No more chowda...

We motored off our mooring at Rowe's Wharf under cloud cover sky and little wind on our way to Spectacle Island for Summer Shack's Chowder Cookoff. By the time we reached Spectacle, the sun was out and we were happy to strip off our jackets and welcome the warmer air. A fellow member of the Boston Harbor Sailing Club grabbed our bowline and helped tie us off at the dock.


Hunger headed us straight to the snack shack for a sampling of chowda, but there was none to be had. It must have been good because they started serving at noon and by 1:40 it was gone. We grabbed a couple of turkey sandwiches and enjoyed our lunch with a clear view of Boston Harbor. After lunch, we headed up to the top of the North Drumlin - the highest point in Boston Harbor, 155 ft above sea level. Check out the view.

The wind began to pick up around 3:00 so we quickly headed for the boat and motored out in hopes of a full afternoon and evening of sailing. No sooner did we turn the corner of Spectacle when a sudden fog covered Long Island just to the right of us. We could see the fog was coming in fast and headed into the harbor not bothering to raise the sails. By the time we came around the front of Spectacle the harbor could no longer be seen. It was a dense fog with maybe 40 feet visibility. We switched on the running lights, grabbed the fog horn and listened and watch intently for vessels as we tracked our path to the channel on the gps.

Once past Castle Island, the fog suddenly cleared and the harbor was fully visible once again. We were bummed that we missed the opportunity to sail for the evening, but of course did not know the fog would pass so quickly and thought better to be safe than sorry.

Newport International Boat Show 2012

3rd year in a row that we had fantastic weather as we wandered and sailed through the Newport International Boat Show! Rob Lawnsby of Narragansett Sailing shared a wealth of knowledge, from preventers and broaching to prop wash and hovering, during our three hour Advanced Sailing course in Newport Harbor on a Hunter 41. Ramon and I shared our first auto pilot experience - push of a button and the boat steers itself - who knew!

Go Small, Go Simple, Go Now by Lin Pardey

Go Small, Go Simple, Go Now by Lin Pardey

Sunrise over breakwaters in Plymouth Harbor

Sunrise over breakwaters of Plymouth Harbor Friday, August 17th. We returned to our first overnight mooring yesterday at the Plymouth Yacht Club - this time in the light of day! It was a painfully slow 1 to 2 knot motor through the channel as we were fighting the tide but we made it in. We had dinner in town and strolled the now familiar waterfront.

Today's weather was perfect and after breakfast in town we spent the day reading in a shady spot of beautiful Brewster Gardens. Tomorrow we sail (or motor depending on the weather) for home. It's been a great trip!

Sunrise at Sandwich Marina

Sunrise at Sandwich Marina. The rains came a few hours later but cleared off by early afternoon and we enjoyed a stroll into town and a cocktail at the bar at The Dan'l Webster Inn. Thunderstorms predicted for tonight so we settled in at the Sandwich Lodge across from the marina for the night. Off to Plymouth in the am. Leaving early before the tide changes in the Cape Cod Canal.

Moored in Provincetown

View from our back door Monday morning moored in Provincetown Harbor. 10 hour trip yesterday from Boston Harbor to P-Town. Started in rain, went through patches of fog and arrived under full sail on a close haul in pure sunshine.

First night of voyage at Spectacle Island

View from our front porch tonight on Spectacle Island. Sailing to Provincetown when the sun rises. Life is good.

Moored in Plymouth 11:30pm

We moored at Plymouth Yacht Club at 11:30 last night, breaking a boater's cardinal rule, don't enter an unfamiliar harbor at night. 

We now know that entering the Plymouth Harbor channel is a challenge during the daylight with its snake like shape and sandbars lurking around every corner. To do it at night, with a wide array of red and green lights flashing from all directions on shore is nearly impossible if you are unfamiliar with it.

We had to request the assistance of the harbor master to guide us in as we could not determine where we were in the channel or if we were even in the right channel... The harbor master had us anchor where we were at marker G5, while they headed out to find us. To add to the confusion, the harbor master crew was looking for a power boat since most people are aware of Albin 28 power boats rather than the Albin 28 sail. But they did find us, and led us through the channel to our mooring at the yacht club.

They would have had every right to act annoyed with us since we were foolish enough to enter at night, but they were nothing but polite and extremely helpful. The launch at Plymouth Yacht Club was more than patient as well. They close down at 11:00pm but Connor, from the club launch, stayed on the radio with us and the harbor master throughout and made sure we were safely tied up before checking out for the night. 

Here is our new list of rules when heading out on a full day excursion:

1. Arrive at the launch by 9:00am.
2. If wind conditions are such that we are beating out of Boston Harbor, motor out and determine wind conditions outside the harbor as soon as possible.
3. Determine in advance where it would be safe to anchor overnight en route if need be so we are settled before dusk. 
4. Plan, plan, plan so that we do not enter an unfamiliar harbor at night!

