El Nino may be the biggest and baddest yet!

If you have not heard, El Nino is coming this winter. The warming of equatorial waters affectionity called El Nino, happens in December or so. It affects weather all over the world with extremes of snow fall, drought, storms and much more. Currently, were seeing some of the warmest waters across all oceans. In some cases 3 degrees higher than normal. The warmer water creates more moisture in the atmosphere and on the west coast of the US (I live near SF), it will bring very strong storms from the Gulf of Alaska in the form of rain, wind and snow in the Sierras. It's going to be a wild winter. Currently, the winds on the SF Bay have been extremely high due to the warm water. Normally the winds are in the 25 knot range every day. This summer, the winds have been in the 30's most days. That's alot of wind and not very comfortable. We will see what happens. Time to buckle your seat belt and hold on!

I love this commercial prank!

Three Time World Surfing Champ and his Sailing Life

Mav's rider chases biggest wave in the world!

Why We Love Sailing

Whale Strike

A friend of mine was out sailing a few miles offshore and hit a whale. The whale was pissed and came back and struck the boat 4 times. My friend thought the boat was going to sink. Terrifying! Prop shaft bent and not working so they received a tow in. $25k in damages. The whales are not finding their usual source of food and are hungry. Water is too warm. My friend should be back on the water soon after repairs. The whale is fine. I am headed to a raft up of 40 boats this weekend. The Washed Up Yacht Club is hosting their annual summer party. Bands and DJ's will be rocking the cove!

Biggest Waves in 30 Years!

Hanging in the mountains with my childhood best friend Andy. Happy summer!

R2AK Start is June 14

The Race to Alaska is next week. This is my favorite race due to the inginuity that is used to travel the 750 miles from Victoria, Canada to Ketchikan, Alsaka. Some travel by sailboat and some use other craft including but not limited to canoes, paddle boards, row boats, and more. The winner gets $10,000 and second place is a set of steak knives. The race is known for its sometimes rigorous conditions and the spirit of adventure it inspires. There are no motors allowed! A few years ago they made a full length movie about the race that can be seen only on the Youtube channel itself. Please go there for an amazing look at a very unique race thru some very impressive natural beauty.

Old Commercial That is Hilarious

Lessons Learned after a Collision

Mine's Bigger (the 10 largest sailing yachts in the world)

Nightmare on the Open Ocean

We had a great time in eastern Europe over the last few weeks. Montenegro was the highlight. Think lake Tahoe but 1/3 the size. The Bay of Kotor is magical. Back on the bay for a week or so and we depart for Kauai shortly. My son and his wife are joining. I love Kauai! Check out this life or death situation from a few years ago.

A slice of heaven!

This is truly paradise. These islands are very remote and hard to get to. This family did it. Enjoy.

Courageous - 8 Bells for Ted Turner

Saved by a Whale!

Finally Legal: H2uh0 turns 21

Hard to believe I have kept going for this long. Of the original bloggers I started following back in 2001, no one is left but me. Frogma, Horse's Mouth, Wet Ass, Proper Course, EVK4, and many others have moved on. I love sailing and everything about it so I continue on. My boat Aquarius continues to perform at top levels. She was amazing on our 7 month voyage to Mexico and back. Now she sails between 100 and 150 days a year on the SF Bay and she continues to impress. I have a bunch of international travel with my wife coming up as we head back to Eastern Europe for a cruise from Turkey to Venice with lots of cool stops along the way. South Africa and New Zealand are coming up later this year. My sailing plans include one more Baja Haha in November and tons of day sails on the bay. I have been out twice this week and the winds have been over 25 each day. The boat handles it well. Lastly, I have my 50th high school reunion back in Wilmington, Delaware in October. I was a DJ for 30 years in the bay area and this will be my last gig. I am having a blast working out the 100 song playlist. Songs from the 60's and up to 1976 are on the list. Here are 5 songs from the list. Whiter Shade of Pale, Use Me, Bridge over Troubled Waters, Stairway to Heaven and Amie. I am getting close to 70 and hope to continue to sail for at least 10 more years. I sure do love it out there and sharing my love of the water with my friends and family. In my next lifetime I plan to follow in the footsteps of this beautiful lady!

Sailing Anarchy has been sold

Word on the docks is that Scott sold the website to another party. I have been following them for 25 years (his site was one of the many that inspired me to start my own blog). Another blogger bites the dust. I may be the last one left!

Big boyz in town

Almost lost his Keel

Here is a fascinating look at how boats are manufactured. It also looks at some of the weaknesses of the grid system used in building production boats. Especially around the keel. In this story, we look at the forces that caused cracks at the bottom of the boat from the 9' keel and resulted in the boat taking on water.

Too Much Fun!

From the Darkside: The Great Loop

Did you know you can boat from Lake Michigan to New York, down the Intercoastal to FLA and then back up to Lake Michigan? The distance is about 6000 miles and lots of folks love it.

The Need for Speed

I would rather be on a boat with a drink on the rocks than in the drink with a boat on the rocks!

James explains his misfortune of running agound not once but twice. Lessons were learned and no one was injured in the process. A perfect example of bonehead moves on the water.

Mexico Update

200 hundred miles to go. We did two overnight sails. Stopped for a day at a unnamed spot for a rest. Next morning another 100 mile sail. It was great. Motoring thru the night, I had the 1am to 4am slot. The moon was out and 75 degrees. I decided to put some cushions on the deck and went out from the dodger. Music playing and just me and some passing dolphins. I thought about many of the woman I had dated in my life. I remembered one that I had not thought of in a while. She was possibly the most beautiful women I ever met. She and I were judges at a beauty contest. It was a sweet thought. We made in to Ztown at about 9am. We had breakfast and then went into town for lunch. During lunch, a local (Enrique) stopped by the table and asked if we were sailors. He had big dreams of sailing the ocean one day. I got his number and he gave me a ride to the hotel. Had a quiet night at a lovely spot I was staying, Aura del Mar Hotel. The next day I invited Enrique to go for a sail on a beach catamaran. The wind was about 8 but it was great on the Hobie 16. We had a nice sail and the wind died just as we came in. Lunch on the beach was awesome. Took a nap and the headed over to the Guitarfest opening night. I was there a while but was not feeling my best so went home early. I was a bit dehydrated. On Sunday we headed for Grand Isle for lunch and swimming. It was a 2 hour motor each way. On Monday I got my ritual going. Breakfast, massage and a swim. I did the same each morning. Other highlights included a concert on a huge trimaran with 80 guests. Another night we went down the beach for a concert in the sand. Wild horses romped by at one point. These last two shows, I joined Mark and Cindy who I had met earlier on the voyage. I said good by to my new friends and crew knowing we will meet again. I think I mentioned the boat Elizabeth Heather will be circumnavigating and I hope to join her in the South Pacific in 2027!

