Historical Log of Barefoot Cruises
Saturday, May 3, 2025
It happens. The 1st Saturday was rained out for this month’s event, and yet there are two important items to highlight for you. Regardless of the rain, we still get together and head to a restaurant for some food and socializing. So, if you see rain in the forecast, come anyway and join your fellow sailors for about an hour. We guarantee you will enjoy it.
The second item is the gate at Sunrise Cove Marina. This was the first 1st Saturday where the new security gate was fully functional. It is unmanned, and using the marina’s keycode pad will not get you in. I will post a sign at the gate with a codeword and phone number to gain entry. You will need to use your phone to text (no calls) the code word to the number on the sign. Again, when you join us please remember that the marina’s keycode pad will not get you in so please follow the instructions I post.
You should join us for the next 1st Saturday.
Hope to see you June 7!
Bill Bonds
Cruising Fleet Captain
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Springtime sailing is great. An easy thing to say because when is it not a great time to get out on the boat. Sunshine and 80 degrees, wind a steady 8-12 kts with gusts to 18.
The meetup on the Clubhouse deck ended quickly as everyone wanted to get out on the boats and enjoy the day. Most people were also going to Low Country Boil the club was hosting that evening as well. We sailed to mark D to gather with the boats coming from the other marinas. We then made our way for a raft-up in a small bay at the end of Three Sisters island. Once there, we decided there was too much wind from the south to safely raft-up. The choice was made to return to port and get to the Boil.
You should come join us next 1st Saturday. Hope to see you May 3.
Bill Bond, Cruise Captain
Saturday, March 1, 2025
I love sailing this time of year. Just be prepared for what the weather throws your way. Sometimes you’re on the edge of whether to not go out as it nears your breakpoint lower temperature, and then there are absolutely unbelievable March sunny days. This was a bright sunny 55 degree day today.
Wind was terrific. Steady 13-16 kts with gusts 20-22. Crew up on the gunwale at times. It was great.
Made a circuit of A to H to B to Sunrise Cove. Had to stop and reef on tack to B.
It was good to see new people at the meet and greet who had not previously attended a 1st Saturday. Bet they had a great time today out on the lake.
Hope to see you April 5.
Bill Bond, Cruise Captain
Saturday, February 1, 2025
The Polar Bear Express event for the day was met head on with warmer temperatures than what you imagine a polar bear likes to have. A few bears came out of hibernation and did appear, and the best costume went to Nancy Spraker. She won a new boat for her costume, and a picture follows.
We broke from the meet and greet quickly as everyone understood the wind we had currently was scheduled to disappear around mid-afternoon. It certainly did disappear and we ended up motoring back to the marina.
It was good to see several people at the meet and greet who had not previously attended a 1 st Saturday. Looking forward to seeing more people start their sailing month at this event. Hope to see you March 1.
Bill Bond, Cruise Captain
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Although winter officially has not arrived yet, it sure felt like it first thing the morning of December 7. With temps in the 20’s, the morning was brisk yet sunny and calm. Many cruisers showed up for the meet and greet knowing the temps would return to the 50’s in time for moving to the boats.
After the meet and greet, it was onto the lake for a gentle cruise with an intermission for lunch.
The next First Saturday would ordinarily occur on January 4. This year it will occur simultaneously with the Poker Run on January 1. If you had plans for a cruise on the 4th , please instead join us for the Poker Run which will meet at 11am at the Branch House parking lot. The Poker Run is not a race. It is another great way to enjoy time on the lake.
Hope to see you there.
Bill Bond, Cruise Captain
Saturday, November 2, 2024
It was a very quiet morning with not a ripple on the lake. It was almost glass like on the surface. The
Windy app said it would be nothing all day. Still, nine of us got together to enjoy the meet and greet on the Sunrise Cove deck. Would have been ten, but our newbie from October’s get-together who since has become a member stayed at LLSC to do some work on Bruce Barton’s trimaran.
There were three new people reviewing the opportunities of becoming members for this months First Saturday, and everybody shared in the discussion of what is available.
