Here We Go! SF Bay to Newport, OR

April 22, 2024 by Jamie McCullough

Finally, we get our weather window! Well, at least enough to get us out of the harbor. Larry has been wearing-out the keyboard of his computer looking at the different weather models for the last month. Thankfully, through his diligence and patience, he found a little window to get 434NM (refresher…1NM = 1.15 of a statute mile) up the coast. We depart at first light out of the San Francisco Yacht Club harbor and are under the Golden Gate bridge and heading north before the sun is over the horizon. The first day is relatively calm with a mix of three to five foot waves but the intervals are generous so we are happy. As night falls we prepare the lower helm station for a moonlight transit and are happy to share shifts with our returning crew member Steve ‘Gumby’ Grant. The night is kind to us and we greet our second day with similar conditions and another moon lit overnight. Thankfully, we enter Newport Harbor, OR at daylight as the last few miles of transit are littered with crab-pots that have us constantly altering course. At least along the Sonoma/Mendocino coast you know that pots can only be placed 180 feet out and no deeper. But, in Oregon (and possibly beyond) it looks like they are placed wherever they can and want (even in the channel entering the harbor!). Wish us luck with the next 297NM transit!

Looking back at the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise

Passing by St. George Reef Light off the coast of Crescent City, CA. (Klamath Mountains in the background). Construction began 1883 and several people lost their lives due to the extreme location. Completed in 1890 of concrete and granite the light rises 144 feet above the water and originally had a Fresnel lens. Light operators were understandably, hard to keep due to the remoteness of the location, causing many to seek transfer due to suffering mental breakdowns. The light was decommissioned in 1975 and replaced by a “floating lighthouse”. Thankfully, the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society raised funds by selling tours of the site by helicopter and were eventually able to ‘relight’ the St. George in 2012. The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. (Information courtesy Wikipedia)

The Sionyx Aurora low light camera for the overnight transit

The lower helm station with charts, radar and low light camera screeens

Thankful to arrive at Newport, OR after 51 hours straight. Cruising under the graceful Yaquina Bay Bridge was a treat for weary crew.

After refueling and quick wash down of the Independence we had to wait three hours for electrical and then finally, a hot shower! The Captain and crew look a bit happier (and definitely, smell better).

Secure at the transient dock at South Beach Harbor…not sure for how many days as poor conditions are returning

Making the best of our time, we check out the Rogue Brewery

The Rouge Brewery is located across the street from the south span of the Yaquina Bay Bridge (U.S. Route 101). Built in 1934, the elegant, steel and concrete structure is of Art Deco and Gothic influences. Designed by Conde B. McCullough (one of eleven major bridges designed by him). The first automobile crossed on September 6th, 1936.

The Rogue Sunset Bar is aptly named and very appreciated

DARE, RISK, DREAM - I think we are doing a bit of all of that….and purchasing the Dead Guy Pilsner and IPA to go!!!

Throw your crab pot off the Public Fishing Pier and catch a few Dungeness in 30 minutes

Newport has a familiar history of displaced Native Americans (the Yacona) combined with entrepreneurial endeavors of the incoming settlers. The settler being Sam Case and his Ocean House Resort constructed in 1866 spurring the development of the Bayfront area of Newport, OR. Prior to the settlement, ships from San Francisco were coming up the coast to harvest the rare Rock Oyster. The Yacona wanted compensation but by 1869 the native oyster beds were depleted. The railroad arrived in 1886 along with a massive Spruce Tree Mill and the U.S. Life Saving Service (to be renamed the Coast Guard) established a station on the South Beach of Yaquina Bay in 1896. The 1912 discovery of ‘halibut banks’ brought commercial and sport fishing to the area followed by an Ice Plant Operation in 1926 and The New England Fish Co. 1945. Newport today has the largest commercial fishing fleet on the Oregon Coast.

We cross Yaquina Bay to have the famous clam chowder at Mo’s and spend a great afternoon with our friends Saani and Scott

The busy fishing docks of the Bayfront area of Newport, OR

The busy seal dock has a ‘waiting area’ (top of picture). What a loud crowd.

Final, final with our good friends at the Rouge Sunset Bar

Waiting For Our Weather Window

March 27, 2024 by Jamie McCullough

We are still accomplishing projects and tasks every day in preparation for our trip north. Larry is checking the Windy App constantly. We thought we had a window the first week of April but that devolved, so now we are just hoping the next high pressure system will come along soon. Until then we will keep up with our projects and planning.

These great maps were provided by our sweet friends and Pacific Northwest experts Gay & Wyman Harris.

