The 125th San Diego Yacht Club "Opening Day" is over! We had beautiful weather and a terrific showing of PC's on E Street. Except for a couple of slackers, the entire fleet was on display and showing flags. It was a terrifice sight for all. In fact, the great number of PC's on E dock were responsible, in part, for making E Street look fine. Good work people! First, thank you all for doing such a great job getting your boats ready for show. I was down at the club several days before the weekend and was impressed to see all the action. Special congratuations to Vance Gustafson (#9 JADE) who recently completed a major restoration and won the PC Trophy for "Best Maintained PC". You will remember that #9 was Joe Jessop's boat and Joe was present for the restoration of the vessel before his passing. Many fleet members assisted in bringing the boat back to life and this brought Joe great pleasure. Since Vance has owned JADE, he has raced and sailed her regularly and with great determination. She has had her share of "Oops's" and time started to lift the deck and she opened up a bit. It was time to do another serious fix and Vance was ready and willing. She looks beautiful now and deserved the award.
Another beautiful vessel which just came out of the hospital is #11 FIRST FIDDLE, owned by Beth Chavet and Jim Oberg. She has had a complete refit and looks just beautiful in the water. Those of you who have not seen these vessels need to take a look. Other "like new" boats in line were #'s 16, 26, 27, 31 and 72. Most of these have won "Best Maintained" in past years and were displayed up on the main dock. You are all to be commended having not only saved these boats from distruction, but for keeping them up in such fine shape. Most boats in our fleet are looking fine. Sure, there are a few bandaids on some, from racing, but we need to remember that these boats are pushing almost 70-80 years in some cases. It is fantastic that our fleet is what it is!!
I am pleased to welcome some new folks to the fleet. Club members Aimee and Kendall Squires are now partners with Diane Schneider and Dave Grundies (#72 YANKEE). Look for them on the water! Pam and Max Phelps sold #44 LA SIRENA to members Nick and Nancy. #44 is located over on A Dock near #8 WINGS.
May 8th will bring the AMSS Yesteryear Regatta which will be a bay race. May 23rd will be the One Designs, so get ready!!
In closing, I will welcome you all to the 125st sailing season at the club. I hope to see more boats on the water. The beautiful weather is here, so no excuses!