Spring Changes: New slip, new rigging, getting ready for the Ditch

New Slip....

With the on-going rebuilding of the Santa Cruz Harbor, following the significant damage of the Tsunami of 2011, S'agapo was asked to find other accommodations.  In the middle of Made In Santa Cruz Race Week, S'agapo and I set off before dawn accompanied by four or five Express-37s for a boring power up the coast to San Francisco.

With an amazing stroke of luck, we had received a letter from the San Francisco Marina that after many many years on the waiting list we had a slip!!  Why, all those years ago, I had chosen to put my name on the 45' slip list, I have no idea.  The rebuilding of the SF Marina has increased the number of 45' slips significantly and we were lucky enough to be ready and able to move in.  S'agapo has a home!!

S'agapo before the GGYC

S'agapo will probably be moved to another slip at some point as the SF Marina is sorted out and completed.  But, for now, we're right across the channel from Golden Gate Yacht Club.  You know GGYC, they have a little trophy that's being contested in 72' catamarans later this summer.

We could not have been more fortunate.  We'll have ring-side seats, well if I go up the rig I will, for some of the best sailboat racing in the world.  Stacey and I are expecting to be out on the water for a number of the America's Cup events this summer, hosting our friends and family aboard S'agapo.

We've become inured to most of the attention that S'agapo receives, and Santa Cruz has become used to having her sailing the local waters.  We were quite unprepared for the level of attention she received when we arrived in the SF Marina.  In addition to a hearty welcome from the terrific guys in the Harbor office lead by Harbormaster John and his crew of Park, George, and Bennie, it seems that a significant number of tourists who rent bikes to ride across the Golden Gate Bridge stop on the quay to take pictures and hundreds a week are putting S'agapo in the foreground   Park and Harbormaster John have had dozens come into the Harbormaster's Office to inquire about S'agapo.

Our next trip is the Delta Ditch Race from Richmond to Stockton; a lovely downwind 65 mile sail to the warmth of central California.  That will involve loading all the racing sails, including three spinnakers of various types and a delivery jib for the beat home.  We'll be packing up the pots, pans, and extra gear and lightening up S'agapo to let her sail fast.