We hope to follow the path they took on one of their trips

Provisioning is a little more challenging with the Miata

Shake-Down to Alameda

March 27, 2024 by Jamie McCullough

In late February we decided to do a Shake-Down to the Ballena Bay Yacht Club in Alameda (8NM). A lovely day for a cruise with our good friend Keith. The transit was just a little over an hour. We want to be certain that our systems are running well in preparation for our trip north toward Alaska. Also, we have the Cummins engine service department meeting us in Alameda to do a service on the engines prior to our departure north.

Nice day for a cruise across the bay to Alameda

A nice surprise to have Chris Adams join us in Alameda

Beautiful sunset views from our slip in the harbor

This is where they keep some of the best views of SF

The very friendly and welcoming Ballena Bay Yacht Club. Thank you for the beers Keith!

Independence looking pretty in her slip this evening

Our good friend Brian Kennedy is a volunteer on the USS Hornet so we are lucky enough to get a private tour

I’m ready Mav! The USS Hornet is also a Sea, Air and Space Museum. Save a good chunk of time to see all the displays.

The Bakery, Kitchen and Mess. The USS Hornet was a ‘floating city’ with 2,919 officers and enlisted on board during wartime. A full time/round the clock job to keep people fed….

….clothed (mending and cleaning of uniforms and boots)…

…and fit, with gym equipment. A display of women’s uniforms…however I do not believe they were able to serve on board this aircraft carrier.

The flight deck is 814 feet by 86 feet. There is a hangar deck that is 546 feet by 63 feet and 17 inches high. The ship has three elevators measuring 48 feet by 44 feet with a lifting capacity of 17,000 pounds. The Hornet was originally commissioned as a straight-deck carrier, but from 1951 to 1956 she underwent a modernization to an angled deck, permitting the simultaneous launch and recovery of aircraft. In addition she was fitted with a pair of hydraulic catapults, which ran parallel to one another off the bow of the ship. In World War II, the air groups consisted of a fighter (VF) squadron, a bombing (VB) squadron and a torpedo (VT) squadron. In the 1950’s with the evolution of warfare technology the addition of electronic/early warning, photo-reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The USS Hornet fought in the battle of Midway and many others in the Pacific Theater. During her 18 months of combat she shot down 668 Japanese planes, destroyed 742 Japanese planes on the ground, sunk 73 enemy ships and damaged another 413. The USS Hornet was decommissioned in 1970. ( Info courtesy of The USS Hornet website uss-hornet.org).

Our fabulous tour guide and friend, Brian Kennedy. Thank you for a great tour!

From google.com “On July 24th, 1969, the USS Hornet recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, from the first moon landing mission. The aircraft carrier spotted the fireball at 4:40 AM, and the astronauts were hoisted into a recovery helicopter and flown to the Hornet”. There is so much to see at the USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum (a Smithsonian Affiliate), visit soon! uss-hornet.org

Captain's Post #16 - Getting Ready For Alaska, Getting Ready to Sell!

February 18, 2024 by Jamie McCullough

Yesterday I was on my way to Independence with 16 gallons of oil for changing the two Cummins diesel engines and I stopped by our local US Post Office to pick up the mail. In the mail box was a Property Tax bill from Marin county. I had been expecting it since I called them last year but what they are billing me for is outrageous.

The “Net Value” of what they came up with is 152% of what I paid for the boat! How did they come up with that value, the bill does not say. I had some previous discussions with them after they sent me a “Notice of Proposed Escape Assessment”. In those discussions I was informed that they put a base value at 127% of my purchase price back in 2018. But get this, you will find this hard to believe, they add California Sales Tax to that value “because GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) says if someone is going to buy the boat in California they would have to pay Sales Tax. Add the sales tax and the base value and you now get the number to multiply by 10% to get the penalty. But, I informed them, “I called you last year to tell you I have the boat here in Marin, I am not trying to escape a fair tax”. Turned out I did not call them in time, I was told I had to notify them in April, sorry my Mom was dying of cancer at the time and I was her primary provider. Oh, that was not enough money, let’s tack an Interest penalty, School Bonds and Health Bonds.

I was very calm and polite in my phone calls and emails. I found out that the two “Comparable” boats were sold for $150,000 to $200,000 less than they were saying Independence was worth. I pointed out to them that those were 2 and 3 years newer and were custom models with very little hours (685 as opposed to 2,380) AND, one was bought in Florida and the other was bought in California but did not pay sales tax so how can you justify adding on sales tax to my value, no answer just the bill. I have supplied them pictures, videos, specifications and additions to the other boats compared to ours, no answer just a bill and “you can file a formal appeal”, I am.

