H2uh0 - Bonehead Moves on the Water from SF Bay and Beyond!
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Newport Raft Up - Saturday, March 2
I am organizing a raft up of Newport Sailboats on Saturday, March 2 at Clipper Cove. Our last get together was almost 4 years ago. It's time for another round. This is a great opportunity to meet the other skippers and see how they have set up their boats. Sail to the cove around 4pm and get set up for a wonderful night on the bay. Bring your own food and drink and let's raft up!
So Amazing!
Took out some friends (Andy and Nicko) on Wednesday for the first foggy sail of the year. Fog when we got to the boat, however by 1pm it had cleared and the fog had lined up at the Gate. The winds shot up to 18 knots and we were flying...until Oracle 17 (72') flew by us going twice the speed of the wind. There were also half a dozen of the 45' cats playing out there getting ready for the Red Bull Challenge. It was a fantastic day to be out and way cool to see the America's Cup boat.
Go full screen on this amazing video from Team Oracle.
Go full screen on this amazing video from Team Oracle.
Friday, February 08, 2013
New Dodger for our Boat!
We have had an old dodger that was slowly disintegrating over the last few years. We had Pacific Crest Canvas of Alameda replace the canvas portion and add several stabilizing struts. The results are amazing. Being able to see thru the windows is something we could not do on the old dodger. They did a terrific job and we highly recommend them if you need to replace or add a new dodger. Here are some pics taken today after Kona and I picked up the boat.
Click the pic for a bigger view.
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Click the pic for a bigger view.
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Thursday, February 07, 2013
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Sailing in 70 Knots - Vid
I have sailed in 50 knots (on my boat on the bay) but would not dream of trying this. Then again, I am not one of the top ten windsurfers in the world. Check it out full screen.
Make Sure the Crew Knows What To Do!
Some years ago a sailor took his
non-sailing girlfriend cruising out into the Pacific Ocean from San
Diego for the day. After a pleasant few hours they turned for home.
Unexpectedly, in mild weather, he fell overboard. The girlfriend knew
so little about the boat that she froze and didn't call for help until
the boat washed up on a beach. The sailor was never seen again.
You may be overboard, but also you may be incapacitated. What is the minimum that your sailing partner should know when they go sailing with you? Obviously, as the true story above (which sends prickles up my spine every time I hear or tell it) demonstrates, they should know enough to operate the boat and some of its simple functions, alone.
Here is a check-list of skills that your sailing partner needs to know as a minimum to go sailing together:
General boat handling, in case you are incapacitated. They should know:
1. How to get the sails down, how to sail simply and conservatively.
2. How to lower and raise an anchor.
3. How to steer a simple compass course
4. How to set the autopilot or windvane if you have one.
5. How to start and stop the engine safely.
6. How to heave-to.
7. Where the flares and life jackets are located for emergencies
8. How to boil water on the stove safely.
9. Where the bilge pumps are located and what they do.
10. How to operate the SSB or VHF radio, dependant on where you are sailing.
Then, for the all important MOB situation:
(yes, I know, it's NOT going to happen to you - but that's why, on my count watching the statistics mount, more than 10 people a year are lost in MOB situations in relatively calm water):
1. As specified above, they should know how to use the radio, specially on emergency frequencies, and where the MOB button is located. They should know how to set off the boat's EPIRB.
2. They should know how to disconnect and throw over your danbuoy or life ring
3. They must know how to start the engine, and douse the sails. Even if they know how to steer the boat, unless they are a seasoned helmsman they will probably not be able to return the boat to you, so the previous two points become vital.
How well prepared are YOU for the possibility that you will, at some time in the future, be incapacitated or missing and need your partner to maximise your chances of a happy outcome?
by Des Ryan via Sail World
You may be overboard, but also you may be incapacitated. What is the minimum that your sailing partner should know when they go sailing with you? Obviously, as the true story above (which sends prickles up my spine every time I hear or tell it) demonstrates, they should know enough to operate the boat and some of its simple functions, alone.
