Ophira was the first to arrive at Encinal Yacht Club on Thursday afternoon, followed by Snowflower and Zenith early Saturday. Vanishing Animal and Evanescence arrived just at noon. Sandy Van Mell arrived by car at the same time, and it was time to hand out Welcome Packets with the Weekend's agenda, and information page to hang on your lifeline, a list of boats attending, name tags, and T-Shirts, if they were ordered.

Also on hand were our Texas guests - Bill & Terry Ray with son BJ, who have an I-36 Exit Strategy on Lake Texoma, and Rich & Jan Worstell who their once-upon-a-time I-30 Eclipse. Rich ran one of the largest Islander dealerships in the country -- competing for top honors with Don Wilson from the Bay area! Rich was our Gues Speaker on Saturday and had a wealth of stories to tell about Islanders.

Dan Knox made an airport pick up of our two San Diego guests - Debra Tucker who has the I-36 Simple Pleasure, and Susan Werner, the new owner of an I-28 Lola. The plan was for John Melton to be waiting at the dock to take the Rays and the San Diego crew sailing. Well it seems John was finishing up a few things getting his new aft radar arch installed and connected. But when he did arrive a little after 2 Friday afternoon, all were impressed with the massive structure. Not only does it hold the radar, but it has antennas, cockpit lights, small propane tanks, a pad for an outboard, and a small davit to lift the outboard. Add a new instrument bar across the companionway and a windlass in the anchor locker, and you'd have to say John has a bunch of new toys. One way even commented it was a safer boat now because it had "roll bars!"

they all went our for a fun afternoon sail that sampled all of San Francisco Bay's typical treats. There ws the great view of the City beyond the Oakland Bay Bridge, fog over the City and out past Alcatraz and Angel Island, and then there was a good, cool summer afternoon sea breeze whipping up white caps through "the slot". Not being bashful, John put up all sail, laid the rail down and away they went. Even a little spray and splash for good measure. Not quite what the Texans or San diego sailors were used to, but they all had a good time. They returned to the dock about 1730 as the afternoon nibbles and libations were well under way.

It was great to see Islander 28s arrive, as well as Freeport 36s. Laurie Stover and Karen Damsen set up an hors de oeuvres table at the foot of the dock ramp and everyone congregated in the afternoon sun to enjoy the boats and meet friends old and new.

Friday's dinner was at Oakland, and we all headed that way around 1800. More nibbles, a fine bar and several delicious entree choices for dinner were a real treat. Elaine Mendes, Encinal's food manager too great care of us. Encinal's Vice Commodore welcomed us to their club. Our Commodore Damsen gave our thanks for being invited. Then we twisted Len's arm (he has an Islander 30) to rejoin the Islander Association, which he did!

Saturday dawned with the usual morning fog ("stratus" in the official NOAA forecast). Dogs Tucker from Natural High, and Teak from Vanishing Animal got their morning walks, as folks slowly came to life. The Furlong girls, from Vitesse, passed out flyers advertising the "Squeaky Clean Spreaders" service. For $5 12 year old Paige would go aloft and clean a single spreader rig, or double spreaders for $9. With dad Tom on the winch and little sister Katie (8) managing the safety halyard. Shining spreaders appeared on five boats: Lean Times, Brigid, Zenith, Freedom Won & Vanishing Animal.

There was also a fun Flea Market outside in the parking lot. Great fun to prowl and look at things new and old being offered.

After lunch about 40 folks gathered in Encinal's Regatta Room to enjoy Rich Worstell tell his tale of being an Islander dealer. He often noted that Islander stood out among manufacturers for accomodating the desies of new owners. this included the long list of options seen in the Owners Manual and Sales Brochures, right down to custom colors if an owner wanted them. tis comared startly with the plain vanila offerings Pearson Yachts - a major competitor at the time. Rich told two stories that demonstrated the great care and strength of Islanders. In one case they had sold a boat the the Dallas boat show and were trucking it back to Lake Texoma to deliver to the new owner when the traveler was clipped off going under a bridge. After a thorough inspection of the whole boat no other damage was found, the traveler was replaced and delivered to the owner. In a second truck mishap, an I-28 fell off the truck and slid down the highway - and survived with a little TLC to sail again. Great stories about a great boat.

Then we moved right on the afternoon Fun Race. Encinal Commodore Charles Hodgkins (I-36 Mischief) briefed the gang on the simple windward leeward course - then we started to round up boats and crew. In the end we got I-36s Freedom Won and Zenith on the water, plus Len Cardoza's I-30 Kachina, and Brian Forster's I-28 No Agenda. Brian ask for and got a special handicap - he had blown out his main and could only sail on a jib, so we incresed his rating from 204 seconds per mile to 240! Then we got a whole bunch of crew. We got the San Diego gals to crew, plus the Texas Rays, Rob & Ruby Blenderman of the I-36 White Horses, Ernie Stock from Picante, Captn Z from Zen, Corky & Anna Stewart from Brigid, plus Smokey & Dan.

It was a perfect afternoon for a race. The wind was about 8 right down the Estuary, that made for a good starting line right off the Encinal dock, a windward mark at about 3/4 mile, and a leeward mark at about half a mile. We even got a short movie clip of the start and it's below. To add spectator interest we required the boats to come back through the starting line on the way to the leeward mark. The Race Committee made a surprise announcement that one of the guest crew should steer the boat for the last leg to the finish - great fun for all who did. When they all finished and the handicaps were applied, Freedom Won was 1st, Zenith 2nd, No Agenda 3rd and Kachina 4th.