I tried to be logical, just Google “do boats appreciate or depreciate” I said, that didn’t help. “If you tax me at an outrageous rate I will not bring the boat back to Marin after we go to Alaska this summer” the response: “I don’t blame ya” “but you won’t get future tax payments” I said, didn’t matter, they got me now.

We love having Independence, it has been a huge part of our lives since 2018 and if you have been a follower of this Blog you know that. As I said in the Video “Dream” ( NFF Top 10 Contestant: DREAM - Larry and Jamie McCullough ) “owning Independence has been one of the most rewarding things in my life”, it truly has. Not that every moment has been great, it has not, there have been times of stress, dragging the anchor in the middle of the night, stuck in Honduras for a couple of months during COVID, but it was worth it. Now it is off to Alaska in a month or two depending upon the sea conditions.

Back to the oil change, piece of cake, both engines - oil and filters changed in just about 2 hours. Got to love Independences engine room, so much room to work.

Getting ready to change the oil on the Independence

Nice having so much room in the engine room…not many folks can stand up straight in their engine room.

‘Reverso Pumps’ pump the oil from the bottom of the oil pan. I keep 8 empty 1 gallon jugs from the previous oil change to put the used oil in. I keep plenty of absorbent towels handy as there is always some spillage.

Next is the fuel filters, transmission oil, hydraulic filter, and the coolant filters (coolant checked and ok). Next weekend we are off to Alameda so that the boat will be close to a Cummins service facility, and they will come by and plug their diagnostic computer into our Starboard engine and figure out why a “Check Engine” light is on. I am pretty sure it is loose connection somewhere since it is on intermittently and the engines run great. It will also be good to have the mechanic give the engines a checkup since we will be on another big trip.

I place new oil in the filter and lubricate the “O” ring

I/we are so looking forward to our Alaska trip. I did a good portion of it on a friend’s boat 31 years ago. The wildlife and scenery are some of the best in the world and Independence is the perfect boat for the journey. It is really nice to have that extra power when needed fighting some of the currents in the Pacific Northwest.

It does look like we will be moving on to our next chapter in life when we complete our journey to Alaska. Let us know if you want the keys after we make it to Skagway and Glacier Bay, live your Dream as we have.

Independence59@yahoo.com

Sacramento

August 29, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

Another lovely cruising day takes us from Walnut Grove up the Sacramento River to the City of Sacramento (27NM) in approximately 3 or so hours (still fighting the current!).

Some grand and elegant homes line the levee banks

Busy river tugs and tows. A great deal smaller than those on ‘The Great Loop’ but these captains don’t communicate via VHF…I guess it’s just ‘might makes right’

Watch out for the anchored anglers in front of the Paintersville bridge. By the way, this bridge (unlike others) does not provide lifts until 9:00AM. It’s a good thing Larry trust his measurements!!!

…but I think our PYC chicken will squeek under…

…looks like the lightning brush had a good foot or so…

Looks are deceiving, but we fit under fine.

The water color difference at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers

Sweet! Tied up at the Rivers Bend Marina in Sacramento and time for a cold one on a hot day.

Checking out ‘Fanny Ann’s Saloon’ in Old Town Sacramento. A sister bar to ‘The Bear’ in Chico

This is one of the reasons why we took the boat to Sacramento…for our friends biennial bash at their house along the American River. Thank you Casey and Joan, yet another fabulous bash!

Sunday brunch at the Sturgeon on the Sacramento River

They use an old Pan American Airlines jetway from SFO to get folks down to the river and into the restaurant

Nice view of the Sacramento River from our table

Great time with great friends up in Sacramento

Early morning start for the nine hour run back to the San Francisco Yacht Club **(87NM)**

So warm the cows are swimming outside of Rio Vista

This guy shadowed us all the way down from the Rio Vista Bridge and we were happy to see him pass in Suisun Bay

Nice to some sheet steel being made in the USA…we just wonder where it’s going now

The Brothers welcome us home on a beautiful day.

Walnut Grove/Locke

August 28, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

In our exploration of Georgiana Slough (by tender) some areas were a bit shallow and local knowledge would make transit much more comfortable so we opt for Three Mile Slough and up the Sacramento River to reach Walnut Grove (25NM). Our good friend and return cruiser, Gumby, is joining us at Walnut Grove for the remaining cruise up to Sacramento.

The size of the weight chains are impressive

A look back at the Three Mile Slough Bridge

On the Sacramento River we wait for the Rio Vista/Freeport Bridge to open. FYI - there is a four hour minimum advance notice required to schedule an opening for this bridge.

Gumby shadowed us along the levee and got a great picture of us going under the Isleton Bridge

It’s a busy summer on the Sacramento River. Tugs and barges are common, carrying rock to rebuild many of the damaged levees from this past winters’ storm.

