We apparently made it back
Well, we had a incredible stretch of weather during most of the three weeks until the last couple days of the trip. We woke in Manchester on Saturday morning to a couple of driving rainstorms.
Our plan was to anchor off of Peddocks Island near Boston for Saturday night and then go home on Sunday morning. However as we approached Boston under the gray rainy sky, we decided that we've had enough of damp bedding for a while so we headed home to Constitution Marina. This time our slip was actually empty when we returned!!!
The Specs
Nights at anchor: 2 (embarrassed about this)
Nights on slips: 6 (two were complimentary from Brewers)
Teeshirts purchased: 3 (a little low)
Diesel used: Approx 12 Gal (around $50?)
Miles traveled: Approx 380 (would know better but Capt Bob forgot to reset the meter when we left)
Places visited: 16
Places we've never been before: 10
Places we'd go again: 12
The Movie
We had about 40 minutes of footage from the trip. Tried to capture some panoramas of some of the beautiful places we were plus some action shots of sailing in some weather. I managed to get it condensed down to about 10 minutes.
So it's probably mostly day-sails and one or two overnights from now til the end of the season. Hard to believe we're thinking of winter storage already. This year, we'll be bringing Fujin back to Bristol, RI for the winter again.
As always, thanks for reading (and watching)
Friday, September 6, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Day 22: Relaxing in Our Favorite Harbor
Manchester-by-the-Sea
After an intense day of sailing yesterday that wiped both of us out (especially Linda) we were very much looking for a relaxing day at our favorite harbor. We have been up between 0500 and 0700 every day during this three week trip - except for today when we lounged in the V berth until around 0800. Bob even had his coffee in bed. We were happy to see the sun and dry out the boat after four days of heavy clouds and fog.
We took our time getting up and moving; chatted with a very nice long time cruising couple on the docks about their nearly 10 year adventure in Europe and around the Mediterranean. Then eventually had a nice walk in to town.
What SUP!!
Last year we tried Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) for the first time (coincidentally in Manchester Harbor). We keep toying with getting our own boards but realize that it is not very convenient to transport them on the sailboat. Today we rented boards for a couple of hours to paddle around the lovely harbor. It's a great way to get up close and personal to the many beautiful and varied boats in the harbor and the water temperature this time of year is great.
Evening Company
Our sailing friends and Constitution Marina neighbors, Phil and Yolande, from Prairie Gold (http://haydongold.blogspot.com/) arranged to sail up our way this evening and meet up with us.
Greg and Emily, also friends from Constitution Marina, could not get a mooring reservation but drove up to join us for drinks on Fujin followed by a fun dinner at Cala's in town. Bob and Phil ordered Fish n Chips. Bob waited patiently for Phil's review since this is the food of his people. "I'm enjoying it... it's not quite right, but I'm enjoying it". Good enough for Bob! After saying goodnight to Greg and Emily, Bob was able to get his coveted little dish of chocolate chip ice cream from Captain Dusty's. (Bob does not need ice cream each evening; he can stop at any time.)
We will return to Boston either tomorrow (Saturday) or Sunday morning. I guess it's time to start getting ready to return to reality. Almost.
After an intense day of sailing yesterday that wiped both of us out (especially Linda) we were very much looking for a relaxing day at our favorite harbor. We have been up between 0500 and 0700 every day during this three week trip - except for today when we lounged in the V berth until around 0800. Bob even had his coffee in bed. We were happy to see the sun and dry out the boat after four days of heavy clouds and fog.
We took our time getting up and moving; chatted with a very nice long time cruising couple on the docks about their nearly 10 year adventure in Europe and around the Mediterranean. Then eventually had a nice walk in to town.
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| Manchester Historical Society |
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| Sauntered around town |
Last year we tried Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) for the first time (coincidentally in Manchester Harbor). We keep toying with getting our own boards but realize that it is not very convenient to transport them on the sailboat. Today we rented boards for a couple of hours to paddle around the lovely harbor. It's a great way to get up close and personal to the many beautiful and varied boats in the harbor and the water temperature this time of year is great.
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| Oogling an especially impressive home |
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| Low tide at the mouth of the harbor |
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| Looking SE towards Misery Island |
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| Linda lounging on her board |
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| Bob posing |
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| We found ourselves much more steady this year compared to last |
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| Tied up astern to Fujin enjoying a beverage (Negra Modello) |
Our sailing friends and Constitution Marina neighbors, Phil and Yolande, from Prairie Gold (http://haydongold.blogspot.com/) arranged to sail up our way this evening and meet up with us.
