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Free at last - mini sailing vacation

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/18/2005 : 13:12:45

Thanks to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, and the holiday in his honor, I spent yesterday on a mini-sailing vacation.

Up at about 6:30, I left the house early and was on the boat well before there was any wind. I filled up my gast tank and left for San Diego Bay. Once outside there was a little very light wind. Due to the Santa Ana conditions it was from the north east. I had sunny skies, temps in the high 70s and smooth seas. San Diego bay was a down wind run from Mission Bay. Boat speeds were low. I did some motoring and arrived at Point Loma around 2 PM.

By this time, the afternoon winds were finally picking up and they were accelerated strongly by the venturi affect of the point. I cleared the kelp and was close reaching into the bay at over 7 knots, surfing the 4 foot swells, and a little overpowered. I fell off a little and allowed both sails to just slightly luff. In the big winds, waves, heeled to 40 degrees, right in the harbor entrance, it was all I could do at the time. I had my 135 laminate on and full main.

I decided to gybe around and head for home. Mission Bay was going to be a long beat in these winds! Of course, I figured they were local. Now close hauled and heading out, the boat was way overpowered. I put her on autopilot for a minute and put in the flattening reef. What a difference! We came back down to 20 degrees of heel. With every mile out the wind dropped. Soon I shook out the flattening reef and left the boat on autopilot. I saw my first whale.

I ran out about 3 miles and then flopped for Mission Bay. I saw another group of whales and the commercial whale watching boats converged. I waved to the passengers and hardend up to try to point high enough to clear the Mission Bay kelp.

Winds were dropping steadily AND I was getting headed. As I got worked into the kelp beds, my fish finder went off and there were birds diving and fish jumping all around. I threw in a jig and got a small mackeral (released). I saw more whales. A 1/2 mile upwind, I could see a small sportfisher with kids on the bow cheering. Quickly, I hove the boat to on the port tack and waited. I turned off the fish finder and radio. We were running silent. Two whales surface upwind. I heard them breathe first. They swam directly under Indiscipline. I watched them dissapear to the south. It was a perfect day to join them, but not the time.

I had to take a long tack out to sea and the wind went to nothing. I was about 5 miles out so I started the Honda and motorsailed back. I arrived in Mariners Basin, got the sails furled, and anchor down before dark. I was about 1/4 mile from the slip. I spent the evening sitting in the cockpit watching the sunset, city lights and stars come out. Made a quick dinner and sipped a cup of tea until about 9 PM. Silence, blessed silence. And peace.

This morning I was up before the alarm went off - it was cold in the boat (about 55). Put the coffee on, ate a quick breakfast. I got the anchor up, motored back to my slip, and was into the office before 8. I am a different person - and no one here even knows (or understands).

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

Edited by - on

Charlie Vick
Captain

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USA
423 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2005 : 13:40:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimB517

....I am a different person - and no one here even knows (or understands).

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

We know and we do!

Sounds like a great day, thanks for sharing.

Edited by - on

JJM
Navigator

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USA
170 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2005 : 13:55:17

Sounds like bliss! What a wonderful vacation!

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2005 : 14:04:18

Jim,

Have you had a chance to try your new sail yet?

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - on

Esteban
Navigator

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139 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2005 : 14:38:58

Dang,

Let's see - it's 10 degrees out today - Saturday I cleared some of the ice on the tarp on my boat. Keep it coming please - and throw in some pictures. Living vicariously through these stories.

Esteban

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2005 : 14:50:28

I have a few photos to add in the next day or two. Perhaps I'll hold them up until next weekend when Commodore Don Peet is visiting for a sailing trip. Now I know where to find the whales.

Al - yes, I rigged the new sail. I was surprised how short it is, however, it fits perfect and is just what I wanted in a storm jib. Having it on board means, of course, we'll probably never have another storm. Still, I need it for where I am going this summer.

Edited by - on

austin72
1st Mate

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48 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2005 : 15:53:14

Yes Jim (or anyone!), please keep the stories coming. It's fuh-fuh-fuh-freezing here in the upper midwest but the stories take us away from it for a few moments!

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2005 : 16:12:04

Got up 5am on Saturday, drove to Newark Airport, flew to Daytona Beach (Lauderdale flights were full), drove to Fort Lauderdale stopped by the grocerie store picked up perishables.....Got to Lady Kay around three. It was cloudy and 65, it had rained (a lot) recently. Cooked dinner, and played games with the kids. Had a good nights sleep listening to the lapping water.

Sunday the weatherman had promised some sun and seventies......HE LIED!!!!

Solid overcast, blustery winds out of the North and 60 degrees.....Spent the morning doing a couple of small projects. Weather did not improve, but I spoke of beach to motivate the troops on Saturday, so to the beach we went. Kids digging up Florida, me and "the Owner" in our foulies hiding behind a dune and reading. We actually had a good time....Dinner and another good nights sleep.

A quick check on the computer revealed lots of people were changing their travel plans and were busting out on Monday......airplanes filling up ..YIKES. As we travel standby, and under less than ideal circumstances can sit at the airport and watch full airplanes leaving without us, we had to start the game early on Monday, as it would get progressively worse during the day. We were lucky and had the last three seats plus a jumpseat on the 9am. Blasted off into perfectly blue skies...

Got back to Newark, it was 20ish......We had a good time despite the weather, better luck with that next time.

