I rushed out of the office in Dublin to head for Oakland, just a little before I was due to get off. About 10 min or so. When I left the owner was on the phone. He called me later, about 25 min, to ask if everything was ok. I left so quickly he thought something had happen. I said thanks, no everything is fine , I just need to catch a boat…

When I spoke with Capt Mary earlier in the week she said they like to leave at the latest 6:00pm as to get back by 8:00pm. I made it to Oakland with pleanty of time to wander round around looking for the school bwfore she called to find out if I was going to make it.

Once the phone connection was made she guided me in. I quickly filled out the release forms in the very tiny office and we took off for the boat. The after guard academy I found out later has 6 boats in the fleet. We were heading out on about a 36 ft erickson. Nice boat comfortable. It was a tight fit getting out of the slip and marina, but Capt Mary pulled it off very smoothly.

Once out into the channel she gave some basic instuctions on what she did on getting out smoothly and a headsup about gunning the motor hard, it is better she said to give it short blasts than a steady gun of the motor, easier to change direction she explained. She said she has done it on 30 ft, 40 ft & 50ft boats both sail and power, it works on all of them.

We head down the estuary under light winds. After raising the sails we have and easy close haul down the channel. There are two clubs out on their Weds evening races. We stay on a Starboard tack and try to stay of of their way. She says we’ll stay on the starboard tack just in case we need the right of way, but avoid them if possible. We did fine until a big tanker came right down the middle of everything.

After a few adjustments to course we were back in a groove and past the racers. The crew was, Capt Mary and her husband, two Ladies who did not have much sailing time, who I would have never thought they would be doing sailing, a young guy who I believed had some hours in under sail with the Capt and myself.

The Capt rotated helms people so everyone who wanted a turn got one. I did not really care but she put me on the helm to bring the boat home after a time. I was content just pickung up tips about sail trim and handling.

We snake out our way back to the marina staying outside of the racers. It was a very easy

sail, light winds but enough to give us a little push. The racers made it interesting staying out of their way.

I was busy handling the helm when it was time for the best photos, but the Capt husband had been shooting away the whole time.

It was a good easy sail, educational and relaxing. I’ll go back a couple more time just to pickup a few things from Capt Mary. Having done ocean crossings in all manners of boats she has a lot of good experience on things I can make use of.

The Beat goes on..