SATURDAY, 21 JUNE 08 -- PASING THROUGH MANY MICROCLIMES IN SAILING AROUND ANGEL ISLAND

Edward, a young, enthusiastic sailor from the UK, and Katie, his girlfriend from Sacramento joined us for our afternoon sailing outing about 1 pm. Edward has his yachtmaster ticket from the Royal Yacth Academy in the UK and is in the process of building his miles and sailing resume. He contacted me through sfsailing.com and asked if he could sail with us while visiting here in the area. Katie is a student, studying interior design and this was her first time on a sailboat.



We had another afternoon of unusually warm temperatures-- in the 80s-
and the winds were beginning to pick up, so we put up a single-reefed main and let out full jib just outside the marina before we headed north toward the lee side of Angel Island, hoping to find the J120s and Express 37s that were supposed to be racing somewhere in the northeast part of the bay-- but we never spotted them.




As we headed across the central bay in freshening winds that came up to about 20 knots or more, this lovely cruising J105 passed astern of us, heading west and looking good!




Edward was at the helm as we blasted north across the bay in the warm sunshine and shirtsleeve temperatures, and as you can tell, he was enjoying the sailing immensely.




This lovely center cockpit sloop pased to port, looking good except she had a wrinkly jib on the luff from a too-loose halyard, but you can't see that in this photo.




This large sloop with highly reefed main passed us heading toward Treasure Island. As you can see in the sky above, we not only had unusually warm temperatures, we also had uncommon puffy clouds in the sky as well as brilliantly clear air-- none of the smaze or haze that we've been experiencing most often lately-- great conditions for sailing and for photography!




As we sailed up the lee side of Angel Island this lovely J105 race boat blasted past, flying full canvas with her port rail in the water- looking great!




Closer to Angel Island, this nice ketch was trying to sail southeast against the flood current and in light air, so not making much headway.




We were in much lighter breezes in the lee of Angel and the wind actually shifted into the north east for a while-- a thermal off the shore of the east bay-- but the flood current helped us continue to make progress northward on starboard tack with Katie now at the helm with Edward assisting her in learning the tricks of good helmspersonship.




We eventually picked up a westerly breeze again as we arrived at a point just east of the mouth of Raccoon Straits and we began to make fast headway again, watching as this lovely Ericson sistership was blasting southward at the mouth of the straits under full canvas.




This lovely sailboat was off starboard as we approached the mouth of the straits.




Check out this fabulous yawl named JOLANI-- isn't she a beaut! She was sailing spectacularly in the straits!




We entered entered the straits in the north half and then tacked across the straits to the south, following this lovely sailboat, a Farr I think, named CHANCE-- isn't she looking good flying full canvas perfectly trimmed!




After approaching the shore of Angel, east of Ayala Cove, we tacked in the light winds there and headed west through the straits, passing by the cove where the small marina was full of boats....




....as was the buoy field-- all no doubt enjoying the spectacular weather!




As we sailed westward this Express raceboat named MAIN SQUEEZE passed us, also looking great! They were probably racing in the regatta that we were looking for but didn't see and were now heading home. We had earlier spotted the J120 Mr. MAGOO motoring home through the straits.




We picked up a strong breeze about halfway through the straits and were blasting westward with this nice sailboat following us.




Ahead of us, this lovely Ericson sistership, named SEA QUEST, was sailing westward with well reefed sails.




We fell off approaching Belevedere and then reefed the jib in light winds before tacking to begin beating to the south toward the gate, and watching the beauty of a sailboat named PRINCESS passing astern of us.


We eventually were sailing toward Sausalito across the mouth of Richardson Bay when we were suddenly and without much warning engulfed in an expanding wind hole caused by a collision of the sea breeze from the southwest and a thermal breeze from the west. We kept hoping to drift and sail out of the hole and hoping the sea breeze would win out over the land breeze, but it took a long time before we were able finally to sail out into good winds, after we pulled the jib out to full. Then we were soon in winds too strong for full jib and we fell off to reef the jib again before tacking westward again, hoping to be able to sail out the gate eventually,


We soon found ourselves on the edge of the windhole again so quickly tacked back into the strong winds-- winds of about 25 knots-- still too strong for close-hauled sailing without reefing the jib to a postage stamp, so we fell off the wind and headed for home port, blasting across the bay on beam reach initially and then falling off to broad reach after passing Alcatraz.




Pier 39 flags were pegged out as we sailed past.




We passed a couple of sailboats heading east under main only as we sailed toward the lee of pier 35.




The marina and city were enjoying the brilliant late afternoon sunshine as we passed.


We sailed into the lee of pier 35 to douse sails and then we motored around pier35 with Edward at the helm as I finished readying ANTICIPATION for landing-- tying on fenders, etc. We motored into the marina, landed nicely in the light ebb current, tied up, and then went below to share the bottle of wine that Edward and Katie brought along with some cheese and crackers. Afterwards, they took off to find a small inexpensive hotel nearby -- I gave them a couple of suggestions-- in which to spend the night, and I eventually made a rendezvous with my daughter to head over to North Beach for a cappucino -- enjoying a nice walk in the warm evening air, and sitting outside on the sidewalk while sipping our caffe and sharing a Brasilian chocolate cake-- all in all an afternoon and evening filled to overflowing we various pleasures-- all part of the good life that I lead while on 'permanent vacation'!!!