I was suggesting we go to Branch House to enjoy brunch since the wind was not showing up. As we were doing the photo op, the wind picked up enough where there was interest in going out on the boats. I suggested Bruce take two of the three new people with him as his boat sails well even in slight winds.
As it turns out, the wind carried us out of Sunrise’s bay over to Vann Tavern, and half a tack back to Old Federal before it died. We motored back home. When I asked Bruce about the day, he said they had great winds inside of Chattahoochee Bay, and saw it was dead on the main body of lake and avoided it.
Well, glad the new people got a chance to get some sailing in. The rest of us should have gone for eggs and toast.
Bill Bond, Cruise Captain
Saturday, October 5, 2024
A beautiful bright morning brought out three skippers and six others as crew for the day’s sail. It was such a great morning two more couples came to enjoy the social event prior to breaking for the boats even though they were not cruising today.
The cruise captain assigned himself and partner onto another Barefooter’s boat. It was a go-fast trimaran. We also had a first timer out on the lake today as well. She is a horseback rider, surfer, and now a sailor. She had just completed an ASA certification course and got some additional skipper experience.
No pre-planned meet up on the lake was scheduled this time since there was a raft up on the last 1 st Saturday which adjoined The Steak Out.
Maybe next 1st Saturday we will find a nice cove to raft up for lunch or go to one of the restaurants
on the lake. Stay tuned for which and we hope to see you there.
Bill Bond, Cruise Captain
Saturday, September 7, 2024
September First Saturday Sail involved 4 skippers and crew for all boats. After refreshments of breakfast sweets and coffee, we all boarded our respective boats for a few hours sailing. Winds were light and it was warm.
By afternoon, some skippers and crew anchored at the Steak Out Beach. Thanks to Bill Anchors running his pontoon boat and Jack Schoer running Favorite End, members without boats were able to join the steak out. 4 additional boats captained by Jon, Chico, Cyndi and Norman rafted up near the beach. We enjoyed a nice beach social and wonderful steak dinner. The pontoon boats then ferried members back to Aqualand docks.
Four rafted boats remained to camp out overnight. However, at 4:30 a.m. Chico woke up everyone on the 4 rafted boats as the wind had turned brisk and from the east and pushing the rafted boats to shallow water. We tightened the anchor on Cyndi's boat to pull the raft out of the shallows. After much discussion, all agreed to wait till sun up to figure out how to break up the raft without running aground. All was successful as the raft was able to untangle without anyone running aground.
Saturday, August 3, 2024
We thought it was going to be a lazy dog day of summer afternoon. Mother Nature decided to take care of us differently. During our meet and greet at the Sunrise Cove Marina clubhouse deck, we noticed a good breeze developing and decided to sail to the end of Three Sisters Island for a raft-up, lunch, and swim. We had two boats and eight people including one new sailor looking towards membership.
Since winds continued to turn favorable offering good speeds, the one boat carrying the Social Director opted to continue past the day’s raft-up location and spend the day searching for a beach where the upcoming Steak Out party could be held. Steak Out likes to choose a location accessible only by boat, and it needs both the beach space and protected harbor for a raft-up. I understand they had success finding a location not used previously.
The other boat turned toward the LLSC mooring field and practiced catching a mooring ball. With good success, we brought out food and drinks and added fun conversation.
We hope to catch you on the next 1st Saturday, and btw, it is the same day as the Steak Out party.
Until then, Happy Sails.
Bill Bond
Cruising Captain
Saturday, July 6, 2024
On July 6th, we met up at the Sunrise Cove Clubhouse for a brief meet and greet / skippers meeting. On hand was a new couple who wanted to see what BFSC First Saturday was all about. See their picture piloting a boat. I think they received a well rounded display into what BFSC can provide.
The mid-summer’s months generally provide small breezes. As such, we chose to motor to a close location to raft-up within the Old Federal Campground and spend the day in the water after enjoying a lunch. From the picture, you can see there were others outside our group who wanted to join in.
While in the water, we started to feel the wind pick up, and decided to put sails up and go. We left Old Federal towards Vanns Tavern on a starboard tack and moved to a port tack to return to sunrise. It was a nice return trip. Norman’s return was a closer run to LLSC.
