The Bay Model was the host site of the Sailing Science Center’s 2021 Gala. For those unfamiliar with it, the Bay Model is the largest hydraulic model (water is pumped through it) of its kind in the world, modelling San Francisco Bay, its tributaries, and seventeen miles out to sea. The model was built in 1957 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was used to conduct research from 1958 to 2000, providing information upon which critical decisions could be made about dredging and landfill, and the construction of dams, levies, and marinas. The impetus to build the model came largely from John Reber, and the Reber Plan (YouTube Video 3:45), which proposed to build dams at the locations of the Richmond and Bay bridges. Today, the model serves educational and interpretive functions, and comprises a major portion of the Corps’ public outreach budget. Pre-COVID, the Bay Model Visitor’s Center was serving about 150,000 guests per year.

It was a full house at the Bay Model for the SSC 2021 Castaway Gala on November 4th. The event had terrific weather for viewing the new SSC trailer (see below) and for deck tours of the Matthew Turner. Inside, there were silent and live auctions conducted by Pacific Auction Company, Dark 'n' Stormys in real coconut shells, and a four-star meal catered by Treasure Island's Aracely Café. Latitude 38 publisher, John Arndt, was the guest of honor, recognizing the many ways, small and large, he has helped the SSC.

We want to thank the many supporters and sponsors who made the gala a success:

The new SSC trailer arrived just in time for its debut at the 2021 Castaway Gala. Its floor is sprayed with a bed liner that makes it waterproof and slip-resistant. The interior walls are liberally laden with E-Track (perforated metal track) that allow webbing straps to be flexibly attached for securing cargo. The old trailer is on its way to a new owner... We want to thank all the donors who contributed to the campaign to purchase the trailer.

Also debuting at the November 4 gala was the Matthew Turner video (5:00), assembled and edited by Sabrina Tan, that we mentioned in the November newsletter. We didn't link it there because we were keeping it under wraps until the event, but it's time to give Sabrina her due for all the hard work she put in. This video, or a near cousin of it, will be posted on the SSC website.

On November 8, Rick Tittle and Karen Lile interviewed SSC President, Jim Hancock, and SSC volunteer, Charlie Deist, for an episode of Sail Sport Talk. The interview captures valuable aspects of sailing that may be unknown to most people. You can listen to the podcast here (16:01).

A starting line melee between boats at the 2019 Master Mariners Regatta requires quick and accurate decisions. A combination of good boat handling and knowledge of the rules is needed to pull it off successfully. It's a great metaphor for other areas of life, where knowledge of our craft, and the bounding rules of the situation are needed for success.