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| Phil and Yolande |
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| Greg, Emily, and Bob (notice Greg gazing introspectively in to the sunset. This is where Emily should ask "what are you thinking about?") |
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| We taxied our guests in shifts to and from the docks in Chin-Chin. They were generally very poor tippers. |
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Provincetown to Rockport... er I mean Manchester
Less Fog, No Sun, But We Have Wind!
After being fogged in and becalmed in Provincetown for a couple days, we woke up early to the sound of wind howling in the rigging. Within about 10 minutes we were cast off the mooring and heading out of the breakwater toward Wood End light.
High Winds and Generous Waves
We knew we would be sailing pretty high into a Nor'easter to make it to Rockport and that the wind would be pretty strong. We ended up having the roughest, bounciest sail of the whole trip today in Mass Bay. Originally, the plan was to sail at about 335T to the anchorage at Sandy Bay in Rockport. After a few hours in the big waves built up in this north-east wind, we started thinking that Sandy Bay would not be a comfortable place to be tonight. Plans changed: let's just go to Manchester-by-the-Sea a day early.
We wisely chose to skip breakfast today.
Not Feeling So Good / Fujin Feels Small Today
Both captains were starting to get a little green around the gills today. Linda especially fell pretty ill during the trip. These were probably the biggest waves we had sailed in yet in Fujin. Again, our 34 footer seemed very small today in these seas. But what could have easily been a 9-10 hour trip took a mere 7.5 hours.
Land Ho!
(that's not land... and stop calling me a Ho)
Today because of the visibility, we were totally out of sight of land for most of the day. When the north shore around Manchester came into view, we both felt a little better.
Manchester is one of our favorite harbors. It is incredibly protected (which sounded very appealing to us at the time out in those big waves). It is also the place we went for our very first overnight sail when we were members of Boston Sailing Center. We were tied up on the mooring by about 14:30. We did the 45 or so miles from p-town in less than 8 hours! (This is really fast for a sailboat of our size!) It was quite a rough ride, however, and we both crashed and took a three hour nap before heading in to town.
Manchester-by-the-Seas has a handful of restaurants and shops. We ended up at a new mexican place that offers some traditional style Mexican dishes (in addition to the more common American Tex-Mex burritos and enchiladas): La Casa De Luis. Very attentive staff and conscientious owner. The sign below is from outside Cala's (another recommended restaurant that we have visited on past trips).
We enjoyed a walk around the town after dinner. Bob seemed in the mood to bar hop (among the four or so choices in this sleepy town) but Linda had still not bounced back from being sea sick all day and was enjoying nursing club soda.
Friends Expected Tomorrow
We will site tight and relax here for another day/night as we come to the end of our sailing trip. Friday we look forward to meeting up with our good sailing friends, Yolande and Phill, when they sail up to Manchester from Boston. You can check out some of their adventures on Prairie Gold: haydongold.blogspot.com/
After being fogged in and becalmed in Provincetown for a couple days, we woke up early to the sound of wind howling in the rigging. Within about 10 minutes we were cast off the mooring and heading out of the breakwater toward Wood End light.
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| Foggy Provincetown |
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| Wood End Light |
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| We broke another sail slide in Buzzards Bay. Bob does his awl to fix it |
We knew we would be sailing pretty high into a Nor'easter to make it to Rockport and that the wind would be pretty strong. We ended up having the roughest, bounciest sail of the whole trip today in Mass Bay. Originally, the plan was to sail at about 335T to the anchorage at Sandy Bay in Rockport. After a few hours in the big waves built up in this north-east wind, we started thinking that Sandy Bay would not be a comfortable place to be tonight. Plans changed: let's just go to Manchester-by-the-Sea a day early.
We wisely chose to skip breakfast today.
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| Coffee for the Captain |
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| Whale sighting very near PTown between Wood End and Race Point |
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| Linda while she was still feeling chipper |
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| With her freshly done toes (red polish did not match Linda's developing green complexion) |
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| Bob in full fowl weather gear |
Both captains were starting to get a little green around the gills today. Linda especially fell pretty ill during the trip. These were probably the biggest waves we had sailed in yet in Fujin. Again, our 34 footer seemed very small today in these seas. But what could have easily been a 9-10 hour trip took a mere 7.5 hours.
Land Ho!
