Down The Rode – by Ty Mellott
BAY & BEYOND
APRIL
12 – 13 • Annual Svendsen’s Spring Fling, hosted by Svendsen’s Marine, 2900 Main Street #1900, Alameda, CA. Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This year the show has more exhibitors, great food and informative sailing/boating seminars. This event is free and open to the public! Meet top sailing/boating brand representatives and visit the 20,000 sq. ft. Svendsen’s Marine store for the best deals of the year on your boating and sailing gear. Raffle giveaways all day long. Visit www.springflingboatshow.com for more information.
12 – 14 • 21st International Ocean Film Festival, Cowell Theater Fort Mason on the beautiful San Francisco waterfront. Come out and enjoy the films that celebrate the sea and films that increase awareness. Visit www.oceanfilmfest.org for more info on single program and full event film passes. Come out to celebrate and enjoy all things ocean.
18 – 21 • 2nd Annual Newport International Boat Show, The Newport Beach International Boat Show (NBIBS) is back to bring a new and reimagined vision to the yachting world. Incorporating live entertainment, immersive activations and beautiful yachts from top builders and brokerages, the event offers attendees a one-of-a-kind experience that captures the essence of Newport Beach’s elevated lifestyle. With both on-land and on-water areas to explore, the footprint will immerse your senses as you browse, shop and dine at the trendy boutiques, sponsored lounges and beautiful restaurants in the area. From recreational watercrafts to large luxury yachts and everything in between the NBIBS looks forward to welcoming you this April to NBIBS 2024. Visit www.nbibs.com for more info.
25 – 28 • Seattle Boats Afloat Spring Boat Show, presented by the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association the Boats Afloat Show is the destination to Explore, Dream, and Discover. Enjoy stunning city views from South Lake Union while you tour vessels of all brands and styles, experience the latest innovations in boating technology with industry professionals, and enjoy a full line-up of thoughtfully curated events like live music, delicious food, boat rides, and more. Visit www.boatsafloat.com for more info.
28 – PICYA’s 107th Annual Opening Day on The Bay, Opening Day on the Bay is an annual celebration of the maritime community on the San Francisco Bay. From the blessing of the fleet in Racoon Straights to the parade of decorated boats, this is a great reason to get out on the Bay. Judges are on hand to dish out prizes for the décor and imagination of the colorful vessels as this year’s theme is “Rockin’ the Bay.” Get your sail or powerboat ready but whether you participate or view from the banks, you are sure to enjoy this time honored and traditional spring event celebrating the official beginning to the San Francisco Bay boating season with fellow boating enthusiasts! Visit www.picya.org for more information. We hope to see 2024 as one of the largest turnouts in years.
28 • USS Potomac Opening Day on the Bay Cruise, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. from Oakland’s Jack London Square. $125 per person for adults, youth $75 and children $55. Join the crew of the Presidential Yacht USS Potomac for a 3-hour cruise on San Francisco Bay while enjoying the sights of the Bay’s opening day parade. Tickets may be purchased by visiting eventbrite.com or www.usspotomac.org where reservations are highly recommended.
MAY
Friday & Saturday Beginning May 17th • Sunset Cruises, Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry. View the Bay & the SF skyline. Wine, soda & a variety of snacks for purchase onboard. Reservations required for this 1.5-hour cruise that departs Tiburon at 6:30 p.m. and returns at 8:00 p.m. Fri – Sat evenings. Cruises continue through mid-Oct. Adults and seniors: $30, Children 6-12: $15. For information regarding times of departure and to make reservations visit www.angelislandferry.com (click bay cruises) or call 415-435-2131.
4 – 5 • Annual Great Vallejo Race, Vallejo Yacht Club hosts the Great Vallejo Race, kicking off another Yacht Racing Association (YRA) season of racing on the Bay for 2024. For more info visit www.vallejoyachtclub.com or contact the Vallejo Yacht Club at 707-643-1254 or the YRA at 451-771-9500.
12 • Mother’s Day, Take Mom out for a boat ride. Can you think of any better way to spend Mom’s special Day? Cruise the Bay and remind her of how special she is! Enjoy the day and be safe on the water.
12 • USS Potomac Mother’s Day Cruise on the San Francisco Bay, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. from Oakland’s Jack London Square. $125 per person. Join the crew of the Presidential Yacht USS Potomac for a 3-hour cruise on San Francisco Bay while celebrating the mom in your life. Tickets may be purchased by visiting eventbrite.com or www.usspotomac.org where reservations are highly recommended.
