It's 800 miles to San Fran, we got a full tank of gas.....

Appa ain't no Mount Prospect police car but she can move.

For 24 hours we listened to the power plant pushing us south after leaving Neah bay.  The winds were forecasted to fill in from the west to the northwest with bigger wind offshore at some point but we hadn't got there yet.  All we had was very light wind from the south.

Not a lick of wind

We slid on south and added some westerly to it so as to take advantage of the bigger winds forecasted offshore.  Appa was far enough offshore that the crab pots weren't a problem but if it isn't the crab pots then it is the fishing fleet.  Go further out and the shipping traffic becomes the issue.  The boats were easy enough to see but we had fog wrap it's silky shroud around us for hours at a time.  The radar worked but it was not trusted by some of the crew.  Old school radar with a low "above the water" height makes for nervous people sometimes.  It picked up everything within a mile or so but not optimal.  I was fine with it.  I am far more worried about running into a big log or submerged container than a fishing boat.
We kept on rolling south on Saturday making about 6.5 knots or so till 1300 and decided to take a break from the constant noise and see what we could do in light air.  The wind was slowly clocking around and was by now almost out of the west with from southerlies in it.  Blowing about 10 knots or so.
We raised the main without a hitch and then went to unfurl the jib.  It came out OK and Chris noticed that the tension on the luff was a bit loose.  Now looser.  Dunk.  Into the water it went.  I tied the knot that secured the jib to the halyard and it slipped.  That meant a trip up the mast for me.  All the way up.  It all went well.  Alas, no photos but if you've seen one moron up a mast, you seen them all.
Got the halyard down and sorted out.  Raised sail and off we went.  Sailed close to the wind for a couple of hours and reveled in the quiet.
The wind was slowly getting some more north in it and we decided to put up the spinnaker.  It was amazing to have the spinnaker up and all of us in shorts enjoying the warm weather.  So different from my two other deliveries down the coast.
Here is the spin going up.

Alas no video of it coming down.

For hours the main sail and the spinnaker pulled Appa along at 7-8 knots.  It is not everyday that you get to drive a sailboat in the North Pacific in shorts with the sun setting while powering along at 8 knots.  Dinner was epic thanks to Maxey.

 After dinner the wind built slightly to about 13 knots or so, then the sleigh ride commenced.  Prudence would dictate that we take the chute down at night but I decided otherwise.  Chris quoted someone who said once, "that spinnaker will come down when God takes it down!"  And so it came to be.

Some various photos from Saturday.

I'm just sitting here watching the wheel go round and round....

Papa Fox doing some work

Obligatory sunset shot

I turned the helm over to Holm (That dude can drive a boat.) and went to my bunk.  At about 0130 or so the downhaul attachment point (which is spectra) on the spin pole parted and we decided to drop the chute rather than rerig an attachment point in the growing breeze and darkness.  The takedown went well and we were soon back up to 8 knots with a northerly blowing about 16 knots or so.

Alway and I mean always wear your Scop patch!  Even if you feel fine right now.   

Morning was another beautiful day and more wind.  The forecast was calling for 25-35 knots starting in the afternoon with bigger gusts.  Waves were predicted to be 16-19 feet.  This weather would continue from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday we were told.  We decided to reef the main down to the second reef and we still had the jib fully rolled out.  Running with the wind we were doing about 7-8 knots with occasion forays into the 9 knot territory.  We would catch a wave also and push our speed into the 10-11 range.
By late afternoon we decided to fully reef the main and had about 1/2 the jib out and we threw in a gybe.  The wind was now in the 20s and the waves were building.  When the weather gets worse, the amount of photos getting taken drops dramatically.

Bowls aren't just for cooking

By nightfall the wind was getting into the 30s (apparent wind was 17 knots or so) and the waves were getting big.  We furled in the headsail but had to refurl it.  I went to refurl and was unable to due to the wind.  We decided to drop it instead.  The drop went well and we put up the storm sail on the solent stay.
It was really too rough to do any cooking so we made burritos in the oven (Thanks to Michael for the great frozen burrito idea!!!!).  Warm and tasty.  They hit the spot.  After dinner we prepared the boat for high speed nighttime sailing.  Meaning securing all moveable objects.  I was on the helm till 2200 or so and was relieved by Holm.  Appa kept us remarkably dry throughout all this and she had a VERY solid feel to her.  That boat turned as if on rails and we never felt out of control.  Gotta love deep draft and a big fin keel.  30,000 pounds of sportscar!

