A neighbor boat was motoring into port as we headed out.
As we headed toward the central bay, this large sailboat-- perhaps a Swan-- was sailing east.
A large ketch was also headed east in front of us, as was a Coast Guard fastboat blasting down the cityfront.
A herring boat steamed past-- I wonder if they are finding any herring this year. 10 + years ago there were many herring boats around during that season and I would sometimes see herring flitting around the surface of the sea.
Bella Collette, a Hunter sailboat was headed our way as we sailed out to the northwest toward Alcatraz.
Off to starboard, this sailboat was headed east and she seemed to be a motorsailer.
alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298099688479227186" />That large center-cockpit ketch had come about and was now headed back to the west. For some reason, she was slow and we soon left her far behind.
We were soon catching up a laser off port, and I wondered if it was boat neighbor Chris that I had seen sailing his Laser 2 around the marina from time to time.
A short time later, the Laser was behind us and I saw that it was indeed Chris on hsi Laser 2 and he was looking good!
The city was enjoying the late afternoon sunshine as we beat to the west, assisted by a moderate ebb current.
We were on starboard tack, heading toward the pier at Aquatic Park when we spotted this large ketch inside the lagoon there-- unusual to see such a large boat that far into the lagoon.
After a couple of more beats, we were sailing toward the gate on port tack, and this lovely Catalina passed to port, flying a colorful kite but they didn't seem to have it trimmed for maximum power. At times, it seemed like the breeze might be softening and I was contemplating heading back, but decided to risk continuing toward the gate.
As we continued westward, the wind shiftem more into the southwest and we were now headed straight for the gate as this race boat headed for the finsih line of the 3 Bridge Fiasco. She may have been the lead boat-- first to finish the race.
Behind her, an Express 27 was also headed for the finish. You will find dozens of photos of this race on my photo album site at
http://cbergstedt.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album102
We were soon shooting the gate in brilliant late sunshine, just behind another smaller sailboat nearer the headlands and a small sailboat heading in near the north tower. It had taken us just 45 minutes to beat our way to the gate with some moderate ebb current assist.
That small sailboat was approaching the lighthouse inside the north tower as we sailed out, and a small inflatable was heading toward the gate.
As we sailed out a ways past the gate, this Islander 36 passed to port.
The headlands were rugged and beautiful as always, and that small sailboat had tacked and was headed our way now.
She soon fell off and was headed back toward the gate with the spectacular headlands behind her.
As we headed back toward home port, I began to spot some more of the race boats that had done a counter-clockwise circuit heading for the finish line, like this monohull and a trimaran behind.
A small catboat was also headed for the finish line.
Here, two monohulls and a tri were headed for the finish line.
The breeze was quite strong now and more westerly and this race boat was luffing up her main to avoid being overpowered.
This Express raceboat was well-heeled-over as she headed for the finish line.
Behind us, this race boat was looking great as she headed for the shore and the finish of the race.
As usual, the airship passed overhead-- always around at some time during out outings, especially on weekends.
Also behind us, this tri was blasting toward the finish line.
Another tri passed to starboard.
Along the cityfront, a number of boats that went around clockwise were beating toward the finish line as others were heading home after finishing the race.
One of the two crewmen were on the bow of this boat as she beat toward the finish line, perhaps to spot any interfering traffic.
This racer had the starboard rail in the water as she headed for the finish on port tack here.
This Express raceboat had lots of bottome showing as she headed for the finish on starboard tack...
... as did this racer.
We were now carefully threading our way through the boats beating toward the finish line, careful to stay out of their way to avoid forcing any tacks or course changes even when we had right of way. This racer crossed in front of us looking good!
AZURE from Alameda was reflecting the setting sun as she headed for the race finish line.
This small race boat, a type I've not seen before, passed behind us on her way to the finish.
The sun was lowering in the sky as the race boats hustled toward the finish to beat the deadline for finishing, and the city was enjoying the last sun rays of the day on the taller buildings.
This J105 Melilani is one that we see often on the bay racing circuit and she was looking good as sundown neared.
If this racer were realy that close, we'd have collided, but she was far enough off our port that we passed well in front of her. Wonder why her crewman was on the bow.
Lots of golden yellow bottom showing on this race boat on starboard tack off our starboard side.
Our sails shadowed this race boat as she passed to port on port tack.
Her KEY WEST and some companions were headed for the cityfront on starboard tack....
... as was 101.
This small tri blasted past, astern of us as the sun dropped further and sails and boats took on sundown coloring.
This Santana 22 was luffing up as she passed to port.
Very little sunshine was hitting the buildings of the city as this race boat charged toward the finish line on starboard tack,, looking good!
I guess that this ketch was part of the race fleet and near the back of the pack.
We did a chicken gybe and headed out to the north to try to catch the final sundown through the gate, and it seemed like the breeze freshened to over 10 knots.
We managed to sail past the lee of Alcatraz to catch the last part of the sundown through the gate.
The sun took on an odd shape with layers of intensity as she started to settle into the ocean.
We caught the last faint rays of the setting sun and then came about to head for home port.
The marmalade sunset was not as intense as it sometimes is.
City lights were brightening at dusk as we headed for home on beam reach starboard tack.
Light in the skyscrapers became visible as dusk settled in and we could start to see the greenly illuminated Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill.-- WHY THE GREEN?????
Many racers were still heading for home after sundown.
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