December 26, 2011

Lynne and I took an afternoon sail with Sandra and Doron on their boat, Messing About. They had motored over to our slip and then we motored back with them to alameda.

Dec 18, 2011

Start Time: 12/18/11 4:12 PM
End Time: 12/18/11 5:23 PM

Distance: 5.9 NM
Total time: 1h 11'
Average Speed: 4.9 kts
Max Speed: 6.8 kts

Andrew and I took a quick motor around the south bay.

John Finston

November 27, 2011

Went on aaron afternoon sail with Lynne. Winds were light and temp was quite cool, but had a good sail nevertheless.

Sent from my iPhone

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November 20, 2011

Went on a race with Doron on his boat Messing About. It was the Commodore's race and we had special rules for the race. When the first boat to reach the turning mark rounded the mark, all the other boats were to turn as well, no matter where they where in the race. This was an interesting way to even out the boats for the finish. Well we were the last boat on at the turn (out of 4) and finished 3rd at the end. The problem is that Messing About is a former charter boat and has a very small jib as a result. The other boats were more set up for racing and in the light air that prevailed that day, they went right by us.

October 30, 2011

Went for a sail with Kim and Paul Lipkin, Mellisa and Grant, and Lynne. Left the slip just after one and headed across the bay in light winds. Tacked up towards the bay bridge and then a run back. Winds were light the whole way so it was a pleasant sail. Did some planning for our trip to the BVI In May.

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.

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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