Wednesday Yachting Luncheons
The Wednesday Yachting Luncheons continue a 51-year tradition of relevant topics, friendly fun, and good food in a relaxed, informal setting.
The buffet lunch service begins at 11:45am. The program begins at 12:30pm sharp. Presentations and Q&A usually wrap up by 1:30pm and guest speakers often linger for conversation with our knowledgeable audience. All members of recognized yacht clubs are welcome at the Wednesday Yachting Luncheon. First-time guests are asked to please visit our Front Desk for a guest card and a smile. We hope you enjoy our luncheon fare, fabulous view and sailor’s hospitality.
Do you have a great idea for a guest speaker? Please contact Wednesday Yachting Luncheon chairman Ron Young at Ron@RonaldYoung.com
Learn about the origins of StFYC's Yachting Luncheons HERE
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
April 25: How Can Hybrid Vessels Help the Bluest of Oceans Go Green?
Charlie Walther, CEO, Walther Engineering Services
Charlie earned a BS in Marine Engineering from the California Maritime Academy and was later awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy. He holds a USCG Chief Engineer's license, has served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was a member of the American Bureau of Shipping Engineering Technical Committee. He provides technical support, vessel construction management services and diesel instruction for Industry, U.S. Coast Guard and the Navy. He’s worked on the fastest surface ship in the Navy and six of the newest and greenest passenger-only ferryboats in the world. He will review the engineering aspects of hybrid vessels and their potential application on the San Francisco Bay.
May 2: Higher and Faster—The Origin of The America’s Cup
Steve Tsuchiya, Historian, Author, Chairman, Selection Committee America’s Cup Hall of Fame
Featuring (previously unpublished) manuscript evidence, yachting historian Steven Tsuchiya will tell the fascinating origin-story of the America’s Cup. His three-part presentation will show: first, how the revolutionary yacht America entered and won that historic regatta around the Isle of Wight; second, how America’s owners transformed the souvenir they won into the “Holy Grail of Yachting”; and, third, how that original race continues to impact the rules and culture of the 167-year, oldest competition in all-of-sport. After all, the Cup’s focus on yacht-design (as opposed to one-design racing) and its current lack of meaningful nationality requirements for crew, among other characteristics, trace their origins back to that original race in the summer of 1851.
Past Programs
StFYC live-streams Wednesday Yachting Luncheons to Facebook. To watch a replay, click an image below:
April 18, 2018
Engaging Women Through Sailing—StFYC Female Stars Tell Us How It’s Done
Pamela Healy, Olympic Medalist and World Champion & Nicole Breault, National and Match Racing Championr
April 11, 2018
The Capture of the U-505 -- A Legion of Heroes
Bob McLaughlin, Author
April 4, 2018
The Film Icarus and Why it Matters—Stopping Russia’s National Policy of Cheating
Jim Swartz, Venture Capitalist, Grand Prix Sailor, Emmy, Peabody and Oscar Winning Producer
March 28, 2018
A Conversation with Jocelyn Nash—Pioneering, Legendary Sailor
Jocelyn Nash, Mallory Club Winner, Boat Builder, Sailmaker, Champion and Mother of Champions
March 21, 2018
A Proper Yachting History of the St. Francis Yacht Club
RC Keefe, StFYC Historian and Senior Staff Commodore
March 14, 2018
Man vs. Sea—Winslow Homer Depicts the American Hero
Philip Eliasoph, PhD, Professor of Art History, Fairfield University, Connecticut
March 7, 2018
Swimming from Catalina to the Mainland and More Night Train Adventures
David Holscher, Ocean Swimming Champion and President, Night Train Swimming Team
February 28, 2018
Exploring Maritime Art through the Life & Work of John Steven Dews
John Steven Dews (via Skype from New Zealand) and Zachary Hall, Director, Trinity House Paintings
February 21, 2018
Why We Dynamited the Junior Program and are Not Looking Back
Kimball Livingston, Staff Commodore, 2018 Chair of the StFYC Junior Committee
February 14, 2018
America’s Cup Update—What’s Next and New for the Oldest Game in Sport?
Tom Ehman, StFYC Member; Veteran of Twelve AC Campaigns; Founder and Editor of Sailing Illustrated
February 7, 2018
The Challenges Facing the New Chair of the Federal Reserve System
Robert Heller, Former Governor of the Federal Reserve System, Former CEO of VISA
January 31, 2018
Bill Keener, Marine Biologist
The Fascinating Return of Whales, Porpoises and Dolphins to SF Bay
January 24, 2018
Anthony Scopazzi, Drone Pilot
The Care and Feeding of Peace-time Drones
January 10, 2018
David Thoreson
Saving the World One Ocean at a Time
November 30, 2017
John Rousmaniere
On the History of Yachting and the America's Cup