Home	Half Moon Bay Cruise September 21-23, 2012

(If you like, you can skip down through the prose and go straight to the pictures below!)

Under the fine leadership of Cruise Coordinator Rich & Takae Watters, four Islanders sailed out the Golden Gate, turned left and made their way down to Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay. They were joined by three more represented by land yacht, and found another, beautifully refinished Islander along the dock.

Tacoma Blue departed on Friday morning for an easy sail down the coast in light winds and blue skies. Once safely in their slip, they toured the outer and inner harbors to capture the look of this serious fishing and cruising port about 20 miles south of the Golden Gate. The harbor at Half Moon Bay is a jumping off point for boats heading south. It's about 45 miles to Santa Cruz harbor at the north end of Monterey Bay, and almost 65 miles to Monterey Harbor at the south end of Monterey Bay.

Tim Bussiek and his Califia crew led the Saturday fleet south with even lighter wind and a touch of fog. Close astern were the BAADS (Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors) boats Tashi, a Catalina 30, and I-36 Orion, skippered by I-36 Vice Commodore Ray Duran. All made it safely into the harbor as the fog thickened to pea soup by the time Orion arrived. In total they had about 10 people and one dog in the crew of both boats. What an inspiration they are as they help each other and enjoy being on the water.

Driving in were Rob & Ruby Blenderman of White Horses and made a grand entrance walking down the dock as the fog arrived. Lou Zevanov (Diana) and Rick Van Mell (Vanishing Animal) also drove in bringing the fleet total to seven boats represented.

Down G Dock was another beautiful I-36, Wind Catcher who had sailed down from Sausalito with Brian Campbell and Marti Griffin aboard. The boat had been completely redone inside and out and absolutely shone in the sunshine. Many years back, Marti had sailed with Don Schumacher aboard Blue Streak.

During their harbor tour Rich & Takae came across a big boat with fresh tuna for sale and negotiated a great deal of $50 for a 20 pound beauty. A shop up the dock did a fine job of fileting it and we were all the happy recipients of a wonderful mix of sashimi and grilled tuna Saturday evening. Add in some cole slaw and nibbles of chips, crackers salami and nuts and it was a perfect feast.

Thanks Rich & Takae for a great cruise.

Pictures by Takae Watters & Rick Van Mell. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.

Under the Gate ...	North tower ...	South tower ...	Happy Rich	City astern
Baker Beach	North shore	Out to sea	Half Moon Bay birds ...	on the wing ...
happy Rich again!	Crab Shack	Local cruiser ...	serious fishing	Pillar Point radar ...
closer look	Kelp	The big picture	Old fishing pier ...	up close.
Built for speed ...	built for comfort ...	more comfort.	Lots of shade	HBM Yacht Club ...
and dinghy dock	Cruise director!	Rode hard	looking trim	Off to join ...
the flock ...	or two!	Main pier	Working boats	A classic
Tacoma Blue	looking good	Wind Catcher	looks great!	Wide fairways
Classic fisher	This is where ...	dinner came from!	20 lb tuna ...	ready to filet
Califia arrives ...	tucked in ...	Rick clicks ...	Takae clicks!	Califia crew
Tacoma Blue	A special charm	BAADS Tahsi ...	into her slip.	Says it all
Her crew is ...	happy ...	and chilling out.	Lou gives a welcome	Dream Catcher ...
completely redone ...	terrific shape ...	Good reading.	Little dog ...	with attitude & ...
a big ship ...	Dog gone!	Classic	Tim takes a break	Feeding time
Here comes ...	out of the fog ...	Rob & Ruby ...	chat with Rich ...	Ruby relaxes.
With Takae	Yes, Lou?	More reading	These guys ...	are looking for ...
something to eat!	Getting thicker.	Going to find Orion	She's alongside & ...	time to chat.
Me too.	Fog soft	Happy campers	Tuna time ...	some for the grill ...
like this ...	and this ...	let's eat!	This plate ...	went fast.
Thanks Takae ...	and Rich!

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