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay" (Ex. C250 WB #618 )
Georgetown MD/Fort Lauderdale FL

Edited by - Oscar on 01/18/2005 16:19:49

Bruce Ebling
Navigator

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USA
155 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2005 : 19:23:57

Jim: Thanks for sharing, you have no idea of how wonderful your day sounds to those of us on the hard waiting for spring!
Bruce Ebling

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2005 : 19:24:38

Jim,

I'm green with envy, but good for you! As I sit here, it is 10 below and hasn't stopped falling yet.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2005 : 22:57:20

Jim,

Why do you think the sail is so new. I used it three times last year and maybe two other times since 1988. I tended not to sail in extreme conditions in my younger days. Since single handing in nasty weather, particularly club racing, it came in real handy.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2005 : 11:20:27

Al, I want to go on a mega summer offshore cruise San Diego to San Miguel Island.

http://www.nps.gov/chis/smipage.htm.

From the Channel Islands National Park guide : "Fifty-five miles off the coast from Ventura, San Miguel Island is the farthest west of the Channel Islands. Because of its location in the open ocean, it is subject to high winds and lots of fog. The island is a tableland of lush grasses and wildflowers, with 27 miles of jagged, rocky coastline dotted with sandy white beaches. The westernmost of these beaches, Point Bennett, is the only place in the world where up to six different species of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) can be found."

This island is way out there, and several hundred miles from home. I need the storm jib and double reefed main because I could expect big winds and seas. Its going to be a single handed, 3 week, epic adventure. I'll be fully prepared to chicken out and stay at Santa Cruz Island, get up early and motor out in morning calm.

I'm going to have stops at San Clemente, Catalina, Santa Barbara Island, and Santa Cruz with maybe a day off in a mainland marina.

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2005 : 13:59:58

Jim, About the planned trip. My wife and I are hoping to be able to meet you at least for part of your summer trip in Catalina Island and maybe one of the outer islands. Do you have a firm schedule of at least the Rendevue at Two Harbors. I haven't been able to find out the Rendevue date. Maybe Richard G. would have that info.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2005 : 20:37:56

Working on it...I sent an email to RichardG. I'd like to go to the Rendevouz this year and I'll be in Avalon on Aug. 4 for my father-in-laws birthday. Other than that dates and times are open.

I'd guess last weekend in July.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2005 : 22:48:58

You're getting pretty close to Point Conception... a nasty spot that. (Yoda speak)

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2005 : 05:41:13

Hey Jim,

Sounds like a good trip. I love those nights sleeping on board too! Just wondering about the Kelp Forests. Does the kelp hang up on the keel? I would love to scuba dive over there. Maybe some day I can make it to the far side.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2005 : 08:16:24

Jim,

A very ambitous sail single-handed. My hats off to you. I hope to be making dimilar trips on Lake Superior and other Great Lakes soon.

Perhaps you can synthasize your daily log for publication in the Main Sheet. It would be great to read about any lessons learned, boat handling, etc.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2005 : 10:45:54

Ben-FL I generally sail (and fish) right in the edge of the kelp. Some days the kelp will be "up" somedays "down". On the down days you only know you're over it cause you see it on the fish finder. On the days its up it looks like salad on the surface. It doesn't hang up on the keel - although I think a wing is a little more vulnerable. It does hang up on the rudder and of course engine. In a jam - or to win a race - you CAN sail right through it especially down wind/current. The stringers bend in the direction of the current and you can slip through. But you have to keep a boat hook handy. Tilting the motor up helps. Motoring through the thick stuff is not possible. If the kelp is up I avoid the kelp beds. Although that is where the fish are.

Edited by - on

Mark Loyacano
Navigator

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USA
247 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2005 : 11:02:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ClamBeach
 You're getting pretty close to Point Conception... a nasty spot that. (Yoda speak)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

What does this mean?

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2005 : 11:11:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimB517
 ...Some days the kelp will be "up" somedays "down". On the down days you only know you're over it cause you see it on the fish finder. On the days its up it looks like salad on the surface...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have the same issue on Lake Erie with seaweed. The seaweed here forms small 20ft diameter islands in the shallower areas and when the water levels are low, you can easily spot them and steer around, but on high water days they disappear just below the surface.

One time while sailing along in good wind with my old swinger, I started having problems keeping up with other sailors no matter how my sails were trimmed. Shortly thereafter, I was barely moving even though the wind was brisk. Looking overboard I saw a few strands of seaweed trailing along the waterline so I stowed the sails, donned a mask, and went overboard. I soon discovered that my keel cable had a 3ft ball of seaweed wrapped around it!

It took me quite awhile to cut and pull this mess off while holding my breath for 30 seconds at a time, but from that time on, I became more aware of what lies just below the surface!

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2005 : 12:04:28

Mark, Point Conception is sometimes called "The Cape Horn of California". Its known for big winds and waves - its a major convergence zone. I've met people who were selling their new boat the day after they rounded it (20 foot seas, 30 knots of wind on the nose, etc). However, my trip is planned for August, the most benign month, and I'll be watching weather very carefully.

BTW - Those people knew nothing and tried to round the point in the mid afternoon on a big wind day. Can't do that, they should have stayed in Morro Bay and motored around midnight to dawn in a flat calm.

If I can't manage to sail a C25 to San Miguel in August, I'll never sail a bigger boat across an ocean.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2005 : 22:12:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimB517
 If I can't manage to sail a C25 to San Miguel in August, I'll never sail a bigger boat across an ocean.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Jim, if ANYBODY can do it, YOU can do it!

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