Success in my trip round the rock-pile yesterday. I should have paid a
little more attention to the fog forecast.
For anyone interested, here's my account :
http://www.dilworth.org/all/2012/singlehanding-around-the-farallones/
Thanks to Pat Broderick for the very useful tips below :
Cheers
James
-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy & Pat Broderick [mailto:broderic at sonic.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 1:27 PM
To: James Dilworth
Subject: Re: [Santana 22] Sail to the Farallones Sunday or Monday?
James,
I'm not an "official" Tuna guy anymore, but I have been out and around the
Rock Pile many times, several in "ELAINE" #38000.
It's late in the season to plan a trip to the Farallones in a small boat, in
my opinion. Gets dark way too early. But if you're determined, here are
some thoughts.
It's the open ocean. A Santana is a small boat. Think "Safety First." 150n
(33# pounds) inflatable PDF/tether/jacklines/thought out way of getting back
into the boat/adequate flares (SOLAS parachute)/ smoke (SOLAS smoke). Those
puny 12 gauge flares are like pissing on a forest fire. No, more like
spitting on a forest fire.
Hatch boards secured to boat. Hatch boards closed unless the ocean's
surface looks like a bath tub.
Adequate foul weather gear (boots, pants, top, cap). Warm layers of
clothing. Cold is bad. Poor judgement, pushing things past the limit,
attention, etc.
Float Plan: Make sure someone knows where you're going, when you're going,
when you plan to be back, and what kind of contacts you'll be making. That
person should be available with a phone all the time
you're gone. In YRA we require two "land connections" 1) contact 2)
next of kin. Get the idea!
Cell phone coverage out to about the Light Bucket (pilot station area).
Masthead VHF coverage with the CG to the island (their antenna is on Mt.
Tam). Spotty handheld coverage, depending on voltage left in the battery.
Low voltage, short coverage.
Arrange to call in when you're at the Light Bucket and again at Pt.
Bonita or the GG Bridge. Let people know how you're progressing, so if
there's a call your contact can tell the CG where you were the last time you
called.
More people have died on the way out and back than in the "Low Speed Chase"
incident this year. Many, many more! It's 30 nm of fairly open water, with
the potential for large swells, wind waves, and wind velocities. Not paying
attention to what you're doing can be potentially fatal.
Now some more thoughts.
First, remember that "getting there" isn't as important as "getting back."
If conditions aren't right, turn around sooner than later. No one's every
criticized anyone (especially in the Singlehanded Sailing
Society) for turning back. Turn back if you feel tired, if you are cold, if
there's any question in your mind about what you're doing.
Second, it's 60 nm round trip. In a Tuna that's at least 10 hours -
probably more like 12 or even 14 hours. For a casual sail, pick a day
with an early Ebb and get out there early to take advantage of it.
Sunset's getting earlier and earlier. That means dark sooner and sooner.
Third, stay high on the way out. If the 4-Fathom Bank isn't kicking up, hang
a right and get some north on the island before turning back
west. I always want to come in to the island out of the north east.
LAY THE ISLAND ON YOUR STARBOARD TACK. I NEVER (repeat NEVER) want to get
out there and have to tack north to get around it. NEVER! ! ! !
If the Potato Patch is kicking up, wait for the northern hitch, but not much
beyond the Light Bucket. If you wait too long to go north, it will take you
forever - and in a Santana you just don't have forever.
Fourth, round the island to Port and stay north of the break. You can see
the NW break from several miles out. Stay north of it by several hundred
yards. But, don't stay so far north that the Middle Farallon becomes an
issue. It is low, unmarked, and ugly.
Fifth, on the backside of the island, delay your jibe until you can clear
the south side of the island.
Sixth. It's likely to be getting dark after you round the island this time
of year. Make sure your various lights are working. The compass/ GPS needs
illumination. You're in busy shipping channels, so a radar reflector and nav
lights and a torch to shine into the sail are vital. A personal waterproof
light for safety.
If it's foggy, things get even more complicated. At least on a clear night
you can see ships and even the loom of light from SF from the
island. You can begin to see the lights on the GG Bridge towers, too.
But if its foggy, you need a compass bearing back to the Golden Gate - and
you need to be especially aware of sounds like ship horns -- and once you're
in or near the shipping channel the buoys.
Pat
On Aug 27, 2012, at 10:09 AM, James Dilworth wrote:
> Feeling weary of sailing round buoys? Tired of sailing round Angel
> Island?
>> Weather permitting, I'm planning a little expedition out to the
> Farallones for Sunday or Monday. It'd be great to have another boat
> along for the ride.... obviously, this isn't for the faint of heart,
> or the unprepared.
>> Any tips, from old hands who've done it before, are welcome... aside
> from staying well away from the north reef!
>> Cheers
>> James
> 415.342.1350
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