Rich driving just as it starts to build

I came up a couple of times to check on things as conditions were getting worse.  Wind hitting 40 knots occasionally and nice big old waves.  You had to be there to appreciate their size.
Chris took over around 0200 or so and this was the height of conditions.  45 knots recorded on the anemometer and boat speed at 9-10 knots with surges to 12.  I decided to have two people on deck at all times to help call waves.
I came up on deck a couple times to see if the boat was handling the conditions well.  Chris reported that the boat was very happy and we charged on through the night.
Around 0400 or so whilst resting below I heard a roar of water and then a tremendous THUMP followed with what seemed like heavy rain.  I was met at the ladder by the rest of the crew as we scrambled out of the cabin to help.  I was first out and saw Chris slowly getting back to his feet while laughing hysterically.  Per Rich and Chris, Rich was calling waves and shouted to Chris "Do you see that wave?"  Getting no response Rich yelled with more urgency "Wave!  Do you see it?!"  Chris said that he looked up in time to see nothing but a black wall coming at him.  The crest was towering over the boat.  All crew was tethered in and really there wasn't much danger.  Appa shrugged off the wave and kept surfing toward San Francisco at full tilt.
We kept at it till morning and by noon the wind and waves had decreased dramatically.  By 1400 or so we actually had to motor and decided to make water while charging the batteries.  We attempted to sail a couple more times but in the end we motored the final 8 hours to San Fran.  So much for the forecast.

Our last dinner while on the ocean.   Papa Fox homemade curry.  It was outstanding.

It is common practice to time your arrival so one can go through the Golden Gate and not have to wait for the current to switch.  We decided to hustle into the entrance of San Fran and wait if needed for the current to flop from an ebb to a flood.  The plan was to anchor in Drake's Bay if needed and wait but we really only had to do a slow motor to the bridge and shoot through at 0800.
We made it through the "Potato Patch" just outside the Golden Gate and then at Devil's Point hit the swirling current that was left over from the last ebb.  This one wave managed to stuff the bow and roll up the deck right into Rich's open hatch.  There laid Rich, soaking wet and cold.  Secure your hatches!
We motored under the bridge and into the sunshine of San Francisco Bay.

Thanks to Max, Chris, Rich, Papa Fox, and Holm for helping Jen and I get Appa down the coast.  Thanks to Michael Pack for providing weather and great advice.  Chris Tutmark did a great job on the rigging also.  To both sets of parents.  Thanks for your help also.
Finally I have to thank my wonderful and patient wife.  I love you!    
We made it to San Fran in 5 days.  3 days sooner than I thought.  We have lots of food left over!
We went out and celebrated Rich's 60th birthday on Tuesday night and then Wednesday morning we went out and saw the challengers for the America's Cup racing.  Team USA Oracle was out tuning up and that was a better show than the race itself actually.

Appa at her temporary home in Alameda.  Encinal Yacht Club is the best.

For now Max and I are doing boat projects and Max has started homeschooling

Trip recap

OK.  Here we go.  A recap of the trip from Seattle to San Francisco.
Papa Fox, Jugurtha and myself  left Shileshole at 1300 the 12th of August.  We headed to the fuel dock and filled up.  Beautiful sunny day out.  No wind.  This would be the theme for the next couple of days.
We filled up and powered out of the marina heading for Port Townsend.  Made it into PT around 2100 or so and met up with Pete and Rachelle.
Rachelle made her newly famous "Stormy Margaritas" and then we had my always famous chili.  Right to bed after that.

 
The next morning we walked to the West Marine to get some line as I could not find my rigging bag.  This also would a running theme.  This boat is not that big but yet I am forever losing stuff.  I still cannot find the "wood crabs" (clothes pins).

Here we are going out the fairway.  Till next year Shileshole.  See ya!
Jugurtha went up the mast to install the new checkstays while we were in PT.
I am posting the picture below against my better judgement.  A present from Papa Fox.  

  Tuesday afternoon we started to motor to Neah Bay and got their around midnight.  No wind.  None.  At that point, the 14th of August we had motored a total of 18 hours.
Jugurtha fixed the wiring in the aft stateroom.  The reading light was wired weird.  While he did that, Papa Fox and I stitched the strope for the 3rd reef.   Papa Fox made <something> for dinner as the motor droned on, pushing us at 7 knots to NB.

Motoring to Port Townsend

We anchored in Neah Bay on about 100' of chain and waited for Pete and Rachelle to raft up on Appa.  They got into NB around 0100 or so.  We had a celebratory bottle of wine and then hit the rack.
In the morning we stayed on the anchor and made the lee clothes for the dinette area.  It took us 3 hours to get that thing installed.  Looked pretty good I thought.  We never tried it out to it's full potential though.  Only used half.  I think we regretted the decision to leave the table up and use just part of the lee clothes.  One more place to bunk might have helped when it got rough out.

