Bay Area sailors. The Maltese Falcon is coming our way.

[TomInTib]

http://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/lectronicday.lasso?date=2008-09-22&dayid=171

"Maltese Falcon is currently scheduled to pass beneath the Golden Gate Bridge at 2 p.m. on Saturday the 27th," we're told by Kathy Daly of owner Tom Perkins' office. The yacht is making excellent progress from Hawaii to California, and will probably anchor in Drake's Bay on Thursday and Friday nights to clean up and get ready for her grand entrance.

Maltese Falcon is the Belvedere-based Perkins' 289-ft Dyna-Rig yacht, which is not only the largest privately owned sailing yacht in the world, but the most talked about, too. You won't believe your eyes when you see her. She'll be accompanied by Atlantide, Perkins' beautifully restored 122-ft motoryacht from early last century.

The best place to view Falcon's grand entrance? We think the pedestrian walkway on the east side of the Golden Gate Bridge. In fact, that's where we'll be — unless it's foggy — with our cameras. You'll get a great close up of her from above, and then you'll be able to watch her sail around the Central Bay in full perspective. Trying to keep up with her on a sailboat will be impossible. But if you do decide to go out on your boat to see her, for everyone's sake, please give this very large yacht plenty of room to maneuver.

"Belvedere" was the answer Daly gave us when we asked where Falcon would be tied up or anchored. She didn't know whether that meant Belvedere Cove on the east side of the island, which probably doesn't have enough water, or the west side. But probably the latter, which would be Richardson Bay. As she noted, "Tom will probably want to look down on her from his house."

Falcon will be sailing the Bay on either October 4 or 5 in support of the San Francisco YC-hosted Leukemia Cup. As we've been invited to sail on her, we'll have a report in the November issue. On October 18, Falcon will be tied up at Pier 35 on the north side of the Bay Bridge, where tours will be given for friends and business associates. We love the part of the invitation that reads: "Rubber soled shoes for all. Ladies' high heels will be thrown overboard."

After a little more time on the Bay, it's expected that Falcon will head down the coast to Panama to spend the winter in the Eastern Caribbean.

But don't forget to mark your calendar for 2 p.m. this Saturday, as Falcon sailing beneath the Gate is a sight no sailor would want to miss.
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The Falcon is one of the most amazing boats on the water. Here's some video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Mvu57FP3c