By John Arndt | February 24, 2021 | San Francisco Bay | 0
Most local residents hoping for a weekend escape end up driving in the wrong direction. They drive to the mountains or the beaches, or up and down the coast trying to ‘get away from it all’. They don’t seem to realize the easiest and closest escape is the Bay that sits right in the middle of us Bay Area residents. In fact, it’s called the ‘Bay Area’ because that’s its primary feature and greatest asset.
While we are praying for more rain, we also see many who are getting it right by taking advantage of the winter sun on San Francisco Bay. We joined hundreds of boats out on the water this past Sunday when we sailed out of Sausalito’s Clipper Yacht Harbor with our friends Randy and Jennifer Gridley aboard their Sabre 38 MkII Agea. It was a spectacular day, with a pass through the Corinthian Yacht Club Midwinters, a long reach to Treasure Island, and then a long reach toward the Richmond Bridge before heading home through Raccoon Strait.
We crossed tacks with a good number of boats on the Bay and have photos of some of them here.
This Banshee was plying the warm, flat water of Richardson Bay.
Carl King, who was out sailing from Sausalito aboard his Beneteau 362 King Tide, caught class winner Romeo Uriarte of Richmond YC aboard his Landmark 43 Destin, racing back in under the Gate.
Carl King also sent in this shot saying, “I was not racing, more of an obstacle, and just happened to be cruising through the area on a fine sailing day.”
Not everyone was leisure sailing on Sunday. Mark Kennedy from South Beach YC and his crew aboard his Melges 32 Nuckelavee were working hard at the start of the Corinthian Midwinters.
If you were wondering why that blue Sabre 38 was winding its way through the racecourse or sailing just a bit too close with some stranger taking your photo on Sunday, don’t blame Randy and Jennifer. We were aboard and couldn’t help but capture these shots of so many people out for the Bay Area’s greatest escape. Pray for rain, but enjoy the sun.
Bay Area youth usually enjoy a lot of time on the water over the warmer months. Therefore we've created a Youth Sailing page where you can find program information and contact details for local sailing clubs, associations and community sailing organizations.
Bay Area sailors Liz Baylis and Nicole Breault will discuss getting involved in match racing. The Starboard Portal will present the event as part of their online series.
