Sea Trials on San Diego Bay

On February 3rd, s/v Gemini was put to the test on San Diego Bay. Our fearless crew for the day, Deb, Ellen and Mariella kept the boat steering straight and the sails from luffing. The winds weren't quite enough to have to reef the sails, but we tested the heeling motion of the boat and the crew's ability to hang on.

Despite the forecast, the sun even came out and officially made it a nice day. Lots of boats out today, but Gemini is nimble enough to avoid them. Our full keel keeps us sailing straight, but if we have to turn we can turn on a dime. The crew has this tacking thing down. Ready about...

Under the Coronado Bay Bridge the winds die so you have to keep your momentum. Then you're by the Navy base and the water gets shallow on the other side. More practice sailing in close quarters and quick reaction tacking. I think we'd rather be north of the bridge.

What an awesome day of sailing! If San Diego is as far as this voyage takes us, there are worse fates in life.

Will She Float?

On January 29th, s/v Gemini finally left OC Boatyard and rolled down the Pacific Coast Highway and was picked up and splashed down in the water at Marina Shipyard in Long Beach. After taking a close look at the waterline and the bilge, she was declared... floating!

Next came the mast, then the rigging and sails. It didn't take long before s/v Gemini started looking like a proper sailboat and became fully operational again. With the help of Jason and my dad, Gemini got certified seaworthy before we even wore out our welcome at the crane loading area. So long... Long Beach.

Its about 95 NM from Long Beach to San Diego, depending on how you draw the track line. This is an opportunity to test everything out and see how she sails. The weather forecast for the cruise down the coast calls for light winds and smooth seas... and dolphins, of course! We couldn't ask for a nicer way to start this voyage.

When the winds are too light for sailing, sometimes you have to use the motor. Gemini has a diesel engine and so it got put to the test and passed. Running just a little warm for some reason we decide not to push the engine until we get in to port and can check out the cooling system.

So it's a slow cruise with motor power down the coast, trying to figure out what's what on the shore by looking at the lights. Not many boats out here to hit, but we can hear the Navy telling the world that they're lost on VHF. Before we know it we're off Point Loma, trying to dodge the kelp and fishing floats.

Damn, we're right in the middle of the kelp! But Gemini's full keel just plows right through and we're not slowed down a bit. Sailing into San Diego Bay in the darkness, we know exactly where to go. The public dock is wide open and we take the most convenient spot... Gemini's home for the next few weeks.