Pacific Mexico Cruise

We had a day sail to our next overnight anchor. Chamela is a great stop. In the morning I swam to a nearby boat. I introduced myself and he asked if my wife was at Disneyland? Huh? He says we met on the Haha and I had told him my story. Good to see you Andrew. We then headed to Parioso just down the way. One of my favorite anchorages and we are the only boat. After lunch we head to the beach for bocce. Losers have to cook dinner. Game on. Lets just say our team did not cook that night. Next day we head for Tenacatita. A cuisers's paradise. 30 boats in the bay and bocce on the beach. We went to the dingy raft up with some food and met the fleet. We annouced there wold be a jam session on our boat at 7:30. Sure enough 8 or so dingys showed up as well as lots of guitars and flutes. We had a blast and I met some folks I hope to see in Ztown. Had a nice swim the next morning. One gal reported she swam with dolphins nearby. That evening we headed over to Delta Swizler for drinks and food. Good times and a chance to meet more cruisers. Off for an overnight sail tonight and then the Guitarfest in Ztown.

sers.

Trouble in Paradise

I arrived in Puerto Vallarta on Saturday afternoon. My friend Jim and I had no problem finding the boat only 2 miles from the airport. A swimming pool nearby was refreshing. All was well. Sunday morning, all hell broke loose. We walked out the marina gates to see a bus on fire on our way to provision. That's wierd. We continued to the store and the streets and sidewalks were almost empty. We provisioned and I went to see about a cab. The manager told me there were no cabs available. What? Then we heard about the drug cartels and the distruction. We found a cab and saw alot of smoke in different areas of the city. We sheltered in place that night to let things cool down. We took off on Monday and were one of a handful of boats on the water. We headed for Yelapa and hit the beach for food and bocce. It was nice to be far away from the violence. On Tuesday we headed out early for a 40 mile run to Ipala. Its well protected and that was welcome as the winds hit 25 on the way down. Big waves and a bit of surfing on our 45' ketch. Our next big stop is the cruisers paradise of Tenacatita. More soon onboard Heather Elizabeth. Below: Yelapa waterfall.

Departing for a Sojourn in Mexico

I am heading back to Mexico to meet up with my Haha boat and sailing the best that Mexico has to offer. The 350 miles between Puerto Valarta and Zihutanejo are spectacular. Lots of beautiful anchorages, stunnung sunsets and tons of wildlife. We are heading south to experience Guitarfest. 20 or so artists play on the beach in a concert setting. After the first event, they all scatter to venues in the city. I was there during my 2019/20 voyage and vowed to come back. Six onboard and temps in the mid 80's every day. We have Starlink aboard and I plan to update the blog a few times during the voyage. Stand by!

Diving in Indonesia

Wow!

Terrible Crash at Sail GP

SailGP, like most events with a “Grand Prix” theme, promises excitement and adrenaline while testing the edge of danger. Saturday’s SailGP event in Auckland crossed the danger line when the French and New Zealand teams collided after Peter Burling and team on Black Foils appeared to lose control in front of the French, who did their best to avoid a collision. They didn’t make it. The fleet boats were traveling at around 90 km/h (about 56 mph) in “breezy conditions” when the DS Team France F50 smashed into the side of Black Foils. Two sailors suffered significant injury, and the boats were badly damaged.

Meanwhile in Santa Cruz...

All six occupants were rescued. Who would do this???

Another Top YouTuber Says Goodbye

La Vagabond to Sell Boat and Move On

I have been following this channel since the beginning. These guys have seen it all and done it all since 2018. They became the top sailing Youtube channel and made millions from their videos. Now they have two boys who need the stability of land as they grow older. I don't think we have seen the last of them as they transition to sustainable living at some tropical location with a much more humble boat at the dock waiting for them. Bon voyage!

Forecasts For SF Bay Are Not Accurate

The NOAA releases forcasts for the day and the coming days. In the winter, most of the forecasts are usually 5-10. Here is this weekends forcast:

Today was the same, 5-10. I got out on the bay about 11am. By the time I got to Treasure, it was 20. As I approached Angel it was gusting to 27. I got behind the island and the waves deminished but the wind was nice at 15. This same thing happened the three other days I sailed this week, but not as strong. I do sail in the windiest part of the bay and I believe the Tule Fog in the Central Valley is making a huge difference in the winds this winter. For the first time ever, we have had a serious blanket of fog from Fresno to Redding. A distance of over 300 miles of dense fog. The fog has been there for 8 weeks or more. Most winters, a good day is 10 knots of wind. This winter it has been more like 15-20 most days. Not that I am complaining. I am just glad I still go out when the forecast is 5-10. Today was epic!

100' tri breaks Jules Verne Record for a lap around the planet!

