October 16, 2011

Went for an afternoon sail with Gail and Howard Berman, Victor, Lynne and me. Winds were light but enough for sailing. Headed across the bay from Ballena Bay to Hunters point. Sandra and Doron were on Messing About and coincidentally were also heading for Hunters Point. We me up off the point, which is were Doron took the picture below. We then headed north towards the Bay Bridge before turning back to Ballena Bay. On the Bay about 4.5 hours. Other picture below is at the end of the sail. Lynne and I then took the dink for a motor around the island.

Fwd: Wild cat 10/16/2011

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Sailing with the Bermans

Fleet week Oct 8, 2011

Start Time: 10/8/11 1:03 PM

End Time: 10/8/11 5:37 PM

Active track info:

Distance: 19.9 NM

Total time: 4h 33'

Average Speed: 4.4 kts
Max Speed: 7.8 kts

Comment:
Took Lynne, Victor, Eric and two friends of Victor's (Sara and Priscilla) out on the bay for fleet week to watch the blue angels.

We were out for 4.5 hours and went 20 NM. At first there was no wind. So we motored towards the Bay Bridge.

But after we got under the bay bridge the winds quickly picked up to 20 knts with gusts to 25. We motored over to the lee side of Alcatraz to get out of the wind and waves.

Eric got sea sick, poor kid. When the blue angles show began we motored over to the west side of Alcatraz for a better view. It was a great show. Ended up motoring back to the slip because the main halyard got twisted around the radar.

Sept 29, 2011

Took a quick sail after work to meet Sandra and Doron who had sailed down from Alameda Marina. The had wanted to sail into our dock, but it was a low low tide (-.5) and they could not make it over the bar. It was a beautiful night, warm and with a slight breeze. After hanging out a while we headed back and Sandra and Doron did as well.

Sept 11, 2011

Went out for a sail today as skipper on Wildcat with four other people who had won a trip on the bay at a charitable auction. Left the slip at 930 and had to motor across the bay to South Beach Harbor due to light winds. After picking up my guests we motored under the bay bridge and the put up the sail Winds were light at first be then built up to 20-21 knots. We tacked up to the golden gate bridge and under it. Then we. Went on a broad reach into Richardson Bay and anchored for lunch.

After lunch we headed for home. A fast beam reach a across the bay and then a run along the water front of SF. Winds were still about 18-20 but we had an ebb tide slowing us down. Dropped of the guests at 1700 and motored home getting in about 1830.

Long day on the bay but quite fun with good winds and interesting and friendly guests.

__________

Sept 5, 2011

Took a quick sail with Lynne, Lauren, Andrew and Victor today. Just out to the bay, north up to the alameda naval base channel and back again. Winds we light but we had fun.

August 25, 2011

Andrew and I took Andrew's friend Kyle fishing and sailing today. We left the slip at about 11am and first motored out to the end of Alameda point to fish for whatever was biting. We caught one Flounder, one Bat Ray and several crabs. Two got away.

Next we sailed over to Angel Island. The winds were blowing about 20 knts across the slot and 18 knts down Raccoon Straights. We had thought about taking a hike on AI, but the prop is still acting up and I did not want to chance an accident. So we headed back to Alameda. As we approached the slot winds were blowing in excess of 25 knts, so I but in a double reef and we actually had a comfortable sail across the bay even in those high winds.

Got back to the slip at about 6 pm

August 20-21, 2011

Andrew and I took Wildcat to San Leandro for the weekend for a Nonsuch raft up a the Spinnaker Yacht Club. We were able to get a spot on their guest dock and it even included power! The hospitality was first rate and the dinner was very enjoyable.

The next day we sailed back home and had a 12-15 knt beam reach most of the way. Still have too much vibration and think it may be the prop. Going to have it pulled to check it out.

August 8, 2010

Brought Wildcat over to our new home. It is now on the dock in our back yard

July 15, 2011

Lynne and I took Carol P. and Bart B. on a sail around the bay. We left the estuary about 11:30 and motored up the estuary. Winds were light, but picked up as we got out of the estuary. We then put up the sail and sailed over to South Beach Harbor Marina to pick up Bart, who was in town from Texas.

At SBHM we hung out for a bit and had some lunch and then set sail for Angel Island. It was a clear day and Bart took this picture as we were about to pass under the Bay Bridge.

As we passed across the bay the winds picked up but stayed under 20 knots. We sailed by Alcatraz and over to Angel Island. Here is a picture of Wildcat at the slip in Ayla Cove. We took this picture as we hiked along the Sunset trail.

Eventually we got to the west side of the island and Bart and I posed for a picture.

Finally, we headed back after a fund hike. As we crossed the bay and sailed through the slot the winds were blowing about 18-20 kts. But since we were on a broad reach coming over from Angel Island, it was a cake walk. The winds, however, did bring out the Kite Boarders and Bart got a nice picture of two of them passing by the setting sun.

We finally got back to the slip at about 1945. Unfortunately, Wildcat's transmission is on its last legs. I will need to get someone to take a look at it pretty soon.

