Wharram Tiki 21 "Little Cat": Lost World

I finally realized my goal of sailing to the Farallone Islands on Little Cat. The trip started with an overnighter north to Drakes Bay in sunny weather and mild conditions.

Next morning was overcast and not very inspiring, but the Gulf of the Farallones beckoned. The Islands are a relatively short 18 NM hop from Drakes Bay, as opposed to the 25-odd NM from SF Bay. The prevailing NW winds are also usually favorable from this direction, but were not cooperating and were mostly 10-15 from the SW all day - on the nose.

The Lost World appears

The islands emerged from the overcast at about 10 miles out.

The wind died in the last 5 or so miles so had to fire up the outboard. The SE Farallones is the wildest place I've been lucky enough to see, and is the closest thing to The Lost World that I'm ever likely to see.

Fisherman's Bay, SE Farallones

The wildness of the place has to be seen to be believed. The sea is alive with seals, and the rock faces are carpeted with sea birds. There is a strong smell of fish and guano and the noise from the birds and seals is surprising (see video with volume turned up).

Seals and dense seabird populations

A short stop, then it was time to head for home. The wind was nonexistent until the Lightship Buoy (15 NM out), and then the SW breeze filled in and we had a great spinnaker run all the way back to Sausalito. 86 nautical miles this trip.

Other pics of the SE Farallones....