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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
WEDNESDAY, 31 JANUARY 08 -- SHORT OUTING IN FOG AND LIGHT WINDS.
Mother Nature has been quite unkind the last few days-- giving us no wind for sailing. I guess she really exhausted her breath last Thursday when she was blowing at 30-50 knots most of the day. Friday, we managed to sail with the current to the fuel dock, but had to motor most of the way back. Saturday, we had a light breeze for a while but it died out and we had to motor back. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday-- virtually no breeze at all Tuesday started with a dense fog over the whole area, but the sun blasted it away by around noon. Today the fog lifted only slightly by noonand and a 4-5 knot westerly came up in the mid-afternoon and so we decided to go out for a couple of hours of sailing.
As we motored out of port, we passed this large Beneteau visiting the marina and tied up at the end of D dock-- a 47.7 footer named VERONESE.
I put out full canvas outside the marina and headed out into the central bay. As we headed out, the wind started to shift into the northeast so we were sailing down the shore on beam reach port tack as fog covered the top of Telegraph Hill, obscuring Coit Tower.
The breeze started to soften almost as soon as we arrived out there, but we were ghosting eastward as this ferry blasted past in the fog.
We had sailed past pier 33, and behind us the Alcatraz ferry was heading for its home port between piers 31 and 33.
Tied up at pier 29 was a large vessel named PACIFIC STAR. She seems likely to be a research vessel of some kind.
The Bay Bridge was barely visible through the fog.
We crawled past the Pier 23 cafe, pleading with Mother Nature for a fresher breeze.
A log was floating in the water in the area between pier 23 and pier 27.
Another ferry blasted past us toward the Ferry Building as we crawled southeastward, barely stemming the waxing ebb current.
A power yacht steamed past us.
Gradually the fog began to lift off of Telegraph Hill.
We watched as a COSCO freighter steamed through the D-E span of the Bay Bridge-- bringing up a memory of the COSCO BUSAN striking the base of the D tower a bit over a year ago..
The SF Police patrol boat steamed past, heading south.
Now the breeze died away to less than a knot and we were at the mercy of the ebb current, sailing backwards. Now the holiday lights were on at the Pier 2
We turned around and headed back toward home port, being mostly dragged westward by the ebb current as the fog continued to lift off the top of Telegraph Hill so that the base of Coit Tower was now visible.
A tanker escorted by a tug steamed past, blasting her fog horn from time to time-- so loudly that it echoed off the buildings on shore.
Here's a brief video of the sight and sound.
The bases of the financial district buildings were barely visible through the fog.
As the skies darkened, we began to see the lights of the financial district buildings.
We motored into the lee of pier 35 to douse sails and get ready for landing. We could barely see the red-lighted base of Coit Tower from this vantage point.
We motored into port and landed fine in a quite strong ebb current. It was nice to be out there for a while after being stuck in port for days, but I felt a bit like the breeze that came up was a sucker breeze that sucked us out there only to die away in a half hour or so. I hope Mother Nature will do better for us the first few days of the new year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!
As we motored out of port, we passed this large Beneteau visiting the marina and tied up at the end of D dock-- a 47.7 footer named VERONESE.
I put out full canvas outside the marina and headed out into the central bay. As we headed out, the wind started to shift into the northeast so we were sailing down the shore on beam reach port tack as fog covered the top of Telegraph Hill, obscuring Coit Tower.
The breeze started to soften almost as soon as we arrived out there, but we were ghosting eastward as this ferry blasted past in the fog.
We had sailed past pier 33, and behind us the Alcatraz ferry was heading for its home port between piers 31 and 33.
Tied up at pier 29 was a large vessel named PACIFIC STAR. She seems likely to be a research vessel of some kind.
The Bay Bridge was barely visible through the fog.
We crawled past the Pier 23 cafe, pleading with Mother Nature for a fresher breeze.
A log was floating in the water in the area between pier 23 and pier 27.
Another ferry blasted past us toward the Ferry Building as we crawled southeastward, barely stemming the waxing ebb current.
A power yacht steamed past us.
Gradually the fog began to lift off of Telegraph Hill.
We watched as a COSCO freighter steamed through the D-E span of the Bay Bridge-- bringing up a memory of the COSCO BUSAN striking the base of the D tower a bit over a year ago..
The SF Police patrol boat steamed past, heading south.
Now the breeze died away to less than a knot and we were at the mercy of the ebb current, sailing backwards. Now the holiday lights were on at the Pier 2
We turned around and headed back toward home port, being mostly dragged westward by the ebb current as the fog continued to lift off the top of Telegraph Hill so that the base of Coit Tower was now visible.
A tanker escorted by a tug steamed past, blasting her fog horn from time to time-- so loudly that it echoed off the buildings on shore.
Here's a brief video of the sight and sound.
The bases of the financial district buildings were barely visible through the fog.
As the skies darkened, we began to see the lights of the financial district buildings.
We motored into the lee of pier 35 to douse sails and get ready for landing. We could barely see the red-lighted base of Coit Tower from this vantage point.
We motored into port and landed fine in a quite strong ebb current. It was nice to be out there for a while after being stuck in port for days, but I felt a bit like the breeze that came up was a sucker breeze that sucked us out there only to die away in a half hour or so. I hope Mother Nature will do better for us the first few days of the new year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
SATURDAY, 27 DECEMBER 08 -- ANOTHER LIGHT WIND DAY TURNING TO A NO WIND DAY.
I guess Mother Nature really used up most of her breath on Thursday when she blew around with those hellacious winds. When Clayton joined us at noon for our afternoon outing, we had a moderate easterly wind blowing. We left port and put out full canvas before heading out into the bay. A waxing ebb current was already flowing. Though the breeze seemed like one that would stick around for a while, I decided not to head for the gate and risk having to motor back against the strong ebb current if the wind died. So we headed northeast toward Treasure Island.
We had a bit of company out there. In the north, a small Ranger was passing a larger Beneteau.
Off to starboard, this small traditional sailboat was sailing west with the current and making good headway.
