It was a perfect evening for YachtAid Global’s Cruise for a Cause, the day’s warm San Francisco afternoon and bright blue sky hinting at the spectacular sunset to come.

Stepping aboard the classic yacht USS Potomac, known as the “floating white house” for it’s tenure as Franklin Delano Roosevelt‘s presidential yacht, we were treated to a glass of Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc.  It was delightful, crisp and bright with lovely citrus notes.  Even more delightful was to learn Marc Mondavi of Charles Krug was attending and providing one of the more interesting auction items – a special wine dinner with he and his family!

Other fab auction items included a cruise to South East Asia from SeaDream Yacht Club, a house rental in St. Barts from Passionate for Paris, an African Safari from Zulu Nyala Vacations, a folding Footloose e-bike from Mando, a helicopter tour of Napa from Wine Country Helicopter and a private sailboat ride aboard retired America’s Cup yacht USA 76 from AC Sailing SF – all going to a very worthy cause.

YachtAid Global (YAG) is a charitable organization providing humanitarian, development and conservation aid to coastal communities worldwide through the voluntary assistance of megayacht captains and their ships.  Their tagline is “changing the world without changing course” and that is exactly what they do.  YAG connects facilities on land in need of help with yachts traveling to or passing by their area interested in providing aid and assistance.

We joined others in walking the yacht and enjoying the many views.  Stopping for a nosh in the main salon, I enjoyed the curried mussels, especially with the Krug Sav Blanc.  The Cabernet was wonderful with the chocolate truffles.

Alerted the auction was about to start we headed out to the bow.  It was exciting to feel the sense to anticipation as it began.  One by one the items went and then, just as if on cue as it completed, the beautiful sunset.

Esteemed sailing author and America’s Cup columnist Kimball Livingston was on the fantail signing copies of his classic “Sailing San Francisco Bay” so we sought him out next.  If you enjoy sailing at all his book is a must read.  It’s full of wit and wisdom from his years sailing here.  Some time ago I gave a copy to my favorite sailor and it’s quite treasured.  I was very pleased about this opportunity for a signed copy for another special sailor in my life.

It was fun chatting with Kimball and learning his views on current happenings in the America’s Cup as well as interesting sailing anecdotes.

Approaching the much heralded new Eastern span of the Bay Bridge, we decided to head to the bow.  There we ran into Todd Beechy, president of OceanScape Yachts, who is working on a new concept in luxury vacations – the first crowd funded campaign to get more people on super yachts.  What an exciting concept!

Then, were were there.  The new self-anchored span of the bridge is spectacular, especially at night.  We made a silent toast to the designer, kudos to his artistry. Soon thereafter we turned to head home.

As we pulled into the the ferry building dock we reflected on what a lovely evening we’d experienced and how happy we were to have supported Yacht Aid Global in their very commendable mission.