(that's not land... and stop calling me a Ho)
Today because of the visibility, we were totally out of sight of land for most of the day. When the north shore around Manchester came into view, we both felt a little better.
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| House Island near Manchester - Seas much calmer with Cape Ann providing some protection from the NE blow |
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| Entering Manchester Harbor - Always calm and inviting |
Manchester-by-the-Seas has a handful of restaurants and shops. We ended up at a new mexican place that offers some traditional style Mexican dishes (in addition to the more common American Tex-Mex burritos and enchiladas): La Casa De Luis. Very attentive staff and conscientious owner. The sign below is from outside Cala's (another recommended restaurant that we have visited on past trips).
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| Cala's (we've visited on prior trips) |
Friends Expected Tomorrow
We will site tight and relax here for another day/night as we come to the end of our sailing trip. Friday we look forward to meeting up with our good sailing friends, Yolande and Phill, when they sail up to Manchester from Boston. You can check out some of their adventures on Prairie Gold: haydongold.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Dennis to Provincetown
Sesuit Harbor to PTown Harbor
Not much to report here.
Advised to leave "not at low tide" by the harbormaster, we took off at about 0700. It was raining. It was absolutely dead calm. So we motored due north from Dennis to Provincetown.
But first, capt Linda took some artsy photos
It was very poor visibility out in the bay so we had the radar on. No one snuck up on us. Normally, one can see Pilgrim Monument from many miles away in the bay, but today it was completely invisible until about 3 miles out.
Mooring, Fuel, Ice, new mooring
Before we grabbed our mooring, we decided to top off the fuel. 8.5 gal: not bad. The launch driver directed us to a mooring very close in. Normally this is a good thing, but given the smell from all the lobster traps stored on the pier and all the junk floating in the water, we asked for one further out.
PTown Night Life
Not much to report here.
Advised to leave "not at low tide" by the harbormaster, we took off at about 0700. It was raining. It was absolutely dead calm. So we motored due north from Dennis to Provincetown.
But first, capt Linda took some artsy photos
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| The thick clouds, misty air, and calm water were quite pretty |
It was very poor visibility out in the bay so we had the radar on. No one snuck up on us. Normally, one can see Pilgrim Monument from many miles away in the bay, but today it was completely invisible until about 3 miles out.
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| Eastern edge of the front. We were hoping for skies to clear in PTown but they never did. Fog and clouds were settling in for a few days. |
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| Wood End Light in Provincetown |
Mooring, Fuel, Ice, new mooring
Before we grabbed our mooring, we decided to top off the fuel. 8.5 gal: not bad. The launch driver directed us to a mooring very close in. Normally this is a good thing, but given the smell from all the lobster traps stored on the pier and all the junk floating in the water, we asked for one further out.
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| The payment bucket. The the credit card goes up, the receipt comes down |
We really enjoy PTown! This trip we spent more time in art gallaries and Linda was so tempted to purchase an interesting piece or two. However, we are in downsizing mode so she resisted the temptation. There were also, of course, a wide selection of shows and entertainment offered.
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| Would not be PTown without extravagant performances (and just general extravagance) |
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| Street entertainer with roll around upright piano |
Longest sail of the trip: 56 miles from Cuttyhunk to Dennis
Departing Cuttyhunk
We decided to decline the breakfast invitation from our mooring neighbor Al and take off for the canal. We wanted to hit the canal in the early afternoon to catch the favorable current so we left about 0730. We ended up reaching the canal in just 3.5hrs.
Today was to be the longest and most extreme sailing day yet. There was a small craft advisory in Buzzards Bay and we had to traverse the entire length of it from Cuttyhunk to the canal. We were running downwind in over 20kts of wind the whole way. We tried several different sail configurations:First: Reefed main only.
Then: Reefed Genoa only.
Finally: Reefed Main and Reefed Genoa
We rarely fell below 7 knots. In fact, the average speed for the whole 56 nautical mile trip was about 7kts. Amazing.
High winds, big waves in Buzzards bay. Almost nervous
The wind was high and sustained with occasional very strong gusts. The real problem though was the waves. At one point, they were getting very tall and breaking. They were also following us on our quarter so the boat was really pitching a lot and it was hard to keep a good downwind run going. We had to jibe some zig-zags to stay slightly up into the wind to avoid an accidental Jibe. In this wind, it would have been bad.