We sailed on close reach starboard tack toward Treasure Island but the ebb current was carrying us northward. That Beneteau was now sailing past the southeast shore of Angel Island.
As usual, we saw a lot of that Airship Ventures Zepplin flying around the bay overhead.
This small Hunter sailboat was sailing westward with the current.
We fell off so sail past the northern shore of Treasure Island and then the breeze of 3-4 knots started to soften further as this lovely dark-hulled saailboat passed to port, going with the current.
Sambolo was her name.....
.... and her crew was staring back at us as we took her picture-- smile, you're on candid camera, folks.
As we ghosted past the northern shore of Treasure Island, this Ericson passed to port.
We made it past Treasure Island and headed up toward the east span of the Bay Bridge, but the breeze was too light to make headway against the ebb current flowing northward along the east shore of the island, so we headed back toward home port, beating slowly against the southerly wind and watching as this trimaran approached.
Emma ghosted past us, headed toward Berkeley.
The city was shrouded in grayness from the overcast skies
The Bay Bridge was a bit lighter.
The light breeze that enabled us to make progress to the west and south on our beats died away and we were forced to begin motoring across the strong ebb current toward home port as this sailboat flying a kite was headed toward Alcatraz.
She seemed to be using her asymmetrical kite like a large genoa.
As we motored home, this lovely Tartan sailboat crossed in front of us, sailing with the current.
We furled in the jib while motoring and then, as we approached the shore of the city, doused the main and fluked and tied it up while still motoring. We played the current just right and headed past the west side of pier 35 and into the marina, landing fine in the strong ebb current well before the marina became so shallow as to have us dragging the keel in the mud. It was nice to be out there for a few hours, even is we had to suffer through a bout of motoring to make it back home.
We had a bit of company out there. In the north, a small Ranger was passing a larger Beneteau.
Off to starboard, this small traditional sailboat was sailing west with the current and making good headway.
We sailed on close reach starboard tack toward Treasure Island but the ebb current was carrying us northward. That Beneteau was now sailing past the southeast shore of Angel Island.
As usual, we saw a lot of that Airship Ventures Zepplin flying around the bay overhead.
This small Hunter sailboat was sailing westward with the current.
We fell off so sail past the northern shore of Treasure Island and then the breeze of 3-4 knots started to soften further as this lovely dark-hulled saailboat passed to port, going with the current.
Sambolo was her name.....
.... and her crew was staring back at us as we took her picture-- smile, you're on candid camera, folks.
As we ghosted past the northern shore of Treasure Island, this Ericson passed to port.
We made it past Treasure Island and headed up toward the east span of the Bay Bridge, but the breeze was too light to make headway against the ebb current flowing northward along the east shore of the island, so we headed back toward home port, beating slowly against the southerly wind and watching as this trimaran approached.
Emma ghosted past us, headed toward Berkeley.
The city was shrouded in grayness from the overcast skies
The Bay Bridge was a bit lighter.
The light breeze that enabled us to make progress to the west and south on our beats died away and we were forced to begin motoring across the strong ebb current toward home port as this sailboat flying a kite was headed toward Alcatraz.
She seemed to be using her asymmetrical kite like a large genoa.
As we motored home, this lovely Tartan sailboat crossed in front of us, sailing with the current.
We furled in the jib while motoring and then, as we approached the shore of the city, doused the main and fluked and tied it up while still motoring. We played the current just right and headed past the west side of pier 35 and into the marina, landing fine in the strong ebb current well before the marina became so shallow as to have us dragging the keel in the mud. It was nice to be out there for a few hours, even is we had to suffer through a bout of motoring to make it back home.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, 25 AND 26 DECEMBER 08-- TWO RADICALLY DIFFERENT OUTING-- BIG WIND AND ALMOST NO WIND
Thursday, Christmas Day, started out with an outrageous strong, southeast wind-- probably 40 knots-- that had the halyards in the marina sounding like a loud orchestra. Some rain squalls came through as well, but by early afternoon the sun was shining and the wind had shifted into the northwest, still blowing 30+ knots.
Eventually, the wind started to soften a bit, down to 20-25 knots-- like summer winds, so I decide to go out for a sail.
We left port about 2 pm, raised single reefed main and headed out into the central bay. Now the wind seemed to intensify back up to near 30 knots again, and I was tempted to go right back into port again, but decided to head downwind toward the bay bridge, sailing on broard reach port tack.
The winds were gusty, the seas were big-- wind waves of 2-4 feet-- had us rocking and rolling and surfing from time to time-- lots of whitecaps on the water and some high cloud over the city. It was really wild out there and I hoped Mother Nature would soften the winds soon.
We sailed directly through the D-E span of the Bay Bridge against the strong ebb current that had rolled up the whitecapped waves, and then sailed past the southern shore of Yerba Buena where a group of harbor seals were lazily sunning themselves on shore.
The lighthouse on the southeast tip of YBI was as cute and charming as always.
The new east span of the Bay Bridge construction was showing some progress and it looked as if they were building some kind of cantilevered structure that rested on what appeared to be temporary supports. Could not make out where this was going to be roadway or what.
Just north of the major bridge span, right in the middle of the span is this structure that must have some function, but I have no idea what it might be.
Over on the other side of the span, they were also building some kind of cantilevered structure between the completed roadway section and the support structure west of that. Again, I have no idea what the function of that might be.
Over in the port of Oakland, two freighters were loaded and being filled with fuel from a fuel barge.
We started to sail northward through the bridge structure, but winds were a bit crazy there, so we gave up and headed back around Yerba Buena. Then we sailed parallel to the Bay Bridge suspension span and finally began beating toward home port, after passing through the A-B span of the Bay Bridge. Fortunately, the wind had softened down to 20 knots or so and the seas had calmed, so we didn't have to blast through big waves. We doused sail in the lee of pier 35, and motored into port. Fortunately, the water depth was sufficient that we only dragged the keel in the mud as we approached our slip. We had to gun the engine to motor into the slip and then rapidly go into reverse and gun the engine since the slip is deeper and we accelerate as the keel goes free of the mud.
