02:50 UTC | 37.10N 122.36W
Sailing
The Pacific is giving us “the shimmer” - with a still flat sea seven hours out of San Francisco Bay, we’re motoring south along the shipping channel, with an hour to go to what teases now as a stunning sunset against wispy clouds. Throughout this first day of Falken 11 the sails have unfurled and been furled again as skipper Alex tries to fill them a meager breeze indeed. But no matter - we are laughing and getting to know one another and the specialness of this boat, taking the left over swells from hurricane Maria as gentle reminders to keep the faith in the power of the Pacific.
And what better to do when we’re poking along than throw a line off the stern and jump in the sea. An unexpected early benefit to this non-stop voyage, with crew sucking in air at the shock to the system the very cold water brings, then smiles of satisfaction.
We’ve seen a few whales traveling along the route, and an otter that was sadly just a buoy. We’re all learning to log the stats and feelings and some of us are remembering the names of sails and halyards that were learned but then forgotten in disuse. Everyone is very generous to help a mate, share the helm, double up to “sweat” the halyard.
My first watch will be from 9-12 tonight when a few of the models predict our wind will kick in. Could it be I’ll be rigging in the dark with my watch team? It’s the first open ocean sail for many of us and it’s a thrill to anticipate all the new experiences we’ll have.
Lynn
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Among the Channel Islands
In the wind shadow of SoCal we had a restful night with calm conditions ghosting through smooth seas. We’re getting ourselves in position for spicy weather tonight once we round Cape Conception, the seas build and the breeze freshens. It will be an upwind sail into an acceleration zone along a formable coast with few bailout points, Morro Bay being one. The crew is really gelling with lots of smiles and laughter on deck. Monterey is in our sights!
Day Two Delights
The seas were completely glassy with a gentle swell as we approached San Clemente Island, the southernmost of the Channel Islands. Everyone jumped in and marvelled at the lovely temperature and crystal clear, indigo-colored water. Before long the wind started to pick up, and we happily unfurled the jib and were sailing again. The afternoon has been gorgeous, cruising along at 5-6 kts, close hauled on a port tack in a gentle breeze, Catalina Island in the distance on our starboard side, and everyone is happy.
Adios Ensenada!
Around 9am this morning, we slipped lines and made our way out of Todos Los Santos Bay with a pre-arranged escort pod of dolphins. After a few hours of motoring through very calm, very blue, very kelpy seas, we clicked the engine off and off we went. After some delicious frittata and not-new potatoes a-la Adam, we executed our first of many tacks. With only 5-10 kts of wind, our close haul has been nothing but pleasant so far. After a lovely week in Ensenada for me, Alex, and Adam, we’re stoked to finally head out and begin our upwind journey back up the coast.