Wednesday, March 28, 2007
TUESDAY 27 MARCH 07-- STRONG WINDS AND SLOPPY SEAS ON S.F. BAY
After Monday's heavy rains, winds were howling all night long, and were still blowing strongly in the afternoon.
We left port a bit after 3 pm, under partly cloudy skies, raised single reefed main, and put out small jib before heading out into the central bay, where earlier ebb current, combined with the strong winds, had stirred up some large wind waves.
We sailed out to the northwest a bit, then tacked back toward pier 39 to ride rather than buck a freighter wake, but then, as we approached the pier, we had to tack back into the wake and crash through it. We kept beating to the west, taking on spray, sailing through calmer and windier areas with some strong gust alleys.
Behind us the city was in sunshine, but the air was hazy-- not real clear and vivid like it usually is after a heavy rain the day before.
Ahead of us, Mt. Tam and Sausalito were also locked in haze.
Except for the freighters, the only company we had on the bay were a couple of sand dredges, like this one operating north of the outbound sea land.....
....and this inbound tug pulling a large barge.
Winds were shifty, sometimes northwesterly and sometimes westerly, and while northwesterly, we were sailing directly toward the gate, but into the teeth of some sharp ocean swells, that we dare not continue sailing through because the bow would crash down on the back side of the sharp swells. This and the waxing flood current impeded our progress toward the the gate.
Eventually, we were joined on the bay by this jib-only sailboat that was crossing the central bay from north to south.
We gave up on shooting the gate and headed back toward home port, pulling out the jib to full for more power. Alcatraz was enjoying sunshine as we passed to the south of the island....
...but because of the strong, cold winds, there were no people walking around on the island like there usually are when the weather is nicer.
The city was still locked in hazy sunshine as we approached home port.
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After Monday's heavy rains, winds were howling all night long, and were still blowing strongly in the afternoon.
We left port a bit after 3 pm, under partly cloudy skies, raised single reefed main, and put out small jib before heading out into the central bay, where earlier ebb current, combined with the strong winds, had stirred up some large wind waves.
We sailed out to the northwest a bit, then tacked back toward pier 39 to ride rather than buck a freighter wake, but then, as we approached the pier, we had to tack back into the wake and crash through it. We kept beating to the west, taking on spray, sailing through calmer and windier areas with some strong gust alleys.
Behind us the city was in sunshine, but the air was hazy-- not real clear and vivid like it usually is after a heavy rain the day before.
Ahead of us, Mt. Tam and Sausalito were also locked in haze.
Except for the freighters, the only company we had on the bay were a couple of sand dredges, like this one operating north of the outbound sea land.....
....and this inbound tug pulling a large barge.
Winds were shifty, sometimes northwesterly and sometimes westerly, and while northwesterly, we were sailing directly toward the gate, but into the teeth of some sharp ocean swells, that we dare not continue sailing through because the bow would crash down on the back side of the sharp swells. This and the waxing flood current impeded our progress toward the the gate.
Eventually, we were joined on the bay by this jib-only sailboat that was crossing the central bay from north to south.
We gave up on shooting the gate and headed back toward home port, pulling out the jib to full for more power. Alcatraz was enjoying sunshine as we passed to the south of the island....
...but because of the strong, cold winds, there were no people walking around on the island like there usually are when the weather is nicer.
The city was still locked in hazy sunshine as we approached home port.
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Saturday, March 24, 2007
FRIDAY 23 MARCH 07-- TO THE GGB AND BACK-- KITESURFERS AND WINDSURFERS GALORE
Friday was another warm and sunny day in SF. Winds started out norheasterly and in the early afternoon, shifted into the southwest and freshened dramatically.
We headed out about 4 pm and raised single-reefed main just outside the marina, and it looked from the flag on Telegraph Hill that winds were blowing about 10 knots, but in anticipation of probably stronger winds coming up, we put out a handkerchief sized jib and headed out into the central bay.
We sailed to the west a short distance and then tacked toward the end of pier 39 to avoid crashing through the wake of an inbound freighter. As we tacked away from pier 39, the flags on the end of pier 39 seemed to be driven by a breeze greater than 10 knots but we didnt feel that on the bay for some reason.
We sailed out to the west again for a short while and behind us, the ADVENTURE CAT was heading back into port after a cruise to the gate and back.
