Day After Christmas 12 Mile River Sail

andyatos

Well-Known Member
Been wanting to do this out and return for a while but picked perhaps the worst conditions where speed over the ground is concerned. But the huge variation in micro meteorology made the trip interesting.

Here's the video.

- Andy
 
How long do you think it would take in a regular seabreeze?

I don't know... but I'll find out eventually.

The fastest conditions would be during the summer when we have fog right on the coast with it clear from there inland. That's when we have a strong onshore gradient and the wind really whips down that canyon.

I should think you could do the out and return in under 3 hours.

- Andy
 
I don't know... but I'll find out eventually.

The fastest conditions would be during the summer when we have fog right on the coast with it clear from there inland. That's when we have a strong onshore gradient and the wind really whips down that canyon.

I should think you could do the out and return in under 3 hours.

- Andy
Nice to see someone Lasering that stretch, Andy. I live in Santa Rosa and keep forgetting there's a boat ramp at Jenner. Next time I'm thinking it's too windy to SUP down there, you might see another Laser appear.
- Dennis
 
Nice to see someone Lasering that stretch, Andy. I live in Santa Rosa and keep forgetting there's a boat ramp at Jenner. Next time I'm thinking it's too windy to SUP down there, you might see another Laser appear.
- Dennis

Sounds good Dennis! When it blows hard, I go windsurfing at Bodega Bay. Tend to sail at Jenner when there is nothing wind wise happening because of the sea breeze effect that happens in the canyon between Jenner and to the east past the bridge.

In fact, I was out there today. Sailed from 1 pm to 4 pm. No wind anywhere... except from Jenner to a mile inland from there. In the max venturi spot, I was seeing gusts to 15. Learned about the sea breeze that always blows in that canyon from flying RC sailplanes on the hills in that area for many years.

- Andy
 
Sounds good Dennis! When it blows hard, I go windsurfing at Bodega Bay. Tend to sail at Jenner when there is nothing wind wise happening because of the sea breeze effect that happens in the canyon between Jenner and to the east past the bridge.

In fact, I was out there today. Sailed from 1 pm to 4 pm. No wind anywhere... except from Jenner to a mile inland from there. In the max venturi spot, I was seeing gusts to 15. Learned about the sea breeze that always blows in that canyon from flying RC sailplanes on the hills in that area for many years.

- Andy


Hi, Andy,

Your wind language (Rotor, Wave, Venturi) also tipped me that you are a pilot.

When it blows hard, I usually sail down in Tomales Bay (out of Marconi Cove)
- but now that I've seen your River approach, I'll be trying it soon. I love to sail in odd places. So far I've managed to sail my Laser in both Drake's Estero and Estero Americano - both of them "interesting," but not the best places for a Laser.
- Dennis
 
I love to sail in odd places.
- Dennis

Hi Dennis,

I'm glad we ran into each other here on the Laser forum because your statement above personifies what I'm into also. Ie, I love to sail in odd places too.

And I just verified who you are. You are the guy who's YouTube videos I've been watching... the guy who does Laser camping on Tomales and Stand Up Paddle boarding with goats on his bow! The guy who I said, "I've got to get in touch with this guy somehow... he does just the kind of sailing I like to do."

So... we should sail together. Right now I'm holding myself to light winds for 2 reasons. 1) I've got a "tennis elbow" injury that I'm really wanting to heal before the good hang gliding season arrives in a few months. 2) I want to re-enforce my mast step so I can go out in the crazy strong stuff on places like Tomales and not worry about tearing out my deck with a doughnut failure. Been there, done that, back east.

Anyway, the reason I like to sail out of the boat ramp at Jenner is because of the tough patches of swirling air, rotors and massive shifts of wind direction that you have to transition through to get to other places. I find it entertaining and interesting. Which is why I did that out and return to Duncan's Mills. I can't help but want to go places and risk having to paddle my way back because the wind died before I could return. I find sailing back and forth in one area boring... unless it's howling.

My wife and I are planning on sailing from the Jenner boat ramp this Saturday or Sunday. Where, ironically, I'll probably be staying mostly in one spot so she can start learning how to sail the Laser with me sprawled out on the bow (she windsurfs also).

I'll put together a quick Google Earth video for you on the Jenner area with what I've learned about it from flying RCs and sailing there. When it's dead, dead, dead everywhere else, it almost always sea breezes in that canyon so it's important to get your sailing fix in the good areas then be back at the boat ramp before the sea breeze engine shuts off in the late afternoon.

In any case, looking forward to sailing with you soon!

- Andy
 
Dennis,

Here's a video about the Jenner area. Couldn't figure out how to PM you. FYI, after I did the video I remembered that you have been SUP-ing the whole area so probably well know where the underwater hazards are.

- Andy
 
Dennis,

Here's a video about the Jenner area. Couldn't figure out how to PM you. FYI, after I did the video I remembered that you have been SUP-ing the whole area so probably well know where the underwater hazards are.

- Andy
Andy, Wow, you are a great navigator. I just watched your whole video, and while I thought I knew the bottom around there, you tuned me in to a couple of rocks I didn't know. My email is [email protected] (yours?) and I can't wait to sail with you out there.

I tend to forget some of the water stuff I post, and you reminded me to go back and look at some old YouTube and Laser Forum stuff. (Here's one from 2007:

After a 3-day stint of sailing my Laser all over Tomales Bay in all kinds of conditions, I was reminded of this - nothing to do with racing or trick rigging, just reflections on the boat I love in the differing elements...

Levels of Laser Sailing

Level One: When it is just windy enough to plane. You can work the boat through all of its proficiencies. Hike out and enjoy the small waves that don’t slow you to weather. Gybe with impunity, working on the perfect balance and carrying boatspeed through the turns. Practice dead downwind heeling to weather and oscillating just enough to enjoy the speed bursts without a capsize. This is “sweet “ sailing. You bond with and love the boat on a soulful and spiritual level.

Level Two: Windier and a little bit crazy. Lots of spray. You are eating water but enjoying it. Adrenaline kicks in and you now feel a real accomplishment when you stick a good gybe, so try another. Heck, you can connect a few. Look at that z-shaped wake! A little more work on a beat, and you probably don’t run downwind unless absolutely necessary. At this level I am startled by the almost sensual component of handling the boat. I pant with the exertion. I yell, I talk dirty to her. I say things aloud I would not repeat on shore. I sing, for God’s sake! I am distracted by nothing. There is only the sailor and the boat and the fierce exciting beauty of the movement.

Level Three: So this is what they meant by “Small Craft Warnings.” You are cold and scared. You’ve put in the reef, but are still way overpowered. The sea state is ugly and the noise from your flogging rig when you try to catch your breath after yet another brutal crash and swim is awful. Your drooling and gagging have no relation to pleasure. And what are those pops and creaks you hear from the rig, the hull, the hiking strap? Is that whining sound coming from you? You find the beat is a preferable direction. Reaching is still possible and wicked fast but do not catch your boom end in a wave. If you can gybe you are a God, so try it once or twice. Don’t even think of running downwind. It will be a quick end if you do. Generally this type of sailing is a mistake; to be survived.

Dennis Olson
Tomales Bay, CA )
 
Hi Dennis,

Here's my email address:

[email protected]

Liked your Levels Of Laser Sailing. Sounds like you've sailed all over the place in Tomales.

I'm planning on sailing from Jenner tomorrow, Saturday, with my wife. Maybe see you out there.

- Andy
 

Back
Top