2008-- SAILING ON S.F. BAY

NEW BLOG FOR 2009 OUTINGS

2009-01-02T01:38:00.000-08:00

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WEDNESDAY, 31 JANUARY 08 -- SHORT OUTING IN FOG AND LIGHT WINDS.

2009-01-01T01:42:00.000-08:00

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!

SATURDAY, 27 DECEMBER 08 -- ANOTHER LIGHT WIND DAY TURNING TO A NO WIND DAY.

2008-12-28T14:55:00.000-08:00

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.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, 25 AND 26 DECEMBER 08-- TWO RADICALLY DIFFERENT OUTING-- BIG WIND AND ALMOST NO WIND

2008-12-27T02:33:00.000-08:00

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.

MONDAY, 22 DECEMBER 08 -- 3 BRIDGE KISS IN A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS-- rain, rainbows, etc.

2008-12-23T23:21:00.000-08:00

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.

SATURDAY, 20 DECEMBER 08 -- GHOSTING AROUND ON THE BAY FOR 4 HOURS WITH A NEW CREW

2008-12-21T16:39:00.000-08:00

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.

FRIDAY, 19 DECEMBER 08 -- BEATING TO THE GATE AND BACK -- GREETED BY LIGHTED BOATS QUEUING FOR THE PARADE

2008-12-21T00:35:00.000-08:00

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.

THURSDAY, 18 DECEMBER 08 -- A GREAT SAIL ALMOST TO POINT BONITA AND BACK

2008-12-19T01:24:00.000-08:00

Sunday and Monday were stormy days and Tuesday was cold and threatening. Today started out sunny but gradually started clouding over with forecasted rain on the way. Bob joined us for an afternoon outing and we headed out of port around 2:30 pm. We pulled up full main just outside the marina, pointing nito the southerly breeze. Then we headed for the central bay, pulling the jib out to full.

Out on the bay, only a few patches of blue were showing in the sky above and a herring boat was steaming east in the distance.
It was now 2:45 pm.

As we headed westward on the south breeze, the flags on the end of pier 39 were fluttering slightly, being in the lee of the pier buildings.

As we were ghosting westward against a slight flood current, another herring boat steamed past.

We continued ghosting westward until we passed the pier and then started to pick up some decent breeze and make good progress toward the gate.

A Coast Guard fast boat steamed out of the west marina and blasted eastward along the cityfront.

Further out on the bay, a moderately loaded container ship was steaming toward the Port of Oakland, and we soon had to ride her wake.

The city was now enjoying some partial sunshine.

After we sailed past Fort Mason, now in a good breeze out of the south-southwest, another container ship steamed past-- one very lightly loaded and sending out a big wake for us to ride over.

A rower in a rowboat, navigated the big wake okay and then continued on his way eastward.

It was around 3:30 pm when we reached the gate and sailed out between midspan and the south tower, so it had taken us about 45 minutes to reach the gate.

The breeze outside the gate remained good, so we continued sailing out toward Point Bonita, leaving the gate behind us.

We fell off the wind to make sure we passed in front of an outbound tanker approaching the gate, before heading up again to sail parallel to the shore of the headlands.

It was 3:40 pm as we sailed past Pt. Diable in freshening winds. so we were making great headway to the west....

... and we were enjoying views of the cliffs and hills of the headlands lining the shore of Bonita Cove.

We were about half way across Bonita Cove when the wind increased and the seas built to the point that we were overpowered and putting the starboard rail quite deep in the water at times. So we had to give up on reaching Pt. Bonita and came about and headed back toward the gate, now sailing off the wind on broad reach starboard tack.

We were blasting back toward the gate, now sailing with the current, and noticed a few pelicans riding the updrafts over the headlands.

It was 3:53 pm as we sailed past Pt. Diablo again.

Ahead of us, the bridge was framing the picture of the city behind.

At 4 pm, we were again sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Winds inside the bay had also freshened and we were blasting toward home port as clouds in the west thickened.

Overhead a few patches of blue were still showing through some popcorn-type high clouds.

In the north, some interesting cloud patterns at various levels met our eyes as we sailed towad home port, having to harden in the sails as the wind direction shiften more toward the south-southeast.

In the west, Mt. Tam was hidden in clouds and rain showers.

The city was overcast and darkening as we approached home port.

The pier 39 flags were still in a lee spot and barely fluttering as we passed. It was 4:30 pm as we sailed past the eats marina, so it had taken us about 30 minutes to sail back from the gate in a breeze that gradually softened after passing Ft. Mason.

We sailed into the lee of pier 35 to furl the jib and then headed into the wind to douse the main and tie it up. We then motored around the pier while preparing for landing and headed into port, eventually landing fine in a mostly slack current. We managed to tie up before the southerly breeze pushed ANTICIPATION too far into the slip. It was another invigorating outing in good winds and it felt great to be out there again after a hiatus of 4 days.

SATURDAY, 13 DECEMBER 08 -- CHANGING CLIMATE ON THE BAY AND SOME RACING IN BERKELEY CIRCLE

2008-12-15T19:33:00.000-08:00

Wayne joined us at about 11:30 am for our outing and we headed out shortly after, putting out full canvas just outside the marina, and then heading out into the central bay.

We sailed to the north on a northwest breeze for a while and the flags on the end of pier 39 were fluttering in a way that indicated a breeze of 8-10 knots.

Ahead of us, a J124 named CAN O' CORN [odd name for a sailboat] was also sailing to the north.

Skies over us were clear, but clouds were gathering in the west, and showers were forecasted for our area.

CAN O' CORN tacked to head west and was looking good with Angel Island in the background. We did the same and begain our beat toward the gate in winds shifting in both direction and velocity.

Off to port, this catboat was passing us.

Well west of Alcatraz, we encountered the BLUE WATER sailboat heading northeast on port tack.

She seemed to have about six total crew and passengers, and I noticed that she was rigged with running backstays which require extra crew work during tacks and gybes.

She eventually gybed and headed toward the San Francsico shore.

CAN O' CORN, as a bigger boat with more jib canvas, was beating us as we both beat toward the gate, but then she chickened out and headed away from the gate, passing us to port as she sailed northward.

In the north there were big patches of blue sky and most of Belvedere and Tiburon were in sunshine.

In the west, it was more cloudy and the gate was not enjoying any sunshine.

We continued beating toward the gate and were just inside, heading toward the south tower when a squall hit us and the wind increased to about 20 knots or so, leaving us way overpowered on a close-hauled course and forcing us to tack and then fall off the wind to avoid being out of control.

We sailed toward Raccoon Straits for a while and passed this nice sailboat that was heading for the gate.

The gate was now in partial sunshine, the light rain had stopped, and the gate looked pretty calm again so we came about and headed back to try to shoot the gate, and the gate was in beatiful sunshine as we sailed out near midspan.

Over by the south tower, that sailboat that we passed a while back was now headed back inside the bay, sailing toward the north.

We sailed out a short ways and then headed back inside ourselves with the beautiful Marin Headlands behind us enjoying some sunshine.

That sailboat that returned to the bay before us, was now sailing off our port side as we sailed to the north on the northwest breeze.

We got into light air just east of Horseshoe Cove so gybed and headed southeast toward San francisco and the city was enjoying brilliant sunshine.

Ahead of us, a small catamaran was sailing northward.

That sailboat that was sailing parallel to us, off our port side, decided to duck behind us and head for the shore.

A smal sailboat crossed in front of us, heading northwest toward Sausalito.

We eventually did a chicken gybe and headed northeast toward the Berkeley Circle race course to see if we could catch some racing action before returning to port and we now passed in front of that catamaran. She was leisurely gybing back and forth to the east.

A race boat flying a black and white spinnaker crossed in front of us and headed east with the city in the background.

From time to time we saw some harbor seals poking their heads up to look around at us and this one had done so and was about to submerge again.

As we continued sailing northeast, this lovely Santana passed us to port, looking good!

Checking behind us, we spotted that same sailboat that earlier had chnaged course to duck us, now chasing us but sailing a bit closer to the wind.

She easily passed us, being a race boat and flying a much larger jib so being both lighter and having more sail power.

A well-reefed small sailboat crossed in front of us, heading toward San Francisco.

Way in the distance, we spotted the race boats and it looked like GRACE DANCES, the boat that my mate Michael races on, was in the lead by many boat lengths in the race that was then underway.

She was followed by Mr. Magoo.

As we came closer to the course, we spotted this Melges heading for the leeward mark behind a colorful kite.

We soon spotted GRACE DANCES heading back upwind, still in the lead.

As we arrived near the leeward mark, a fleet of J24s was headed upwind after rounding the mark.

We furled in the jib so we could tack around without having to worry abotu the jib, and soon spotted the J105 fleet heading for the leeward mark with this boat in the lead.

WONDER was in second position a few boat-lengths behind...

.....followed by Blackhawk.

A short time later, it looked likeWONDER was starting to catch up with the lead boat. Perhaps she stole some of the lead boat's wind.

As they approached the leeward mark with kites doused, they seemed to be neck and neck but the lead boat had the inside advantage around the mark, so would clearly retain the lead.

As Blackhawk approached the mark, she was rolling out her jib and preparing to douse the kite.

WONDER was just rounding the mark as Blackhawk approached-- wonder what happened to WONDER to delay her rounding. Whoops, looks like Blackhawk is shrimping with her kite.