We sailed to the west a while, pulling out a bit more jib for a bit more power, and then tacked into the lee of pier 45, and once in the lee, we tacked to the west again, enjoying views of the city receding behind us.
A sailboat was heading east and passing between us and the Hyde Street pier.
At some point, as we continued westward, it seemed like the wind would not freshen above about 12-15 knots, so we pulled out the jib to full and continued sailing westward, watching this small sailboat sailing downwind to the east and passing Alcatraz.
After about another 15 minutes, the wind started freshening dramatically, and soon was blowing in the 20-25 knot range, so we were easing out the sails to avoid being overpowered, and eventually we had to fall off to DDW and reef the jib back to a small handkerchief size again, before coming about and heading back to the south again, and watching a bunch of kitesurfers having great fun between us and the gate.
Off to starboard, a kitesurfer went airborn though he's a bit difficult to spot against the dark background of the cliffs just south of Yellow Bluff. [Check out the larger view to see if you can spot him.]
As we sailed southward, we soon found ourselves surrounded by kitesurfers. What a blast to watch them flying across the water with their colorful kites dragging them back and forth across the bay waters.
We sailed parallel to the gate for a while, then tacked toward Horseshoe Cove, then tacked to sail parallel to the gate again, and then tacked out the gate between midspan and the north tower, enjoying views of the rugged cliffs of the Marin Headlands as we sailed out the gate.
We sailed out a short distance and then tacked to sail parallel to the gate, the GGB gleaming in the late afternoon sun.
After sailing a few hundred yards, we came about and headed back inside the bay on port tack broad reach, watching a heavily-crewed small sailboat shooting the gate off our starboard side.
Soon we were surrounded by kitesurferes and their multicolored kites again.
A windsurfer was bearing down on us from the direction of Horseshoe Cove, and
he blasted past within a few feet of our stern....
....crossing paths with another windsurfer blasting westward.
In light air southeast of Horseshoe Cove, we gybed and headed toward home port, watching a couple more windsurfers blasting toward us at high speed.
Way off behind us, near the shore of Yellow Bluff, ADVENTURE CAT was approaching the gate on another outing.
We pulled out the jib to full for more power downwind and soon were leaving behind the windsurfers and kitesurfers, and enjoying views of the city in the late sunshine.
As we blasted past pier 39, we could see a couple of rowboats in front of the pier, and also noted that the flags were pegged out, indicating a breeze of at least about 20 knots.
Eventually, we could see that the two rowboats were escorting a swimmer heading west with the ebb current.
Way off to port, a large sailboat was blasting away from the cityfront with full canvas flying, and well-heeled-over, perhaps with the rail in the water, but looking good.
We sailed into the lee of pier 35 to douse the jib and then the main. We readied the boat for landing both there and as we motored toward the marina entrance, and landed fine in our slip with some ebb current flowing through the marina. According to the GPS, we had sailed a distance of 11.23 nautical miles at an average velocity of 4.7 knots, and a top speed reached of 9.2 knots. A thrilling outing, especially with all the kitesurfer and windsurfer action-- more photos below if you care to review them.
Friday was another warm and sunny day in SF. Winds started out norheasterly and in the early afternoon, shifted into the southwest and freshened dramatically.
We headed out about 4 pm and raised single-reefed main just outside the marina, and it looked from the flag on Telegraph Hill that winds were blowing about 10 knots, but in anticipation of probably stronger winds coming up, we put out a handkerchief sized jib and headed out into the central bay.
We sailed to the west a short distance and then tacked toward the end of pier 39 to avoid crashing through the wake of an inbound freighter. As we tacked away from pier 39, the flags on the end of pier 39 seemed to be driven by a breeze greater than 10 knots but we didnt feel that on the bay for some reason.
We sailed out to the west again for a short while and behind us, the ADVENTURE CAT was heading back into port after a cruise to the gate and back.
We sailed to the west a while, pulling out a bit more jib for a bit more power, and then tacked into the lee of pier 45, and once in the lee, we tacked to the west again, enjoying views of the city receding behind us.
A sailboat was heading east and passing between us and the Hyde Street pier.