Looking back at Walnut Grove Bridge installed in 1913. The first cantilever bridge west of the Mississippi.

The sweet little town of Walnut Grove. Founded in 1851 by John Sharp. Sharp operated a ferry that crossed the river. A saw mill was located here and later agriculture with the first crop of Asparagus grown in the Delta.

Looking up river at the Independence docked at the Walnut Grove city dock

The Walnut Grove city dock is first-come, first-serve. It is a newer dock with great cleats and very substantial.

About a mile walk from Walnut Grove to the town of Locke is well worth it to see the history there. Locke is the only rural community in the United States built and occupier by Chinese. Now it is on the National Register of Historic Places. According to visitcadelta.com; In 1912, three Chinese merchants constructed three buildings - a store and saloon, a gambling hall, and a hotel and restaurant. This would become the town of Lockeport, later renamed Locke. Hundreds of Chinese families moved to Locke and worked at the local farms and canneries. Many of the residents were hired to work on extensive levee projects turning the 500,000 acres of wetlands into ‘The Delta’ and some of California’s most valuable farm land. Many of the residents leased land from George Locke, as California’s Alien Land Law of 1913 prevented non-US citizens from owning land (ended in 1952). The leases provided ownership of any buildings, but not the land itself. Locke slowly declined in the 1930’s during the Great Depression and the end of prohibition, also due to increased mechanization in agriculture industry. In 1977, the Locke family sold the town to a development company from Hong Kong and in 2002 the town was sold to the Sacrament Housing and Redevelopment Agency. They (and other agencies) now struggle to preserve many of the original buildings. (information courtesy of the National Park Service website)

Larry and Gumby in front of Al the Wops. According to Hal Schell’s ‘Guide to ‘Cruising California’s Delta’; Italian-American Al Adami (possibly a bootlegger) bought the place from ‘old Bing Lee’ for $2,000 around 1930.

Internet lore has it that gold and silver miners hoping to strike it rich would “write their names on their ‘Get Home’ money and staple it to the ceiling of the local bar”. Perhaps this why there is still money thrown to the ceiling at Al the Wops…

…personally, I’ll save my money for a cold one.

Just a few images of the old buildings on Main Street, Locke

Having gone by several names…Peripheral Canal, Water Fix and Delta Conveyance and now The Water Tunnel Project. According to Cal Matters Commentary by Dan Walters, June 28th, 2023, the “California Governor Gavin Newsom had to concede defeat on trying to get the legislature to give a very contentious water tunnel project streamlined regulatory treatment.” Originally two tunnels, now one, the water from Northern California would bypass the Sacrament-San Joaquin Delta as it is moved to San Joaquin Valley farms and Southern California homes. Now California Governor Gavin Newsom is attempting to partially exempt it (along with other major public works projects) from the California Environmental Quality Act. Hopefully, our legislature will keep fighting to save our Delta, our Salmon and the town of Locke.

Benicia up the Delta

August 28, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

A long but mostly uneventful cruise through Carquinez Strait, Suisun Bay and up the San Joaquin River to the Mokelumne River (34NM). The passage took a bit longer than we had thought due to fighting the current and partially the tides. There is still such a great quantity of water coming down river that even with a favorable tide, you are still fighting against the current. After about five hours we tie up at the Willow Berm Marina and relax for the evening. Plans for the next couple days will revolve around the tender and exploration of the Georgiana Slough and other adventures toward Old River and Bethel Island.

Good old Korth’s Pirate’s Lair Marina on the Mokelumne River

The Independence at the dock of Willow Berm Marina

Time to explore Georgiana Slough. The homes at Ox-Bow Marina are endlessly different and entertaining to cruise by.

This corner lot had a beach and every water toy one needs along the Delta

A little more sophisticated and understated along the levee

A little cruise in the tender over to Bethel Island brings us to Boyds Harbor and The Rusty Porthole

The Frozen Bun Run is where waterskiers and wakeboarders celebrate New Year’s Day by waterskiing in front of and by the establishment.

