[C38] Build it and they will come...

[Charles Finn]

is a line from a baseball movie that I am reminded of when thinking of 
our recent C38 Nationals event.  I just got back home at 1:00 this 
morning and this is my first chance to comment.  As many of you know, we 
had a few years of no Nationals as the energy of putting these on in 
southern "California seemed to fade.   When I became your Commodore and 
proposed we gear up for a new series in conjunction with the Americas 
Cup races in San Francisco.... the advice was:  "well, go ahead and try 
but these boats are getting older and you will probably have a hard time 
getting folks to show....."
Well.
I think we have to declare the 2012 and 2013 Nationals a resounding 
success as the San Francisco Fleet  (Fleet One) has demonstrated there 
is both a lively interest and a competitive spirit that continues.  We 
had five boats compete this year, with interest from another three.  In 
fact, it appears we will be able to sustain a Fleet Competition next 
year when the Nationals move up to the Seattle.   We already know we 
have enough boats up there to develop another great One Design series.
And then (hopefully) Nationals will move to the East Coast.

Regarding this year's races.   San Francisco Bay lived up to its 
reputation of high winds and beautiful backdrops (The Americas Cup big 
and small boats were ripping up and down the Bay around us until they 
were called in due to high winds).  The first race, which began at the 
Berkley Yacht Club, ran down the Bay almost to the Golden Gate Bridge, 
around Alcatraz Island and then ripping back to the the Berkley Yacht 
Club for a finish.  Winds were running 18-21 knots with gusts to keep 
everyone on their toes.  The second race began about 20 minutes after 
the last boat from race one crossed the finish line.  It promised to be 
even more challenging as the finish included a run up Raccoon Straits!   
But a quick check of winds by the Golden Gate Bridge showed 31-37 knots, 
which mandated the use of our Alternative Course that avoided the wind 
tunnel at the Bridge, but still included the Straits.  Ironically, the 
winds died in Raccoon Straits, which we expected to be the most 
challenging part of the race and those folks who bet on the inside 
current (me)  got to bob about and watch as those who went long and 
outside sailed away!

The Awards Dinner at the Berkley Yacht Club was a great time to trade 
strategies and celebrate a great day of sailing!  It was also a time for 
skippers and crew to make plans to sail together through the year and to 
begin to build their strategies for next year!  And it was time for 
Pretty Lady to hand over the Trophy to Harp! Pictures will be coming 
soon of both the races and the Awards Dinner.

In closing as it is 4:00 am and I am a bit jet lagged,  I heartily 
recommend to those of you who want to participate in great racing in 
incredible locations to attend next year's races.  We will find room for 
you on the competing boats and you will have the time of your life!   It 
is clear the type of people who are attracted to our Catalina 38s are a 
breed you will be happy to meet.

Regards,
Chuck Finn
Commodore
Catalina 38 International Association