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Home Forums Search Trailer Sailor Roster Chandlery Events Classifieds Resources About TSBB SBO Sites	Instructions/FAQ | Rules & Etiquette | Clear Cookies View Thread | Post Response | Return to Index | Read Prev Msg | Read Next Msg | Oakland Estuary vs San Francisco's Pier 54 Points of Departure for Clipper Cove Posted By: Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay Date: 10/27/08 9:02p.m. Report: outside forum guidelines In Response To: More praise for Mr. Potter (pic) (Harry Gordon, WWP14 #234, Manatee, Mountain View, CA) I remember that, prior to the Clipper Cove sail, we were discussing the merits of taking the Oakland Estuary versus Pier 54 approaches. Pier 54 was observed to be a shorter drive for many of us from the Peninsula and appeared to be the shorter sailing distance between two points. Given the prediction of little or no wind, the more exposed approach traversing the wind channel under the western span of the Bay Bridge did not seem to be a factor. However, when actually sailing the course to Clipper Cove I felt a sufficient cross wind from the north blowing under the western span of the Bay Bridge to be blown south of the rest of the group and felt compelled to motor north into the wind to get closer to Mike Higgins, who had managed to hold the norternmost course of all of us, despite having no motor. Although I did not see the capsize on the return trip at the mouth of Clipper Cove, I suspect the reason for the capsize was that the wind shadow suddenly ends at the point where Jerry Kergan's map shows the capsize occurred. If you are not ready for the sudden increase in wind speed, it can create problems. I had actually reefed my main sail in preparation for the transition, but once I saw that I could handle it, I unfurled the reef. At the time I was going out, it looked to me like everyone had things under control. With the increased afternoon wind speed, the return route to Pier 54 in San Francisco made the cross wind under the western span a little more of a factor, albeit more in the disired direction of travel. For most of the traverse past the wind shadow of Yerba Buena Island, I was on Harry's windward side. Below is a picture of Harry in the middle leg of the return trip to Pier 54. On the return, the northerly cross-wind under the span tended to bend the return sail to the south, and the task appeared not to be blown south of the target of Pier 54 cove. Not having my GPS working and not being able to see exactly where the cove was, my initial effort was to aim for Pac Bell Park, which was to the north, until I spotted the two large ships I remembered being at the mouth of Pier 54 cove. In contrast, Jerry Kergan said it was relatively calm on the east side of the bay returning to Alameda via the Oakland Estuary. So comparing the two routes, while the Oakland Estuary route may be a little longer, it is substantially more sheltered against the wind for most of the route. While the Pier 54 route is shorter and offers more scenic views of San Francisco and the Bay Bridge, it can present more challenging cross winds. So where winds are predicted to be strong, the Oakland Estuary route would appear to be the better choice if you want a more leisurely sail. On the positive side, the scenic route from San Francisco's Pier 54 was very enjoyable and I would do it in a hearbeat again under similar conditions. Best, Carl

Messages In This Thread

Superb Weather Brings Potter Yachter Record Showing of 19 Boats to Clipper Cove -- Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay -- 10/26/08 8:04p.m.

Clipper Cove Rescue -- Goose p14#164 -- 10/27/08 9:22a.m.

Goose makes a good point -- Mike Higgins -- 10/27/08 10:05a.m.

Are more details to come? -- Jose P15 #2045 "Witty" -- 10/27/08 10:41a.m.

I spoke with Steve and Paul . . . -- Jerry Kergan (P-15 "Lazy Ka", Concord / San Francisco Bay) -- 10/27/08 11:36a.m.

details -- Goose p14#164 -- 10/27/08 8:29p.m.

One more perspective -- Jose P15 #2045 "Witty" -- 10/28/08 6:34a.m.

When you get all those boats together . . . -- Jerry Kergan (P-15 "Lazy Ka", Concord / San Francisco Bay) -- 10/27/08 11:09a.m.

Was the wind so light he could sit on the lee seat? -- John Madill Mackinac Dreamere WWP15 -- 10/27/08 4:07p.m.

That's why I chose this image. -- Jerry Kergan (P-15 "Lazy Ka", Concord / San Francisco Bay) -- 10/27/08 5:16p.m.

Steve Potter deserves the Potter-Yachter Medal for Valor . . . -- Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay -- 10/27/08 11:18a.m.

More praise for Mr. Potter -- Harry Gordon, WWP14 #234, Manatee, Mountain View, CA -- 10/27/08 5:26p.m.

Harry - Send that photo to Latitude-38 for Potter-Yachters -- Dave_N - - SF Bay Area Sailor -- 10/27/08 6:22p.m.

 Oakland Estuary vs San Francisco's Pier 54 Points of Departure for Clipper Cove   -- Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay -- 10/27/08 9:02p.m.

Current more than wind maybe -- Harry Gordon, WWP14 #234, Manatee, Mountain View, CA -- 10/28/08 6:20p.m.

Harry, good points. Check this photo for the name of the MC club at Pier 54 -- Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay -- 10/28/08 8:38p.m.

You have to stay away from islands during peak flow -- Mike Higgins -- 10/28/08 8:42p.m.

Mike, interesting observation. -- Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay -- 10/28/08 8:53p.m.

