Oct 31

Wednesday morning early it was very warm and the water temp around 76= 80. All went for a swim. Good we did as the water in the Bay was affected by a red tide and thousands of fish floating on the surface. This is the warmest we have seen it in 7 years.

Arrived on Wednesday morning around 1130 in Turtle Bay. Only a few boats at anchor as the big Haha fleet is still behind us. Crew ashore exploring and making the taco's and crevasses establishment's very happy. The locals are ready for the the biggest event of the year the arrival of the Haha fleet. New sign being painted as we watch the old fashion way with paint and brush. New table cloth from the beer companies and new menu price list with updated ( higher) prices. Ordered some fuel from Enrico (150) liters who brought it alongside by panga. After putting it in the tank looks like we got about 135 at the most but who is complaining.

Stayed one day and by next morning the horizon was filled with mast from the boats coming in overnight. Thursday afternoon sailed out of the fleet to find a bit quieter anchorage in Turloe Bay a few miles to the South.  Anchored 1/2 mile offshore and brought Greg, Troy and Jeremy just outside the surf. They jumped overboard and and spent a few hours on the beach. Picked them up later and enjoyed a nice night at anchor with a low large swell.

Sailed away from the anchor this morning at 0700 hrs and now sailing wing on wing in a freshening NW wind.
 

Oct 28

Arrived Sunday night at Isla De Guadalupe and anchored in the dark at 2100 hrs next to a large fisheries research vessel. The sweetest sound is the anchor dropping after a passage at sea. Gravel bottom 16 fathom  with 45' fathom of chain. A bit rolly but not bad considering the big swell just around the corner.

Monday morning awake to the impressive sight of the sun rising on the large volcanic east side of the island. Colorful with red and brown indicating  iron ore deposits. Greg went for a swim in the crystal clear water amidst the hundreds of mackerels gathering around the boat.

After breakfast lowered the dinghy and made a bag with presents ready to say hi to the people who we saw onshore. Made landfall close to where the old navy building is and pulled the dinghy high up the beach. Made our way up the beach to almost walk into a large sea lion laying on the beach we did not see as it perfectly blended in. Ooops that was close and now with our eyes a bit more open explored to found the people we earlier saw on the beach. In a old building apparently the old jail a bit higher up we met the  researcher and his helper who was doing his PHD paper on he white shark. Unbeknown to us we stumbled into the largest concentration of white sharks on the coast. There are 18 know white sharks here with the largest 18' long. 7 are tagged and they are trying to get 3 more. 14 days ago a dive vessel who where chumming the sharks to get there caged divers a front row seat had its zodiak bitten at. The pictures showed massive teeth marks on it and we where warned to not let the dinghy in the water behind the boat and be careful when underway in it.

On our way back to Western Grace the crew on deck all exited as they saw a big white cruising around deep under the hull. The researcher called on the radio and invited whoever wanted to go with them to go up to the forest on the other side of the island. Greg, Jeremy, Troy and Eileen took the offer and after a wet landing they got underway.

The rest of the crew stayed onboard and spend our time watching the fish and looking for sharks.
Later in the afternoon our shore party returned and we fished and got a dozen mackerel in 20 minutes or so. Greg cleaned them and the blood a pieces of fish attracted a great white and we saw it cruising around again deep under the boat.
Left reluctantly around 1630 and picked up a nice NW breeze just a few miles from the Island. Have been sailing all night averaging 5 Kts or so.

Hope to arrive Wednesday in Turtle Bay.
 

Oct 26

The first night out from Ensanada we broke two records. The first the least distance covered on one watch and the second the most drifting back on a watch. The ocean was glassy calm and the stars heavy as rain. Just drifting along at barely steerage speed. At dawn we finally started moving when a thick layer of fog came in. Some interesting moments with traffic around and at one time it looked like we where surrounded by small fishing vessel. Honked the horn and they all scattered in all direction, interesting to watch on radar.

Greg is big time time into fishing but all we have to show for yesterday is a lost lure. Over night we maintained 5 Kts in 8-10 Kts of wind. We are now 36 NM off Isla Guadalupe and plan to anchor at the NE corner. Crew is speculating who dares to swim with the sharks. We probably have to appoint someone. Yesterday spotted the first flying fish indicating the water is getting warmer. Overnight the ocean temperature gained 1 deg Celsius to 19.9 C. ETA Guadalupe before dark tonight.

