The great thing about a Spring Meeting is it's like finding old friends that you haven't seen since last season. Lots of lively chatter; rubber necking on boats, and smiles all around. We had five new members present (of the 12!) that have joined since last fall. That included, Dave Barclay (Music), Dave & Sharon Hanna (Shalinda)[Sharon's brother and boat partners Tim & Linda Barnes got hit by the flu bug and couldn't join us], returning and most revered members Smokey and Laurie Stover (Evanescense, and Shahran Jami & Veronica Grim (Azizam. Shahran has a Marine Services business and specializes in interior upgrades, and Katyhryn Munn extolled the work he did on Mischief. (He's been added to our Vendors List if you're interested.)

Commodore Van Mell gave our fifth new member present a special introduction during the meeting. Islanders come in varying states of perfection. For many years Harry Farrell's Pacific High was the gleaming example of perfection. Glistening topsides and glowing cockpit and cabin truck. To Harry's credit, he applied 17 coats of wax, which was easy to do when he lived on the heights of Sausalito, 5 minutes from an afternoon wax job. When Harry moved on up the Delta to Stockton, Art Fowler's Zenith took up the mantle, always ship shape and Bristol fashion. Now those of you who have seen these boats know what a standard they set. Well, there is a new standard! New Member Dan Hendrickson's Makani is such a notch above that Barb Hendrson remarked, "That's an Islander!" Deep blue topsides, red cove stripe, topped with red toe rails and even a red spinnaker pole and red halyards. Gleaming white cabin top too. Polished stainless anchor and matching polished stainless stove. Let us add, the teak deck is to perfection. When asked to comment on his remodel, he modestly admitted the oldest thing on the boat was now himself! See the pictures below.

GGYC provided a nice array of salmon bruschetta and cheeses for hors de oeuvres, then a tasty lunch with Tri Tip or Salmon entrees with asparagus and au gratin potatoes, plus cupcakes for dessert.

Tom Ehman, GGYC Vice Commodore and 30 year veteran of America's Cups, delevered an entertaining and informative dialog and video presentation, starting with some captured Islander images. One he has used for many years to associate sailing and San Francisco is the center image from our 2010 All Islander Rendezvous poster. Tom's video began with a brief recap of the Oracle victory in Valencia in 2010, showing the monster trimaran that won it.

He went on to cover the great comback from being down 8 to 1 with every race being match point. He explained there were very few and just minor physical changes to the boat, but lots of changes to how it was sailed. Among the more critical ones were changing the shape of the wing to create more draft higher up, realizing tht if the crew worked the hydraulic pumps almost continually they could "pump" the main to promote getting up on the foils faster, and then combining those two to achieve foiling upwind. It was that foiling upwind that made the big difference. Tom reported that during the final an deciding race he and GGYC Commodore Norbert Baurin were in a chase boat with a representative of Australia's Hamilton Island Yacht Club aboard. When Oracle crossed the line, Norbert signed off on Hamilton Island YC as the challenger of record for the 35th Cup.

In looking ahead to the 35th Cup, Tom reviewed the top teams that are likely to be involved, including England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, and the US, plus some potential for Germany, Oman, Japan, China and Korea. The protocol should be out by the end of March, though the venue decision won't be along until later. It's contemplated that another America's Cup World Series will be sailed in the AC 45s during 2015 and 2016. Tom also pointed out that knowing the venue is critical to the design effort of all teams for the cup itself which will be sailed in foiling wing-sail catamarans of about 60 feet with potentially 8 aboard as crew. While there has been much press pointing toward Hawaii for the Cup itself, Tom still holds out some hope that the Cup could return to San Francisco. Another likely element of the protocol will be a nationality rule. Tom thinks that's likely to be in the 25 - 30% range. Thanks Tom for an enjoyable and informative presentation.

Roy Samuelson won the KKMI Haul Out door prize at the Fall Meeting, but decided he wasn't going to be able to use it. So we offered it up again and about a dozen folks threw their names in the bowl. We asked Tom Ehman to pick the winning ticket, and Tim Bussiek got the lucky draw.

After Tom's presentation, we moved on to the business meeting. Following Commodore Van Mell's introduction of the new members, Bob Knickerbocker follow up with his Membership report. To date we've got 133 members paid up with an expectation we'll be in the 170 - 180 range by the end of the year. (That's also a reminder for the rest of you to pay up!) Our memberrs hail from 30 states, plus seven members from two Canadian provences, and one in Australia.

