- Joined
- Apr 15, 2008
- Messages
- 13,731
- Location
- California Delta
- Vessel Name
- FlyWright
- Vessel Make
- 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
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We've been planning our 4-day trip to Angel Island for months.* We had never taken our boat this far in one trip and looked forward to exploring new waters...and salt water at that!!* We'd travel in tandem with our friend, Gene, in his 42 Jefferson Sundeck. *It's a 55-mile trip that would take us just under 7 hrs.* We needed to time our departures well to get maximum benefit from the tides.* We knew we had to get there on Thursday to get a chance at a mooring for two boats.* Plus, having two full days on the mooring would allow us time to relax with our daughters and their boyfriends between our travel days.*
The Admiral and I would travel via FlyWright and the kids could join us via ferry to the island.* We scheduled Segway island tours for everyone for something unique and fun to do together.
We spent Wed night aboard in preparation for our 0800 departure.* We enjoyed an early shove-off at 0745 in near perfect conditions...bluebird skies, light winds, mild temps and an ebb tide pushing us down the San Joaquin River toward the San Francisco Bay.
*
The Admiral kept our log updated with our ETAs and ATAs, which she seemed to enjoy.* We planned a rendezvous with Mark in his new sail cruiser, Carquinez Coot.* I looked forward to seeing her on the water and getting some photos for Mark.* We met as planned and got some great shots of his beautiful vessel, with full sails slicing through the river chop near the Benecia Bridge and the Mothball Fleet.*
After a 10-minute Coot Shoot detour, we continued our trip toward what I figured would be the roughest part of the trip, San Pablo Bay.* Since the predominant wind is SW and the ebb tide flowed in the opposite direction, this shallow bay is notorious for its rough, albeit predictable, conditions.* This day did not disappoint...we encountered 4-5 foot headseas which the boat handled very well.* There was plenty of spray and I even washed the anchor a few times, but no waves crashed over the bow and most water shed nicely...except for about 2 cups in the flybridge console that began dripping intermittently over the autopilot panel.* That was easily handled with a towel and resolved by closing the door securely.
[video=[MEDIA=youtube]-ibl_dc1T_c[/MEDIA]]
Once we passed Pinole Point, the waters calmed and the rest of the voyage was pleasant and relaxing.* We passed under the Richmond Bridge, aligned with Raccoon Straight and watched as the Golden Gate Bridge came into view just beyond Angel Island through the mist and haze of the bay.* It was a beautiful sight that beckoned me to continue westward, but I fought that temptation and turned into Angel Island's Ayala Cove.*
Upon arrival we found the first two moorings open.* I grabbed the first one with my Happy Hooker.* I had thought through the process many times in my head before arriving and it pretty much went according to plan.* The hooker tool requires some finesse that I lacked the first time, but I quickly learned and recovered.* Within a couple minutes, bow and stern lines were secure.* The next hour was spent setting up dinghy, kayak and drinks.* We had arrived!!
Over the following two days, we enjoyed touring the island via Segways, hiking, oysters and IPAs at the cantina and lots of good food and great company.* It's nice to know that our 20-21 year old daughters still enjoy vacationing with the parental units!
On Sunday morning we started our trip home at 0730 to be able to ride the tide home to our marina.* We took advantage of 1-2 kt flood tides to push us upstream which trimmed* 30 minutes off our enroute time to the island.** As I referred to the chart plotter tidal charts along the way, we remained at the same point of the tidal chart, in effect, surfing our way upstream.* Even the Admiral got excited by the 10 kt SOG.*
We enjoyed a great weekend with new electrical, lighting and sanitation systems on board working as well as expected.* Never quite found the time to install that new 22" HDTV, battery monitor, or Balmar alternator...that will have to wait until next week. *
But the best part of the week was the time spent with family and friends having the time of our lives...the look on the admiral's face when she mastered handling the docking lines with accuracy and confidence...the smile on my daughter Teresa's face as she glided almost silently on her Segway...the calm and beauty experienced with my daughter Laura on the top of Mt. Livermore as we took in the 360 degree vista of the bay area.* THIS is why I bought a boat!!
