Day 11 & 12: Back to Massachusetts

From our awesome anchorage at First Beach in the Sakonnet, we decided to go for a long-ish sail all the way to Falmouth, MA.  We wanted to be in Vineyard Sound for late morning to ride the favorable current (or more to avoid the unfavorable one), so we weighed the anchor at 05:00 and motored out of the Sakonnet... and motored and motored and motored more.  There was very little wind and none really forecast until much later.

Sakonnet River at 5 AM

Leaving Sakonnet Point light astern as we head across Buzzards Bay

Buzzards Bay sunrise

 
A Pearson 34 sloop makes a terrible motor yacht and after enough hours of listening to the Diesel, we really wanted to find a place to go to wait out the calm. Linda found Tarpaulin Cove on Naushom Island.  Naushom is one of the Elizabeth islands - a string of remote mostly wilderness islands between Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound.  The most popular sailing destination in the Elizabeths is Cuttyhunk Island.  We motored past that as we headed east in Vineyard Sound.

Buzzards Bay Shirtless

Buzzards Bay Light (this was the subject of many coast guard chartplotting questions on the Captain's test)

A house on the bluffs of Cuttyhunk.  Quite a view of Martha's Vineyard from up there I bet

So what is at Tarpaulin Cove?  Nothing - and that's the whole idea.  It's a beautiful sheltered anchorage off of a beautiful beach (that only us few boaters can get to).

Only a couple neighbors when we first put our anchor down in Tarpaulin

Chin-chin beached as the away team explores the sand and goes for a swim

The lighthouse at the entrance of the cove

View over the anchorage from the lighthouse.  Quite a few more neighbors now

Should we stay or should we go?
Tarpaulin was beautiful and would have made a lovely place for an overnight anchorage. After his swim, capt Bob became quite unconscious.

zzzzzzzzz

As the afternoon wore on, we started looking out into the sound and seeing boats actually sailing. Then we looked at the forecast for the next day and saw absolutely dead wind again for the morning. So rather than miss all this nice sailing and then go motoring again the next morning, we decided to head for Falmouth.  With a very poor cellular connection, Linda finally managed to reserve a slip at the town marina.  We enjoyed a nice fast downwind sail to Falmouth.  It was a bit bouncy in the sound so we had trouble going straight downwind but we made it there in a few zigs and zags.

Falmouth
Falmouth, MA is a very cool cape cod town. Lots of shops and great restaurants. This is also the first place we've been where there were bike rentals. Not only rentals, but a great rail-trail to Woods Hole.  After a hearty breakfast at Betsy's Diner, we headed for the bike shop.  $17 for a half day - a half day meaning 12 hours!  Not bad.

VIP treatment at Falmouth Town Marina.  Yachtsman?  Me?

Any kind of bread you want in this shop.  We were not patient enough for the line though.

work work work work work work work

The five or six mile ride to Woods hole on the bike path is really beautiful. You pass wooded areas and beaches along the way.  We've only ever seen woods hole from the water side and when you're passing through the waters of Woods Hole, you really can't sight-see.  There are very powerful currents in the hole and the wise skipper times the passage for slack current.  It's still nerve wracking to go through there for the first or second time.

From the Land, Woods Hole is a very cool place. It is dominated by marine research and marine in general.

Linda posing by the water at Woods Hole

NOAA - Thanks for all the great charts!

Posing with her wheels by the inner harbor

Safety First
Just after we returned from the grocery store and West Marine (across the street!), we got a visit from a representative of the Power Squadron asking us if we would like a free safety inspection. The pay-off if we pass is that we get a sticker for the boat which should reduce the odds of the Coast Guard stopping us and boarding us when we're out with passengers (or customers).

He asked a bunch of questions, asked to see our navigation lights work, etc. The only problem we had was that our flairs were expired in 2011. Code says we need three red flairs that are in date. He said if I ran back to West Marine and got new flairs, that we would pass. He even had a 10% off coupon for them which he gave me! So I did, and so we passed

Day 10: Let's Go Sailing After Work Today

WFB - Working From Boat
Today was a WFB day for both Linda and Bob. We both promised our respective bosses that we would work a couple days during this trip. Linda was busy getting cutting edge drugs for horrible diseases to market to help thousands of people around the world live better, healthier lives. Bob was busy helping corporate travel agents make airports and airplanes even more crowded and miserable. Mission accomplished. Bob was overheard cussing a lot. He assured Capt Linda that this was a normal day at work.

