gong xi fa cai- sail day

Gong Xi Fa Cai,

It is the first day of the year of the Boar…

As I write this I am sitting in my deck office on s/v Zen, it is sunny, some clouds but nothing to think about. There is a fair wind blowing from the south. I just finished securing the boat…

Last night the weather report said rain, rain rain, Mmmmm k, I thought I’ll just hang out and do home stuff. This morning after after the routine and some land based bloging from Sat. I looked outside carefully… it was sunny, windy, Hmmm, I check the forecast again, it was sunny and mild. Sweet, I’m going sailing. I pack up and head out.

Down at the marina it is perfect! the flag is blowing, kits are flying, it is high tide. I make ready to get underway. It is simple these days Since I have it down. I gave things the once over and find my bilge pump is not working small amount of water in the bilge, nothing to be concerned about with the rains resently.

I do a quick check of the fuse, a new one blows, hmmmok, there is a problem. I’m thinking the pump is funky. It is old and been there for a while. New one goes on the list, for sooner than later. Mental inventory check I do have a hand one meanwhile.
check I do .

I do what needs to be done to cast off. Just before I leave one of the rare sail boats that goes out was coming in. I wait for them to dock then shove off. They stop what they are doing to check me out. No doubt looking for some entertainment, or lessons
I cast off smooth as a Baby’s bottom, yeah That’s right no jokes to tell back home today, nothing to see here. move along…they wave, I wave, and head out.
As I leave the marina I notice clouds coming over the hills, hmmm the forcast weather maybe right for later. Mental note, keep an eye on the sky.
I had not planned on being out long or going far, so it was not really a big deal. Today though I was going to go out side my comfort range an go out by the moth ball fleet. This is the Navy’s boat parking lot, ships they have on hold until they figure out what to do with them or need them. I do not like going over in that area as there are shallows, funky winds, and between where I am and there there is a bridge construction, so lots of barges and stuff tied up and anchored. But I figure, I give it shot, it is good to expand one’s comfort zone. This would be s/v zen’s first trip over that way.

Winds were nice, I was on easy broad reach, radio going, feeling life. Good times. As I got near the bridges I started to pay much more attention, looking , feeling, listening.
I head under the 1st , then second, then 3rd bridge. I am seeing several balls moring balls, and barges. Once on the other side of the 3rd bridge, I figure, that was far enough, I was unsure about going in between all the stuff I’m seeing and swing around to head back. After a easy about face I’m sailing on a close haul between the bridges pilings and moring balls ( I guess that is what they are), feeling very uncomfortable but making way. After a bit I am getting too close to a bridge base for my comfort level and figure to tack. As I do so the wind under the bridge is already shifty and with the currents the bow turns almost about face before it was stopped. Craimany! I try a few things, to head up close but, there was no room , I did not care for being in between the bridges and sailing amoung pilings trying to manuver. I could have turned around sailed back out then turned around and change my approach. I decieded to use the easy button and use the motor. Under power I corrected everything, and got from under the bridges, then shut off the motor again and took a close haul position. Smooth sail for a bit, so I figure to see what was up with wind. Now that the wind was settled from under the bridges it was an easy tack to a new heading but the wind had shifted some more and required me to fall off further than I thought. If I was under the bridge I would have been heading between Pilings again, note to self  logged in head about the sailing position there.

Another tack an I’m on a sweet close reach, with the sun slowing setting over the hills with a nice heel and the water bubbling around the hull. It was one of those way cool sailing moments, that make it worthwhile being out there.

Back to the mairna for a smooth dock and put things away. It is still fairly early in the scope of things, I have some free time still. We are going to a concert tonight at Yoshi, at Jack London Square. The Yoshita Brothers are playing. They are “IT” as far as Shamisen players go these days, with a Old world sound done to Jazz, Rock, bluesy beats of today.

I was very glad to get my sail on today the first day of the Luner New Year. It will be several weeks before I can sail again. There will be stuff posted on the land blog but not much here for a couple or 3 weeks unless I deceide to do my piece I spoke of, but will not say what, because you know why …heheheh. If I do not do that, the next post here will be in March from Japan after I speak with Yoh Sensei, the sailing Zen Master I finally get to met. Very Cool!

Peace out

GONG XI FA CAI

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