Sailing Education Adventures

It couldn’t be a normal birthday celebration in The San Francisco Bay. John Paul Watts is not your normal sort of guy. At the turn of 70 he’s still looking to raise sails and foist his sailing addiction onto any innocent passing by. Clearly a feat he has managed over the years.

The plan had started out simply enough. Four boats with crew -  two boats from Sausalito Tackful (22 Santana) and Fayaway (23 Ranger), and others from SF, Summer Solstice (34 Tartan) and Wotta Lark (22 Santana) - would sail and potluck on Angel Island. Brew, wine and good food were readied and stowed. Weather gods also decided to pay tribute, providing dark clouds, strong winds and choppy waters, to spice up the festivities.

Fayaway, reefed and with crew festooned in proper foul weather gear, headed out as planned. 18 knot winds were a small concern to the little Ranger. But, no one had cancelled the party, or so Fayaway’s crew had thought. However, when no boats answered Fayaway’s hails, the concern grew.

Meanwhile Never Too Late (Ranger Tug 21EC) beholden to its namesake, had been prompt and waiting at Angel Island, despite dodging container ships and riding surf for four hours from Coyote Point Marina. Docking single handed after three attempts, though sodden and exhausted, Never Too Late’s skipper waited for the party, and finally gave up festive hope. Never Too Late returned home, ultimately logging 38.5 nautical miles, tipping vino down the hatch, and noting “another experience of bay sailing”.

Finally word came. “We cancelled. You didn’t know?” Wotta Lark’s skipper proclaimed via cell phone. Summer Solstice and Wotta Lark’s crews were huddled out of the drizzle, following a stormy international consensus by ten opinionate sailors, including a Brit, Americans, French and a German, to not confront the unexpected bold weather guest.

Fayaway’s crew’s hearts sank faster than a 100 ton ship.

Tackful’s crew had abandoned ship, too, and were racing South in Yellow Beetle across the Golden Gate Bridge to join huddle. In all fairness, they had been at dock rigging Tackful when plan changed.

But, then, the most amazing events transpired. Call it profound guilt or JP’s addicted spirit, no one can say for sure, but a new decision came quick and out of the blue.  “We’re raising sails!” hailed Wotta Lark and Summer Solstice with new found vigor. Out of the huddle and quick on deck, sailors united. Said Yellow Beetle hastened with quick U-Turn and headed now North across Golden Gate Bridge.

The Weather gods decided to make it a really great bash. A northerly amped up to 25 knots or more. A worthy squall (some claim with hard confetti hail) began its descent, and visibility diminished greatly. Reefed sails, wet, numb-fingered crew yet determined party goers – in pure addicted style - crossed The Slot and Channel, bashed and tacked upwind to Raccoon Straits.

Some say luck, others claim JP hailed The Gods, but in any event, these sailors learned that the day was meant to be.

Helios, aka Sun God, a bulbous candle in the sky, made a fantastical and surprise appearance in full warm drenching regalia. Grey clouds gave way to a blue sapphire sky as sailors entered Ayala Cove to begin a proper spirited birthday celebration for Skipper, Teacher and Friend John Paul Watts who has earned his 70 years keep.

Happy 70^th Birthday John Paul Watts from your addicted friends, pupils and crazies of Sailing Education Adventures.