A good dark bar on a beautiful day…enough said…

Some boats never leave the Rusty Porthole

Back at Willow Berm we walk down to the only dining spot…The Lighthouse

The pizza was pretty good and beers were cold at The Lighthouse

Petaluma to Benicia

August 28, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

The run from Petaluma to Benicia (30NM) was very pleasant on a warm morning, thankfully, without much wind. After close to 3 hours we tie up at the fuel dock at the Benicia Marina and give the boat a quick rinse before heading out to explore town (this is my first visit to Benicia). This land was once inhabited, like most of the surrounding areas, by Karkin Ohlone, Suisun (southern Patwin Tribe), and Bay Miwok Native American Tribes (according to benicamagazing.com). The land was named Benicia (meaning blessed one) in 1847. The Mexican General Mariano Vallejo sold the land to Robert Semple and he asked Semple to name the city after his wife. Benicia became a stop for boats on the way to the gold fields during the Gold Rush and was then founded in 1849 and became the third city to incorporate in California in 1851. Benicia served as the California State Capitol from 1853 to 1854. The city was the site of the first military ordnance supply depot on the West Coast, for conflicts from the Civil War through the Korean War making it a natural route for the Transcontinental Railroad to pass through and across the Carquinez Strait on the the ‘Solano’ Ferry, the world’s’ largest in 1879. The charming town is set into the rolling hills that rise almost directly from the water of Carquinez Straits. I wish we had longer to explore and I hope to come back soon.

After leaving San Pablo Bay we pass under the Carquinez and Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridges

Too bad the Benicia Yacht Club was closed. It certainly does not look like it was a barracks building in the past as it is so charming now.

The waterfront sculpture ‘Neptune’s Daughter’ by Lisa Reinertson. She dedicated this statue to Benicia (her hometown) in hopes that it will serve as a “reminder of the diligence needed to keep our waters healthy for our futures”.

The Benicia State Capitol. Evidently, the California State legislature was unhappy with muddy San Jose. Benicians erected this building in 4 months making the bricks on site. Benicia was only the State Capitol for 13 months before the legislature changed its’ mind again moving it to Sacramento.

The tiles that are in front of the Capitol Building are of General Vallejo and Doña Benicia (the city’s namesake)

The charming down town has one of my favorite clocks…

A pretty picture of Independence at the fuel dock at the Benicia Marina

SFYC Cruise to Petaluma

August 25, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

Coco Channel has been quoted as saying “A lot of serious work goes into successful frivolity". Very true! The months of planning, by Larry and myself, for our SFYC cruise to Petaluma was well worth it, as it looked like (and sounded like) all in attendance had a great time. Larry arranged the float plan, complete with tidal information, including expected depths at crucial channel markers, bridge openings and docking details. Beyond that, we arranged for the very successful docktails with our Jimmy Buffet Margarita Maker (4 liters of Tequila consumed!) followed by dinner at the Petaluma Yacht Club with a sold out attendance of 56 and a second sold out dinner (with a waiting list) at Central Market for 45 persons. The weather cooperated with temperatures in the 80’s and very little wind. The party cruised home at varied times on Sunday morning and most attendees were back at their slips at the SFYC before late afternoon.

Wyman and Gay Harris’ ‘Safari’ cruises under the San Rafael Bridge on their way to Petaluma

Larry meeting an unresponsive Tug and Barge on the Petaluma River…not like the Tug Captains on the Mississippi, Ohio and Tenntom Rivers

The tug swings wide and we hug the rocks…

He forced Safari to the sidelines as well, all without any communication

The ‘Haystack’ bridge tender was more than helpful to give a lift for boats; Beautiful, Sucha, Blue Tango, Independence and Safari

Now we are all waiting for a lift from the “D’ Street bridge tender for entry to the Petaluma Turning Basin

Thursday night on the cruise is an unscheduled night allowing for us to visit with local friends Merrill, Thomas and Rosa

Back to work on Friday afternoon, as the 1:00PM ‘D’ Street Bridge lift brought in a scheduled 15 boats. All boats had to be stern/med-tied according to size. Thanks to Larry and his handheld VHF he handled the docking details with finesse. Photo courtesy of Merrill Walker

A sweet surprise gift of yummy home made cake and sweet pea flowers from the sweetest - Kappy Reed. Photo courtesy of Merrill Walker

Elliot James’ boat Tortuga with his mom Roxanne and girlfriend Morgan (and pup Poppy). Happy to be docked and ready to enjoy Petaluma

Steve and Mimi’s boat Duet docked and ready to have some fun with family

SFYC Cruise Committee Chair Paul Mourani (AKA ‘our fearless leader’) on his Swan sailboat. Showered and fishing and getting primed for docktails

Looking like a great turn out with 18 SFYC boats in attendance (foreground boat ‘SeaScouts’)

Time for Docktails! The Jimmy Buffet Margaritas are flowing and Leland Fishman (BBQ brisket chef and voluntee at PYC) gets a cold one.

