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Secrets of the Bay Revealed

What does this guy know that you don’t know?

latitude/John
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC

Those of us who dwell on the surface can have a hard time understanding what’s happening in the depths below and how it might affect our life on top. Thanks to the Army Corps of Engineers, U2 spy planes, the Bay Model and sailmaker Kame Richards you can gain a deeper understanding of Bay currents by attending Kame’s tide talk at the Bay Model this Thursday, May 31, an interesting and well-choreographed talk he’s offered for 37 years in a row!

Another visitor with an in-depth knowledge of life below the surface. 

latitude/John
©2018 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

For racers these ‘secrets’ are critical to success on San Francisco Bay. For cruisers it can mean the difference between getting home before dark or being able to sail more and motor less. You can spend a lot of time sailing the Bay to figure this all out yourself or get a jump-start with a visit to the Bay Model, which demonstrates the whole tidal cycle every 15 minutes. 

No man is an island but, from his Angel Island perch, Kame can point out many of the Bay’s secrets.

latitude/John
©2018 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

Bay Area sailing is probably most famous for its winds, but the currents are equally as challenging and interesting. In our attempts to get where we’re going many of us spend a lot of time looking up at our sails and adjusting our sheets and course. After attending the talk you might start to give equal time to looking at the water, as you come to understand the different colors and textures, and observe what fishermen, fleet leaders and whales are up to. 

In the photo on the left (looking south from Marin) you can see a seamount just inside the Golden Gate Bridge, and there it is on the chart from Navionics, 75 feet of depth surrounded by 200-ft water. You won’t hit bottom, but in strong currents you’ll notice quite an impact on the surface.

latitude/John
©2018 Latitude 38 Media, LLC
The hard way. If you don’t make the talk you can always sail to Angel Island, hike to the peak, and observe some often-subtle current lines.

latitude/John
©2018 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

The secrets of the Bay are often revealed by the color of the water, lines of bubbles, fishing boats, whales and some very experienced racers. If you’re racing it’s often wise to follow those racers (Kame Richards and Hank Easom come to mind) to learn where to go on the Bay. Following is not a strategy for winning but it can give you a better shot at second!

A few seats are left for tomorrow’s talk ($15 cash at the door). If you’re interested email Jim Tantillo here.

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