Fantastic Sail Out the Gate

We headed out shortly after 11 for the best sail of the year!  Arnie, Mike, Ron, Sean, Steve and Stacey were aboard for the day sail.  We hit the last channel marker and there was no wind.  We motored for a mile or so and there is a wind line ahead.  The sails are raised and off we go in about 10 knots of wind.  It quickly builds and we reduce sail by furling the jib a bit.  That's better.  We have two options:  Sail to Angel Island for some picnicing or sail hard and head out the Gate towards the ocean.  We opt for the later and begin our journey towards destiny.  The wind continues to build as we head west.  We reef the jib once more and sail comfortably.  We hit the Gate and spirits are high.  Arnie tells us of his recent sail trip from Hawaii to SF.  Their boat hit something in the middle of the night and they had to abandon ship.  A nearby freighter picked them up and took them to Panama.  We tack a few more times and realize it's getting late.  We turn to head home and raise the spinnaker for a glorious run for the barn.  7.5 knots to 8.5 knots is the norm.  With new bottom paint, the Addiction is flying.  After sailing hard for 4 hours to get out, we make it home in a bit over an hour.  The spinnaker comes down as we near the channel and I am one grateful sailor.  Our boat has brought so much fun and happiness into our lives.  I could not be more thankful for such a splendid day on the water.  My crew mates share my feelings.  This is one sail that will be embedded into our memory banks for many years to come.

Twenty Eight Feet: life on a little wooden boat from kevinAfraser on Vimeo.