Party is on with Michael, Mimi and Kathy (all SFYC cruise volunteers)

Thank yous’ are owed to our SFYC Matt Frymier for his expertise at the Margarita Machine serving up awesome blended margaritas to the thirsty crowd. Photo courtesy of Merrill Walker

A great turn out for docktails at the Petaluma Turning Basin

Dinner was amazing and then this.…not one, but two ice cream cakes to welcome SFYC members to Petaluma Yacht Club

PYC members Houston and Sal. Petaluma Yacht Club is run by its’ volunteers. They are the most dedicated and friendly yacht club I have ever visited. We are so very thankful for all they did for us and our club. Thank you PYC!!! (SFYC visitor burgee in the place of honor under PYC’s)

Back at PYC for Saturday cocktails. We were lucky to have our SFYC Commodore, Madelyn Morey, join us for the evening.

Central Market was a hit. Great food and wine were enjoyed with Michelle Mourani, John and Paul Mourani

All good things come to an end. The 8 Sunday 8:00AM ‘D’ Street bridge opening allowed most boats to depart down river for the three and half hour run back home to SFYC

Last view from the Petaluma River….you come up with your own tag line...Larry’s was “they’re here!”

Pop-up to Petaluma

July 16, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

We intended to go to Monterey but the winds were blowing so we opted for a pop-up to Petaluma directly after leaving the StFYC. We had a great couple days with Even and Jojo Dailey, who cruised up with us on their beautiful boat Eden III. Finally, we found some nice warm weather and a couple frosty beers…

Eden III cruising along the back side of Tiburon

Independence and Eden III at the Turning Basin in Petaluma

Time to go home as the D Street Bridge raises for Eden III

Across the Bay again to St. Francis Yacht Club

July 16, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

The weather is fine enough when we depart the SFYC, but by the time we enter the StFYC it is blowing a steady 15 knots and gusting to 20. It does not stop all weekend and ended up being one of the windiest weekends recorded for this time of year in ages. Even sailors during competitions complained that the wind was too strong. But, the views, food, drinks and company were awesome, so the cruisers were happy.

Safari is owned by Wyman & Gay Harris and she is looking pretty in front of the Golden Gate Bridge

Tied up at the StFYC and ready for a cocktail

Cruise lead, Lisa, pauses in front of the SFYC boats

Blowing 40 knots, some of these sailors later said that this was one of the craziest races they have done on SF bay

Speaking of crazy…I guess John and Dawn liked those Lychee nut martinis at R&G Lounge

Cruise lead, Aruna’s beautiful menu she wrote out and gave to our waiters

R&G Lounge had a big birthday party going on with a large and enthusiastic Karaoke clientele

R&G Lounge’s first floor dining room that had a private birthday party going on

Thankfully, Aruna was able to get a private dining room for our 12 cruisers. Richard, Lynne, Barbara and Larry have a nice cold onte

Time for some culture. Steve and Larry stand by a Andrew Goldsworthy art installation called Earth Wall (2014) at The Presidio Officer’s Club Lisa arranged a great walking tour around the Presidio and one of the main attractions was the art of the English born Goldsworthy. He created ephemeral art installations that would only last a few years and then was designed to fall apart and disappear.

Goldsworthy’s Spire was built in 2006 and stands sturdy today even after being set on fire by vandals a few years ago

The beautiful Woodline. Another of Goldsworthy’s iconic art installation in the Predidio

The walking tour pauses at Inspiration Point for a quick photo op. L to R; Larry, Jerry, Pat, Mimi, Kathy, Lisa, Lynn, Harold, Steve and me.

Larry, Lisa, Kim (our guide), MImi, Kathy and Lynn

Mimi captures Larry in the whirly-gig chairs…they are a blast!

The Old Presidio Parade Grounds now filled with sun seekers, food trucks and picnic baskets

Saving the best for last, Kim takes us into the locked Powder Magazine to view Goldsworthy’s Tree Fall (2013). Built from one of the trees felled for the creation of the Tunnel Tops. A very cool installation.

Kathy, Pat, Lynn, Larry, Lisa, Mimi and me

After working up a healthy appetite, we enjoy a great lunch at Colibri (at The Presidio Officers’ Club)

Walking back to the StFYC marina Wyman and Larry decide who wears the Tully hat the best

South Beach Cruise to The Giants Game

July 15, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

A great cruise with the San Francisco Yacht Club across the bay to the South Beach Marina in San Francisco. We had fabulous weather and the Giants won the game!

The enclosed flybridge made the chilly crossing quite enjoyable. Keith joined us for the fun and games

The sun comes out in San Francisco’s South Beach Marina

Great day for a little tender ride around the ball park

Keith, Andrea and Tanner enjoy the nice ride and sunshine

Cruise committee burgee and cocktails with friends on the Independence. Left to right - Carey, Andrea, Suzi. Seated; Barbara, Larry, Keith

L to R; Carey, Andrea, Me. Seated; Barbara, Larry, Keith, Bill and Stephanie

Sunset walk back to the South Beach Marina

Our great cruise leads, Carey and Andrea

Sailboat Christina in the foreground on a quiet night in the marina

Enclosing the Flybridge

July 15, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

In preparation for next years’ travels north, we had The Canvas Works of Sausalito, California enclose our flybridge. It took a bit longer than expected due to a combination of a bad batch of material and the terribly windy conditions this year. After a few weeks the job was complete and we are now enjoying a comfy, warm ride when the weather is brisk…and of course…windy!!!