We thought Newport/Jamestown would be a good place to get a slip and sit down to work. The reality is that 1: Jamestown is cool and you would rather not be trapped inside a boat on a dock all day, and 2: our 4G wifi hotspot did not really work so great there. In hindsight, we should have done our work while sitting anchored off Third Beach in the Sakonnet River because 1: there is nothing else to do (except an occasional dive off the boat), and 2: the reception and connectivity out here is fantastic! Have not lost the connection once.

Good WiFi and Amadeus servers up and running (kind of)

Visit From Our Friendly Neighborhood Boat Broker
About five years ago Linda made a phone call to inquire about a used Hunter that was for sale in Bristol RI. We had been boat shopping and were not really focused in on what type of boat and only had a modest price point in mind. An immensely helpful and friendly broker talked to Linda about several boats and that weekend Bob and Linda took a drive to Bristol RI where we met Matt LeDuc. Matt showed us a couple of Hunters, then mentioned that there was another boat (a bit over our targeted price) known then as Langosta. It was love at first sight for Linda; Bob was more practical. Matt was fantastic all throughout the complicated survey, purchase, and upgrades of our first sailboat. We appreciated the tremendous work Matt did for us several years ago for a very modest commision so now Fujin is listed for sale with Matt of Fleet Yacht Sales http://www.fleetyachtsales.com/ Matt visited us today in Jamestown to talk about some seller-related logistics and information. I forgot to take a picture of Matt for the blog, however, Matt requested that I send him a photo of our open transom, which is unique for our period boat, to add to the existing listing on Yachtworld.
1997 Pearson 34 for Sale

Modest Fujin Among High End Yachts in Jamestown
Although Jamestown is much lower key than Newport across the harbor, it is common to see mostly high end motor and sailing yachts.

Friendship Day Sailer (reportedly north of one million dollars for this modest vessel; as much of a piece of art as a sail boat)

Oyster 65 footer visiting from London

Swan 56 visiting from Australia

Pearson 34 visiting from Boston. (Which of the above does not quite belong??)

Terrific Evening Sail to Our Overnight Anchorage

We logged off our respective networks and readied to depart by about 4:00 to enjoy a SW 15 kt wind out of Newport Harbor sailing just a short hop westward past First Beach, past Second Beach, back to Third Beach were we first visited last week when we started our loop of Aquidneck Island at Sakonnet Habor. (See Day 6 post.) This anchorage at third beach is really nice. Matt the broker says this is his favorite spot and we can see why. He also told us not to tell anyone about it. I think someone already did. Tonight, there are probably 8 boats on moorings and another 4 or 5 anchored like we are. Rule compliance note: one boat at anchor does NOT have his anchor light on and one boat on a mooring DOES have his anchor light on.

Wedding reception Newport style

The sail boat below could be seen quite a distance away. It's black sails are very striking, unusual, and intimidating. This will surely be a head turner even in Newport.

Thoroughly impressive and intimidating racing yacht heading in to Newport Harbor. ~70 feet. Grim reaper at the helm??

Large crew all in black to match the black hull and black sails.

Look Dan - We are anchored tonight!
Our friendly slip neighbor at Constitution Marina in Boston teased us a little via e mail noticing that our blog entries always showed us at moorings or slips. Ok, Dan, tonight is for you!

Time to be real sailors and anchor for the night.

Nice dinner at anchor this evening. Steak au jus, asparagus, mushrooms and tomatoes.

A vibrant pink sky through the clouded horizon.

Tuesday will start early with a planned 0500 departure for a long leg to Falmouth!

Day 9: Another Short Leg

Shameful Entrance to a Sailing Mecca of the North East

Lack of wind caused us to motor from Wickford to Jamestown.  Newport / Jamestown are havens for hard core sailors and we were quite embarrassed to enter these hailed waters with our sails under wraps.

Newport Bridge ahead

Newport Bridge above and behind

In addition to a shameful arrival under motor, Linda did not ready the boat fast enough for a stern first entry in to our slip.  She scurried clumsily and unsuccessfully to move the dinghy from the port side stern cleat to the bow but was not fast enough.  The helpful dock hands eased the embarrassment by claiming they had seen worse docking even that same day.  Not sure.

Fujin at her slip at Conanicut Marina, Jamestown

Today was one of Bob's scheduled WFB (Work From Boat) days.  However, due to some sort of server issues at his company, he was unable to do whatever it is he does (Bob will explain better when he edits this post).  So a partial work day at best was accomplished.  Both Bob and Linda will attempt a WFB day tomorrow.

WFB

Linda was happy to connect with her BFF, Ree (while Bob continued to try to connect).

Linda's best friend since college (or younger sister, as often assumed by strangers)

The three of us really enjoyed the Narragansett Tavern in downtown Jamestown.  Fun blues band played while couple swing danced.  We also enjoyed fitting in to the age bracket at this establishment (actually were on the younger side) - this does not happen much in bars these days.

