Weekend sailing

[AllAboutMe]

Hi all,
Just back from two great days of sailing on the Rappahannock and Piankatank rivers, and the Bay. I spent all of yesterday (8 hours) single handing my Columbia Sabre (Wild Swan) in 5 to 10 knots of breeze, with calm seas, and occasional waves of 3 to 4 feet. The sail from Deltaville, on the Rappahannock, to Fishing Bay, on the Piankatank was quick and easy, and I averaged 6 knots in about 8 knots of wind. I think its time to haul and clean the bottom. She'll normally do 7 knots in 7 knots of wind.
I spent the day watching the Fishing Bay Leukemia (sp?) Cup Regatta.
There were about 70 boats involved in the regatta, with 3 or 4 separate fleets. I didn't feel that I was ready to participate this year, so I just sailed back and forth just outside the windward mark for the Spinnaker class watching the racers round the mark. It was a great day of single handing, but the Sabre is as much work as it is fun!!!
Today, I took the  Columbia 8.7 out from Urbanna, with the wife, daughter and future son in law as crew. Wind was around 8 knots, at best, but we managed to squeeze a few miles of 6 knots over ground. We covered about 15 nm in just over 4 hours of sailing. Not bad considering the number of times we had to tack to  keep from sailing into shore. We sailed all the way back into Urbanna Creek, with about 4 knots of wind on the forward quarter, and pissed off more than our share of power boaters that were in a bigger hurry to get home. There were stretches in the entrance when we were only doing eight tenths of a knot, but we were determined to sail all the way to the slip if possible. As it turned out, we ran out of wind about 300 yards shy of the slip, and had to motor the rest of the way. Then, when trying to back into the slip, the wind picked up again, coming down the creek, at 12 plus knots. Needless to say, we pulled in bow first after half a dozen attempts at backing in.
Well, thats my sailing report for this week, with apologies for the long post.

Larry Wilson
Columbia 8.7 AllAboutMe
Columbia Sabre  Wild Swan
Urbanna and Deltaville, Virgina

[Captain Smollett]

Larry,

That sure sounds like an enjoyable weekend's worth of sailing.  I too got on the water this weekend.  We trailered the boat to Georgetown and "cruised" Winyah Bay a bit on Saturday.

Left the marina with 2-2.5 kts of ebb tide current running/broad reaching with 12 kts of wind.  It was great sailing.

The plan was to sail to North Island and let the kids play on the beach.  We spent an unexpected 2 hours aground in the area Kurt had marked on my chart in BIG RED LETTERS "NO."   ;D

I had a jammed centerboard, and THOUGHT it was jammed all the way up, but it was partially down.  This put our draft from my assumed 12 inches to a bit over two feet.  We had to jury the cb to get it up, but once up, we easily pushed the boat to deeper water.

We did make to North Island, and the kids DID get to play on the beach.  But only for a little while before heading back.

BTW, lest I forget to mention, CapnK is a great host and Georgetown Landing Marina is a good facility with great staff.  Just watch the currents...more than a bit tricky.

PS: I wish I could say I did it all under sail; but with the CB juried UP, anything with the wind ahead of the beam and I would have just slid sideways.  We were a motorboat for the trip back in.  Those first few hours were great sailing, though.

[AdriftAtSea]

You were probably lucky that the CB was partially down.  Most centerboard boats don't do well if the board is completely up, as the wind blows the front end around like a piece of newspaper.  Makes sailing in any direction but directly down wind very difficult.

[Zen]

Friday I had off, (wahooo) ;D ;D
I took s/v Zen out for some practice. Did a few man-over-board drills, steering with only the sails and jib reefing. All went well other than almost getting run over by a tug boat :o  :(
It wasa good day to be out. temps in the 90's 8)

The Zen crew went out  Sat. with guests



They were our first couple passagers.


We went boating back to Benica. Which is a small town just across the river, with is really called a strait (sp).
It was a great day for a sail. Winds about 15 knots, temps in the low 90's. We started about 11:00am. had a small pre-launch toast, of Barefoot(brand name) Champagne Mimosas. ;) just one small glass each with a little snack. Then set off. I have gotten pretty good with making the trip over. Before it would take me about 5 tacks, now I do it in three. Easy close reaches. Took about 1 hr or so. Pulled into the guest dock. Good photo op.