Next to approach the mark was HAZARDOUS WASTE with jib rolled out and kite being doused.

RACER X was next to approach the mark and, with jib still furled, she started to broach a bit, but recoverd....

.. and began to unfurl her jib as she approached the mark.

She was dousing the kite as she started to round the mark.

The Express fleet was next to head for the leeward mark.

A short time later, the J120 fleet was heading for the finish line with GRACE DANCES well in the lead.

She doused the jib before reaching the finis

.... and did some penalty turns before crossing the finish line...

... and then headed for home port.

Next came Mr. Magoo and Desdemona seeming to be neck and neck and about 20 yards apart....

....when Desdemona suddenly breaches, probably scaring the shit out of the crew of Magoo.

Desdemona recovered fairly quickly...

... but Magoo gybed out of the way, just in case.

Magoo was dousing her kite as she crossed the finish line..

... and completed the douse as she approached us...

... while Desdemona was still flying her kite as she crossed the line.

She struggled with dousing the kite and was shrimping with it pretty badly.

We watched as the 4th place J120 approached the finish line...

... and the leader of the Melges fleet approached the finish....

...before heading for home, pulling out the jib to full and blasting toward home port in good winds.

Unfortunately we had to fall off to go behind an outbound freighter so we were unable to make it directly to the lee of pier 35. So we furled the jib as we approached pier 27 and then sailed into the lee of pier 27 to douse the main. But, even with ANTICIPATION in reverse, we couldn't fight the strong ebb tryting to take us into the pier, so we had to sail main only into the lee of pier 35 where we doused and flaked and tied up the main before steaming around pier 35 and into port. Fortuantely, we were in time to avoid dragging the keel in the mud as we motored down the fairway.. well, not until we got just behind our slip where it is shallowest, and I had to go back into forward gear to power through and then reverse to stop once inside the slip. We had an exhilarating outing for about 4 hours-- it was great to be out there in some exciting conditions and to catch some racing also.

THURSDAY, 11 DECEMBER 08 -- ANOTHER GREAT TWO BRIDGE KISS IN NORTHERLY WINDS.

2008-12-11T23:25:00.000-08:00

When I arrived at the marina around 8 am, a strong northerly wind was already blowing. I checked the tide table and here's what I saw about today's tide levels and currents:

A moderate flood current at the gate until 11 am followed by an ebb current that would eventually build to almost 6 knots around 2:30 pm. The tidal swing would be almost 9 feet. With the full moon coming, it was tempting to wait until around 1:30 to head out, but we would have had to stay out until 7 pm to let the marina fill in to a sufficient depth to avoid dragging the keel in the mud. I decided instead to head out soon for a morning sail and try to sail to the gate and back, ast least, before the strong ebb current would begin.

We left port at 9:30 am, and you can see that the tide was very high with just a couple of feet of the marina seawall showing. As usual, some cormorants were roosing on the top of the seawall.

We put out full canvas while heading out into the central bay to the north and then tacked to the west to head for the gate. The flags on the end of pier 39 were fluttering moderately in the northwesterly breeze as we approached at about 9:40 am.

We were sailing directly toward the gate on starboard tack close reach-- a bit off the max close-hauled sail trim, sailing against the light and declining flood current in somewhat varying wind velocities. Eventually, we saw these sea kayakers cross our path, heading northward.

Skies were not as clear as they were on Tuesday, so our spectacular bridge was in a bit of haze as we approached around midspan in a breeze of about 10-12 knots. Skies over the north half of the gate and the Marin Headlands were clear.

Skies over the south half of the gate were partly cloudy.

As always, once outside the gate, we enjoyed our views of our magnificent bridge and the rugged cliffs of the headlands just outside the north tower.. it was now about 10:10 am, so we had sailed to the gate in about a half hour. To cover that distance of about 3.5 miles in 30 minutes means we were doing about 6 knots average over the bottom-- GREAT FUN SAILING! We were probably doing only 4-5 knots initially until the breeze picked up at around Fort Mason, and then later 7-8 knots in the stronger winds for the second half of the trip. The tide was probably mostly slack during this let of our trip.

... as well as our views of all of the headlands further to the west where some high clouds were approaching.

We sailed out a short ways and then came about and headed back inside, sailing now on port tack close reach for a while as the wind was northeasterly. A Red and White ferry with few people aboard steamed out the gate and then turned around and headed for Alcatraz.

Eventually, we fell off to a beam-to-broad reach as the wind shifted into the northwest again further inside the bay. We were about a mile inside the gate when this large PILOT boat blasted past us, heading out to the pilot station outside the gate.

Way off in the north, a tug was pulling a large petroleum barge with a tub excort and a long tow line.

The barge was marked as a double hull barge-- making it less likely to cause a spill if its struck by a boat or strikes some object like a bridge abutment. In the stern of the barge, it sort of looks like there may be living units for crew, which seems strange.

We had good 10+ northwesterly wind until we reached a point opposite the Fort Mason piers and then the breeze softened to just a few knots and we were just ghosting along as we passed Alcatraz.

A Blue and Gold ferry with quite a load of tourists passed to starboard, heading for the gate.

Another Blue and Gold ferry that came from Tiburon and Angel Island crossed in front of us, seemingly empty of passngers.

Further ahead, the two Alcatraz tourist ferries were crossing paths. The returning one with no passengers and the leaving one with a moderate complement of people on board.

Way in the west, Sausalito and Mt. Tam were locked in the morning haze.

We were now just ghosting eastward in a current that was mostly slack, fortunately, or we would have had to turn on the engine and begin motoring. The CABERNET SAUVIGNON HORNBLOWER charter boat steamed past us with a few people on deck.

We patiently crawled our way toward home port, expecting that might be it for our outing as there were only a few knots of breeze fluttering the flags on the end of pier 39. It was now 11:10 am, so it took us about an hour to return from the gate, giving us an average speed of around 3 knots. We were probably doing 7-8 knots for the first 1.5 miles and then less than 2 knots the rest of the way, and some ebb current was now building along the cityfront.

As we sailed past the end of pier 35, we could feel the northeasterly breeze starting to freshen in this area of the bay, so we headed for the D-E span of the Bay Bridge on port tack beam reach.

We eventually passed this Islander sailboat that was hove-to and just riding the ebb current to the west.

I had earlier watched as CASABLANCA, this Islander hove-to, as she sailed out of the south bay and headed toward Treasure Island and then tacked toward us. I wondered why she was moving so slowly toward us in the good winds there, and her hove-to condition explained that.

The city was locked in haze as we sailed eastward toward the Bay Bridge in freshening winds that eventually were blowing 10-15 knots.

As we approached the D-E span of the Bay Bridge, we could see in the distance ahead of us a couple of sailboats heading our way.

We were sailing downwind with a following sea that required constant attention to the steering to maintain course. The Bay Bridge was enjoying thin sunshine as we approached.

The dark-hulled sailboat from the east approached first-- sailing closer on the breeze than the other boat-- and so probably going to pass port to port...

...while the other would be passing starboard to starboard.

We actually sailed under the Bay Bridge to the east of the Echo tower, and soon thereafter, GYPSY [as we later found out her name to be] approached to pass us....

LOOKING GOOD!!!!!!! as she did, and eventually she sailed between the shore of YBI and the Echo tower of the bridge.

The city, framed by the D-E span was still locked in haze. It was now about 12:05 pm, so it had taken us almost an hour to sail from pier 39 to this point near Yerba Buena Island against the waxing ebb current, avaraging less than 3 knots of speed over the bottom for this trip secment, though we were surely doing at least 5 knots relative to water most of the time.

That other sailboat, a Catalina, passed to starboard, heading for the D-E span.

The lighthouse on the southeast point of YBI was gleaming in the morning sunshine.

We fell off to DDW to reef the jib for our return trip, just in case the wind built in velocity, and then we came about and sailed under the Bay Bridge between the Echo tower and the shore of YBI, Those two sailboats that passed us were now on the central bay, GYPSY having fallen off the wind to sail on broad reach toward the A-B span of the Bay Bridge, while the Catalina had fallen off to sail northward.

We were blasting toward home port on close reach starboard tack when GYPSY passed in front of us, and we were starting to take some spray from the wind waves from time to time.

GYPSY continued southward as we continued toward home port, sailing fast over the water and even faster over the bottom with waxing ebb current assist.

We sailed into the area between piers 33 and 35 to douse sails. It was now 12:22 pm, so we made the trip from the Bay Bridge in about 15 minutes to cover the distance that took us close to an hour to cover earlier. WHEW!
WE WERE REALLY FLYING OVER THE BOTTOM!!!! probably doing 10-12 knots!!!

I furled the jib and then headed up into the wind to drop the main and then flake it and tie it up, before motoring around pier 35 and into the marina. I eased ANTICIPATION into her slip-- coasting in low and letting her drift into the slip with the current as we entered, before shifting into reverse to bring her to a stop. The northerly wind was moderate here, so I didn't worry about it backing her out of the slip and I did my usual routine of tying up the bow lines first, then the starboard stern line, followed by re-connecting the shore power cord and then tying up the port stern line, putting on the spring ling amidship and then flipping the power switch on the dock box. Sail and helm covers went on and we were ready to go below for downloading the photos and having a snack, followed by lunch and then a nap. Ah............ the good life on permanent vacation!!!!

TUESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 08 -- ANOTHER TWO BRIDGE KISS IN BLUSTERY NORTHEASTERLY WINDS

2008-12-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

Sunday and Monday-- not enough wind in the afternoon for any sailing so we were stuck in port. This morning a light northeasterly was blowing early, and we decided to head out about 9:30 am, hoping that a fresher breeze would materialize eventually.

With full canvas flying, we headed northeast on a beam reach port tack and were just ghosting along for a while with the ebb current dragging us northward, and this Coast Guard fast boat flashed past us, heading east in a blast of spray.

This catamaran ferry shot past us, heading for pier 39 ferry landing after leaving the Ferry Building.

After five or ten minutes, the breeze started to freshen and was soon blowing about 10-12 knots, and we were blasting toward the D-E span of the Bay Bridge and enjoying the brilliantly sunny views of the city, like this one of Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower.

Coit Tower was basking in the mid-morning sunshine and was looking good against the clear blue sky.

We eventually fell off to a broad reach to head for the A-B span of the Bay Bridge to avoid being overpowered as the breeze had now freshened more and was blowing over 15 knots, with stronger gusts from time to time, The pyramid looked beautiful in the strong morning sunshine!

We were soon well past the Ferry Building and enjoying views of the Financial District buildings.

The clock on the Ferry Building tower showed 10:05 as we continued toward the Bay Bridge.

The bow and arrow sculpture on shore was brilliantly illuminated by the mid-morning sunshine.

The Bay Bridge was gleaming in its silver coating.

All the financial district buildings stood out vividly in the clear air as we approached the A-B span.

We sailed past the A-B span and then fell off to reef the jib down to a small size and then sailed parallel to the bridge for a while before tacking to head back. The city was now frameed by the bridge tower and deck.

it was about 10:20 am when we sailed under the A-B span of the Bay Bridge again, and with waxing ebb current assist and good winds, we were soon passing the end of pier 39-- at 10:30 -- quite the speedy trip.

After turning the courner around the end of pier 27, we had let out the jib to full since we were sailing on a broad reach and could use full canvas despite the strong winds. Sausalito and Mt. Tam were enjoying the brilliant morning sunshine as we sailed directly toward the gate.

I watched as this Coast Guard motor life boat steamed into the bay at high speed and headed for the base in Horseshoe Cove. This boat seems to have a different design than the ones I've seen previouisly.

A short while later, another motor life boat steamed in the gate and headed for home base.

A charter boat had been hanging out just outside the gate-- perhaps scattering ashes--- and was now steaming back inside the gate.

We sailed out the gate about midspan of our beautiful bridge-- so vivid in the morning sunshine. It was now 10:55 am. So we made the trip from pier 39 in 25 minutes.

I started reefing the jib while approaching the bridge, but by the time I had come about, the strong ebb had carried us about 300 yards outside the gate. and were struggling to sail back inside. Meanwhile a Coast Guard cutter was steaming out the gate. It took us 20 minutes to sail back inside the gate, but we finally made it. Whew! It was a relief not to have to turn on the engine and motor against that strong ebb current. Been therre-- done that!

As we were sailing toward home port, another sailboat was heading toward the gate from the north.

She sailed out the gate as we continued sailing toward home port against the ebb current-- now sailing on close reach port tack.

We gad good winds all the way back to home port and the flags were still fluttering in the strong breeze out of the northeast It was now 12:10 pm. so it had taken us about 50 minutes to sail home from the gate, double the time to sail to the gate. But we had completed the two bridge kiss in about 2 hours and 45 minutes. This includes the time we spent south of the Bay Bridge-- probably 10 minutes and the time we spent outside the gate trying to get back inside, at least 15 minutes. So we were really moving fast out there.

We sailed past pier 35 and then headed off the wind to furl the jib. we then sailed over to the west side of pier 35 to douse the main and tie it up sloppily before motoring into port. We landed fine and quickly tied up the starboard stern line to make sure the strong northerly didn't push ANTICIPATION back out of the slip. It was great to be out there in exciting conditions.

SATURDAY, 6 DECEMBER 08 -- BLUSTERY MORNING SAIL-- 2 BRIDGE KISS

2008-12-06T21:57:00.000-08:00

A strong northerly wind was blowing most of the night, rattling halyards, etc. so I thougth I would get up and have some breakfast and head out for a morning sail. When we left port about 8:45 am, the breeze had largely died away, and I raised full main while motoring slowly to the north. Then fell off to the northeast and pulled out full jib. Within a few minutes, the strong northerly wind had returned and I fell off toward the Bay Bridge.

Behind us, the dredging crane and barge were back again, having been gone for several days.

With a long fetch out of the north, the wind waves propagating from the north were quite substantial, some with whitecaps and we sometimes were surfing down the backside of the larger waves as the city off to starboard was locked in a morning mist.

By 9:20 am, we were approaching the D-E span of the Bay Bridge.-- quite a fast trip!

After sailing under the D-E span, I fell off to dead downwind to backwind the jib and furl it down to a handkerchief size and then continued sailing eastward for a while, passing this sailboat motoring past the southern shore of Yerba Buena...

... .and this catboat sailing rapidly past that shore....

...with a two-person crew in the cockpit with a tiller steering unit.

The cute lighthouse on YBI was bathed in the mistly morning sunlight.

I came about and headed back to the west, it now being 9:25 am, and sailed under the Bay Bridge between YBI and the Echo tower with the city barely visible in the mist.

Out on the central bay, this race boat [might be Mr. Magoo, a J120] was motoring westward, taking spray from the windwaves, as were we-- many blasts of spray over the bow and some into the cockpit.

We had to sail off the wind enough to avoid crashing through the wind waves and banging down the other side, so we ended up sailing into the lee of pier 27 where we found a quiet spot to further reef the jib and to put a single reef in the main before starting to beat toward the gate.

After a couple of beats, we were sailing directly toward the gate and, after passing the end of pier 39, we noticed this race boat starting to overtake us.

Over by Alcatraz, a race boat with a 48 logo on the sail was sailing main only and heading for the startign line of the race in front of the GGYC.

That small race boat, LAZY LIGHTNING, passed us and we could then see that she was flying only a large jib-- a 130 percenter, it appeared.

She continued blasting toward the start line of the race course after passing us.

The race boat, ABSOLUTE O2 motored past us, also heading for the start line.

Ahead of us, the race boats were beginning to gather in front of the yacht club start line, some with no sails up, others with full canvas and practicing in the strong winds.

This race boat in the mist was flying main only.

We left the race boats behind and continued on toward the gate, finally shooting the gate betwen midspan and the south tower about 10;40 am.
So it had taken us an hour and 10 minutes to sail from the Bay Bridge to the gate, with a good 10-15 minutes of that time taken up with reefing the
jib and main before leaving the lee of pier27. Quite the speedy trip!

.. and then heading up toward Kirby Cove while enjoying views of the bridge and the headlands.

Inside the gate, we spotted a couple of kiteboarders like this one blasting across the windswept bay.

We sailed out a short ways and then came about and headed back inside,
watching as this catboat approached from the north....

... and eventually shot the gate just inside the north tower.

We soon began to encounter some of the race boats again like this one sailing around on main only....

... but taking spray and burying the rail in the strong winds. Seems like they were going to have quite the challenge racing with full canvas in the strong winds then blowing.

As we continued sailing eastward on beam reach port tack, MYSTIC WIND was heading toward the gate with well-reefed canvas...

.. her one man crew at the wheel in a cockpit protected by a hard dodger.

This sailboat was pointed directly into the wind as we approached and a crewmember was unfurling the jib. Her crew all seemed outfitted for racing, but the boat has a dodger and one usually doesn't see a dodger on a boat in a race. So perhaps they were setting off on a cruise.

We passed astern of OHANA as she finished pulling out the jib...

... and then she fell off the wind and was heading northward on close reach.

As we continued toward home port, race boats behind us were in various states of dress.

This one was just raising her jib...

.. and soon was sailing northward with main luffing up, as OHANA was now blasting toward the gate on starboard tack, so perhaps heading out for an ocean sail.

Another race boat with a 48 logo on the main sail was sailing past Alcatraz and heading for the start line. I can't recall seeing these types of race boats before. I wonder if they are Farr 48s.

This catboat was heading for the race start line as well, and looked to be burying her port rail.

She joined other race boats near the starting line, while MYSTIC WIND was now heading back east, perhaps having shot the gate already.

As we sailed past the end of pier 39, the flags were showing that the wind there had declined. It was now 11:20 am, so our return trip from the gate had taken about 40 minutes against an ebb current with very reduced canvas. If we had pulled out some more jib we probably could have made it back in 30 minutes.

After passing the marina seawall, we fell off and furled the jib all the way, then headed into the wind to douse the main. We struggled a bit to tie up the main-- doing it sloppily while heading for the marina entrance. The northerly was now blowing quite strong again so when we landed, with quite a lot of surge, we made sure to be all the way inside the slip, and then I jumped off quickly to tie up the starboard stern line so the wind couldn't back ANTICIPATION back out of the slip, as it soon was trying to do. I managed to get tied up okay and then went below for a bite of lunch-- I was really hungry after spending three exciting hours on the bay-- it now being about 11:45 am. 3 hours for a two-bridge kiss.. excellent time!