We hope to do the same for August, but we will find another destination. Hope to see you there.
I also plan to do the LARC Moonlight Race on August 17. Hope you will register your boat and join me there as well. If you are, please send a text to me at 404.791.3275.
Bill Bond
Cruising Captain
Thursday, June 20, 2024 (Sunset and Moonrise Cruise)
The summer solstice occurred just hours prior to this members only cruise making it the longest day of the year. The moonrise occurred on the east horizon at 8:02pm. The full moon (one day short) achieved good visibility at the time of the sunset in the west which was 49 minutes later. Most members commented that they had not witnessed this event on the lake previously which provides clear horizons in both directions. Mother Nature helped significantly with the clear horizons providing an almost cloudless day. The boats stopped sailing and stalled in the middle of the lake just south of the A mark to enjoy the view. With the success of this cruise, we hope we can schedule another one. We hope you will join.
Bill Bond
Cruise Captain
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Its rare that the 1st Saturday Cruise actually occurs the first day of the month. In this case, it was June 1st. There was a simultaneous BFSC event where the women racers were involved in the Joan Holcomb held in conjunction with the Lake Lanier Sailing Club. Those BFSC members not involved with the race enjoyed a great day on the lake. We sailed through the Joan Holcomb race to the south end of Three Sisters Island and found a hole safe from the unusual southeast wind to anchor and raft-up for a lunch. After lunch, we released from the raft-up and sailed back to port. Here is a picture of us meeting on the Sunrise Cove Marina Clubhouse deck and another picture of the two
boats approaching Three Sisters. You should come join us next month.
Bill Bond
Cruise Captain
Saturday, May 4, 2024
It was a gentle rain, yet enough to have us retire to a warmer and dryer clime. Those of us who came enjoyed a brunch at Branch House. We will try again to make it onto the lake on
June 1.
Bill Bond
Cruise Captain
Saturday, April 6, 2024
There was a good turnout for this month’s 1st Saturday. There were six boats and including skippers 27 people attended. There were several newbies joining us for this social and cruise. Glad you took the time to look into the Club, and we hope you join if you haven’t already.
The day was an open agenda to do as the skipper wanted to. I think we all had separate destinations in mind. You can see in one photograph several boats leaving Sunrise Cove close to each other. I took my group to a safe inlet on Three Sisters Island where we anchored and enjoyed the food we had brought.
The weather could not have been better. Spring gave us a glimpse of how great it can be. It was sunny with only a few clouds. The wind was light, however, it worked as there was a noticeable absence of powerboats with wakes large enough to spill your sails.
Thanks to everyone that came out. Looking forward to the next month.
Bill Bond
Cruise Captain
Saturday, March 2, 2024
As is usual, if the weather doesn't hold for an enjoyable sail, we opt to go for a drier substitute. Today we opted to visit the brunch menu at Branch House. It was delicious. Next time, even if the weather appears to be unpleasant, come join us for a social of food and talk. We'll see you next month.
Bill Bond
Cruise Captain
Saturday, February 3, 2024
We have a winner. February was the Polar Bear Express with a special prize for the winning costume. Best Costume was awarded to Jacqueline Steadman, and she won a brand new 1969 Camaro SS in purple. She also won a Starbucks gift card, and said the car was too much. As such, she awarded her gift card to Nancy Spraker for the runner up award.
Three boats and their captains were joined by 11 crew members. Of special interest was a family of four that had just moved here from England, and wanted to see what BFSC has to offer.
Weather was good for a February. Temps were in the mid 50’s with a 10 knot wind out of the east. No preset destination was made. Each boat chose their own path. Everyone reported a good time.
Hope you will join us for our March Madness Cruise on March 2. If you have a favorite team, you can don your apparel, or just tell us stories about how far they’ll go in the tourney. Come out and join us.
Saturday, January 6, 2024
After an exciting Poker Run just days earlier on New Year’s Day, hope was in the air for another good sailing day; disappointingly, in the air also was rain. It was starting to clear, and we made a good choice to go for Brunch as the drizzle lingered for another two hours. get out next month where the person with the best polar bear impersonation will win a new car (just kidding).
Bill Bond
Cruise Captain