Wednesday, September 26, 2007
TUESDAY, 25 SEPT. 07-- SUNNY, WARM SAIL TO BAY BRIDGE AND BACK
A brilliant'y sunny and warm day in San Francisco. with full moon comes a stong morning flood current, followed by a strong afternoon ebb current, and then a strong evening flood current again. Since afternoon winds were predicted to be light-- around 5 knots-- we decided to head out in the late morning to catch the last of the flood current to assist us in heading for the Bay Bridge, with the opportunity to have ebb current assist on the way back to home port.
As we turned the corner out of our fairway, a large group of seagulls was gathered at the end of E dock, probably because someone on the end of the dock was tossing food in the water earlier.
Only a very light northerly breeze was blowing when we left port.
We headed out into the central bay and turned right to head for the A-B span of the Bay Bridge, ghosting along the cityfront and passing the large cruise ship tied up on the east side of pier 35.
Another large cruise ship was being docked south of the Bay Bridge, off pier 30-- can't recall seeing this happen before.
Behind us, another sailboat was motorsailing toward the D-E span of the Bay Bridge.
From a southeast exposure, Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower were gleaming in the late morning sun....
... as was the Transamerican Pyramid.
A small flock of pelicans flew past, flying only a few feet from the sea's surface, while at other times we saw larger flocks flying high over the land and the bay.
Way out in the northwest, the scow schooner ALMA was flying full canvas but probably having to motor to make much headway in the light breeze.
We ghosted past the pedestrian pier on a broad reach, and noticed several people fishing off the end of the pier.
The SAN FRANCISCO BELLE was tied up at the dock, awaiting her next outing-- she doesn't seem to be out there very much.
But the California Hornblower was heading out for her usual luncheon cruise.
We ghosted past the Ferry Building, and then sailed past the walkway on top of the breakwater just south of the Ferry Building.
The financial district was gleaming in the noonday sun.
We continued on past the bow and arrow sculpture on the cityfront shore....
...and it was now high noon, with the clock tower bells of the Ferry Building combining with the usual tuesday noon test of the emergency siren, accompanied by a P.A. announcement that this was just a test of the city's emergency warning system.
The Bay Bridge was gleaming in the noonday sun as we approached the A-B span.
I like this view of the Ferry Building and tower with Coit Tower in the background that you can see when you are just southeast of the Ferry Building.
That cruise ship at pier 30, south of the Bay Bridge, had completed her docking, and now the passengers were streaming down the gangplank to spend a few hours in the city before the ship left again that evening.
After sailing under the A-B span, we headed up to sail parallel to the bridge, and watch the city being framed by the towers and deck of the bridge.
Unfortunately, one cannot avoid also seeing that hideous, tall building they are building right next to the east end of the Bay Bridge-- a true eyesore-- the worst building architecture in the whole city, placedA where noone can ignore it.
Ahead of us was the cute lighthouse on the south shore of Yerba Buena island-- a treat for the eyes, by comparison.
We sailed past the D tower of the bridge and then, a bit later, tacked back to the west to sail under the D-E span and head for home port, sailing on close hauled starboard tack in a breeze of about 3-5 knots, with some waxing ebb current assist
As we approached the cityfront again, the charter sloop RUBY was steaming along, perhaps heading over to Sausalito to pick up charter passengers.
Way in the north, a couple of other sailboats, like this one, were trying to make headway in the light breeze.
The sea surface was ruffled a slight amount by the light breeze, but still the Financial District buildings were reflecting in the bay waters.
As we approached home port, the California Hornblower was also steaming toward home port.
We doused sail approaching pier 35 and the cruise ship tied up there, and then motored into the marina, pleased with having spent a couple of delightful, warm hours out on the bay, and having played the breeze and the currents successfully.
A brilliant'y sunny and warm day in San Francisco. with full moon comes a stong morning flood current, followed by a strong afternoon ebb current, and then a strong evening flood current again. Since afternoon winds were predicted to be light-- around 5 knots-- we decided to head out in the late morning to catch the last of the flood current to assist us in heading for the Bay Bridge, with the opportunity to have ebb current assist on the way back to home port.
As we turned the corner out of our fairway, a large group of seagulls was gathered at the end of E dock, probably because someone on the end of the dock was tossing food in the water earlier.
Only a very light northerly breeze was blowing when we left port.
