Payback!

So, yesterday, I had my very first official, paid captain charter (the day after my 40th birthday!). Lisa with SailTime San Francisco scheduled a gig with a family down from Napa. After making sure we weren't on a low tide, we took the Hunter 36 in our fleet out from Emeryville and sailed over to the San Francisco city front. It was blowing 25 knots (almost 30 mph), so I was heavily reefed, using the in-mast furling main. Because they wanted to see the City and we only had four hours, I fired up the diesel which allowed us to point much higher. We were able to get to the City in an hour and a half, which gave us time to buzz up and down past the Ferry Building and Pier 39 while dodging ferry traffic and other boats.

By then, it was time to head home. We had a nice series of jibes (with the main sail centered) to get back to Emeryville almost dead downwind. The fog had built so thick that everything north of us was a whiteout. Berekely was invisible as we dodged barges in the mooring field east of Treasure Island. We got the boat put back in the slip safe and sound, and after the family left for their next adventure, I put the boat back shipshape for the next member. We had beers at Chuck & Lisa's place and talked about the day. All in all, a very satisfying experience. I was also able to make my captain pay rate finally! Only twenty more charters and I should have my license paid off! Thanks Lisa!