The sail from Santa Cruz to Monterey was stunning. Perfect weather. Short hop–maybe 5 or 6 hours. For an hour or so, the wind and the swell and our heading all fell together so that we didn’t even need to touch the wheel at all. The boat just sailed herself along as if she already knew the way to Montery and couldn’t wait to get there.
A huge pod of 20-25 dolphins welcomed us into the harbor right as the sun was going down. The smooth grey curve of their backs punctuated the dark water in tight knit groups of 3 and 4. It looked like they were hunting, maybe, and a couple came over to surf in our bow wake but most seemed intent on playing with their food.
In order to get into the municipal marina, you’ve got to shoot through a narrow slot with a seawall on one side and this pier on the other. Oh yeah, and also, a really wicked sideways current that rips into the side of you with all the enthusiasm of a puppy with a pull-toy. We got the bonus feature of a guy on a stand-up paddle board who thought it would be a good idea to try and squeeze in ahead of us as we’re sawing at the wheel, trying to regain some semblance of steerage.
Coming into Monterey harbor
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Written by tamiko
Topics: A Festival of Awesomeness, Pics, The Cruising Life