Friday dawns with sunny skies and the morning develops with a light northerly wind. I guess Mother Nature used up most of her breath the day before. I needed to go to the fuel dock to fill up the fuel tank, and get there before the tide got too shallow-- the marina there is more shallow than pier 39 right near the entrance. So we headed out about 12:30 pm, 3 hours before low tide, put out full canvas and headed west along the cityfront.
The current was a waxing ebb current and the flags on the end of pier 39 were barely fluttering in the light breeze, but we made steady if ghostly progress with the ebb assist.
Ahead of us, a rower was just entering the breakwater of Fishermans Wharf, probably headling back to the Dolphin Club or the South End Rowing Club.
As we continued ghosting to the west, a Blue and Gold ferry blasted past us, giving us the benefit of her wake.
Further out on the bay, a sailboat was sailing past Alcatraz-- probably motorsailing in the light breeze.
Looking back to the east, we could see a plume of smoke that seemed to be coming from east of the Bay Bridge somewhere. It seemed more smoke than one would see from the belching smokestack of a freighter.
As we ghosted past Aquatic Park, we looked back at a sun-drenched Telegraph Hill, but something was missing-- the Balclutha is not docked at the Maritime Museum dock now. I'm told she was towed over to drydock for maintenance.
Off in the northwest, Sausalito and Mt. Tam were also drenched in sunshine, and a lovely Beneteau was motorsailing eastward.
The Golden Gate Bridge was basking in early afternoon sunshine, and a couple of sailboats out near the gate seemed to be at the mercy of the ebb current unless they had their engines on.
I doused sail just outside the Ft. Mason piers, and then motored into the fuel dock at Gashouse Cove. Fortunately, marine diesel has dropped in price by about 1.50 a gallon since I filled up last fall or winter. We only use 20 gallons or so per year, so price is not a big deal, but still it was nice to save 30 dollars or so on the 25 gallons that we pumped into Anticipation's tank.
As we motored away from the fuel dock toward the marina exit, we spotted this harbor seal cavorting off our port side.
I put up full canvas again outside the marina and headed east along the cityfront, hoping for a strong enough breeze to more than stem the now-stronger ebb current, but we were just barely inching along against the current as this folkboat behind us was sailing into the marina. Hope she had enough breeze as those boats don't usually have engines.
Off in the north, the Airship Ventures zepplin was heading toward the gate. Since we see a lot of her, I am assuming she is being successful in attracting passngers for her scheduled flights out of the Oakland Airport.
We continued to make pleas to Mother Nature for a freshening breeze, but she responded only with a few puffs that gave us a bit of headway against the current as the LOVELY MARTHA fishing boat blasted past with a load of passengers.
Over by Alcatraz, this lovely Catalina was making headway with the current and so probably doing 2-3 knots over the bottom.
Back Bay motored out of Gashouse Cove marina and begain to raise her main sail....
... continuing northwestward for a while after raising it.
A while later, we spotted a sailboat with main only motorsailing toward us and closing on us.
She was Culebra [spanish for snake-- according to my spanish-fluent daughter] and she put out her jib and was passing us, actually making some headway with her much larger jib.
Her crew was enjoying the sunshine and warm air due to lack of wind chill.
A bit later, Back Bay motorsailed past us with full canvas flying.
Her crew was also basking in the warm sunshine.
A bit later, the San Francisco Police fast boat blasted past to starboard.
We had to begin motoring toward home port as we needed to be back by 3:30 and could wait no longer for Mom Nature to bless us with freshening breezes, but further out on the bay this cutter sailboat was making good progress sailing with the now quite strong ebb current.
American Pie was also motorsailing, though she was going with the current and didn't really need the engine.
Her crew was also enjoying the sunshine.
I furled in the jib as we motored along past the Fisherman's Wharf area and then dropped the main while motoring toward pier 39 and flaked and tied her up partially, finishing the tying up after passing the marina. We landed okay in the slip despite the strong surge that bangs the boat back and forth as we enter the slip.
Later, as I was dropping some stuff in the trash, I saw that the small boat in slip E-4 had snapped her starboard bow line, and also snapped her power cord that was lead up through the bow. I pulled the cord out of the water and as I laid it on the dock finger the torn end was sparking a bit, so i turned off the mains switch. Apparently, the sailinity of bay water isn't sufficient to create a short circuit current of a magnitude that would fire off the circuit breaker on the dock box.
The marina office was closed on Friday, but I called one of the maintenance guys and left him a message, hoping he might go into the office and call the owner of the boat. If not, I'll check with the office on Saturday.
Eventually, the wind started to soften a bit, down to 20-25 knots-- like summer winds, so I decide to go out for a sail.
We left port about 2 pm, raised single reefed main and headed out into the central bay. Now the wind seemed to intensify back up to near 30 knots again, and I was tempted to go right back into port again, but decided to head downwind toward the bay bridge, sailing on broard reach port tack.
The winds were gusty, the seas were big-- wind waves of 2-4 feet-- had us rocking and rolling and surfing from time to time-- lots of whitecaps on the water and some high cloud over the city. It was really wild out there and I hoped Mother Nature would soften the winds soon.
We sailed directly through the D-E span of the Bay Bridge against the strong ebb current that had rolled up the whitecapped waves, and then sailed past the southern shore of Yerba Buena where a group of harbor seals were lazily sunning themselves on shore.
The lighthouse on the southeast tip of YBI was as cute and charming as always.
The new east span of the Bay Bridge construction was showing some progress and it looked as if they were building some kind of cantilevered structure that rested on what appeared to be temporary supports. Could not make out where this was going to be roadway or what.
Just north of the major bridge span, right in the middle of the span is this structure that must have some function, but I have no idea what it might be.
Over on the other side of the span, they were also building some kind of cantilevered structure between the completed roadway section and the support structure west of that. Again, I have no idea what the function of that might be.
Over in the port of Oakland, two freighters were loaded and being filled with fuel from a fuel barge.