THURSDAY, 4 DECEMBER 08 -- ANOTHER DAY OF GREAT WINDS EXCEPT AT THE GATE AND A SPECTACULAR SUNDOWN

2008-12-05T00:53:00.000-08:00

Steve, the Aussie, joined us around 1:30 pm for our afternoon outing and we left port with a light northwesterly wind blowing. We put out all the canvas and headed out into the bay, sailing to the northeast and being pushed eastward by the waning flood current. We tacked to the southwest to sail against the flood for a while, then back to the northeast and back to the southwest to sail toward the gate on starboard tack close reach.

The flags on the end of pier 39 were fluttering moderately in the northerly breeze.

A lovely Valiant yacht named NOELANI approached ...

.. and passed us, looking good, except for the fenders dangling on the lifelines.

The city was enjoying hazy sunshine as we continued toward the gate in freshening breezes.

Off in the north, a sailboat was heading southeast under a colorful spinnaker.

A ketch was sailing inside the gate.

A couple of tourist ferries steamed past, heading for the gate, but we suddenly found ourselves in a wind hole and had to begin searching for wind.

We gradually worked our way northward searching for a consistent breeze to use ot shoot the gate, and found none because of the lee effect of the headlands. We saw a tanker headed for the gate and called the CG traffic channel to ask about intended route inside the bay. We were told both intended using the eastbound lane so we were out of their way, but the containuer ship overtook the tanker and passed it to port.

We eventually gave up on shooting the gate and headed back to the northeast to await the sundown, and watched as this nice J24 approached with a kite flying.

She was looking good as she headed south on starboard tack with the hazy cityscape as a backdrop.

As we approached this sand dredge, she started steaming to the east, having filled up the dredge to head for home.

We tacked and sailed westward toward Sausalito for a while to await the sundown, eventually falling off toward the gate and then gybing toward the east to watch the sundown. This small sailboat approached with a kite flying...

and SHEETWIZE passed us to port, looking good.

She was heading toward the gate on the northwest breeze.

Another sailboat passed astern, between us and the setting sun, giving us this nice photo-op.

Now the sun began to set and we watched it through the gate as we sailed northeastward.

The hazy sky produced a huge enlarging lens so the sun looked large enough to fill most of the space between the bridge deck and the sea surface.

A catamaran passed through the setting sun, making another great photo-op.

As the sunset continued, the haze layered the sun's colors.-- something I can't recall having seen before.

We watched the last rays of the setting sun and then headed for home port.

We sailed past the west side of Alcatraz, passing the buoy guarding the rocks there. The sky in the north had taken on a pink glow.

After passing Alcatraz, we fell off as the breeze shifted into the west and ghosted toward home port for a while, enjoying the brightening almost-half moon.

The sunset turned the western sky a bright marmalade color.

We evantually started motoring toward home port, furling the jib and dousing the main as we motored along.

TUESDAY, 2 DECEMBER 08 -- BEATING TO THE GATE IN LIGHT WINDS AND GHOSTING MOST OF THE WAY HOME.

2008-12-03T23:57:00.000-08:00

The day started out with a light northeasterly breeze which died out around noon and then a light westerly came up in the early afternoon. We headed out about 2 pm for a few hours of sailing, put out full canvas and headed out into the bay. I decided to risk heading for the gate with a waxing ebb current

We headed west with the current and sailed past the end of pier 39 where the flags were fluttering in a breeze of three or four knots. It's now been so long ago that we were having those 25-35 knot winds on the bay that I've almost forgotten them.

We sailed out to the west a ways and then tacked into the lee of pier 45 and then tacked away to the west again, leaving the city behind us, drenched in sunshine.

As we headed west, a small catamaran was motoring past the southern shore of Alcatraz. Guess they were in a hurry to get somewhere.

Out in the west, a blimp was hanging over the gate and a large ship was inbound. In this telephoto shot, it's clear that the ship is a cruise ship, but I thought initially that it was a container ship.

As we continued beating to the west, passing the entrance to Aquatic Park, I saw a couple of small sailboats -- one seemed to be dropping the sail.

Behind us, a tractor tug -- one that I can't recall having seen before-- was hanging out with a white cover protecting the dirty tires on the bow. Later it was obviouis that she was waiting for the cruise ship to assist in docking.

The cruise ship was steaming into the bay as a sailboat crossed the bay.

That blimp was the MetLife blimp and she was heading east over the city.

Later, I spotted a sailboat heading our way with the main sail on deck as well as the boom. Obviously the boat didn't have a topping lift to keep the boom in place with the sail down.

We passed this boat with the main still down and just ghosting along with jib flying....

... and then, a bit later, the main sail was going up again.

The cruise ship steamed past us. She is one that I can't ever recall seeing on the bay before.

The smoke stack is so distinctive, I think I would have remembered it.

As we sailed past marina green, this Ericson was motorsailing eastward.

As we continued beating westward in a breeze that changed slightly in velocity and direction from time to time, we spotted this nice sailboat heading our way

She passed us, looking good, except for the fenders on deck.

We were eventually heading for the gate on port tack and enjoying the spectacular views of our bridge and the Marin Headlands. The light this time of year renders them so vivid!

As we headed out the gate near midspan, this sailboat was entering the bay just inside the south tower.

We sailed out a short ways, continuing to enjoy the great views, and then came about and headed back inside.

Another sailboat was re-entering the bay near the south tower.

She was looking good as she entered the bay and soon headed up to sail northward and crossed in front of us.

As we ghosted eastward in light winds, making a knot or two over the bottom, a large container ship steamed in behind us.

She was probably doing 10-12 knots and, with her bulb out of the water due to a light load, she was making quite a wake that we ended up riding.

As we continued eastward, that same Ericson that was motorsailing eastward earlier now passed us heading for the gate and looking good.

That light blue-hulled boat that entered the bay ahead of us was named Chloe and was ghosting eastward and we were slowly overtaking her...

.... and eventually passed her.

We started doing a mix of gybing back and forth and trying to do wing and wing, and gradually pulling ahead of Chloe, but then she started following our lead, doing wing and wing and making better headway and then keeping up with us.

Ahead of us, this sailboat came motoring out of the San Francisco Marina and headed out across the bay. Didn't look like they intended to put up any sails

We continued ghosting eastward, and eventually the sun dropped behind the Presidio Hills.

We managed to sail to a point opposite the Fort Mason piers, enjoying views of the city in partial sun and shadow, and then we had to begin motoring.

This interesting fishing boat, shaped like a herring boat, steamed out of port. I wondered if she was a crabber.

The piers on the end of pier 39 were barely fluttering as we motored past, having already pulled in the jib and doused the main.

A bit of sunset color was developing in the southwest sky.

Way behind us in the north, a sailboat flying spinnaker was headed toward Berkeley.

A quarter moon was brightening in the sky above

After sailing in the light breeze for a half hour or so, the breeze died away again and soon we were back in front of the east marina again. So we gave up on any more breeze and turned on the engine to motor into port, dousing sails and readying for landing.

SUNDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 08 -- 2 HOURS OF MOSTLY DRIFTING ON THE BAY IN WARM AIR AND SUNSHINE

2008-12-02T11:43:00.000-08:00

Michael joined us for the first time in a couple of months and brought his friend Maria, who works for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We left port about 2 pm for our afternoon outing. Earlier in the day, a nice northerly breeze was blowing, somewhat like the breeze of the day before. When we left port, the breeze had died out and we were hoping that a breeze would return. We put out full canvas and headed out into the central bay, motoring to the east while waiting for a breeze to come up.

Behind us, the SEAWARD schooner was motorsailing to the north across the waxing ebb current.

A light breeze came up and we turned off the engine and began to gybe back and forth toward the east while this race boat was sailing with the current passed behind us.

A small trimaran motorsailed past us, heading east.

The airship from Airship Ventures passed by. She is a Zeppelin and operates out of Moffat Field and Oakland Airport on expensive 1 hour trips.

A raceboat with doused sails motored past as we tried to stem the tide but were pushed westward.

A bit of freshening breeze enabled us to sail toward the northwest for a while as this lovely sailboat crossed in front of us. Her main sail has a foot that covers only about 2/3 of the length of her boom.

The two crew on the boat were enjoying the warm sunshine as they sailed across the current....

...and then tacked to sail northward with the current.

That airship flew directly over us....

... and here is the company's phone number if you are tempted to call and reserve a ride.

Way behind us in the north, a sailboat flying spinnaker was headed toward Berkeley.

A catamaran with odd looking sails was trying to sail against the current to the east.

After sailing in the light breeze for a half hour or so, the breeze died away again and soon we were back in front of the east marina again. So we gave up on any more breeze and turned on the engine to motor into port, dousing sails and readying for landing.

29 NOVEBER 08-- FABULOUS NORTHERLY GIVES US A FAST 2 BRIDGE KISS.

2008-11-30T22:22:00.000-08:00

Wayne and Dusan-- a friend of a friend from Serbia-- joined us about 1:30 pm for our afternoon outing and we headed out of port about 1:45 pm. We raised full main just outside the marina and then headed toward the central bay, pulling out the jib to full as we motored northward. We sailed out northeastward in a breeze that kept freshening out of the north and eventually gybed to head for the bay bridge on a broad reach port tack.

