No Time Like the Present

We’ve heard it said that the average sailboat leaves its slip just 15 times a year. If you haven’t hit that magic number yet, there’s still time. Coordinate a raft-up with friends for Thanksgiving, sail over to Sam’s for a hot toddy or start rigging your boat with holiday lights in preparation for one of the Bay Area’s many lighted boat parades. If you’ve limited yourself to just watching from shore as all those brightly decorated boats crammed with fun-loving crew go by, make this the year you finally join in. Load the boat with snacks and hot drinks, invite your beer can crew, family and friends, and crank the Buffett. Trust us — the real fun is on the water!

Below is a list of Bay Area lighted boat parades — email LaDonna if your club’s parade isn’t listed.

• Dec. 6 — Oakland/Alameda Estuary, starts at 5:30 p.m. Info,  www.lightedyachtparade.com.
• Dec. 6 — Petaluma River, begins at the marina at 5:30 p.m. Info, (707) 762-4697 or www.petalumayachtclub.com.
• Dec. 6 — Santa Cruz YC in the south harbor, starts at 5:30 p.m. Info, www.scyc.org/lbp.
• Dec. 6 — South Beach YC, from McCovey Cove to the Ferry Building. Info,  www.southbeachyachtclub.org
• Dec. 6 — Vallejo Harbor. Info, www.vyc.org or (707) 643-1254.
• Dec. 6 — Stockton, starts at 5 p.m. Info, www.deltaboating.com/mwyc.html or (209) 477-7653
• Dec. 13 — Sausalito YC, starts at 6 p.m. Info, www.syconline.org.
• Dec. 13 — Pillar Point (Half Moon Bay), starts at 6 p.m. Info, www.hmbyc.org or (650) 725-2120.
• Dec. 13 — Marina Bay Yacht Harbor, starts at 6 p.m. Info, www.marinabayyachtharbor.com.
• Dec. 19 — St. Francis YC, along the Cityfront from Pier 39 to Ft. Mason. Info, Scott Marx.
• Dec. 20 — San Rafael Canal, starts at 5:30 p.m. Info, www.sanrafaelyachtclub.org or (415) 300-4510.