Down the Sound!

Sunday, September 13^th was our departure day. After a year of transforming the trawler and weeks of preparing for this day, we were ready to go, even if it was the 13^th. I don’t have any issues with the number 13. It happens to be my favorite number because all of the positive associations with 13 in my life. NO triskaidekaphobia here.

Our friends, Dan and Marcia on Cutting Class, departed about 30 minutes before we did.

We waited for a little more daylight (6:30 am) so that MJ and Dean could take photos again as we ventured out of SYC and passed Ledge Light. We assured them that our feelings would not be hurt if they didn’t make this event a “hat trick” given the early hour. Good friends don’t always listen  🙂  and there they were at the edge of the UCONN Avery Point campus.

The day was gray. Not fifty shades of gray, but just gray. We expected that and rain, but decided leaving would put us in a better position for traveling down the Jersey coast later.

We kept in touch by phone, text and VHF with Cutting Class who were having a nice sail down the Sound. Around 9:00 am we passed them. Yes, that is the advantage of a trawler. Even our slow trawler speed ends up being a little faster. The disadvantage? $$ and looks.

As you well know if you have been reading this blog for any length of time, Al can’t sit still, not even when we are underway. It’s a good thing I can take the helm so he can work on a “project.”  The WIRIE wifi booster (that cute little blue box mounted on the flybridge) needs to have it’s wire permanently run through the flybridge structure where it will not be seen. Al got out two of his “snaking devices” to run the wire.

Leaving early in the morning gave us the advantage of the current which really pushed us along for the morning (see how we still think like sailors??) with a speed of 8 – 9 knots. We had several optional routes ready, depending upon how the day progressed. Go as far as New Haven? Charles Island off Milford? Or Port Jefferson? As we approached Port Jefferson at. 1:15 pm, we made the decision to commit and continue to Port Washington, estimating that we could get there just before the sun set. At 2 pm, we cranked up our “iron sails” from 1500 rpm, then to 1600 and finally to 1750 rpm, figuring that we needed the extra umph to make it before dark. We maintained a 6-7 knot speed against the current, and with the rain.

We picked up a mooring at 6:30 pm. Ahhhh. After a 12-hour day we knew we would just spend the next day hanging out and taking a rest. It was a long first day, but all went well. The only thing missing was Cutting Class, they ended their day at Oyster Bay.

Port Washington, Manhasset Bay, NY    Sunny skies and wind greeted us on Day 2, just as we expected. Not only did we want a rest after the 12-hour day, but the winds made it a good day to stay put. Port Washington is a great harbor for cruisers – nice dinghy dock, easy access to a major grocery store (across the street from the dock) and restaurants. AND, they provide free moorings (the yellow ones) for 2 nights. There isn’t much more that a cruiser could want. It’s close to our homeport so we don’t usually need provisions (How much could we have eaten in only one day?) On our first trip south we never got off the boat when we stopped here. Our second visit here was during the trip north from the Chesapeake to Connecticut with the Mariner. We only went as far as the Stop and Shop and the HomeGoods store. This time we took a walk around the town.

Along the path Port Washington has the “Bay Walk Nautical Art Museum” which showcases outdoor art work.

My most favorite “nautical art” along this path was the bench created in collaboration with a landscape artist by local 5^th grade students. Every year the Sousa Elementary School’s 5^th grade class with their art teacher Stephen Moore and a guest artist, create a sculpture as part of their legacy. They created these medallions that were incorporated into decorative benches – individual artistic pieces from each of the 77 students.

The Manhasset Bay Marina is home to boats and house boats. These house boats bring a different meaning to “living aboard.” We dinghied in and around the docks for a closer look. Obviously they never move. Most of them are two stories and quite large. I think I like smaller quarters and the ability to move my boat to different places. But, to each his own. These houseboats are an interesting option for a home. Wish HGTV would do a series on boats. 🙂

We really enjoyed and needed this day of rest after the days of preparations and the long first day of travel. Tomorrow is NEW YORK CITY!