Blue Book of Boats

For an official press release issued  by Delicate Balance July 13, 2010 to the Vic Maui Race Committee.   click here. The Story of Delicate Balance.

At the Schoonmaker Point Marina in Sausalito,  Delicate Balance proudly displays the Vic Maui 2010 Race burgee for all of Sausalito to see.

Surprisingly, not many Californians have heard of the Vic-Maui Race, so Delicate Balance is doing its share of publicizing the race.

Delicate Balance crew wasted no time and began preparation for the journey home.

Sleeping blankets, foul weather gear, bunk cushions and sailing mitts were hung out to dry.

Bunk cushions neatly arranged on the dock, basking in the heat of the sun.

All the sailing mitts neatly lined up, like laundry on a clothes line.

The Sainted Sailor Wives chipped in to put some womanly touch to the boat.  The spirit of teamwork is amazing considering the ordeal that the crew has been through.  Everybody remained cheerful and upbeat.  The friendship amongst the crew was cemented during the last few days, and they shall never forget their adventure stories.

Rumour has it that the captain is already making preparation plans for the Vic Maui 2012 race.

July 10, 2010.  Saturday.  Delicate Balance crew members arrived at a Sausalito Marina at around 5:30 m PST and took another three hours  to clean up and travel by taxi to nearby Oakland to clear US Customs.  It was not till 9:00 pm before they reach the Larkspur Hotel in Mill Valley for their hot showers.

Three Sainted Sailor Wives arranged hotel rooms for the weary sailors and a celebratory dinner at the Frantoio Restaurant – famous for its stone olive press.  Frantoio claims to be the only restaurant in the United States with a state-of-the-art certified organic olive oil production facility on site.   The restaurant normally closed at 10 pm,  but the Sainted Sailor Wives made a special arrangement with the restaurant which extended its hours till 11:00 pm for the crew of Delicate Balance.

Three of the spouses joined the crew members, while two sent their love messages through the telephone.  A feast of ribeye steak with porcini mushrooms and sauteed asparagus, along with red and white wine and plenty of laughter as the Delicate Balance crew talked about their adventures.

The crew members reassured everyone that:

1.  NEVER FOR ONE MOMENT WERE THEY IN FEAR OF THEIR LIVES.
2.  THERE WAS NO MUTINY ON THE BOAT, NOR ANY DISAGREEMENT.
3.  NO FINGERS WERE MISSING, NO RIBS WERE CRACKED, NO SPINNAKERS TORN, NO FEELINGS HURT, NO EGOS BRUISED.
4.  EVERYONE RETURNED IN ONE PIECE, EVERYONE SMARTER, AND MORE APPRECIATIVE OF LIFE.
5. IT WAS ENTIRELY THE CAPTAIN’S DECISION TO WITHDRAW FROM THE RACE, FOR THE SAFETY AND COMFORT OF THE CREW.

Kudos to the Captain.

The luxury of a warm bed, hot showers and hot meals was a complete surprise to the weary crew.  Only a team of SAINTED SAILOR WIVES could have made this possible.  Tonight, the sailors will have a full night sleep.

The anticipation of landing in San Francisco continues to build up, and the sight of the Golden Gate Bridge is so heartwarming after spending so many 7 days at sea.  (Is that all, 7 days? seems like a long time ago).

Bill Trant, engineer and Grahame Shannon, navigator keeping watch.

Terry Reid, crew member of Delicate Balance team has a big smile on his face.

Russell Booth, crew member of Delicate Balance, is eager to reach port.

Alas, the Golden Gate Bridge is within sight, and once again, all is well.

Reciprocal Moorage
There have been two different suggestions for Delicate Balance as to the best marina or yacht club to visit.  Sausalito Yacht Club and the St.Francis Yacht Club.  Both are within easy reach.   It seems that St. Francis Yacht Club is better because Sausalito Yacht Club only has mooring buoys and Delicate Balance need proper moorage to have emergency repair work done.

St Francis Yacht Club offers reciprocal moorage to members of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and the Vancouver Rowing Club.  A letter of introduction from the yacht club manager is required plus a currrent membership card.

Clearing Customs
Arrivals requiring an in-person report to a CBP Officer may be made at a designated port of entry. The boat must be made available for possible boarding at the time of report. If you need to leave your vessel to report your arrival, only the master or designee may go ashore to do so. After making notification to CBP, this individual must return to the vessel and remain onboard until CBP arrives.

CBP (Canada Border Protection)
San Francisco/Oakland, CA (510) 273-4336 ext 209
Hours of operation: 0800-1630 (M-F)
Designated Marina: Jack London Square Harbor**

Delicate Balance will be docking at the St. Francis Yacht Club for repair work.  Now sailing at a speed of 7 knots, with a little more than 300 miles to go, it is expecting to arrive Saturday morning.  July 10.