Regal Jug is our 23 foot sailboat. It has been in the family since 1974. For many years we had an annual vacation somewhere in the San Juan Islands of Washington, or the Gulf Islands of Canada. The last couple years we have not done any major trips in Regal Jug.
This year Regal Jug was adopted by our son, Glen’s family. Two weeks ago they met us in Oregon and picked up the boat. They spent last weekend cleaning and updating the maintenance on the boat. This weekend we arrived in Gilroy and we formalized the adoption by going to a local lake and launching the boat and having an inaugural sail.
Here is how the day went:
First we got underway with the boat and trailer in tow from Gilroy right on schedule at about nine. We stopped at the fueling station and picked up some gasoline for the “Iron Wind.” Glen did fantastic job negotiating the tricky corners and sorting out the one way roads.

We arrived at Anderson Lake, just a few miles distant only to find that we didn’t have the proper paperwork to negotiate the inspection. We pulled out of line and called Barbra to bring us the registration for the boat. Half an hour later we were able to get our inspection and prepare for launch. This was a bit of an ordeal because each step had to be reviewed in detail before acting. Glen has helped rig the boat many times, but always at my lead. Glen needs to be the leader from now on, and there is no point in learning by the school of hard knocks like I did.
The launch went smoothly and soon we had invited some scouts and parents to join us. The winds were quite light and variable, but we sailed a ways down the lake. We raced the scoutmaster in his dingy and some of the scouts paddled alongside in canoes.

Back at the dock we helped the scouts load out their canoes and sailing dingy. About then the winds picked up nicely and Glen, Judy, Bryce and I went out for a couple more hours of delightful sailing. Glen took his duties a skipper-in-command very seriously. I took my job of helming or tending the jib-sail seriously too. I caught myself a couple times “suggesting” what to do next, but for the most part I was good.

We came back to the dock in time to load out and ready the boat for trailing, just in time. The Ranger was waiting at the exit gate looking very serious when we rolled by with seven minutes to spare.
The day was a total success. We never even broke anything.
I think Regal Jug will enjoy his new family and the warm sunny weather here in California. Besides now we can come and visit and sail as guests.
Goodbye from Gilroy California.
Gary and Judy