THURSDAY, 19 JUNE 08 -- SOFTER WINDS FOR AN AFTERNOON SAIL TO THE GATE AND BACK

Chris, a community college professor from a town in the Sierras, joined us for our afternoon sail. He became a sailing addict after sailing with us last year, and took some sailing courses in Santa Cruz and also in England and Croatia last summer. We left port around 12:45 pm in brilliant sunshine, warm temperatures and moderate winds, raised single-reefed main in anticipation of stronger winds, but put out full jib as we headed out into the central bay.



As we headed out toward Alcatraz on a westerly breeze, PRIVATEER was heading home with a few passsengers aboard.




A small sailboat named FRIAR TUCK passed to starrboard.





We sailed out a ways and then tacked back toward the lee of pier 45, passing the end of pier 39 where flags were fluttering in a breeze of 5-7 knots.




We were sailing through a fuel slick along the cityfront, wondering where it came from and whether the coast guard was aware of it, but assumed that they were since there was a patrol boat standing nearby and a CG fast boat was blasting around.




And then we saw the source of the fuel spill: a sunken fishing boat just outside the entrance to the Fisherman's Wharf marina-- the bow kept above water by some air bags. But there was no sign that the coast guard was making any attempt to limit the area of the spill with containment booms.




This fast boat was blasting across the bay, but we couldn't see any indentification on her.




We continued beating westward for a few tacks and then continued across the bay toward Sausalito as this yellow-hulled sailboat-- perhaps a woodie-- was crossing the bay in the other direction.




ADVENTURE CAT 2 was heading back to home port with a nice load of passengers.


As we sailed along, the wind started freshening and we were a bit overpowered with full jib, so we fell off toward Sausalito and were blasting across the bay. The ocean winds were also much cooler and we were forced to don jackets.



This nice Cal sailboat was also heading west and looking good.

As we sailed along, the wind started freshening and we were a bit overpowered with full jib, so we fell off toward Sausalito and were blasting across the bay. The ocean winds were also much cooler and we were forced to don jackets.




Some Lasers like this one were sailing along the cityfront where winds were lighter and the winds warmer.

We arrived in lighter winds in the lee of the Marin Headlands, and much warmer wind, reefed the jib and then headed back across the bay, encountering strong winds in the north half of the bay, but softer winds in the south half of the bay.



We tacked toward the gate and watched as this nice sailboat passed to port, looking good...




....the crew enjoying the brilliant sunshine and warm temperatures.




With the lighter winds, we pulled the jib out to full for more power and sailed toward the gate with the skies clearing and the south tower of the gate looking vividly beautiful in the afternoon sunshine.



Chris was at the helm as we sailed out the gate near midspan and winds outside the gate were very light.





We just sailed out a short distance and then came about and headed back inside the gate, watching as a group of J24s like this one were beating toward the gate.




We sailed toward home port on the moderate southwest breeze and this sailboat passed, heading for the gate and looking good except for fenders hanging off the rail.




This lovely sailboat was headed for the gate and passed to starboard.




This nice sailboat was beating westward closer to shore.




The city was enjoying the brilliant mid-afternoon sunshine as we passed Aquatic Park.




We gybed to head toward Angel Island, planning to sail around Alcatraz, and this small Ericson sailboat crossed in front of us.




The winds in the north of the bay were much stronger and this large sailboat was well-heeled over as she blasted across the bay.




After passing Alcatraz, we spotted ADVENTURE CAT headed our way with a good number of passengers enjoying the nice sunshine.




She passed astern of us, heading for the gate.




We sailed about half way to Angel Island and then came about and headed for home port, passing this large sailboat sailing northward on main only.





This nice sailboat passing to port was luffing up her main as she passed into the stronger winds north of Alcatraz.

We fell off and reefed the main so that we could sail closer to the wind as we sailed the west of the way to home port and then headed up and hardened in the sails to continue toward home port.v




Off to starboard, this sailboat was blasting northward under spinnaker.



Winds south of Alcatraz were lighter and we didn't need the reef, so we pulled the jib out to full again and finished our trip to home port, dousing sails just in front of pier 35 and then dousing the main, preparing for landing and then motoring into the marina where temperatures were very warm for San Francisco. The winds of the afternoon were unusually moderate compared to what we have been experiencing lately and it was a welcome relief to have warmer air and lighter winds.

TUESDAY, 17 JUNE 08 -- TOUR OF THE BAY WITH A YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENT

Somerset, a young college student studying organic farming, joined us at 2 pm for our afternoon outing.




We headed out and raised a single-reefed main, anticipating stronger winds though at that time the breeze was less than 10 knots.




