Emeryville Marina & Harbor News | San Francisco on the Bay

America’s Cup announces 37 Safety Specifications and the AC72s are back on the water

Wed., May 22, the America’s Cup organizers announced 37 safety rules for the continuance of the 34^th annual America’s Cup challenge. Among the 37 recommendations, the maximum winds speeds for the racing events were reduced from 33 knots to 23 knots with a flexible start time, additional body armor and hands-free breathing devices were suggested, as well as crew locator devices. The full list can be viewed on the America’s Cup website.

Shortly after the announcement, at midnight, the moratorium on practicing on the Bay was lifted and three of the AC72s were out on a fairly peaceful San Francisco Bay with winds about 12 -16 knots on Thurs., May 23. Cup Defender Oracle USA, and Challengers Luna Rossa Challenge and Emirates Team New Zealand took to the water to stretch their sea legs or wings. Take a look (video). View photos.

By Mary Lou Thiercof|2013-05-29T18:45:24-07:00May 29th, 2013|0 Comments

Marina News

Season of Boating Opens on San Francisco Bay on Sunday, April 28

The theme is “The Great Race”

Sunday is the official Opening Day of Boating Season and a busy time on the Bay with sailing and motor boats heading out to the ‘Blessing of the Fleet’ in Raccoon Straight, the waterway between Angel Island and Tiburon peninsula. Raccoon Strait festivities start at 11am, followed by the 96^th Opening Day Parade of Boats along the San Francisco Waterfront from Crissy Field to Pier 39, starting at 12 noon until 3pm.

The “Opening Day on the Bay” Decorated Boat Parade, hosted by the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association (PICYA), representing over 100 yacht clubs in Northern California, will feature over 100 historic workboats, fireboats, towboats, as well as classic and contemporary craft decorated to the theme.

There are many viewing points along the waterfront and six trophies awarded for the decorating competition. For more information visit www.picya.org and http://www.mojosail.com/2013/04/22/opening-day-approaches/

Emeryville Yacht Club Celebrates Opening Day – Sat., Apr. 27

Saturday the Emeryville Yacht Club is hosting a Commodore’s BBQ at Emery Cove in celebration of Opening Day and connecting with members after decorating their boats that will be in the parade of boats competition on Sunday. If you are down in the Marina Saturday afternoon, you’ll be able to preview contenders for best decorations to the theme of The Great Race.

Fishing Report

According to Emeryville Sportfishing owner Craig Stone, April’s salmon fishing expeditions have been achieving great results. On April 23, Emeryville Sportfishing boats New Huck Fin and New Salmon Queen caught 62 Chinook salmon, with 31 anglers. “We should be seeing local fresh salmon in our markets after May 1.” In May Emeryville Sportfishing boats will be going out after Salmon, Halibut and Striped Bass daily.

June 1^st is the opening of the Rock Cod and Ling Cod season (this writer’s favorite for fish tacos), which lasts until the end of the year. Happy fishing!

Bonus Note: Did you know you could fish without a license off of our municipal pier in Emeryville?

By Mary Lou Thiercof|2013-05-25T09:52:05-07:00April 27th, 2013|0 Comments

Around the Marinas

FISHING REPORT

Savoring what could be the last of her daily appetizers

Emeryville Sportfishing boats ended their Crab Season this month. Pickings were slim – the catches had been small as were the crabs, so boats are not going out crabbing at this time. But Ginger holds forth!

Emeryville Sportfishing HQ in the Emeryville Marina

Early spring brings good news: Emeryville Sportfishing launched its new fishing season on March 16 as the boats go out halibut trolling. They will be running on weekends in March. Starting April 6, Sportfishing boats will go out daily for salmon.

The Emeryville Marina hosted a Flea Market on Sat., March 16. All kinds of marine treasures and good deals from marine gear to rigging to sails, reels and poles and other boating items exchanged hands. Call 510-654-3716 for info. about happenings in the Emeryville Marina.

KITEBOARDING SEASON OPENS

Watch the skies for the opening of kiteboarding season! It starts the first week of April and goes through September at KGB Kiteboarding in Emeryville. KGB is an IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) Certified Kiteboarding and Kitesurfing Lessons and Shop down by the boat ramp at the Emeryville Marina. The staff at KGB are passionate and experienced kiteboarders who really love the sport and want to share their excitement with the community.

Besides Kiting gear, KGB rents stand-up paddle boards with special packages of 40 hour rentals at a great price. You can paddle around the Marina or into the cove. Only have an hour for lunch? You can spend half of your time enjoying the view from the water and toning up your body and then picnic in the Marina Park. KGB also offers water, snow & power kiting lessons & rentals. Their store is at 3310 Powell St. and will open the first week of April (888-411-0732).