Here is a check-list of skills that your sailing partner needs to know as a minimum to go sailing together:
General boat handling, in case you are incapacitated. They should know:
1. How to get the sails down, how to sail simply and conservatively.
2. How to lower and raise an anchor.
3. How to steer a simple compass course
4. How to set the autopilot or windvane if you have one.
5. How to start and stop the engine safely.
6. How to heave-to.
7. Where the flares and life jackets are located for emergencies
8. How to boil water on the stove safely.
9. Where the bilge pumps are located and what they do.
10. How to operate the SSB or VHF radio, dependant on where you are sailing.
Then, for the all important MOB situation:
(yes, I know, it's NOT going to happen to you - but that's why, on my count watching the statistics mount, more than 10 people a year are lost in MOB situations in relatively calm water):
1. As specified above, they should know how to use the radio, specially on emergency frequencies, and where the MOB button is located. They should know how to set off the boat's EPIRB.
2. They should know how to disconnect and throw over your danbuoy or life ring
3. They must know how to start the engine, and douse the sails. Even if they know how to steer the boat, unless they are a seasoned helmsman they will probably not be able to return the boat to you, so the previous two points become vital.
How well prepared are YOU for the possibility that you will, at some time in the future, be incapacitated or missing and need your partner to maximise your chances of a happy outcome?
by Des Ryan via Sail World
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
Heading to Charter: Belize!
Tour of the San Francisco Bay
We recently added some new partners to our sailing partnership and hopefully this chart will open some new spots to explore. Over the last 12 years of extensive cruising on the bay, I have discovered some very cool spots to head to for day sails and overnights. None of these spots are new, it can just take years to find them all. Here is a brief overview of some of my favs. Be sure to click on the pic for a full view. Now get out there and enjoy this beautiful water world!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
In Case You Missed It: Led Zep Honored in DC
From the Kennedy Center In DC, the Prez honors one of rock and rolls greatest. Definitely watch the intro by Jack Black and then watch "Stairway to Heaven" in vid #2. Enjoy.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Men Who Ride Mountains - This Sunday
Surf’s up this weekend off the coast of Half Moon Bay, as officials
Wednesday declared Sunday game day for the Mavericks Invitational, a
world-renowned big-wave surf contest.
This is a big deal for the coast, as it has not held a Mavericks contest since 2010 because Mother Nature failed to produce ideal conditions.
“We’re really excited that we actually have a swell,” contest co-founder Jeff Clark said. “This is the biggest swell we’ve had for a couple years.”
This weekend’s event will bring to coastal shores 24 expert surfers and a ton of fanfare.
The two-dozen chosen surfers are those deemed most skilled from around the world. The contest is held a half-mile off the coast of Half Moon Bay at the Mavericks break.
Contest conditions are extreme, with waves in past years as high as 50 feet, strong currents, frigid water and jagged rocks. Clark said the conditions are extremely dangerous, and the surfers put to good use their year-round training regimens.
When asked how high the waves from this swell will be, Clark immediately responded “big.”
“We’re hoping for at least 30-foot range, but the ocean does what it wants and it’s not going to give you that perfect storm every year,” he said.
If you would like to watch the contest, the best place is right on your computer. Contest starts 8am Pacific. You can watch it here.
This is a big deal for the coast, as it has not held a Mavericks contest since 2010 because Mother Nature failed to produce ideal conditions.
“We’re really excited that we actually have a swell,” contest co-founder Jeff Clark said. “This is the biggest swell we’ve had for a couple years.”
This weekend’s event will bring to coastal shores 24 expert surfers and a ton of fanfare.
The two-dozen chosen surfers are those deemed most skilled from around the world. The contest is held a half-mile off the coast of Half Moon Bay at the Mavericks break.
Contest conditions are extreme, with waves in past years as high as 50 feet, strong currents, frigid water and jagged rocks. Clark said the conditions are extremely dangerous, and the surfers put to good use their year-round training regimens.
When asked how high the waves from this swell will be, Clark immediately responded “big.”
“We’re hoping for at least 30-foot range, but the ocean does what it wants and it’s not going to give you that perfect storm every year,” he said.
If you would like to watch the contest, the best place is right on your computer. Contest starts 8am Pacific. You can watch it here.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Bonehead Moves of the Year!
