SoCal New Years Day
In San Diego, the Ancient Mariners Sailing Society is the equivalent to the Master Mariners Benevolent Association of San Francisco Bay, and provides racing and other events for “vessels of classic design”. While they weren’t out racing on New Year’s Day, many of them took to the sea to ring in the New Year. We sailed aboard one, the 1930 Alden Schooner Dauntless, and photographed a few others. Also onboard from the SF Bay Area was Alice Watts from the 1891 scow schooner Alma.
Gary teaches Adam how to hoist the sails aboard Dauntless, while Tom coils a halyard and Shelly looks on. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
The schooner Maid of Kent drifts toward the ocean in the late morning zephyrs of San Diego Bay. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
The Stone-built Scamp picks up a fresh breeze closer to the ocean. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Scamp sails by the New Point Loma Lighthouse. Surfers will notice the nice point break. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
America, the same replica which used to take out tourists in Key West, sailed quickly out to the ocean, where her passengers were treated to a close-up whale sighting. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
The California gray whale, unperturbed by sightseers, swam steadily southward, and the crew aboard Dauntless speculated that she was headed to the Baja calving grounds to give birth. For more on gray whales, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_Whale. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Flirt raced Dauntless back into San Diego Bay. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Dancing on Flirt’s bow, with the San Diego skyline in the background. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Besides the daysailors out for a cruise, racers could enjoy one of two regattas on New Year’s Day. San Diego YC fielded nine divisions of boats ranging from Hobie cats to a couple of yachts named Stars & Stripes (Dennis Conner’s Farr 60 of that name won its division). See www.sdyc.org/raceinfo for results and more. For dinghy and board sailors, Santa Clara Racing Association held a ‘Hangover Regatta’ on Mission Bay. A sure cure!
Thanks to the Plotts family for taking us out on Dauntless, and Happy New Year to all our readers.
The Plotts menfolk on Dauntless’s bowsprit. Clockwise from front: Tom, kids Adam and Paul, and skipper Paul. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
©2009 norcalsailing.com
January 4, 2009
A migrating gray whale cruises alongside America, a replica of THE America (you know, the one with the Cup). © 2009 norcalsailing.com
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