A girl on each arm.  Narragansett Tavern in Jamestown

Ree and Bob.  Narragansett Tavern in Jamestown

Captains Blog Chapter Content

Day 8: New Love - Narragansett Bay

You Can Tune My Rig Any Day
Our new friend, Dave, from Brewer Sakonnet showed up this morning as promised to tune the rig.

Dave Rodriguez, General Manager Brewers Sakonnet, adjusts the intermediate shrouds and backstay

After spending the better part of an hour with us, he refused payment. We offered him $40 in exchange for a Brewers T shirt and he agreed - then gave us three T shirts!

Before leaving, we stumbled upon this nearby Open House and checked it out. A basic home with prime waterfront on the Sakonnet River, dock and mooring. Tempting.

Linda confidently took the helm to ease Fujin out of the tight quarters at low tide. Yikes. We'll post a bit of video of this later. All went smoothly and we headed north just a few miles to Kickemuit River.

Kickemuit River
Not to be discouraged by tiny channels, we ventured to a quiet anchorage that required careful following of the buoys and treated ourselves to turkey dogs for lunch.

South Around Prudence Island
We decided to head for Wickford RI and visit another Brewers Marina to use our second free dock space :-). Winds were at times too light to sail but mostly we had a nice, soft breeze out of the south under clear blue skies and comfortable temperatures. Linda let Bob take the helm for this leg while she did, well, just about nothing but relax and make a weak gin and tonic.

Passing under Mount Hope Bridge

Spotted several other Pearsons (RI is Pearson country)

Vegetation growing on a neglected pier on the south side of Prudence Island

Our past trips south and north through Narragansett Bay were all functional: April 2010 the maiden voyage to transport our new sailboat to Boston. Very cold and we were mostly nervous sailing this new vessel for the first time through windy Buzzards Bay. Then back and forth a few more times for winter storage in Bristol and back to Boston - always very late or very early in the season (aka cold) and just trying to get to the destination as quickly as possible. But today we took our time and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and calm waters. We could really enjoy being here more.

Linda lounging on the bow gazing upward

Wickford, RI

Enjoying another complimentary slip space courtesy Brewers (and all the money we gave the Brewer Marina in Salem this past winter)

After tying up we took a stroll in to Wickford Center and poked in to several art galleries and shops. We enjoyed a relaxing outside dinner at Tavern by the Sea and a walk to the Town Beach before settling in for the night.

Another spectacular sunset. These are getting monotonous. jk

Day 7: Up the Sakonnet to Tiverton

The morning started with a leisurely few mile easy motor westward to Third Beach where we dropped a hook and took the dinghy to the beautiful beach as low tide approached.  The water was clear and comfortable so we enjoyed walking around and talking with a couple who started cruising full time on their Catamaran from NC two years ago.

Beautiful Third Beach

The sun was shining (as it has been most of the week) and the air was a bit warmer than past days so we went swimming off the boat - water temperature was perfect.  By midday the SW breeze picked up and the tide started coming in - perfect conditions for sailing wing-n-wing northward up the Sakonnet [River].  Oh yeah - we successfully sailed off anchor; very cool for us.

Wing-n-wing most of the way up Sakonnet River

Sailing up the Sakonnet reminds Bob of the Finger Lakes in NY.  While enjoying a 5 kt upwind sail, Linda realized that today, nearly a week in to this vacation, her mind was not cluttered so much thinking about work and kids.  And she was very thankful that two additional weeks still lay ahead.

View off starboard near Little Compton

Tiverton

Tiverton

Fujin and Chin-Chin in the slip at Brewers Sakonnet

Brewers Sakonnet Marina has been great.  Linda spoke with Dave early in the morning to inquire about space and if someone could check out the tuning of our rig.  Dave said to come on up.  When we got here, we were mildly intimidated by the extremely narrow quarters but also impressed by the inviting setting - it was more like entering a scenic pond instead of a marina.  Once here, we learned that our slip would be no charge (since we already paid a lot of money to another Brewer's for winter storage etc.).  Dave gave our rig a quick exam and promised to make some needed adjustments in the morning.  He also showed us around, introduced us to the "pool nazi" and we chatted about various types of sailboats.  (Dave recommends that we consider a Passport.)  Turns out Dave used to be in R&D at Cape Dory Yachts back in their glory days.

Lounging by the pool at Brewers Sakonnet Marina

We took a dinghy ride across to the east side of the Sakonnet and had a lovely "Scutra quality" dinner at the Boat House.  (We were almost under dressed.)

As Linda finishes this blog entry, she is enjoying listening to Bob practice guitar.  Life is good.