Last weekend was the first one in August we did not have small craft warning in the SF Bay Area. So I decided to take a break from my "head" project to enjoy it (after all, all work and no play makes one a...). As with almost everyone that berth in Oakland or Alameda I motored out the estruary against a 10 knot head wind. As soon as we were clear we made a starboard tack toward Angle Island. The wind was really nice behind the hills of SF and Treasurer Island during the first leg of my trip. As soon as Blossom (Triton106) sailed out of the shadow of Treasurer Island we were immediately welcomed with 20-25 knots fresh breeze with whitecaps everywhere. But having checked the NOAA marine weather forecast beforehand I already had two reefs tucked in. Blossom balanced beautifully under that condition.
Soon we were past the open slot area and came under the lee of Angel Island and wind speed dropped below 5 knotes and the water is almost glassy smooth. What a contrast with the whitecaps in the slot! As I started to look around I saw a guy trying to row his boat out of the lee of the island. I then noticed that the hull shape look very similar to a Triton and as I got closer it sure is another Triton and no other than "Whisper" owned (and now sold) by Robert. I could tell from the distinct yawl rig that he added to "Whisper". Since I know he has sold it but maintained the right to sail it during the summer I was not sure if it was him or the new owner. So I turned on my trusty Atomic Four and motored toward him (at that point the wind is down to almost nothing). It turned out that it was Robert. So I motored around him (he was rowing) and exchanged some pleasantries with him and went our ways. It was a nice close encounter on the water and my first time meeting Robert.
As I came around Angele Island I tacked back and forth like everyone else through the narrow channel between the island and Tiburon and enjoyed taking in the views of the beautiful homes on the edge of the water and the haughty Corithian Yacht Club building. The wind in that area, beacuse it is behind Marin headlands is only 10 knots or so. I thought of shaking out the reefs. But as I look toward the open slot area with the white caps I decided to leave it in.
Soon we were past Sausolito and Marin County hills and in the open slot again. The wind is still blowing 20-25 even though it is close to 4PM by then. It is a beam reach all the way toward SF with the entire city front laying out in front of us. It's the kind of view that can only be enjoyed from a boat and I considered myself lucky to be a sailor.
After we passed the slot area again, unfortunately like someone had given an order, the wind completely disappeared. I mean not even a hint could be detected. So I decided to turn on my iron gennie again and headed toward Oakland estruary and back to Grand Marina again.
Sorry I did not take any pictures. As a single hander I was mostly busy holding on to the course and tacking. Attached below you can see the SF Bay Chart with most of the landmarks I mentioned above. The Oakland estruary is in the lower right hand side. Marin County is in the upper left hand side. Angele Island is in the middle of the chart.
Hope you all go out and have a few more great cruising trips this year.
Best regards,