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Waypoint Richardson Bay

Richardson Bay has long been a crossroads for all kinds of sailors. This week Clan VIII has joined other Richardson Bay anchor-outs while passin’ through on her way south.

Almost every type of boat is on Richardson Bay. Bird Boat #21 (Widgeon) would fit comfortably on the foredeck with plenty of room to spare.

latitude/John
©2018 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

The 148-ft Perini Navi steel yacht was launched in 2011 for Betram R.C. Rickmers, an entrepreneur and the fifth-generation owner of the German shipping company Rickmers Group, which is based out of Singapore. Clan VIII was designed by former Bay Area sailor/naval architect Ron Holland, who recently launched his new book, All the Oceans — Designing by the Seat of My Pants.

Clan VIII‘s mast is about 170 feet, giving her 50 feet of clearance when she sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge. She has a draft of 12.8 feet with her centerboard up, and 29 feet with the centerboard down, which would certainly explain why she moors so far out on Richardson Bay. Her upwind sail area is about 10,000 square feet, which is pretty large compared to the 424-square-ft sail area of a passing Bird Boat #21. 

Clan VIII is apparently available to charter for up to seven guests with six crew for $150,000 per week, not including expenses and tip. 

At the other end of the spectrum, Richardson Bay offers protected waters and comfortable sailing for traditional boats.

latitude/John
©2018 Latitude 38 Media, LLC
More modest boats from Canada and the Pacific Northwest join Canada geese on the flyway south. It’s a great, protected anchorage for cruisers like this Alajuela 38* Arabesque just passin’ through.

latitude/John
©2018 Latitude 38 Media, LLC
Richardson Bay is homeport to Call of the Sea’s Seaward.

latitude/John
©2018 Latitude 38 Media, LLC
Clan VIII has a homeport of Valletta, Malta, which is well known for taking great care of super-yachts.

latitude/John
©2018 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

When you take advantage of the fine fall days of sailing on San Francisco Bay you never know who you might spot finding sanctuary in Richardson Bay.

* We mistakenly identified this boat as a Freya 39 but, thanks to reader Steve Saul, we now know it’s an Alajuela 38. Thanks Steve.

1 Comment

  1. Dylan 3 years ago

    Haha what a surprise to see our Alajuela 38 while browsing online. She is very flattered by all the attention.

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As we reported on Friday, a severe Southern Ocean storm, with winds to 70 knots and seas to 49 feet, resulted in the rolling and dismasting of two solo sailors competing in the old-school-style Golden Globe Race.