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Written by Baron Hershberger
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 This weekend saw yet another affirmation of SEA's incredible volunteer spirit and dedication to all things sailing.
Led by Maintenance Coordinator Thad Glass, the SEA winter maintenance on Sunday February 12th was graced by beautiful weather in the morning with a cool and windy afternoon. A wonderful day for sailing (ack!). A strong showing of over 25 volunteers joined various teams throughout the day to help prepare the boats and docks for the season.
Not only did die-hard sailors and five board members return to the annual call, but we had visits from at least 3 drop-in visitors, summer camper Maya and her father Martin, as well as a a charged up mini schnauzer.
Catalina Team crews scrubbed and cleand boats, sails, and flotation devices. Matthias Lux inspected and sealed keel compartments. Frank Lawler put in his usual full day at precise rigging inspection and repair.
Santana Team leader Sandor Schoichet charged ahead with a full cleaning and power-washing of Shockwave, with emails in Maintenance already circulating on a follow-up for Heatwave.
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Written by Johnpaul Watts
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Want to sail Catalinas this season? Sail to the Farallon Islands in 2012? Then SEA has new news for YOU!
Two meetings were held last month, one in SF at UCSF Mission Bay and one at Sausalito’s fish Restaurant, to discuss a new ‘bottom-up’ direction for SEASails – i.e. all those sails that come free with membership in SEA: Catalina sails, family, keelboat, racing and adventure sails, even full moon sails. A goodly 25 or so members attended over a pint and niblets: they signed up to their Sails of Interest.
From hereon in, members will form teams around their Sail(s) of Interest and help each other plan via email lists. They will schedule and help realize the SEA Sails program for 2012.
Please visit each area of interest below to get on the mailing list. You must be logged into the system to see the mail signup info.
So, now, how do you get involved and then enjoy those 11 free sails a month between April-October? Register on line for the sail(s) that most interests you: your team of similar interested sailors will get in touch and you can help make participation in one or more sails happen. For fully paid up members only!
Questions to Director or John Paul. |
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Written by Office
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We are happy to announce that effective November 21st SEA has elected a new President of the Board, Karri Ving. Congratulations Karri!
A big thank you goes out to Eric Batalden for having steered the ship throughout 2011.
Karri returns to SEA, having had many a turn leading this organization as volunteer, board member, former Director and most recently as checked out Skipper.
Make sure to check out the Strategy Meeting after Thanksgiving holiday. |
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Written by Office
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SEA offers charters of its vessels to members in good standing who have completed ASA 103
Charter Hours: 10:00 to Sunset - Must dock/check-in 1/2 hour before sunset
Deposit: $200 - Deposit is paid up front and refunded upon successful check-in
Santana: $75 Weekday | $125 Weekend
Catalina: $25 Weekday | $50 Weekend
 
Availability:
Our vessels are available throughout the year and require a signed Charter Agreement form.
Verify boat usage dates below prior to booking charters to avoid conflicts.
Requirements
Skipper:
Crew:
- +1 crew with ASA 103
- +1 crew - Total 3 onboard
Want a Free Charter? Join our Instructor program by assisting our classes
Terms
When chartering SEA boats, I agree to the following:
- Pay $200 deposit for each day of charter
- Print and Sign Boat Charter Agreement prior to at charter
- Print and Sign Liability Waiver prior to at charter for each person sailing
- Follow these rules below while using boats
- Centerboarders / Catalina 16.5 - beyond Spinnaker Restaurant and Cone Rock in Richardson Bay
- Engine Boats / Santana 525 - seaward of the Golden Gate bridge, South of Bay Bridge, North/East of Richmond Bridge
- Pay for the loss of any of the equipment detailed on the attached inventory.
- Pay additional fees for the boat rental at a rate of $30 per hour for all time after one half hour before sunset.
- Leave the boat in the same condition in which it was rented including: all gear stowed, sails furled/stowed and covered, boat washed with fresh water.
- Call the SEA office within three hours of returning the boat to report safe return or otherwise. Skippers must also report any problems with the boat, whether new or pre-existing, on the pre- and/or post-cruise forms as well as in the ship’s log. Failure to call the office may result in a) the emergency contact being called, b) forfeit of deposit and c) possible suspension of chartering privileges.