We started to sail northward through the bridge structure, but winds were a bit crazy there, so we gave up and headed back around Yerba Buena. Then we sailed parallel to the Bay Bridge suspension span and finally began beating toward home port, after passing through the A-B span of the Bay Bridge. Fortunately, the wind had softened down to 20 knots or so and the seas had calmed, so we didn't have to blast through big waves. We doused sail in the lee of pier 35, and motored into port. Fortunately, the water depth was sufficient that we only dragged the keel in the mud as we approached our slip. We had to gun the engine to motor into the slip and then rapidly go into reverse and gun the engine since the slip is deeper and we accelerate as the keel goes free of the mud.
Friday dawns with sunny skies and the morning develops with a light northerly wind. I guess Mother Nature used up most of her breath the day before. I needed to go to the fuel dock to fill up the fuel tank, and get there before the tide got too shallow-- the marina there is more shallow than pier 39 right near the entrance. So we headed out about 12:30 pm, 3 hours before low tide, put out full canvas and headed west along the cityfront.
The current was a waxing ebb current and the flags on the end of pier 39 were barely fluttering in the light breeze, but we made steady if ghostly progress with the ebb assist.
Ahead of us, a rower was just entering the breakwater of Fishermans Wharf, probably headling back to the Dolphin Club or the South End Rowing Club.
As we continued ghosting to the west, a Blue and Gold ferry blasted past us, giving us the benefit of her wake.
Further out on the bay, a sailboat was sailing past Alcatraz-- probably motorsailing in the light breeze.
Looking back to the east, we could see a plume of smoke that seemed to be coming from east of the Bay Bridge somewhere. It seemed more smoke than one would see from the belching smokestack of a freighter.
As we ghosted past Aquatic Park, we looked back at a sun-drenched Telegraph Hill, but something was missing-- the Balclutha is not docked at the Maritime Museum dock now. I'm told she was towed over to drydock for maintenance.
Off in the northwest, Sausalito and Mt. Tam were also drenched in sunshine, and a lovely Beneteau was motorsailing eastward.
The Golden Gate Bridge was basking in early afternoon sunshine, and a couple of sailboats out near the gate seemed to be at the mercy of the ebb current unless they had their engines on.
I doused sail just outside the Ft. Mason piers, and then motored into the fuel dock at Gashouse Cove. Fortunately, marine diesel has dropped in price by about 1.50 a gallon since I filled up last fall or winter. We only use 20 gallons or so per year, so price is not a big deal, but still it was nice to save 30 dollars or so on the 25 gallons that we pumped into Anticipation's tank.
As we motored away from the fuel dock toward the marina exit, we spotted this harbor seal cavorting off our port side.
I put up full canvas again outside the marina and headed east along the cityfront, hoping for a strong enough breeze to more than stem the now-stronger ebb current, but we were just barely inching along against the current as this folkboat behind us was sailing into the marina. Hope she had enough breeze as those boats don't usually have engines.
Off in the north, the Airship Ventures zepplin was heading toward the gate. Since we see a lot of her, I am assuming she is being successful in attracting passngers for her scheduled flights out of the Oakland Airport.
We continued to make pleas to Mother Nature for a freshening breeze, but she responded only with a few puffs that gave us a bit of headway against the current as the LOVELY MARTHA fishing boat blasted past with a load of passengers.
Over by Alcatraz, this lovely Catalina was making headway with the current and so probably doing 2-3 knots over the bottom.
Back Bay motored out of Gashouse Cove marina and begain to raise her main sail....
... continuing northwestward for a while after raising it.
A while later, we spotted a sailboat with main only motorsailing toward us and closing on us.
She was Culebra [spanish for snake-- according to my spanish-fluent daughter] and she put out her jib and was passing us, actually making some headway with her much larger jib.
Her crew was enjoying the sunshine and warm air due to lack of wind chill.
A bit later, Back Bay motorsailed past us with full canvas flying.
Her crew was also basking in the warm sunshine.
A bit later, the San Francisco Police fast boat blasted past to starboard.
We had to begin motoring toward home port as we needed to be back by 3:30 and could wait no longer for Mom Nature to bless us with freshening breezes, but further out on the bay this cutter sailboat was making good progress sailing with the now quite strong ebb current.
American Pie was also motorsailing, though she was going with the current and didn't really need the engine.
Her crew was also enjoying the sunshine.
I furled in the jib as we motored along past the Fisherman's Wharf area and then dropped the main while motoring toward pier 39 and flaked and tied her up partially, finishing the tying up after passing the marina. We landed okay in the slip despite the strong surge that bangs the boat back and forth as we enter the slip.
Later, as I was dropping some stuff in the trash, I saw that the small boat in slip E-4 had snapped her starboard bow line, and also snapped her power cord that was lead up through the bow. I pulled the cord out of the water and as I laid it on the dock finger the torn end was sparking a bit, so i turned off the mains switch. Apparently, the sailinity of bay water isn't sufficient to create a short circuit current of a magnitude that would fire off the circuit breaker on the dock box.
The marina office was closed on Friday, but I called one of the maintenance guys and left him a message, hoping he might go into the office and call the owner of the boat. If not, I'll check with the office on Saturday.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
MONDAY, 22 DECEMBER 08 -- 3 BRIDGE KISS IN A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS-- rain, rainbows, etc.
After a day of rain on Sunday that kept us in port, Monday dawned with sunny skies, but clouds started to move in during the late morning hours. We headed out for an afternoon sail about 12:30 pm, and put up full main just outside the marina before heading out into the central bay. We headed northeast on main only for a while and then gybed to head southeast toward the A-B span of the Bay Bridge.
Skies over the city were clear but the north sides of the buildings were in shadow due to the angle of the winter sun. It was now 1 pm.
Behind us, the clouds moving over the bay had varying colors, some dark and some light.
Winds initially were light and we were just ghosting along against the ebb current and Telegraph Hill was also in shadow from this vantage point.
v
Winds freshened a bit and we began making faster progress toward the Bay Bridge and eventually this ferry blasted past us, heading towards pier 39.