It looks straight forward but there was quite a bit of design planning involved in how each panel is placed and where and how the zippers, snaps and rail systems where to be installed.

Larry checks out the new panels and learns how to properly roll them up so we don’t scratch the material

The door panel placement took a great deal of planning and it turned out well. In good weather months we remove them all together and store them flat under our bed!

Opening Day on the Bay

May 21, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

What a perfect day we had for our first Opening Day on the Bay with the Independence. We were joined by 12 passengers, who witnessed the blessing of the Independence and participated in the boat parade with almost fifty other boats from the San Francisco Yacht Club. A little chill was in the air and a cold wind blew us back into the club by early afternoon. Plenty of beer and great company filled the remaining hours at the dock ringing in the start of the cruising season!

The Corinthian Yacht Club’s ‘Blessing’boat

Blessed and on our way to a great cruising season

2023 SFYC Cruising Committee Opening Day Burgee

Back at the dock and time to enjoy and celebrate a great opening day with our friends

Officially a Nordhavn

May 21, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

After five years and approximately, eight months of owning our Nordhavn Coastal Pilot we are now official! We received and installed our N59 breast plate this past May. Larry had ordered it about a year ago and it was shipped from China on a Nordhavn bound for Washington state. There were some issues and delays but eventually the plate arrived at our home. Then, more waiting for a break in the weather that would coordinate with our friends schedules so they could assist us with the daunting task of attaching the plate to the boat. Larry ties her up snuggly to the dock and wraps her anchor with a blanket to prevent head injuries. Rick and Ron arrive and we are ready to begin. Deep breaths and steady hands are needed now as Larry must drill over thirty holes in the boat to screw in and firmly attach the plate to the hull. Glue, drill, screw and with some muscle and finesse the job is done and lunch and beers are on Larry! Wow, she really looks like a Nordhavn now…no more guessing!

Looking pretty in the house…can’t wait to get the plate on the boat.

Boat tied up snug and the anchor is padded…ready to go!

After a little glue, it’s time to drill and screw with the help of Ron and Rick

Making sure is looks like it’s going on straight

First each of the pilot holes are drilled and then the screws are put into the hull.

Put down those polishing rags Captain and let’s go to lunch!

First Cruise of the Year!

February 28, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

Finally a bit of sunshine! Larry cleans the boat and reinstalls the clean and reinforced bimini and I must say, the Independence looks great. We grab a few friends and cast off the dock lines and head out for a lovely day cruise in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco City front to the back side of Angel Island, where we anchor for lunch and then back to the dock. A lovely day and great to get back into the swing of it. This will hopefully be a busy cruising season, as we are back volunteering for the SFYC Cruising Committee and looking forward to approximately nine cruise outs this year.

A beautiful, clear, chilly day on the bay. The Golden Gate Bridge looks lovely.

It doesn’t get much calmer than this at the North Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge

Bonnie & Rick Jones, Chris Adams, Larry and Rick & Danielle Racich enjoy the views from the flybridge

Winter

January 29, 2023 by Jamie McCullough

This is our first full ‘winter’ at home (The Bay Area/Marin County) in over four years and as nice as it was to be home for the holidays, much of my soul is now longing for the sunshine and warm blue waters of our past few winter locations in Baja, the Bahamas and Florida. We are soggy here in Northern California and experiencing that ‘damp’ cold that seeps into your bones. But, we will not complain and we feel very fortunate that our family, friends, home and boat all came through the recent deluge in good shape. Currently, we have a little break from the nozzle of precipitation that has been pointed in our direction and jump at the opportunity for some outdoor exercise and to clean up the debris in the yard. The boat came through the recent high winds and rain just fine. Larry has 15 lines on her and has been checking diligently during the biggest action of the storms. He bundles up in his ‘foulies’, drives to the San Francisco Yacht Club, tromps down the dock to check the lines and fenders and alters anything that might it even remotely lead to an issue. We are so fortunate to be in a protected slip in a location only a five minute drive from our home. So when the wind gusts were 40 to 80 MPH we had confidence that the boat would be protected. Fingers crossed that we continue with these good outcomes and wish you and yours a happy, safe and healthy new years.