This dark-hulled Hunter passed us to port as she was heading west on close reach starboard tack and looking as good as a Hunter sailboat can look.

Off to starboard, this cutter seemed to be motorsailing directly into the wind for some unknown reason.

Ahead of us, another Hunter dragging a dingy and named MURMUR was heading for the Bay Bridge also.

A J105 named FRISKY was blasting westward and looking good!

This lovely sailboat out of the south bay passed in front of us, heading north and really looking good. The wind had now freshened to 8-10 knots-- perfect sailing breeze for full canvas.

As we approached the Echo tower of the Bay Bridge, we gybed and sailed under the D-E span on starbaord tack broad reach as this nice sailboat out of Alameda approached on starboard tack close reach.

Another sailboat that we later saw was named GLOBAL ONE also approached us on starboard tack close reach.

The Bay Bridge was gleaming in the early afternoon sun. It was now about 1:35 so it had taken us about 40 minutes to reach the Bay Bridge against some waxing ebb current from the time we reached the central bay after putting out sails.

That first sailboat out of Alameda passed astern of us....

... as did GLOBAL ONE a short time later, with a solo skipper apparently.

We came about hardening in sails and sailed back under the D-E span, heaidng north on port tack close reach, planning to sail past Treasure Island and to keep going northward so we could ride the ebb current back toward home port should the breeze die out as it sometimes does this time of year.

We sailed to near the northwest point of Treasure Island and then a wind shift forced us to tack to the wast away from the island and this sailboat passed us to port. We were now on starboard tack heading toward Sausalito.

The wind freshed to about 10-12 knots and we were blasting westward with the current adding to our speed as this lovely center cockpit sloop passed us to starboard.

A bit later, this blue-hulled Hunter passed us to starboard-- perhaps the same one that had passed us earlier heading west.

A while later, I looked behind us and that same Hunter was following us for a while before falling off the wind and heading across the bay.

I was planning to sail to the west of Angel Island and then possibly sail down Raccoon Straits and back up before heading for home port, but decided to risk heading for the gate so fell off to beam reach and blasted directly toward the gate.

Eventually this small sailboat passed us, heading north.

A 29er dingy racer was sailing across the bay in front of us, followed by a coaching boat.

As we continued on toward the gate, we were hailed by our neighbors, Mike and Sarah, as they passed astern of us, heading north toward Angel Island-- first time we have encountered them out on the bay.

The breeze was now blowing at about 15 knots or so-- FABULOUS! so with the ebb current and our boat speed we were probably doing 10+ knots over the bottom, but this small sailboat was returning from the gate with reefed main and small jub, sailing against the current.

Dusan and Wayne were enjoying the ride as we approached the gate.

As always, the bridge and the Marin Headlands were their spectacular selves as we approached the gate to sail out near midspan.

As we sailed out the gate, this sailboat was heading inside the bay, looking good! It was now about 2:35 pm, so it had taken us about an hour to travel the 10+ miles from the Bay Bridge to the Golden Gate Bridge via a roundabout path. WOW! we were averaging 8-10 knots over the bottom-- great sailing!

We sailed out past the gate a ways, enjoying views of the bridge and the headlands before coming about and heading back inside.

As we sailed under the bridge, VAGRANT was off starboard and a bit ahead of us, also returning to the bay.

We eventually passed behind her and she headed northward while we continued eastward.

We eventually caught and passed this sailboat that had re-entered the bay a quarter mile or so ahead of us.

On our eastward trip to home port we passed some other sailboats, like this small one....

....and this one.

The city was enjoying brilliant sunshine as we approached pier 39.

We had good strong wind all the way from the gate to this point, but now they began to soften rapidly as we passed the end of pier 39 where the flags were fluttering now in a breeze of just a few knots, not the 15+ we were flying home on earlier. It was now 3:25 pm so it had taken us about 45 minutes to sail back from the gate after we had re-entered the bay.

We pulled in the jib as we were ghosting past the marina and then after approaching a bit closer to the dredging barge off pier 35, we headed up inot the wind to douse the main. We then motored slowly toward the marina entrance while tying up the main and getting lines and fenders ready. The surge built as we approached our slip but we made an okay landing. The breeze had now died away completely so our timing was perfect and the outing was a magnificent one!

After tying up, we all headed to the restrooms and then enjoyed wine and cheese and crackers and conversation in the sunny and warm cockpit until the sun went down.

24 NOVEMBER 08 - GHOSTING ON THE BAY PAST A NICE SUNSET

2008-11-25T00:06:00.001-08:00

A southeast breeze was blowing all day long, and we headed out for an outing about
1:30 pm, getting out before the marina got too shallow. With full main and jib
we headed otu into the central bay and headed northeast on port tack close reach, getting pulled northward by the still strong ebb current.

The city was locked in a hazy fog!

A seaplane flew low overhead.

We lost the breeze and drifted back with the current toward the west, finally getting a bit of breeze and sailed toward the shore across the current as this sailboat motorsailed east.

Another sailboat was dousing her main while motoring east.

A commercial vessel that looks like an old WW2 LST steamed west.

The MetLife blimp flew low overhead.

The pier 39 flags were fluttering lightly as we managed to sail against the current for a while.

A tug dropped one of the dredging barges off in front of the pier.

That small sailboat was now motoring west past us.

A Hunter sailboat was motorsailing eastward..

...with 5 crew aboard.

I turned on the engine and motored eastward, hoping to pick up a breeze eventually. and I watched as that tug psshed the barge toward pier 35.

She positioned her inside pier 35 so the crane could dump more dredging inside it.

The crane was now getting ready for more dredging.

We drifted westward and finally picked up a breeze and sailed westward for a while
as the sun tried to peek through the clouds.

A sailboat motorsailed past!

She sailed toward the sun reflection on the water.

Some fishing vessels now started heading home to Fisherman's Wharf, like HOG HEAVEN here.

Another sailboat motorsailed eastward.

We were just drifting around in front of Aquatic Park, and we watched as the Coast Guard fast boat followed a fishing vessel with Coasties aboard doing a safety inspection.

The gate was locked in hazy fog.

The fishing boat SCOMAS steamed past as we began to make some headway eastward in a light breeze.

The sailboat 'got wind?' motored past, answering her own question.

Than CG fast baot finally left Fisherman's Wharf and blasted westward. I thought she was probably heading for home port near Fort Baker, but later heard on the VHF that she hailed another vessel for a safelty inspecdtion. Glad it wasn't me. I haven't been boarded for well over 10 years.

A KLM jet flew low overhead.

Some colorful clouds and sky appeared in the north.

Another fishing vessel, the CAPY JACK steamed past.

We were beating eastward in light wind as some sunset color began to develop in the southwest sky...

...gradually deepening in intensity-- BEAUTIFUL!.

...eventually beginning to fade.

Some of the sunset color persisted as we sailed toward the lee of Pier 44.

City lights were brigtening as darkness fell.

The last sunset color we saw was behind the antiaircraft gun on the jeremiah Obrien.

We sailed past that ship before tacking to the northwest again. We sailed a while and then turned on the engine, furled the jib and motored toward home port while readying fenders and lines and eventually dousing the main.

City lights were brigth as we motored into the marina.

After tying up and having a snack, we did a city walk and enjoyed the holiday lights.

As we approached the Pier 23 Cafe, we spotted this amphibious car with current boat registratoin. I wonder if she actually goes out on the water sometimes. Would be interesting to see her on the bay on soem flat water day.

SATURDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 08 -- BRILLIANT SUNSET SWALLOWED BY NASTY FOG BANK -- a bad engine-kharma day for pier 39 boats.

2008-11-23T15:38:00.000-08:00

A light breeze finally came up in the midafternoon, so we headed out of port around 3:30 pm for a sunset sail, hoping to be able to sail to the gate and back. As we motored down our fairway, we noticed that the Vessel Assist tow boat was tied up behind Robert and Cappy's boat, signifying that they had been towed back to

I raised the full main just outside the marina and headed out toward the central bay, passing this neighbor sailboat as they were sailing out of port without a functioning engine. They had to sail close to pier 35 because the dredging crane and barge was anchored against the marina seawall, but there was very little wind there and the flood current was pushing them toward the pier. So they were preparing to fend off with boat hooks if necessary. They did eventually make it out past pier 35, and the flood current was pushing them eastward as there was very little breeze at that point.

Once out in the central bay we started ghosting westward against the waxing flood current as this cute small sailboat was sailing eastward.

AMBIANCE, a Jeanneau Sun Odessy, was also headed downwind to the east.

Ahead of us, a Catalina named Giro4C was headed westward on a close reach port tack.

Closer to the eastern shore of Alcatraz, a sailboat had just raised her spinnaker and was now sailing nicely downwind on port tack broad reach.

As we looked back toward pier 39, we saw huge volumes of smoke pouring out of somewhere and a telephoto shot showed it was coming out of the exhaust of one of the ferries tied up at pier 41. I wondered if they had blown an engine or something.

A lovely sailboat named CHESAPEAKE was ghosting past pier 39, sailing with main only...

... as was this sailboat that passed to port.

Another sailboat seemed to be motoring into the west marina of Pier 39 and the flags were barely fluttering. The breeze seemed to be dying out so we wondered if we would have to retreat to port.

The PRIVATEER charter ketch was heading back from an outing and starting to furl the jib.