Waited a bit after check-in for the boat in front to leave then pulled into our spot and headed off to town on foot.

A short pleasant walk of 15 min we had lunch at an outside cafe/hotel. Lady Zen and I had a Salmon Ceaser salad. We were expecting just a few chucks of grilled Salmon but got a big grilled fillet on a bed of lettuce. :D We were pleasantly shocked. :o
After a bit of chit chat , we headed back. Took a detour through a small shop area. Where I met and chatted a bit with a fellow musician playing in the courtyard. 8)
Then we headed back to s/v Zen. and headed back home.

Nice steady breeze, no tacking just an easy broad reach and we were back.
After docking and packup everything nice cooling Margarettas were in line to end the hot day. ;D


Life can be good

Visual aid for those who do not know the area.
The Red X is home port, The yellow X is Benicia, The green X is Oakland, The Purple X is San Fransico


Memorial Weekend sail was down to the big red circle on the left side of the map. That is about 25 miles.

Napa is at the top center of the map, Which maybe the Oct. sail plan.  City of Vallejo which is half down from there is the plan for mid Aug.

[Captain Smollett]

You were probably lucky that the CB was partially down.  Most centerboard boats don't do well if the board is completely up, as the wind blows the front end around like a piece of newspaper.  Makes sailing in any direction but directly down wind very difficult.

Most of my sailing was downwind (ran wing and wing some) or broad reaching about 140 off the wind.  I have just enough of a baby keel that broad reaching is possible; on the beam reach, leeway is a problem, but it's not QUITE as bad as just slipping sideways or having no helm at all.   :D

Bottom line, I should not have been over there anyway; I had gotten a bit complacent thinking the cb was up.  If it had been, we would have at least been able to push her into deep water, as once we got the board up, my wife could push the boat with one arm.  (in the past, with the board up, I've motored over shoals about that deep when time really was of the essence).

[AdriftAtSea]

Hey Zen-

Like the shades and hat... btw, I take it that is Nan that you mentioned.  I did add two photos to my blog post about my sail on saturday.  Was a very nice sail, even if it was only blowing 3-6 knots.  I generally prefer a bit more wind...but Pretty Gee was able to sail at 4-5 knots most of the day... :D

[Zen]

Sailing, Sake & Sushi

It was a clear day; looking out on the lanai I could see there was some wind. Not much but some. More than yesterday, so things were looking up. The forecast said 8 mph winds.
We were waiting for the Tokyo/Monterey (we'll call them AE & Sakura) delegation to arrive.
We got the arrival call just shortly after 11:00, perfect.
After getting them in, and the greetings thing done, I checked with the Benicia Marina for docking space, which turned out to be a no-go. Bummer! Oh well Chisai koto ( no biggie)
Plan B was to go to Glen Cove. However with light winds, and Glen Cove itself although cute was not as interesting as Benicia for out of towner's first visit. time for plan C

We head off to the Japanese market, pickup a light lunch, sushi roll, Inari, some plums, pack some wine. They grab some things to take home since Monterey does not have a Nippon Market. So the Sakura from Tokyo is happy to get some home food.
Then off we head to the marina.

Down at s/v Zen we unpack and setup for lunch.
Some wine and sushi and floating puts everyone in relaxed mode.

The weather was perfect at the marina, cooler than inland but very comfortable.

Afterwards we prep for a sail. Since there is not much wind and already getting on with the tide timing the plan is to just sail around. Before that though I wanted to get my line setup for burgees flags. I volunteered the Lady Zen since she is the smallest. She was not too pleased about it, but went along with the plan after I explained it to her a couple of times.



It went smoothly; afterward she said it was not too high after all. Now I have my string up so I can host the SailJapan Burgee.


I thought it was in keeping with the Kobe /Tokyo connection aboard today. Later I will pull through a heavier line for the burgees, which will include, SailJapan, SailFar.net, This Old Boat, & International Yacht Club.

Off we head out of the marina, a small mishap on launch as the docking line catches and hangs us up. We free the line but come out of the slip at a very bad angle, but we make it and off we go.



