"Yo Ho, Blow the man Down"

"...the sea's were 50 ft and the wind was 100 knots...."

This week we spent 2 days sailing with our good friends Joyce and Barry and their grandaughter Rachael aboard their Islander 36. (Jubilee II). The first day was just a general run of the bay. The winds were blowing steady at around 12 knots with gusts to 18 on average. The kids were able to comfortably sit on the bow and goof off while eating Jelly Bellies that we had picked up earlier in the week after a factory tour.(We picked up extra candy to hand out to the little ones down south for Halloween in Mexico). The kids got to see a seal eating a small shark and putting on a little show right in front of us. It was a wonderfully sunny day, shorts weather, on the bay.

The next day we got up early to make the tide and head out under the Golden Gate Bridge for a little "practice". We had the typical bay summer morning with heavy fog, lots of wind and chilly temperatures. We had to get out the foulies. (it has been so long that it took us a while to remember where they were stowed so the boat looked like a hurricane hit it before we left).

The wind was not too bad. It averaged 12 to 18 knots inside the bay. We had enough wind to sail through Racoon Straight without having to tack too many times. The tide was still in our favor so we head out for some play time in the Pacific.

As we were approaching the mouth of the gate, about 3 miles from the bridge, the wind picked up a bit and the waves began to grow. This is pretty common there. The waves can be a bit overwhelming if you haven't spent much time in them. They averaged about 8 - 10 ft and were about 8 seconds apart. This area sometimes gets waves coming in at 2 different angles so timing is important so that you don't nose too far into them. The spray soaked the boat a few times. The waves picked us up and slammed us down. The winds grew to 24 knots and the waves grew to 10 - 15 ft but still seemed to be about 8 seconds apart, maybe a little less.

The time that our family has spent coastal cruising has proven one thing (at least for us) and that is when the wind hits a certain speed, say, 25 - 35 knots, the waves stay close together but they flatten out. The wind knocks them down. I am not sure what is better, short little ones, 6 - 8 ft and 4 - 6 seconds apart or bigger ones. Either one, if not prepared will seem huge and scary.

We have gone through a few little storms here and there. 35 - 40 knots being the heaviest and seas upwards of 18 - 22 ft. However the very first time I experienced these seas it seemed as if they were 50 ft and the wind was 100 knots!!

I think Joyce and Barry got a good feel that their boat is quite a seaworthy vessel and that she can handle it like the big boys!!

We went a few miles offshore than turned around just in time for the waves to decrease and enjoy a downwind run back under the Golden Gate Bridge and across the city front for a good look at the city by the bay.The sun was out, and the coats and hats were off!

With all that wind and commotion earlier, that afternoon, it died down to nothing and we had to motor the last mile into the slip. I think we all slept very well last night!

All this did for us was add the needed fuel to get things done soon so we can go out and start our little adventure. Not much left to do, realy, and yet....seems so far away sometimes, but not impossible.

I will be posting videos and pictures soon.