Sail Fail! Lessons learnt!

Billy&Lizzie

To break up the journey to San Francisco, we decided to make a stop at Eureka. Geared up for an approx 10hour easy, relaxed journey in the predicted 4-5knt NW winds to take us straight there, we took a long time to find any wind at all?! Then when we did find the wind, despite what the apps said as a live feed of 5knt NW, we were hit with 25-30knt Southerly’s instead?! Unable to fight the messy tangled waves, we tried to tack but we were making zero progress with wind coming from the exact location we needed to head, so we furled the Genoa and tried to motor. Nope. That didnt cut it either. Winds and waves so strong that I’m pretty sure we were moving backwards??? Disappointed that we were so close, yet so far from the anchorage, we made the decision that the safest thing to do was to turn around and use that silly southerly wind to push us straight back to Crescent City. After all, our trust in the weather predictions was lost. As we pull into the harbour we realize Ducky the dinghy was missing!! The one time we tow it in open water because we read the weather was going to be a breeze-literally. So if anyone is heading or around the area, if you see our beloved ducky- holla! We miss her and no don’t have a way to get to land when anchored :( It’s 1am, we successfully anchored… right back where we started 17 hours ago 😅😅 Lessons learnt: 1. that somehow the IPhone weather is more accurate that wind designated apps 📱 2. Never tow the dinghy in open water 💦 3. How to make a call to coastguard to inform them there is an unmanned inflatable somewhere which is not a cause for concern if reported🛟 4. Learning more and more how to work together in spicy situations ❤️ 5. The route from both directions to Crescent City 🤣

Boat & Crew

Steph'Ney Thames

Pearson, 365 Ketch

Billy&Lizzie

Owner