Winds are very light, maybe 5-7 mph over land, so mostly we are just above a drift rate. Very relaxing and pleasant going. We have some tunes going and chit chat.


Sakura feels the need to nap, as the sun, and wine fully kick in. It is nice cruise we make slow time but soon we are over at the Benicia entrance, I swing around and head away an over to Seal Buoy.


Today as most nice days there were couple of sleeping big guys napping.

After a few more turns around the area we head in under power

as the wind by this time was almost nothing again with a glass-like surface.



A smooth docking back at the slip and we are done.

A bit of a photo op and we are off.

We take a quick sighting drive through Walnut Creek downtown for our guest and we head home.

Lady Zen prepares dinner, sushi, spring rolls, salad, and garlic rice.
MMmmmmm.

I break out some Sake brought back from Kobe, smooooooooth, fresh taste MMmmmmm
The rest of the eveing is spent playing mahjong and drinking Sake


The next day off to San Fransico

[AdriftAtSea]

Zen-

Beautiful photos as always... I'm guessing that dinner and MahJhong was not aboard the s/v Zen, or she's a lot bigger inside than I expected. ;)

[Zen]

oh, did I forget to mention the cabin extending  remodeling  ;D

[AdriftAtSea]

Where'd you get the TARDIS module for the s/v Zen?? I'm looking to get one for the s/v Pretty Gee.

[Zen]

I got a deal from the "Doctor" however he is hard to catch up with, you know how he loves to travel :D

[Zen]

Post Thanksgiving Non-sale sail




It was a good day, Mild temps, in the 60's light wind. I headed to the Marina.
My first encounter with the owner of the Choy Lee  ketch. We chat a bit and I head down to s/v Zen and get her ready to sail. I was set for cool weather, I had my silk long john's on, and my heavy Zen sweat shirt. However the weather so far was perfect. Wind about 8-10 knots.
I cast off easliy and raise the sails...



Not much going on a very easy sail, only one tanker to dodge. There are only a couple of other sailboats out today. It is generally quiet  in this area except during the summer months when we get a few racing yachts passing through.  Beig that this is the first day of wind on the weekend I thoughtt there would be more boats out. For the most part the water is mine...



Easy sail aroundfor an hour then head back to the marina...



It is starting to get cool, as the sun is behind some clouds and going down.



Now I'm glad i wore the long johns.

So back to the marina and an easy dock.
I'm putting sailing away and shockingly another sail boat come in to my dock. For the most part I am the only one of the four sailboat there that goes out.
I go to chat with him a bit turns out he is new. He is only been around for a few weeks and has been disappointed about abou the lack of winds over the last few weeks. Sound like he ia a regular sailor. So now there are two if us.

It was a good day
I was thankful to get my sail-on.



Trees stilll show their colors
Sky is blue and fluffy white
My sails are full, life is good

[AdriftAtSea]

Do you raise and lower the fish or does he live up there in the spreaders??

[Zen]

The old carp, (RIP) lived there. One day he swam away... :'(

The new one will be raised and lowered on sail days & holidays.

[Zen]

Benica revisited...

http://zensekai2.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/back-to-benica/

[Zen]

The Islanders Holloween: The Good , Bad and the ugly - Part I

Posted in the SailFar blog ( type seems small)
and @ zensekai2.wordpress.com

[CapnK]

Good story, Zen! Neat skies in the pics.

This picture makes me smile (I love the Zen hand code):



and this one makes me think that you might have been walking a thin line of some sort... :D

[Zen]

Part II is up...

[Bubba the Pirate]

Very nice reporting.   Once again, I am jealous someone is actually sailing.   I just put In A Mist to bed for the winter.   She has yet to touch the water under my command.   Seeing her again, however, has rejuvenated my vagabond spirit.  I'm back on the road, but feeling very good about heading south next summer.   

Check us out at http://sailorbum.blogspot.com/2007/10/in-mist-is-tucked-in-for-winter.html. 
Here I am about 2/3's the way through:


I love the hand signal too.   If I see you coming, I'm going to have it ready!   :)

TrT

[Zen]

deal!  ;D