General Membership Mtg Saturday, Sept 12th, 2026

SDSPS GMM

America’s Boating Club® San Diego

(San Diego Sail and Power Squadron)

Cordially invites you to our Sept

General Membership Mtg

Saturday, Sept 12th, 2026

5:00-8:00 pm

Location;Ted & Claudia Bowler Home

445 Hills Lane Circle

El Cajon, CA 92020

Guest Speakers: Richard and Carole Hallock

“16 Years Sailing Around theWorld”

Join the other boating club members for an evening together.

This will be a catered dinner by Panda Express.  Cost $10.00/person bring your own drinks,(Shaun McArdle “Comfort Case”), and a dessert to share.  Water provided by SDSPS.

BRING A GUEST-Let’s expand our Squadron

Please RSVP your attendance by Sept 10th, 2026,so food can be finalized.

RSVP To PeterObergA@gmail.com or text at 858-883-3735

We need a count of attendees

SDSPS GMM

Marine Navigation Class

SDSPS Marine Navigation Course Handbook cover
SDSPS Marine Navigation Course Handbook cover

Starts Monday, October 5, 2026, 6:30–8:30 PM

2702 Qualtrough Street, San Diego CA 92106

Cost: $90 for Books and Charts

Questions? Email: Doug Bass dougbass1@gmail.com

Master the essentials of marine navigation to ensure you never get lost. This foundational course covers the basics of safe coastal and inland navigation, blending the use of modern GPS technology with traditional navigation techniques. You’ll learn how to plan and plot safe routes, navigate confidently, and stay on course, even in the event of GPS failure.

 Marine Navigation focuses on practical skills through engaging in-class exercises and hands-on learning and develop practical navigation expertise. The course spans nine sessions of two hours each, providing ample opportunity to apply new skills in a supportive and interactive setting.

 This course also requires the use of a PC or laptop (Mac or PC) to run OpenCPN, an electronic charting program and a plotter and dividers. If you don’t have a plotter and dividers, we will have some to sell in the class.

 Registration and First Class

Monday, October 5th at 6:30 PM

Register at the First Class or

To register early: Click Here

Looking for a way to connect with fellow boaters…?

Connect with fellow boaters

Do you enjoy boating and the water?

Are you looking for a way to learn more?

Do you want to buy a boat and need to learn about boats and boating?

Do you want to learn how to sail?

Do you want to learn about your boar mechanical and electrical sytems?

Do you want to share cameraderie with fellow boaters?

All this and more – look into the San Diego Sail and Power Squadron – America’s Boating Club San Diego.

Join your local squadron (local chapter)

Official Notice: District 28 & District 13 Merger

District_28_logo2
District_28_logo2

At the National Governing Board meeting this past Saturday, a
motion was officially adopted to dissolve District 28. Effective
February 18th, all squadrons from D28 will be formally
transferred into District 13.

Expanding Our Community outreach much further, it is exciting to
officially welcome the following squadrons into our combined
district 13 family:

Balboa Sail and Power Squadron

San Diego Sail and Power Squadron

San Luis Rey Sail and Power Squadron

Event Update: San Diego Change of Watch
With this merger, the upcoming Change of Watch (COW) in San Diego
will be a combined celebration. This will be a historic event as
we bring our members together for the first time under District
13. On Friday night we will have a D28 retirement celebration
added to the agenda already posted in the LeadLine.

here is a link to the meeting:
https://www.youtube.com/live/mV1FJyzhYgY?si=NIJPbUrqCGGJV1Sk

Stay tuned for further updates.

Cdr. Shawn Goit, SN-ON
D13 Executive Officer
760-468-6212

America’s Boating Club Change of Watch Districts 13 (28) Saturday March 14, 2026

ABC COW 03142026

America’s Boating Club®San Diego

(San Diego Sail and Power Squadron)

Cordially invites you to the

Districts 13 (28) Change of Watch & SDSPS GMM

Saturday, March 14th, 2026

8:00am – 9:00pm

At Southwestern Yacht Club, 2702 Qualtrough St., San Diego, CA 92106

Also: Friday March 13th Social Event 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm; Mimi’s Restaurant – Mission Valley; Appetizers Provided; No-Host bar and dinner menu.

