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Author Archives: Don Gilzean
Why Is San Francisco Bay A Special Place to Sail?
An Introduction to Marine Weather San Francisco Bay is one of the premier sailing areas in the world. What is it that makes the area special? Easy! The weather. Year round mild conditions allow sailing nearly every day throughout the … Continue reading
Posted in General, Skipper's Tip
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It’s Getting Dark Earlier
In my opinion winter has arrived. It’s not really winter until December 21, however, for me it’s winter when we move off daylight savings time back to standard time. That’s the point it starts to get frustrating getting back to the dock before … Continue reading
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Watch the Stern
First a “tip” then the detailed explanation with some practice exercises. The Tip: While docking in a slip (once the bow is in the slip) and when doing a fairway rotation, focus primarily on where the stern is with observation … Continue reading
That Just Doesn’t Seem Like the Right Thing to Do!
August can be an interesting time at the Tradewinds docks. Lots of wind, accompanied by the normal “too much wind docking entertainment.” One particular August Saturday saw the day end with two boats “parked” at the exact same spot, laying … Continue reading
Posted in General
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Getting the Most Out of Your Bareboat Cruising Class
With many things in life, you get out what you are willing to put in. Sailing classes are a great example. Over the years, I have had students that have not even cracked the book open, and others who have … Continue reading
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Random Thoughts Regarding the Richmond Ferry Service
It’s been a long wait, however, ferry service between the San Francisco Ferry Building and Richmond is scheduled to begin on Thursday, January 10, 2019. We are already hearing a lot of questions on how the ferry service will impact … Continue reading
Coast Piloting Part 4 – Lines of Position
This tip could have been named “Obtaining a Fix.” Maybe it should have been, because that’s what its all about. Dead Reckoning is a great thing. It’s a way to figure out approximately where you are. However, the goal of … Continue reading
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Coast Piloting Part 3 – Course to Steer
If ever there was a “catch all” navigation tip, this is it. While determining a course to steer, the navigator needs to know and/or take into consideration: The relationship of Distance, Speed, and Time Conversion from True to Magnetic to … Continue reading
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Coast Piloting Part 2 – Entering an Unknown Port
When I think of Bareboat Cruising students and graduates, I visualize a skipper interested in spending a week or two on a chartered boat, enjoying an established cruising area with an number of “day sails,” stopping nightly to dock, moor, … Continue reading
Posted in General
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Exiting Chrysopylae … “The Golden Gate”
Also known as … is it safe to head out the gate? For over two hundred years, the Golden Gate hid its existence from the Europeans transiting and exploring the coast of California by boat. First “missed” by Juan Rodriguez … Continue reading
Posted in General
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