2008 "CRUISE-IN/DRIVE-IN"
by Jim Moore

The January, 2008 Cruise in-Drive in at South Beach Marina in San Francisco continued the string of successful gatherings of SFBANTA.  There is bad weather and there is really bad weather, the latter being descriptive for part of this event.  Still, there were 8 boats in attendance and 6 couples who chose to drive in, totaling 28 hardy souls who enjoyed the Saturday wine and Hors d'Oeuvres at South Beach Yacht Club, hosted by Richard and Kathy Smith (Luna Sea III) and followed by a very short walk to Town's End Restaurant for an enjoyable dinner.
Arriving on Friday, Jan. 25, were Scotty and Carol Scott (THREE JEANS), Cal and Cathy Robie (EMIKO),  John and Mary Muff (JEANNE MARIE III), Bud and Pam Sheble (ETERNITY), Wayne and Linda Farris (BUOY TOY) and Jim and Charmaine Moore (RILEY).  Richard and Kathy Smith(LUNA SEA III) enjoy a permanent berth at South Beach Marina.  To say conditions were nasty would be an understatement.  Rain, wind with counter tidal current and heavy overcast contributed to a very unsettled SF Bay on a dreary day, yet the hardy Tugs delivered their crews safely and in relative comfort.  The comfort derived from the snug warm pilothouse, not the horrible sea conditions south of the "slot." 
Rain, What Rain?
Drenched!                                                       
Whose Idea Was This?
ETERNITY hosted a Friday evening gathering to review tales of the passage with Wayne Farris describing how, via VHF, he instructed a curious unidentified skipper the proper pronunciation of BUOY TOY.  Arriving on Saturday from Napa, in much more benign sea conditions were Bob and Joy Magoon (BETTY D), deserving of the trophy for being smartest or luckiest attendees. 
Big Improvement!             
Is That The Sun Shining on the Bridge?
Saturday remained fairly dry and pleasant for most of the day including the gathering at South Beach Yacht Club.  Drive in attendees included Bob Lee and Pat Borison (APOLLO), John and Bette-Jane Ferandin (SHAMAN), Anthony and Jane Thorne (CARMEN), Sven and Ulla Schjoerring (NIMBUS), Steve and Jean Cuff (Orion), and Steve and Janet Weiser(SKYLARK). 
A Warm Reception at South Beach Yacht Club
The short walk to Town's End Restaurant was dry and dinner was served graciously by an attentive staff.  Weather conditions changed markedly during the dinner and the walk back to boats and cars took place in heavy rain.  Though wet, all survived and departed on Sunday morning in reasonably nice weather and calm sea conditions.  At least two boats, JEANNE MARIE III and RILEY experienced a USCG boarding in the slot by a very courteous and competent delegation patrolling the vicinity in a speedy RIB.  No complaints from either boat and we can all be thankful that the USCG would be there also if life and limb were at stake.

Thanks again to Richard and Kathy Smith, Cathy Robie and Scotty Scott for their efforts in planning and executing a successful gathering.
(Note: Click on a photo to enlarge, click again on the enlarged image to return.)