Monday, October 15, 2007
SUNDAY, 14 OCT. 07-- AROUND TREASURE ISLAND AND ALCATRAZ IN VARIABLE WINDS
Michaal and two Aussies, Steve and Dave, joined us around 2 pm for an afternoon outing.
Winds were light as we left port, so we planned to head east toward the Bay Bridge so we could ride the ebb current back toward home port if the wind died.
As we headed out toward the cental bay, we passed the small canal ferry boat that operates out of pier 39 marina.
As we headed direct downwind toward the D-E span of the Bay Bridge, a couple of sailboats were sailing down the cityfront-- the smaller boat actually passing the larger one.
As we approached the bridge, a Catalina named 30 SOMETHING passed to port, heading north.
Behind us, the charter sloop RUBY was heading home.
In addition, a sailboat flying a cruising spinnaker was heading our way.
Several sailboats were heading north and passing us to starboard.
The sailboat MARGARITA was sailing north along the shore of Yerba Buena Island.
A lovely folkboat was heading east toward the Bay Bridge, sailing direct downwind with poled out jib.
Another Catalina named CALYPSO passed to port, heading north.
Off to starboard, a beautiful schooner passed, heading north and looking great!
That sailboat flying a cruising spinnaker passed to starboard, and having problems with spinnaker trim from time to time.
After sailing under the D-E span, we spotted this lovely Tartan sailboat heading east along the YBI coast.
A coast guard fastboat blasted past, heading east toward the Oakland Estuary.
We gybed and headed for the lee side of YBI, passing the lighthouse on the
On the other side of the east span of the Bay Bridge, the foundation for the suspension tower was continuing to go up.
We soon spotted that same Catalina, the 30 SOMETHING, now heading east.
A smalll flotilla of sailboats passed to starboard heading toward the Oakland Estuary.
The causeway portion of the new east span is virtually complete and the supports for the east end of the suspension span are going up steadily.
As we headed up the east shore of Treasure island, this Catalina passed to port looking good.
After entering the central bay again, this Catboat headed our way, blasting along in the strong westerly wind.
SUNSHINE passed to starboard with its reefed main and jib.
We blasted toward Angel Island and as we approached the buoy at Point Blount, we passed a small sailboat struggling with sail trim in the strong winds and took this short video.
The wind shifted more into the southwest and we were able to sail past the southern shore of Angel Island, heading toward Sausalito, until we arrived in very light winds and tacked toward home port, ghosting along in light wind until we arrived in freshening winds and watched this sailboat off starboard pass in front of us with the fogbond Golden Gate behind.
Off to port, this lovely dark-hulled sailboat was heading east.
We sailed past the south shore of Alcatraz into stronger wind waves and building wind waves that enabled us to do some surfing as we headed home.
This smaller sailboat crossed in front of us.
The city was enjoying the late sunshine as we continued on toward home port.
Winds were softening as we passed the end of pier 39 where the flags were fluttering moderately and winds all over the bay seemed to be declining.
We doused sail after passing the marina and readied for landing. All aboard had enjoyed our several hours on the bay with sunshine, good winds and good conversation.
Michaal and two Aussies, Steve and Dave, joined us around 2 pm for an afternoon outing.
Winds were light as we left port, so we planned to head east toward the Bay Bridge so we could ride the ebb current back toward home port if the wind died.
As we headed out toward the cental bay, we passed the small canal ferry boat that operates out of pier 39 marina.
As we headed direct downwind toward the D-E span of the Bay Bridge, a couple of sailboats were sailing down the cityfront-- the smaller boat actually passing the larger one.
As we approached the bridge, a Catalina named 30 SOMETHING passed to port, heading north.
Behind us, the charter sloop RUBY was heading home.
In addition, a sailboat flying a cruising spinnaker was heading our way.
Several sailboats were heading north and passing us to starboard.
The sailboat MARGARITA was sailing north along the shore of Yerba Buena Island.
A lovely folkboat was heading east toward the Bay Bridge, sailing direct downwind with poled out jib.
Another Catalina named CALYPSO passed to port, heading north.
Off to starboard, a beautiful schooner passed, heading north and looking great!
That sailboat flying a cruising spinnaker passed to starboard, and having problems with spinnaker trim from time to time.
After sailing under the D-E span, we spotted this lovely Tartan sailboat heading east along the YBI coast.
A coast guard fastboat blasted past, heading east toward the Oakland Estuary.
We gybed and headed for the lee side of YBI, passing the lighthouse on the
On the other side of the east span of the Bay Bridge, the foundation for the suspension tower was continuing to go up.
We soon spotted that same Catalina, the 30 SOMETHING, now heading east.
A smalll flotilla of sailboats passed to starboard heading toward the Oakland Estuary.
The causeway portion of the new east span is virtually complete and the supports for the east end of the suspension span are going up steadily.
As we headed up the east shore of Treasure island, this Catalina passed to port looking good.
After entering the central bay again, this Catboat headed our way, blasting along in the strong westerly wind.
SUNSHINE passed to starboard with its reefed main and jib.
We blasted toward Angel Island and as we approached the buoy at Point Blount, we passed a small sailboat struggling with sail trim in the strong winds and took this short video.
The wind shifted more into the southwest and we were able to sail past the southern shore of Angel Island, heading toward Sausalito, until we arrived in very light winds and tacked toward home port, ghosting along in light wind until we arrived in freshening winds and watched this sailboat off starboard pass in front of us with the fogbond Golden Gate behind.
Off to port, this lovely dark-hulled sailboat was heading east.
We sailed past the south shore of Alcatraz into stronger wind waves and building wind waves that enabled us to do some surfing as we headed home.
This smaller sailboat crossed in front of us.
The city was enjoying the late sunshine as we continued on toward home port.
Winds were softening as we passed the end of pier 39 where the flags were fluttering moderately and winds all over the bay seemed to be declining.
We doused sail after passing the marina and readied for landing. All aboard had enjoyed our several hours on the bay with sunshine, good winds and good conversation.
# posted by charlie bergstedt @ 1:02 PM 
