Leg 1, Coyote Point to Half Moon Bay

Our trip has begun! We are again taking Bluewater South, destination Southern California.

Leg 1, Coyote Point Marina to Half Moon Bay

Crew: Liz, Mark, Michael Sevy, Lawrence

Michael - happy to depart

Departure Time: 5:30 pm Friday May 15, 2015 Coyote Point Marina.

Our route from Coyote Point Marina to Pillar Point Harbor with an overnight anchorage at Aquatic Park, SF

Evening departure from Coyote Point Marina in sustained high winds (22 kts, gusting to 32kts) and a strong flood current. Headed North in typical chilly (50's F) weather with mild wind chop.

Partly cloudy departure from Coyote Point Marina

Winds shown at 31.5 kts, Boat Speed shown at 10.4 kts

Here is a link to a video of our sailing conditions:   Sailing north in strong winds and mild wind chop

Beautiful view of San Francisco as the sun went down. Looked for relief along the shore North of the Bay Bridge. Had to head out to Alcatraz to make way to Aquatic Park. Set back by the current and eventually motored the last bit along the break wall to Aquatic Park. Lots of buoy's, boats, and boards to steer around. Starboard engine took a break to make sure we were still awake. Anchored with Ghirardelli sign in sight.

Anchored in Aquatic Park, San Francisco

Arrival Time: 10:00pm Friday 5-15-15 Aquatic Park, SF
Anchored overnight in Aquatic Park


Though it was glassy calm in the middle of the night, the breeze picked up again before dawn. Departure Time: 6:09am Saturday 5-16-15 from Aquatic Park, SF

As we departed Aquatic Park, Mark had a sharp eye out and spotted 4 swimmers in the channel. Soon after departure, the winds picked up to 18kts right off the get go. Conditions were good to exit the Bay through the Golden Gate. The weather was overcast with a mixture of light and dark clouds with the sun shining through occasional. Our goal was to reach the Golden Gate for a 7am slack tide. Our actual time crossing under the bridge was about 6:45am.

Approaching the Golden Gate Bridge

The Crew under the Golden Gate:  Mark, Michael, Lawrence, Liz

 See the video here of our departure conditions, crossing under the Golden Gate Bridge, heading out into confused seas, downwind sailing, and whale sightings:  Heading out the Gate

Looking back toward San Francisco after crossing under the Golden Gate Bridge

Liz

Lawrence

Michael and Mark

For safety, we motor-sailed under the bridge and cut the engines when we reached the south channel. Just outside the gate, the seas were a bit confused which struck us all with a bit of queeziness at different times. We tried to fish for salmon but got skunked. Tying the knots was close-up work that magnified the rocking sloshing motion of the boat. We saw lots of wildlife including dolphins, shearwaters, terns, pelicans, brandts, cormorants, sea lions and whales.

Highlight:  Dozens of whale sightings, spoutings, heads, backs, and full flukes.

Destination made: Liz, Lawrence, Mark, Michael

Bluewater, Dock D end tie, Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay

Arrival Time: 12:02pm Saturday 5-16-15 Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay
Total Distance:  46.8nm from Coyote Point to Half Moon Bay
Time enroute: 4-1/2 hrs (Coyote Pt to Aquatic Park) + 6 hrs (Aquatic Park to HMB) = 10-1/2hrs