California Cape Dory Owners Association

CCDO 1997 Spring Float-In

Last updated July 22, 1997

The southern end of San Francisco Bay was a perfect setting for our 1997 Spring Float-In the weekend of March 30-31. Setting new attendance records, 31 CCDO members and twelve Cape Dory boats convened at Coyote Point Yacht Club.

Saturday afternoon was devoted to strolling about the guest dock, matching up faces, name tags and boats, and gathering in small groups on the dock and in cockpits for Cape Dory chatter, beverages and hors d’oeuvres.

We also enjoyed watching jetliners come in low over the bay to land at San Francisco International Airport, two miles to the north.

During a short business meeting, we discussed plans for our September rendezvous in Berkeley. Since we now have a substantial fleet, the title of our top (and only) officer was changed from Chairman to Commodore, and founder Mike Fahy was presented with a Past Commodore flag.

We enjoyed a fine dinner in the yacht club’s dining room. The highlight was the announcement that the ship’s complement of Kagai was newly engaged to be married. Patrick Mulcahy had proposed to Catherine Heckert the previous night, as they watched the sunset at anchor at Angel Island. Patrick and Cat are two especially nice and friendly people, and we were delighted to hear their good news.

Sunday morning, the club offered coffee and doughnuts. Then some boats got an early start for home, while a few couples who had been able to resist the doughnuts set off for an early brunch.

The marina is located in the beautiful Coyote Point County Recreation Area, and we had a pleasant walk through the woods, arriving at Castaways restaurant at 0955, just under the wire for the early bird discount. And did we get our money’s worth at this lavish champagne brunch spread!

On the way back, some of us were lured into the environmental museum, where we were charmed by the aviary, live animals, and extensive displays of the ecology of the Bay, housed in a marvelous modern redwood building with great views. There was one animal exhibit we could crawl underneath, then pop up like a surfacing submarine inside a plexiglass bubble, almost nose to nose with a small furry creature.

Thanks to Jo Anne Kipp and Dick Honey for organizing the weekend for us, and to all who attended for the opportunity to make new Cape Dory friends and visit with old ones.