Day 15: Adjusting Plans

Long Vacations
I think it's Saturday and I know it's August twenty something. Oh how wonderful it is to loose track.

Plan B
A cornerstone of sailing, of course, is flexibility and adaptability. It is important to plan (very good for Type A's like Linda) but equally important to adjust plans according to conditions or equipment issues. We spent quite a bit of time last night considering our various destination options examining the wind and current forecasts finally deciding on a 0730 departure westward (for Woods Hole or perhaps a longer sail to Cuttyhunk). However, we were awoken at 0400 to high winds and an alarmingly creaky forward cleat under much load due to 20+ kt winds and a single mooring line. Bob strapped on his forehead lamp and successfully secured another mooring line from the bow. Quite a feat in the dark and very windy early morning hours. (Photo below is from much later in the morning.)

Extra secure for the high winds

We normally would not be deterred by 20 kt winds but our original plans had us sailing westward in a contrary current. Given that the early morning actual wind was quite a bit higher than the forecast, we decided to be cautious and not risk being out in Vineyard Sound in winds perhaps approaching 30 kts against a 3+ kt current -- could make for very rough sailing and perhaps ill Captains. So we had a relaxing and functional morning at the mooring enjoying the bright sunshine in the partially sheltered harbor.

Westward view in the large and full harbor. Most boats were choosing to stay put due to the high winds.

Bob was getting nervous about his clean clothes reserves so he washed some shorts and underwear in the harbor and hung them out to dry in the sunshine and wind.

Also got Linda's rose pedals pumped out.

Tied up to a floating water dock to fill the water jugs, top off the water tanks, and swab the deck. Now it's time to depart.

Venturing out in to the Wind
We left Edgartown Harbor at 1330 and motored straight in to a brisk wind and moderate seas for an hour before being able to turn off and raise sails. We initially sailed under just a reefed main then let out just a bit of jib.

Both sails reefed riding a favorable current heading about 330 degrees T

Despite Buzz at Woods Hole confidently informing Linda earlier in the day that there would be a mooring available for us, our follow up phone call after departing Edgartown Harbor indicated that there would definitely not be availability. Bob put a call in to Menemsha (recommended by our Boston slip neighbor, Dan) but we were similarly informed "no way". Seems the blow was keeping everyone set tight.

Photos do not capture the rough seas. Mostly 3 foot waves parallel to the boat with some 5 and 6 footers. Rockin' and rollin'!

Green can off Vineyard Haven light house. Note the strong current pushing it to the right. We planned the trip to be traveling to the right also at this time. (right = invalid nautical nomenclature)

Mega sail boat not sailing. Huh?

Tonight's featured entree: Potato gnocchi with spicy sausage/roasted/grape tomatoes/sweet peppers, crostini topped with anchovies, and a glass of pinot noir. (The hand held VHF and can of horn are for dessert.)

Linda cooked but Bob did the dishes.

Good Night Moon
Winds died down for a calm evening at anchor in beautiful Tarpaulin Cove.

We hung out in the cockpit after the sun went down (and it got chilly), and enjoyed a spectacular night sky. The Milky Way is so clear out here with no city lights. As we were finally heading below to turn in for the evening, there was the Moon just rising over Vineyard sound.