16 – 19 • Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show, Westpoint Harbor, Redwood City, CA. The Pacific Sail and Power Boat Show, produced by the California Yacht Brokers Association in partnership with Sail America in their second year at Westpoint Harbor, May 16 – 19, 2024. The premier boat show on the West Coast will feature an impressive lineup of exhibitors displaying a wide range of sailboats, powerboats, and boating accessories. Boating enthusiasts and novices alike will enjoy a wide range of activities and events throughout the four-day event including educational seminars by industry experts providing valuable information on boating safety, maintenance, and performance. Thursday & Friday – 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday – 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets: Adults – $20 Daily, Kids under 12 Free, & Active-Duty Military free Thursday & Friday. This year enjoy the food and atmosphere of the newly opened Hurrica Restaurant. For more information, visit the website www.cyba.info or www.pacificboatshow.com or by calling the CYBA 925-588-8829.
18 – 24 • National Safe Boating Week, The National Safe Boating Council continues to educate the boating community about wearing life jackets and the options that are available when it comes to comfortable and lightweight life jackets. Visit www.safeboatingcampaign.com for more info on this important week and how you as an individual or your marina can get involved.
18 • Opening Day on the Strait, come out and participate in the boat parade or view from the miles of Benicia shoreline that offer ideal viewing locations. From 10 a.m.-10 p.m. this all day event will provide vendor booths, a decorated boat parade, blessing of the fleet, live music, food & Drink at the Benicia Yacht Club. For the full day’s events schedule visit www.beniciayachtclub.org. Open to the public and welcome to stop by, 400 East 2nd Street, Benicia, CA.
DELTA
APRIL
Thursday – Saturday • Steak & Lobster Night at Orwood, Orwood Resort, 4451 Orwood Road, Brentwood, CA 94513. Come out and enjoy a 12-oz. New York steak or rib-eye and lobster, Brentwood corn, baked potato and roll for only $25.99. Beautiful Delta setting on the water and a great meal to boot. Call 925-634-2550 for more info.
6 • Stockton YC Opening Day, view from the banks of the Deep-Water Channel or bring your boat out and participate in this well-attended opening day parade. Opening Day 2024 will be on Saturday April 6th, 2024! This year’s theme is “Hollywood Glitz and Glam.” After the parade, the club will follow the theme with a Western Hoedown and dinner. Bring your boat and join the fun all weekend and let’s make this a fantastic weekend to kick off the 2024 boating season! Contact the Stockton Yacht Club at 209-946-9259 or visit www.stocktonyc.org if you have any questions. Or you can contact Jill Stevenson at 916-847-8959 for more information.
10 • Delta Chambers Mixer, Freeport Bar & Grill, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Come out and network with local chamber members as the staff of FBG show their hospitality in traditional Delta Wine Loving style. If you have questions on this event, how your business can host a mixer or to become a member of the Delta Chambers, visit www.californiadelta.org or call 916-777-4041.
13 • Discovery Bay Yacht Club Opening Day Parade, Discovery Bay Yacht Club invites you to their parade on Saturday April 13th. If you have a boat, assemble your crew and join them on this exciting opening day weekend. Visit dbyc.com for more information.
20 • San Joaquin Yacht Club Opening Day Parade on the Delta, San Joaquin Yacht Club, Bethel Island, CA. All Floating Craft Welcome ~ no registration fee, Includes classics, small craft, personal watercraft & dinghies. This year’s theme to be announced soon. The parade starts at 1200 hours at the Yacht Club docks located at 550 Riverview Road, Bethel Island. Bring your boat for the Blessing. There are cash prizes and awards for decorated boats with dinner and dancing after the parade. For more information or to enter your boat visit www.sjyc.org
MAY
Thursday – Saturday • Steak & Lobster Night at Orwood, Orwood Resort, 4451 Orwood Road, Brentwood, CA 94513. Come out and enjoy a 12-oz. New York steak or rib-eye and lobster, Brentwood corn, baked potato and roll for only $25.99. Beautiful Delta setting on the water and a great meal to boot. Call 925-634-2550 for more info.
7 • Taco Tuesday Returns to Windmill Cove, get ready for one of the most popular Taco Tuesdays in the Delta. Come out by Car or Boat to enjoy this season’s Grand Opener! Taco Tuesday every Tuesday throughout the summer and on into early fall. Visit www.windmillcove.com or call 209-469-9300 for more information on Taco Tuesdays or other cove events.
8 • Delta Chambers Mixer, 6-7:30 p.m., Sugar Barge on Bethel Island. Attend by car or boat, network with your fellow chamber members and check out all that Sugar Barge and their staff has to offer. If you have questions on this event, how your business can host a mixer or to become a member of the Delta Chambers, visit www.californiadelta.org or call 916-777-4041.