July 9, 2011

It was a bit chilly. Lynne was at the helm and had to put on some warmer cloths.

July 9, 2011

Lynne and I went for a short sail up the estuary and back. Nice day, a bit on the cool side. Winds variable, mostly 13-16 but slipped to 9 at times.

July 2-4

Lynne and I took off about 10:30 on Saturday for a forth of July weekend on the boat. Our destination was China Camp, an anchorage off the shore of China Camp State Park. CCSP is the remains of a Chinese shrimp fishing village that was operated in the late 1800's to early 1900's. California banned the export of shrimp to China at that time and the failed.

Sandra and Doron left at the same time on Messing About and we motored up the estuary. Pete and Bethany had left the night before and stayed the night at Clipper Cove. They had a head start on us so they got up to China Camp before us. Messing About was quicker off the start than Wildcat and can head up wind better as well. As a result they got through the slot (20-22 knt winds) faster than we did, but as the wind died and the shifted to a following wind of 10-15 knts, we passed by them.

China camp was a bit rolly. Winds were from the south most of the time and there was a strong current. As a result we could not raft up. But Doron and Pete had dingies and I inflated my raft, so Lynne and I could be towed around. Pete also brought up his sail kit for the dingy so we each took turns sailing it.

The weather was warm and sunny with a slightly cool breeze at times. The water was warm enough to swim in, so we all took a dip. Lynne and I had a great dinner on Saturday night. We made chicken carbonara with chicken and a salad. Breakfast each day was yogurt with fruit salad.

On Sunday we did a little exploring, taking the dink into the park, going to the museum, getting some ice cream at the store, and swimming off the beach. In the afternoon during slack tide we sailed around on Pete's dink. We had cocktails on Nanaimo and then each had dinner on our own boats. I must admit that the pad Thai I made was not very good at all. The left overs became fish food. While we had planned to get back together after dinner, we were all too tired and called Iran early night.

On Monday we got a late start. At about 1130 everyone came over to Wildcat and Lynne put out a spread of cheese, pate, humus, pita, crackers, fruit and asparagus. Sandra brought over clamato and vodka and the boys had a few beers. I also reoiled my teak. Peter brought the sailing dink over and we took turns on it.

At about 1500 we got underway to return to Alameda. The wind and tide were against us so it took 2 hours to get past the San Rafael bridge. By that time the current changed to an ebb, but the wind was not favorable. It had been hot all weekend, so I knew it would be blowing in the slot, so I sailed towards Angel Island so that I would be on a beam to broad reach going through the slot. As I got to the slot Doron radioed and warned us theft winds in the slot were gusting to 30 knts. So I put in a reef and the sail through the slot was challenging but fun. Total distance covered was 33.3 NM.

We capped off the night with some cocktails on Messing About once we were all back at the slip.

May 28, 2011

Went for a sail with Pat and Bruce Shewmaker to Clipper Cove for lunch. Winds were moderate and had a nice sail on the estuary. Had a bit of rain going out. A nice lunch at Clipper Cove and a fast sail back.

Start Time: 5/28/11 11:50 AM
End Time: 5/28/11 5:25 PM
Distance: 17.1 NM
Total time: 5h 35 min
Average Speed: 3.1 kts
Max Speed: 5.8 kts

BVI 2011 May 5-13 2011

Lynne and I joined three other couples (Sandra and Doron, Rosemary and Randy, and Catherine and Bob) for nine days on a Lagoon 42 catamaran, Cat Jak, a French boat, sailing the British Virgin Islands, BVI for short.

We left California on Wednesday May 4th and flew over night through JFK to St. Thomas VI. We then took a ferry to Tortolla and a cab to the marina.

Day 1: We arrived at 6pm and took possession of the boat. We stayed on the boat that night and got familiar with the boat and its equipment.

Day 2: The next day we took off for Norman's Island and the Willy T. On the way we stopped at the Indians and did some snorkeling. Willy T's was it's usual wild time. We jumped from the top deck and Lynne got a temp tatoo wild laying on the bar. That night Sandra made a great dinner and we had a fun time on the boat.

Day 3: On Saturday we motored out to the caves at Norman's and did some snorkeling in the morning. We then sailed across St. Francis Drake Passage and put in at Soper's Hole for provisioning. We then sailed over to Great Harbor at Jost Van Dyke. The winds we blowing as we crossed over from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke and we hit over 8.2knts over ground. We got a mooring ball at about 4pm. I when for a long Snorkel around the east side of the bay. Lynne went into town with the other women to explore. Later that night we all went to Foxy's for drinks and Music.

Day 4 Mothers Day: On Sunday we sent a few people into town for ice. It would have been nice to have gone into the local church for services, but the men wanted to get sailing so we took off. We first went to East End Harbor and Diamond Cay to walk the reef and look for sea shells by the sea shore. We also snorkeled and saw sting rays and sea turtles. I also saw two lobsters, but left them where they were.

Doron then wanted to sail directly to Cane Garden Bay and we started in that direction. We had some nice winds and the sail was nice and fast. But as we passed Sandy Cay we decided we had to stop. It was just too pretty to pass up. So we turned back and put the anchor down and went ashore. Bob, Lynne Catherine and Ro walked around the Island. I took another snorkel off the south end. I think they made the better choice.

