Monday, September 10, 2007
THURSDAY, 6 SEPT. 07-- BLUSTERY TRIP AROUND ANGEL ISLAND
This day dawned with a red sun in the east, apparently caused by the smoke from forest fires somewhere northeast of the city. A very unusual and interesting sight!
Michael joined us for an afternoon sail around 1:30 pm and we headed out into the central bay with the intention of sailing around Angel Island. The day's climate could not have been more different from the pervious day's sunny, warm and moderately windy conditions. It was blowing like stink, big wind waves were rocking the boat as we headed north, blasting across the bay.
We sailed way to the east of Angel Island and then headed up toward Raccoon Straits, eventually catching up with PERLA, a cutter-rigged sailboat flying full main and trysail and struggling with the high winds.
We sailed past the east mouth of Raccoon Straits and found a slightly softer wind area to reef the jib and then headed back toward the straits, passing WIND THIEF flying full canvas downwind.
As we were tacking through the straits in flukey wind conditions, we spotted PERLA now motorsailing with main only through the straits.
Only a few boats were spending some afternoon time in Ayala Cove.
We managed to sail through the straits but encountered a big wind hole, so eventually turned on the engine to motor back into the wind, while off to starboard the gate was almost completely socked in with fog.
We eventually found extremely strong winds again and were blasting across the central bay toward home port while our old pal ADVENTURE CAT was heading out toward the gate in the wind-whipped seas of the bay.
We eventually ducked behind pier 35 to douse sail and prepare for landing before motoring back into port, having enjoyed our blustery outing and some lively conversation to accompany the adventurous sailing conditions.
This day dawned with a red sun in the east, apparently caused by the smoke from forest fires somewhere northeast of the city. A very unusual and interesting sight!
Michael joined us for an afternoon sail around 1:30 pm and we headed out into the central bay with the intention of sailing around Angel Island. The day's climate could not have been more different from the pervious day's sunny, warm and moderately windy conditions. It was blowing like stink, big wind waves were rocking the boat as we headed north, blasting across the bay.
We sailed way to the east of Angel Island and then headed up toward Raccoon Straits, eventually catching up with PERLA, a cutter-rigged sailboat flying full main and trysail and struggling with the high winds.
We sailed past the east mouth of Raccoon Straits and found a slightly softer wind area to reef the jib and then headed back toward the straits, passing WIND THIEF flying full canvas downwind.
As we were tacking through the straits in flukey wind conditions, we spotted PERLA now motorsailing with main only through the straits.
Only a few boats were spending some afternoon time in Ayala Cove.
We managed to sail through the straits but encountered a big wind hole, so eventually turned on the engine to motor back into the wind, while off to starboard the gate was almost completely socked in with fog.
We eventually found extremely strong winds again and were blasting across the central bay toward home port while our old pal ADVENTURE CAT was heading out toward the gate in the wind-whipped seas of the bay.
We eventually ducked behind pier 35 to douse sail and prepare for landing before motoring back into port, having enjoyed our blustery outing and some lively conversation to accompany the adventurous sailing conditions.
# posted by charlie bergstedt @ 4:49 PM 