Got lucky the last few years in coming up with the top bonehead move. This year I could not find the one that really stuck out. Here is last years winner, hands down.
That was an easy one to pick. What was the skipper thinking???
Let's be careful out on the water in 2013!
That was an easy one to pick. What was the skipper thinking???
Let's be careful out on the water in 2013!
I selected this post to be featured on my blog’s page at Blog Nation.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Blue Water Boats
When thinking about my sail to New Zealand and Australia in a few years, one of the biggest decisions I will make is the boat. What makes for a solid blue water cruiser? There are many factors to consider:
Length: 36-42'
Reliable self steering
Emergency equipment (life raft, epirb, hand held VHF, etc.)
Communication devices (HF radio, VHF, SAT phone)
Radar
Chartplotter
Good sleeping accomodations and lee cloths
Spinnaker
Bimini
Lots of storage
The list goes on and on
When the time comes, I plan to be open minded and to look at many boats. My budget is in $100k range so there are lots of possibilities. Check out this site for considerations for your next big cruise. It shows a list and reviews on capable blue water boats.
Length: 36-42'
Reliable self steering
Emergency equipment (life raft, epirb, hand held VHF, etc.)
Communication devices (HF radio, VHF, SAT phone)
Radar
Chartplotter
Good sleeping accomodations and lee cloths
Spinnaker
Bimini
Lots of storage
The list goes on and on
When the time comes, I plan to be open minded and to look at many boats. My budget is in $100k range so there are lots of possibilities. Check out this site for considerations for your next big cruise. It shows a list and reviews on capable blue water boats.
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Ladies & Gentlemen, 10@10 Radio Show
For the last 30 years, our local rock station, KFOG, has hosted the 10@10 Radio Show. Each weekday, a random year is selected, followed by “ten great songs
from one great year”, in addition to classic commercials, news broadcasts
and clips from popular TV programs. If you love rock music from the 60's thru the 90's and beyond, you will love this program. I have been a big radio listener all my life, so this show can strike up nostalgia for me pretty often. 10@10 is my all time favorite radio program and I have been listening since the 80's!! One of the cool things KFOG does is post a weeks worth of the recorded shows on their website. Here you can listen to the show, see the playlists and harken back to maybe a highlight year in your life and relive it musically. To listen to last weeks shows, click here.
Here is last weeks most popular playlist. Have Fun!!
Friday December 28, 2012 - 1975
1. ZZ Top – Tush
2. Jigsaw – Sky High
3. Little Feat – All That You Dream
4. Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing
5. Crosby-Nash – To The Last Whale (a fav of mine!)
6. Paul Simon – Gone At Last
7. War – Why Can’t We Be Friends?
8. Paul McCartney – Venus and Mars/Rock Show
9. Leon Russell – Back to the Island (another fav here and a sailing theme: islands)
10. John Lennon – Stand By Me
Here is last weeks most popular playlist. Have Fun!!
Friday December 28, 2012 - 1975
1. ZZ Top – Tush
2. Jigsaw – Sky High
3. Little Feat – All That You Dream
4. Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing
5. Crosby-Nash – To The Last Whale (a fav of mine!)
6. Paul Simon – Gone At Last
7. War – Why Can’t We Be Friends?
8. Paul McCartney – Venus and Mars/Rock Show
9. Leon Russell – Back to the Island (another fav here and a sailing theme: islands)
10. John Lennon – Stand By Me
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Happy Holidays to all Sailors!
I was looking back on my Christmas blog post from 2011 and it listed my sailing goals for 2012. Here are last years goals with a dollar sign next to the ones I accomplished:
Some of my sailing goals for this year (2012):
Fix the base of our corroded mast $$
Take more friends out on the bay for a day sail $
Sail to Tomales Bay
Enjoy the next round of promo races on the bay in preparation for the Americas Cup $
Partner Sail
More spinnaker runs $
Sail on other friends boats $
Baja Haha 19 $
Delta Trip $
Our boat partnership had some turnover this year as two partners (one on board for 7 years and the other for 6) left. Sorry to see them go as one was a friend from grade school back east but he only went out a few times per year. The good news is, we just completed signing our 3rd new partner for a total of 6 partners. We decided to take on one more to help us pay for a new dodger. His equity share will cover the cost of the new dodger.
