On the way to Morro Bay

I hung out in the anchorage at San Simeon for a week before the forecast turned sour – a predicted 11-18 foot seas off the coast a few days out, and I knew it was time to go before the anchorage became a washing machine. The morning wind hadn't yet materialized when I raised anchor at 10am so I motored south for a bit before being able to raise sail around 11:30 or so. Rather strange considering the 20-30kt forecast for the day, but the wind gods ultimately delivered the promised breeze, and before I knew it I was running under jib alone amidst 6-8' whitecaps. Before I knew it, I had covered 20 of the 25 miles to Morro Bay and Morro Rock stood tall dead ahead. I raised the triple-reefed main and dropped the jib in order to keep sail up coming into the harbor entrance, and bore down on the channel.

Morro Rock

The swell began to steepen in the last mile to the shore and looking behind the boat I saw an abnormally large wave coming on. It lifted the stern and swung Cadence around, just enough to backwind the mainsail, and I watched with clenched teeth as the main swung across and stopped amidships with a clang. “Oh, phew,” I thought, “the preventer held, at least somewhat.” A preventer is a line rigged to keep the boom where you want it, to eliminate or at least minimize the danger of an accidental gybe, which can potentially be damaging enough to bring down the mast. Then I noticed the preventer line hanging limp and in tatters from the boom, obviously not doing its job. Looking up in horror I realized why the boom had stopped: when it came across, the wind filling the sail caused the boom to lift high enough that it actually hit the backstay and hung there, held in place 9' off the deck by the wind. No backstay generally = no mast, and it seems my guardian angel was watching over me that day. Obviously, the preventer system will be getting a thorough redesigning.
Cruising into the harbor, still thanking my lucky stars, I parked on the local yacht club dock for the night where they gave me a key to the facilities, no questions asked, and I enjoyed my first hot water shower in a week, oh sooooo sweet.

Morro Sunset