No need to choose white light or colors…you can have it all! We lit-up the boat for the first time for the SFYC ‘Get Lit' party and to help celebrate the holiday season.

And if you participate in lighting up your boat you receive two drink tickets!!!

One of our club’s sweet little Opti’s was decorated too…

A last minute decision to ring in New Year’s at the club was a good one

A surprise visit from our friends Scott and Saani from Washington

After the storms have passed…still secured with 15 lines!

Nordhavn Film Festival

October 28, 2022 by Jamie McCullough

Larry entered a video submission to the 2022 Nordhavn Film Festival and his entry was chosen to compete. We made a trip to Dana Point, CA to walk the red carpet and be part of the excitement of the big night. We didn’t win but it was an honor to be in the top ten and the night was so much fun. Thank you Nordhavn and great job Larry!!!

Here is the link to Larry’s video ‘Dream’. Copy and paste the link into your browser and enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzMhycjiw0k

The evening’s program…yes, there are THREE videos using the word ‘Dream’ in their tiles. We laughed pretty hard when we saw that!

So much talent . (photo screengrab from Nordhavn.com)

Obligatory picture on the red carpet. Photo courtesy of Nordhavn.com

Inside the tent. Later that evening it rained so hard that the ladies with long gowns had to ring-out the water from the hems of their dresses…good thing we’re all cruisers and used to getting wet!

Time to vote. The overall winner is voted on by the audience. The ‘Nordy’ for Best Video is awarded after the judges votes for Comedy, Cinematography and Documentary.

Well, we didn’t win the big check but we sure had a great time…

…best part was catching up with our friends Dave, Doug and Laura Harlow. So great to see you all!

Cruise to Tinsley Island

October 28, 2022 by Jamie McCullough

An aerial view of Tinsley Island a few years back.

The last cruise of the year…some say, ‘saving the best for the last’, and I must say it was quite fun! A six hour cruise up the Delta to St. Francis Yacht Clubs’ Tinsley Island. You could quite easily cruise right by if you didn’t spy the lighthouse turret or the tall masts rising above the palm trees. We nestle in next to Endeavor - Commodore Gary Sheppard and Mary Beth Bond-Sheppard’s boat and Safari - Wyman and Gay Harris’ boat. With the Independence safely stowed, let the party begin. This is a four day celebration called ‘The Friendship Cruise Roundup’ with members from Corinthian, Lock Lomond, Marin, Richmond, San Francisco, St. Francis, Sausalito and Tiburon Yacht Clubs…I believe somewhere in the number of 200 persons! The weekends events and cocktails are sponsored by each club and the cowboy theme will become quickly evident!

Cruising into the Delta past the C&H Sugar factory at Crockett

We have arrived…Larry’s ready to enjoy the weekend

Larry with Penny - Gone to the dogs on ’ Beach House’ with David Jampolsky (Camille is inside)

Sausalito Yacht Club Commodore Tammy & Ross’ boat and their sweet pooch

A good view can be found of the massive ships going by from the turret of the lighthouse

The Delta waters are a major transit waterway with massive tankers traveling from and to the SF Bay and out the Golden Gate. They are so silent as they glide by you don’t even know they are passing most of the time.

….Bocce Ball. This is a speed tournament. If you lose in the first round of play you do not continue.

The winning throws have to be measured, it’s that close

Wyman & Gay Harris were just a smidge short in their last toss, but they’re the winners to me!!!

We didn’t make it past the first round but I am loving my new friendship belt!

The Tinsley Bell and Lighthouse in the background

Now time for Tennis Ball Golf (9 holes) with Paul, Larry and Commodore Gary Sheppard (Michelle & Luke already at hole 1)

Our fearless leader (Cruise Committee Chair) Paul Mourani with Larry…Yep, they broke the mold when they made these two!!!

Astounding the amount of work that goes into planning this cruise. Eight participating Yacht Clubs all with different activities and parties (some open to other clubs some private) for three to four days…wow! We thank our cruise committee lead Suzei Moore for all her hard work…she’s amazing!

Also a massive thanks and kudos to Stephanie Stroub for her fantastic cowboy theme decore!

The star of the weekend…the Big Bull Floaty…

Nice hat partner, Larry looks great in my Dad’s Stetson…time to kick it!!!

Michelle & Paul Mourani take the Big Bull Floaty in style

Movin’ back down the Delta toward home…party’s over…

Angel Island Oktoberfest

October 28, 2022 by Jamie McCullough

The SFYC cruise committee earned their beer and pretzels! We had a record turnout for the Oktoberfest Celebration on Angel Island. Cruise leads Aruna Chammout and Paul Mourani did an awesome job with logistics and thanks to others from the cruise committee for their strong backs!