At some point, as we continued westward, it seemed like the wind would not freshen above about 12-15 knots, so we pulled out the jib to full and continued sailing westward, watching this small sailboat sailing downwind to the east and passing Alcatraz.
After about another 15 minutes, the wind started freshening dramatically, and soon was blowing in the 20-25 knot range, so we were easing out the sails to avoid being overpowered, and eventually we had to fall off to DDW and reef the jib back to a small handkerchief size again, before coming about and heading back to the south again, and watching a bunch of kitesurfers having great fun between us and the gate.
Off to starboard, a kitesurfer went airborn though he's a bit difficult to spot against the dark background of the cliffs just south of Yellow Bluff. [Check out the larger view to see if you can spot him.]
As we sailed southward, we soon found ourselves surrounded by kitesurfers. What a blast to watch them flying across the water with their colorful kites dragging them back and forth across the bay waters.
We sailed parallel to the gate for a while, then tacked toward Horseshoe Cove, then tacked to sail parallel to the gate again, and then tacked out the gate between midspan and the north tower, enjoying views of the rugged cliffs of the Marin Headlands as we sailed out the gate.
We sailed out a short distance and then tacked to sail parallel to the gate, the GGB gleaming in the late afternoon sun.
After sailing a few hundred yards, we came about and headed back inside the bay on port tack broad reach, watching a heavily-crewed small sailboat shooting the gate off our starboard side.
Soon we were surrounded by kitesurferes and their multicolored kites again.
A windsurfer was bearing down on us from the direction of Horseshoe Cove, and
he blasted past within a few feet of our stern....
....crossing paths with another windsurfer blasting westward.
In light air southeast of Horseshoe Cove, we gybed and headed toward home port, watching a couple more windsurfers blasting toward us at high speed.
Way off behind us, near the shore of Yellow Bluff, ADVENTURE CAT was approaching the gate on another outing.
We pulled out the jib to full for more power downwind and soon were leaving behind the windsurfers and kitesurfers, and enjoying views of the city in the late sunshine.
As we blasted past pier 39, we could see a couple of rowboats in front of the pier, and also noted that the flags were pegged out, indicating a breeze of at least about 20 knots.
Eventually, we could see that the two rowboats were escorting a swimmer heading west with the ebb current.
Way off to port, a large sailboat was blasting away from the cityfront with full canvas flying, and well-heeled-over, perhaps with the rail in the water, but looking good.
We sailed into the lee of pier 35 to douse the jib and then the main. We readied the boat for landing both there and as we motored toward the marina entrance, and landed fine in our slip with some ebb current flowing through the marina. According to the GPS, we had sailed a distance of 11.23 nautical miles at an average velocity of 4.7 knots, and a top speed reached of 9.2 knots. A thrilling outing, especially with all the kitesurfer and windsurfer action-- more photos below if you care to review them.
Friday, March 23, 2007
THURSDAY 22 MARCH 07-- 2 BRIDGE KISS AND A NICE SUNSET
Another sunny and warm day in San Francisco, starting out with an easterly morning breeze-- a land breeze to warm things up-- and then shifting to a freshening southwesterly breeze in the afternoon.
When we left port about 4 pm, the wind was blowing at about 15 knots, so we put up a single reefed main and headed out into the central bay, then came about and headed down the cityfront, pulling out the jib to full.
Behind us the GGB was standing in haze with a thin marine layer finger riding the southwesterly breeze into the bay.
The city was enjoying mostly sunny skies as we headed for the A-B span of the Bay Bridge.
An SFBAYSAIL.COM charter boat passed to port as we sailed along in moderate but steady breezes.
The Bay Bridge was enjoying the brilliant sunshine as we approached the A-B span, and eventually sailed under it.
We then came about and headed back to the north on port tack close reach, noticing that the sun has now moved far enough northward to illuminate the north side of the ferry building in the late afternoon.
Once out into the central bay again, we encountered stronger winds and, with sails eased out a bit, we sailed a bit off close-hauled toward the lee side of Alcatraz, and then toward the weather side of Angel Island, taking spray, and watching this fully-canvassed sailboat sailing downwind to the east with noone at the helm.
A tug pulling a mammoth barge was headed out to sea from the north bay, but we had plenty of speed to pass well in front of her and she was never as close as this photo suggests.