Eventually we looked back at Telegraph Hill from a vantage point that showed the sun striking some of the buildings.
We sailed past the Ferry Building where the clock in the tower showed it was 1:25 pm.
The Bay Bridge was glistenting in sunshine as we approached.
It was 1:30 pm when we passed under the A-B span of the Bay Bridge and looked back at the city in sunshine. So it had taken us about 30 minutes to sail to the Bay Bridge.
We quickly came about and headed north, sailing with the current in a good breeze, and watched as this small power yacht steamed toward the bridge.
I was wondering if we'd have any sailboat company out there, and began to see some boats, like this one sailing jib only as we sailed between a point east of Alcatraz and the southern shore of Angel Island.
Off to starboard, this ketch was headed east, perhaps heading for Berkeley or Emeryville.
In the north, another small sailboat was headed southeast toward Treasure Island.
As we arrived at a point just east of the southern shore of Angel Island, a dark rain cloud was heading our way and obscuring Mt. Tam. It looked like we were going to have some showers, so I put on my foulie coat-- already had pants and boots on -- and downsized the jib in case the rain cell was a squall with stronger winds.
This small Alberg sailboat passed to port and behind her a freighter was headed out to sea.
A Catalina sailed past, looking good.
Way off to starboard, two small boats were headed southeast.
The small rain cell passed over us without a dramatic increase in the wind and the wind actually softened, so we pulled out the jib to full again. Behind us, the skies were partly cloudy.
Off in the west, skies were completely overcast and some light rain showers were falling.
Some sunshine from the south produced a section of rainbow out of the clouds in the east.
The sun was gleaming off the sea as we sailed well to the east of the mouth of Raccoon Straits. It was now 2:50 pm so we had been sailing 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to here from the Bay Bridge.
v
Off in the north, a lovely sailboat was heading south.
In the west, the northern part of the sky was partly cloudy while the southern part of the sky was completely overcast.
As we continued to head north toward the Richmond San Rafael bridge in light wind, making headway but not fast agasint the ebb current, the sun was peaking through some breaks in the clouds creating some dramatic sky and sea patterns.
In the distance, Red Rock was enjoying sunshine-- this is a zoom shot.
Behind us, the skies over the bay were mostly clear.
We were far to the east of the Tiburon shore where the current was lighter, but we were making such slow progress to the north that I was tempted to give up on doing a 3 bridge kiss. Finally, Mother Nature responded to our requests and freshened the breeze to 5-7 knots and we were then making good headway and Red Rock was getting closer.
Off to port, this large blue-hulled tanker was tied up at the Richmond long wharf.
Two smaller tankers were also tied up there.
I had to decide whether to continue heading north and pass to the east of Red Rock or to head up and pass to the east of Red Rock and I decided to head up to pass west of the rock.
Through the bridge, we could see in the distance the Bed and Breakfast Inn on the easternmost one of the two islands called The Brothers.
We were approaching the span of the Richmond San Rafael bridge which is the southbound sea lane span and were fighting a quite strong ebb current there and you can see the current flowing past the base of the bridge tower. With a good breeze, we were making headway against the current.
From a distance, Red Rock looks to be close to the bridge, but is actually about 500 yards away from the bridge.
We finally sailed under the bridge span, and it was now 3:45 pm. So it had taken us 2 hours and 15 minutes to sail from the Bay Bridge to the Richmond San Rafael bridge. It had taken us about an hour to sail from Raccoon Straits to the RSR brodge.
We quickly tacked and headed back toward Angel Island and were now sailing with the current and making faster headway. Skies in the west were still divided between mostly clear in the north to mostly cloudy in the south
We eventually sailed past this petroleum barge that was anchored in the middle of the north bay between the northbound and southbound sea lanes.
Some sea birds were resting on the water, including this lovely pelican. I'm surprised that there are still some pelicans around, given the rather cold weather we've been having.
As we were approaching Bluff Point at the east mouth of Raccoon Straits, the sun dropped behind the Tiburon Hills.
In the north, the sun was illuiminating some low clouds but higher cloud layes were all dark.
The same was true for the clouds in the east.
The breeze died almost totally as we approached Bluff Point so we were just ghosting into the mouth of Raccoon Straits, as the sunset sky in the west was developing some dramatic color. It took us only 40 minutes to reach this point from the Richmond San Rafael Bridge, while it took about an hour to sail there from a point opposite Raccoon Straits.
We eventually arrived in a breeze of about 5 knots and started making some good headway through the straits, sailing toward Ayala Cove on Angel Island as more dramatic sunset color developed in the southwest.
I was surprised to find a couple of sailboats in Ayala Cove as we approached, one tied up at the buoy field, and one at the docks of the marina.
We had to beat back and forth through the straits as the sun went down and skies in the north were completely overcast.
In the southwest, some sunset color persisted.
As we exited the straits, the city was in shadow and skies were overcast. The current was now a waxing flood and I was happy that the winds were strong enough to let us beat our way out of the straits.
We were sailing on close reach starboard tack directly toward the gate with a good westerly breeze and making good headway against the now flooding current as skies darkened in the west with some breaks showing the sky at dusk.
We now began taking some video clips of our progress toward the gate and here is that video showing that we ended up inside the south tower of the GGB and finally managed to sail out the gate on port tack close reach against the strong flood current. Here's the final video with clips stitched together.
We just ducked out and then came about and headed toward home port, continuing to take some video clips, as we enjoyed the city lights, e.g. while passing Aquatic Park....
... and the holiday lights of Embarcadero Center.
We sailed past the east marina, pulled in the jib, and then headed up to douse the main, tie it up and then motor into port, landing fine by playing the flood current properly. It was now 7 pm, so our 3 bridge kiss took about 6 hours to complete, not including the time to raise and douse sails. I felt really happy to have done my first 3 bridge kiss in many many months.
Skies over the city were clear but the north sides of the buildings were in shadow due to the angle of the winter sun. It was now 1 pm.
Behind us, the clouds moving over the bay had varying colors, some dark and some light.