We are off to breakfast in town. The weather forecast is hot and humid with 0.0 wind. Looks like we will be staying ashore for the day.

                                                                                   Ready to Set Sail

 

Eve of Our First Weekend Voyage

Tomorrow morning we leave for our first weekend on the boat! We are going to moor at Plymouth Yacht Club Friday and Saturday night. The berth on the Albin 28 is a little too small for my comfort level so my wonderful husband will be hanging a hammock for us from the forestay to the mast. I think rocking to sleep in a hammock, on a boat beneath the stars will be pretty amazing.

Below is our plot plan for the sail from Boston Harbor to Plymouth Light. We estimate it to be about a 30 mile trip. Hoping for good, steady winds to get us there.

Boston Harbor Channel Marker R "10" to R "4" 141 degrees Nixes Mate R "4" to G "15"  108 degrees East of George's Island G "15" to G "3"  140 degrees Point Allerton G "3" to G "3" 108 degrees Harding Ledge G "3" to G1HL 125 degrees Davis Ledge G1HL to G1DL 137 degrees Brant Rock G1DL to R "6" 168 degrees High Pine Ledge R "6" to RN "10" 197 degrees Plymouth Light RN "10" to RN "2" 188 degrees
Ready to Set Sail

Trouble at the Pump and Paddling to Shore

We arrived at the launch just before 11am and were off to the pumping station around 11:30. Once there, Ramon put the motor in neutral and we idled while we waited for space at the dock. Before the first boat departed, a small powerboat passed us and idled in front of us. We let him know that we were waiting to dock. He circled back, coming quite close to us and appeared to be getting in line. Within a couple of minutes he was back in front of us and another power boat was idled behind us, leaving us very little room to maneuver our 29’  boat. As Ramon hollered to the boat behind us to give us more space, we drifted sideways into a boat parked in a slip. Their anchor slipped beneath our lifelines but we were able to push off pretty easily with no damage done. Unable to compete for space with the small, easily maneuverable powerboats, we decided to skip the pump out and water fill and left the station. We now know to arrive at the pump station earlier in the morning to beat the weekend boat traffic…

Ramon preparing for our row back

We had an easy raise of the main in the lee of the Hyatt and headed out to our destination of Cohasset. The wind was light and we ended up having to motor most of the way to Deer Island Light. Just before the light, we were able to pick up a bit of wind, let the jib out and turn off the motor. The wind continued to be too light to pick up much speed and we decided to change our destination to George’s Island. We lucked out and a public mooring opened up in front of George’s and we avoided having to anchor.  We pumped up the dinghy, tossed it behind the boat and gently stepped into it. Once seated, I had a temporary moment of anxiety and thought about bailing on this new rubber raft adventure.  But instead of bailing, I took a deep breath and decided this was doable. Ramon began to row us… in circles :-). We realized I was better situated in the dinghy to row properly and we eventually made it to the shore of George’s Island.

Perfect view from grassy knoll on George's Island

Once on shore, we spent a couple of hours having lunch, walking the island and resting beneath a shady tree. Suddenly the wind seemed to pick up, and so off we ventured again in the dinghy. The return row was equally entertaining, as I am sure the folks on shore would agree, watching us get close to the boat only to lose our rowing rhythm and drift back two or three times.

The end of the day sail was fantastic. Plenty of wind. We sailed close haul all the way in as the sun set in front of us. If you can only find wind either on the way out or the way in; definitely better to have it carry you home.

                                                                                                  Ready To Set Sail

Seasickness

The last couple of times out, I have had some waves of nausea which is highly unusual for me. Yesterday, my waves of nausea erupted with my lunch over the side of the boat. Needless to say, this turn of events is a concern for someone who is intending to live aboard. I am not sure if it is an issue with my glasses or one of the many unexpected changes our bodies go through as we age. I am hoping it’s the glasses, as that has more hope of a simple resolution. I am going to take some Dramamine before setting sail next weekend and see how I do.

In spite of my seasickness and the cloud covered sky, it was a great afternoon of sailing. The winds were easily a steady 10 knots or more with one to two foot swells. We were close hauled out and around Georges and Gallops and then on a run most of the way back. Fortunately, the wind direction held steady on our return, causing little concern about an accidental gybe (or jibe).

We usually sail an Albin 28, but we went with the Pearson 26 today. Each boat has its advantages and disadvantages. The Pearson has a much large cockpit, but a smaller cabin and an outboard motor rather than the Albin’s inboard. I think for two to four people the Albin is our first choice. But any more than four and the Pearson’s spacious cockpit wins hands down.