A windsurfer blasted past, heading toward Berkeley-- an unusual sight since normally the windsurfers from the east bay don't venture much past Treasure Island.
As we sailed up the weather shore of Angel Island, we enjoyed the view of the civil war era brick building on shore, backed by the white houses built within the last 10 years-- for what purpose, I don't know-- will try to remember to ask one of the park rangers next time we visit the island.
As we entered Raccoon Straits, the GGB behind us was standing in considerable haze.
A hazed out Mt. Tam was towering over Tiburon as we gybed onto starboard tack and sailed northeastward down the straits in a light breeze, fighting a moderate ebb current.
Angel Island looked beautiful in the late sunshine.
As we sailed past Ayala Cove, we could see that she was almost deserted-- only 1 sailboat tied up at the buoys, and a couple of boats at the docks.
After passing the cove, we came about an sailed back up the straits on close reach port tack, and as we exited the straits, the city appeared again, shrouded in haze.
Approaching Belvedere, we tacked and sailed to the southeast on close reach starboard tack until we arrived in strengthening winds threatening to be too powerful for the canvas we were flying, and then we fell off to DDW to reef the jib down to a small handkerchief size. We then headed up again, sailing to the SSE into the central bay, and watching a sailboat motoring up the weather shore of the island-- probably one of the sailboats that earlier was in Ayala Cove.
Eventually this Beneteau sailboat pulled out full canvas and sailed downwind along the south shore of the island.
As we blasted across the central bay, two sailboats behind us were heading toward Sausalito.
The wind continued to strengthen, now seemingly blowing at about 25 knots, so we eased out the sails a bit, but then eventually tacked to the west toward Horseshoe Cove in case the winds along the cityfront were even stronger. We sailed to just inside the north tower of the GGB, then tacked to sail across the gate, and after reaching close to mid-span, we tacked and sailed out on port tack.
The GGB and its south tower were gleaming in the late afternoon sunshine....
...as was the north tower, with the adjacent cliff of the headlands in partial sun and shadow.
After sailing out a short distance, in lighter breezes outside the gate, we came about, pulled out the jib to full and headed downwind back into the bay and toward home port,enjoying our view of the city ahead, still locked in haze.
This Catalina sailboat crossed well in front of us and continued on toward the cityfront shore.
A lone windsurfer was still dashing about on the bay as we blasted toward home port.
Behind us the sun was setting into a layer of clouds above the horizon and behind the gate.
A pilot boat steamed past us heading out to sea.
Eventually, the sun sank behind a thick fog bank above the horizon.
As we sailed past Aquatic Park, city lights were beginning to come on in the dusky, hazy air.
The sun still illuminated the tops of some of the towers of the financial district, as we now sailed main only, having pulled in the jib so we could sail more slowly and await the sunset.
Some brilliant sunset color developed outside the gate and on cloud layers overhead.
Clouds over the city also took on some beautiful sunset color.
As we sailed between pier 45 and pier 39, city lights continued to brighten-- magic time on the bay!
Behind us, that Catalina that earlier crossed in front of us, was shadowed by the light of the declining sunset colors.
Pier 39 flags were still flutting in a breeze of about 15 knots as we sailed past in the declining light.
That Catalina sailboat was highlighted by a last band of sunset color behind the gate
as we sailed toward the lee of pier 35.
In the lee of pier 35, we dropped the main and began readying ANTICIPATION for landing, eventually motoring into the marina and landing quite nicely with an ebb current flowing through the marina and feeling great after spending about 5 hours on the bay, covering over 18 nautical miles at an average speed of 4.4 knots with a top speed over the bottom of 9.5 knots.
Another sunny and warm day in San Francisco, starting out with an easterly morning breeze-- a land breeze to warm things up-- and then shifting to a freshening southwesterly breeze in the afternoon.
When we left port about 4 pm, the wind was blowing at about 15 knots, so we put up a single reefed main and headed out into the central bay, then came about and headed down the cityfront, pulling out the jib to full.
Behind us the GGB was standing in haze with a thin marine layer finger riding the southwesterly breeze into the bay.
The city was enjoying mostly sunny skies as we headed for the A-B span of the Bay Bridge.
An SFBAYSAIL.COM charter boat passed to port as we sailed along in moderate but steady breezes.