- Complete the enclosed Rental Return (Pre-Cruise check-out and Post-Cruise Check-In) forms and send both to the SEA office within 72 hours of the rental day.
Your Deposit will be returned to after we receive these forms.
I also acknowledge the following:
- I have been approved by SEA to rent and am capable of operating the sailboat in a safe manner and am responsible for the safety of their crew and passengers.
- I am aware of SEA’s insurance requirements and the US Coast Guard Zero Tolerance regulations concerning the use of alcohol and illegal substances.
- I am member of SEA, with membership dues paid up-to-date.
- Each person aboard will sign both medical and liability waivers on file at the office. If both medical and liability waivers for each person aboard are not returned with this rental agreement , YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CHARTER.
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Written by Johnpaul Watts
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 I returned Sunday August 7, 2011 from Unalaska (Oonalashka is the indigenous spelling) in the Aleutians islands, Alaska, having left on a 58' catamaran ('Twin Image') from Saipan, an US territory, in Mariana Islands on June 18. Distance unknown since the GPS didn’t record it - but a lot!
I had arrived in Saipan June 7. Unexpectedly the crew had to spend 4 weeks in tropical heat repairing, preparing and provisioning the boat which had lost its mast 15 months before and now was rigged with its new one, a furling mainsail and boom, all from New Zealand. Working in the tropical heat was improbable: the roasting white fibre glass deck burnt through the soles of your deck shoes. The amount to do was outside the normal contract of a delivery crew but the delivery skipper (not the boat's owner) was very capable of fixing electrics and engines aboard which he had to do his more than fair share of; the other 3 of us were to lesser degrees helpful and able. The boat was new to all of us: apart from a day trip and a couple of very short sails in really blue clear water, this beast was fresh territory to us all. Our destination was Vancouver, BC.
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Written by Office
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Baron, an active member of SEA, grew up near South Lake Tahoe in a town called Gardnerville, Nevada. He’s married to his lovely wife, Kristy Van Zant. Aside from Sailing and from being an employee of the Design Partnership in San Francisco, their daughter Stella Claire Hershberger keeps him busy most of the time.
Baron had been riding his bike around the marinas and then got inspired to explore and sail The Bay. He found SEA on the internet, enrolled in a class and has been hooked on sailing and the community focused organization ever since. After one year of sailing, some may lay claim Baron is now more sailor than cyclist.
He loves the adventure sails because he's challenged by the changing weather conditions. Though The City is close by, he can still feel so secluded sailing on The Bay. Sailing got him out of his comfort zone and he learned something new.
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Written by Office
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 I've always been drawn to the water, so when my friend and I decided that we were going to do a camp together in third grade, sailing seemed like the perfect choice! Since then, we've changed boats, instructors, and even yacht clubs, but we have sailed together every summer for the past 10 years. It began as a way for us to hang out during the days, but now we both just love sailing!
I think my favorite part about sailing is the freedom that comes with it. I realize that's cliché, but it's also very true. When you drive a car, you have to stay in one lane on one side of the road and follow that line for as far as you want to go; when you drive a motor boat you have a bit more freedom to go places, but you are still very dependent on your gas. A good sailor, on the other hand, can go anywhere he wants.
I've been sailing for 10 years now, every summer and often during the school year as well. I think the Marin yacht club and surrounding areas are probably my favorite place to sail consistently- the wind is great for beginners, and once in a while we get lucky with some higher wind that the advanced sailors (and counselors) can really enjoy. The water here is amazing, hands-down the nicest temperature in the bay, and it's sunny almost every day! I came to SEA because one of my close friends was sailing with the camp in San Rafael, and he recommended it so highly. I remember going to visit him at camp on day and absolutely loving it. That summer, I switched sail camps and I've been an SEA boy ever since.
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Written by Barbara McVeigh
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 "Why are we standing here on land and not sailing?"In case you haven’t noticed lately, a constant and valued fixture has been missing from SEA docks. Fortunately there’s a good excuse.
Long time member and big time SEA volunteer John Paul Watts is sailing!
And, he’ not just putting around The SF Bay mentoring and inspiring the many newbie sailors as he’s done over the years. He’s accomplishing what most of us dream of doing, and that is crossing The Pacific Ocean.
Mind you, he’s not exactly wet behind the ears – see last year's story “A True 70th Birthday Bash”. Though, after ten weeks at sea, it could prove as a fitting description.
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