With an eclectic collection of sailboats that might be titled after a favorite music compilation LP 'Greatest HIts of the 70's' Adam Katz and the Washed Up Yacht Club of Oakland, CA already held what's likely the largest Summer Sailstice raft-up ever with their one-week-early celebration in Clipper Cove on San Francisco Bay. This is the third annual Washed Up Yacht Club Summer Sailstice gathering which has grown from 20+ boats the first year to 32 boats in 2015, to 50 boats this year (final tally actually ended up at 62 boats!).
This well choreorgraphed event, themed 'Sea Creatures' came complete with roller skater on the inter-boat bridges, swimming, Hobie sailing, art decorations, rubber ducks and a crowd of sailors ready to celebrate 'Burning Man' afloat. Lots of anchors, docklines and fenders and some well-practiced sailors stitched the whole festival afloat together just 100' feet off the beach. The mid-raft bridges spanning the basin were created wtih some seriously clever and inexpensive engineering with 2 x 4s, oversize truck inntetubes and masterful ropework.
Plenty of sunshine, warm air, awesome sound systems and costumes ranging from pirate to tutu enhanced ballerinas provided just the right vibe for everything you might want to do on a sailboat including naps in hammocks, dancing on deck, cockpit lounging and warm, raucous welcomes with any step or trip over a lifeline.
Too much to see and do in one weekend to capture it all, but good to see these 'Greatest Hits of the 70s' boats all out doing what they've been doing for decades - offering a great escape, adventure and good times worth celebrating.