Cruising

By Trip Ames

The July 23rd Margaritaville cruise to the Encinal Yacht Club was by all accounts a rather successful outing. I don't know if it's a record, but there sure was a crowd. I counted 26 boats and 88 CYC members and guests. The weather was perfect and all docking maneuvers were without incident (I arrived early to avoid adding to the risk).

At about 1700, Jill and I hosted our second annual Margarita Party off the stern of Calaloo. With the help of our crew, Brenda and Dick Buckerfield, Mark "Shark" Karpenko, and Bill "Too Cool" Stucky, we served margaritas non-stop for almost two hours. There were so many people on the dock at one point, including several Encinal flag officers, that it was almost under water. EYC's commodore Rod Kidd actually looked worried until his second margarita. Bill "Cool Jazz" Canada loaned us his new Jimmy Buffett CD collection for the music, and everyone brought some very fancy hors d'oeuvres. Judging by the number of empty bottles, I would conclude that per capita consumption exceeded last year.

At about 1900, EYC served us a marvelous dinner of steak or salmon. Right after the main course Jill and I gave out the awards for best Buffett shirt - Chris and Bill Canada tied; brightest shirt - John Bogue; and best parrott head - Esther Carrico. Congratulations to all of you. Sunday morning EYC opened their kitchen just for us and served a fabulous breakfast.

I would like to publicly thank Jeff, EYC's new club manager and interim chef, who was on the job just one week and somehow pulled the staff and food together in time for our arrival. Rear Commodore Chuck Wetteroth also did a yeoman's job as liaison with all parties. And of course, we need to thank Gillian Loza, membership chair, who was there again this year to help us tie up, and make us feel welcome.

Cruisers included Canada and Bianchi on Athena; Artman, Bogue and Pagnetta on Cozy Lee; Giachino and Carrico on Always Home; Barr on Erie B; Conta on On The Edge; Bundschuh on Sharona; Gaynard on Emerald Sea; Brenner on Gin-Gin; Bolard on Truant; Dodge/Dillon and Hosken on Windhover; Deady and Soleway on Panache; Ervell on Freya; Finkelstein on Raptor Dance; Haechler on Interlude; Karpenko on Escapade; Noble on Pua..something?; Roeben/Huse and Dilou on Helgoland; Schwartz on Ladyhawke; Parodi on Saltana; Rodricks on Sea Circus; Solomon and grandson on Liberty; Smeraldo on Emerande; Stucky on Meditrina; Koehler on Mad Jan; Schafer on Triton; Ames and Buckerfield on Calaloo; and finally Michael Rossi and Marie Jorajuria by dinghy.

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