Bella Barchetta in San Francisco Bay

[aviatorjames]

We had two wonderful days on the San Francisco Bay...
( I sympathize with those of you that need to start pulling boats )
This is actually a really nice time of year for us.
For anybody that's not sailed around here, there can be every kind of wind you can imagine during one day of sailing...
Fun Fear :shock: WTF?? and back to joy

Leaving Berkeley marina westbound...
Really beautiful conditions for sailing!

Crossing south toward downtown San Francisco...

Leaving the city behind and sailing west for Angel Island...

Taking a wave while heading west toward Alcatraz... The Rock...
The "Slot" between San Francisco and the Marin side of the bay can be exciting!

After the intensity of crossing the slot, the welcome protection of Raccoon straight...
Time to strip off the windbreakers and enjoy the warmth!!

Ayala cove for lunch and a hike up the hill...
Angel Island has some fascinating history and is an amazing state park...

Looking southwest from Angel Island toward Tiburon, Belvedere & Sausalito...

Looking back at the new Bay Bridge (the tall, single white tower with suspension) the old, truss bridge behind it will be dismantled...
Smooth water, good winds and warm temps made for an amazing sail...

 

[shnool]

fantastic sailing venue, and great pictures. So freaking jealous!

 

[jerrymlewis]

I've done that same 'circuit' in a few different boats (on friends' Catalina 22 and Catalina 30 and on my 1984 MacGregor 25) but yet to do so on my Capri 22. I may have to drive down the hill from Grass Valley the two hours to Berkeley marina (with a pocketful of quarters for the launch ramp) and do it again, remembering October is the best sailing time on the Bay.

Last time to do this was Fleet Week about 10 years ago with the Blue Angels flying directly overhead, barely 1,000 feet elevation. LOUD! The sequester will keep military participation away this year...

 

[aviatorjames]

This was my first time launching out of the Berkeley marina...
A decent facility that is less crowded & less expensive than most around here!

I ended up there because a certain woman that I love sailing with lives in Berkeley!
But it's also out of necessity... the marina I normally use in Sausalito is now closed?!?!

Anyway... let me know if you head this way for a weekend or something and we'll sail
And yes, awesome time of year for this area!!!

 

[aviatorjames]

And although the AC is over, there's still a lot of exciting racing going on every weekend on the bay...

 

[HERSH]

Well James;

Looks like you have found a new friend ( deck ornament )... and she seems to like sailing .... GREAT !

Nice photo's of the Bay --- All us sailor who have to shut down because of our location are very jealous.

As many of us hunker down for the upcoming winter, keep posting these great shots.

Hersh


PS: Did I see a speck of soil on your boat ?---- nah, ....

 

[aviatorjames]

Thanks Hersh... yes, a very nice, down to Earth woman, beautiful deck ornament, and...
She's done a lot of sailing!! ...she used to race weekly while she was in college.

I really do feel for you guys that have to pull boats out of lakes, etc...
Of course, I do a lot of that every time I sail... trailering and launching and recovering, etc.

...and you can ALWAYS get a trailer and head for warmer climes during your local off-season!

 

[sinnettc]

Glad to see you didn't get run over by any low flying AC70's

 

[Kunzig]

Great photos James - and we don't mind you using Bella as an excuse to shoot the "other" her... well done.