Cruise Out 2020

[Philpott]

Well, I just don't know. What do people think about this? What shape would/might this take? Anything can happen between now and the weekend of November 7/8.

Kauai might open up and we could all sail there for the night. Oh. Wait. That's too far.

Depending upon the weather, we could go to Drakes Bay. A Cruise Up to Drakes Bay instead of a race. That would be a change because the skippers of slower boats wouldn't curse low wind. The chances of high wind are less during this time of year. Lots of sailing for two days, but since it's not a race, people might consider staying for more than one night. I know I would.

Remember those great prizes. Post suggestions here.

[Philpott]

This from Nathalie:


Nathalie Criou
11:18 AM (0 minutes ago)
to me

"Oooo I’d go

And I mean two sailboats on the water is a race"

[JimQuanci]

Benicia is closer... maybe warmer... and easier to walk and talk... though maybe folks have been there already this year? Being selfish... I have been past Benicia 3 times this year and they never had "room for us at the inn"! Though yes Drakes Bay can be magical at this time of the year (though it could also be a "trap" if we have an early southerly).

One of these days we should find an excuse to go to Bodega Bay... all these years in the ocean and have never made it there. Another club I belong to has an October event every year in Tomales Bay... now that makes for an interesting cruise (and you pretty much need three days given all day up and all day back).

[Philpott]

Correction and additional information from Charlie: I always reach the Mare Island Causeway Bridge operators on VHF Channel 13 and that is what they have posted on their sign. Their phone number, which is actually the City of Vallejo operator who takes the call and transfers you, is 707-648-4313.

[BobJ]

Thanks to a timely link from Latitude 38, I found this hydrographic survey of the lower Napa River, completed in March by the Corps of Engineers:

Hydrographic Survey

Charlie's house is on sheet 14 (page 9 of the PDF). The subsequent pages show the surveyed Federal Navigation Channel all the way down to Napa River Light 3 off Vallejo, on sheet 25 (page 20 of the PDF).

We stuffed FUGU in the mud in the pink shoal area, one survey bar to the right (south) of the Brazos Drawbridge - and a couple of other spots (give light 7 a wide berth, just like it shows in the survey).

Any comments/observations?
.

[Now&Zen]

Thanks Bob! I was concerned looking at my chart with my almost 7 foot draft. But this looks like I should be ok. Unless anyone knows different?

[Philpott]

Thanks, Ocean Guy. Yeah, a southerly in Drakes Bay could be bad.

At Benicia everyone would have to pay for a slip, although they are reasonable ($1/ft when I stopped there in April) and there are restaurants within walking distance. Who knows? Maybe Benicia YC will be open by then and invite us all to eat outside on their deck.

However, November 7/8 will only be 3 weeks after Vallejo. Do people want to sail across the San Pablo Bay again so soon? Dunno.

[Wylieguy]

I've done the "Gulf of the Farallones Triangle" several times over the decades. Day #1 SF to Drakes Bay. Day #2 Drakes Bay to HMB via the S.E. Farallon Island. Day #3 HMB to SF. The Drakes Bay to S.E. Farallon route takes you past the N. Farallones -- usually a reach to the Stinky Rocks. The HMB leg is usually a reach, too. Chance to stay more than 1 day at HMB? Day #3 head for the Colorado Reef Buoy, close reach up to home.

[JimQuanci]

You mention the N. Farralones... coming home from Hawaii in 2018... we went "through" the N. Farallones... 3 big rocks with a few hundred yards between each. Just rocks - nothing growing. Went thru at sunset... pretty awesome... "WILD" in caps... will never forget... though in retrospect were we "too close"... hmmm

[Wylieguy]

You mention the N. Farralones... coming home from Hawaii in 2018... we went "through" the N. Farallones... 3 big rocks with a few hundred yards between each. Just rocks - nothing growing. Went thru at sunset... pretty awesome... "WILD" in caps... will never forget... though in retrospect were we "too close"... hmmm

Coming back on the 2009 LongPac Michael and I passed just N of the N. Farallon, actually between Noonday Rock and the vertical slabs. Just at dusk. Maybe making 3 or 4 knots. It was magic, but not something we would have done later in the dark. It's important to remember that Noonday Rock is named for the clipper ship that's still there. They wouldn't rename it "Green Buffalo"!!