We headed out into the central bay and turned right to head for the A-B span of the Bay Bridge, ghosting along the cityfront and passing the large cruise ship tied up on the east side of pier 35.
Another large cruise ship was being docked south of the Bay Bridge, off pier 30-- can't recall seeing this happen before.
Behind us, another sailboat was motorsailing toward the D-E span of the Bay Bridge.
From a southeast exposure, Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower were gleaming in the late morning sun....
... as was the Transamerican Pyramid.
A small flock of pelicans flew past, flying only a few feet from the sea's surface, while at other times we saw larger flocks flying high over the land and the bay.
Way out in the northwest, the scow schooner ALMA was flying full canvas but probably having to motor to make much headway in the light breeze.
We ghosted past the pedestrian pier on a broad reach, and noticed several people fishing off the end of the pier.
The SAN FRANCISCO BELLE was tied up at the dock, awaiting her next outing-- she doesn't seem to be out there very much.
But the California Hornblower was heading out for her usual luncheon cruise.
We ghosted past the Ferry Building, and then sailed past the walkway on top of the breakwater just south of the Ferry Building.
The financial district was gleaming in the noonday sun.
We continued on past the bow and arrow sculpture on the cityfront shore....
...and it was now high noon, with the clock tower bells of the Ferry Building combining with the usual tuesday noon test of the emergency siren, accompanied by a P.A. announcement that this was just a test of the city's emergency warning system.
The Bay Bridge was gleaming in the noonday sun as we approached the A-B span.
I like this view of the Ferry Building and tower with Coit Tower in the background that you can see when you are just southeast of the Ferry Building.
That cruise ship at pier 30, south of the Bay Bridge, had completed her docking, and now the passengers were streaming down the gangplank to spend a few hours in the city before the ship left again that evening.
After sailing under the A-B span, we headed up to sail parallel to the bridge, and watch the city being framed by the towers and deck of the bridge.
Unfortunately, one cannot avoid also seeing that hideous, tall building they are building right next to the east end of the Bay Bridge-- a true eyesore-- the worst building architecture in the whole city, placedA where noone can ignore it.
Ahead of us was the cute lighthouse on the south shore of Yerba Buena island-- a treat for the eyes, by comparison.
We sailed past the D tower of the bridge and then, a bit later, tacked back to the west to sail under the D-E span and head for home port, sailing on close hauled starboard tack in a breeze of about 3-5 knots, with some waxing ebb current assist
As we approached the cityfront again, the charter sloop RUBY was steaming along, perhaps heading over to Sausalito to pick up charter passengers.
Way in the north, a couple of other sailboats, like this one, were trying to make headway in the light breeze.
The sea surface was ruffled a slight amount by the light breeze, but still the Financial District buildings were reflecting in the bay waters.
As we approached home port, the California Hornblower was also steaming toward home port.
We doused sail approaching pier 35 and the cruise ship tied up there, and then motored into the marina, pleased with having spent a couple of delightful, warm hours out on the bay, and having played the breeze and the currents successfully.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
SATURDAY, 22 SEPT. 07-- EVENING SUNSET SAIL
Saturday started out with a morning rain, giving way to partially clearing skies in the afternoon. We decided to go out for an eveing sunset sail about 6:30 pm.
Winds were very light when we left port.
As we entered the central bay, a flock of beautiful pelicans flew overhead, heading east, one of several flocks that we saw that evening.
A dramatic sundown sky was developing in the west as we sailed toward Alcatraz, against the waxing flood current.
Over in the northeast, BAY LADY was heading out to watch the sunset, and sailboat over by the Treasure Island shore was presumably heading home.
A small trimaran named WINGIT was sailing downwind under spinnaker with the sundown sky behind.
FDR's presidential yacht, the POTOMAC, was steaming westward to watch the sunset...
... and some brilliant sunset colors were beginning to develop.
WINGIT was passing the marina, sailing with the current, as we continued trying to fight the flood current to little avail.
Financial district buildings were receiving the last sunrays of the day.
A sailboat flying a colorful spinnaker passed to starboard, with BAY LADY in the distance.
A large charter yacht, VOYAGER, was also heading out for a sunset sail....
...as was the EMPRESS HORNBLOWER.
The waxing moon was brightening in the eastern sky....
...as more dramatic sunset colors developed in the west.
We had seen the GASLIGHT heading across the bay from Angel Island, and now she was approaching the cityfront.
City lights were brightening as skies darkened-- magic time on the bay, and we headed back toward home port.