We headed out into the central bay with main only on port tack, then gybed onto starboard tack to head down the cityfront, pulled out the jib to full and sailed toward the A-B span of the Bay Bridge, passing this K41 sailboat motorsailing up the cityfront, perhaps heading for Angel Island with their dingy dragging behind the boat.




The skipper was out in the warm sunshine while the female crew was in the shade of the dodger.




We continued toward the A-B span until we could see that there was insufficient wind ahead to stem the ebb current and then we gybed to the east to stay in the wind, watching as this small Ericson sailboat headed north past Yerba Buena Island.




A tug and barge were approaching from the north, so we gybed toward the D-E span of the Bay Bridge which was enjoying the warm sunshine.




A couple of J24 saiboats were heading north under main only, like this one....




... and this one named FORTUNATA. Couldn't figure out whether these boats are part of J-World sailing school or some J24 owners out on a leisurely pleasure cruise.




That tug and barge that prompted our gybe steamed under the D-E span and then turned to port to head for Oakland, so we gybed again to head around the south shore of Yerba Buena.




The lighthouse on the south point of the island was cute as always as we sailed past.





We reefed the jib down to a postage stamp size while in the lee of Yerba Buena in anticipation of strong winds on the central bay after passing Treasure Island, and then continued to sail past the island, passing the same J-24s heading the opposite direction, like this one....




... and this one.




An Islander 30 was following the J24s, either sailing main only or motorsailing.




That small Ericson that was headed north past Yerba Buena earlier was now headed down the shore of the island with her jib flapping in the wind...




... and one of the crew was on the bow, apparently trying to furl the jib using the roller furling, but without any success.




A SURVEY VESSEL motored up close to the shore of the island as we sailed past.




Out in the central bay, the winds were strong as expected and the wind waves were whitecapped, so we were blasting north with just the right amount of reefed canvas, while this sailboat headed for the lee side of Treasure Island where we had just left, and she was also well-reefed with a postage stamp jib.




This Hunter was also headed for the lee shore of Treasure Island with double reefed main and postage stamp jib.

After arriving in the lee of Angel Island, way east of the shore to stay in wind and out of the stronger ebb current, we headed up toward the mouth of Raccoon Straits, eventually pulling the jib out to full in the lighter winds. Eventually, we encountered much stronger winds coming through the straits and were on the verge of being overpowered, so we tacked to the south toward Angel Island and then fell off to reef the jib, then came about to harden in the main and then tacked toward Angel Island again.




As we sailed toward the shore of Angel Island, this nice sailboat was sailing past Ayala Cove in apparently light winds.




Approaching the shore of the island, we tacked to the west to head up the straits, pulling out the jib to full again in the light winds, passing 'stray cat' headed down the straits.




As we sailed past Ayala Cove, we noted that only a few boats were at the buoy field and only one boat was at the docks of the small marina in the cove.




Eventually we encountered strong winds in the north half of the straits but were only at the edge of being overpowered, so kept going with full jib, tacking to the southeast after approaching the shore of Belvedere, then tacking toward Sausalito after it was clear that we could clear the point of Belvedere and sailed across the mouth of Richardson Bay, passing just north of the easternmost Sausalito channel marker.




We reefed the jib in the lighter winds near the Sausalito shore and then began beating toward the gate, watching as this sailboat headed for Sausalito under main only...




.... and this one with reefed sails.




Winds softened so we pulled the jib out to full again and continued beating toward the gate, watching as a group of pelicans like this one flew past us.




Approaching the central bay, we encountered stronger winds again so tacked toward the shore and reefed the jib down to a postage stamp again before heading toward the gate again. As we sailed past Horseshoe Cove, we spotted some sailboarders blasting across




... and this one.




We tacked into Horseshoe Cove in the strong winds and big swells from the ocean, and then tacked to sail parallel to the gate and finally tacked out the gate between center span and the north tower-- Somerset enjoying his first trip out the gate on a sailboat.




We sailed out a short ways and then came about to head back inside the gate, eventually encountering this lone kiteboarder heading our way....




..the kiteboarder enjoying the strong winds as he blasted over the water.




The winds gradually softened as we sailed toward home port on broad reach starboard tack, eventually seeing this sailboat heading toward the cityfront with the city in sunshine behind.




Some sailboats headed west were sailing past Alcatraz, like this one flying full canvas and not very heavily heeled over because of the softer winds.




The city was enjoying clear air and brilliant early evening sunshine as we approached home port.




This beautiful pelican flew past.




Two small sailboats in front of us seemed to be racing each other.




A large ketch flying jib and mizzen sails was heading for the cityfront.




The flags on the end of pier 39 were lightly fluttering in the breeze of only 5 knots or so. This now unusual softening of the breeze was a welcome change from the blustery winds that usually last well into the night.




A flock of pelicans flew overhead as we sailed past the east marina of pier 39.


We pulled in the jib approaching the end of pier 35, and then headed up to douse the main before motoring toward the marina entrance while preparing for landing. Our five hours on the bay sailing through four or five different microclimes left us filled with pleasure and gratitude for the great sailing life that we have here.