Winds were still around 15 knots, so we raised single reefed main just outside the marina, and then headed out into the central bay and pulled out a reefed jib before beginning to beat westward against a light flood current.
The flags on the end of pier 39 were showing a breeze of about 10 knots or so. We soon discovered that the breeze on the bay would be quite variable in velocity, sometimes softening to around 5 knots and sometimes freshening to about 15 knots, leaving us a bit underpowered at times and overpowered at other times.
Here Olivier and Corto Maltese are looking good on a starboard tack beat with the port rail almost submerged while sailing through one of the stronger wind areas on the bay.
Here, Corto Maltese is sailing out the gate on starboard tack and we are a few boat lengths apart. But we had taken quite different paths to reach the gate. We both continued beating westward along the cityfront until we were around the Fort Mason piers and then, while Olivier continued beating in the stronger winds in the south half of the bay, we continued westward into the north half of the central bay where we found lighter winds that were more westerly. We pulled out the jib to full for more power and, at times were able to sail straight towards the gate on the westerly breeze, making good headway. Eventually, we arrived in the stronger breezes near the gate and then we were often overpowered in the gusts, burying the port rail in the water as we sailed across the gate parallel to Corto Maltes
She continued out the gate on starboard tack and we tacked to shoot the gate on port tack, and eventually tacked back onto starboard tack to head southward across the gate while enjoying views of the GGB in the strong sunshine.
She continued out the gate on starboard tack and we tacked to shoot the gate on port tack, and eventually tacked back onto starboard tack to head southward across the gate while enjoying views of the GGB in the strong sunshine.
We were tempted to follow Corto Maltese out toward the ocean, but decided to head back inside. The Marin Headlands were beautiful as usual ....
...and the cliffs outside the north tower of the bridge were dramatic as always-- spectacular features that we never tire of viewing.
Our beautiful bridge was a vivid orange in the more slanted fall sunshine of the midafernoon....
...and we continued to enjoy viewing it as we sailed northward into the light breezes just east of Horseshoe Cove.
The Fort Baker buildings were soaking up the fall sunshine.
We eventually gybed and headed for home port, enjoying views of the city with a thin cloud layer in the skies above.
A Catalina sailboat crossed in front of us, heading toward the shore of the city.
Another sailboat passed behind us and, as always, it was nice to have a bit of company out there on the bay.
Alcatraz was basking in the sunshine with some puffy clouds above.
At 3 pm, the sun was already striking the city at quite a slant as we approached home port.
We pulled in the jib all the way as we approached Pier 39 so we could sail direct downwind and avoid gybing. After approaching the end of pier 35, with a cruise ship still tied up on the east side fo that pier, we headed up into the wind to douse the main. We stayed between the marina sea wall and pier 35 while readyig ANTICIPATION for landing and then motored into the marina, feeling good about spending some delightful hours on the bay.
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