Coit Tower is again lighted with whiite lights, after a period of being illuminated with red light in celebration of the coming of Virgin Airlines to SFO, though I preferred to think of it as calling attantion to all the bloodshed in Iraq.
Some dramatic sunset skies persisted over the marina and pier 39 as we motored toward home after dousing sail.
We docked, filled with the pleasure of the sights and sounds of a lovely evening sunset sail.
Saturday started out with a morning rain, giving way to partially clearing skies in the afternoon. We decided to go out for an eveing sunset sail about 6:30 pm.
Winds were very light when we left port.
As we entered the central bay, a flock of beautiful pelicans flew overhead, heading east, one of several flocks that we saw that evening.
A dramatic sundown sky was developing in the west as we sailed toward Alcatraz, against the waxing flood current.
Over in the northeast, BAY LADY was heading out to watch the sunset, and sailboat over by the Treasure Island shore was presumably heading home.
A small trimaran named WINGIT was sailing downwind under spinnaker with the sundown sky behind.
FDR's presidential yacht, the POTOMAC, was steaming westward to watch the sunset...
... and some brilliant sunset colors were beginning to develop.
WINGIT was passing the marina, sailing with the current, as we continued trying to fight the flood current to little avail.
Financial district buildings were receiving the last sunrays of the day.
A sailboat flying a colorful spinnaker passed to starboard, with BAY LADY in the distance.
A large charter yacht, VOYAGER, was also heading out for a sunset sail....
...as was the EMPRESS HORNBLOWER.
The waxing moon was brightening in the eastern sky....
...as more dramatic sunset colors developed in the west.
We had seen the GASLIGHT heading across the bay from Angel Island, and now she was approaching the cityfront.
City lights were brightening as skies darkened-- magic time on the bay, and we headed back toward home port.
Coit Tower is again lighted with whiite lights, after a period of being illuminated with red light in celebration of the coming of Virgin Airlines to SFO, though I preferred to think of it as calling attantion to all the bloodshed in Iraq.
Some dramatic sunset skies persisted over the marina and pier 39 as we motored toward home after dousing sail.
We docked, filled with the pleasure of the sights and sounds of a lovely evening sunset sail.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
FRIDAY, 21 SEPT. 07-- TRIP AROUND ANGEL ISLAND BEFORE THE EARLY RAIN CAME
Michael joined us for a mid-afternoon outing and we left port about 3 pm and headed north with the intention of sailing around Angel Island.
As we sailed northward, a large Matson freighter crossed in front of us, heavily loaded, and headed for Hawaii with cargo including a variety of new cars aboard.
This sailboat passed us, heading south....
...followed a bit later by this one, also heading south toward the Bay Bridge.
With a strong breeze, we were soon east of Angel Island, and enjoying a view of Mt. Tam towering over the Tiburon Headlands.
Eventually, this catboat approached....
....and DAZZLER passed astern of us....
.. before tacking to head for Raccoon Straits.
We headed up sometime later to head for the straits and just missed the north end of the eastern mouth of the straits, so had to tack to enter the straits, sailing toward Angel Island and watching this small sailboat heading east out of the straits, with a larger sailboat behind also leaving the straits.
A small raceboat was blasting down the straits under spinnaker-- perhaps a 29er or a 480.
After approaching the northeast shore of Angel Island, we tacked to sail west through the straits, and passed this nice looking sailboat headed east.
We sailed past Ayala Cove and noticed that four sailboats were tied up at the buoy field....
...while only two sailboats were tied up at the docks.
DAZZLER had sailed up the straits and was now headed back to the east along the Tiburon shore.
Another sailboat had entered the straits under spinnaker and then doused it and headed for one of the Tiburon marinas.
Winds drastically softened and became shifty in the middle section of the straits, and a flood current was flowing, so we started to struggle to make progress westward as we watched this fireboat blasting out sprays of water just east of Belvedere.
Behind us a couple of sailboats were crossing paths as they crossed the straits in different directions.
Eventually, we had to give up and start motoring through the rest of the straits, and as we did, enjoying the view of Mt. Tam, towering over Tiburon.
This sailboat behind us was tacking across the straits.
We motored around the northwest point of Angel Island and up hte western shore, passing this civil war era building on shore.
We eventually found some light breeze after motoring past the island, and so were able to begin sailing again, heading toward home port.
Ahead of us, LOLA, a charter sailboat out of pier 39 had come about and was heading back toward home port.
