Oakland Estuary, Nov 6-7 1999

The Potter Yachters will host the First Annual SCA "Cruiser Challenge" for Mini-Cruisers on Nov 6-7, at the Oakland Estuary during the "Last Potter Weekend of the Season/Century/Millennium".

This is a large scale event, and will feature a race between Potters, ComPacs and Montgomeries, race prizes, raffles, discounts at Svendsens Chandlery, a dinner, and other attractions. There are no registration fees for the event. It's all free, except your overnight slip and your dinner.

Some folks will be daysailing, while others will be staying over on Saturday night at the Marina Village yacht Harbor at Marina Square. You can dine at the Meridian Restaurant right next to the marina with the Potter club, or take the water taxi or your boat to Jack London Square.

The Potter club has invited skippers of all types of small sailboats to join in the cruising fun. A special effort was made to invite the members of the local associations of Montgomery and ComPac sailboats, as well as local cruising clubs, like the San Jose Sailing Club.

And there's more… Svendsen's Boatyard at Alameda is offering a 10% discount on all puchases through the end of November to all registered participants of the Potter Cruise and the SCA Cruiser Challenge. Svendsen's has an enormous selection of sailing gear at very competitive prices. You can find things at Sven's that you can't find anywhere else. They also can offer sound, expert advice on almost any question about sailing equipment and gear. You don't have to race to get the discount, but you must register for the event to receive a card entitling you the discount.

Because we are expecting a larger than usual turnout for this event, we have made separate arrangements for launching for daysailors and weekenders.

Day-sailors should launch from the Estuary Park Ramp in Oakland and then cruise straight across the Estuary to the guest dock at the Marina Village Yacht Harbor to meet up with the rest of the gang. There is ample parking there. You should not park at the Estuary Ramp overnight; your car might be vandalized if you leave your car unattended there overnight. It's very safe during the day.

Weekenders should launch from the Grand Street ramp in Alameda and then cruise 1/4 mile west on the Estuary to the Marina Village Guest Dock. Parking is limited at the Grand Street ramp, and alternate parking provisions will be made if there is an overflow. Overnight camping in RV's in not permitted there.

Weekenders will be staying overnight at the Marina Village Yacht Harbor at Marine Square. We will be staying on the guest dock. Slips are $10/night. We'll meet you at the Guest Dock with keys from 10:30 - 1pm. After 1 pm, you'll have to get your own key at the Harbormaster's office.

Registration for all events will be from 10:30 am to 1 pm on the Guest Dock at Marina Village Yacht Harbor. Daysailers will find it more convenient to arrive by boat. Weekenders can register for a slip and pick up the key first at the same place. Late arrivals register after the race at the guest dock.

At registration, you can pick up your raffle tickets, sign up for the 10% discount program at Svendsens', register for the "Cruiser Challenge" race and get your complimentary copies of "Small Craft Advisor" and "Good Old Boat" magazines.

Please RSVP by Thursday, Nov 5 to Judy Blumhorst to make reservations for the slip and the dinner party. Slips are hard to get on the Estuary and we need to make reservations ahead of time. Please call Judy Blumhorst at 925-820-0800 (let the phone ring at least 8 times for voice mail to pick up) or email her at JBlumhorst@aol.com.