Homeward Bound – Finally Home!

We have been home for a few days, but time has just slipped away as we take care of things at home.

We left Port Washington very early on Saturday, August 2, around 5:30 am because we hoped to make it to Sachem Head in Guilford, CT, just past the Thimble Islands – a trip of 56 nautical miles. The weather prediction was not ideal, but it sounded do-able. We turned on the radar and discovered that it worked very well  – Yeah! The radar plus our AIS allowed us to keep a careful eye out for other ships and for buoys. The engine was still cranky, but Al is able to get her up and running. A new solenoid is on order.

Most of the day was into the current. There was no way to avoid it, unless we wanted to wait until much later when the current changed. The winds picked up (15-18, gusts to 20) and the seas were 3-5 feet.  Without autopilot, someone has to have hands on the wheel almost all the time. That gets tiring when it is hour after hour in bouncing waves and wind.

As we traveled, we crossed paths with several sailboats, sailing, and crew in foul weather gear. This was not really a day for pleasure sailing. After passing two boats, we decided it must be a race. A quick look online confirmed that — The 38^th annual Around Long Island Regatta. This race is a 190 nautical mile course, open to all sailboats 26 feet and larger, and designed for sailors at all levels,  It began at 6:00 pm on Thursday, July 31 at Rockaway Point, NY and would end on August 3 at the Glen Cove, NY breakwater.

It was a very long and tedious day, taking turns at the wheel to steer for 9 hours. We picked up an open mooring in Joshua Cove, off Sachem Head, and simply sat down to rest.

The next day, Sunday, August 3rd, was to be our last day of the trip home. As sailors, we know the importance of the current, even when we can’t take advantage of it. We began our final leg at 5:00 am so that we had it with us instead of against us for the remaining five hours. It can make a difference of 2 knots in our speed. That’s true for sailboats and it is the same for a trawler. Although it was still a gray and overcast day, the winds and seas had calmed considerably.

Our friends, Dan and Marcia (Cutting Class)  were waiting at the dock to welcome us home. We had the dock right next to them for the night. It was only 9:30 in the morning, but it was great fun to see everyone and visit. And show off the new boat, of course. 🙂

While my back was turned, the Captain began to tear apart the boat. Gee whiz, Al, we have only been back for 3 hours!!!! He is just so eager to get started on all of his improvement ideas.

The next morning we packed up the things that needed to go home with us. It was time to take the boat back out to the mooring. Al informed me that I would be at the helm for this. He has more confidence in me than I have in myself. I did it, and it was fun!. Maybe I am a powerboat babe at heart??? Nahhh, not really.

Total delivery time? 2+7+1 = 10 days. Two days to drive to the Chesapeake Bay and give the boat a “first” cleaning, seven days of traveling with no non-traveling days, and one day back at the yacht club to recuperate, and unload.

Here it is August 6th now, and we are back on the boat again. It is our 20th wedding anniversary – where else would we spend it??

Our dear friends Marcia and Dan joined us for dinner at The Dogwatch Cafe in Stonington. It was a perfect way to celebrate our 20 years together.

We are now ready to begin the process of transforming Unfunded Requirement into Kindred Spirit.