Fast ride through the canal
As we approached the canal, once again the railroad bridge was down. Fortunately, it was coming back up and we didn't have to slow down for it at all. The current was nearly at peak when we approached the canal. When we turned into the wind (against the current) to drop the main sail, capt Bob enjoyed the feeling of moving backwards with the engine in forward. (That's one way to avoid prop walk). We then enjoyed a 8-9 knot ride through the canal.
Very high sustained winds in Cape Cod Bay after leaving the canal
Things seemed very calm inside the canal. After the morning we had in Buzzards, we were looking forward to a nice easy sail in Cape Cod Bay to Dennis. Wow - as soon as we left the canal, the wind was absolutely ripping. It was not gusty but it was very very strong and steady. Once again double reefed and flying at 8 knots. The good part is that on this side of the canal, there were no big waves. A few 2-3 footers here and there but that's it.
Dennis or Barnstable
These are both places we've never been. Capt Bob has always felt that these would not be great destinations for a deep draft sailboat. Linda didn't buy it. Comm officer Linda talked to friendly harbormasters at both places and asked about the depth. They both advised us not to come in or leave at low tide. It seemed that Dennis (Sesuit harbor) was a better bet.
Dinner
We had a long day. We were tired and hungry. Barnstable has many restaurant choices but Sesuit harbor only a couple. There is a cafe next to the marnina that has lots of fried stuff and burgers, etc with picnic table seating outside. There is also the Marshside Restaurant which is about a one mile walk. The cruising guide says it's also possible to take a dinghy ride there but I can imagine walking in there with pretty muddy shoes (and ankles and knees depending on the tide). We needed to stretch our legs so we hoofed it. The place was packed and they told us to expect a 45 minute wait. It turned out to more like 30 and our Gibson Martinis lasted the whole time. Great menu - some high end entrees but also burgers and fish-n-chips, etc.
Then: Reefed Genoa only.
Finally: Reefed Main and Reefed Genoa
We rarely fell below 7 knots. In fact, the average speed for the whole 56 nautical mile trip was about 7kts. Amazing.
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| Leaving Cuttyhunk Channel |
High winds, big waves in Buzzards bay. Almost nervous
The wind was high and sustained with occasional very strong gusts. The real problem though was the waves. At one point, they were getting very tall and breaking. They were also following us on our quarter so the boat was really pitching a lot and it was hard to keep a good downwind run going. We had to jibe some zig-zags to stay slightly up into the wind to avoid an accidental Jibe. In this wind, it would have been bad.
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| Lots of 7s and 8s on the knot meter today |
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| The dinghy got quite a ride today. Amazed it didn't wipe out and flip over |
Fast ride through the canal
As we approached the canal, once again the railroad bridge was down. Fortunately, it was coming back up and we didn't have to slow down for it at all. The current was nearly at peak when we approached the canal. When we turned into the wind (against the current) to drop the main sail, capt Bob enjoyed the feeling of moving backwards with the engine in forward. (That's one way to avoid prop walk). We then enjoyed a 8-9 knot ride through the canal.
Very high sustained winds in Cape Cod Bay after leaving the canal
Things seemed very calm inside the canal. After the morning we had in Buzzards, we were looking forward to a nice easy sail in Cape Cod Bay to Dennis. Wow - as soon as we left the canal, the wind was absolutely ripping. It was not gusty but it was very very strong and steady. Once again double reefed and flying at 8 knots. The good part is that on this side of the canal, there were no big waves. A few 2-3 footers here and there but that's it.
Dennis or Barnstable
These are both places we've never been. Capt Bob has always felt that these would not be great destinations for a deep draft sailboat. Linda didn't buy it. Comm officer Linda talked to friendly harbormasters at both places and asked about the depth. They both advised us not to come in or leave at low tide. It seemed that Dennis (Sesuit harbor) was a better bet.
Dinner
We had a long day. We were tired and hungry. Barnstable has many restaurant choices but Sesuit harbor only a couple. There is a cafe next to the marnina that has lots of fried stuff and burgers, etc with picnic table seating outside. There is also the Marshside Restaurant which is about a one mile walk. The cruising guide says it's also possible to take a dinghy ride there but I can imagine walking in there with pretty muddy shoes (and ankles and knees depending on the tide). We needed to stretch our legs so we hoofed it. The place was packed and they told us to expect a 45 minute wait. It turned out to more like 30 and our Gibson Martinis lasted the whole time. Great menu - some high end entrees but also burgers and fish-n-chips, etc.
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