Sailing on "Good News"

A happy moment for Pat at the helm on a sunny windy day.

San Francisco Bay -- If you can sail on this bay, according to local sailing instructors, you can sail anywhere.

Conditions can go from dead calm in thick cold winter fog to the winds howling at 35 knots on a chilly summer afternoon. Once in a while in the lee of an island, it is actually warm. But not often.

It is challenging and fun for us aboard our 37 foot cutter-rigged sailboat "Good News."

We have grown to love it, particularly the challenges.

After grumbling about having to do boat chores this past week, I pulled out this collection of pictures taken over the last year or two to remind me how wonderful it is, and so you could share the experience.



Looking aloft, a purist might criticize the sail trim but when you are going as fast as possible it doesn't really matter.

The approaching boats have the right of way as they blow down from Alcatraz Island.

We spend the night at Pier 39 occasionally, sharing the harbor with our furry friends.



It's usually a nice quiet sail along the city front, surely one of the best looking cities in the world.

The Bay Bridge isn't as famous as the Golden Gate, but still a stunning sight from underneath. And noisy too.

Real sailors do not worry about silly hats, so long as they keep the sun off.

Heading for the marina on a starboard tack.


The smile comes with the position and place.

The wind dies down a bit inside the South Beach area, looking out to the Slot.

These cranes at the Port of Oakland are rumored to have been the inspiration for Star Wars battle machines.

The workers at the port never seem to rest, particularly loading containers heading for China from the Oakland Estuary.

There's hardly anything better than messing around on a boat. Even chores can be fun at our berth at the Oakland Yacht Club across from Jack London Square. I'm oiling the teak step into the companionway.

Good News has all the amenities of home, including internet service at the dock.