This summer's Gathering in Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe.

GSTahoe@aol.com
Wed, 24 Mar 1999 00:35:34 EST


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Judy, Jerry, et al,

A few people, in order to plan for the sail of the year, have asked me to
count the requests for which weekend we will gather at Lake Tahoe. I have.
The weekend with the most requests was for August 13, 14 and 15. So be it.
This is a little earlier than the last couple of years. I imagine that it
will be quite warm, although not for you guys from Sacramento, Phoenix, Texas
and all those other fine places folks find amusing to spend a summer day
baking their brains out in.

The lake may be busy at that time. This just means that we will hear,
"My--what cute little boats" more times than we care to. If you think you
hear that statement a lot, try sailing a Potter with a macho name like
"Lollipop." Times like that I wish I'd named it "Harley" or "Thirty-ought-
six" or "Terminator." But Lollipop? I did used to have an inflatable dingy I
could tow behind. It was "Little Sucker." That brought an occasional
giggle.. .

Anywhoooooo. I digress. This promises to be a spectacular summer on Lake
Tahoe. We have had enough snow this winter that the surrounding mountains
will be snowcapped all summer. A crystal clear and warm summer Sierra day
becomes a keeper when your visions of Lake Tahoe are framed in snow clad
peaks. Bring plenty of film. You should experience days of nonstop Kodak
moments. This will also be an extra special summer with an unusual peace on
Lake Tahoe. Most Jet Skis will be banned! Whoooo Yah! In all probability
Jet Ski manufacturers will come out with conforming engines in the next few
years, but at this point there's only two Jet Skis that will conform. I doubt
that many will purchase a Jet Ski specifically for use on Lake Tahoe.

It is looking as though any engines will be OK on the Potters. Except the
Seagull. The Seagull will conform to Lake Tahoe regulations, but it should be
banned just on general principles. Running a Seagull on Lake Tahoe is like
smoking a cigar in the Sistine Chapel. (I just thought I'd throw in something
controversial to spice up the list. It's getting boring. The Caddie dealer
wouldn't even give me a GPS!)

Judy, and others who are interested: The last couple of years has found a few
skippers arriving early. Particularly those who trailer some distance.
There's no sense in driving five or 10 days and just staying a couple of
nights. Last year Bill Combs came all the way from Florida. I was quite
excited to meet Bill. He is as interesting as his writing and his boat, Ursa
Minor. Bill did an extended tour of the Bahamas in Ursa Minor a few years ago
with a very colorful crew. His story was funny, exciting and warm. I believe
it is still in the archives of the Potter Yachters. If not perhaps we can get
Bill to send it again.

If you do come to Lake Tahoe early, you will not run out of things to do. I
have lived here ten years. It is still new every day. This is a huge lake.
Try to picture a fresh water lake that is as far from one end to the other as
it is from Long Beach to Santa Catalina! The lake is 22 miles long and 11
miles wide. It is 72 miles around the shore. It took me four days of
leisurely boating, stopping at a few beaches, to totally circumnavigate Tahoe
in my P-15. The shore of Lake Tahoe is, for the most part, quite remote and
has many quite, private coves ideal for an afternoon of gunkholing. There are
casinos where you are welcome to help keep our taxes low by donating your
dough to Nevada. There are fine restaurants and cozy campgrounds. There's
waterfalls and history. If you would like to come early I will be happy to
suggest some campgrounds, ramps, marinas, restaurants, etc. Please remember
that Lake Tahoe is one of the most pristine places in the world, and in the
height of the summer season would not be considered a "budget" resort. Not
that it's outrageous (in my humble and budget-minded opinion), but a motel
will probably be twice what it is in a less desirable place and a good dinner
will be a little more as well. A few people where put off in the past by some
of the costs such as launching, which I think was about $25 and our before-
the-sail get-together dinner which was about $35-$45 per head.

That's enough typing for one E-mail. I'll be sending more information as time
goes on. Again, unless there's a reason otherwise, our Lake Tahoe sail will
be the weekend of August 13, 14 and 15. Eat, drink, sail and be merry!

Geoff
P-15 Lollipop
No. Lake Tahoe, NV