The idea is that 2 people could sleep in this area with all the crap at their feet.
Jen got to NB at 1500 on the 14th and we started to unload the truck and load the boat.  Bag after bag made it's way onto Appa.  Food and gear for 6 people is a lot of stuff.
Prior to Jen's arrival, we fueled up Appa.  60 gallons in the main tank with another 16 gallons on reserve.
Jen left about 1700 or so and we started to load the dinghy on the deck and make everything ready to go for the trip south.
Chris bought a salmon from the fishermen next to us and Papa Fox filleted it and I cooked that baby on the grill.  Veggies along the salmon.  Holm had his vegan eatings and all was good.

Getting the tender on the foredeck

Chris and his "catch".

The travellers.  Non Sequitur and Appa

The crew together the night before we leave.

The morning of the 15th was cloudy and foggy.  Non Sequitur left at some point in the early morning and we shoved off about 0930 or so.  We immediately had to use the radar.  Once out of the bay area and about one mile offshore the fog lifted a bit and we could stand down the lookout on the bow.  Thanks Chris!

No wind once again and I set the Perkins to run at 2000 RPM.  We wouldn't shut it off for 24 hours.

Cape Flattery

Someone on the crew got seasick right off the bat.  I found these old Air Canada barf bags.  They came into use.

Heading south till butter melts.
More tomorrow.  This bloggerating is exhausting.

That San Francisco treat

Details later but we are here.

Look what I found

Found these in the aft head. Lol! Previous owner was a Canadian.

Turning left at Tatoosh!

Its 1052 in the am and we are motoring at 6.5 knots with SOG of 5.4kts.  No wind and lumpy out here. Sounds like we are going to be motoring for a day or so. Ugh.
Spirits high. Crew well. Papa Fox feeding us. Had salmon fresh off the boat yesterday. This morning scrambled eggs with more salmon.
We are off tatoosh right now!
I feel very lucky to have such good friends helping us get Appa down the coast.
Crew is papa fox, Holm, Rich, Chris, Max and me.
Still waiting for the blue blue water of the Pacific! Doing from phone so it is hard to type. More later.

Well, I am writing this at 2237 on Tuesday the 13th of August.  I am trying to be very aware of my feelings right now.  I am getting a chance to do something that most don't do.  Make no mistake if it wasn't for having a very very understanding wife and some great kids, I wouldn't be in the middle of the Strait of Juan de Fuca writing this.  Yesterday was a big day and I tried to soak it in.  It was like the first day of summer break back in elementary school.  You just knew that it was going to be over sooo fast.
Jugurtha is on watch at the moment and we are headed to Neah Bay. We left Port Townsend at the crack of noon and have been motoring since.  No wind to speak of.  This is better than what has been going on though.  During the past couple weeks they have had 35 knots of west wind tearing down the Strait with big waves.  Nah.  I'll take this.  Flat water and motoring at 8 knots.
 Neah Bay is one of those areas that most NW sailors know about.  They wait for a good weather window and then jam on down the coast to San Fran or San Diego. That is exactly what we are going to do.  The crew is going to meet us tomorrow around 1400 or so.  Load the boat, go over safety stuff and then eat.  After that we'll hang out and talk weather.  Friday morning, if the Gods see fit, we'll flash up the motor and poke Appa's nose out into the Pacific Ocean.  I can't wait for that blue water.
We left Shileshole on Monday the 12th under bright, beautiful skies.  Had a lot of running around to do so we didn't push off the dock till around 1300 or so.  Got in to PT at 1945 after an uneventful day of motoring.  Met up with Pete and Rachelle off of Non Sequitur and had dinner.  I made chili and they did fish and veggies.  Damn good but then food always tastes better on a boat.
This morning we did some boat projects and then walked to West Marine to get some line.  It appears that my rigging bag decided that it did not want to come along and is nowhere to be seen.  Grrr.
So boat projects.  Jugurtha wired the aft cabin reading light up correctly so when the deck lights are on, the reading light does not also come on (love French wiring).  Ran the checkstays up the mast.  Taped up the area where the mast goes down into the cabin.  Sewed the strope on the mainsail.  Various other jobs.  Nice day.
Tomorrow we will rig the lee clothes in the main cabin and get fuel.  That is about it.
I wish I could add some photos from today.  Google is not updating my photo account with the photos that I took today.  So here are a couple of other ones.
More photos when Google decides to release them.

Samey keeping the windows clean.

 

Pressure gauge for the fuel system

Trying to use some dead space in the boat lockers

My good friend Chris helping out by staying at the top of the mast for about one hour while I royally screwed up the wind indicator.