Winds initially were light and we were just ghosting along against the ebb current and Telegraph Hill was also in shadow from this vantage point.
v
Winds freshened a bit and we began making faster progress toward the Bay Bridge and eventually this ferry blasted past us, heading towards pier 39.
Eventually we looked back at Telegraph Hill from a vantage point that showed the sun striking some of the buildings.
We sailed past the Ferry Building where the clock in the tower showed it was 1:25 pm.
The Bay Bridge was glistenting in sunshine as we approached.
It was 1:30 pm when we passed under the A-B span of the Bay Bridge and looked back at the city in sunshine. So it had taken us about 30 minutes to sail to the Bay Bridge.
We quickly came about and headed north, sailing with the current in a good breeze, and watched as this small power yacht steamed toward the bridge.
I was wondering if we'd have any sailboat company out there, and began to see some boats, like this one sailing jib only as we sailed between a point east of Alcatraz and the southern shore of Angel Island.
Off to starboard, this ketch was headed east, perhaps heading for Berkeley or Emeryville.
In the north, another small sailboat was headed southeast toward Treasure Island.
As we arrived at a point just east of the southern shore of Angel Island, a dark rain cloud was heading our way and obscuring Mt. Tam. It looked like we were going to have some showers, so I put on my foulie coat-- already had pants and boots on -- and downsized the jib in case the rain cell was a squall with stronger winds.
This small Alberg sailboat passed to port and behind her a freighter was headed out to sea.
A Catalina sailed past, looking good.
Way off to starboard, two small boats were headed southeast.
The small rain cell passed over us without a dramatic increase in the wind and the wind actually softened, so we pulled out the jib to full again. Behind us, the skies were partly cloudy.
Off in the west, skies were completely overcast and some light rain showers were falling.
Some sunshine from the south produced a section of rainbow out of the clouds in the east.
The sun was gleaming off the sea as we sailed well to the east of the mouth of Raccoon Straits. It was now 2:50 pm so we had been sailing 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to here from the Bay Bridge.
v
Off in the north, a lovely sailboat was heading south.
In the west, the northern part of the sky was partly cloudy while the southern part of the sky was completely overcast.
As we continued to head north toward the Richmond San Rafael bridge in light wind, making headway but not fast agasint the ebb current, the sun was peaking through some breaks in the clouds creating some dramatic sky and sea patterns.
In the distance, Red Rock was enjoying sunshine-- this is a zoom shot.
Behind us, the skies over the bay were mostly clear.
We were far to the east of the Tiburon shore where the current was lighter, but we were making such slow progress to the north that I was tempted to give up on doing a 3 bridge kiss. Finally, Mother Nature responded to our requests and freshened the breeze to 5-7 knots and we were then making good headway and Red Rock was getting closer.
Off to port, this large blue-hulled tanker was tied up at the Richmond long wharf.
Two smaller tankers were also tied up there.
I had to decide whether to continue heading north and pass to the east of Red Rock or to head up and pass to the east of Red Rock and I decided to head up to pass west of the rock.
Through the bridge, we could see in the distance the Bed and Breakfast Inn on the easternmost one of the two islands called The Brothers.
We were approaching the span of the Richmond San Rafael bridge which is the southbound sea lane span and were fighting a quite strong ebb current there and you can see the current flowing past the base of the bridge tower. With a good breeze, we were making headway against the current.
From a distance, Red Rock looks to be close to the bridge, but is actually about 500 yards away from the bridge.
We finally sailed under the bridge span, and it was now 3:45 pm. So it had taken us 2 hours and 15 minutes to sail from the Bay Bridge to the Richmond San Rafael bridge. It had taken us about an hour to sail from Raccoon Straits to the RSR brodge.
We quickly tacked and headed back toward Angel Island and were now sailing with the current and making faster headway. Skies in the west were still divided between mostly clear in the north to mostly cloudy in the south
We eventually sailed past this petroleum barge that was anchored in the middle of the north bay between the northbound and southbound sea lanes.
Some sea birds were resting on the water, including this lovely pelican. I'm surprised that there are still some pelicans around, given the rather cold weather we've been having.
As we were approaching Bluff Point at the east mouth of Raccoon Straits, the sun dropped behind the Tiburon Hills.
In the north, the sun was illuiminating some low clouds but higher cloud layes were all dark.
The same was true for the clouds in the east.
The breeze died almost totally as we approached Bluff Point so we were just ghosting into the mouth of Raccoon Straits, as the sunset sky in the west was developing some dramatic color. It took us only 40 minutes to reach this point from the Richmond San Rafael Bridge, while it took about an hour to sail there from a point opposite Raccoon Straits.
We eventually arrived in a breeze of about 5 knots and started making some good headway through the straits, sailing toward Ayala Cove on Angel Island as more dramatic sunset color developed in the southwest.
I was surprised to find a couple of sailboats in Ayala Cove as we approached, one tied up at the buoy field, and one at the docks of the marina.
We had to beat back and forth through the straits as the sun went down and skies in the north were completely overcast.
In the southwest, some sunset color persisted.
As we exited the straits, the city was in shadow and skies were overcast. The current was now a waxing flood and I was happy that the winds were strong enough to let us beat our way out of the straits.
We were sailing on close reach starboard tack directly toward the gate with a good westerly breeze and making good headway against the now flooding current as skies darkened in the west with some breaks showing the sky at dusk.
We now began taking some video clips of our progress toward the gate and here is that video showing that we ended up inside the south tower of the GGB and finally managed to sail out the gate on port tack close reach against the strong flood current. Here's the final video with clips stitched together.
We just ducked out and then came about and headed toward home port, continuing to take some video clips, as we enjoyed the city lights, e.g. while passing Aquatic Park....
... and the holiday lights of Embarcadero Center.