Pat Salvo reported that treasury is in good shape (as it always is at the beginning of the year), with gross income for 2014 of $4,046, and net income at $3775, with a bank balance at $8,000. Pat also reported that the Board has approved a $500 contribution to the Encinal youth program which will get the I-36 logo added to their T Shirts as sponsors.

Rick reported that Bill Ray was aiming for the next issue of the Newsletter in June and would welcome stories and pictures of member projects, and that can be as easy as a phone call if you don't have time to write! (903-523-5982) The members present wereasked what they would like to see in the Newsletter and the request was for reports on how Islanders participate in activities in other areas of the country. that would include in particular big events at a yacht club, regional events with boats from many clubs, and cruises of all kinds. All of us enjoy cruise logs!

Ruby reported on the cruise plans for the year, starting off with two April cruises: the sail Trim Clinic 4/12 (yes, cruisers are invited too), and the Encinal/Svendsen's Night cruise 4/19. (Note the 4/19 is changed from the initial shcedule because the Vallejo Race was moved.) Then moving on, 5/31 is a new location, the Presidio YC at Travis Marina just inside the north tower of the Golden Gate bridge. Then 6/21-22 Summer Sailstice, 7/4-6 Benicia Bash, 7/26 Giants Game, 8/30 - 9/1 Sausalito Art & Wine Festival, 9/27 Treasure Island Swap Meet, 11/1 Fall Meeting & Winner's Dinner.

Kit presented the racing program with the Sail Trim Clinic coming up 4/12 at GGYC with past champions Peter Szasz and Jim Robinson returning as mentors for the day. Sign up at Sail Trim Clinic Details and Sign-Up. Then it's on to the Vallejo Race a week early this year on April 26/27. Kit noted that only the first day of the Party Circuit weekends would be counted for our championship. that would be the Vallejo Race going to Vallejo, the Saturday of the Second Half Opener, and the Saturday of the Season Closer. He also said we would be crediting non-spinnaker boats 12 seconds per mile this year, pointing out that Corinthian YC has used 10 seconds and others hav suggested as much as 17 seconds. Boats are on the honor system to report when the fly spinnakers (or their competitors can report for them!)

The meeting wrapped up with the presentation of a framed certificate to Skipper Wall making him an Honorary Member. Skipper has been a member for 28 years and served as Commodore and also Membership chair for many years. He and Nancy have been strong supporters of the Association and have probably participated in more cruises than any other boat. Here is a link to Skipper's Certificate.

The meeting adjourned about 1430.

Enjoy the pictures.

Pictures so far by Gary/Pat Salvo, Ron/Karen Damsen, Barbara Henderson, and Rick Van Mell. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.

A rising sun ..	crests the clouds ...	and lights San Francisco.	Harbor seals awake ...	Elephant seal attracts.
Friday night's boats ...	waking up:	They include ...	Mai Pen Rai,	Woodbine,
Natural High,	Freedom Won,	and Ophira.	Here comes ...	Bella Luna

Mischief Backing In

Now Mischief,	who backed in ...	and looks good.	Peter Szasz says hi.	Time to squeeze in ...
beautiful Makani ...	From gleaming anchor ...	teak decks ...	cabin top trim ...	comfy helm ...
nav station ...	galley ...	forward ...	& transom ...	it's Dan Hendrickson's beauty.
Here come ...	Ruby & Rob	Saturday's three.	Time to go ...	inside ...
new lower deck ...	is warm and ...	friendly ...	upstairs all new ...	great corner ...
great fireplace ...	and bar ...	tables are set ...	& ready to go.	It's Islander 36 time ...
Karen & Betsy are ready ...	Smokey pays up ...	the Golden Gate.	On the race deck ...	waiting for wind.
Our fleet.	Suzy & Harry	Delicious hor de oeuvres	I want some!	Lunch time ...
big line ...	really?!	Charles & Kathryn	Gary & Pat	Smokey & Laurie
Barbara & Noble	Ruby & Rob	The boys table!	Don, Barbara and Bob	Sharon & Dave
Veronica & Shahran	Skipper & Nancy	Steve & Jocelyn	Bruce & Donna	Cheryl & Gene
Rich, Tim & Robert	Drew, Jenn, Art & Betsy	Karen, Ron and Dennis	We've got a ...	full house!
Tom Ehman speaks ...	did his homework ...	Winning in Valencia ...	super boats.	Coming soon!
Bob's Membership report	Pat's Treasury report	Afternoon Delight!