Trips from April, 2009

I've been going out sailing the last few weekends, and decided to take a group out to Anacapa. Of course, the forecasted winds kept falling as the day got closer, and we started out not even expecting to make the island. Instead, we hit 10-15 knot winds pretty soon after getting out of the harbor and started making 5-6 knot progress towards Anacapa. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, and getting there earlier than we expected (and praying for good winds) we decided to round the whole island. Approaching the south side, we saw plenty of sea lions hanging out on shore, but had to ignore them while we dealt with the sudden gust of wind create by the funneling effect between the first two of Anacapa's islands. We reefed the main, rolled up the jib almost completely, and made 5 knot progress into the wind.

Of course, good winds never last and we lost the wind around southwestern portion of the island and ended up motoring for about a half-hour. Still, we rounded the island, saw a few whales between Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands, and got the wind back on the north side of the island. From there we sailed back home and made it in just before sunset.

A great day, both for sailing and seeing Anacapa! Plus, a lot of great photographs. I think at some point in the near future we'll do a whole day trip out to eastern end of Santa Cruz.