Pro Tips

From a sailor in the Med. Keep your dreams alive – Never give up on your dreams, however long they may take to come to fruition. It was Garcia Marquez who said: ‘It’s not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.’ Big isn’t always best – At 6ft 4in, headroom was a major consideration for me, so I was lured towards a biggish yacht; that also allowed us to entertain family and friends in real comfort. But in hindsight I discovered that decent headroom is available on smaller yachts. Such a choice would have reduced the capital cost enormously. Be budget savvy – Don’t underestimate the continuing costs of boat ownership, particularly as the boat ages. Keep meticulous accounts; they help to keep you grounded and to plan ahead. Learn to anticipate at least one unexpected four-figure expenditure every year. When do your insurers demand that you replace the standing rigging? That is a very substantial expense. How old are the sails, and in what condition? Then plan ahead for sail replacement, another major expense. Drop the hook in harbours – Avoid marinas if you possibly can. Village harbours are much cheaper, and generally more attractive. Peaceful anchorages are free and truly blissful. Prepare for the night sails – Passages involving one or more nights at sea demand careful planning, a stock of spares, checks of radar and navigation apps and weather forecasts. Moonlit nights are safer and so enjoyable. Ideally, have a minimum crew of four: two-man watches are far less perilous than solo watches, given the body’s insistent demands that you nod off. Be ready for storms – Ensure your chain locker contains more than the normally needed length of chain. In a major storm you may need to let out much more than you would normally at anchor. We always used the oven as a Faraday cage, putting all movable electrical items in it.

Whale in the Bay!

I was out looking for wind between Angel and Treasure Island yesterday. I was turning off the engine when a 25 foot grey whale surfaced 20 feet from the boat. He took a breath and dissappeared. I have not seen a whale in the bay for over 2 years so this was a momentous occasion. Over the years, I have seen more than a dozen inside the bay. Some come in looking for food, some are injured or sick and one famous whale went all the way to Sacramento and back out to sea in the 80's. I look foirward to seeing many more.

New Sailor

I am taking out a newbie on Wedneesday. I will have to mention these to him.

Top Vids of the Year 2025

Hobart Update

The Most Exciting Year of my Sailing Life!

I did not know that 2025 would be the sailing year it turned out to be. First off was a voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong with my wife and two longtime friends. A bit of Thailand was in there too. Then it was off to Bora Bora for a 7 day charter with my friend Barry. Amazing and so beautiful. In June, my wife and I hit Switzerland for a few days before taking off to Croatia for a 7 day charter. This was way over the top with a captain, chef and bartender. My favorite charter out of the 8 or so that I have done. The captain knew where to go and took care of all the details. The weather was delightful. In July, we headed to the Delta for a huge raft up loosly known as burning man on the water. I helped a friend get his new boat down to Ventura from SF in September. Another 10 day adventure. Then it was off to the Baja Haha. My 9th time with a rally from San Diego to Cabo on a 10 day jaunt down the coast. 100 boats and 400 like minded sailors. Mix all this in with over 120 days of sailing the SF Bay and you have a sailors dream. 2026 is looking good with a sojourn from Puerto Vallarta to Ztown for Guitarfest in March. I will be joining my Haha boat for that one. The highlight of the year will be a circumnavigation of New Zealand. Bridget and I will be on a comfy cruise ship for our December voyage. I hope to get down to St. Barts this year but no plan yet. My 40' Jeanneau continues to impress and keeps us safe on the bay. I love my boat! It's now time for you'all to start knocking off your sailing bucket list. Get your friends together and purchase a partner boat or plan a charter in an exotic place. We are not getting any younger! Happy New Year to all.

Sydney Hobart Start

I always like watching these 100 foot sleds take off out of the harbor on Boxing Day. Enjoy! The first iteration of this race was in 1945.

Tule Fog = Wind

The weather in Norcal has been unusual to say the least. The central valley has been stuck in tule fog hell for the past month. We had a wet November. December has seen no rain yet. These wet conditions are the perfect recipe for tule fog. I have been sailing about 7 times in December. Usually we go out in winds of 10 knots or less this time of year. I look forward to these mellow days on the SF Bay. This December, the fog has brought in winds of 15-20 every day. It has been amazing. We have rain and wind on the way so the fog will get pushed away. Those were some great days. Check out this cool vid about the fog.

Gitana 18 - The next gen of foiling

SF in the 1800's

Private Island Pops up in SF

On Friday night during the king tide (-2ft) a shoal appears outside our marina. The shoal is about 100 yards long and 40 feet wide. At the appropriate time, 100 folks showed up for a 3 hour fiesta on the shoal. Small boats of all kinds decended on the island. Four bonfires burned bright as folks cooked food, drank beer and wine. I have known about this event for a long time and for some reason never went. A few friends were going and that gave me some motovation. I anchored outside the channel and it took about 15 minutes to paddle in. I will find a shorter paddle next time. I arrived and the party was in full swing. In a few minutes, the full moon rose out of the drakness. I saw it first and yelled to the crowd, MOOON! Everyone started howling like wolves.

I ran into my friends and meet some cool new friends. After a few hours, I headed back to the boat for some dinner. I plan to go next month and bring a bunch of friends! Way too much fun.

Top 5 Boating Ads

SF weather: 60 Sunny, Winds 10-14.

You know the feeling!

An Amazing 14 Months of Sailing the World

I had no idea these last few months would be the ultimate sailing of my life. It started in September 2024. I met a guy on a beach who admired my sailboat and he later asked me to join him and his girlfriend in Greece for some sailing. Ah, but of course! Me and a sailing buddy joined them on the islands, 150 miles outside of Athens. It was glorious. 25 knot winds, a skipper who was good at med mooring and beautiful weather. In November, I joined a couple for the Baja Haha. My 8th voyage from San Diego to Cabo (750 Miles) along with 100 or more boats and 400 folks. Good times indeed. In the spring, a sailing buddy and I headed to Tahiti for a charter. Bora Bora never looked so good! In June of this year we did an over the top charter out of Split, Croatia. Four other couples that we have known for 40 years, joined us on a 62' cat with a captain, chef and bartender. It was the best charter I have ever experienced with visits to ancient villages, wine tasting and bike rides thru coastal towns. We did not have much wind but no one seemed to care. We were having too much fun! Next, we did a 10 day sail down the California coast and hitting the most iconic harbors on the west coast. Santa Barbara is always my favorite stop. Lastly, my 9th Baja Haha just finished up last week. I had a blast meeting the fleet and also made a new friend, Tim. He has a boat in my marina and I hope to sail with him on his boat next week. I don't think I will ever be able to top this period of my life from a sailing standpoint. Not to mention all my day sails (150 days) on the SF Bay and a week in the Delta on the water. So, you ask, what's next? I have some excellent adventures planed with my wife, Bridget. Back to the Adriatic for a cruise from Croatia to Venice. South Afica is coming up in the summer with my sister and her husband. And then a circumnavigation of New Zealand on a lovely cruise ship. NZ has been on my mind for about 40 years and I am really looking forward to visiting all the beautiful locations on our itinerary. From a sailing standpoit, I would love to get back to the West Indies and St. Barts. Thailand is a possibility as is another trip to Tahiti. I am approaching 70 years old and I want to do as much as I can before I can't. I have also thought about heading back to Zihuatanejo and the Guitarfest. That is coming up in March. One of the fun saying on my boat is, It doesn't get much better than this! However...it keeps getting better!!

