Solo

One of the things I’ve been looking forward to with the new marina, is more possibilty of solo sailing.  Alameda has a wide channel, especially compared to the 15 foot or so wide one in Sausalito surrounded by mud.

So today, heart in mouth, I took a short sail with a really enjoyable crew – me.  Wind was NNW and my slip faces South, so I put the main up before leaving dock, then backed out and used the sail to head East out of the marina.  Next time, I’ll back up further before giving the boat her head (a leetle too close to the docks)  I headed North up the channel on a nice beam reach.  The Indian Summer sails very nicely on main alone, I think better than on jib alone.

Despite how much I enjoy sailing with my various crew, I really enjoyed today.  Just me and my boat.

I headed North for a while, avoiding the traffic jam of yacht club races that were out today.  I didn’t want to stay out too long.  I was afraid I’d get tired and start making mistakes.  Heading back was a nice beam reach also, then when I was off the Coast Guard boats again, I started the motor and used some bungee cords to temporarily hold the rudder while I went forward to loosen the main.  I pulled it down very messily, just to get it down, then motored into the dock.  Lovely docking, a neighbor who was sitting on her boat reading didn’t even notice me come back.  I used the boat hook to grab two stern lines that I had left attached to the dock, and the Indian Summer was safely tethered once more.

Minor boat bite

I’d call it a successful start.  I have a lot to think about – ways I can improve setting things up to make it easier so I can go farther.  While putting the boat away, I noticed blood on the mainsail – the boat bit me once again.  However, I think she only does that when she’s happy.

SuperSail Sunday

Sunday was awesome sailing weather – warm, a little breeze.  Rather than watch men in tights throw a ball around as an excuse to fondle each other (not that I object to that), I went sailing.

Wind was out of the NorthWest, so we tacked up the Alameda channel.  Saw the coolest thing, wish I had been able to get a picture.  While passing a container ship tied up at the port o’Oakland, we noticed a crewman hanging over a lower railing, getting very excited and shouting to another worker.  He was pulling up a line and the other worker stopped onloading an empty crate to run over with a bucket to put the flopping fish into.  Both guys appeared very excited and happy.  Hope it was delicious.

It’s also made me think about getting a fishing permit for the year.  Then just put a line over the back of the boat while sailing and see if we have any luck.