[video=[MEDIA=youtube]vkhV8x1W_FI[/MEDIA]]
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-- Edited by FlyWright on Tuesday 28th of June 2011 10:16:43 PM
We've been planning our 4-day trip to Angel Island for months.* We had never taken our boat this far in one trip and looked forward to exploring new waters...and salt water at that!!* We'd travel in tandem with our friend, Gene, in his 42 Jefferson Sundeck. *It's a 55-mile trip that would take us just under 7 hrs.* We needed to time our departures well to get maximum benefit from the tides.* We knew we had to get there on Thursday to get a chance at a mooring for two boats.* Plus, having two full days on the mooring would allow us time to relax with our daughters and their boyfriends between our travel days.*
The Admiral and I would travel via FlyWright and the kids could join us via ferry to the island.* We scheduled Segway island tours for everyone for something unique and fun to do together.
We spent Wed night aboard in preparation for our 0800 departure.* We enjoyed an early shove-off at 0745 in near perfect conditions...bluebird skies, light winds, mild temps and an ebb tide pushing us down the San Joaquin River toward the San Francisco Bay.
The Admiral kept our log updated with our ETAs and ATAs, which she seemed to enjoy.* We planned a rendezvous with Mark in his new sail cruiser, Carquinez Coot.* I looked forward to seeing her on the water and getting some photos for Mark.* We met as planned and got some great shots of his beautiful vessel, with full sails slicing through the river chop near the Benecia Bridge and the Mothball Fleet.*
After a 10-minute Coot Shoot detour, we continued our trip toward what I figured would be the roughest part of the trip, San Pablo Bay.* Since the predominant wind is SW and the ebb tide flowed in the opposite direction, this shallow bay is notorious for its rough, albeit predictable, conditions.* This day did not disappoint...we encountered 4-5 foot headseas which the boat handled very well.* There was plenty of spray and I even washed the anchor a few times, but no waves crashed over the bow and most water shed nicely...except for about 2 cups in the flybridge console that began dripping intermittently over the autopilot panel.* That was easily handled with a towel and resolved by closing the door securely.
[video=[MEDIA=youtube]-ibl_dc1T_c[/MEDIA]]
Once we passed Pinole Point, the waters calmed and the rest of the voyage was pleasant and relaxing.* We passed under the Richmond Bridge, aligned with Raccoon Straight and watched as the Golden Gate Bridge came into view just beyond Angel Island through the mist and haze of the bay.* It was a beautiful sight that beckoned me to continue westward, but I fought that temptation and turned into Angel Island's Ayala Cove.*
Upon arrival we found the first two moorings open.* I grabbed the first one with my Happy Hooker.* I had thought through the process many times in my head before arriving and it pretty much went according to plan.* The hooker tool requires some finesse that I lacked the first time, but I quickly learned and recovered.* Within a couple minutes, bow and stern lines were secure.* The next hour was spent setting up dinghy, kayak and drinks.* We had arrived!!
Over the following two days, we enjoyed touring the island via Segways, hiking, oysters and IPAs at the cantina and lots of good food and great company.* It's nice to know that our 20-21 year old daughters still enjoy vacationing with the parental units!
On Sunday morning we started our trip home at 0730 to be able to ride the tide home to our marina.* We took advantage of 1-2 kt flood tides to push us upstream which trimmed* 30 minutes off our enroute time to the island.** As I referred to the chart plotter tidal charts along the way, we remained at the same point of the tidal chart, in effect, surfing our way upstream.* Even the Admiral got excited by the 10 kt SOG.*
We enjoyed a great weekend with new electrical, lighting and sanitation systems on board working as well as expected.* Never quite found the time to install that new 22" HDTV, battery monitor, or Balmar alternator...that will have to wait until next week. *
But the best part of the week was the time spent with family and friends having the time of our lives...the look on the admiral's face when she mastered handling the docking lines with accuracy and confidence...the smile on my daughter Teresa's face as she glided almost silently on her Segway...the calm and beauty experienced with my daughter Laura on the top of Mt. Livermore as we took in the 360 degree vista of the bay area.* THIS is why I bought a boat!!
[video=[MEDIA=youtube]vkhV8x1W_FI[/MEDIA]]
*
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-- Edited by FlyWright on Tuesday 28th of June 2011 10:16:43 PM
Love mooring bay shot too- and cool vid. Looks like a great trip and fun times. Super glad you shared!