 Purpose of the Meeting: To conduct an election of District officers for the year 2026; to hear reports of outgoing officers and committee chairs, and to accomplish such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Guest Speaker planned.

Join us Saturday for a Complementary Continental Breakfast of Coffee, Muffins, Pastries, & Fruit. Lunch around noon for $10pp, and a finale no host cocktails by 6:00 PM. With a silent auction and Dinner will be served at 6:30pm.The Business Meeting, including election and installation of officers will begin at 7:15.

Entrée choices:

Portobello Caprese, Toasted Focaccia, Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil, Balsamic, Lettice-$30

Jidori Airline Chicken Breast, Red Potatoes, Bacon, Spinach, Tarragon Cream Sauce– $52

Pan Roasted Salmon, Tomato Risotto, Haricot Very, Lemon Beurre Blanc – $71

Price includes Salad, meal, dessert, coffee, tea or water, service charge, and sales tax.

Checks to SDSPS or cash will be accepted upon arrival, or use the QR code below.

RSVP is required for dinner. Please reply with your MENU CHOICE as soon as possible, but No Later Than March 4th. Reply to PeterObergA@gmail.com or text 858-883-3735 to leave your menu choice(s) for each person.  Also we will need a head count for lunch.

Free Vessel Safety Checks

Free Vessel Safety Checks Image (1)
Free Vessel Safety Check

Vessel Safety Checks are suspended until further notice. We hope to be able to offer them early in the new year.

ABC-San Diego (San Diego Sail and Power Squadron) is happy to provide free Vessel Safety Checks for boat owners.

What is a Vessel Safety Check? A qualified Club member will meet with you, come aboard your vessel and go through a checklist with you to see if you have appropriate safety gear aboard. The list will include all the gear required by the US Coast Guard for vessels of your size and type. Plus, additional gear generally regarded as important by experienced boaters will be recommended.

This service is completely Voluntary. It is a service we provide to help boaters ensure the safety of their vessel, crew, and guests.

You might earn a VSC Safety Decal. If you meet the high standards of the check, you will be issued a sticker that may be placed upon your vessel. This sticker tells your fellow boaters, the US Coast Guard, and law enforcement authorities that you have all the requisite safety equipment aboard. Many boaters desire to have a current version of this seal of a well found vessel proudly displayed on their boats.

The VSC Check usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

The results are not reported to anyone other than yourself. There is no harm or penalty if you do not pass. You will be given the checklist to help you acquire whatever may be missing. At your request, examiners are usually happy to return at some later date to repeat the check, so you may be able to earn the VSC decal by passing then.

It is possible that having a current VSC decal might help you avoid being boarded by the Coast Guard, as they will see that you have the appropriate safety gear aboard. If you are boarded, you may hand them a copy of your ABC/USPS checklist saving them and you time. You might also submit the passed checklist form to your insurance company, demonstrating you maintain your vessel in a safe condition.

There is no charge for this service.

All you have to do is request the service and agree upon a time. The link is below.

Contact a Vessel Examiner

To schedule an examination, send an email to vsc@sdsps.org with your name, phone number, type of vessel and where it’s located – or contact one of the following:

P/C Bob Gibbs, JN-IN     ->    vsc@sdsps.org
P/C Shaun McArdle, AP  ->  email
Lt Mike Philbrook, AP    -> email
Jon Coats -> email

R/C Allan Bombard, SN-ON-> email 

Lt/C Alice Kulikowski-> email

An examiner will contact you to arrange a time and place.  Examiners are prohibited from going out to a vessel anchored or on a mooring; boats may be examined dockside or at a residence.

All of these items are currently required by state and federal laws and, if missing or non-operating, can result in a citation if your vessel is inspected by the Coast Guard.