LETTERS
A Few Upwind Tacks The Berkeley Marina’s location right in the “slot” from the Golden Gate means fresh winds this Spring, and all summer long. Landmarks like Angel Island, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge are reachable by a few fun upwind tacks. "There’s really nothing better," said long time Berkeley Marina slip holder, Barbara B., from Sacramento, who added we chose Berkeley because we’re real sailors.
⇑⇓ JUNIOR SAILORS INVOLVED IN A GUT-WRENCHING 'WIPEOUT' IN SANTA CRUZ The Opti sailors got a firsthand lesson in crossing the [Santa Cruz] bar under tricky conditions. From my experience having had sail and power boats on E dock for many years, the winter conditions can be challenging. The fact surfers were in the mouth of the harbor should have been cautionary to the adults running the Opti program. There is plenty of room inside the harbor to not have to leave the safety of the channel. Chuck Cunningham Transpac Safety Inspector Santa Cruz
The distance from your slip to the open Bay can be measured in feet, not miles as you simply head west through our fairway and around the break-water to begin your sail. For your return trip the Marina’s east/west orientation makes it easy for the experienced sailor to sail into their upwind-facing slip. Let the wind take you on your next adventure and carry you home. Call the Berkeley Marina today to reserve your slip at (510) 981-6740, or email us at slips@cityofberkeley.info. Boat-in visits up to 4-hours are free. Our team is at the ready to help get you started. Visitors welcome.
@CONNORGARDEPHOTO
“We can can sail sail “We straight into into the straight the Bay, and and out out Bay, the Golden Golden Gate the Gate to the the Pacifi Pacific.” to c.”
⇑⇓ A LIST OF INGREDIENTS FOR A SPICY CALAMITY Ebb Tide + Big Swell + Light Wind + Opti coach not thinking = Recipe for Disaster! Over the years, surfers have been chased out of the Santa Cruz harbor mouth (remember Harbor Bill back in the day?). Fortunately, surfers were on-scene for the big rescue! Perhaps the next time they send Optis out in light wind with an ebb tide, they'll power the dinghies with On January 11, a fleet of Optis were be- Cummins 4BT turbos ing towed into Santa Cruz Harbor through — that'll power 'em 3- to 5-ft breaking waves. One wave (seen against the current! above) flipped three boats immediately, and caused two other boats to slam into each other. A handful of surfers on scene came to the young sailors' rescue, and disaster was avoided.
Tom Varley Spirit, Gulfstar 50 Channel Islands
⇑⇓ SURFING NOT SAILING I agree with Chuck. In the '70s, we used to surf that spot in the winter. It was a great right-hander, and no place for sailing small boats when there's surf there. Unless, of course, you're on a Hobie Cat, and then only if you're Phil Edwards and Mickey Muñoz back in the day. Robbie Cleveland Kialani, Farrier 720 trimaran Mooloolaba, Australia ⇑⇓ AT LEAST THEY'RE OUT ON THE WATER I've been doing the Learn to Sail program for more than 25 years at the Vallejo Yacht Club, but we've been shut down since March because we haven't found a way to teach in small boats without getting closer than the 6 feet recommended by the CDC. I would love to know how the [Santa Cruz] sailing school does this, so maybe we could get up and running. We only have rain and club members to watch out for, not breaking waves. Dale Anderson 2007 Baja Ha-Ha veteran Vallejo ⇑⇓ NOT A PROBLEM IN THE MIDWEST Glad we don't have rollers like this on Lake Superior! Dorothy Zimmermann Minneapolis, MN
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Latitude 38
• March, 2021
