Well, Saturday I moved my 27’ Lancer from San Diego to its new home in Oceanside. It was a 45 mile trip that took 8 hours but was in fact, eventful.
As we were pulling out of the bay entrance, way off in the distance we could see what looked like a car carrier. Couldn’t tell what direction it was going or if it was just sitting out there.
A few minutes later I hear over the radio: “Sailing vessel 12000 yards off my port bow, this is US Navy war ship off your starboard bow.”
I hesitated for a few seconds and looked around. There were no sail boats anywhere to be found. Then I hear it again.
Navy: Sailing vessel 12000 yards off my port bow, this is US Navy war ship off your starboard bow.
Me: This is sailing vessel Takara, over.
Navy: Thank you sir, what is your navigational intent, over.
Me: I'm headed about .5 miles on present course then turning to heading 330, over.
Navy: Thank you sir. We are heading 090 at 10 knots. Please maintain a safe distance, over.
Me: Understand 090 at 10 knots. Understand maintain safe distance. Roger, over.
Navy: Thank you sir. This is US Navy War Ship, out.
Before leaving the harbor I installed a radar reflector. So I am sure he saw me with that because he got heading and distance on my boat. But we heard the Navy ship calling other boats in his path and no one answered. Interesting.
My course change took me where I didn’t want to go. The infamous San Diego kelp beds. It was like navigating my star ship through an asteroid field. I failed. I tried plowing my way through but my outboard prop got fouled as did my cool water intake. Took us almost an hour to get out and the water cooling was not the same the rest of the trip. Ended up going 2 mph which helped immensely.
Up by Mission Bay, my outboard failed. The sails were up but there was no wind. The water was like glass with occasional swells. Played with the outboard and found that the gas line was loose. Fixed it but the cooling water was still not working good enough. So I started the motor and creped along at 2 mph. I was smoking a little, but eventually the cooling system kicked out whatever was causing the problem and we got the motor back up to 6 mph.
Caught a little wind later on and got some nice ocean sailing. About 30 minute’s worth. It was getting late and we were still 2 hours from the harbor. So back to motoring we went.
About 1 hour from the harbor, we were graced by three dolphins riding along with us. They stayed for a few minutes then headed out to sea. Never have I had dolphins honor my boat when I was out. This is a first and I feel that I have been blessed.
My boat is now in its new home. But it was an adventure.
As we were pulling out of the bay entrance, way off in the distance we could see what looked like a car carrier. Couldn’t tell what direction it was going or if it was just sitting out there.
A few minutes later I hear over the radio: “Sailing vessel 12000 yards off my port bow, this is US Navy war ship off your starboard bow.”
I hesitated for a few seconds and looked around. There were no sail boats anywhere to be found. Then I hear it again.
Navy: Sailing vessel 12000 yards off my port bow, this is US Navy war ship off your starboard bow.
Me: This is sailing vessel Takara, over.
Navy: Thank you sir, what is your navigational intent, over.
Me: I'm headed about .5 miles on present course then turning to heading 330, over.
Navy: Thank you sir. We are heading 090 at 10 knots. Please maintain a safe distance, over.
Me: Understand 090 at 10 knots. Understand maintain safe distance. Roger, over.
Navy: Thank you sir. This is US Navy War Ship, out.
Before leaving the harbor I installed a radar reflector. So I am sure he saw me with that because he got heading and distance on my boat. But we heard the Navy ship calling other boats in his path and no one answered. Interesting.
My course change took me where I didn’t want to go. The infamous San Diego kelp beds. It was like navigating my star ship through an asteroid field. I failed. I tried plowing my way through but my outboard prop got fouled as did my cool water intake. Took us almost an hour to get out and the water cooling was not the same the rest of the trip. Ended up going 2 mph which helped immensely.
Up by Mission Bay, my outboard failed. The sails were up but there was no wind. The water was like glass with occasional swells. Played with the outboard and found that the gas line was loose. Fixed it but the cooling water was still not working good enough. So I started the motor and creped along at 2 mph. I was smoking a little, but eventually the cooling system kicked out whatever was causing the problem and we got the motor back up to 6 mph.
Caught a little wind later on and got some nice ocean sailing. About 30 minute’s worth. It was getting late and we were still 2 hours from the harbor. So back to motoring we went.
About 1 hour from the harbor, we were graced by three dolphins riding along with us. They stayed for a few minutes then headed out to sea. Never have I had dolphins honor my boat when I was out. This is a first and I feel that I have been blessed.
My boat is now in its new home. But it was an adventure.
