San Diego bay. Question

[Bmorgan562]

While sailing out of San Diego bay yesterday at 1000 I experienced during the ebb seemed to slow me down and while returning during the flood. The opposite of what I was expected. Never before have I experienced this it was counterintuitive although I am a newbie. Does anyone have an answer. Thank you

[desertsailor]

I've sailed in San Diego Bay a few times, usually in a Catalina 27 or 32, and so far have not experienced what you have described. But, this is a huge bay, so one factor would be your location in the bay, near the opening or in the southern portion, also were you located mid stream, or closer to shore?

[Bmorgan562]

Pretty much mid-stream and pretty much the whole time. It was strange. Never experienced it before. Thanks for the response.

[Sand crab]

Probably an eddy.

[Bmorgan562]

Minutemen badges? Hahah. (Band)

[desertsailor]

This really doesn't help your conundrum, but, I remember once when solo sailing a Catalina 27 when returning to San Diego Bay during an ebb current. Traveling to the starboard side of the main channel, just past Point Loma I traveled past the same buoy at least two times. Moving backwards was an eerie feeling. Finally able to make headway after moving closer to the port side shore.

[DEAN2140]

In SF Bay (and I assume all bays) the new current always starts near the shore and gradually works out towards the center. Thus you can have opposite currents in the same bay, though not in the same spot. When I was an instructor, I would tell my students that slack water was a state of mind.

[Swizzlemama]

Hi Dean, I am in San Diego, haven't been sailing for a while. I am being brash enough to say, if you need a sailing hand, let me know. I haven't been on the water in months. Thanks, r2

[Don Schaefer]

SD Bay is my home port. It gets crazy near Point Loma and I agree with the possibility of eddy's. I have also found that my rudder may be trailing a bunch of kelp that I picked up in the kelp beds off Point Loma..... feels like someone put on the brakes. Heading there for a week of sailing this weekend!

[Bmorgan562]

Thank you Don!

[thunderhoof]

The tidal flows in the Bay, as listed in the charts, really apply only between the Channel buoys and not at low or low tide. The flow is mild compared to other bays (1-2 kts), but there are notable spots, particularly near Ballast Point where the flow is faster. There are a few areas, N of Ballast Point and near the carrier berths where there can be recognizable eddies, especially near the tide extremes.
As mentioned the main nuisance is drifting kelp. The Big Guy puts it there to keep us from being happy all year round.

[Bmorgan562]

Ha. !!Thank you thunderhoof.

[alansmith]

Maybe you accidentally hooked onto a narco sub from Columbia. Check keel for contraband. He he.