Mike, Nice story on "Jean Alden" -- Dave_N - - SF Bay Area Sailor -- 10/30/08 3:37p.m.

I sail alone in the company of others -- Rich McDevitt P-15 #2531 Minnow SF Bay -- 10/27/08 11:33a.m.

Some more thoughts from someone (me).. -- Jack, H23.5,F-5 Clermont, Fl -- 10/27/08 12:26p.m.

We should monitor and use Ch. 68 -- Eric Zilbert -- 10/27/08 1:50p.m.

Lessons relearned -- Dick Herman, Muddy Duck -- 10/27/08 2:00p.m.

And, if you hadn't read enough already....... -- Dave Kautz - P-15 #1632 & O'day 192 #313 -- 10/27/08 11:09p.m.

Right on -- Dick Herman, Muddy Duck -- 10/28/08 9:19a.m.

float plans -- Rich McDevitt P-15 #2531 Minnow SF Bay -- 10/28/08 11:12a.m.

These are all very good points -- Katie Lea, P15 "Follow Me", Santa Clara, CA -- 10/29/08 4:27a.m.

To put the focus back on the positive, here's a few photos of the trip. -- Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay -- 10/27/08 9:19p.m.

Mike Higgins Rounding Yerba Buena Island -- Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay -- 10/27/08 9:28p.m.

Potters Approaching Clipper Cove -- Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay -- 10/27/08 10:01p.m.

Jerry K Relaxin' with the Commodore -- Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay -- 10/27/08 10:08p.m.

It was a very relaxing sail . . . -- Jerry Kergan (P-15 "Lazy Ka", Concord / San Francisco Bay) -- 10/28/08 5:07a.m.

Potter Yachters Getting their Land Legs at the Cove -- Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay -- 10/27/08 10:17p.m.

Congregation at the Cove -- Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay -- 10/27/08 10:24p.m.

Local Color. That's all folks. -- Carl P-19 #1432 "Dagmar" on SF Bay -- 10/27/08 10:28p.m.

Great Pics Carl.... -- Tim..."Morning Dove" P19 #457 Potter Valley CA -- 10/28/08 5:42a.m.

Thanks Carl! -- Bill Nolen, WWPotter Owner's Web Site -- 10/28/08 6:25a.m.

Dagmar photo -- Mike Higgins -- 10/28/08 8:45a.m.

My photos -- Terry G P15 #821 SF bay -- 10/28/08 1:05p.m.

Try again -- Terry G P15 #821 SF bay -- 10/28/08 1:08p.m.

Maybe your photo was too big -- Harry Gordon, WWP14 #234, Manatee, Mountain View, CA -- 10/28/08 4:26p.m.

Still in a whirl. -- Paul R. Gregory -- 10/28/08 10:59a.m.

Boating people. -- Paul R. Gregory -- 10/28/08 1:33p.m.

So, what happened to your Potter? -- Harry Gordon, WWP14 #234, Manatee, Mountain View, CA -- 10/28/08 5:36p.m.

paul and steve's ordeal -- Goose p14#164 -- 10/28/08 7:31p.m.

The Recovery (from my point of view) -- Steve Potter, P-15 Stars & Bars -- 10/29/08 10:15a.m.

Messup. -- Paul R. Gregory -- 10/30/08 7:52a.m.

No reason to feel down Paul.... -- Tim..."Morning Dove" P19 #457 Potter Valley CA -- 10/30/08 8:01a.m.

Don't feel down... -- Dave Kautz - P15 #1632 & O'day 192 #313 -- 10/30/08 8:50a.m.

Paul it was just a thing that happened -- Robert Griffin P-19 #1505 Sandbob, Tahoe -- 10/30/08 7:30p.m.

Mess-up -- Dan Phy P15 #1051 Ol' Geezer , Ft. Bragg, Ca. -- 10/30/08 9:07a.m.

Don't be down ... -- Rich McDevitt P-15 #2531 Minnow SF Bay -- 10/30/08 9:44a.m.

CAUTION (turtle porn above) -- Tim..."Morning Dove" P19 #457 Potter Valley CA -- 10/30/08 11:42a.m.

Welcome to the Potter Yachters, Paul! -- Harry Gordon, WWP14 #234, Manatee, Mountain View, CA -- 10/30/08 12:37p.m.

Like Harry said.. -- Jack, H23.5, Force 5, Clermont Fl. -- 11/1/08 8:15a.m.

Helps to know I'm not the only one. -- Paul R. Gregory -- 10/30/08 3:39p.m.

LOL. No. You're not the only one. -- John Turpin, P-15 "Tetra", Edmond, OK -- 10/31/08 5:19a.m.

don't be down Paul.... -- John Madill WWP15 Mackinac Dreamer -- 10/30/08 4:06p.m.

I imagine my day is coming heh heh -- Eric Hughes WWP 15 # 2475 Moonbeam Mechanicsburg Pa -- 10/31/08 5:41p.m.

I love all these "incidents" -- Rich McDevitt P-15 #2531 Minnow SF Bay -- 10/31/08 7:53a.m.

INCIDENTS!! -- Dan Phy P15 #1051 Ol' Geezer , Ft. Bragg, Ca. -- 10/31/08 12:04p.m.