The Bay Bridge was enjoying the brilliant sunshine as we approached the A-B span, and eventually sailed under it.
We then came about and headed back to the north on port tack close reach, noticing that the sun has now moved far enough northward to illuminate the north side of the ferry building in the late afternoon.
Once out into the central bay again, we encountered stronger winds and, with sails eased out a bit, we sailed a bit off close-hauled toward the lee side of Alcatraz, and then toward the weather side of Angel Island, taking spray, and watching this fully-canvassed sailboat sailing downwind to the east with noone at the helm.
A tug pulling a mammoth barge was headed out to sea from the north bay, but we had plenty of speed to pass well in front of her and she was never as close as this photo suggests.
A windsurfer blasted past, heading toward Berkeley-- an unusual sight since normally the windsurfers from the east bay don't venture much past Treasure Island.
As we sailed up the weather shore of Angel Island, we enjoyed the view of the civil war era brick building on shore, backed by the white houses built within the last 10 years-- for what purpose, I don't know-- will try to remember to ask one of the park rangers next time we visit the island.
As we entered Raccoon Straits, the GGB behind us was standing in considerable haze.
A hazed out Mt. Tam was towering over Tiburon as we gybed onto starboard tack and sailed northeastward down the straits in a light breeze, fighting a moderate ebb current.
Angel Island looked beautiful in the late sunshine.
As we sailed past Ayala Cove, we could see that she was almost deserted-- only 1 sailboat tied up at the buoys, and a couple of boats at the docks.
After passing the cove, we came about an sailed back up the straits on close reach port tack, and as we exited the straits, the city appeared again, shrouded in haze.
Approaching Belvedere, we tacked and sailed to the southeast on close reach starboard tack until we arrived in strengthening winds threatening to be too powerful for the canvas we were flying, and then we fell off to DDW to reef the jib down to a small handkerchief size. We then headed up again, sailing to the SSE into the central bay, and watching a sailboat motoring up the weather shore of the island-- probably one of the sailboats that earlier was in Ayala Cove.
Eventually this Beneteau sailboat pulled out full canvas and sailed downwind along the south shore of the island.
As we blasted across the central bay, two sailboats behind us were heading toward Sausalito.
The wind continued to strengthen, now seemingly blowing at about 25 knots, so we eased out the sails a bit, but then eventually tacked to the west toward Horseshoe Cove in case the winds along the cityfront were even stronger. We sailed to just inside the north tower of the GGB, then tacked to sail across the gate, and after reaching close to mid-span, we tacked and sailed out on port tack.
The GGB and its south tower were gleaming in the late afternoon sunshine....
...as was the north tower, with the adjacent cliff of the headlands in partial sun and shadow.
After sailing out a short distance, in lighter breezes outside the gate, we came about, pulled out the jib to full and headed downwind back into the bay and toward home port,enjoying our view of the city ahead, still locked in haze.
This Catalina sailboat crossed well in front of us and continued on toward the cityfront shore.
A lone windsurfer was still dashing about on the bay as we blasted toward home port.
Behind us the sun was setting into a layer of clouds above the horizon and behind the gate.
A pilot boat steamed past us heading out to sea.
Eventually, the sun sank behind a thick fog bank above the horizon.
As we sailed past Aquatic Park, city lights were beginning to come on in the dusky, hazy air.
The sun still illuminated the tops of some of the towers of the financial district, as we now sailed main only, having pulled in the jib so we could sail more slowly and await the sunset.
Some brilliant sunset color developed outside the gate and on cloud layers overhead.
Clouds over the city also took on some beautiful sunset color.
As we sailed between pier 45 and pier 39, city lights continued to brighten-- magic time on the bay!
Behind us, that Catalina that earlier crossed in front of us, was shadowed by the light of the declining sunset colors.
Pier 39 flags were still flutting in a breeze of about 15 knots as we sailed past in the declining light.
That Catalina sailboat was highlighted by a last band of sunset color behind the gate
as we sailed toward the lee of pier 35.
In the lee of pier 35, we dropped the main and began readying ANTICIPATION for landing, eventually motoring into the marina and landing quite nicely with an ebb current flowing through the marina and feeling great after spending about 5 hours on the bay, covering over 18 nautical miles at an average speed of 4.4 knots with a top speed over the bottom of 9.5 knots.
