Leg 2, Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz

It was very exciting to continue our trip south with new crew! We departed Half Moon Bay in fog, mist, low visibility, a very light breeze and calm seas with a crew of four:  Mark, Liz, Marshall, Peter.

Departure Time:  8:35am Thursday May 21, 2015
Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay, CA

Our route from Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz
The zig-zag shows the location of our sailing section where we were treated to a spectacular whale show!

Early Departure in glassy calm conditions. Thanks to Marshall for this photo!

Looking back toward Pillar Point Harbor after departure

Foggy calm weather

We saw a few fishing boats out but literally hundreds of crab pots along our route (3-5 miles off the coast) that we had to maneuver around. Due to light winds and a fair distance to cover, we did a lot of motoring to make time. Thus we motored then motor-sailed then sailed then motor-sailed and ended up motoring at the end.We saw a lot of wildlife including: dolphins, mola mola sunfish (solo and in family groups, waving fins in the air), seals, possibly a sea otter, huge concentrations of small blue sailor jellyfish, and LOTS of whales.

Peter at the helm

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Natural Bridges State Beach from the sea

Peter and Marshall on lookout (for crab pots and other obstacles)

Bluewater heading south

Mark and Marshall in calm seas

Mark, Peter, Marshall in the salon

Liz and Mark

The highlight was a spectacular whale show where we saw dozens and dozens of whales (possibly gray whales mixed with a larger species, humpback maybe? we don't know for sure). Marshall's eagle eyes spotted them on the horizon a mile or so away. We watched them spouting and rising from a distance for a long time. An hour later they were still entertaining us and getting closer to us. The grand finale was when they surrounded our boat and one was super close to us, about 15 feet away.

Thanks to Marshall for these GREAT shots of the whales including the framing display!!!

Here is a video of our whale encounter. Surrounded by Whales!You can hear the whales spouting but also making other rumbling noises that, in the video anyway, sound like static or wind noise but its not - its the whales! We were thrilled with the show!

Marshall lowering the main sail, and Mark

The weather changed from foggy and calm to partial clearing with a light breeze to gray and drizzly, back to foggy again, and ended with warmer weather with the sun peaking through.

Clearing Skies

Marshall in warmer weather, no more foul weather gear

Thanks to our crew!  Marshall, Peter, Mark, Liz - Santa Cruz South Harbor, "M" dock end tie

Here is a longer video of our trip (including a repeat of the whale show) if you have time/interest:  HMB to Santa Cruz

Arrival Time:  5:52pm Thursday 5-21-15 South Harbor Santa Cruz M Dock end tie
Total Distance:  52nm from HMB to Santa Cruz
Time Enroute:  9-1/4 hrs