Roaming around SF Bay
19 September 2015 | San Pablo Bay
To us Pacific Northwest cruisers, the Bay is a different experience! First, the water is very thin here - most areas suitable for anchoring are less that 15 feet deep. That's not to say that the recommended "anchorages" are well protected. Most "Coves" have little or no significant indentation, and are thus exposed to the considerable vessel traffic and their wake. So we've learned to sleep on a rolling boat that can be prone to "fanny slap", the term sailors use to describe the sound of waves hitting the transom. Sometimes, the current or wind orientatates the boat with the transom to the Ferry boat or wind waves, causing the waves to hit the boat with enough force to shake the whole boat. We have adapted, and Jody is gaining her sea legs very quickly.
The weather is very nice at the moment, and we are enjoying that a lot. Last night we had a bit of forest fire smoke at dusk which reminded us how lucky we are to be here. We are currently anchored off McNears Beach/China Camp in San Pablo Bay. We sailed here from Paridise Cove (which wasn't) with favorable current and wind. In fact we sailed on and off the anchor, and we don't need the engine for now. Our solar systems and Lithium batteries provide us with more energy than we can use. Even with the espresso machine, TV etc.
The gravel pit operations a half mile up the shore is closed for the weekend, so no dust or machinery rumble today. We are anchored amongst three other boats here. Two are delapitated live-aboards, with missing cabin windows, torn sails and a bicycle partially hanging in the water. Very interesting people I'm sure.
Lot's of boat projects on the list for today, so signing off for now....
Cheers!