Sam and I did a four hour sail today out of Sea Port Village.   I think there was both more wind starting further west then Coronado Harbor, but there was also just more wind today.

And what a glorious day it was!   We took off under power, as is required when leaving this location of Seaforth Sailing Club, then turned the corner out into the bay. I was at the helm until we were in the bay then I turned it over to Sam so I could go forward and raise the sails.  I actually hadn't done this before so it was a bit of OJT.  It took a bit to untie/unwrap the main and hoist it.  Then I realized that we didn't have a winch handle.

When we were preparing to leave I'd mentioned to the deck hand that there was no winch handle.  I thought he'd left and brought one back. However when I had the main most of the way up I looked in the handle holder and it was empty.  I couldn't get the main up that last six inches so I chocked it off and left it.  Perhaps not the most efficient rig in the world but we were able to sail.  I can hear Kurt groaning from here...  ;)

The jib, being on a roller furler, was a simple matter of pulling on the sheets to unroll it. 

I got the jib and main sheets tied off then traded positions with Sam.  We headed up wind towards Harbor Island, Shelter Island,  Point Loma and beyond.  We had about 10 knots wind in a close haul and we were moving!  Now I should give a disclaimer here.  "Moving" in a 22' sail boat is about 5 knots.  One of Sam's classmates in middle school could have easily outrun us.   But I digress...

We got down past the Cruise Ship terminals and the Midway and I turned the helm over to Sam.  We did a few tacks and then somebody lost their attention for a few seconds and suddenly we were falling off into a reach and then a broad reach.  I REALLY didn't want to gybe at that moment so Sam and I switched spots and we headed up towards Point Loma again.

Sam got a lot of practice handling the jib sheets.  Here again we lamented the absence of a winch handle as Sam could not take the jib sheets in as tight as we wanted with the 10kts wind.  I had to help him after each tack.  This was okay but he could have handled sheets on his own with proper use of the winch.  Next time we'll know to insist on a winch handle.  As it was Sam got proficient with both line handling and some of the commands used on a sail boat.

Quicker than I expected we were down by Shelter Island and could look west out the entrance of the bay. Wow!  There were a LOT more boats down this way!  I got a lot of practice on my Right Of Way rules and Sam and I would review who was the Stand On vessel with each encounter.  One of the boats out sailing was the America's Cup boat Stars and Stripes.  I was intimidated by her. I knew Dennis Conner probably wasn't aboard but I didn't want to make any mistakes in her presence never the less...  Boy can she move!  Whoever was at the helm was courteous in the extreme and she kept her distance from most vessels, including us.

Never having sailed this far down the bay I wasn't really sure how fast we could get back.  Playing it safe we decided to turn back towards the Cruise ship area.  In a matter of minutes we were staring at the bow of the Midway and we still had two hours of sailing left!  Like two little kids, instead of the dad and kid that we were, we headed west once again, giddy.  We got almost to the Sub base and were in really good wind, just having a grand time.  We were getting hit regularly with good sized wakes and waves as the big motor-yachts would barrel on by and the rollers were coming in the mouth of the bay.  Sam and I were having a blast riding these up and down...

It was finally time to head back in earnest so we configured the sail in a wing and wing.  This was the first time I'd done this on my own and was pretty pleased with myself...  We made good time on the way back and only turned on the motor when I had to furl the jib and lower the main to head back into the Marriott Yacht Harbor.  Sam drove us almost all the way back, even through a HUGE wake that actually came over the stern a little.

Once in the harbor we had to wait a few for another boat docking in front of us then we eased in smooth as you please.  Even getting praise from the deckhand meeting us.  :) 

Here's to another great day on the water!
Seaman Ray 

PS. I wonder if I can get a promotion to Petty Officer Ray yet... 

The family and I were out doing a little post-Christmas shopping today.  The family in this sense would be my little family plus Mandi's parents, so the family proper...

For some reason my father-in-law, Kurt, and I were in a separate car.  On the way home I decided to make a quick detour to Sports Authority.  We're going sailing tomorrow and I wanted to pick up some deck shoes.  I know, I'm geeking out but I've been thinking about this whole topic, in depth, since last spring!  Now I'm sure tennis shoes will work just fine but I wanted something that was sailing specific.  Now I have it in my new Sperry topsiders!  I haven't worn topsiders since my pink polo with the flipped up collar days in mid 80's.  At least now there is purpose in wearing these shoes beyond increasing my dorkness.  But then everybody was a dork in the 80's!

So I've got some deck shoes.  During our family shopping today we were in REI so I picked a leash for sunglasses and a dry bag.  There is the slightest chance a rogue wake could send a white cap over the gunwall!

Okay, the geek quotient has exceeded it's limits...  I'll report in after our epic four hour bay sail tomorrow.

Ciao,
Seaman Ray