Docking and Marina Procedures Class
March 6 & 7, SF Bay

NEW LOCATION:

Island Yacht Club
Located in the Alameda Marina

11 am Saturday, March 6th - Basic Docking and Marina Procedures:

The "Basic" Class will cover skills such as :

  • preparations before docking
  • choosing your docking approach
  • marina traffic patterns and rules
  • communication between skipper and crew,
  • correct use of docklines,
  • approaches and departures to and from upwind, downwind and side wind slips,
  • using ranges to steer in currents and sidewinds
  • going forward and backing up under power,
  • tight radius turns,
  • what to do if your outboard quits, and other common emergencies

Sunday, March 7th, 10:00 am: Advanced Docking and Marina Procedures.

Topics will include:

  • singlehanded docking and departure under power
  • special considerations when motoring into and out of downwind or strong side current slips (like Ayala Cove),
  • parallel parking in small spaces on side ties,
  • use of spring lines,
  • docking under sail power,
  • back and fill manueuver for turning slowly in a tight space
  • additional topics


RSVP to Judy Blumhorst, Education Captain

Back by Popular Demand!

Free to all Potter Yachter Members

Our instructor is Sandi MacLeod, senior US Sailing Certified Instructor with more than a decade of teaching experience. Sandi has made multiple trips across the ocean, including the 1997 TransPac and several deliveries. She has sailed extensively on the West Coast, in British Columbia, the San Juans, the Caribbean, the Florida Keys on the East Coast and near Tahiti in the South Pacific. Sandi was the first woman instructor certified by US Sailing as a Coastal Passagemaking instructor, and is one of only two women currently certified to do so.

The classes are free to all paid-up 2004 members of the Potter Yachters. Non-members may join the club for $24 (per family) on the day of the classes and attend the classes at no further charge.

The class will consist of a lecture followed by an on-the-water-demonstration. All participants will receive written materials to take home. You do not need to have your boat there to participate. However, it would be very valuable to have your boat so you can practice on our own after the class ends. There are plenty of empty slips at the Richmond Marina for practicing.

Please bring a bag lunch for both days. We will take a short lunch break.

The class will be several hours long, so it's best to launch your boat and put it in a slip before the class starts.


Directions and Berthing Information

The docking class will be held in the upstairs meeting room at Island Yacht Club, which is located in Alameda Marina. Enter at the main gate (with the guard house) and follow the signs to Island Yacht Club. Click here for driving directions

The Island Yacht Club clubhouse has tables and chairs for the expected crowd of 35-45 people. We'll be warm and dry indoors, no matter what the weather, and we will serve coffee and muffins (for a nominal contribution to cover costs).

After the class, everyone is invited to attend IYC's chowder cook off, expected to start at about 5 or 6 pm. There is also an honor bar, stocked with beer, and sodas, which will be open after the class. (Bring small bills to pay for beer and soda. We cannot make change for you)

LAUNCH AT GRAND STREET RAMP
The Grand Street Ramp is right next to the entrance to Grand Marina. Launching is free at Grand Street Ramp. It is a 5minute walk to Island Yacht Club. If you are bringing your boat for the day, you can park and launch here for free. Come early or else you may have to park your car and trailer on the street. (Be careful with your mast at grand street -- there is one light pole that you might hit if you don't pay attention.)

DAY SAILORS:
Rig at Grand street ramp and launch after the class ends.



Weekenders will stay at Grand Marina.
RSVP to Judy B to make a reservation.

 

You must RSVP to Judy with the size of your boat, and dates of arrival and departure.

We have made special arrangements for slips at Grand Marina, right next to the ramp. Grand Marina is a VERY nice marina, with modern, clean, secure showers and baths.

Check yourself in at Grand Marina before the class. Office Hours are am to 5pm; telephone is (510) 865-1200

The office opens at They will be putting two Potter-sized boats into a single 30-40 foot slip, at a cost of $15/boat, per night, plus a refundable $30 deposit on dock keys. Only people who rent slips may get dock keys. You may arrive on Friday or stay overnight on Saturday, at the special rate of $15/night.

If you are staying overnight at Grand Marina, you can park your car in their secured parking lot near your slip, but you must leave your trailer at the Grand Street next door. It's a one minute walk from the ramp to the marina.

Grand Marina has made a large slip at our disposal for practicing docking. We will tell you what the slip number is the day of the class.


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