The other item I did not accomplish was a trip to Tomales Bay. This is an ocean run up the coast about 40 miles. With no official life raft, no radar for fog and a few other key factors, I decided it would be prudent to continue with our bay sailing and not chance a potentially rough trip on the ocean. I will wait a few years until I have my New Zealand bound boat that is designed for ocean sailing.
Here are my sailing goals for 2013!!
Add new dodger
New starboard cockpit winch
More night sails
Take a bunch of friends out to see the America's Cup races on the bay
Plan a bare boat trip to Belize with friends
Take a 5 day trip up to Napa with bikes for winery tours and tasting
Organize a partner sail
Organize a Newport 30 overnight raft up in Clipper Cove
Here is a look back at the highlights of 2012:
Baja Haha 19 rally from San Diego to Cabo on Second Sun with John and crew
Delta Trip with Arnie (getting stuck in the mud for almost 3 hours was not a highlight)
Sausalito sojourn with Kona in December and southerly storm winds
America's Cup races in August and October
Giants day games with a sail to and from the game with my buddy John
Sailing to AT&T park for The Wall concert with Frank and spending the night in McCovey Cove
Watching the fastest sailboat in the world sail the bay!
Signing up 3 new partners
Celebrating the GG Bridge's 75th birthday with the crews from Fearless and Willin
Sailing twice in Hawaii on two separate trips
Spending a quiet night on a mooring ball at Ayala Cove with just me and then sailing home w/o engine
Seeing an AC 72 sail the bay
That was a fun look back! Here's to a great 2013 and all the fun and excitement we are going have sailing on the most beautiful bay in the world! I hope you will be getting out on the water as well.
The start of leg 3 off Santa Maria on the Baja Haha
Some of my sailing goals for this year (2012):
Fix the base of our corroded mast $$
Take more friends out on the bay for a day sail $
Sail to Tomales Bay
Enjoy the next round of promo races on the bay in preparation for the Americas Cup $
Partner Sail
More spinnaker runs $
Sail on other friends boats $
Baja Haha 19 $
Delta Trip $
Our boat partnership had some turnover this year as two partners (one on board for 7 years and the other for 6) left. Sorry to see them go as one was a friend from grade school back east but he only went out a few times per year. The good news is, we just completed signing our 3rd new partner for a total of 6 partners. We decided to take on one more to help us pay for a new dodger. His equity share will cover the cost of the new dodger.
The other item I did not accomplish was a trip to Tomales Bay. This is an ocean run up the coast about 40 miles. With no official life raft, no radar for fog and a few other key factors, I decided it would be prudent to continue with our bay sailing and not chance a potentially rough trip on the ocean. I will wait a few years until I have my New Zealand bound boat that is designed for ocean sailing.
Here are my sailing goals for 2013!!
Add new dodger
New starboard cockpit winch
More night sails
Take a bunch of friends out to see the America's Cup races on the bay
Plan a bare boat trip to Belize with friends
Take a 5 day trip up to Napa with bikes for winery tours and tasting
Organize a partner sail
Organize a Newport 30 overnight raft up in Clipper Cove
Here is a look back at the highlights of 2012:
Baja Haha 19 rally from San Diego to Cabo on Second Sun with John and crew
Delta Trip with Arnie (getting stuck in the mud for almost 3 hours was not a highlight)
Sausalito sojourn with Kona in December and southerly storm winds
America's Cup races in August and October
Giants day games with a sail to and from the game with my buddy John
Sailing to AT&T park for The Wall concert with Frank and spending the night in McCovey Cove
Watching the fastest sailboat in the world sail the bay!
Signing up 3 new partners
Celebrating the GG Bridge's 75th birthday with the crews from Fearless and Willin
Sailing twice in Hawaii on two separate trips
Spending a quiet night on a mooring ball at Ayala Cove with just me and then sailing home w/o engine
Seeing an AC 72 sail the bay
That was a fun look back! Here's to a great 2013 and all the fun and excitement we are going have sailing on the most beautiful bay in the world! I hope you will be getting out on the water as well.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Best of 2012 Extreme Sports
It's that time of year for the best of vids. Here are three that I know you extremists will enjoy. I also threw in a best of Youtube as well. Happy Holidays!
