Life Afloat

Monday, October 22, 2012

South Beach Harbor Weekend

San Francisco Bay Sailing

Approaching San Francisco (AT&T Park to left)

Entering South Beach Harbor Marina

Friday, September 21, 2012

Today Space Shuttle Endeavour made a historic (first and last) flyover in the San Francisco Bay Area. My home afloat, S/V Event Horizon, was on the flight path as Endeavour flew south from San Francisco along the East Bay towards Moffett Field and NASA Ames, where so much of the important space shuttle work was performed, before continuing on to its retirement home in Los Angeles.

Endeavour, known as the baby shuttle, was the last one built. She flew 25 times, mostly to supply the International Space Station, and spent 299 days in space logging 123 million miles.

The shuttle, shown above as it flew over Westpoint Harbor this morning, was fixed atop a special Boeing 747 jet.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

America's Cup World Series 2012-2013

The AC World Series has officially begun its second year of pre-Cup promotion with professional one-design 45-ft catamaran racing in San Francisco Bay. The world's best sailors compete for points in a mix of 35-minute fleet racing and 15-minute two-boat match races.

The August 21-26 event is designed to inform, thrill and engage everyone--not just sailors. Based on my viewing of Tuesday's practice, the event will keep its promise to impress with fast and furious racing, all easily viewed from San Francisco's northeast shoreline (Fort Mason to Crissy Field). For maximum fun, visit the event tents at Marina Green, or spring for a ticket to sit in center-stage bleacher seats.

The AC45 racing continues around the globe through May 2013, including a return to San Francisco Bay October 4-7, 2012.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Taking the Long Way Home

Kettle family sailing outside San Francisco Bay, with a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

SF Bay Bridge Approach

Captain Kettle on the bow of S/V Event Horizon on approach to San Francisco's Bay Bridge.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Slough SUPing

I'm gradually exploring my new neighborhood, the Westpoint Slough, by standup paddleboard. SUPing around quietly allows me to closely observe many of my new neighbors, including numerous shorebirds and waterfowl, as well as harbor seals.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

SF Bay Status Granted

Event Horizon's crew is very happy and honored to be granted official live-aboard status at Westpoint Harbor Marina in Redwood City!

Westpoint Harbor is located in South San Francisco Bay, and surrounded by Greco Island to the north and east (part of the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge), Cargill salt-farming operations to the south, and Pacific Shores office park to the west.

Sunday, April 08, 2012

Baltic 51 “DEFIANCE”

Event Horizon's sister ship "Defiance" is currently also making San Francisco Bay home.

Ready to Explore SF Bay

Rigging the repaired Spectra main sail.

It took longer than expected to get our sails repaired because the sail lofts in the SF Bay area are not open on Saturdays, which is when we were available to meet.

Finally, S/V Event Horizon is prepared to move about the bay.

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

Sea Life Sighting -- Jellyfish

Today this large colorful jellyfish was swimming along the dock.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

California Live A-Boards

Unlike most of the world, California does not freely allow people to live on their boats. In fact, many marinas don't allow liveaboards and the facilities that offer residency generally have a long waiting list. Last year--before we committed to moving to CA--we paid a considerable sum just to get on an estimated 10-year waiting list, hoping the poor economy might help our position.

Typically live-a-board status is limited to 10% of berths. And that number is split between the different sized boats. Upon visiting many popular CA live-aboard marinas, we were convinced the percentage was higher. Apparently these unofficial liveaboards are known as "sneak a-boards”, a situation tolerated by some dockmasters. Sneakaboards aren't all trying to dodge the surcharge for living aboard; they prefer a floating lifestyle.

Word on the dock is that government marinas (common in CA) by law can only allow 10%, while private marinas can allow slightly more yet we have always been quoted the same percentage. The limited full-time status is due to the requirements for water and sewer as defined by California environmental laws. Overall, liveaboard status is strictly monitored and must be approved by the harbormaster.

New to San Francisco Bay, S/V Event Horizon and crew are considered transients. Transient status, at our current marina, will allow us to live afloat for the next 3-months. In the meantime we are on multiple marina waiting lists requesting official live-a-board status, and exploring our surrounding housing options.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Triathletes in Westpoint Harbor

It was an entertaining morning as we watched hundreds of triathletes swim past our boat. The swimmers finished their 500-meter swim at the guest dock and climbed ashore to proceed with the biking and running legs of the 8th Annual Stanford “Treeathlon”.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Tall Ships at Port of Redwood City

Two Washington-state based tall ships, the Hawaiian Chieftain (left) and the Lady Washington (right), are visiting our neighboring marina, the Port of Redwood City.