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The Potters Hit Carquinez

“Hey, where are all the other boats?!”

© Goose Gossman

While others spent last weekend doing something other than sailing, Goose Gossman and the members of the perpetually-sailing Potter Yachter group enjoyed beautiful sailing conditions in Carquinez Strait. "Saturday morning served up sporting conditions which made deep reefing necessary, so prudent novices teamed up with seasoned sailors," reports Gossman. "With extreme tidal flows, the initial destination of the Mothball fleet was altered to avoid unnecessary risks navigating the three Benicia bridges. The 20-knot winds moderated as the day went on, and the dozen or so cruising trailer-sailers had the entire strait to themselves. Breathtakingly beautiful sailing.

The Potter Yachters had fun in brisk conditions on Carquinez Strait.

© Goose Gossman

"On Sunday, I was joined by fellow Potterers for the first sail aboard my refit Fisher 30 motorsailer, which had been on the hard for over 10 years before I rescued her off a horse ranch at 4000 feet. She sailed beyond expectations, and we basically had the entire Strait to ourselves again as we headed up the Napa River to Vallejo for lunch. Honestly, I cannot understand the absence of other sailors on such a postcard-worthy weekend!"

No matter what the conditions are these guys know how to have fun. We’re always impressed by how often — and well — they use their boats.

© 2011 Goose Gossman

Goose probably didn’t know that Vallejo YC had a big cruise-out last weekend to Encinal YC, drawing nearly 20 boats. Of course that doesn’t account for everyone, but at least those sailors can take comfort that theygot their boats out on that picture-perfect weekend. Now what’s your excuse?

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