Oct 24

Arrived in Ensanada on Wednesday night. Never seen such thick fog and made it in under radar and the sound of the sea lions sitting on the breakwaters guiding us in.

At anchor at 2330 hrs and after a little arrival celebration. Soon as we got the hook down the fog cleared up. The locals agreed this fog was some of the worse they have seen. Well all is well and we got a good night rest.

Thursday. First thing getting a spot to tie up and lowered the dinghy to check out the lay of the land. Mike saw a boat he knew so we after talking to Paul we got a spot real quick.

Got along side the dock only to find out that there was a rough surge making us ripping on the dock lines and this would not do as the dock are not that stout. So we tied on a mooring buoy with the bow and tied the stern  just two feet off the dock.

Than all to the customs and port captains office for the official check in.
Next to the laundry mat and getting our clothes washed up. 
That went very quick and the crew scattered all over town to do what sailors do in town after a week at sea.   Mike & Connie got a bag of wrong laundry back but went Thursday morning back to get there own and it was still there.

Left Thursday afternoon in light winds and are now sailing in very light winds to Guadalupe Island.
 
Oct 20

All is well. The first day out had light winds and intermittent sailed and motored off and on. The winds freshened slowly in the weekend as per forecast and now we are sailing under ideal conditions. Had a double reef in during the night just to stay safe but we may shake on out later this morning. The sea are getting more organized and building.

Crew is all doing well. Everyone has found there sea legs. Had several encounters with some large container ships and yesterday had 3 coming at us at the same time. 

Ensenada is 28 hours away at this speed. Sop ETA looks like tomorrow during the night

Oct 17

Our crew arrived yesterday and we got going this morning from the Fortman Marina in Alameda. Called Customs and proceeded to Jack London to finalize departure clearance. Had to wait a bit and the crew took advantage of a last meal ashore for a while.

Really enjoyed our stay in Alameda with is nice gingerbread Victorian houses. The Marina was very quite mainly local boats.

Now we are heading South under engine and are looking for wind. The weather forecast is for light NW increasing later in the weekend.

Oct 12

On friday pulled up the anchor and arrived at 1100 hrs at the Jack London marina and tied up on the 4 hour guest dock. Customs came out at 1115 and cleared us quickly. Kevin's wife was already waiting and he took off shortly after. All the others took us out to the seafood restaurant for lunch. The restaurant manager came out with complimentary Calamari as we have been providing entertainment for the guest as we where docked 30' away from the dining room. Welcome to Oakland and the bay area. After lunch as normal our crew scattered and left us alone standing on the deck, hardly believing they are all gone.
 
Proceeded at ones to Northfort Marina a bit further up the channel. Managed to get the boat in a tight slip and have only 16" or so to spare on one side. Hosed the boat down to get the salt off as much as possible. Then up the rig to see if it is all hanging together. All looks fine, but the salt is caked on the uppermost lights some 76' above the water.
 
We have several friends stopping in and our new crew Connie & Mike took us to the Oakland yacht club for dinner. Such a transformation from the rough ocean to the pleasure of land. Tomorrow  engine room day and more friends visiting.
 
Plan to be here till Friday morning. Then departing for our next leg to Ensenada.

Oct 10

Arrived yesterday afternoon at Drakes Bay only to find it blowing 40 Kts with 3' waves. Not good for anchoring so we moved on and sailed under the Golden Gate under Genoa alone.
Every one on deck while we playing "If you are going to San Francisco" over the intercom. Always impressive with all the lights and downtown in the background.

Just past the bridge on the North shore is a small anchorage and we dropped the hook. Then a small arrival celebration and we all had a good night rest.
This morning we proceed to Oakland's Jack London Marina for the Customs check in. When we do not know, but we will check out Alemeda  Marina Village Marina.

Friends in the Bay area. Give us a call 808 271 3540

Oct 9

All is well. We are truly stirred, rattled and shaken. We gybed yesterday afternoon and since then our ride was getting really exciting. With the wind on the quarter and the seas slightly aft of the beam. Several times we had a breaker coming over knocking us over 45 degrees. The autopilot had a hard time and we have to constant help steering to not get broached.

