The 2004 RYC summer cruising season is drawing to a close now but it has been every bit as good a season as we had hoped it would be. Here is a quick run down of events

Delta Partying

In July Harley Gee and Anna Daddazio took their Catalina 34. Taproom, to Potato Slough, where they usually base her for the season. Cruisers joining them for the July 4 fireworks included Torben and Judy Bentsen on their mastless Beneteau, Tivoli; Craig and Ann Perez on their sleek racing machine, Marakesh, Sam Crabtree and Susie Wilson on Catch The Wind, Steve and Connie Hill on their sexy Beneteau, Coyote,  and Mike and Rosemary Costello on Jitterbug.

Regrettably our other Delta event, the River Rats cruise did not take place this year, as all the usual participants were unable to make it. Thanks to Roger and Maxine Pelz for offering to host this. This is a relaxing 2 week cruise through the Delta and next year will see a resumption.

Half Moon Bay Adventures

Our only Blue Water cruise is now in it’s second year and once again we had great support. A dozen boats made the easy sail down the coast to Half Moon Bay where co- hosts Torben and Judy Bentsen, and Gary and Kelly Troxel had set up a raft. On Saturday they were joined by Juan Spampinato on Ciao, Bill Williams on his lovely power catamaran, Fast Forward, Mike and Rosemary Costello on Jitterbug, Steve and Connie Hill on Coyote, John Nebilak on Indigo, and Lyle and Teresa Ryan on Positiva. Don and Mary on Kooyah rounded out the fleet. Despite some minor difficulties with the holding in the weedy bottom we all settled down and enjoyed a lovely weekend in a beautiful anchorage. Dinner on Saturday night was at the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club where they put on a splendid barbecue. Lots of sunshine and no fog made this a truly delightful cruise. Many thanks to Torben and Judy, and to Gary and Kelly for hosting us so admirably. They did a great job including a riotous beach party on Friday evening complete with egg tossing contest.

Desolation Sound, British Colombia

This was our first out of area cruise in years and was the joint brainchild of Lyle Ryan and Brian Deans. On September 12 twenty three RYC members and guests chartered 7 powerboats out of Comox BC, in Northern Vancouver Island. During the cruise we were joined by David and Evie Thompson on their trawler Zambesi who met us in Squirrel Cove. Despite more rain than we really needed, this was a truly delightful adventure for all of us. I leave it to Brian and Lyle to report more on this as it warrants a full report all by itself. Suffice to say that Desolation Sound is easily one of the most beautiful cruising grounds on the planet. Our next out of area cruise is planned for June 2006 in the British Virgin Islands.

Commodore’s Cruise to South Beach

On October 23 the fleet met at South Beach Marina for the Commodore’s cruise hosted by Gail Yando on Bill William’s catamaran Fast Forward. Your scribe could not make this cruise due to his visit with Mary to the UK but all reports say that it was well attended and everyone had a good experience. Many thanks to Gail for all her hard work in putting the cruise together. Good job Gail. Read the Commodore’s column for more details on this cruise.

On December 10 we will have caroling on Harley and Anna’s boat, Taproom, at the club. See you there. This has been a very rewarding year of Cruising at RYC. All the cruises have been well supported and have provided good safe fun. Mary and I have thoroughly enjoyed putting them together. We thank all those who have hosted cruises during this year.

Don Farquharson