Sailing the Beautiful Central California Coast
Happy Atalanta crew as we depart Monterey
Last weekend, Atalanta and her crew of 8 sailed south from Monterey along the stunning Big Sur Coast to Santa Barbara, a trip of 200 nautical miles that took 34 hours to complete.
We left Monterey under cloudy skies and calm winds, so we motored around Point Pinos and south to Point Sur.
On the lookout for the many breaching humpback whales we saw soon after departing Monterey
Point Pinos Lighthouse
Heading around the corner making our “left turn” towards points south.
Bixby Bridge
Still imposing, even from several miles offshore.
Captain Kevin and Lisa contemplate the great sailing conditions
Point Sur lighthouse - The Rock has many tales to tell
Somewhere south of Point Sur, the predicted northwesterly wind filled in and we set Atalanta’s asymmetric spinnaker. The run was tranquil if not exactly speedy, and we found ourselves lifted and several miles offshore at sunset.
As a group, we made the decision to take advantage of the great conditions and sail on through the night. We were rewarded with a meteor shower and stunning views of the Milky Way that left us speechless, all while running in 10-12 knots of breeze with the kite up.
Beautiful downwind slide along the rugged Big Sur Coast
We jibed at daybreak and sailed around Point Conception in gentle northwesterlies. This enabled us to sail all the way down the Santa Barbara Channel until the breeze shut off in the evening a few miles out.
Santa Barbara Channel
Atlalanta sailing wing on wing in the light westerly breeze and flat water.
View from the logbook
Stacy flashes a smile on her way back on deck.
Santa Barbara Channel
Dolphins as far as the eye could see feeding on abundant bait fish, occasionally stopping to play at our bow.
Santa Barbara Channel
Ryan at the helm enjoying the sunset motoring the final few miles to Santa Barbara Harbor.
Glassy calm as we point the bow to Santa Barbara
We arrived in Santa Barbara at 7:30pm and bid farewell to most of our southbound crew. Hot showers and delicious burgers at Brophy’s were on order!
The next day was spent relaxing, walking the docks, welcoming new crew, and provisioning for an evening departure.
Guest dock
Atalanta side-to in the middle of the beautiful Santa Barbara harbor.
Santa Barbara
Sunny and warm, Santa Barbara boasted gorgeous weather and a sparkling clean marina.
At 8:30pm, we cast off with new crew and motored west into the darkening night. We went into 2-on 2-off watch schedules and let the autopilot steer us around the many oil rigs in the channel.
Dawn found us north of Point Arguello, and by late morning we were sailing under full main and jib in 10-15 knots of northwesterly breeze, tacking our way north.
Unfiltered beauty of an offshore sunrise with Point Arguello squarely behind us
Dawn patrol
Pre-dawn stillness as Atalanta motors north.
Offshore sailor
Victor takes a turn at the helm, driving Atalanta at a 32 degree apparent wind angle.
Sails up!
Powering upwind, Atalanta is a joy to helm.
After a few tacks, the breeze strengthened and we eventually saw 18 knots on the nose. With a bladed out main (lots of outhaul, backstay, and babystay) and 110% genoa, Atalanta sailed close hauled with grace and we kept our decks mostly dry.
Upwind up the coast
Scott snaps a quick shot looking into the wind.
View from the dodger
Evening falls on the North Pacific.
A final spectacular sunset near San Simeon
As night fell, so did the wind. We eventually turned on the trusty 130hp Volvo turbo and motored the remaining miles past Point Sur into a thick fog bank off of Cypress Point in Pebble Beach. The helm chart plotter with radar overlay came in very handy.
A sea of sea lions
At 5:30am, we arrived in Monterey after another seamless 34 hour leg. We landed on the dock and fell into our bunks for a few hours of blissful slumber. Even the boisterous sea lions could not keep us awake.
Later that morning, buoyed by our recent experience, a perfect cup of coffee rounded off a perfect, five-day offshore voyage.
It was a great adventure with a stellar crew, sailors with whom I would gladly head to sea again.
Next up, Monterey to San Francisco on January 28-29 - who is in!?
-Captain Kevin
The tranquility of a perfect spinnaker run