ON THE WATER CHARTER NEWS

Emeryville Yacht Charter Companies Seaward Coastal Ventures and Charter SF are experiencing a significant increase in America’s Cup related activities.

Seaward Ventures

According to Seaward Coastal owner, Paul Records, “Sail racing teams, corporate hospitality representatives and event management firms are actively making arrangements to secure high quality yachts for their guests during this amazing ‘Summer of Sailing’ on San Francisco Bay.” They recently visited Emery Cove Yacht Harbor.

Charter SF’s 42′ catamaran Katinas

Captain Chuck Monark of CharterSF has introduced a “Bay Bridge Lights” cruise on Katinas, a 42’ sailing catamaran, originating at Emery Cove Yacht Harbor. According to Chuck, “Guests are consistently impressed when they experience the lights from the water.” Tours are available by appointment at 925-286-9368 or 510-301-7105.

TRADER VIC’S

What’s new? Besides having WIFI available in TV’s fabulous bar, there are new Polynesian flavorings infused into the original cuisine with Corporate Chef David Gingrass and his most exquisite presentation. Open everyday except Mondays, you can find a relaxing place to dine or meet a colleague on the water. Happy Hour is Tues. – Fri., 4-6pm and 9pm-closing. Lunch: Tues.-Fri. 11:30-2:30pm Dinner: 5 pm until closing Tues. – Sun.

History claims that in the 1930’s the original Mai Tai was created by Victor Bergeron, then known as Trader Vic, as he pursued his goal of injecting the spirit of island life into everyday life here in Emeryville. Trader Vic’s is located at 9 Anchor Dr. at Powell St. in Emeryville down on the water. 510-653-3400.

By Mary Lou Thiercof|2013-03-20T21:51:24-07:00March 17th, 2013|0 Comments

Jan 23 2013 – San Francisco Bay Seaman not to be Forgotten

Todd C. Price

In November of 2012, the San Francisco Bay lost one of its most loyal fans, Todd C. Price, at the young age of 60. “Todd was passionate about being on the water – it was therapeutic for him,” recalls Orah Goldman, lifetime partner of Todd. “He was almost always on the water 24/7.”

Todd had worked on the SF Bay on ferries for 30 years for the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway Transportation District and prior to that had worked on tugboats. He also was an avid sailor for ten years and raced on Thursday nights with the Cal Sailing Club. Todd was a dedicated member and volunteer, dropping by on his way home most evenings.

Doing what he loved most, Todd was at the helm of the RS Venture (a 16′ long dingy with stabilization perfect for lessons), sailing singlehanded in front of CSC when his life was taken from him.

“I watched Todd sailing that afternoon… read more for quite awhile and saw that he had a huge grin on his face. He was very very happy. Todd absolutely adored sailing and adored the Cal Sailing Club,” said Jane Morson, CSC Member. He gave 100% to the (non-profit) club, teaching sailing, running the Saturday morning lessons and running clinics.” Todd matched up skippers with whoever showed up for lessons on Saturdays and in the clinics. Not only did Todd teach people to sail, but he also taught sailing theory and rope splicing techniques.

“I’m a really lucky person,” continues Jane. “I have traveled all over the world and have never seen a sailing club like this one. CSC meant so much to Todd, as it does to its other members. CSC is a sailing club that offers people of all means, access to sailing and windsurfing at an affordable price.”

And that truly is what Todd believed. Todd also volunteered with the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors (BAADS), where he assisted sailors with disabilities to get back out on the water and learn new ways to navigate.

Todd had an insatiable thirst for knowledge – always studying and was self-taught in many subjects. He would spend evenings at his computer with The Teaching Company DVD courses on subjects ranging from The Joy of Science to Understanding the Fundamentals of Music to the History of the English Language to the World’s Greatest Structures.

He recently took the examinations for a Master license for 100 gross ton vessels (ferry boats, harbor tour boats, whale watching boats, etc.), which would have enabled him to live his dream of employment on these vessels anywhere in the world during his golden years, “It is really sad because he was so looking forward to his retirement. We were going to

travel and we would pursue his sailing dreams, as well as my travel dreams,” said Orah.

Todd also wanted to teach sailing on the south coast of France, sail the canals and rivers of Europe (inspired by a 2008 cruise trip down the Danube River) and still dreamed of finishing his Masters in Psychology and apply it to embellish his sailing travels overseas.

Those who knew him and his love of the San Francisco Bay will remember Todd’s contributions to the sailing and boating communities around the Bay.

By Mary Lou Thiercof|2013-04-22T07:16:33-07:00February 22nd, 2013|0 Comments