Island Packet Owner's Rendezvous confirmed...

Dear Packeteer,

We know you've been holding May 2 -3 on your calendar for the Annual Island Packet Rendezvous.

Here's the info you need to find your way to the party.

LOCATION: Cruise-in to Encinal Yacht Club (click here for directions). We have reserved the guest dock and will be rafting up for the event.

TIME: The dock is reserved for the weekend. Come after work on Friday if you'd like. We will have the host vessel, the Island Packet 465, at the dock. (Official check-in time is not until 3:00 Saturday)
Look at the Itinerary in the column on the left for times and activities.

COST: $65 per person which includes the reception, Saturday night dinner, Sunday morning breakfast, and guest speaker. We will collect payment at the time of registration or call the office with your credit card information 510-236-2633.

You need to send us your entree selection. The choices are listed below along with an easy e-mail link to let us know what you want for dinner.

We're looking forward to seeing you at this year's event!



ITINERARY May 2 -3

Saturday, May 2:

Cruise-in and raft up on the guest docks. Come anytime between Friday afternoon and Saturday 3:00PM. The club has a pool so bring your suit. Enjoy the club's facilities, including the bar.

3:00 - 4:00: Check-in on Island Packet 465. Collect your goody bag and official IP Rendezvous t-shirt.

3:30 - 6:30: Progressive cocktail party - dock side.We're bringing back one of our old traditions: everybody bring an hors d'oevures to share as we travel from boat to boat to meet old friends and make new ones. The Island Packet 465 is the Passage Yachts host boat. We'll be serving wine, beer and food for everyone.

6:30 Dinner: Proceed to the "Regatta Room" for a sit down dinner and our gift give-away.

Sunday, May 3:

9:00 Breakfast: The breakfast buffet will be served in the main dining room. You will be able to choose from quiche Lorraine, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, country potatoes, bagels and cream cheese, fresh fruit, OJ, coffee and tea.

Used Boat Show This Weekend April 24-26 Jack London Square

Yes, another boat show but this one is exclusively for used boats. If you're interested in checking out this market here is the perfect opportunity to do so. Free admission. We'll have a few, really well priced used boats there for sale.

Alerion Express 28 video

Beneteau 34 video from Yachting Monthly

New York Times Article mentions Beneteau Yachts

This NYT article mentions Beneteau yachts when talking about several well known architects and their boats. It is no wonder that architects with their sense of style would choose the good looking and well thought out Beneteau line!

Strictly sail - sun, boats, fun!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Strictly Sail starts tomorrow!

Jack London Square - Oakland

Wed - 4/15 through Sun 4/19

On display for Passage Yachts:

Island Packet SP Cruiser
Island Packet Estero - World Debut!
Island Packet 460
Island Packet 465

Beneteau 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46, 49
Beneteau First 45

Wauquiez 41 PS

Alerion Express 28

Marin Yacht Club seeking new members

Just got a note from one of our great Beneteau owners.... They are seeking new members at the Marin Yacht Club - check them out!

"MYC is the best kept secret on the bay. Beautiful, sheltered harbor, pool, tennis courts, hot tub, bocce court, two club houses, party rooms, slips available from 36 to 76 feet."

More information about Marin Yacht Club on our website at www.marinyachtclub.com

Or contact Lee Cordner at 415-455-9192 lee.cordner@gmail.com

Teak seats and a pillow....

What a way to ride to the boat show!

We are setting up and getting ready. Strictly Sail looks like it is going to be a great show this year!

Tartan 4400 new listing

Beautiful new listing... Asking $475,000 - she is very well equipped and professionally outfitted. This boat is a strong, stiff, comfortable, quality cruising yacht that would make any owner proud. Contact Jim for more details jim.long@passageyachts.com or 415-847-7032.

Alerion Sailing...Yes!

I have been enjoying Thursday night sails on our Alerion 28 the past few months with my friend Joan and various visitors, including my kids, friends and other adventurers. Cold? Some nights, but the sunsets and moon shots far outweigh the bit of frost on our pumpkins.

This is such a fun boat to sail!! Last night, in about 12 to 15 knots of wind, we made it up the estuary in about 45 minutes. We sailed out to the bridge then turned back for a swift reach down the estuary back to Marina Village.

Our photographers never have to say, "smile", when taking a picture under sail!
If you're interested in trying Alerion sailing, check in with me to see if there is room on board next week!

Wauquiez Dodger Color??

So, we are putting a dodger on our stock Wauquiez 41 PS for the upcoming Strictly Sail show at Jack London Square. What color should we make it? Anyone have a vote?

Here is a sample dodger from the
Annapolis Boat Show. Good? Bad?

April fools

If you didn't guess... that article I posted yesterday about the Government support of the sailing industry... yep, April Fools. Too bad!

Thanks to Bill Bolin at Island Packet for the link to the article...

Obama to back yachting initiatives

Obama to back yachting initiatives

By IBI Magazine/Yachting Monthly

US President Barack Obama wants the carbon zero benefits of sailing taken into consideration when business grants are being doled out in a bid to strengthen the failing marine industry.

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said: "This will be not only good for the environment but for all my friends in the Bay Area who love sailing."

"We also welcome the commercial partnerships between companies as well," she added. Pelosi cited the newly announced joint marketing effort between mast maker Southern Spars and the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, makers of Viagra. The two companies have launched a new advertising campaign targeted to the male sailing audience with their slogan; "A stiff rig is hard to beat". The first commercials are due to air during the next leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.



Republican Ron Paul of Texas said: "When you look at modern sailing yachts today, most of these vessels are fitted with carbon masts. How can this administration look us straight in the eye and say this package is focused on zero carbon when the masts are carbon? I don't care if you put the carbon in the atmosphere or up in the sky in the form of a mast, it's all the same carbon in my book."

(1 April 2009)