We are now 5 hours to go from Drakes bay where we will anchor for the night to tend to our bruises. Tomorrow morning we set out for Alameda. Things are settling down as we write and we just sighted the coast.

Oct 8

What a sleigh ride. Have been just under triple reefed main since yesterday and making well over 7 Kts. It has been rough and a few times we have been thrown around a bit but we are not complaining. The skies are clear and we enjoying the sunshine. We are confined to inside unless we like to suit up as outside it is wet from all the spray coming over.

Only 200 miles to go to the gate

Oct 7

It was the best of nights - it was the worst of nights.  The wind was howling like a locomotive blowing the tops off the waves, the boat was creaking and the autopilot was screaming of mechanical stress.  After sequential reefing from 1st to 3rd and flying only a widows staysail, the crew hove to so captain John and Joanne could soothe the crews battered psyche, several freighters played near miss as the storm raged.  The crew was so battered and depressed they chose the least talented helmsman to man the wheel.  Subsequent review of the GPS data indicated that his VMG (Velocity Made Good) was minus 1.5 knots and he steered a perfect "M"...On the bright side as the new day broke the sun was shining, the swells were 15-18' high but the seas were organized, the crew was happy and for the first night of the entire voyage the blue "puke bucket" was empty!

Oct 6

Making good progress in very light winds and medium swells. We have regretfully been under power for the last day and a half. This for two reasons. A large intense storm is approaching the Washington coast and we like to be as far South as we can to avoid getting beat up.

The other winds have been light and where ever we have is been right on the nose. Yesterday we had a small system coming through making it rough. Now things are a lot smoother. We are awaiting the winds to go Westerly as the big system passes. Then we look forward to a great sail as the weather forecast is for Northerlies.

All crew doing well. All have found there sea legs and are working on deck to check, organize and clean. Today is shower day if we need it or not.

Greg is in the bilges looking for a flat of soda's somewhere hidden down there. John Gillette keeps every one entertained with stories. Kevin has his appetite back and is eating a chunk of the leftover birthday cake. Jeremy has been repairing a chaffed reef line. John M so far has not been giving us any trouble at least not yet. You may remember on the last trip from Mexico he left a hatch open and got the aft bunk wet.

Oct 5

A vigorous front came through yesterday making a interesting day. First out we experienced strong Easterlies. Then winds went light as the center of the low passed. Than very strong westerlies gusting 46 Kts. The seas where very lumpy and confused. Seas build up to 6 Meters last night than abated overnight as the winds laid down. All crew queasy.  

Matter of fact winds where so low we had no choice that to proceed under engine as the sails where banging to pieces. This morning set sail again only to be constant changing sails as one squall after the other is coming through. 

All crew on deck this morning sorting things out as it was chaos on deck with our lines all messed up after yesterdays blow, Inside the same as many  items went flying through the cabins.

Looks like another system building up ahead of us than Northerlies.

Oct 4

All is well. Decided to go for it and last night found ourselves in the open ocean with a strong Easterly wind.  Overnight have experienced winds in the low 30 but from the South.

At 0830 winds getting more SW are making progress.

Oct 3

Happy birthday to Kevin!
Yesterday late afternoon pulled in to Sooke and anchored for the night. A very good day and we had some time getting to know the boat.

This morning woke up and checked the weather forecast. The low never got close and the weather outside was probably just fine. At least we had a good night rest. Another system is expected later today and tomorrow the wind is expected to turn West. We have not have our minds made up but we may go out and ride it out as the winds are SE and we can make some progress with that.
Are now underway to sea. We feel the ocean swell getting more noticeable.
No wind at all but we expect the winds to come later today. If things don't look great we may pull into Bamfield.
 

Oct 2

yesterday our new crew arrived. John M, John G, Greg, Jeremy & Kevin. All settled in and everyone seems to be keen and ready to go.

This morning we left around 0730 and motored for a while till the wind filled in. Now we are under sail in variable winds in Haro Straits. The weather on the outside looks bad so the plan is to sail to Sooke and stay overnight and see tomorrow.

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