We sailed past the east marina, pulled in the jib, and then headed up to douse the main, tie it up and then motor into port, landing fine by playing the flood current properly. It was now 7 pm, so our 3 bridge kiss took about 6 hours to complete, not including the time to raise and douse sails. I felt really happy to have done my first 3 bridge kiss in many many months.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
SATURDAY, 20 DECEMBER 08 -- GHOSTING AROUND ON THE BAY FOR 4 HOURS WITH A NEW CREW
Clayton, Diana and Jade, Diana's daughter [sfsailing.com contacts] joined us for the first time for one of our outings and we left port around 1:30 pm. We raised full main and pulled out full jib as we headed out into the central bay.
We ghosted past the end of pier 39, where the flags were barely fluttering and we were assisted by some residual but waning ebb current.
The city was enjoying clear air and brilliant sunshine as we passed the west marina.
Way off in the north, a sailboat flying a colorful kite was heading southeast.
A small Hunter motorsailed past us.
We were virtually becalmed for a while and then later we could see a light breeze propagating our way from the west, and this sailboat way in the west had a bit of that breeze.
We now began to beat slowly westward on a westerly breeze that was only around 2 knots in velocity, and watched as this lightly loaded tanker steamed into the bay, belching pollution!
We ghosted past this Santana 22 that was heading east...
...and she was named TRADEWINDS and had a full crew of five people filling the cockpit.
We watched as the Airship Ventures Zepplin passed us, heading for the gate.
A short time later, she passed directly overhead.
The breeze died away again to a bare whisper and we were now at the mercy of the waxing flood current as we passed this sailbaot headed toward the shore of the city.
Her crew was bundled up against the afternoon chill.
Our crew was enjoying the outing as we now ghosted eastward, mostly drifting with the current, but making a little bit of hearway to the north.
We were almost opposite Pier 39 when we picked up another light breeze and began beating to the west to try to stem the current as the city clouded over.
The sun began to go down in the southwest over the Presidio Hills.
In the east, a nice saiboat was motoring toward home port.
Jade took the helm for a while as we ghosted away from the city. She takes sailing classes in Optimist dingys at the marina on Treasure Island. She stayed at the helm as we tacked toward home port and then steered for a while on our starboard tack before handing back the helm to me.
The sundown gave us some fantastic colors in the southwest as we now headed for home port.
This small sailboat was ghosting downwind with the current.
I turned on the engine to make sure we would pass well in front of an inbound freighter and we enjoyed the developing sunset as we motorsailed toward home port.
Sunset colors built into a dramatic sky...
... and we passed in front of that small sailboat before going into neutral to sail toward home port. and watch the developing sunset.
Sunset color began to fade toward the horizon....
... as a pilot boat did a pilot change on the inbound freighter that was carrying a load of huge pipe sections. Wonder what they were to be used for here in this area?
Some sunset color persisted over the gate as we approached home port....
... and over the city as well.
I furled in the jib as we approached the cityfront and then came into the wind to douse the main. We motored toward the marina entrance as I tied up the main and we motored in and landed fine with some small flood current flowing through the marina. We didn't sail very far, but it was a pleasant outing with nice crew-company.
We ghosted past the end of pier 39, where the flags were barely fluttering and we were assisted by some residual but waning ebb current.
The city was enjoying clear air and brilliant sunshine as we passed the west marina.
Way off in the north, a sailboat flying a colorful kite was heading southeast.
A small Hunter motorsailed past us.
We were virtually becalmed for a while and then later we could see a light breeze propagating our way from the west, and this sailboat way in the west had a bit of that breeze.
We now began to beat slowly westward on a westerly breeze that was only around 2 knots in velocity, and watched as this lightly loaded tanker steamed into the bay, belching pollution!
We ghosted past this Santana 22 that was heading east...
...and she was named TRADEWINDS and had a full crew of five people filling the cockpit.
We watched as the Airship Ventures Zepplin passed us, heading for the gate.
A short time later, she passed directly overhead.
The breeze died away again to a bare whisper and we were now at the mercy of the waxing flood current as we passed this sailbaot headed toward the shore of the city.
Her crew was bundled up against the afternoon chill.
Our crew was enjoying the outing as we now ghosted eastward, mostly drifting with the current, but making a little bit of hearway to the north.
We were almost opposite Pier 39 when we picked up another light breeze and began beating to the west to try to stem the current as the city clouded over.
The sun began to go down in the southwest over the Presidio Hills.
In the east, a nice saiboat was motoring toward home port.
Jade took the helm for a while as we ghosted away from the city. She takes sailing classes in Optimist dingys at the marina on Treasure Island. She stayed at the helm as we tacked toward home port and then steered for a while on our starboard tack before handing back the helm to me.
The sundown gave us some fantastic colors in the southwest as we now headed for home port.
This small sailboat was ghosting downwind with the current.
I turned on the engine to make sure we would pass well in front of an inbound freighter and we enjoyed the developing sunset as we motorsailed toward home port.
Sunset colors built into a dramatic sky...
... and we passed in front of that small sailboat before going into neutral to sail toward home port. and watch the developing sunset.
Sunset color began to fade toward the horizon....
... as a pilot boat did a pilot change on the inbound freighter that was carrying a load of huge pipe sections. Wonder what they were to be used for here in this area?
Some sunset color persisted over the gate as we approached home port....
... and over the city as well.
I furled in the jib as we approached the cityfront and then came into the wind to douse the main. We motored toward the marina entrance as I tied up the main and we motored in and landed fine with some small flood current flowing through the marina. We didn't sail very far, but it was a pleasant outing with nice crew-company.
FRIDAY, 19 DECEMBER 08 -- BEATING TO THE GATE AND BACK -- GREETED BY LIGHTED BOATS QUEUING FOR THE PARADE
Friday afternoon was sunny with clear skies and a moderate wind blowing, so it was irresistable to head out for another sailing outing. We left port around 3 pm and put out full canvas before heading out into the central bay.
We sailed to the north on the northwest breeze for a while, and
off in the east we spotted the zepplin operated by Airship Ventures. They have been around a lot lately.
We soon tacked to the west and began making some slow headway against the flood current that was at its max, and watched as this very large tractor tug steamed eastward.