The Ocean = Danger

The sea is a dangerous place. The perils of the sea include sharks, pirates, shipping containers floating just below the surface, gales, fire, rouge waves, food poisoning, infection, dismasting, hurricanes, sinking, rudder failure, scurvy, tsunamis, fog, dehydration, salt water crocs, anchor failure, water spouts, contaminated water, lightning, terrorists, fire, hypothermia, drowning, fishing nets, lee shores, whales, malaria, unlit fishing boats, strong currents, unmarked obstructions, reefs, large ships, sea sickness, mutiny, dismemberment, and death. Sailing requires a huge amount of luck as well as constant vigilance so that these issues donot happen. Safety first!

Found a Boat! Haha 31 was a Blast!

My friend Lisa was nice enough to pick me up at the airport and chauffeur me around San Diego over the weekend. We first hit the public dock on Shelter Island and knocked on hulls of about 12 boats. No luck but we met several very cool skippers. That evening, we went to see a friend of mine that was playing guitar and singing at an outdoor venue. Lots of Dead and Floyd. Nice. Back at the hotel for a swim and tub. Next morning we rented a boat to get out to the HaHa anchorage. Only one boat! We headed off to a nice restaurant for lunch. That afternoon, same friend had a his band covering Dead tunes at a brewery. I went alone and really enjoyed the show. My phone died and I had to get someone to call me an Uber. Sunday morning is the skippers meeting and a chance to get in front of all the skippers. The first order was to introduce all the folks looking for a ride. Lisa was first and gave the Poobah a big hug. I got on stage and announced to the crowd that I was a diesel mechanic, a gourmet chef, and a brilliant conversationalist. As i got off the stage, a skipper met me and and asked that i join his crew. Yeah! I found a boat for the ninth time in a row. Lisa got a ride too. The boat is a 45' Hardin ketch from the late 80's. There will be a crew of five and the skipper is off to sail the world. I plan to join the boat on Monday morning. The party was fun and I met some old friends. That night I went to the Little River band concert and loved it. Cool Change, a song about sailing was a highlight. Next morning I meet up with the boat and we take off. The boat comes in at 42,000 lbs. and is a 4 knot boat. We have abit over 300 miles to Turtle Bay. We motor for the first two days and then wind arrives on the 3rd day. Winds Are high 20's and the boat is cruising at 6 knots. We arrive about 7:30am and the anchor is down. We hit the small fishing village for some lunch and to meet other cruisers. It was a beautiful day and everyone was in a great mood. We headed back to the boat for some dinner and an awesome party that I arranged with another boat. About 50 folks come by to dance and socialize. The party is off the hook!. The next day was the softball game at the ball field. I ran into a bunch of folks that said Hi. I introduced myself to one cruiser and he happens to have a very active boat in my marina. We hit it off and it is always great to make a new friend (Tim). I headed back to the boat and picked up some tacos along the way. The beach party starts at noon and I take a panga over. It's just getting started and I grab a beer and guacamole. Lots of activity and of course my bocce balls are a big hit. My new friend Tim is there and we have some laughs. My crew alerts me we are departing the harbor in 30 minutes to get a jump ahead of the fleet. We have a 70 hour sail with some decent winds at 12-15 that get down the coast. We arrive mid day and anchor inside Santa Maria. There are only 3 boats anchored. I head to the bow and set up my hammock and some tunes for a relaxing sunset. Next morning it is a beautiful 68 degrees with brillant sunshine. I head over to see Tim and Lisa who ended up on the same boat. They have 8 on their 50' boat. Back to my boat for a nap and a swim to another boat for introductions. At 6pm we head over to a motor cruiser for another party aboard. Fish and steak are served and I run into a gal that I met on a Haha 10 years ago. Today we are headed for another beach party that features food and a rock band for dancing. Back from the party. We had a blast seeing old friends and making new ones. Tim has a boat in my marina and we are looking forward to getting together in the coming weeks. The band was great and the beers were cold. Next day, we took off at 3am to get an early start down the coast. Winds were light but built to the mid teens for most of the way to Cabo. The weather has been spectacular. We arrived in Cabo with no major issues. I checked into a hotel and the boat is anchored off the beach. Thanks to Jody our skipper and the rest of the crew on Elizabeth Heather. It was another fantastic Haha! By the way, they announced a new Poobah as Richard is retiring after 31 years. Thank you Richard for some great times coming down the baja coast!! Looking forward to Baja Haha 32!

Haha Here I Come!

This week I head to San Diego in an attempt to find a boat that will take me to Cabo San Lucas. The Baja Haha is in it's 31 year and is the largest sailing rally on the west coast. This will be my 9th Haha and 10th adventure down the Baja coast. The 750 mile voyage takes us to three anchorages for huge beach parties along the way. This year we have over 130 boats and 450 sailors. I will arrive Friday and attempt to find a ride. I knock on the hulls of the Haha boats and introduce myself to the skippers in hopes that a boat will need a third person on the crew. If that does not work, I head to the kick off party on Sunday and continue the hunt. The boats depart Monday for the 10 day trip. The first leg is about 350 nm to Turtle Bay. 200 nm takes us to Santa Maria. The last leg is 150 nm to Cabo San Lucas. Wish me a grand bon voyage!

