index

Sunday departures were scheduled for 0700hrs and 0800hrs. Staggered departures involved nearly everyone because of the side by side stern ties and river current but it occurred without incident. Light "river smoke" at 0700 augured well for the absence of serious fog and with the exception of two minor groundings* the entire fleet arrived at a choppy Carquinez Strait (12-15knot wind against the 2 knot+ ebb tide), returning to home port safely and eager to visit NVYC again.

Friday, March 28 dawned clear and mild with overcast predicted before dark. Initiating the Spring Cruise to Napa Valley Yacht Club in Napa, CA, SFBANTA member boats EMIKO, ORION, SKYLARK and RILEY departed Alameda at 0830hrs meeting JEANNE MARIE III and SEA DOG north of Treasure Island at about 0910hrs and BUOY TOY at 0945hrs near the mouth of the Richmond Channel. Proceeding against an ebb tide across a nearly calm San Pablo Bay, the group joined FROM PIER TO ETERNITY (FPTE) at the mouth of Mare Island Strait, terminus of the Napa River. Awaiting them at the Mare Island Strait Causeway liftbridge for a scheduled noon opening were: THREE JEANS, APOLLO, HOOT and SNUG TUG, all having arrived from the Sacramento River and as far as Discovery Bay. NORMA JEAN was there also, reappearing from her winter berth at Pier 39 in San Francisco. Owner Bob Scura returned to reclaim her, well tanned after surviving another endless series of blizzards in Santa Monica. Also present was BETTY D whose owners and NVYC members Joy and Bob Magoon had agreed to host and assist in planning the outing and to lead the cruise up the deceptive Napa River to the Napa Valley Yacht Club.

Arriving at NVYC at low tide about 1400hrs, the captains and crews followed a pre-arranged stern tie berthing assignment which effectively filled the available space on the 180' guest dock with the last 10-15' inaccessible due to low tide shallows. Dockside greetings and wine were shared until the group gathered at pre-assigned host boats to enjoy a wonderful "choucroute" dinner prepared entirely by Cathy and Cal Robie (EMIKO). It would be difficult to overstate the accomplishment of preparing and transporting that offering for 29 people. It was delicious and much appreciated.

Saturday arrived noticeably cooler with slight drizzle though the weather cleared and warmed by mid-afternoon. BBBB, Bud's Boiled Breakfast in a Bag (Bud and Pam Sheble- FPTE), now a traditional breakfast event was completed well before 1000hrs, another perfect success. It should be noted that the first BBBB was offered as a novelty. It is now a command performance. Cathy and Cal, your choucroute may have put you in peril and you are forewarned

Many Tuggers walked or rode the "trolley" to downtown Napa, about ¾ mile from NVYC docks while others just relaxed at the dock. The clubhouse opened around 1600hrs and the group gathered for wine, conversation and a delicious BBQ prepared by NVYC club members. It was a delightful, gracious event and for their hospitality SFBANTA offers sincere thanks to the members of Napa Valley Yacht Club.