I took Epic to Angel Island for the weekend; deciding to take full advantage of the incoming two day heat wave. My crew was Chris, who is quickly racking up to be decent sailor. Chris drinks a bit much but I suppose that's all in the best of sailing traditions, besides he just had his Gall Bladder removed after spending a month in the hospital because... I don't know... he had a philcus in his connectakazoinc or something. Chris was in perfect condition to go sailing
On Saturday we left from the new launch ramp at China Basin around 1230pm and beat against the currents the whole way. After passing Alcatraz, we entered the zone known as "the slot" - in which wind passes under the Golden Gate Bridge between the land masses and builds up enormous pressure. Note the red area in the image below. This is a map from 3pm.
Shortly after passing Alcatraz, Epic began to heel over too frequently and too much for our comfort. It wouldn't be long before the sails were overpowered and I wasn't about to risk a capsize. Chris pulled them in about half way across the slot and Epic motored the remaining distance to Angel Island. After my near capsize in the slot a month ago and the article in "SCA", I just don't feel like taking any risks in that part of the Bay. I look at the big boats and they seem to handle the 20+ winds with confidence. It must be all the ballast I don't seem to have.
Don't think too metaphorically about that last line.
Here's where I was grateful to have a West Wight Potter: We docked in Ayala cove and inquired about a mooring but all were booked for the night. Rejected, we remained a little while, took advantage of some refreshing spigots of cool fresh water, then departed for an alternate spot for the night. Epic and crew motored around East to China Cove. We sailed Epic right up onto the beach and tied her to some old posts. Stepping off the bow with a dock line in hand onto a warm beach with cool water washing over my feet was priceless. We opened some Scotch and played the sunny afternoon away on the sand.
A man came up to us on the beach and said "Is that a West Wight Potter?". Funny how that happens to me wherever I take Epic. The guy went on to say that he has always wanted a Potter and was considering getting one. We talked about the particulars of Potters and I of course reminded him that it's a totally different boating experience compared to his high-speed sport fishing boat which can fit the 10 member family. We offered the man a nip from our Cask -to which he was grateful and they left shortly thereafter.
At sunset, we broke out the portable gas grill and made a feast. We ate an assortment of grilled meats and vegetables across Epics little hatch table while watching the golden sunset.
The entire beach was all to ourselves except for a couple of other "bigger" boaters who anchored off a couple hundred feet but never came ashore. We slept fine throughout the warm night in Epics surprisingly comfortable cabin -all of our junk moved into the cockpit for the night.* (see notes on future logistical reforms) The early morning (like 6am) cup of coffee next to Epic on a private Beach staring at the gorgeous waking Bay was a magical moment.
Since the tide had really gone down, Epic was resting on the beach high and dry. We couldn't push her off the beach but were able to find a suitable log and use it as a lever, which worked fine.
Once underway, we returned to Ayala cove before the Park opened at 8am. We cooked breakfast on a picnic table under a shady tree and watched as the cove began to fill up with big yachts and ferries full of tourists. One yacht, a long and pretty ketch pulled in to the slip too quickly and crashed. Her bow went right up and onto the dock, then slid down. No damage to the docks or any other boat but it was amusing to watch from the shore. Epic sat happily in her slip, the smallest of all the yachts there, all yellow and orange, standing out with pride.
We had a leisurely few hours on the island, took nap on the grass, had lunch and finally decided to take one of those tram tours of the island. I am not normally into the touristy things but it was too hot to hike and I really wanted to see the historical sites and amazing views. Amazing is an inadequate word to describe the views from atop Angel Island in this hot, perfectly clear Spring weather. Just mouth dropping beauty. The taped spiel from the Tram talked of the Spaniards and what they thought of the place when they found it -I can't quite remember what it was but they were really inspired to name everything after all those saints and whatnot.
We had been killing time till 2pm so we could ride the flood tide home. This may have been a mistake as the winds across the slot picked up to 30knts. I'm not exaggerating, I checked the records on SailFlow.com when I got home. There were white caps, and the swells were crashing into us repeatedly. We just motored across, fighting howling winds and waves. I had the cabin locked, life jackets on and everything as secure as possible so we could ride out the bad SCA conditions. All the other boats quickly cleared off the Bay.
I was really scared actually, we were being tossed all about and swells higher than the gunnels kept crashing into the cockpit. The strong currents and waves pushed Epic all the way East to Treasure Island. Afraid of hitting the rocks, I would steer south in between big waves to compensate for out lateral movement. When it came time for the refuel of the motor, I once again lost the gas cap to my Honda 2hp. This is the second time I have lost the cap while fueling. I apparently did not learn from the first time that the little plastic lanyard inside the gas tank is really weak and can come out with the slightest pressure. I would have been more careful but the boat was being tossed ala Maytag and there wasn't much I could do. All of this just minutes after leaving what was a sunny paradise.
It was about time for Chris and I to have a stress reaction. I did my usual and started gushing my anxieties and fears. Chris did his usual and pulled out the last of the Scotch. Chris took a hearty swig then gave me a pep talk. "Nate, stop saying we might not make it. You have to say we will make it, we will. That's the only way we can get through this without breaking down." Then I began reminding myself that I am the Captain and I can't show fear to the crew otherwise they will experience fear which can spell doom for sure. Well, it sounds nice to say anyway.
So there we were being pushed closer to the rocks on Treasure Island with no gas cap. I just ran the motor at full throttle anyway, gas sputtering all over the place. We made an attempt to fit a plastic bag over the opening but it quickly blew off. Seeing as there was nothing I could do about it, we just accepted and kept motoring towards the Bay Bridge. With no motor we would have landed on the rocks for sure. I am just glad the thing ran fine with no cap and I don't think any water went inside the tank. Once we made it under the Bay Bridge the air turned warm again and the seas were calm. Moving from the North to the South Bay really is like night and day. We got back to the dock, hauled Epic in, and then got invited to drink at the Bay View Boat Club where I shared my sea stories with the other salts in classic fashion. The final destination was for a big greasy feast of Chinese food. It really hit the spot after two days of grill.
All in all It was... an Epic Adventure.
*Logistical Reforms for the future:
If I must go to Angel Island, always cross the Slot before noon. If I must cross in the afternoon, go Eastward to the Oakland side, then south to Chicken Bay. Avoid the high winds and rough seas whenever possible. I may be able to survive them, and Epic is a tough boat, but it's not fun at all. I would rather sail pleasantly than motor violently.
Bring way less stuff. The cabin was full and we were constantly digging around for things we need. Next time only one pack per person.
Make something to cover up the keel slot, water and sand splashed in -rather unpleasant. Bring lots of extra dry towels and rags to dry off stuff.
When beaching, tie the boat to sit farther out so it isn't fully dry when low tide hits.
Buy extra gas caps for the motor. Apparently they are expendable. Rig better lanyard for gas caps.
Put Sunscreen on my knees. They are now fully burned.