I Don't Give a Shit!

What makes the waves at Nazare so big?

When I was a kid, surfing was just getting started. Endless Summer was released in 1966, the first major movie about surfing the coolest waves in the world. I spent many an hour at Indian River inlet (southern Delaware) growing up and getting to know waves that were at most 3 feet. After college in Las Vegas (1980), I moved to Northern California and the Bay Area. During the surf season, November thru April, the waves were big and powerful. The best waves were in Santa Cruz. My go to's were Steamers and Pleaure Point. Both offered great rights with long rides. My first tube was at Zuma Beach near Malibu. I dropped into a good size wave and it wrapped around my sholders and head while the green room opened up. They say getting tubed is like returning to the womb. However, this is a womb with a view!

Snowbirds Fly SF

Last weekend was Fleet Week in SF. Instead of the Blue Angels we got the Canadian Snowbirds air team due to the shutdown. They were amazing. Went both Friday and Saturday and got 15 folks to join over the 2 days.

Largest Wave Ever Surfed

Last winter Maverick's was going off. One lucky surfer caught a wave estimated at 108 feet. We are still waiting for the hieght to be confirmed. Cowabunga!

Message in a bottle

On this, my 1,335th day since I threw the lines, Left Los Angeles and my old life behind, I had a thought that made me laugh out loud: my original timeline for this trip. What I thought would be a small piece of my story turned into a saga stretching toward forever, and somehow that makes perfect sense. The daydreaming plan was simple: blast around the world nonstop — a “fast lap,” a one-and-done adventure I could tuck neatly onto my life résumé — and call it finished. Not careless, not clueless — just focused on the horizon like a horse with blinders, convinced the only prize was at the finish line. Six months to a year at sea, ignorant to any of the logistics. The charm of it was in its audacity — like deciding to sprint a marathon in flip-flops just to prove you could. Once I started digging into the details, though, my "fast lap” plan collapsed faster than a cheap beach chair. I wanted to actually see a bit of the world along the way — but like most humans my world geography skills were about as sharp as a soggy paper map. Fortunately, I stumbled into a pack of weather-worn, grinning sailors who’d already unlocked the secrets. They whipped out photos like smug magicians pulling rabbits out of hats — turquoise lagoons, volcano silhouettes, waterfalls draped like lace curtains. "I want to go there!" I shouted, jaw unhinged with envy. "Where is there?" And just like that, my world geography improved ten fold and my tidy six-month lap stretched into “two, maybe two and a half years,” and I couldn’t have been happier about it. Cut to Fiji six months later: I’d blasted through Mexico, French Polynesia, American Samoa, and Samoa, chest puffed with progress, with so many experiences behind me and beauty in the rearview, certain I was crushing it. But the chorus from every cockpit and anchorage I zipped through was deafening: slow down, this isn’t a race. I have since learned that “race” is a very subjective word out here. You’re skipping so much good stuff! So my plan mutated again, this time from my “augmented fast lap” to the more common “visa-burner plan.” Stay as long as the stamps allow. Wait for the right weather window. Dance between hurricane seasons like a kid dodging jump ropes on the playground. At three to four years, all of those factors somehow line up quite well. It keeps the boat moving at a good pace but with a ton of amazing stops along the way — like a playlist where every track is a hit. Now, after 28 countries and over 40,000 miles, about four years at sea, three oceans, and one big detour around Africa, I’ve collected a treasure chest of moments — some terrifying, most astonishing, all unforgettable. And here in Panama, I can see it clearly: there was never a finish-line race. This is the Lifetime Plan. The point is, some race it, some rally it, some drift into decades — and four years later, with a beard smelling like diesel and coconuts, I can tell you: it’s not just a journey, it’s a whole world within a world — and the absurdity of chasing it is exactly what makes it worth doing. If I were to give any advice to anyone plotting their own grand escape, it’d be this: plan the technical side like your life depends on it — because it does. Have your redundancies, your tools, your life jackets, your life rafts. That stuff matters. But when it comes to the trip itself? Let it breathe. Let it happen. Don’t strangle it with a schedule or script. Go here, go there, follow the wind, follow your gut. The magic of this whole thing isn’t in checking boxes — it’s in watching the story unfold in ways you could never have planned. Cheers, Brian

Delivery to Ventura

My friend Barry has fallen head over heels for sailing. He met up with us on our voyage to Mexico in 2018. We took him to Santa Cruz Island (off Santa Barbara) for a long weekend. Lots of highlights on one of my favorite islands. Then we chartered in La Paz, Mexico and Tahiti. He was hooked. He looked around for a suitable boat and deciided on a Catalina 36. He found a 2006 in Alameda. We waited a few months to get it to his home waters 300 miles south. We decided on late September. We took off on the 23rd of September and harbor hopped down the coast in calm and fogless coinditions. Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz and Monterey are all day sails with overnight stops in each port. Our first big hop was 90 miles to Morro Bay and our first overnigh sail on his boat. We arrived at sun up and spent the day at the Morro Yacht Club. Next morning we were off to Santa Barbara for another 100 mile overnight sail. As we were rounding Pt. Conception, we could see Vandenberg Airforce Base. Just for fun, I looked to see when the next Spacex lift off was. It was coming up in 30 minutes! We were 3 miles offshore when she took off, unload her payload and then landed on a barge for reuse. How cool was that? We made it into the Santa Barbara harbor about 10am the next morning. We love Santa Barbara and several friends visited. We went for a cool day sail the next day in 10 knot winds that was very relaxing. Barry is loving his new to him boat. The next day we were off to to his home port in Ventura. This is a huge marina. The next day we drove back to the bay after a very successful delivery. We saw some whales, lots of dolphins and 2 mermaids! Thanks to all of our visitors: Claire and Mark, Robin, Ricky and Cindy, Dan, Andy, Kendra and Joe.

How was Burning Man?