12 • Mother’s Day, Take Mom out for a boat ride. Can you think of any better way to spend Mom’s special Day? Cruise the Delta and remind her of how special she is! Enjoy the day and be safe on the water.
17 – 19 • Stockton Flavor Fest, Visit Stockton, with the support of the City of Stockton, is bringing back downtown Stockton’s largest family festival. Held downtown at the Weber Point Events Center, Flavor Fest is a celebration of the food, music, and cultures that make up the diverse communities in Stockton. Highlights of the festival include regional cuisine, food trucks, local makers, and merchants highlighting the creative diversity and global food offerings available in the Stockton area. Three days of entertainment programming, including strolling cultural performances, singer-songwriters at the Craft Beverage Experience Tent and over twenty musical performances on the main stage. Free family entertainment, including a STEM focused family activity tent, free arts workshops, and live art demonstrations. Visit www.stocktonflavorfest.com for more information. If you are coming by boat, feel free to call the Stockton Downtown Marina at 209-462-4200 for special entrance passes to the festival.
18 – 24 • National Safe Boating Week, The National Safe Boating Council continues to educate the boating community about wearing life jackets and the options that are available when it comes to comfortable and lightweight life jackets. Visit www.safeboatingcampaign.com for more info on this important week and how you as an individual or your marina can get involved.
26 • Live Music at the Sugar Barge Bar & Grill Over Memorial Day Weekend. Come by car or boat as the summer live music debut’s this holiday weekend. Enjoy great food, scenic water views and live music performed by Toree McGee. Call 925-684-9075 or visit sugarbarge.com for more info.
ONGOING
Adventures at Sea, Imagine Life Aboard a 19th-Century Sailing Ship, Program presented at 2:15 p.m. daily. Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco. For information on this or any other program offered, call 415-561-7006.
Bay Model Tours, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA. 415-332-3871. Hours Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sun.-Mon. & holidays.
Delta Fishing Reports, weekly every Wed. at www.californiadelta.org
Red & White Fleet San Francisco Cruises, for info visit www.redandwhite.com or call 415-673-2900.
Safe Boating Courses, for information and closest place to attend a boating course please call the United States Power Squadron at 925-377-2628.
Sea Valor, a non-profit organization based upon the idea of using a sailboat, the Bay waters, and companionship to give those that may suffer from physical wounds or PTSD a chance to leave their struggles behind, if even just for the day. The goal that Eric Jones and his crew of Valor stive to achieve, is not just the one day but rather the foundation to further assist those in need to recover fully and return to a way of life prior to the individual’s stressful or traumatic event. Their ocean-themed programs and activities aim to help veterans, firefighters, health care workers, law enforcement, under-privileged youth, families of those affected by suicide and anyone else struggling with physical or emotional wounds. If you or anyone you know that might benefit from such a program, view www.seavalor.org for more information.
SS Jeremiah O’Brien WW II Liberty Ship, National Historic Landmark and Museum. Open daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf. The fee is $8 adults, under six free with adult. Visit www.ssjeremiahobrien.org for cruise schedule, volunteer opportunities and overnight programs or call 415-544-0100.
USS Hornet Tours, Sea, Air and Space Museum, Alameda CA. The ship is open for daily visits and offers several specialty tours including a 9 p.m.-6 a.m. overnighter. If you wish to visit and need more info regarding general admission, specialty tours or group events, www.uss-hornet.org
USS Pampanito, Open daily at Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf. Fee: Adults, $9; 6-12, $4; under six free with adults; family ticket $20. More info at 415-561-6662. Admission includes a self-guided tour.
USS Potomac History Cruise, enjoy a 2-hour narrated history cruise on S.F. Bay with knowledgeable docents. Complimentary coffee, tea and water will be available. Visit eventbrite.com or call 510-627-1215 for actual dates and reservations.
USS Potomac Year-Round Chartered Tours, Jack London Square, the museum dedicated to “Remembering Roosevelt and his Era” features FDR’s famed “Floating White House,” now a National Historic Landmark. Until further notice there is no more open seating or scheduled cruises. Events currently are on a charted basis only. Call 510-627-1215 for more information.
Vessel Safety Checks, for a courtesy examination of your vessel to verify the presence and condition of your safety equipment required by State and Federal regulations, please visit the site www.safetyseal.net or e-mail sumfun@juno.com for more information on having your vessel’s safety checked or to have representatives visit your club for group checks.
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DownTheRode@YachtsmanMagazine.com
The Earlier the BETTER!
