Plastic Classic takes place at Bay View Boat Club
by Erik Simonson on 26 Jul 2014
2014 Plastic Classic Erik Simonson/ pressure-drop.us
http://www.pressure-drop.us
The small and funky 51 year old Bay View Boat Club, centered in the heart of one of the hottest real estate regions on the planet, is the envy of of every developer on the San Francisco Peninsula. It, and it's even funkier, smaller and older cousin just up the road, The Mariposa Hunters Point Yacht Club exist, in part of a grandfather clause via the Port of San Francisco's leasing agreement. It's a step back in time, just like the boats in the Plastic Classic it has hosted faithfully since 1985.
The vintage fiberglass only event, showcases the working man's sailboats. Some are in bristol condition some not so much. But doesn't phase the people who love to sail them and this is, without a question a favorite for the owners and crews that still enjoy sailing them for the sake of sailing.
71 Boats broken into nine divisions competed in the 10.7 nm event on San Francisco's South Bay, which provided brilliant sun, plenty of breeze, and interesting two plus knot flood and the usual distraction at the windward ' T' mark.
J-24's, Olson 25's, Merit 25', Triton 28's and Catalina 30's each had their own division's and the remaining hodgepodge of boats were broken into four groupings with a wide variety of batst you don't see at your average regatta these days. A Soverel 30 MH-IV, Lancer 36F vs a Shock 34 PC in on start for example. When was the last time you sailed on a Black Watch 37? A Rawson 30? A Cape Dory 27? The Plastic Classic brings them all out in the joyous celebration that pronounces 'You don't need to big money to have big fun'
The wind, as is likened to do on this part of the bay, at this time of year showed up when it usually does. About 1:00 PM. Which just happens to be the scheduled first gun. What do you know?
The aforementioned current, which was on the rise, created a plethora of navigational theories on to the best route. Hitch left for clearer air and hopefully current relief against the windward shoreline, or stay right and use the current to guide you in past the large RO-RO's that live in the Click here to read more.
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