I love this video! This year had a rough start with a wild wind storm and the several days of rain. The second half was glorius according to my friends who attended. I went three times and loved it. That was plenty. My favorite story came from the 2016 burn. My friend Chris and I hit Sharky's Bar for a margarita. A gal asked for everyone's attention. She went into a pantomime where she came to burning man, fell in love, had a baby, and now is back at burning man and is lactating. She pulls off her top and squirts breast milk into her friends mouth 8 feet away. Wow! I started a slow clap as my buddy was returning to the bar. You just missed the best show at burning man. He was bummed. I went over the gal and asked for an encore. Sure, I have another boob! This time, I am on the recieving end of the breat milk. That was EPIC!

What a cool ride!!

In a few days we will be heading to Santa Barbara on a friends boat. He is from there and he purchased a boat up here. September is a great month to head south as most of the fog is gone and the wind is moderate. We will be taking our time and hitting 4 marinas on the way for overnights. Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Morro Bay and then Santa Barbara. Gonna be fun!

A Look Back at the 2010 America's Cup

Race of the Century!

Netflix has a great documentary on the America's Cup in the 80's. Dennis Connor loses the cup to Australia and the world is coming to an end...almost. It's a well done film that reveals some AC secrets along the way.

Penguin Falls Hard for Surfer

Just back from a 9 day road trip. Mendocino, Elk, Shelter Cove, Big Sur and Carmel. Hana and I had an amazing time together. Almost lost her as she chased a deer into the forest. In the end she was exhausted but happy. The deer got away.

Way Overhead in Bali

That Sinking Feeling

Winging It!

We had a very relaxing 5 days up on the Delta swinging on the hook in some beautiful waters. Lots of little raftups and DJs spinning their tunes. Not quite burning man but a very fun time. Check out this vid of some very aggressive paragliders in a remote location in Turkey. There is a 21 minute version over on Red Bull TV.

For the love of water!

Water has been the biggest thrill of my entire life. It started at 2 in my Dad's arms at North Star pool in Delaware. By 4, I had joined the swim team. By 6, I was state champion in the 25 yard free with a state record. I continued competitive swimming thru college and at 66 still swim weekly. On the water sports side, we boated as a family on the Chesapeake in the summer. At 10, I started surfing in southern Delaware and got pretty good at. After college, I moved from Vegas to Carmel. The most beautiful beach town in California. After living in the desert for 4 years during college, I was back on the water and surfing up and down the coast. From Point Arena to Cabo San Lucas, I was hanging 10. In 1981, I moved to the Bay Area and met a guy who rented sailboats on the weekend. Falling in love with the SF Bay was easy with it's iconic views and storied winds. And then it happened, I found out how to really harness wind with a wind surfer. I fell hard, and soon I was skipping across the bay at 20-25 knots and loving the freedom that it brought to me. In my early 40's it was time to purchase a keel boat for bay adventures. Three of us joined financial forces and found the perfect bay boat in a Newport 30 from 1981. For the first few months, it seemed something broke everytime we went out. Once we got her up to speed, she was a platform for learning and fun. My goal was to learn everything about boat care and to immerse myself into sailing the bay and beyond. My self owned event planning company allowed me to sail a few times a week. Soon I was sailing over 100 days a year and soaking up tons of knowledge and wisdom along the way. My dream was to sail the Pacific. After 17 years on Addiction, I purchased my dream boat Aquarius. She was a 40 foot Jeanneau sloop. She was as fast as she was sexy! My biggest criteria was a three cabin boat as by this time I had enough open water experience to know that 4 hour watches are much more comfortable with 4 hours on and 8 hours off. With two sailors, you are constanly wiped out from lack of sleep. It took her a year to get her ready for the ocean. A complete refit and upgrade. In September of 2018, I embarked on a 7 month voyage deep into Mexico. Myself and two friends took off for the adventure of a lifetime. The 20 year old boat was flawless on the 4000 mile trip. 25 friends and family met us along the way to join in our fun. We arrived back under the Golden Gate in mid April, 2019. So glad we finished up before Covid! My present dream is to sail around the world...but fly to paradise instead of sailing to that spot. There is saying: sailing is the most expensive way to get somewhere where you can stay for free. While chartering is certainly not free, it is an amazing way to discover the garden spots of our world. In just the last 9 months, I have sailed Greece on a 52 foot Beaneteau with winds in the 20's all week long. In October, I was on the Baja Haha on a beautiful Catalina Morgan 440. Then in April, 7 days on a Leopard 45 catarmaran in Bora Bora, Tahiti. The water color is phenomenal. Lastly, an over the top luxury charter in Croatia. Glorius days on a 62 foot Lagoon cat with all the ameneties including captain, gourmet chef and bartender. To top it off, friends of 40 years joined as guests. I am used to giving orders on a boat, however the only ones I was giving was for more margaritas. Today, my love of our beautiful bay continues to grow. I am off to a 7 day celebration 60 miles up river to the Delta. For the uninitiated, there a 1000 miles of water ways just northeast of the bay. My first mate Tex and a sailing friend, Chris, will buddy boat up with another boat to what is called burning man on the water. Ephemerisle is over 15 years old and should be a kick in the pants. As you can see, water has been a huge part my life. In the last 25 years, I have sailed the bay approximatly 2800 times. A day of sailing refreshes the soul and opens the mind!

Webb Chiles - Almost dying is a hard way to make a living!

Webb Chiles is a pioneering figure in solo offshore sailing—a philosophical writer whose voyages were as much about inner discovery as external adventure. Over decades, he’s shaped a life rooted in passion, purpose, and artistic expression on the open sea. Now, already in his 80s, he balances the allure of one more journey with the joys of domestic serenity, continuing to wrestle with—and report on—the question: What comes next? He has been around the planet 6 times and was the first American to sail solo around Cape Horn. He has some very cool books out about his (mis)adventures. He also did a very long voyage in an open boat.

Ephemerisle

This weekend we head up to the delta for an extrodinary celebration. Ephemerilisle is also known as burning man on the water. We are expecting over 150 boats to join in over the weeklong party. Warm fresh water is the norm as this water is coming down from the Sierra Nevadas and heading to the Pacific. I will be posting the highlights next week upon our return. Stay tuned. https://ephemerisle.org/index.php/Ephemerisle

Rainblow!