Off in the north, a small sailboat was heading on a parallel course. You can see from how clear the features of Angel Island show up in this photo that the air was very clear and visibility was at least 25 miles.
We eventually had to tack to the north again and the flood current then pushed us back eastward until we were once again east of the marina. The breeze freshened a bit so we tacked again and mamaged to sail past pier 39 where the flags were fluttering in a breeze of about 5-7 knots.
V
We sailed into the lee of pier 45 and then tacked away to the west again. It was clear now that we would have to beat our way to the gate, not like our single tack of the day before. Behind us, this small sailboat was sailing eastward with a reefed main which she definitely didn't need.
The city was enjoying brilliant sunshine as we sailed away to the west and were pushed eastward by the flood current.....
....as Alcatraz basked in the brilliant late afternoon sunshine.
Skies over us were fully clear, but clouds hung over the east bay hills.
As we continued on our westward beat, we spotted this sailboat heading toward the gate on starboard tack.
This small sailboat, named Solidare, was also heading westward and looking good!
After several more beats to the west, we were past the Fort Mason piers and they and Russian Hill were enjoying the brilliant slanted rays of the sun.
A while later, a large sailboat flying main only passed to port...
... another boat with a fully enclosed cockpit-- wussy sailors!
Out by the gate, a tanker was steaming into the bay with the sun reflecting off her hull and the base of the north tower of the GGB.
The tanker was one we have seen before where the propulsion is a tractor tugboat that nests in a pocket in the stern.
As we continued beating westward, the north tower was gleaming in the sunshine and the hills of the headlands were mostly in shadow from our vantage point.
Eventually, the windows on one of the factory buildings on Alcatraz began brilliantly reflecting the near-setting sun.
A bit later, a tanker of conventional construction steamed into the bay, her hull also gleaming in the late sunshine.
After several more beats were were finally approaching the gate as the sun began to sink into a thick cloud bank stretching across the horizon.
The top of the cloud bank seemed like it was on fire.
As we sailed out the gate against a still flooding current, this small power boat accompanied us.
We sailed out a short ways on starboard tack and then came about and headed back inside, sailing northward on the westerly breeze.
The skies over Pt. Bonita behind us were colored with pastel purple and yellow-orange.
In the east, the skies were pinkish.
Eventually, a bit of sunset color developed in the west as we sailed toward home port, doing mostly wing and wing to begin with.
The clouds over Richardson Bay were a dark violet in color to go with some orangy and pinky color on the higher cloud layers.
Some marmalade sunset sky developed in the west as we continued toward home port, now gybing back and forth.
We took this video of the city at twilight as we continued toward home port....
...this video of the city at night
... and this video of some of the lighted boats leaving pier 39 as we headed for the lee of pier 35 to douse sail.
After preparing for landing, we motored into the marina and, after landing and tying up, we went to the end of pier 39 to take this video of the lighted boat parade and some of the lighted boats in the marina.
We sailed to the north on the northwest breeze for a while, and
off in the east we spotted the zepplin operated by Airship Ventures. They have been around a lot lately.
We soon tacked to the west and began making some slow headway against the flood current that was at its max, and watched as this very large tractor tug steamed eastward.
Off in the north, a small sailboat was heading on a parallel course. You can see from how clear the features of Angel Island show up in this photo that the air was very clear and visibility was at least 25 miles.
We eventually had to tack to the north again and the flood current then pushed us back eastward until we were once again east of the marina. The breeze freshened a bit so we tacked again and mamaged to sail past pier 39 where the flags were fluttering in a breeze of about 5-7 knots.
V
We sailed into the lee of pier 45 and then tacked away to the west again. It was clear now that we would have to beat our way to the gate, not like our single tack of the day before. Behind us, this small sailboat was sailing eastward with a reefed main which she definitely didn't need.
The city was enjoying brilliant sunshine as we sailed away to the west and were pushed eastward by the flood current.....
....as Alcatraz basked in the brilliant late afternoon sunshine.
Skies over us were fully clear, but clouds hung over the east bay hills.
As we continued on our westward beat, we spotted this sailboat heading toward the gate on starboard tack.
This small sailboat, named Solidare, was also heading westward and looking good!
After several more beats to the west, we were past the Fort Mason piers and they and Russian Hill were enjoying the brilliant slanted rays of the sun.
A while later, a large sailboat flying main only passed to port...
... another boat with a fully enclosed cockpit-- wussy sailors!
Out by the gate, a tanker was steaming into the bay with the sun reflecting off her hull and the base of the north tower of the GGB.
The tanker was one we have seen before where the propulsion is a tractor tugboat that nests in a pocket in the stern.
As we continued beating westward, the north tower was gleaming in the sunshine and the hills of the headlands were mostly in shadow from our vantage point.
Eventually, the windows on one of the factory buildings on Alcatraz began brilliantly reflecting the near-setting sun.
A bit later, a tanker of conventional construction steamed into the bay, her hull also gleaming in the late sunshine.
After several more beats were were finally approaching the gate as the sun began to sink into a thick cloud bank stretching across the horizon.
The top of the cloud bank seemed like it was on fire.
As we sailed out the gate against a still flooding current, this small power boat accompanied us.
We sailed out a short ways on starboard tack and then came about and headed back inside, sailing northward on the westerly breeze.
The skies over Pt. Bonita behind us were colored with pastel purple and yellow-orange.
In the east, the skies were pinkish.
Eventually, a bit of sunset color developed in the west as we sailed toward home port, doing mostly wing and wing to begin with.
The clouds over Richardson Bay were a dark violet in color to go with some orangy and pinky color on the higher cloud layers.
Some marmalade sunset sky developed in the west as we continued toward home port, now gybing back and forth.
We took this video of the city at twilight as we continued toward home port....
...this video of the city at night
... and this video of some of the lighted boats leaving pier 39 as we headed for the lee of pier 35 to douse sail.
After preparing for landing, we motored into the marina and, after landing and tying up, we went to the end of pier 39 to take this video of the lighted boat parade and some of the lighted boats in the marina.
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