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<h2><font size=5 color="#4a4a4a" face=Georgia><span style='font-size:18.0pt'>Windy
Gulch <o:p></o:p></span></font></h2>
<p class=byline><font size=1 color="#565656" face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:8.5pt'>Bob Kieding <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>July 23, 2008 7:34 AM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>Most of us think of the coast of <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State> running from
north to south, but it really doesn't. It actually runs in a north-westerly to
south-easterly direction. You can have fun with your friends betting that <st1:City
w:st="on">Reno</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Nevada</st1:State>, is further
west than <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:place></st1:City>.
You will win. <st1:City w:st="on">Reno</st1:City>’s longitude is 119
degrees 47 minutes West and <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Santa
Barbara</st1:place></st1:City>'s is 119 degrees 41 minutes West.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>But what happens 45 miles north of <st1:City
w:st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:City> at rugged Point Conception is surprising to
many, and results in the phenomena of Windy Gulch as well as <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:place></st1:City>'s unique Mediterranean climate.
At Point Conception the coast turns from south easterly to almost west to east.
When you look straight out to sea from <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Santa
Barbara</st1:place></st1:City>, you are looking towards the South Pole!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>There are generally strong winds, high seas
and frequent dense fog at Point Conception with the historic result of numerous
shipwrecks and the area's well-earned reputation as "The Graveyard of the
Pacific." But with the coast then turning dramatically towards the east,
these winds and seas don't bend as sharply as the turn of the coastline and
therefore run down the outer Santa Barbara Channel, leaving <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:place></st1:City> itself sheltered from the
prevailing high winds and seas of the upper coast.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>The Santa Barbara Channel is approximately
22 miles wide from the mainland to the four islands that border the channel.
>From east to west, these are San Miguel, <st1:City w:st="on">Santa Rosa</st1:City>,
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Santa Cruz</st1:place></st1:City>, and
Anacapa. Point Conception's high winds and seas run down the outer channel
waters in an eight to ten mile band along the islands. This harsh stretch has
justifiably earned the name of "Windy Gulch," and has been a major
challenge to mariners since the Chumash first landed on the islands.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>The conditions in Windy Gulch can be very
uncomfortable for recreational sized boats, and some sizes and designs should
not attempt the passage. At peak conditions, the waves can reach substantial
heights, but their steepness is even more challenging. But with a properly
designed and outfitted boat, there are a number of ways to make successful and
relatively comfortable crossings.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>First, Windy Gulch is not always rough. You
can check weather reports with the Santa Barbara Harbormaster's office or on
the Internet to determine what conditions are at Point Conception and at the
channel weather buoys, along with the forecast for the next few days. You may
find that the channel is mild and not of concern. If the winds are up, you can
make an early morning departure and arrive at the islands before the afternoon
winds peak. I frequently leave about five in the morning for an easy crossing
and a full first day at the islands. The trip over on a sailboat is close to
the wind, but the return is generally a reach and a fun sail in high winds.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>Since the Windy Gulch conditions generally
begin about 10 to 12 miles from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Santa
Barbara</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Harbor</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,
the first part of the crossing is usually quite comfortable. You can reduce the
impact of the Gulch by making your initial course more towards Point
Conception, and then ease off easterly when you reach the large seas and winds.
This results in your boat meeting the steep seas at a more comfortable angle.
With a GPS navigator, it is relatively easy to follow a curved course to the
islands and end up exactly where you planned. If yours is a sailboat, you can
have a great power reach with sails eased and the impact of seas much
diminished.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>Further down the channel, Windy Gulch winds
and seas lessen. San Miguel is almost opposite Point Conception, and it
therefore takes the full force of the point’s winds, seas, and fog. At
the other end of the channel, Anacapa experiences considerably less impact, but
its waters can still be plenty rough at times. I strongly recommend careful
planning if San Miguel is you destination. It is a great place to visit,
anchor, fish, surf, hike, and more, but it's more enjoyable in clear weather.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>The return to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:place></st1:City> is an easier trip because the
direction of the wind and waves is further aft. Turning more easterly for a few
miles diminishes their impact. Then turn back towards <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:place></st1:City> for a pleasant voyage home.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>But by all means, visit the <st1:place
w:st="on">Channel Islands</st1:place>. They are one of the most unique areas of
the world, and just a few miles from <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Santa
Barbara</st1:place></st1:City>. If you are not a boater, there are several
charter services that can take visitors, kayakers, and fishermen to the
islands. These are sizable vessels with professional captains and crews that
know our waters well. Too many Santa Barbarans spend a lifetime here without
ever seeing the true wonders of our <st1:place w:st="on">Channel Islands</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>-- SEA TERMS:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>-- Longitude - A measure of relative
position east or west on the Earth's surface, given in degrees from a certain
meridian, usually the prime meridian at Greenwich, England, which has a
longitude of 8 degrees The distance of a degree of longitude is about 69
statute miles or 60 nautical miles (111 km) at the equator, decreasing to zero
at the poles. Longitude and latitude are the coordinates used to identify any
point on the Earth's surface. Latitude is used to identify a position north or
south of the equator on Earth's surface. Units can be decimal or in degrees,
minutes, and seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>-- Web Weather -
www.weather.gov/om/marine/home.htm - then click on "<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:City>" and then click the area of
interest on the map.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-element:frame'><font
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<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>-- Sheet - A controlling line to a sail;
13th Century from old English "skeatline" and possibly also from Old
Norse "skaut."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>-- Close to the wind - A point of sailing on
which the sheets are tightened all the way in so the boat can sail near to the
direction of the wind.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>-- Reach - A point of sailing on which the
sheets are eased, roughly with the wind abeam (toward the side of the boat);
17th Century from Anglo-Saxon "raecen" reach.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>-- Power reach - Adjusting the sails and
helm on the reach to maximize speed from wind and waves.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>-- GPS - Global Positioning System - Locates
position on Earth within a few feet using input from satellites.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color="#464646" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:8.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#464646'>Bob Kieding began boating as a young boy at <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:place></st1:City> in 1948. He
has been a sail racing skipper, yacht maintenance professional, professional
yacht skipper, a ships chandler, and is now a professional yacht broker. His
column runs on Wednesdays. Opinions in the column are Mr. Kieding's and not
necessarily those of the newspaper. Send news tips, questions, or topics you
would like covered to bkieding@chandlery.com.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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