Now, before you just skip on down to the pictures, let's follow how much fun it was to be at the opening of the 2012 season for the Islander 36 Association. Commodore John Melton kicked it off with wonderfully understated light humor as the crowd was encouraged to sit at tables. "Welcome, (......) now I promised we'd keep this short, so, let's eat and we'll have the rest of the meeting later."

GGYC laid out a great buffet, starting off with fine Caesar salad, perfectly cooked asparagus, a rice mold, and the two entree choices. Well, shucks, it's a buffet and so folks asked for "a little of each." No worries, Mate, it all worked out well and when all was said and done, the consensus was that this was one terrific meal. Thanks GGYC!

John called for the various committee reports and they followed in good order. Myphi reported on the Fall Meeting formalities; Pat gave the Treasurer's report (no - it wasn't, "We've got Money!"; Bob Knickerbocker said our new year renewals are on track to reach the 200 level; Rick Van Mell gave his usual, "Keep those stories and pictures coming," speech, and then Richard Doyle talked about the Cruise program and Dan Knox got (his usual passionate self) enthusiased about signing up for both the Party Circuit and the ODCA to keep the Islanders in the forefront of Bay area sailing.

Commodore Melton had a real competition going, because just as the "official business" was getting under way the America's Cup 45' catamarans were spotted sailing out onto the Bay. Many a strained neck was seen twisting between paying attention to the speakers, and sneaking a peak at what was going on way out there next to the Golden Gate.

While we always have a Race & Cruise Schedule, the very best part of every Spring Meeting is the welcoming of new members. Commodore Melton recognized them in his opening remarks. Everyone applauded new Members Bill & Pattie O'Connor (on St. Pattie's Day no less!), new owners of Vivace, and also Bob DaPrato & Maria Santiago of Bella Luna. Recognition also went to Chris Rossiter, Blaze, and Bruce & Donna Hallberg, (Falcon) for their quiet, but long term commitment to the fleet.

Then there was recognition of the boat that came the farthest for the meeting. Now you might think that Skipper & Nancy Wall would get that since they come from Cason City, Nevada. Yes, that trumps Gary & Pat Salvo from Sacramento, and Harry Farrell & Carol Williams from Lodi, but there's one that has them beat by miles -- lots of miles. The prize goes to Islander Celebration, Ken & Miriam Rappolt's Islander berthed in Hawaii.

Dan Knox waxed eloquent about the Sail Trim Clinic (April 4th). Basically, sign up, come, bring crew, and learn how to get aorudn the course. While this might sound like a racers-only pitch, it's equally as good for cruisers who would llike to think about racing in the future or would like to test the waters by crewing on a boat in a race to see what it's like.

Vice Commodore Ray Duran (Orion) gave a great presentation on Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors. It was professionally shot and shown on PBS. Here's a link to it: http://byutv.org//watch/867c8edd-1ffa-4402-9f8a-8437fa0f868c

Also BAADS' web page has more pictures of the Spring Meeting, and other interesting stuff. Thanks Pam Prentice for the link: http://sailingbaads.wordpress.com/

The meeting adjourned about 1500, but as Commodore Melton called a Board Meeting aboard Luna Sea, we got another taste of the frosty side of Mother Nature with a very quick rain & hail storm!

Enjoy the pictures.

Friday 3/16/12	Alcatraz lurks ...	flags are frazzeled ...	Islanders ...Secure!	Luna Sea
Ophira	Natural High	Freedom Won	Tucked in Mai Pen Rai	New ramp ...
looks good.	Ramp & dock mover!	St. Francis' toys	Meanwhile ...	back at the fire.
Flags are ...	whipped.	Noble & Roger on Mai Pen Rai	Stern shot ...	Bow shot.

Friday 3/16/12

GGYC Burgee room ...	lives its name.	From the upper deck	AC Picture	John & Nanci & Matt Bush
Myphi & Dan	Dennis & Judy	Pat & Gary	Food time	Great pictures ...
around the ...	room.	Dennis, Judy, Matt, Nanci, John	Roger, Noble, Nancy, Gary	GGYC Commodore Norbert Bajurin Vice Comm. Tom Ehman
Paradesia arrives Saturday morning ...	her canine.	Tucker is on guard	Gina & Richard check folks in	Maria & Bob Bella Luna
Getting acquainted	Kathryn & Myphi	Bob, Harry & Maureen	Lorraine & Dan	Rich & Chris
Don & Skipper	Hi Tucker!	Rick, Ken & Miriam	Maria & Bob	Bill makes a point ...
Pattie's polite!	Rich, Tom, Beau, Steve, Jocelyn, Lorraine	Donna, Bruce, Judy, Matt Chris, Miriam & Ken	The crowd	Dan, Rob, Ruby, Gina Richard, Rick, Myphi
Charles & Kathryn	Ray, Ed, Pam & Daniel	Noble, Barbara, Roger	Rich, Barbara, Don	Eric & Bob
Maureen & Bob Harry & Carol	Great Tri-tip	Commodore Melton ...	gets upstaged!	Bob's Membership report
Pat's Birthday!	Ray give BAADS presentation	Breeze on the Bay	Big steel	AC45s at play
chase ...	bare headed.	Hail!

AC 45s Play

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