Overnight Sail

As a prelude to our bluewater adventure we sailed through the night of April 30th 2010 to practice the crew taking watches and to determine if there are issues we need to modify prior to the Bermuda departure. We departed Constitution Marina at 5:05pm, exited Boston harbor through the north channel and set a course of 90 degrees magnetic until 00:30am. We then turned around and sailed in on a course of about 270 degrees magnetic returning to the marina at 9:15am. We had fair winds on our way out, but periodically needed engine power on the way back. Some memorable moments were:

The moon rising (which Rochelle and Dustin saw on their watch)

We did not get a picture of the moon rise because the long exposure was impossible with the rocking of the boat on the water. It was so bright it looked like a fire burning on the horizon, and it wasn't until later that we recognized it as the moon. Dustin did get this great shot of it high in the sky later on around sunrise.

Sunset ...

Sunset, just after dinner organized and cooked by Dustin and Phil.

...and sunrise

Sunrise signaled the new day and making of coffee!

Watching a squall pass within a mile of Prairie Gold

We initially saw the squall on the radar (between 12:30-3:30am: Phil and Yolande’s watch) then could manage a direct view. Yolande was ready for action and slightly disappointed not to have to reef down.
Sailing back to Boston at about 6am with a perfectly flat, pond-like ocean and watching the slick, made by the boat, disappear into the distance.