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Great sailing day between storms

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/22/2007 : 12:30:55

Last weekend it was stormy, went out anyways into about 20 knots of wind gusting higher, 5 foot seas at 4 seconds. The biggest trouble was the wind was from the south which always sets up a wicked chop over our California current from the north. I sailed out on a reach about 5 miles, then headed back. I was under 135 and full main. It was a handful coming back with the wind on the quarter and seas seeming to come from every which direction. Impossible conditions for the autopilot. Then it rained on Monday (holiday) and Tuesday the waves were like 9 feet at the Mission Bay jetty so I did some work on the boat. I added a new 8 inch cleat on the bow through bolted into the anchor locker with a big backing plate so I finally have a decent cleat for anchoring. I also converted to iPOD for on board music!

Yesterday I had some comp time for working Saturday night from 11 PM to Sunday morning 3 AM. Keeping a 7x24 government computer system up and running can be trouble. Still it has it's benefits as I take an afternoon or two off during the best sailing day of the week.

Yesterday (Wednesday) we had winds about 10 to 12 knots. Seas were about 3 feet at 14 seconds. Air temp was a little chilly - about 65F. I had a hooded sweatshirt and wind breaker on. The sun was out, sparkling on the water. It was summer-like conditions (just cooler). I tacked out of Mission Bay around 1 PM. I put the boat on a close reach for the 9 mile bank. With the 135 on, the boat was pulling very nicely. It was comfortable. I was making 5.5 knots, fast enough. I had the jazz station on, and only 1 or 2 other boats in sight. Gradually I pulled offshore, making the bank about 3 PM. It was still nearly perfect sailing conditions - sun sparkling on the seas, white caps now and then, light rolling swell, land barely visible. But I was afraid the winds wouldn't last. The forecast was NW light and variable, followed by a swing to SW 10 knots. Around here, the winds die during the swing. So I started to head back.

I went below and made a cup of coffee and ate some dried fruit. Watching out the hatch, I saw a couple of other boats. Looking through the binocs, they turned out to be a big ocean going tug and barge. 30 minutes later, they were still on the same bearing off my port beam. I trimmed for more speed. It looked like I might just pull ahead. But why take chances? So I hardened up for a beat and eventually just cleared the stern of the barge.

I was now on course for La Jolla, about 5 miles out, and its 4 PM and we still have wind. So I let the boat go, eventually running into the La Jolla Kelp. About 5 PM I was 5 miles from Mission Bay, winds were going way down. I gybed for home. Of course, MB was now dead down wind so I held a course as close as I could. Boat speeds down to 3 knots or less. I was seriously eyeing the chute. Eventually I pulled it out, ran up my new spinnaker sock, set the pole, and popped it. It was a bit of work single handed but I've moved a few of the "lines led aft" back up to the bow so I can do all the spinnaker setting from the foredeck. I was able to drive a little deeper, arriving off MB jetties about 1 mile out as the sun was down and so did the wind.

Sitting there I was watching the windex spin in circles. So I got the spin in (it is so easy with the chute sock), dropped it on deck, sheeted the mainsail in and motored the 2 miles back to my slip. I kept the motor just off idle, I was in no hurry.

I arrived back at dark, cleaned up, put sails away, and was on the road for home by 7, home by 8. Nice 1/2 day off. Sailed about 20 miles total. Working on the boat almost every night now, and getting out sailing only 3 or 4 days per week. I can't wait for daylight savings time!

Next storm starts tonight. Perhaps I'll be flying 60% jib and double reefed main this Sunday!

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

Edited by - JimB517 on 02/22/2007 12:33:49

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2007 : 12:49:45

Sounds like a blast, Jim. thanks for sharing!

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2007 : 12:54:17

Sounds like a great time - over here in NYC, we're still waltzing around frozen snow mounds.....I'm guessing about 8 weeks till we launch!
Thanks for the read, enjoy!

Edited by - on

dave holtgrave
Captain

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USA
427 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2007 : 19:46:47

midwest didn't really have any winter conditions until about two weeks ago.
had lots of snow too much wind, and one hell of a cold temprature range.

then monday it waqs high fifties tuesday low sixties.

snows gone and i got the spring bug bad.

later
dave holtgrave
5722 sk/tr
hard and dry near carlyle lake in southern illinois

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2007 : 21:22:25

Jim... just keep on describing your

1/2 day sailing trips like that and I may just turn the truck around, drive back to San Diego, and join you again for our great time of sailing we had... Henk

Edited by - on

gnorgan
Admiral

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USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2007 : 23:49:32

Henk....just turn the truck around and drive on back. You KNOW San Diego has the best sailing this time of year

Heading down to the boat on Friday and Saturday.

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2007 : 07:26:33

Hi Gary: Someday Lady longs to have a wet bottom again... She's thoroughly confused by now and keeps nudging in all directions... she's even complaining of having sand blisters on her bunks.

Miss you guys

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.