September 6, 2000

September 6 – San Francisco Bay

It was raining lightly on Saturday, the start of the three-day
Labor Day Weekend, and the National Weather Service was forecasting
several days of unusually cool weather for Northern California.
If the last few days have been ‘unusually cool’, let’s have it
that way all year ’round for the holiday weekend featured almost
ideal sailing conditions.

On Saturday, the Wanderer and Dona de Mallorca planned to sail
under the Gate, then head up the Bay for an overnight at Vallejo.
Despite a heavy flood at the north tower, we used the 10 knots
or so of wind to battle our way out to Point Bonita where a whale
was playing with some folks on a sailboat. It was so beautiful
out there – five knots of wind and pancake flat seas – that we
decided to pass on Vallejo and work north along the coast: Cronkite
Beach, Tennessee Valley, Muir Beach, Steep Ravine, and finally
Stinson Beach. It was the first time we ever made that sail while
literally roasting in the cockpit and not seeing a cloud or trace
of fog. Despite the continued light conditions, we were able
to sail back to Sausalito before dark without having to resort
to the engine.

If Saturday was a perfect day on the ocean, Sunday was a perfect
day on the Bay. We left Sausalito about noon and crossed the
Bay to find ourselves in the midst of the NOOD regatta. If there
was a prettier racing sight than the Farr 40 lead fleet charging
from Alcatraz to the City Front, we can’t remember it: blue sky,
white clouds, and scores of perfectly trimmed boats racing almost
in unison. Our sail up the North Bay was pretty light, but very
warm. As we got to San Pablo Bay, the wind died, so we started
to bail on Vallejo for a second day in a row. But after nearly
sailing back to the Richmond Bridge, we noticed the wind had
filled in, so we reversed course a second time, and enjoyed a
light air but tide-aided sail up to Vallejo. If you’re looking
for a fall destination, Vallejo is great, and the new marina
– with great berths and nice facilities – has plenty of room.

After two perfect days of sailing, we expected the weather tide
to turn, but it didn’t. Monday was another light air beauty.
It was tough sailing up San Pablo Bay into an increasing flood
with only five to eight knots of wind, but that just made the
warm afternoon last even longer. Once past the Richmond Bridge,
the wind picked up to our weekend high of about 15 knots behind
Angel Island, and boats everywhere were kicking up their heels
in what continued to be – sorry, weather service – unusually
warm conditions. We hope your sailing weekend was every bit as
good as ours.