bay! Here's a link to 2025's fun : 'Round Alameda 2025.) For additional details or questions, contact Rick Van Mell. |
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