Going under the Golden Gate Bridge to leave San Francisco was amazing. To think our next bridge will probably be Sydney Harbour Bridge, endearingly known as “The Coat Hanger”.

There was not much wind but a lot of large lumpy waves on our motoring trip to Santa Cruz. I got seasick a little ways out as the rollers hit us on aft and side making the boat yaw and rock at the same time. The scopolamine patch that I wore I put on too late and it wasn’t effective yet.

We saw large fish swimming in the surface of the ocean, lots of seagulls, seals popping up to sneak a peek at us. Weather was pleasantly sunny and we motored all the way as there was not much wind.

Arrived at Santa Cruz at 830pm and we could see the amusement park at the broadwalk all lit up and people on the roller coasters and other rides screaming.

We anchored in the bay near between the large pier and boat harbor. Unfortunately there were a few families of sea lions hanging out under the pier who barked all night and we could hear them from the boat. They were noisier than the screams from the amusement park.

In the morning we up anchored and drove to the visitors dock where we tied up for a few hours to explore the town. We visited the pier and had lunch there. The park was closed but Jacintha enjoyed playing in the arcade.
Jim had fond memories of Santa Cruz as he and his sister Karen did a bicycling road trip down the California coast!

Sailing around the bay between San Francisco and Sausalito…  The wind picks up in the afternoon with 15-20 knots blowing into the bay.

We had a 3-day, 2-night passage from Crescent City to San Francisco.  It was almost all motoring into a light southerly wind.  Since we were down to a crew of 3 (Mike had to leave from Crescent City), we took 4 hour watches during the day and 3 hour during night.  We rounded Cape Mendacino around midnight in lumpy seas with 7 second rollers from the NW (not bad since this cape can sometimes get very rough).  The next day brought sunshine and light southerlies as we continued motoring south 5-10 miles off the coast.  The final morning we rounded Pt. Reyes for the approach into San Francisco with a flood tide.  After 980 nautical miles over 12 days since leaving Seattle, we motored under the Golden Gate Bridge in sunshine (and no fog)—definitely a memorable moment!  The winds picked up in the bay so we couldn’t pass on the urge to raise the sails and sail around for a few hours.  Went into San Francisco Municipal marina to dock, shower, relax, and celebrate the trip at The Monk’s Kettle with good beer and food.

We all earned our heavy weather sailing merit badges yesterday.  Winds to 40 knots and seas in excess of 10 feet.  Apropos surfed down steep waves at 9 knots.  We sailed through the night in these conditions and pulled into Crescent City at 5:30am in thick fog.  Exhausted but well pleased with Apropos in these conditions.  Oh, and we saw whales!

 http://youtu.be/TAVOSB4K_Kc (heavy weather sailing video)

We had some fuel issues that changed our plans today. We decided to pull into Coos Bay to fuel up. Motoring there now and should arrive around 11pm.

Fuel issue–no winds 55 miles off so we’ve been motoring all day. Around mid-day the engine started sputtering and a quick inspection showed the port side tank nearly empty and a clogged Racor diesel filter.  I changed a valve position that corrected the problem and now both tanks are even again. We decided to pull in as a precaution, so nothing critical. We will fuel up in the morning and get back on track.

Other–had some dolphins swimming in our wake  http://youtu.be/Qkz_Fhi4Lcc.  Chef Risto is cooking up another fabulous dinner using the remaining tuna (they wouldn’t let me fish today!).

A self-steering windvane is a mechanical device that steers the boat on a course with respect to the wind.  Our windvane is an older Fleming model so we named him Ian (James Bond)!  We haven’t engaged Ian lately, maybe we will try later today if the wind picks up.

When the tuna hit, I pulled in the handline, Risto netted it, and Mike clubbed it on the head a few times, then Risto finished it off and Scott retrieved the fishing gear.  Was difficult bringing it aboard with a short-handled net.  With all the clubbing just outside the cockpit in the gunwale, blood splattered on cockpit cushion, dodger, me, and Risto. We got the washdown pump going and cleaned it all up.  The cleaning tray came in handy for filleting the fish on a rocking boat.

Sailing update–After motoring all day yesterday, we raised the mizzen and genoa at around dark and used them most of the night sailing at 5 knots.  Just as my watch started at 4am the wind dipped to 5 knts so we are now motoring.  Yesterday the engine started revving down so I looked at the Racor filters and one was very clogged.  So I changed it and cleaned out the bowl. There was also about 3 oz of water in it.  I may have taken on bad fuel at Neah Bay, or the tank still had some junk in it even after they were cleaned before leaving Seattle.   Anyhow, I’m keeping an eye on the filter.

Current position is about 50 miles off of Newport, OR.  At least 2 other boats that are part of the Coho Ho Ho rally are pulling into Newport today.  We see lots of fishing boats out here and an occasional freighter.  We contacted one on VHF around 1am and they responded right away saying they saw us.  The closest we generally come to another boat is 5nm.

Cap’n Jim