1730 marked the time to bring hors de oeuvres up to the Encinal bar table and mix and mingle. Meanwhile the Islander Chef Crew, of Corky, Tim, Dennis, John and Gary broke out the charcoal and started two big grills. It all worked out about right - the nibbles were finished just about when the burgers & chicken were ready to serve about 1900. Laurie Stover's flowers decorated the tables in the Regatta Room, plus wine bottles with the All Islander logo. Ron gave all a rousing welcome and think you for coming, and Charles Hodgkins awarded the prizes to the racers. Everyone encouraged Paige and Katie to keep up the good work on spreaders, or even expand to chrome polishing and the like! Two logo cakes finished off the evening.

Sunday morning was a lazy start with many folks getting to Oakland YC for breakfast. The fog burned off early, and one by one Islanders peeled off the dock and headed for home. It was fun weekend.

Pictures by Debra Tucker, Bill Higdon, Captn Z, Carol Williams & Rick Van Mell. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.

Snowflower	Vanishing Animal ...	& Info Sheet	Evanescence & Ophira	Zenith ...
has new ports ...	sharp outside & ...	inside.	Welcoming Rich Worstell & Bill Ray	Welcome bags & ...
check in.	From San Diego, Deb Tucker &	Susan Werner ...	board Freedom Won.	John's new mount ...
for radar & propane ...	and outboard davit ...	instruments & ...	windlass.	Friday sail ...
out the Estuary ...	Bay Bridge & breeze ...	foggy too ...	Bay Bridge & ...	City Front ...
go John ...	& Susan Werner ...	Dan Knox & Terry Ray ...	Bill Ray ...	BJ Ray ...
Deb Tucker ...	boom ride & ...	All smiles!!!	Afternoon delights ...	say Skipper & Pat ...
Dennis & Judy & ...	Tucker, Art & Teak.	Brigid arrives & ...	ties up.	Well done.
Want a little tugboat?	Vino del Mar gets ...	pulled in & ...	looks great.	Radar row.
Nice lines.	Can I come play?	Nibbles time ...	with Laurie's flowers ...	great goodies & ...
& ample libations ...	for all.	Relaxing time ...	all around.	Burgees fly.
Dockside at ...	Encinal Yacht Club ...	welcome.	Stroke ...	come on guys!
How close? ...	"This far."	Freedom Won ...	returns from sail ...	that's secure ...
Bill & BJ ...	You wanna party?!	Oakland YC for ...	dinner.	First things first ...
happy John ...	Smokey, Laurie, Skipper, Nancy	Barb & Fred Cucksey, Dennis & Judy, Pat & Gary	Commodore Ron & Karen Damsen	Bill & Terry Ray , Jan Worstell
Welcome table ...	Pandora's panorama ...	car arrivals & sharing info.	Serious talk	Good times ...
and smiling faces ...	trouble makers!	VC welcome - Len Cardoza	Ron says thanks.	The Furlongs & ...
Squeaky Clean Spreaders.	Saturday morning ...	typical fog ...	casual start ...	with Flea Market ...
great stuff ...	Teak snifs ...	want a block? ...	or a winch? ...	even electrical.
Paige cleans Lean Times ...	& Vanishing Animal ...	hard at work ...	her support crew.	The View!
88 year old Bill Higdon ...	tucks Blockbuster in.	I-28 Sara Jane ...	Steve & Marcie Mathews ...	looks fine.
I-28 No Agenda ...	with Brian Forster ...	looks good too.	Robert & Mary Scott ...	Vino del Mar
Corky & Anna Stewart ...	Brigid	Who's buying?	Karen & Ron Damsen ...	Woodbine
Fleet Captain, Michele Williams	Betsy, Bill, Jim & Art	Go Snowflower!	Hi Vitesse	Blockbuster
I-28 Sarah Jane	I-29 Zen	Captn Z at ease!	Pat Salvo starts ...	up on Evanescence ...
to work aloft ...	Laurie is safety ...	almost there ...	mission accomplished.	A beautiful day for ...
flag flying.	Rich Worstell's talk ...	attracted a crowd.	Ernie & Brigitte Stock, B-28 Picante	Nice breeze ...
nice raft ...	nice ????!!! (oops)	Pat & Shawna	Race Committe comfort ...	Kachina's here ...
Zenith too ...	& Freedom Won	No Agenda hoists	A crowd gathers	Kachina's ready
One sail wonder!	Art too.	Trim!	Concentration.	Lined up.
Approach run ...	Start!

The Fun Race Start

		Race watchers	Tack to cover ...	right behind ...
me too!!!!	Going upwind ...	good trim ...	approaching windward mark ...	good racing ...
keep going ...	They mean it!	Freedom Won ...	rounds first ...	concentration.
Zenith ...	is next ...	easy now.	Jack London Square	No Agenda ...
approaching ..	rounds too ...	and eases off.	Hi Vino!	Kachina ...
is right behind ...	go get 'em!	Light going ...	both ways.	Ready for finish?!
John is first ...	well done!	Zenith is next	Kachina	No Agenda finishes ...
and returns with ...	happy crew.	Protest????	Nah! Let's party.	At Encinal YC ...
lots to nibble ...	Don & Barb Henderson Kindred Spirits	Bill holds court	The Gals	Drinkers?
Brigitte & Ernie Stock	Shawna, Mark & Gary	Ruby, Rob & Lisa	Kids corner - Paige, Katie & Ian	BJ & Brian
Terry, Jan, Marcie & Rich	Evening glow ...	down the dock ...	across the raft ...	good group ...
Fine evening.	Tables of smiles ...	around the room ...	all relaxed ...	ready to eat ...
but most of all ...	Where's ...	Dessert!!!!!

Carol William's Pics

No Agenda changes ...	jibs ...	off with the old ...	Go Smokey!!
Ready to sail.	Michele helps ...	John - (best side?)	BJ is ready too.
Anna on Zenith ...	Harry crews too ...	Zenith goes to sea.	The race crew ...
up close ...	Tension builds.