Cruising News

by Trip Ames

What was planned as a low-key one-night cruise across the bay to the Berkeley Yacht Club, turned into a wild ride over in 25 – 35 knot winds. As you might expect, there were some interesting docking maneuvers when we arrived. While not a large turn out, we did have a good group of very nice folks, and we had lots of fun.

As usual Hans and Sally arrived early to make sure the museum piece, Helgoland, would be safe in its own slip and not stern tied like the rest of us at the club’s guest dock. I was batch'n it that night, but I invited Fred and Sonja Conta on board as guests and crew, and good company they were, so, being the biggest floating “condo” and the cruise captain for the month, we had cocktails at 5 on Calaloo, more cocktails in the club at 6, and a fabulous dinner at 7 catered by the Solano Grill & Bar. To make sure the caterer was happy, we invited a group of predicted log folks to join us for dinner. Their leader got up to explain what they do, but by then we were a couple of hours into the cocktail hour, so much of the point of this ancient art was lost on many of us. It also sounds like a lot of work.

In addition to Hans and Sally, cruisers included Ray and Emily Smeraldo on Emeraude, Steve and Marie Parodi on Saltana II, Ben and Kathryn Agee on Keeper, Herb and Wilma Rodricks on Sea Circus (and our new neighbor in Paradise Cay), Bjorn and Agneta Ervell on Freya (who almost didn’t make it because of engine trouble), Bill Stucky on Meditrina, John and Marj Bundschuh, their kids Ethan (7) and Nadine (5), and guests Brenda and Dave on their beautiful new Sea Ray, Concise, and Wayne and Susan Gaynard on Emerald Sea. Land cruisers included Leif and Barbro Gistrand who also had boat problems but could not get them fixed, John and Maryanne Aliotti, and Bill Finkelstein and Mary Mack.

The BYC port captain, Tom Bliss, went out of his way to make sure everything was just right for our cruise including a bartender, caterer help, a podium and microphone (I took the opportunity to recognize a few birthdays and annivereries), and slips in the Berkeley Marina.

The Margaritaville Cruise

by Fred Conta

Twenty CYC yachts navigated their way to Benicia, avoiding 4-1/2 hour daytime closures of the Carquinez Strait on the weekend of June 22nd. All 59 adults and 4 children enjoyed the fine hospitality of the Marina and the Benicia Yacht Club, where a traditional Jimmy Buffet “Margaritaville” party was the main event. Cheap Margarita cocktails were poured by the gallon in the upstairs bar, followed by a dinner consisting of “Cheeseburgers in Paradise” plus a full Mexican buffet with every variety of Mexican fare you could imagine. After dinner, it was back upstairs to listen to the Raymond Victor Band play traditional Jimmy Buffet tunes along with some great R&B music (this was an excellent band, and I have their business card if anyone wants info).

For the trip home on Sunday we had a choice: get underway at 6:00 a.m. with Hans & Sally to avoid the Strait closure from 9 - 1:30 or have a leisurely brunch on First Street. Most chose the latter.

A drawing for Corinthian Cruisers was held by the Nautical on First shop in Benicia. This shop is owned by the Embroidery Factory, who does our Club clothing, hence the connection. The winner of an embroidered windbreaker jacket was Horace Wulff.

This was the second year in a row that Sonja Conta spent her Birthday helping to orchestrate a CYC cruise. Last year it was Ballena Bay, this year Benicia. Her reward, in addition to serving her Club, of course, was to NOT have to stare down a big cake full of candles resembling a forest fire!

The next cruise is to Encinal Y.C. on July 20th, led by Richard & Sandra Solomon.

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