Anyone here boat in Golden Gate Park?

[misfitsailor]

We were heading over to San Francisco Saturday and have always wanted to run boats at the G.G. park. However, I wonder if there are races or events already going on this weekend. Also, I read somewhere that some (?) roads in the park are closed on weekends now. Does anyone have the latest word and perhaps a few tips for out-of-towners hoping to sail and put around there?

The only R/C boating I have ever taken part in at the park was one of our submarine runs, held at the casting ponds.

[toesup]

We were heading over to San Francisco Saturday and have always wanted to run boats at the G.G. park.

See the San Fran Model Yacht Club... there is also a section for power..
http://www.sfmyc.org/

[Boatfox]

here are the remaining "planned" events from SFMYC.
5/27 Navigator - predicted log- precision steering
6/23-6/24 Tug team, Tug and Barge event
7/22 Titanic rescue
8/12 Fishing boat regatta
9/16 Confusion "Mixed up steering course
10/21 End of season fun run

Usually there will be a few boats out on Saturday (9A-12noon)....but they all run Nitro and gas. Go fasters....
If you do show up ask about what frequencies folks are using and stick close to shore on the right hand side. Most likely one of them will ask for a rescue....but they are pretty good with a tennis ball and string. ;)

Sunday is the usual day for scale electric.(9A-12noon)

[misfitsailor]

We were looking at Sat afternoon. Maybe things will have calmed down by then.

The last time I was at the big pond/lake folks were sailing non-R/C pond yachts. There were quite a few on the water and it was fun to watch. Some of the boats looked like true antiques.

Toesup, Boatfox, thanks for your replies!

[Aerominded]

Many of the free sail boats are indeed antiques- next time you have the chance, be sure to get a close look at them- they're pretty neat- If club members are around, you can see many of these boats stored in the clubhouse. SF is one of the few places that have an active fleet of those boats in the US- they sail a 50" and 36" versions- takes a lot of work to get them set up right, apparentley- I think they race these in San Diego and there may be a small group in the PNW as well! :)

[misfitsailor]

The club website says power boating allowed from 10 AM to 1 PM, then sailboats only after that. oh well. We had hopes of running scale power (and a vac-u-duck) in the afternoon. I suppose we could take the Victoria...

[mikgin]

Sunday is good day for the electric boats

[patmat2350]

Just another day in the park with boats...


Pat M

[patmat2350]

OK, now NY Central Park's model boat pond is supposed to be pretty fine... where are the New Yorkers on this list? We want to see!

Pat M

[der kapitan]

Hi Pat,
I don't know about Central Park, but I'm looking at the image you posted with the action at Golden Gate Park.

A lot of mahogany on display, including some under construction, nice---.

Looks like there may have been some difficulty getting to the water's edge---.

[patmat2350]

The boaters had no problem- you're looking at the crowds of admirers on the other side of the rope (boaters have admirers in SF).

PM

[Aerominded]

(boaters have admirers in SF).

PM


Ahh yes, it is a huge burden but we somehow manage... :p ;) :rolleyes: :p

Actually, there are a lot of good opportunities for "PR" at the pond- a lot of foot traffic and ususally they will stop and smile... :)

[craig_c]

OK, now NY Central Park's model boat pond is supposed to be pretty fine...

Ok, Patmat, Time to stir the ol’ pot . . ..

I was a member of SFMYC (http://www.sfmyc.org) for many years (though not currently) and I have visited the guys in Central Park. I have to say that over all, while the NYC gang have a very nice, lined and stone edged, pond in a very pretty setting and a very cozy, well kept clubhouse that’s really neat and all (their web site (http://www.cpmyc.org) really does it justice). From what I saw while I was there in the early 80’s, I still would prefer Spreckles Lake.

The San Francisco lake can be a bit woollier, not as manicured and tamed as New York. I think that from talking with the members in NYC at the time, I also got the impression that the winds in San Francisco are probably more challenging for sail as well. I also prefer the larger size and curves of Spreckles to NYC's straight edges.

[misfitsailor]

We did make it to Spreckles Lake in Golden Gate Park yesterday afternoon, and were surprised to find that we had the lake all to ourselves. After a while, a family set up port on the far shore. They had a small sailboat and a couple of speedboats, all RTR's. It is wonderful that there are so many RTR boats out there, perhaps the "recreational use" of these craft will lead to "harder stuff"! (i.e. building from kits or even plans!)

What a great lake! Every inch of shoreline is accessible. I sailed my enhanced Victoria and my wife ran her Vac-u-duck (always a big hit). Niether the fluky winds nor the increasing chill could prevent us from having a splendid outing.

[Aerominded]

Sounds like you had a great time! :) there are a lot of folks who run RTR there- seems mostly young families- The kids and their parents look like they are enjoying their selves most of the time- that has to be good for the hobby! :)

[CaptLee]

As Power Squadron Officer of SFMYC I should invite those of you local people(includes the Stockton and San Jose folks) to come run with us in Golden Gate Park. The reason for the 1 o'clock shutdown is that the wind comes up and the Sailboat guys show up. and they schedule races for nearly every Sat and Sun for the season. But any time the Lake is empty feel free to have a go at running your boat. Heck I might even sign you up for membership like what happened to Aerominded. But come out for any Sunday morning and will find RTR are not run off, I even own a couple myself. Tug Weekend is June 23 & 24 so bring the Atlantic and find out how the full size guys do it. we will do Team events on Sat and Tug and Barge event on Sun. Reserved the Lake for allday so conflict with the Sailors.