Bluewater Coastal Cruising

Sunday, May 17, 2015

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

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Open Letter

Subject: Sailing South on Bluewater
From: Mark Barrish (markdbarrish@gmail.com)
Date: Monday, April 27, 2015 11:50 PM

Dear _______

We are, at long last, finalizing plans for our trip down the coast. We will again be taking our 35 foot Seawind 1000 catamaran Bluewater from San Francisco Bay down toward warmer weather, this time to Southern California. We will be traveling at a more relaxed pace this year, with short legs of one to three days (with the exception of a longer trip or two out to the Channel islands). Each of these legs will be subject to weather, input from crew, and the like, and we will have at least several days between most legs (and a couple of weeks between some) to allow us to get back home for work, and to catch up to our planned itinerary if weather keeps us in port for a few days.

Here is a link to our initial draft overview map: Sailing South on Bluewater

We would love to have (or are looking forward to having) you join us for at least Leg __ of our trip. We can accommodate up to 7 or so for each leg, so feel free to let us know if you have suggestions for additional crew. Also let us know if you would like to join us for other legs as well.

We will be sailing at night on two of the longer hops, but will otherwise be staying on the boat at anchor or in a marina before, during, and/or after sailing. The weather will likely range somewhere between 50 and 80 degrees.

We will have food on board, but let us know if you have significant dietary restrictions and feel free to bring your own food.

We also suggest you consider bringing some of the following:

Sleeping bag (if this is a hassle we can instead provide bedding, but let us know) Pillow (if you prefer your own - otherwise we can provide)
Wetsuit
Snorkel gear
Fishing License and gear (we have a couple of rods and boatlines you can use; but please bring your sure-fire lures, etc. and optionally your own rod)
Surfboard etc.(let us know what you plan to bring--it will be strapped to the rail outside).

Layers--warm and waterproof
Warm Hat
Sun Hat
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Chapstick
Refillable water bottle
Boat shoes (white soles--no black soles, no running shoes, etc.)
Swim suit
Towel
Book(s)
Shorts etc. in case it is warm
Headlamp
Car Charger for your phone etc. (you may be able to use one of ours)
Camera

Please let us know ASAP if you will be able to join us!

Thanks, and we can't wait,
Mark (and Liz and Amanda and Lawrence who will be on some but not all legs)

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Bahia Santa Maria to Cabo San Lucas

Wednesday November 7, 2012

We are at sea again in the midst of our shortest leg of the Baja Ha-ha having departed Bahia Santa Maria last night enroute to Cabo San Lucas, an approx 180 nautical mile journey. We searched in vain for a fishing spot (the 3-spot) identified on a paper chart (from the 1940's, so not necessarily accurate) as well as the electronic chart on the GPS (in a nearby location) described as 3 fathoms (approx 19 feet) and over 20 miles offshore. We did find relatively shallow water 300 foot deep area surrounded by 2,000 feet deep water but nothing shallower and no fish. Andrew/Mark/Kevin described whale sightings. Andrew saw a full breach, Kevin saw spouting, Mark saw splashes. In the early afternoon, we stopped the boat to swim in crystal clear blue water that was 2,150 feet deep, 28 miles off the coast - a true highlight of the whole trip. Just knowing it was that deep added sheer excitement. During the early night watch, Kevin and Liz were entertained by more than 10 playful dolphins off our bow. Later in the middle of the night, Lawrence and Liz encountered another big ship nearby. On Andrew's shift we ran a gas tank dry just as the winds picked up so we sailed (instead of motor-sailing). We still had about 25 gallons left out of the 40+ we had when we left San Diego, and refilled the tank from the spares in the morning. Before dawn, we finally saw the big dipper for which we had been looking - it did not rise until late at night.

Mark and Amanda with fishing boatlines

Andrew/Amanda/Kevin enjoying warmer waters

Lawrence and Andrew snorkeling around in the open sea

Amanda coming up our swim ladder

Mark/Amanda swimming

Mark reading Fancy Nancy

Lawrence/Kevin/Andrew lounging

Gorgeous sunset

Amanda capturing a gorgeous sunset

Thursday November 8, 2012

This morning we sailed along the Baja Peninsula with the Cape in view. The dolphins delighted us by swimming along our bow. We saw giant sea turtles too. Mid-morning we arrived off Cabo San Lucas ahead of most of the fleet (because we had departed early). It quickly became apparent that there were not enough slips for everyone and we were low on the pecking order (slip assignments were made in order of Baja Ha-Ha sign-ups). We were eventually thrilled that we had to continue on to Marina Puerto Los Cabos in San Jose del Cabo. Though it was an additional 25 nautical miles (which added 5 more hours to our journey) we were happy with the exceptionally nice quiet marina. Not long after arriving, I learned from Amanda the results of the US election (she heard it from Lawrence and Andrew). Suffice it to say, Obama's election allowed us all to drink at the bar for various reasons. We all needed stiff drinks after a long journey and news of this sort. We enjoyed showers and sleep but the few mosquitos around were quite annoying. We understand that Baja was unusually lush and green throughout our trip because of Hurricane Paul, and this also increased the number of bugs. The Marina helped arrange a rental car (delivered to the marina parking lot) and the tortilla soup at the bar was awe-inspiring.

View of the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula

Dolphin

Another friendly dolphin

Amanda on the bow after successfully calling many dolphins to the boat

Andrew and Lawrence and dolphins

Andrew/Lawrence/Amanda and dolphins

Amanda's private show from her pulpit

Giant sea turtle

Fun of many sorts

Hair salon

Mark/Andrew/Kevin/Lawrence

Heading east from Cabo San Lucas

Destination made - the bar at Marina Puerto Los Cabos in San Jose del Cabo

Friday November 9, 2012

We all enjoyed actual sleep but we were up early in Marina Puerto Los Cabos. Liz/Mark/Amanda drove to town for breakfast while the others returned to the marina bar/restaurant. Liz and Amanda thoroughly enjoyed our dolphin Encounter program at the Dolphin Discovery center, mere steps from the marina. We all gave the boat a good cleaning then headed for the Lavanderia in town to drop off our laundry (great service!) and tourist shopping. Then we piled into the rental van and drove the 25 miles back to Cabo San Lucas for the Baja Ha-Ha farewell beach party. We all split up and were rattled (to varying degrees) by the Las Vegas - like atmosphere of Cabo San Lucas. It was congested/over-crowded/commercialized/touristy/loud, and while the people-watching was interesting (particularly the participants in the ongoing sport-fishing tournament), it was not very appealing for a stay of more than a few hours all told. By the end of the day we actually found the beach party which was at the end of a LONG walk. Amanda was able to play, swim and say goodbye to her friend Sophia which was a fitting end to this crazy organized cruisers rally. After a group dinner at the Baja Cantina, we drove back to our (more appreciated) quiet marina for more sleep (and more bug bites).