Now the breeze started to freshen a bit and the flags on pier 39 were starting to flutter again at a few knots of breeze.

Our old pal ADVENTURE CAT motored out of port and was raising her main sail for her outing to the gate and back with a moderate number of passengers aboard.

The ferry FUME BLANC COMMODORE was steaming away from the end of pier 39.

A large container ship steamed toward the port of Oakland but she was lightly loaded with a lot of bottom showing.

Out in the west, a bank of clouds over the gate gave us hope of a brilliant sunset in an hour or so, and we hoped that there would be breeze enough to allow us to sail out far enough to watch the sundown through the gate.

We tacked toward pier 39 to avoid the wake of a pilot boat, and then tacked to the west again and were happy to finally catch a freshening breeze while the city behind us was basking in the late afternoon sunshine.

Way in the west, this sailboat was crossing the bay while another sailboat further west was motoring across.

Off to starboard, a neighbor boat BEIGINIS was heading back toward home port and looking good.

As we continued sailing westward in the freshening breeze, two sailboats approached and passed us close to our port side, sailing between us and the setting sun.

The lead boat passed on her downwind course, enjoying the late afternoon sunshine.

The following sailboat passed between us and and the setting sun...

.. and then KANALOA passed us looking good and we could now see that she was a center cockpit sloop.

A third boat, a Cal apparently, was approaching and also passed to port.

With the freshening breeze we were now making good headway to the west as the sun was starting to set down into the clouds in the southwest.

Way off to port, a Tartan sailboat was charging downwind under a colorful spinnaker.

Three pelicans were sitting on the water, looking clumsy compared to their graceful flight!

The sun eventually fell down behind a fog bank on the horizon...

...and began thereafter to create a beautiful sunset.

However, in the south, a massive and threatening fog bank was riding the southerly breeze and starting to pour over the hills of the Presidio.

Indeed, the fog bank was thick and menacing!

As we continued westward, pink clouds covered the sky behind us.

Sunset color was also spreading across the northwest sky.

Vivid sunset color extended across the gate and the Marin Headlands...

... but the menacing fog bank was starting to intrude and swallow the sunset....

The breeze was starting to soften as we approached the gate and, with the approaching fog bank, I decided to come about and head for home.

... more and more ...

......eventually hiding the gate and later swallowing all of the sunset color. Fog in November????? when the central valley temperatures are about the same as ours in SF. Can't figure out why this is happeneing!!!!!

Here's a video clip showing the sunset and fog bank.

City lights came up as the sky darkened with the fog bank shooting over the hills of the city.

As we approached the end of pier 39, the city lights were brightening and I saw that the holiday lights on the Embarcadero Center buildings were now turned on.

Behind us, a sailboat was sailing downwind and the top of the fog bank was illuminated with some sunset color.

I furled the jib while sailing past the east marina and then headed up toward the end of pier 35, eventually heading into the wind with the engine in forward gear to stem the current while dropping the main. As I was tying up the main, another sailboat sailed past and hailed me, saying that they had lost their engine and asked for help. I told them I would tow them after getting my boat ready for landing, so they continued sailing westward and I motored toward the front of the marina to await their return. I tried to raise them on vhf radio but they did not respond, and I saw them finally coming back toward the shore.

I wanted to tell them to sail into the lee of pier 35 to douse their saiils, but they started doing this right in front of the fairway into the marina where the dredging was still taking place, and the strong flood current pushed us quite a ways to the east before we hooked up the tow line and started to tow them against the flood current toward the end of pier 35, past the barge holding the dredgings and then toward the marina entrance. I towed them into the marina and down the fairway between B and C dock, releasing them to coast toward their slip while I turned ANTICIPATION around in their narrow fairway and motored around and into my slip-- going in high and drifting down into the slip.

I was chatting with Hans when Robert came by and told us about his engine failure. Definitely it was a bad engine kharma day for pier 39 boats. Today I met teh couple on the Catalina 36 that I towed into port, and they reported that they had tried several times to sail into port, but kept getting swept away by the flood current. They also reported that the Coast Guard later towed in that Cal that was sailing out of port when we left. I'm not surprised that they were not able to make it back to port. It was, in my opinion, foolhardy to sail that boat out under the conditions that existed without any engine power. I hope the Coast Guard gave them hell.

FRIDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 08 -- A GREAT SAIL TO THE GATE AND BACK IN BRILLIANT SUNSHINE!!!!

2008-11-22T23:24:00.000-08:00

Brilliant sunshine with a moderate breeze of six or seven knots made it irresistible to go out for an afternoon sail. We left port around 1 pm and raised full main just outside the marina exit before heading out toward the central bay.

We had to pass this dredging crane and barge that had blocked about 2/3 of the fairway between pier 35 and the marina seawall. The crew was lunching at the time and the crane was at rest.

We continued westward, enjoying the great full canvas breeze, and eventually tacked toward the lee of pier 45, sailing to about 20 yards from the Jeremiah Obrien before tacking to the west again and watching as this Beneteau sailed downwind under main only approached us.

The Beneteau was skippered by a white-haired gentleman.

Behind the Beneteau was a cruising catamaran flying main and jib with the jib mainly backwinded and luffing.

The city was basking in the brilliant sunshine as the Beneteau continued eastward.

The catamaran was overttaking the Beneteau as we continued westward.

Way behind us in the northeast, this nice sailboat was sailing westward on a close reach.

As we sailed past Aquatic Park, we noticed that a couple of small sailboats were playing around in the lagoon there.

We eventually tacked toward the Fort Mason piers, and then tacked away toward the west again, tacking again toward the St. Francis YC. Now we watched as this sailboat named 'neener' with the superscript 3 motored out of the San Francisco Marina and raised the main sail before motorsailing past us toward the gate.

We again tacked toward the west again, heading for the gate, as another lovely Beneteau passed us, sailing downwind to the east with a large crew aboard the boat named Sijambo.

As we continue toward the gate, we see that the 'neener' is retreating northward after just approaching the gate but not going out, perhaps scared by the swells at the gate, or perhaps they were just doing a motorsailing tour of the bay with guests aboard.

We tacked again toward the shore and sailed to near the pier just inside the south tower which is gleaming in the afternoon sun.

After approaching the pier, we tacked toward the gate again and watched as this sailboat named AURORA was also heading for the gate.

From time to time we would see the ocean swells turn into surf as it approaches the shore at Fort Point.

The Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands were as beautiful as usual in the brilliant fall sunshine. Never get tired of looking at these scenes!

We sailed out the gate between the south tower and midspan as a sailboat further north sailing back inside the bay. It was now 2:15 pm, so it had taken us about 75 minutes to beat out the gate.

Out on the ocean we saw a few sailboats, like this one.

That sailboat off to starboard was shooting the gate and a catboat was heading inside as we continued westward for a while.

We soon fell off and headed back inside while that other sailboat that shot the gate after us continued on toward the headlands.

That catboat named Daisy was now inside the gate and heading northward on port tack. We sailed back inside the gate about midspan, heading north also.

The bridge and the headlands look so fantastic in the more slanted fall sunshine.

After sailing northward for a while, we gybed and headed toward home port, watching as this Beneteau with one of those highly reflective blue-painted hulls headed westward.
It was definitely a Beneteau day on the bay.

The tide was slack, turning toward flood, and the breeze was steady at about 7 knots so we were making decent headway toward home port.

We eventually spotted the charter ketch PRIVATEER heading out for an afternoon sail.

As we approached home port the city was still basking in the afternoon sunshine at around 3 pm in the afternoon. So it had taken us about 45 minutes to sail back from the gate on a single tack.

We pulled in the jib as we were approaching the end of pier 39, and then sailed to near the end of pier 35 before heading into the wind to douse the main sail. As we are dousing the main, this large tugboat is heading our way and calls out on a loudspeaker that they were soon going to drag the barge with dredgings out of there. I motored closer to the marina seawall to flake and tie up the main sail, but was pushed eastward by the now flooding current. The crane was still dumping dredgings in the barge so there was no need for the tug to try to push us to get out of the way and it eventually back up toward the end of pier 35 while we finished tying up the main and then motored into the marina.

Ahhhhhh... sigh.... compared to last week, we had some breeze on both Thursday and Friday this week and enjoyed some sailing. Hope this breeziness continues for our weekend outings.

THURSDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 08 -- OVERCAST SKIES WITH LIGHT WINDS THAT EVENTUALLY DIED AWAY

2008-11-21T00:25:00.000-08:00

One of our regular sailing mates, Bob, joined us for our afternoon outing and we left port about 1:30 pm, raised full main and put out full jib before heading out into the central bay. Winds at noon were blowing about 8-10 knots, but were starting to soften as we headed out.

Skies over the bay were mostly cloudy but some patches of blue were beginning to show up in the west and north.

We began ghosting westward in the light winds with a mostly slack current-- perhaps some residual ebb-- and the flags on the end of pier 39 showed that the breeze was on a few knots.

We sailed to the west for a while and this lovely J-boat passed to port, heading east.

We eventually tacked toward the cityfront and this small Catalina sailboat named Maltese Falcom passed astern of us, heading east.

The crew of the Maltese Falcon seemed to be a solo skipper.

Skies in the west continued to clear and a sailboat in the west was crossing the bay while a sand harvesting dredge was operating out on the bay.

