A Voyage to the Line Islands on a Gun Boat

I featured this 4 part adventure a while ago but it is so good I have to run it again. John John Florence has been on top of the surfing game for a while now. He has fallen hard for sailing and wants to do an open ocean expedition. He and some buds take off for a one month odyssey. I really enjoyed rewatching this vid plus I love Gun boats!

The Big Waves at Nazare Explained

Here is a link to an article that explains why the waves are so big at this epic surf spot. https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/waves-nazare.htm

Why the 1979 Fastnet Race was so Deadly

A Sad Lesson

I have heard this story too many times: A husband and wife take off on an around the planet cruise of a lifetime. The husband has prepared the boat and is a knowledgeable sailor. In his haste, he neglects to tell his wife the basics of the boat. They are far from shore when he falls off the boat. His wife has no idea how to turn the boat around and save him. The boat sails away with a very sad, frantic and remorseful wife sailing into the sunset with no idea how to even save herself. Showing your partner the basics of the boat and how to rescue the skipper with man overboard drilss is so very important. Even on a day sail. You can read the details here: https://trinidadexpress.com/newsextra/this-yacht-will-never-sail-again/article_20d12be6-6ad4-11ed-8664-5fa24c0ed283.html

The Tale of a Dog by John Muir

I ran across a wonderful story by naturalist John Muir. During one of his trips to Alaska in the late 1800's, he came upon a dog that joined him in a boating adventure. Muir is an amzing story teller and this adventure is riviting. Here is a taste of the story: On our trip he soon proved himself a queer character--odd, concealed, independent, keeping invincibly quiet, and doing many little puzzling things that piqued my curiosity. As we sailed week after week through the long intricate channels and inlets among the innumerable islands and mountains of the coast, he spent most of the dull days in sluggish ease, motionless, and apparently as unobserving as if in deep sleep. But I discovered that somehow he always knew what was going on. When the Indians were about to shoot at ducks or seals, or when anything along the shore was exciting our attention, he would rest his chin on the edge of the canoe and calmly look out like a dreamy-eyed tourist. And when he heard us talking about making a landing, he immediately roused himself to see what sort of a place we were coming to, and made ready to jump overboard and swim ashore as soon as the canoe neared the beach. Then, with a vigorous shake to get rid of the brine in his hair, he ran into the woods to hunt small game. But though always the first out of the canoe, he was always the last to get into it. When we were ready to start he could never be found, and refused to come to our call. We soon found out, however, that though we could not see him at such times, he saw us, and from the cover of the briers and huckleberry bushes in the fringe of the woods was watching the canoe with wary eye. For as soon as we were fairly off he came trotting down the beach, plunged into the surf, and swam after us, knowing well that we would cease rowing and take him in. When the contrary little vagabond came alongside, he was lifted by the neck, held at arm's length a moment to drip, and dropped aboard. We tried to cure him of this trick by compelling him to swim a long way, as if we had a mind to abandon him; but this did no good; the longer the swim the better he seemed to like it. I hope you will read the entire story here https://vault.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/writings/stickeen/the_story_of_a_dog.aspx

Out The Gate

On Sunday I took some neighbors out for a sail along with their dog. The temps here on the bay are in the 60's and very nice when you get in out of any wind. We hit Clipper Cove and took the dogs to the beach. They loved it. Back on board the champagne was flowing. We hit the point and there was a bit of wind. Once we got going the wind changed direction and we were in a perfect position to head out the gate without tacking. This does not happen very often. Soon it was 12-15kts and we were flying. We made all the way to Pt. Bonita for a look up and down the coast. Beautiful. I only get out this way once in a while as the tides and the wind have to alighn. Heading back we kept the sails up but needed to motor sail. We came back in after dark to a happy crew and happy dogs. A day for the record books for sure. I told my friends that this was the sail of the year! That is saying alot as I sail 120-140 days a year!

Baja Haha Bummer!

Made it down to San Diego on Friday. I had the whole weekend to find a boat for the Haha. I hit the police dock and no one is looking for crew. Next day, I rented a jet ski for a tour of the local anchorages. The Haha boats are over 3 miles away so the jet ski got me there quick. No takers after hitting a dozen boats. Headed to the kick off party on Sunday and still no one looking for crew. I was getting concerned. Finally, I hooked up with Akela at the last minute at the party. His crew had cold feet and created a spot for me. We took off Monday and things were going great. We passed Ensenada and a few hours later the water pump on the engine failed. No more engine. We decided our best option was to sail back to Ensanda 60 miles and look for parts. We made it in with a tow the last mile. We found the part in San Diego. We took a car there. Joel got the parts and I headed back to SF on the plane. Joel and I hit it off and are life long friends. This would have been my 7th Haha. Maybe next year! Good luck to the fleet! When we were driving up the coast winds were in the high 20's on Thursday.