This year we changed things a little bit and decided to award a grand prize for the best-decorated boat and a prize for the best boat on each dock. As ever the competition was impressive, and it was remarkably difficult to find just one winner on each dock let alone an overall winner.
 
Thanks to our judges who made the whole process fun and entertaining. Especially to club members Barb Deméré (judging for the second time) and Lorie Corlett (who was judging for the first time). Walking all the docks from the head-walk to each end-tie is a total of two miles and normally takes about 90-minutes. I think everyone would agree that this year’s judges did an outstanding job.
 
Also, thanks to the harbor crew who did the most amazing job of creating such a special evening. Westpoint was turned into a harbor-side café as elegant as any on the French Riviera. The weather did its bit to help and the early rising full moon and perfect weather. All that was missing were melodic strains from a bereted accordion player … but more of that anon.
 
Please take a moment to wander the docks and visit these beautiful works of art and acknowledge the effort and creativity of our fellow festive harbor friends.

A-Dock

At just 242, A-dock is the shortest of the docks at Westpoint and home to several Catamaran slips. The dock is adjacent to the low-freeboard dock used by the standup paddleboarders, kayakers, and rowers. Our friends at Mike’s Paddle and the NORCAL Crew groups use this dock almost every day of the year.
 
This year there were no entries from A-dock and so their prize was awarded to another dock as an extra prize.

B-Dock

B-Dock is often the first sight visitors to the harbor see of our embracing the holiday spirit. Known for the understated and classic adornment of their boats, B-Dock says “Season’s Greetings!”

C-Dock

For a few years now C-Dock has been very competitive when it comes to the Holiday Boat Lighting competition. This year the bar was set very high, and it was difficult to choose a winner. And therefore C-Dock is once again, “Best Decorated Dock” with the yearlong bragging rights that come with that honor.

D-Dock

When you’re looking for the “awe” in Christmas, or even the “aww” in Christmas, put D-Dock on the top of your list. There are some folks along that dock that really get into the spirit of things.

D-Dock Winner: Neverland, D19
(need photo) In literature, Neverland is an island where everyone stays a child for all time. The Dew’s boat, Neverland, rethinks the holidays from a child’s perspective. At first glance, the boat is beautifully decorated. But there is something that is puzzling. And then you change your perspective and imagine yourself not viewing the lights from the outside but from the inside. The boat is decorated from a child’s perspective, from the inside looking out. As we grow old, we lose our ability to see the world as a child would see it. Bravely naming your boat Neverland sets the bar high.

E-Dock

At 630 feet long, E-Dock is the longest of Westpoint’s accommodations. It marks the mid-point for the judges. Many of the harbor’s residents who have been here the longest are to be found on E-Dock. It is also home to the best pun of the night.

E-Dock Winner: Dolce Sogni, E57
Sailboats have a wonderful advantage when it comes to decorating for the holidays. Not only are their masts scraping the sky, but they also have halyards that can hoist lights all the way up to the sky. And the smart crew of a sailboat knows how to exploit these benefits to the fullest. Rigging is a sailboat’s friend at sea and, it turns out, at the Boat Lighting Competition. Or, as one judge put it, “… getting all those lights up there must have been quite a rigmarole …” Thanks for inspiring us members Winston and Carole Bumpus.

F-Dock

This is another long dock and has the added attraction of Poseidon’s trident at the end of it. Here we find some of the harbor’s superyachts in all their glory and creativity.

Honorable Mentions:
Tuva, F36: Last year’s winners kept up their festive efforts with a beautiful and intricate weaving of multi-colored lights along the lifelines of their boat creating quite the homely, seasonal effect that was welcoming and safe!
 
Lalibird, F13: With elegant trees and real holiday ornaments along all the rails, Lalibird is a feast for the eyes. Elegant in its simplicity but provides a wealth of holiday cheer.
 
Grace, F7: Looking so tiny in her huge slip, Grace always gives a heartwarming holiday presence. It is great to see her lit up for the holidays.
 
Little Boss, F2: Little Boss is the perfect boat. It just looks like Christmas. The simple string of lights from stem to stern is all it takes to put a giant grin on the judge’s face. We miss the bow pudding though.
 

G-Dock

By the time the judges get to G-Dock it is very dark and the air a lot cooler. The pace quickens with the thought of some warm food and chilled beverages. Also, by this time anxious boat decorators are tracking the judges progress hoping to hear a tid-bit or two about how the judging is going.

H-Dock

As you approach H-Dock one thing holds your attention: the pulsating lights and the holiday sound coming from the boat in the second slip. Last year the boat was completely dark and quiet because, after the owners left, there was a power outage and all their hard work fell into darkness. This year they stayed home, and the result was disco central.

Finally
Once again, huge thanks to the harbor team for putting on a spectacular event, to Sonya, Debbie, Maureen, John, Paul, and Mark. To Robert for the donation of all the outside furniture and heaters. To Barb and Lorie our wonderful judges. And to you, for making this a night to remember.

Season’s Greetings to you and yours,

Kevin