Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Storm Sailing

Monday brought my first chance to sail a storm in the bay area. Actually, the Half Moon Bay Area to be exact. A southerly wind was coming, so this spot was the call. It's about 30 minutes south of San Francisco and the sailing area is protected by a jetty (the outside looked super super ugly, but I've heard people sail it). The wind was really gusty. One of those days when you know it's going to be good and bad, so you just rig your favorite sail. I went with my 4.4. It wasn't quite 3.8 weather, but a 4.0 or 4.2 would have been ideal.

I went from slightly-powered to butt-over-powered to oh-my-God-I-am-heartly-sorry-for-having-offended-thee-powered. It was a lot of fun, I got some good work in on practicing overpowered jibes. Also, the rain squalls were like needles on your face. Sailing with one eye is super difficult since you lose your depth perception, so I was forcing my front-hand-eye to open up every 3 seconds. It's a lot like sailing blind, you just have to trust your feel for the gusts rather than seeing them coming. The water was pretty choppy despite the jetty. Sometimes when the rain was really coming down, the water would flatten out because the rain would batter all the chop down. Really crazy.

The spot itself is kinda spooky to me. You sail through a mooring area full of sailboats that look like they're 50 years old and likely have crazy old fishermen living aboard. There's an old beat up dock with a building painted a color that could only be achieved through with the chemical properties of lead.

Oh and the drive between Half-Moon-Bay and Pacifica is probably the most beautiful I've ever been on... plus the rain had subsided and the sun was setting --a truly spectacular way to end the day.

I know, no pictures again. I suck.

8 comments:

Outdrsmn said...

I'm going to try and get some storm sailing in today myself.
We have a nice little low winding up off the coast.
That is a spectacular drive on the PCH to halfmoon bay at sunset. That is one thing I vividly remember from when I lived there.

rathokan said...

what... no eff crissy part 2?

Anonymous said...

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Catapulting Aaron said...

I'm going to allow this comment, WOW, but I recommend nobody clicks on the links.

I once knew a night elf who could do sick ponches.

Andy said...

Wow, power leveling. Sounds like great sail handling jive.

PeconicPuffin said...

Half Moon Bay...is that where you launch to ride Mavericks?

Re storm sailing, I've found that very lightly tinted sunglasses (I own a pair for the purpose) will work even though it's relatively dark out. Seeing is good at 30 knots boardspeed!

Catapulting Aaron said...

I think Mavericks is somewhere around half moon bay, but I don't think people windsurf there... I'm looking forward to checking out the surfing action out there someday though...

I've tried wearing sunglasses while sailing, but they always seem to get all covered in droplets (inside and outside) which makes me think I'm better off without them...

PeconicPuffin said...

Let us know how Mavericks turns out. FYI pros get killed there from time to time. Kind of like the Jaws of surfing, but maybe more user hostile. But hey, I've only read about it.

re sunglasses getting covered with droplets...that does happen. I'm only recommending them for those times when you're otherwise sailing with your eyes closed.

cheers!