Evasive Action on the Estuary

By all accounts, this past Saturday was one of the loveliest days on the Bay all year. Perfect temps, mellow breezes . . . and lots of traffic, as the (in)famous Potter Yachter fleet found out when they launched in the Estuary for a cruise-out to Clipper Cove.

"Passing ships in the turning basin called for respect and seamanship skills," reports Goose Gossman of the Benicia-based Potter 14 Gale. "The prop wash from tugs made for a fun-house-like ride. You really have to wonder where all the stuff in those big metal boxes is going — and if the enormous trouble humans go through to get it is worth the effort."

But Gossman was even more perplexed by something else: "Even with as many boats on the water as there were, the vast majority were still slip-bound, with scarcely anyone aboard — even slip-sailing — on a day which couldn’t get much better." If you find you don’t get out as often as you’d like, perhaps it’s time to join — or form — a group that has planned monthly cruise-outs (like the Potter Yachters).There’s no better return on your investment than actually using your boat.