That sailboat was one operated by the BLUE WATER FOUNDATION. As I recall, this foundation takes kids out for sailing outings.

We did a few beats westward in winds that freshened for a while and then began to soften again as this small sailboat motorsailed eastward.

The skies continued to clear and more blue became visible with some dramatic cloud patterns over Alcatraz.

In the west, Sausalito was enjoying some sunshine, while Mt. Tam was partly shrouded in low cloud.

We were about 2/3 or the way to the gate when the wind started to soften even more, so we came about and headed back toward home port, helped by the flood current, hoping that a new breeze would come up, as clouds drifted overhead.

Eventually we became becalmed and were simply drifting with the current. I would have been content to drift until we were near home port, but we were in the middle of the inbound freighter lane and an inbound freighter was coming, so we turned on the engine and began motoring toward home port. No new breeze came up so we doused sail and motored into the marina. It was nice to have been able to sail for a couple of hours since last thursday there was no wind at all for sailing.

MONDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 08 -- FINALLY SOME DECENT SAILING WINDS TO GO WITH THE UNUSUALLY WARM WEATHER

2008-11-18T21:21:00.000-08:00

We left port around 1:30 pm and raised a full main and pulled out a full jib while heading out towards the central bay.

Once out on the bay, we could see that there were a few fellow sailors out there, like this one on his cutter-rigged sailboat way over by Angel Island.

We headed northeast for a while on a broad reach port tack and then gybed toward the A-B span of the Bay Bridge, just ghosting along with some declining flood current assist. Tied up at pier 29 were the same three Canadian naval vessels.

A nice looking Catalina was motorsailing west, and passed us to port as a large tanker was steaming toward the A-B span of the bridge also.

A large rope was stretched between the stern of the tanker and a following tractor tug. The tanker was probably towing the tug to keep the line taut as it was.

The tractor tug has two large diesel engines and, I'm told that each of the engines is the size that they use in the largest diesel locomotive engines, so the tun has beaucoup power to stop the tanker if it needs to do so in case of emergency, e.g. if the tanker were to lose helm control and be at risk of running into a bridge support.

We gradually ghosted our way to the A-B span of the Bay Bridge as she gleamed in the afternoon sunshine.

We sailed along the shore of the city, south of the Bay Bridge, heading for South Beach Marina to take another look at a large sailboat docked just north of the Marina. Coit Tower and the tower of the Ferry Building were parallel to each other from this view through the bridge between the Alpha tower and the shore.

As we approached one of the large piers south of the bridge, we spotted some motorcyclists doing wheelies on the pier, like this one was doing.

We had light winds continuously as we continued southward along the shore until we were getting close to the pier where a large sailboat is docked.

She is a very large sailboat, probably around 100 feet long, perhaps more, and has a very broad beam-- perhaps 25 feet. No boat name was visible on either the transom or the sides of the hull. My guess is that she is brand new and the owner is having the finishing touches put on her. Perhaps the name will be painted on eventually before she takes off on her maiden voyage. Would love to know who owns this vessel and where the owner intends to go. You can see from this photo that she has twin, fixed backstays supporting the mast.

Earlier in the day, I hiked down the Embarcadero to take a look at this large sailing vessel from the land. I think my boat would fit on the foredect easily.

She has a five spreader mast with antennae mounted on her spars, both satellite receivers and many aerials on each of the spreaders. Twin roller furlings are arranged on the bow -- probably with different sail sizes-- as well as another roller furler on the babystay. One of the roller furlers on the bow has jib sheets attached to the sail and wound many times around the sail with the sheets coiled near the base. The other two sails have jib sheets leading to blocks on the deck. A hard dodger extends over the companionway and a portion of the large cockpit with windows on the front but not on the sides as far as I could tell.

The cockpit has massive winches mounted on the deck. I windered if they were motorized-- seems likely on a boat this size. Other smaller winches are mounted near the mast.

After sailing past this sailboat, we continued southward to check out the two naval supply ships that are docked at a pier south of the South Beach marina, and watched as a sailboat sailed from the northeast toward the marina.

The two naval cargo ships have these massive gangplanks mounted on their sterns. These gangplanks can be lowered and rotated to lead to the adjacent pier so that cars and trucks and equipment can drive right into the hold of the vessel. A ship like these was tied up at pier 29 for a long time many yeasrs ago. The one here that is adjacent to the dock has been here for quite some time, but the other one just came into port yesterday. I have no idea why they are here and what their mission might be.

A nice breeze of about 7-8 knots out of the northwest was now blowing, so we hardened in the sails and headed toward Yerba Buena Island, watching as this kayaker paddled toward the Oakland Estuary. Don't often see shirtless kayakers on the bay.

As we sailed along, we dodged this log section in the water ...

... and then encountered this debris field where a bunch of crap had accumulated. The tide was slack, but would soon turn to a strong ebb that would carry all this junk into the central bay and eventually out the gate.

The cranes on this portion of the Port of Oakland were silent.

This dredging barge was anchored about 100 yards off of the shore of Yerba Buena, but was not actively dredging as we approached. One of my new crewmates that works for the Army Corps of Engineers told me that the Corps is in the process of dredging the Oakland ship channel much more extensively to allow for passage of some new and larger container ships with a deeper draft than the current ones.

The lighthouse on the shore of YBI was as cute as always and you can see that the tide is high since there is no beach visible where the harbor seals often congregate.

After approaching YBI, we tacked to the west and sailed through the D-E span of the Bay Bridge into breezes that were lighter than we had encountered in the south bay. But we now had some ebb current assist and enough breeze to make good headway toward home port, eventually passing this sailboat named LIBERTY from some island in Washington state. She was just motorsailing around.

The breeze freshened a bit and we were tempted to head north to watch the sundown through the gate, but eventually decided not to risk loss of breeze and having to motor back to port, so we beat our way toward the end of pier 35 and then doused sail and prepared for landing in the area between pier 35 and the east seawall of the marina. Then we motored into port and landed fine in the moderate ebb flowing through the marina.

After tying up, we headed over to the end of the pier to watch the beautiful sundown.

I caught the last sun rays over the Presidio Hills in the southwest ...

... and watched as this sailboat was ghosting eastward against the current and making slow headway over the bottom, finally heading into the wind and dousing sail while drifting westward with the strong current. Eventually she was motoring past the end of the pier, but I didn't notice if she motored into the marina here, since I walked over to the marina restrooms.

A bit later, I went back to the end of the pier to watch the sunset color develop.

Some dramatic cloud and color patterns developed as the sunset progressed.

The southwestern sky was brilliant with sunset colors eventually.

SUNDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 08 -- BRIEF LATE AFTERNOON OUTING-- VERY LITTLE BREEZE AND STRONG CURRENT

2008-11-16T21:56:00.000-08:00

Thursday-- unseasonable warm and no wind for sailing.
Friday-- same conditions
Saturday -- same conditions.
Each day a nice northerly breeze of about 8-10 knots would come up in the early morning
for an hour or so and then die away completely. Very frustrating for this sailing addict!!!

Today, after a shopping trip to West Marine in SSF, my daughter and I returned to ANTICIPATION and had lunch then headed over to Safeway for a few items. When I returned to my boat, there was a very light westerly wind blowing, so i decided to hurry out for some sailing, hoping to have enough wind to fight the ebb current that was now starting and would grow strong very fast. As I was getting ready to head out, my neighbor Scott came by and I invited him to go out with me and he decided to come, went into his boat to get some warmer clothes just in case and I started taking dock lines in preparation for departure.

We raised full main just outside the marina and then motored out into the central bay while the AIRSHIP VENTURES blimp flew overhead. I'm told they operate out of Moffett Field and charge 500 dollars for an hour of flying around the bay. Perhaps there are enough people for whom 500 dollars is pocket change to be a recession proof business with the uniqueness of the flight experience.

We motored out past the dredging barge and crane that was dredging a few hundred yards off the end of pier 35, then turned downwind, pulled out the jib to full and began sailing eastward against the current. With only a few knots of breeze, we made little progress against the current, while others were motorsailing.

This sailboat was motorsailing down the cityfront-- you can see the coolant water coming out of the transom.

\\The ebb current drove us backwards to the west, and I decided to motor east for a while just in case the breeze would freshen a bit, so we motored until we were past the Canadian navy ships tied up at pier 27-- one of the Canadian sailors shouted from the pier, saying "nice Ericson!" which I acknowledged with a 'thanks'.

We then started gybing back and forth downwind, but the current was still driving us westward and this lovely ketch motorsailed past.

We eventually gave up and sailed toward the marina entrance, then turned on the engine and motored to the west side of pier 35, doused jib and then main and then motored into the marina as the sun was setting behind pier 39.

It felt good to be out on the bay, even though the sailing was minimal.

TUESDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 08 -- MOSTLY GHOSTING AROUND BETWEEN PIER 39 AND THE BAY BRIDGE

2008-11-12T09:57:00.000-08:00

Wayne joined us again for our outing and we left port around 10:45 am since we had to be back in port before 1:30 pm to avoid the negative low tide that would have us dragging the keel of ANTICIPATION in the mud.

We put out all the canvas and headed out into the central bay, hoping for freshening winds that would encourage us to head for the gate with the waxing ebb current, but no such luck so we headed downwind, making very slow headway against the current as the charter yacht POTOMAC steamed past heading west.