A humpback inside the SF bay.

Sail Charter Aboard Adriatic Tiger in Croatia

Here is a look back at our summer 2025 European vacation. We landed in Zurich a week before our charter in Croatia. We then drove to Interlaken as Bridget had never been to Switzerland. We had a cute hotel near the river for 4 nights. We did an amazing e-bike tour around the town and visited both lakes that are stunning. I am so impressed by this beautiful town. One of the coolest aspects is the paragliding from the cliffs above. I estimate between 200-250 a day are soaring the friendly skies. The stable air makes this area one of the hotbeds of the sport. The next day we went up to the mountain for a view of the area. On the last day we drove up the local mountains for a view of Eiger that was spectacular. The next day we went back to Zurich to see an old friend. Steve gave a brief tour of the city and then off to the lake to relax. Steve said he moved because of the spot we were sitting in. He loved the lake the weather and the vibe…he never left. Dinner at his house with his family and we had a fondue feast! We spent the next day on a boat cruising the lake with a visit to a chocolate factory. Delicious! The next day we did a 700 mile hop to Split, Croatia. Our hotel was in the heart of Old Town and the Palace. A walking town, some of the walkways are single file. We met up with the other couples for a fine dinner in town. Next we were off to a tour of the national park nearby. The Krka waterfalls were spectacular. On Saturday, we boarded the boat. Wow, what a beauty. 62’ and sleeps 14. We took of to a small cove 1.5 hours away. The captain likes to anchor with the main anchor in front and then two lines to shore to stabilize the boat. It worked well. The meals were superb as the chef worked in a famous restaurant in Slovenia. The next day we were off to the waterfront town of Jelasa. We took off the next morning on an e-bike ride that was so beautiful. Much of it on a trail along the coast. We did make it to another village and then returned for lunch. Breathtaking indeed. One of the highlights was our next stop in Korcula. Tons of charter boats and the cutest town I have ever seen. We spent the afternoon wine tasting. Then after another fine meal went into Old Town. Perched on a hill, this 6000 year old town was hopping in a good way. Along one sea wall were hundreds of folks eating dinner in a beautiful setting. I walked thru the city ally ways and encountered more bars and restaurants that were all busy on this beautiful evening. The next morning we had a long run to a small island with a light house. We were to have dinner at the light house. After a nice lunch and nap, we arrived in the small cove below our dinner spot. At the appointed time we took a 15 minute hike up the hill for lobster, pasta and fresh fish. It was beautiful over looking the waters and at the sunset. I was determined to get down the hill before dark as the trail was a bit dangerous. I got to the dock and took off my clothes for a swim to the boat. As I entered the water a fishing boat was headed my way in the darkness. He could not see the anchor line to shore which if he hit it it would have been terrible. I was able to grab the line and shout to turn around. They heard me and said they need to tie up to the dock as they had lost their anchor. I asked them to wait for the captain as I was a guest. They did so and shortly the captain appeared and motored the dingy over to talk to them. It was decided they would raft up to us for the night. Disaster averted! The next morning we motored to Vis. After a fune lunch aboard, we headed out on e-bikes. In the first few miles I developed a flat and headed back. As I was coming thru, I spotted a bunch of banners from Yachtweek! I have been following these guys and have featured a few vids on this blog. Yachtweek is a company that organizes flotillas of young folks for a week in the summer. Thay have groups in different parts of Europe and the BVI’s. It’s basically a weeklong party on yachts in paradise. I interviewed one of the skippers and told him some tall tales as well. They were getting ready for the farewell party so the talk was quick but insightful. Our last day was spent on a very fast speed boat and out to the Blue and Green Caves. The Blue Cave is a major tourist attraction with tons of folks heading into these beautiful caves. The colors are truly dramatic and a must see. Over at the Green Cave, we could swim and dive in the cave. Lots of fish here too. We met with the mothership in short order for another delicious lunch. The wind had come up to the teens and we were able to sail finally. We did a three hour sail and made it back to Split for our last meal aboard. The chef and crew were fantastic. The captain took care of all the details. When I told bim I had been on a dozen charters and this was the best he was extremely happy. I highly recommend a sail vacation in Croatia. I also recommend a captain as the local knowledge makes the experience effortless.

If you have some extra cash...this yacht is for you!

Heading to Croatia on Friday for a week of sailing. Switzerland has been exceptional.

Reef Nightmare

Addiction Back in Action

Way back at the start of my sailing days in 2000, two friends and I purchased a 1981 Newport 30, Addiction. We sailed that boat like there was no tomorrow. I estimate that in the 17 years I was a partner, I sailed her 1500 times. After I sold my share to purchase my 40' Jeanneau in 2017 (for the voyage to Mexico), the boat was sailed a few more times. For the last 5 years, she has sat there waiting for love. Out of the goodness of my heart, I approached the owners and asked them if they would like me to help pass the boat on. They agreed and I contacted a local charity. Because the 44 year old boat does not have much value, they declined. I put a listing on Craigslist for a free boat and my inbox exploded. I sent a note out to everyone that replied, reminding them that operating expenses on a free boat are about $10k per year (slip fees, insurance, etc.). On the appointed day, two folks showed up and decided to partner and take over the boat! Yesterday we went for a sail out to the islands and low an behold everything went well. She handled the 25 knot breeze and the sails are still in great shape. The guys are excited and looking forward to sailing the bay. It was a very nostalgic trip for me as I have so many memories on this boat. I am so happy I was able to get her going again and back on the bay. Here is an old clip on the Addiction with my boy Kona.

Departing for a Sail Charter: Croatia

We depart in a week for one of my dream vacations. I have been thinking about this trip forever and now it is coming to fruition. We have a huge cat waiting for us. My friends of 40 years (8) and my wife will join as we tour the highlights of this historic island nation. Hvar, Vis, Split and more! We have a captain (which I understand is important as he has local knowledge that we don't) a gourmet chef and a bartender. Below is a video of some of the highlights of this extrodinarily beautiful place. We also have a week in Switzerland with friends as well as meeting a friend who lives in Zurich. I can't wait to tell you about our adventures!