Sojourn to Sausalito
Just back from a 4 day trip to Sausalito. Kona and I took off on a rainy Monday morning. By the time we got to the boat around 12noon, the weather was unstable and rain loomed to the north, there was no rain at the marina. We loaded up and set of for our 6 mile journey. The wind was about 12 and perfect. We tacked out to the end of the pier and headed west to Schoonmaker Point Marina. We pulled in about 4pm and found our spot inside the lagoon. Took Kona for a walk and he loved romping on the beach at the marina. Headed back to the boat for dinner and a quiet night.
Tuesday the wind was up early as we generally get clearing winds after a big storm. My friend John showed about noon and we took off. The tides were looking good so we headed out the Golden Gate for an afternoon of 20-30 knot breezes. It was very wild out there. Once a big tanker cleared we had the strait to ourselves. The Addiction was doing great and loving the waves and wind. The sky was clear and it was a beautiful day to be outside the Gate. What a great sail! We headed in about 4pm and hung out on the boat enjoying some nice conversation and wine. We also got in a qiuck Bocce game on the beach before dark. We had dinner at Le Garage, a restaurant right in the marina. My nephew Dan joined us from Santa Rosa.
Wednesday was supposed to be a hiking day but John was not doing well after some mussels from last night. I took a walk down to the store to pick up some provisions and on the way, we stopped at the Bay Model. Kona waited paitently as I toured a giant 3D model of the bay. It really is amazing to see all the landmarks as though you were 12,000 feet in the air. Free too. Back to the boat and off to a very light afternoon of tacking out near Angel Island. Winds were less than 10 however it was nice to relax and enjoy the warm sun. I really hit the weather window between storms! Had a quiet night in the marina.
Thursday arrived and its time to head home. The wind is blasting again from the south as another storm is approaching. It was weird to be sail upwind all the way home as it usually a mellow downwind. I had to fight the whole way but with just the jib up, I could let the boat steer herself and I could enjoy the sights and the wind on my face. Great sailing and the boat did an amazing job. In 4 hours we were back in the marina. Noticed the bildge was not kicking in so had to replace it. All in all another great trip to my favorite marina/town.
Tuesday the wind was up early as we generally get clearing winds after a big storm. My friend John showed about noon and we took off. The tides were looking good so we headed out the Golden Gate for an afternoon of 20-30 knot breezes. It was very wild out there. Once a big tanker cleared we had the strait to ourselves. The Addiction was doing great and loving the waves and wind. The sky was clear and it was a beautiful day to be outside the Gate. What a great sail! We headed in about 4pm and hung out on the boat enjoying some nice conversation and wine. We also got in a qiuck Bocce game on the beach before dark. We had dinner at Le Garage, a restaurant right in the marina. My nephew Dan joined us from Santa Rosa.
Wednesday was supposed to be a hiking day but John was not doing well after some mussels from last night. I took a walk down to the store to pick up some provisions and on the way, we stopped at the Bay Model. Kona waited paitently as I toured a giant 3D model of the bay. It really is amazing to see all the landmarks as though you were 12,000 feet in the air. Free too. Back to the boat and off to a very light afternoon of tacking out near Angel Island. Winds were less than 10 however it was nice to relax and enjoy the warm sun. I really hit the weather window between storms! Had a quiet night in the marina.
Thursday arrived and its time to head home. The wind is blasting again from the south as another storm is approaching. It was weird to be sail upwind all the way home as it usually a mellow downwind. I had to fight the whole way but with just the jib up, I could let the boat steer herself and I could enjoy the sights and the wind on my face. Great sailing and the boat did an amazing job. In 4 hours we were back in the marina. Noticed the bildge was not kicking in so had to replace it. All in all another great trip to my favorite marina/town.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Unnerving
I had a dolphin swim up to me on time on the Monterey Bay. I was standing in ankle deep water when I saw him approaching. I stood there and he swam right up between my legs. I turned him around and he swam away. Not sure why he did that!
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