We then headed over to Cane Garden Bay for the night. We went to shore for a drink, but ate dinner on the Boat.

Day 5: On Monday we left Cane Garden and headed over to Trellis Bay. Randy had arranged to rent a kite board and sail board and needed to pick it up. We sailed most of the way there. It was a long sail and there was a bit of a roll front the ocean swells. Some people got a bit seasick, so we all took turns at the helm. Steering a boat is a good way to treat mild sea sickness. We took a mooring ball at Trellis Bay and Randy got his boards. We then motored over to Marina Cay and got a mooring ball for the night. Once securely on the ball, Bob, Ro, Catherine, Lynne and I took a walk around the island and went snorkeling. We saw a ray and a few other colorful fish. Randy, meantime was windsurfing around Marina Cay and over to Trellis. Eventually we sent Bob, Ro and Catherine out after him. But he was able to sail back and needed only a short tow back to the boat.

Day 6: On Tuesday we set sail for the Baths. The Baths are a very interesting rock formation that

provides great hiking and snorkeling opportunities. In addition, there is a restaurant at the top of the hill overlooking the Baths which has a free swimming pool. We snorkeled the Baths, did the hike through the rock formation and then ended up at the restaurant for lunch/drinks and a swim. While we were there it rained quite hard, but it was a comfortable warm rain. We next set sail for the Dogs for another swim and snorkel. The Dogs are a set of islands off of Virgin Gorda that have some good snorkeling sites. We got a mooring ball and went for a swim. After the swim we sailed to Gorda Sound and Saba Rock. This was one of our longer sailing passages. But we got into the Sound in time to get a choice mooring ball right in front of Saba Rock.

Day 7: On Wednesday Bob, Randy and I went over to eustacia reef to snorkel while everyone else relaxed at the bitter end yacht club. The reef was great! We could even see Necker Island, Richard Branson's private island where Virgin Records has a studio. Later that day we took the boat across the Sound to Leverick Bay. While we crossed the Sound we sailed past the Maltese Falcon, a beautiful, dyna-rigged modern 200 ft long sail boat. Truly a beautiful ship. We then took a mooring ball at Leverick Bay and walked up the hill to Bob's friends house, Mike, for a visit. It was very interesting to see how one lives in paradise. That night we ate dinner at the Leverick's Bay Marina.

Day 8: Lynne's Birthday! On Thursday we set sail for Cooper Island, for guess what? That's right some more snorkeling. We tried to sail there, but the winds were too light, so me motored most of the way We took a mooring ball off of Cooper Island Yacht Club. After snorkeling off of an island between Cooper and Peter Islands, we went over to the yacht club to explore. It was quite new and very nice with a great bar. We then headed back to Maya Cove to return the boat. We got in about 5 pm. We all took showers and cleaned up a bit. After cocktails on the boat we went out to dinner at Pussers East. Lynne and I had Lobster as did several others. The service was not too good, but we had a nice evening.

Day 9 going home: We spent the morning cleaning the boat and getting it ready for inspection by the rental company. We passed and got our deposit back. We then started the long trip back home.

April 30-May 1 2011

Lynne and I went down to wildcat to get some gear for our upcoming trip to the British Virgin Islands. Once we got to the boat, however, the day was so gorgeous, we decided we had to go for a sail. I did not have any clothes appropriate for sailing on that day, but fortunately I had some spare clothes in the boat. However, the only boat shoes I had were my foul weather boots. We sailed up the estuary until we got to the ferry dock at Alameda. At that point one of the large container ships was leaving the dock so we had to drop the sail and follow behind under power. At about this time we heard from Bethany and Doron that they were up in clipper cove and were planning on rafting up for dinner. So we headed up to clipper cove as well and rafted up to the Nanaimo and Messing About. We ended up having baked ziti made by Bethany for dinner. It was great! We the had a few cocktails and ended up dancing on Nanaimo that evening. Our original plan was to head back after dinner, but we had such a good time that we decided to stay overnight and head back the next day.

The next day at 6 AM I disconnected us from the Nanaimo and we motored back to Alameda. We got back it at about 8 AM and headed home. Later that day I went back to the boat and re-oiled the bright work on the outside of the boat to make it look good.

Next outing - the BVI

April 9, 2011

Attempted to sail up to Clipper Cove for a raft up with Nanaimo and Messing About. Got as far as the end of the estuary when 30 knt winds, a tide against me and 3 foot chop stopped me in my tracks. It may be that my transmission is slipping, but whatever the cause, I had little headway and decided to turn around. So did Messing About. Nanaimo, which made it to Clipper Cove ended up coming back to the slip as well. Pete made a fantastic paella and we had a great evening on Nanaimo back at Alameda Marina. The next morning Sandra, Doron and I went up to the IYC and made breakfast and ate out on the deck. We then went for a day sail shown below.

Nanaimo

April 10, 2011

Sailing on messing about. Nanaimo behind us