After a failed attempt to go sailing on Wednesday with our friends Richard and Stacy, we regrouped and headed out on Thursday for a sailing play day. I began checking wind predictions on Wednesday and saw there was 5-15 mph wind prediction in Long Beach harbor. 5 mph is not sufficient to really sail well. 15 is sufficient. It's been my experience that often the upper predictions are more like exaggerations. To our surprise the wind on Thursday was excellent for good sailing and with 1-2 swells it would be very comfortable for our first-time sailing friends. There were four of us on board and three are pictured here. Left to right: Stacy, Richard and Lisa. If you're wondering whose behind the helm, here's your answer:
Capt. Autohelm
One of the hazards and marvels of sailing out of Long Beach are tanker and cargo ships. We sailed past the Cygnus Voyager, a Chevron oil tanker. The Cygnus Voyager is a double-hulled tanker with a capacity of 1 million barrels of oil. She was launched in 1994, is 900 feet long and has a 160 foot beam. At 160 foot wide it is too wide to pass through the Panama Canal. 
She carries a crew of 30. The bridge is 90 feet above the water line. When we passed her we all wondered what Cygnus meant. A quick Google tells us that Cygnus is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere near Lacerta and Lyra, containing the star Deneb. Also called Northern Cross, Swan. Great now I've got to Google Lacerta, Lyra, and Deneb!The most enjoyable place to be on a sailboat undersail is on the deck. You can find a comfortable spot to nap or scan the horizon. Either is a treat and fortunately you usually have time for both!
On the way back in we found ourselves in the middle of the start of a race! There were probably fifteen or more boats in the race with beautiful and fast mylar and kevlar sails. I don't know much about racing but I know they sail around with just their mainsail up until they get a start horn alerting them the race is about to begin. At that point they scramble to get the jib up and position themselves to time the start. Then the start horn signals and they are racing.
Both Stacy and Richard proved to be quite the "helmsmen". Later in the day the winds were unsettled with significant puffs making holding a bearing more challenging.The day ended all too quick as is the case with most day trips (the S.S. Minnow from Gilligan's Island being the notable exception). We ended the day at Tequila Jacks with some tacos, tostadas and great conversation.
Another great day at sea!
4 comments:
It was a beautiful day for sure. Heaven on Earth! You and Lisa know how to show some friends a great time. It's one memory burned deep that won't be forgotten!
Now that I have submitted a gracious thank you. . .
Ken!(I was going to say Dude, but I know how you feel about that word.) was that the only picture you have of me at the helm? I look stupefied, or terrified, or mummified or all the above. We had to laugh at that one. Was that right after I caused the boat to serpentine all over the seas almost causing Richard to fly over board?
Yeap...that's the one alright! btw, you forgot mortified and petrified (From "A Beautiful Mind").
We had a great time too...let's get out again soon!
Hey Ken,
Just showing my friends here in MN your boat and the pics. Needless to say they are impressed by the boat, however pity my pic. We are also looking for Lisa's blog link. Can you send it to me?
stacy
Aye Matey, speak yer mind!