                                                                                                     Ready to Set Sail

Headed for Nahant

Woo Hoo! Sailed all the way from Boston Harbor to Nahant and back – no instructor on board! It was a perfect sailing day with plenty of sun and perfect wind. Our new sailing comrade, Collin and his girlfriend, Teresa, joined us for the trip. Ramon and I had plotted the course the night before and our en route bearings matched well. We sailed out of the harbor via President Roads, keeping Deer Island Light to our port and then headed into the Boston North Channel. Once past R “6” in the Channel we were able to head direct to Nahant passing Winthrop and Revere Beach on the way.

As we venture into these new areas, I sometimes find it difficult to match the chart with the actual land in sight; they can look so different. Given that I am directionally and geographically challenged, it’s not that surprising. Definitely have to improve my skills in these areas.

Once we reached Nahant, we proceeded to anchor in Dorothy’s Cove. Collin and I lowered the anchor while Ramon was at the helm. The anchor set, we waited for the bow to turn into the wind but it just wouldn’t do it. We watched our sites to see if we were drifting, Collin realized we were and we reset the anchor. Still, the boat would not turn into the wind as it should. We pulled up anchor and headed toward the beach. Anchor was firmly set, but still no turning into the wind. The only possible variable that was interfering was the running (in neutral) motor, once Ramon shut it off the bow turned into the wind. We ate our lunch (whatever we hadn’t already eaten on the trip out), took up the anchor and headed back.

The wind was awesome on the way back, hauling us steadily around 5 knots. We made the trip back in about a quarter of the time it took us to go out. We moored before sundown at BHSC.

There’s just something about being on a boat, with nothing but wind to glide you over the water…

                                                                                                Ready to Set Sail

Night Sailing Course May 25th

It is definitely a different feel out on the water after the sun has set. There is a calmness that you cannot achieve amidst the sounds and turbulence of motoring traffic during the bright light of day. In the darkness of the night, I found a feeling of solitude, even with five of us on board.

Heading out into the night at sunset

Vern was again our instructor, and this time we were sailing on a Pearson 31. As Vern pointed out all the buoys, beacons and other navigational aids along our route to Spectacle Island, we quickly learned that the low beam flashlight that we brought from home could not begin to help us identify these markings within a safe range. A new flashlight was added to our list of items needed.       

Collin and Vern

Once at Spectacle, the four of us (Ramon and I, and fellow students, Collin and Carl) each took turns docking. It was a great exercise, talking through who needed to do what and trying different approaches and departures. The currents and wind inside of Spectacle’s docks can be challenging. On a couple of our approaches to the dock, no matter how hard the wheel was turned to move the bow starboard, it just wouldn’t go. For two of the departures, we backed the boat out from the dock to the entrance of the Island. The other two departures, we turned the bow 180 degrees at the dock so we were facing out and then pushed off. We safely moored back at BHSC by 12:30am.

                                                                                                                      Ready to Set Sail

Basic Navigation with Vern

On May 13^th we met up with Vern and fellow students, James and Collin, at the BHSC launch at 9:00am for the Basic Navigation course. We sailed around the harbor islands for the day on a Pearson 26. As we approached Hull Gut, with Collin at the helm, Ramon and I shared with him our two experiences traversing the gut against its strong contradicting currents and winds. We warned him to of its rocky shore line and narrow passage and did our best to prepare him.... for what turned out to be utterly unremarkable! No discernible cross currents and no winds to fight against!

We returned under Long Island Bridge on a broad reach. A run would have been a more direct tack to our mark, but the winds were shifty, increasing the risk of an accidental jibe. Once on the other side, we did complete a controlled jibe and safely headed back. We moored back at BHSC before 6:00pm.

                                                                                 Ready to Set Sail

First Sail of the 2012 Season

This sailing season, which opened May 1^st, Ramon and I joined The Boston Harbor Sailing Club. We were sorry to leave Piers Park Sailing Center behind, but knew it was time to venture out on larger boats that we could sleep aboard.

Our instructor, Vern

We began the season with BHSC’s Coastal Navigation course on May 12^th. We were to meet our instructor at the launch at 9am. Vern was easy to spot with his black captain’s cap atop his curly salt and pepper hair and his matching beard; Herman Melville himself, could not have conjured up a more fitting sailor. 

We boarded Speedy Gonzales, one of BHSC’s Albin 28s, with Vern and fellow students, James and Jim. First stop was the fueling dock where we learned how to empty
waste from the boat and refill the boat’s water.
From there, we practiced anchoring off of Spectacle Island, then plotted our trip to Cohasset with the following markers, “15” Nixes Mate, “3” George’s Island, “3” Pt Allerton, “1HL”, and “3” Chittenden Rock. The bearings we plotted on the chart matched well with the actual bearings read at each mark. Success!

We docked in Cohasset Harbor just long enough to jump off and stretch our legs. We followed our marks in reverse order back home again to Boston Harbor, arriving just after 8:00pm.

                                                                   Ready to Set Sail