“What is it?” “Looks like fire.” “You can’t have fire on a boat - it’s too dangerous.” “They’re playing Yo Yo Ma.” “Looks like Burning Man.” “Not very Christmassy, is it?” And then, as the topic of confused chatter motored past the Spinnaker Restaurant and approached the reviewing stand at the Sausalito Yacht Club on Saturday night, the special effects - visual and auditory - really got going.

Mervyn Regan, co-chair of the Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks explains what everyone was seeing: “There is no way I could have described the show from White Holly. I don't think anyone was prepared for that show, especially our neighbors on Belvedere who called in a terrorist attack. I guess I should have notified them about the fireworks at least. White Holly, a 1944, 133-ft Navy vessel, is owned by Vincent Backen and is now used as a research/education vessel, moored at the Bay Model. The boat was entered by the Bay Model Visitor’s Center and Vincent. The theme, Flame of Christmas Spirit, was a collaborative effort of 300 artists. This was the second time Vince entered the parade. A 30-ft tongue of flames shot out of the bow last time. They are joining the Sausalito Yacht Club to become more actively involved and told me as long I was approving they had more of a show than we saw last Saturday night.”

A show of Christmas lights accompanied a current of electricity grounding itself in saltwater. © 2008 norcalsailing.com

White Holly’s slot in the parade came toward the end, following a spectacular moonrise of the largest full moon of the year.

Merv summed up the event: “The 20th Annual Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks was without a doubt one of the best yet. Starting off with Jim Gabbert’s 164-ft Invader as the Grand Marshall, 40+ boats out-did themselves with decorations. The scoring was so close it was heartbreaking to have to choose winners. The break in the weather was a blessing and the moon behind the fireworks spectacular made the evening magical.”

The winners follow.

1st in Sail: Tambadil, 43-ft Hans Christian cutter, moored on Libertyship dock in Sausalito. Owners Chad and Carolyn Carvey are in the planning stage for a circumnavigation.

2nd Sail: Tanagra, 37-ft Furia sloop moored in the Berkeley Marina and a member of Sausalito Cruising Club and Modern Sailing. Racer/cruiser built in Spain. The current owner, Mindy Oppenheim, saw the boat in Miami and fell in love with her.

3rd Sail: tie between Lono & Music. Lono is a 36-ft 1978 Cheoy Lee Luders moored in the Sausalito Yacht Harbor. Owner Bill Evans is a member of the Sausalito YC and the Lighted Boat Parade Committee. “The two years the parade was called due to weather Bill’s was the only boat to come out the first time and one of five which braved the elements the second time,” said Merv. “They were the Aliens.”

3rd Sail: (tie) Music, 37.5-ft 1987 Hunter. Music has appeared in nearly every parade. Owner Phil DeGaa lives in Sacramento. The boat is moored in  Richmond and he is a member of the Richmond YC.

1st Power: Unwined, 32-ft Grand Banks moored in the Sausalito Yacht Harbor. “This was a collaborative effort by owners Melissa Prandi and Jack Damato with Gail Ward and J Rigler, who won last year with their boat in Sail, as a fundraiser for the fireworks,” said Merv. “Their theme was, Santa Claus is coming to town more naughty then nice.”

2nd Power: Five Stars, a 75-ft custom yacht built in 1982 and moored at Schoonmaker. Owner John Scopazzi donated the use of the boat to SF Bay Adventures and the Chamber of Commerce.

3rd Power: Buzmechen, a 50-ft Ocean Alexander 90 moored at the Sausalito Yacht Harbor and owned by Don and Jenny Seyranian.

Commodore’s Trophy went to the smallest boat in the parade, Skijay, a 20-ft Sea Ray owned by CJ Spady and Matt Busse, moored at Clipper Yacht Harbor. Theme, Santa Penguins coming to town.

People’s Choice Award: Famiglia Santa, a 35-ft trawler built in 1926 by Pasquanucci Brothers in Sausalito with a traditional-style Monterey fishing boat conversion. Owner Heather Richards, moored in Galilee Harbor.

Sweepstakes Winner: White Holly.

Santa’s Helpers braved the cold in their short, short skirts. We hope he treated them to a hot chocolate by a warm fire after the parade. © 2008 norcalsailing.com

Sausalito will hold their 21st Annual Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks will be on the second Saturday in December 2009.