The Sea!

Too Cute

A Sailing Story of Survival (Barely)

My Latest Crush = Ms. Tucker

I am not a big Facebook fan but once in a while I get sucked into Reels. Random video clips. I keep running into this beautiful sailor, Elizabeth Tucker. From what I gather, She was disenchanted with the corporate world and started sailing. Fell in love with sailing long distances and now has big plans. She just recently sailed 14,000 miles to Sydney with Cole Brauer and her boat First Light. Za, as she is known, has purchased the boat for future racing around the world. Here is an interview after the two had arrived in Sydney.

Do You Know the Answer?

Best of the Best: New Cats for YOU!

7048

The SEVENTY48 is a unique, human-powered boat race covering 70 miles from Tacoma to Port Townsend, Washington. Participants have 48 hours to complete the course using only human power—no motors, no sails, and no support crews. This year’s race starts on June 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM from the Thea Foss Waterway in Tacoma . The race concludes with the “SEVENTY48 Necktie Affair” on June 8, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend. This celebration includes an awards ceremony and festivities for racers and fans alike. What makes this race so cool is the innovative uses of technology used to move thru the water. I will be featuring some of the wild and wacky ways participants are using. Be on the lookout for updates this weekend on those that dare these wild waters. They have decided to do R2AK every other year so this is a race to fill in the gap. Presented by the same folks that host R2AK.

H2uh0 Turns 20!!

If you can find another sailing blog 20 years old, I hope you will tell me who it is. All my heros and those that encouraged me along the way are long gone. Wetass, Frogma, Proper Course, my2fish, and Horse's Mouth have all gone below the surface and sunk. So why am I still here?? The fact is I love everything about sailing. From my thousands of day sails over the last 25 years, to chartering in exotic locations (we depart for Croatia in a few weeks) to taking my dog and friends out on the SF bay, to my 8 Baja Haha's, my 7 month voyage deep into Mexico and back, and lastly to owning the boat of my dreams (40' Jeanneau). As a retiree, I am sailing 3-4 times a week with Hana (dog) and friends. My inspiration for starting the blog was a couple of sailing accidents on the bay on a weekend in 2005. I brainstormed the name and my thought was we could learn from other's mistakes. The blog has veered in to music, sailing history, chartering, some of my life stories, burning man, astronomy and of course, bonehead moves on the water. I am currently 66 and hope to continue sailing well into my 70's and maybe more. Who knows? Thanks to the 1,326,118 and more visitors to my site. And here to the 1000+ guests I have had aboard my boats. Here is my toast to all of you: Here's to wooden ships, fiberglass ships and steel ships. And here is to the most important ships of all. Friendships! Here is my favorite sailing quote: "Something about sailing a boat brings so many senses and sensations into play that it's very difficult to pinpoint what it is specifically that makes me like it so much: the sight of sails and sheets overhanging the water; the foam and spray flying as the bow cuts the water; the motion of the boat; the physical and mental ballet necessary to handle the boat correctly. A sailboat might just be the most beautiful, sensuous and intelligent blend of man/machine/and elements that exists in the world today. The relationship between the three is the most harmonious I have experienced so far. Besides, you can have a beer while you do it". --anonymous

Sail GP in Trouble after Dismasting

They have cancelled Rio and hope to be back on the water in June. This is the third dismasting in the fleet this year. Hopefully they can get it resolved before the NY dates in June.

Tahiti Charter was Amazing!

We arrived in Raiatea in the early morning to check in for our week long adventure. Our crew consisted of my sailing/swimming friend Barry, and two other couples. All had sailing experience and a great attitude. We did a bit of provisioning and then were were off in the mid afternoon. We spent the afternoon checking out the controls of our almost new Leopard 45. We got the sails up in light winds and headed for our first overnight destination. After a fine meal we turned on the generator and got the A/C going. We needed it as it was over 80 degrees and little wind. In the morning we sailed to Bora Bora. It was about 40 miles but it went very quickly. In this part of the sailing world the markers are reversed so red right returning does not work. We sailed smoothly and soon we were on a new island and tied to a mooring ball. That night we had dinner at the Bora Bora Yacht Club. It gave us a chance to meet the rest of the 3 boat flotilla. Our leader Daniel was seated next to me and we had lots of sailing experiences to share as well as some laughs too. The next morning were off to our next detination about 9 miles away. The water was shallow so we formed a line to follow our lead boat. When we arrived in Fareone Bay we were stunned by the amazing water color. Jumping in for a swim the water temp is a perfect 80. A little snoreling ensued and we were feeling very tropical. The next day we swam with some sharks and eagle rays. Beautiful. At noon, we headed to shore for lunch at a small compound. Mahi Mahi was the main course and it was delicious. Back to Fareone that afternoon. In the morning, we departed for Taha'a and a new anchorage. We were invited to dinner and dancers on the island. As we anchored, I saw a red hulled boat from our marina in Emeryville. I yelled hello and hoped to hook up with them later. Another group dinner and more fun. The next day it was short sail to a river entrance. Barry and I took the dingy into this tropical pardise. So pretty! I was blown away with the flora along tis stretch of water. Dinner on board and we cooked up some tuna steaks prepared with coconut sauce. Our last day we did a 3 hour race out to a mark and back to the island. Our next anchorage was in very shallow water (4 ft) but it worked. After some snorkeling we headed to a pot luck dinner with all the crews. We were a hit with the tunes and a large pot of spaghetti. In the morning it was a two hour motor back to the base and a flight to SF. We had 9 hours to kill so we hit up one of our friends staying at a fancy hotel and spent the afternoon having lunch and and hanging out at the pool. For those that have not chartered in these waters, I say go! We worked with Moorings and they did an outstanding job. They even came out to the boat twice to make some minor repairs. These are some of the most beautiful islands I have ever visited. And trust me when I say, I have been to many islands. Thanks to all for making this a very memorable expedition to paradise.