A Yachting Weekend

Last weekend I did something completely different. John, Georgia & I took the Jo-Fran for a four hour cruise up the Petaluma River from Sausalito for a Classic Yacht Association event. We’ve been members of the CYA for years but have never had an opportunity to participate in a cruise before because we’re usually salmon fishing. That’s an entirely different topic that I won’t get into today. Navigating the river was easy and arranging for the D Street Bridge to be opened was equally painless. We docked stern-to at the Petaluma Yacht club dock, side-tied with nine other Classic Yachts.

You’re eligible for membership in the CYA if your boat was built prior to 1959 (just adjusted from 1942). The Jo-Fran was built in 1939 by Western Boat Works in Wilmington, CA. She’s a custom design by D.M. Callis and was built for actor, Frank Morgan.

The Northern California city of Petaluma was celebrating its sesquicentennial anniversary. On Saturday we were fortunate enough to have front row seats for The Petaluma Wine, Jazz and Blues Festival without even having to go through the gate. The stage was directly across from the dock and we enjoyed The Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy from the cabin-top.

One festival a weekend wasn’t enough. Sunday was the Petaluma Sesquicentennial River Fest. We were all invited “down by the Riverside for a day of Family Fun, Boat Races & Tours, Local Music, Classics and Old Cars on the river and on the waterfront”. We again had a front row seat, this time on the bow, for the canoe races & blindfolded dinghy races.

The historic Hay Scow Schooner Alma and the Sea Scout’s Compass Rose were open for tours as were our classic boats. It was a real kick to be a part of it all. The bonus of getting to know other classic boat owners made the weekend. Hopefully we’ll be able to attend another event soon.