Fat Boys ?

nicolas72 · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 27

The "local info" section of iwindsurf about larkspur refers to the launch that most of us use these days as Fat Boys. What's the story ???

And also :
"Parking can be very tight on weekends... on epic days..."

Today Sat. certainly qualifies as "epic". Was feeling a bit lonely from 1 to 2. Then counted maybe 5 sailors out max. Plenty of parking, don't be discouraged Sad

Ed_5.0 · Joined: 07 May 1998 Posts: 16

Larkspur was epic.

Good south flow yesterday, decided to sail Pt Isabel. It was really good there as well. Not many sailors out.

I think people were out of town vacationing...

Also Rio had a PM ebb...

Drove past PSQ after 6 and it was raging windy!

windfind · Joined: 18 Mar 1997 Posts: 1901

Hi Ed & nicolas72.

In the old days when the average marine layer was far deeper fog would pour though Marin's Muir Gap and Larkspur was one of the most reliable windy place in the Bay Area. So cars were parked along the shoreline road and even on the opposite side of the highway. So it was tricky to find parking unless you arrived early.

In the last 2 decades the marine layer has become thin and thinner on the average and since Larkspur winds have to come from the highest elevation gap in the coast range the winds have become far less reliable. So there is no issue finding parking.

The original launch are at Larkspur has a very local high pressure zone right at the beach due to the hills to the north. So the winds at the launch were about 5-8 knots and straight onshore. So you had the difficult task of barely slogging while pointing several hundred feet across a busy ferry channel and then making a no wind jibe or tack and continuing to slog upwind until you got to the wind line.

As the winds became even weaker as the years passed heavier sailors learned that if you launched at the cove right at the gate of the San Quintin prison you had a better angle on your slog and a bit stronger winds. Hence the name "Fat Boys" launch.

One of the more interesting things about Larkspur other than the endless wave riding as the ferry wake hit the very shallow water was the prison tour. If you broke down and drifted to the prison you were picked up, lectured and given a ride through the prison to the gate. If it was a nice guard you were taken to the gate near where you parked. If it was a nasty guard you were take to the PSQ gate a mile away.

Mike Godsey
iwindsurf.com/ikitesurf.com
Weatheflow.com

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Fat boys....
Was Boggy out there? 235 lbs.
I never launch from up there, as I"m small, and today, FSW84 and 5.2 was super easy to get out to the first planing run, which took me above FatBoy beach for a powered jibe back up to the marsh. Did take 4 runs to clear the sticks above the ferry channel, but my fin was a 21 wave.
Didn't seem too difficult.

jse · Joined: 17 Apr 1995 Posts: 1460 Location: Maui

msamols · Joined: 17 Mar 1997 Posts: 16

Mike, thanks for the fun history lesson.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

I believe old Steve Grasso was the first to regularly shortboard at Larkspur.
He lived in Tam Junction/Tennessee Valley, used Maui inspired gear, and told us about Larkspur in 1983, around early Sept. We sailed it twice that year, both foggy days in the Sunset District of SF, and winds stayed till just after 6PM.
Heinrich Hartz, and Kenny of course, started sailing there in '82.

nicolas72 · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 27

Wow that's quite a story indeed thanks Mike. Beyond expectations. Wife will have a good laugh Laughing

Steve, you're right, so many great places around. Plus whales at crissy. So privileged. Take care.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Sunday was considered a very light day at Larkspur.
Bernard was out on his 5.7 and Fanatic Falcon, one guy at FatBoyz launch.
I got lazy, used my 84 JPFSW and 5.2, got out easy to the tules, then walked 50 feet until g/f made it over on 100 liter board, also 5.2, and planed 80% from there, tule to end of the prison, until 5:20.
Bob was out, so was the freestyler dude, and one other person total. Too light for most of the windsurfer's, but OK for 5.2 and 84 liter board.

razdog00 · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 38

Everyone that frequents the San Quentin Yacht Club is fat, old, ugly and surly. Parking is hideous with outrageous tickets issued consistently. In fact, that is the only constant at the site since the wind is fickle, holey, and generally disappointing. Anywhere else in the Bay Area is better. Save yourselves!