Since this was the first ever Spring Meeting in Daylight Savings time, Friday evening seemed to slip by at least an hour faster. Vanishing Animal had invited the gang aboard for hors de oeuvres at 1730, but with ten boat fulls, and some of the gang already ensconced within Woodbine's cozy dodger/bimini enclosure, the fleet split between the two. As usual, and planned this time, the nibbles easily substituted for dinner. What with tri-tip bites from Pat Salvo, shrimp from Betsy Fowler, more goodies from Barb Henderson (walking quite nicely with a new knee), corned beef from Sandy Van Mell, and a variety of chips, dips and even potato salad and coleslaw, dinner was not an issue. Why, by the time it started to get dark, we realized it was pushing on toward 8 pm anyway.

Maybe the wine helped too. Conversations rolled on into the dark, and when it got too cool, moved below. San Francisco YC's latest security bit was a pair of halogen construction lights on a stand that at first were directed at the boats, but then thankfully raised to illuminate the rigging - quite a nice effect. Leaning back in the cockpit, beyond the reflecting Windex arrows atop the masts, Orion, Pleiades and a host of stars graced the sky. It was delightful; it was peacful; but even the strongest party people were tucked in their bunks by 2200.

San Francisco YC is just completing a major renovation with everything from exterior shingles to a lounge skylight and exquisite mahogany varnish work throughout. Though the little adjacent Cove House, where we hold the lunch meeting, has not yet been upgraded, it was already set on Saturday morning with big round tables dressed in fine linen and silverware ready for us. Michele Williams arrived by 0840 with a car-load of goodies and equipment for both the Rules Clinic and the luncheon. With a little help (or hindrance!) from Lou Zevanov and Rick Van Mell, all was set and ready to go shortly after 0900.

Though relatively mild and calm at the SFYC docks, what the locals call fog and the weather pros call low stratus streamed through the Golden Gate clear to the Berkeley shore with plenty of cold ocean wind pushing it. That probably was a deciding factor to keep other boats from sailing over on Saturday morning. Besides, it would be really hard to get your boat to SFYC in time for the morning event - the Rules Clinic at 0930 featuring senior US Sailing Judge Tom Roberts.

And what a fun time the Rules Clinic was. Tom does an excellent job of starting with the fundamentals of rules 10 - 13, and then expanding as everyone gets comfortable with the basics. He has a great sense of humor too, as when introducing Rule 14 by reminding people that sailing is not a contact sport. So, you're wondering, just who the heck remembers just what Rule 10, etc, is anyway? Most everyone already knows Rule 10 - Starboard has right of way over Port, and Rule 11 too - Windward Boat keep clear. Rule 12 is like US Coast Guard rules - a yacht clear astern shall keep clear of a yacht clear ahead. Those three take care of most situations, and Rule 13 simply adds that a boat changing course shall keep clear of a boat on a course (plus a few things). Then there's that Rule 14 - thou shalt avoid a collision. See all the attentive faces in the pictures below and you'll know that at least 30 people are smarter and safer out there thanks to Tom Roberts and Michele Williams who organized the Clinic. If you'd like to read a little more, here's an easy-read version of the rules: http://www.ussailing.org/rules/RulesInBrief.htm.

Bright sun was already washing the docks and deck as the Rules Clinic crowd spilled out to get ready for lunch. Conversations along the docks lingered in the warmth and we had to encourage everyone to mosey over to the Cove House. Nanci Melton, Laurie Stover and Karen Damsen held down the registration table, while Betsy Fowler handed out wine glasses to those imbibing wine with lunch. Laurie & Nanci provided appropriate St. Pattie's Day green decorations for the tables, and as folks got seated, Rick worked the room handing out copies of the Islander Blueprints CD to each boat.

Once again San Francisco YC and their friendly staff served a delicious lunch. Whether you chose London Broil, perfectly done like a magazine print, or the moist and tender chicken, you still got the crisp asparagus and white sauce, a leafy green salad, and, of course, the chocolate petit four, chocolate mousse and sherbet desert plate. Couldn't ask for more - nicely done.

Then Commodore Fowler had to break the spell by starting a meeting - of all things!!! Art welcomed our newest members, including Corky Stewart (Brigid), Bill & Jana Knopf (Sprint), Butch Nelson & Sandra Slate (who live aboard Arete), and Reggie & Nina Stone - members for 9 years but first time at a meeting (Fantasy). The Committee Reports were quickly (and nicely) presented, leaving some time to discuss the cruising season and the racing season. Michele Williams picked up where Joseph Krensavage had started using a PowerPoint presentation to describe the two racing options this year - the regular Season's Championship, and the new Casual Classic series. She also invited cruisers and racers alike to attend the Sail Trim Clinic on April 14th at GGYC, and expanded that to include an opportunity for racers to sign up mentors for a race or two during the season. Michele did a fine job and there is plenty of enthusiasm for the coming season. Kathryn Munn invited all interested to hear Gary Jobson talk at Encinal YC on the evening of April 4th.

Kit Wiegman was our featured speaker with his artful presentation of Cassiopeia's race to Hawaii and the sail back. Kit showed how the boat had been reinforced and set up for the ocean passage. Attention was given to crew safety with things like extra water, life raft, ditch bag and and EPIRB for emergency, and lee cloths for sleeping on an angle. His pictures showed both the agony of the first heavy weather heeled over days and the ecstasy of broad reaching with a spinnaker set under sunny skies. Of course the trip back is somewhat notorious too - with the worst weather usually reserved for the end! But it was a great show and even prompted Dan Knox to suggest we ought to get a fleet of Islanders into the race! Kit even brought his newest crew member along - 2 month old Yvonne with mom Naomi Wortis.

Warm afternoon sun drew many back to the docks following the meeting. Boat inspections were the rule, particularly for newer members. Robert Aston, our US Coast Guard Auxiliary certified Vessel Examiner, completed inspections on 8 of the 10 Islanders present and all passed inspection and got their 2007 Vessel Safety Inspection decals on their windows. These can be a big help if the Coast Guard comes along side to ask about inspections! If you'd like one, and they are quite straight forward, check out this link which is also on our Home Page: Get A Free Coast Guard Inspection.

Sunday evening was almost a carbon copy of Saturday night. Woodbine and Evanescence did the hosting honors and all piled aboard and still found goodies to contribute from their galleys and food lockers. Why there was even some more wine around! But once again, this wild crowd hit their bunks early.

Sunday morning most gathered for a fine breakfast inside SFYC where the fare ranged from juicy omelettes through pancakes and Belgian waffles! With great effort we arose from the tables to bid each other farewell and cast off to catch the flood tide back to our home ports as the sun chased the little fog away. What a great way to start the season!

Pictures by Lou Zevanov, Judy Bush, and Sandy & Rick Van Mell. Plus, there's a bonus section of pictures taken by Dan Knox on Sunday morning as boats were leaving Belvedere. You could call it, "Islanders at Play," featuring Snowflower, Evanescence & Diana. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.