TUESDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 08 -- NICE OUTING TO THE GATE AND BACK IN WARM SUNSHINE AND MODERATE WINDS-- MORE SAILBOARDERS THAN USUAL

The day started with sunshine and no wind. A breeze began to come up around noon and stayed moderate in the early afternoon. We thought for a while it might be a day to fly full canvas, but as we prepared to depart at around 2:30 pm, the winds were beginning to freshen.



We decided not to risk using full main and raised single-reefed main and put out a small jib and headed out into the central bay, heading west on the southwest breeze and soon spotting FRENCH KISS sailing downwind past the marina.




The flags on the end of pier 39 were fluttering in a breeze of 10-15 knots as we sailed past.




We tacked into the lee of pier 45 for a photo op for the tourists and then tacked away to the west again with the city behind us enjoying brilliant warm sunshine and mostly clear air.




As we continued westward, we passed this lovely sailboat enjoying the sun-sparkled bay waters as she sailed downwind.

We tacked again to he south toward the shore and as we approached the pier at Aquatic Park, a motoring sailboat forced us to luff up to avoid a collision so we hollered at them about right of way, and it turned out to be neighbor boat NO DOWN with skipper aboard responding with an apology.




We continued beating westward and eventually spotted this sailboarder enjoying the good winds on the bay as he heads away from shore on port tack....




....turns downwind to attempt a gybe...




... and SPLASH-- he goes down!




Soon he was getting up again....




... and getting underway.




As we continued beating toward the gate, we passed this inbound sailboat sailing downwind with full canvas flying and looking good.




As we made our approach to the gate, we spotted our old pal, ADVENTURE CAT approaching from the north...




... and passing astern with the city as a backdrop.




We shot the gate about midspan, enjoying the spectacular views of the bridge and the cliffs of the headlands.




The views are magnificent from both inside and outside-- as here.




Behind us, this sailboat was heading back inside...




.... and a short time later, we spotted ADVENTURE CAT heading our way...




... with just a few passengers on deck, and another returning sailboat in the background.




While ADVENTURE CAT continued on her way toward Kirby Cove on the headlands, we came about and headed back inside, pulling the jib out to full for more downwind power to move against the waxing ebb current, and soon we were catching up with that inbound sailboat.




Surprisingly, there were several sailboarders out there in the mid-afternoon, like this one blasting westward on port tack....





... .and this one crossing in front of us and heading for the shore ...




.... and one crossing in front of us and heading westward.




We soon left the windsurfers behind and were closing in on home port with the city still enjoying the brilliant warm sunshine...




....and the flags on the end of pier 39 still fluttering in the 10-12 knot breeze.


We had earlier doused the jib since the winds has shifted more westerly and we needed to sail direct downwind to avoid having to gybe, and with light wind outside pier 35, we decided to douse the main between pier 35 and the marina seawall. After preparing for landing, we motored into the marina and dealt with the strong ebb in the marina okay buy going in low and drifting down into the slip. Another fun outing on our magnifiecent bay!