We were still ghosting eastward, sometimes doing a broad reach and sometimes doing wing and wing, when the POTOMAC passed again, headed in the opposite direction. In the background, a puffy white cloud stood out against the general grayness of the sky.

We had some company out there, like this sailboat over by Treasure Island that was sailing with the current.

We managed to ghost-sail past pier 21, but then the breeze died away and we were soon being driven back toward the west by the ebb current-- sailing backwards in effect. We wondered if that was it and the sailing was over, but eventually a freshening westerly breeze asserted again and we started making headway to the east and south again as we gybed back and forth while the financial district buildings were grayed out by the overcast skies.

Behind us there were a couple of sailboats sailing with the current and making good headway, like this one...

... and this one about to pass Alcatraz.

Wayne spotted a dirigible in the southwest and eventually it came flying overhead with the logo AIRSHIP ADVENTURES on her side. The airship had propellers on each of the small wings on each side of the craft, and also seemed to have a group of propellers on the tail of the craft. A first time sighting of this craft over the bay. We usually see them only when sports events are happeneing and mostly in fall and winter when winds are not so extreme.

Eventually a westerly breeze of about 4 knots reasserted and we again were making some progress to the east and south, and we watched as this small trimaran passed us, sailing with the current and making good headway to the west with the current.

The cockpit of the tri was full of crew.

We eventually gybed toward the shore of the city again and sailed past the pedestrian pier.

Out on the bay, a small sailboat was heading west with the current.

We sailed to near the shore around pier 9 and then we came about and headed back north on the westerly breeze, sailing with the current and making good headway while watching this sailboat heading north out of the south bay.

We had a good breeze now and with current assist we were making great headway, heeled over on port tack close reach-- great sailing. I would have loved to stay out on the bay for another few hours, but we had to get back to port, so we tacked toward pier 35, while that other sailboat passed astern of us.

Another great tack toward pier 35 on close reach starboard tack.. fun sailing, but it had to end in the lee of pier 35 where we doused sail and prepared for landing, then motored into the marina eased into the slip, playing the ebb current. We didn't get far, but it was still great to be out there for a few hours.

SUNDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 08 -- FLUKEY WINDS FOR TRIP AROUND TREASURE ISLAND AND A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET

2008-11-10T00:18:00.000-08:00

Greg and Jillian and Rachel joined us around 1:30 for our afternoon outing on the bay, and we left port shortly after they arrived, putting out full canvas before heading out into the central bay.

This Catalina sailboat passed astern of us as we headed west on the southwest breeze....

... but after passing the end of pier 39, where the flags were fluttering in a breeze of only a few knots, we arrived in a wind hole and were becalmed for a while.

A sailboat passed us but she was motorsailing eastward.

This softening of the wind that had been blowing about 10 knots earlier changed our mind about heading for the gate and when the breeze filled in again, we headed downwind against the waning, but still strong ebb current with Jillian taking the helm for a while.

Greg took over the helm a bit later-- that's Rachel on the left and Jillian on the right-- and we began gybing downwind toward the Bay Bridge.

The clear skies of morning gave way to increasing cloudiness as this Catalina headed for the city.

The breeze was variable as we sailed toward the Bay Bridge against the current, and we watched as a series of sailboats headed north, sailing with the current, like this one...

... and this sailboat 2...

... and this sailboat 3...

... and this sailboat 4..

.. and sailboat 5.

A sixth sailboat passed us to starboard and looked good against the backdrop of the Bay Bridge.

We managed to ghost under the D-E span of the Bay Bridge and enjoyed views of the financial district buildings through the bridge spans.

We eventually gybed again and headed for the east side of Yerba Buena island, passing the colony of harbor seals sunbathing on the shore...

... and the picturesque lighthouse on the southern point of the island.

As we headed for the span of the east section of the bridge, we passed the Coast Guard buoy tender tied up at the pier.

I was surprised to see this barge and crane anchored right in the middle of the span and apparently building something in that location. It will be interesting to see if this is something permanent that divides the span.

I was also surprised to find that they have constructed another set of support columns west of the roadway sections that cantilever out from the last support towers of the causeway portion of the bridge. I suppose these are part of the suspension portion of the bridge that will cross the span, but it will be interesting to watch further developments.

A small sailboat passed us, doing wing and wing with jib poled out.

We beat northward a couple of times and eventually this small sailboat crossed in front of us, heading west.

We finally managed to beat our way out into the central bay and this nice blue-hulled sailboat passed us, heading for Berkeley or Emeryville.

Far in the distance, we spotted this Catalina flyin a colorful spinnaker, and she eventually passed us, looking good..

The wind direction changed into the west and then into the southwest as we continued beating, now beating westward, hoping to sail into position to watch the sundown through the gate, as this small sailboat headed east toward the Bay Bridge.

The breeze began to soften and soon we were just ghosting along, watching the sun going down and reflecting off some of the buildings in the financial district.

The 2/3 moon was shining through some thin cloud in the eastern sky.

We ran out of breeze and had to begin motoring toward home port, dousing sails as we motored along, while the sunset developed with some brilliant sunset color behind us, in the northern sky.

In the southwestern sky, some even more dramatic sunset color developed.

Directly overhead, a massive cloud was colored a vivid orange-pink by the setting sun and the moon was shining more brightly as the skies darkened.

Some sunset color also flowed over the city as we approahed home port.

The moon gradually brightened in the darkening sky but was a bit hazed out by the high cloud layer.

We had done all preparations for landing by the time we approached pier 35 so we just motored into the marina against the strong flood current, and landed fine. After a trip to the restrooms, we went below to share some wine and fruit and cookies and watch a slideshow of the day's photos as well as some other photo collections before the crew took off to head home on their bicycles. Another great afternoon of good sailing, good weather and good company-- more of the good life in San Francisco!

SATURDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 08 -- FOG AND RAIN ON THE BAY FOR A TRIP AROUND ANGEL ISLAND

2008-11-09T10:12:00.000-08:00

Wayne joined us around 2 pm for our afternoon outing. He's another sfsailing.com crew list contact and a new SF resident. We raised full main just outside the marina entrance and pot out full jib as we headed out into the central bay.

We headed north toward the lee side of Angel Island initially, then headed up to head for the weather side, before changing our mind again and heading north as the IMX race boat HAWKEYE passed astern of us. Olivier races on this boat but he was not aboard-- guess they were out practicing or maybe just cruising around.

Despite the somewhat inclement conditions-- mistyness and overcast skies-- there were quite a few cruisers out on the bay, like this Catalina named Ardellee that was heading toward the Bay Bridge.

The gate was socked in with fog and the western portion of the central bay was socked in with fog and overcast, but some patches of blue were visible in the north as we headed that direction.

We headed over toward Berkeley Circle where we could see the fleet of race boats engaged in a regatta and here some J105s were heading upwind and downwind.

A fleet of Express 24s were also involved in the regatta.

Here one of the stragglers of the J105 fleet is heading for the windward mark while boats in the Express fleet are heading downwind.

We doused the jib and hung around the windward mark to watch some of the roundings and here BLACKHAWK is charging downwind after setting her spinnaker.

ONE TRICK PONY is heading our way with crew on the rail...

and soon after she tacked to head for the mark.

We also watched as some of the J24 fleet rounded the mark and headed downwind under spinnaker.

Little Wing.. a J24. was looking good as she headed downwind after rounding the windward mark.

NIRVANA, one of the stragglers of the J105 fleet was heading downwind and looking good at this time.

Vitamin J, one of the stragglers of the J24 fleet was dousing her jib as she headed downwind under spinnaker and looking good.

After the last of the fleets rounded the marks on their last leg of the race, we headed north again, pulling out some jib, sailing through some light rain, and soon spotted this lovely boat heading our way under cruising spinnaker.

We soon headed up toward the east mouth of Raccoon Straits, enjoying views of Angel Island and the Straits with dramatic skies overhead.

Wayne was enjoying his time at the helm as we headed for Raccoon Straits on close reach port tack, now with full canvas and sailing nicely in perfect full canvas winds.

As we approached the north end of the east mouth of the straits, this nice Catalina passed in front of us, looking good as she sailed across the mouth of the straits.

This sailboat with a large genoa was appraoched form our port side, and we owed her right of way but soon could tell that we would pass well in front of her.

After we passed her, we tacked to the southeast to sail across the mouth of the straits toward Angel Island, and tacked to the west after approaching the shore, passing this lovely Beneteau heading east.

That Catalina that earlier passed in front of us was now tacking into the straits, but further north of us, and in some sunshine.

The buoy field in Ayala Cove had just a few boats tied up there.

Only a couple of boats were at the docks of the small marina.

Another shift in the wind forced us to change course toward Angel Island and we needed a couple more tacks to exit the straits, fortunate to have a relatively consistent breeze with no wind holes between Belvedere and Angel, so we were soon headed south on starboard tack in a lovely breeze and enjoying views of the skies over Richardson Bay...

.. and Belvedere and Tiburon.

The gate was still mostly socked in with fog as we headed toward home port with Alcatraz sometimes visible, sometimes not as we corssed the bay, but then skies cleared dramatically after we doused sail in the lee of pier 35.

We motored into the marina and landed okay with a strong flood current flowing through the marina that banged us against the dock on the starboard side as we entered the slip. It was an invigorating outing with many different climatic conditions during a few hours of sailing.