San Francisco

Golden Gate

We’re here and have been since last Sunday.  Great trip – lots of trials and tribulations but in the end we acheived the goal i.e. getting to San Francisco.

We did stop in Drake’s Bay which is about 25 nautical miles north of San Francisco.  Thinking we would have  a chance to clean the boat and ourselves we anchored in good holding for the afternoon and evening.  Had a great meal and settled in for our first full nights rest.  At 0200hrs the wind was up to 20 knots and quickly rising.  Within 30 minutes the wind was gusting at 35 knots and the few other boats in the anchorage were dragging their anchors past our boat but we held firm.  So much for a peaceful night.  I was up for the remainder of the night keeping watch just like at sea.

Morning came and it was pouring with rain.  Our first rain of the trip but certainly not the first water over the bows.  It was perfect timing as the salt got washed off the boat and by the time we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge we were salt fee – at least deck wise but not clothes wise!

What was the trip like?  Difficult, frustrating and uncomfortable.  We could have made it under the bridge non stop in 7 days which considering the conditions is excellent.  We only motored for a total of 24 hours so there was definitely wind out there.  The wind came from every which direction and it varying strengths from 2 knots to 45 knots.  The heaviest winds having been experienced off Cape Mendicino – all night blowing 35 and gusting to 45.  Hard and wet steering but our speed record for the trip was set that night at 15.3 knots surfing down the front of a wave  with rooster tails off the beam of the boat.  Exciting but nerve racking.

Perfect sailing 2

Edward and David