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Date Posted: - Monday - 01/15/07 - 1:45pm
Author: Randall, M31, Murre
Subject: Winter Sailing in San Francisco Bay

I feel like I've earned my San Francisco Bay "Frostbite Club" membership this weekend (to the degree we have such a thing this far south).

A dry winter so far. Less than 9” of rain to date. Most storms have stayed well north, leaving us colder here than normal.

Sailed onto anchor Saturday night at Paradise Cove. Light SW land breeze is biting, especially after the sun sets. Night sky so crisp the stars flash--dipper, handle down, over San Pablo Bay and Orion tall and imposing over Angel Island. The bay is nearly empty, secluded, save for one tanker (its outline only visible by the shore lights it covers) and the Marin ferries. The heater gets the cabin up to a comfortable 62*, after a time. Dinner, bottle of wine, book. Perfection.

In the morning, cabin temp 33*. No wonder I couldn't get warm in the bunk. Frost on deck quickly melts in the sun. Boat slops in the fetch of a light but very cold north wind at 10, but aside from a numb finger caught between chain and wildcat and numb toe stubbed on chainplate, no harm. Quietly sailed off anchor 9:30am. Surprisingly warm in the sun, I think, as I pull the sock cap down a little further. The wind veers east, so one long tack close hauled down to Yerba Buena. Murre slips along feeling light and nimble in light airs, an effect entirely due to the strong ebb we’re riding. The sun cuts the cliffs of Angel sharply. Then one long tack into Richardson where mobs of hundreds of cormorants, gulls, pelicans, and seals (as many as 15 in one “herd”) feed on the winter herring run.

It is easy to forget what gorgeous sailing there is to be had in winter. Nice to be reminded.

RR

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Replies:

[> Congratulations -- Buzz Hall, - Monday - 01/15/07 - 11:32pm

Your prose is very descriptive!
It sounds beautiful (and cold)!


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[> [> Thanks for Sharing -- John & Jan, Santa Teresa M40, - Tuesday - 01/16/07 - 12:12pm

What a delightful read! We need more sailing stories in the forum to remind us it's not all about maintenance. Thank you so much for sharing.

Fair Winds!
John & Jan


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