A nice looking large sailboat was behind us and sailing in almost the same directoin and looking good as she ghosted along.
Far to the southwest, another sailboat was crossing the bay, heading toward Raccoon Straits with the overcast GGB behind her.
The sun was illuminating some dramatic cloud patterns over the bay and the headlands, and we eventually encountered some much stronger winds that had us blasing toward home port.
This Islander was heading across the bay, sailing eastward and off the wind, and we watched as she seemed to be headed right for the now-hidden rock just west of Alcatraz, but then tried to head up to try to clear the buoy guarding the rock, but to no avail with the flood current pushing her east and forcing her to tack back to the west. She could have pointed closer to the wind like we were and then easily cleared the buoy.
Alcatraz was in shadow with an interesting pattern of cloud and blue sky overhead and in the distance.
The strong winds held all the way to home port, and the flags on the end of pier 39 were fluttering smartly in the still-strong breeze.
Skies were darkening over the south half of the bay and the city as we sailed into the lee of pier 35 to douse sail and ready for landing.
We then motored into port and tied up. The rain started with in the next half hour, so we were happy to have returned before the rain started.
Michael joined us for a mid-afternoon outing and we left port about 3 pm and headed north with the intention of sailing around Angel Island.
As we sailed northward, a large Matson freighter crossed in front of us, heavily loaded, and headed for Hawaii with cargo including a variety of new cars aboard.
This sailboat passed us, heading south....
...followed a bit later by this one, also heading south toward the Bay Bridge.
With a strong breeze, we were soon east of Angel Island, and enjoying a view of Mt. Tam towering over the Tiburon Headlands.
Eventually, this catboat approached....
....and DAZZLER passed astern of us....
.. before tacking to head for Raccoon Straits.
We headed up sometime later to head for the straits and just missed the north end of the eastern mouth of the straits, so had to tack to enter the straits, sailing toward Angel Island and watching this small sailboat heading east out of the straits, with a larger sailboat behind also leaving the straits.
A small raceboat was blasting down the straits under spinnaker-- perhaps a 29er or a 480.
After approaching the northeast shore of Angel Island, we tacked to sail west through the straits, and passed this nice looking sailboat headed east.
We sailed past Ayala Cove and noticed that four sailboats were tied up at the buoy field....
...while only two sailboats were tied up at the docks.
DAZZLER had sailed up the straits and was now headed back to the east along the Tiburon shore.
Another sailboat had entered the straits under spinnaker and then doused it and headed for one of the Tiburon marinas.
Winds drastically softened and became shifty in the middle section of the straits, and a flood current was flowing, so we started to struggle to make progress westward as we watched this fireboat blasting out sprays of water just east of Belvedere.
Behind us a couple of sailboats were crossing paths as they crossed the straits in different directions.
Eventually, we had to give up and start motoring through the rest of the straits, and as we did, enjoying the view of Mt. Tam, towering over Tiburon.
This sailboat behind us was tacking across the straits.
We motored around the northwest point of Angel Island and up hte western shore, passing this civil war era building on shore.
We eventually found some light breeze after motoring past the island, and so were able to begin sailing again, heading toward home port.
Ahead of us, LOLA, a charter sailboat out of pier 39 had come about and was heading back toward home port.
A nice looking large sailboat was behind us and sailing in almost the same directoin and looking good as she ghosted along.
Far to the southwest, another sailboat was crossing the bay, heading toward Raccoon Straits with the overcast GGB behind her.
The sun was illuminating some dramatic cloud patterns over the bay and the headlands, and we eventually encountered some much stronger winds that had us blasing toward home port.
This Islander was heading across the bay, sailing eastward and off the wind, and we watched as she seemed to be headed right for the now-hidden rock just west of Alcatraz, but then tried to head up to try to clear the buoy guarding the rock, but to no avail with the flood current pushing her east and forcing her to tack back to the west. She could have pointed closer to the wind like we were and then easily cleared the buoy.
Alcatraz was in shadow with an interesting pattern of cloud and blue sky overhead and in the distance.
The strong winds held all the way to home port, and the flags on the end of pier 39 were fluttering smartly in the still-strong breeze.
Skies were darkening over the south half of the bay and the city as we sailed into the lee of pier 35 to douse sail and ready for landing.
We then motored into port and tied up. The rain started with in the next half hour, so we were happy to have returned before the rain started.
