November sailing

Those of us who've put our boats away for the winter can only look at this and dream about next year...

Winterization complete. She should be hauled to land next week

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At Marina Bay, last sail of the season

Bristol arrival

Bob and Phil's adventure to Bristol RI is complete. I will write short note here but provide a link to Bob's Fujin sailing blog for you to get more details. We set sail in Fujin at 12:20am Saturday morning and had a great sail down to the Cape Cod canal. We were on a beam reach for most of the way making an average of about 6 knots. Despite layer upon layer of clothing it got quite chilly. As we turned to head west through the canal and the Buzzards Bay we had great winds, but from the wrong direction. As a consequence we had to motor for about 11 hours until our arrival at Newport, except for a couple of attempts to sail. When we arrived at Newport we were met by friends who put us up for the night - and I thought I would be sleeping on a boat and getting cold again. On arrival beer and burgers were awaiting us. What a great welcome. Sunday morning, following a great breakfast (I leave the discussion of meals to Bob's blog), we sailed north to Bristol RI. Winds were predicted to be very low, but as our destination was in sight they picked up and we had a delightful sail at speeds up to 7 knots into the marina. Wee left Fujin there for the winter. Importantly, this is where Fujin was built, and there is a story there. Check out Bob's blog site for more details

Left boston at half past midnight. Entered cape cod canal at 8:30am

Overnight Trip this weekend

Friday night Phil will make an overnight trip from Boston to Newport, RI sailing with a friend to take their boat down to RI for the winter. There is projected to be a low in the mid 40s with good winds and seas of about 5 feet. Should be a fun trip. During this time Phil will take Spot tracker with him, although Prairie Gold will be back in Boston.

Looking back to Vancouver

Vancouver

Sunrise looking over Boston's North End

So does this make us hypocrites?

On Columbus day we sailed from Boston harbor out past Deer Island through Hypocrite Channel and past the Northeast Grave. Here we are looking back North East to Boston which can be seen on the horizon behind Green Island. Lots of spinnaker sailing today on points of sail from a run to close-hauled. When we returned we bbqed Bronzini on Prairie Gold and had our last dinner evening of the season.

We were in search of Columbus on this special Monday and we found one! Not certain if the name of the vessel is visible, but yes, it was Columbus. Online we checked into the history of this ship and found the following that we have copied from a review - "Launched in 1997 by Hapag-Lloyd, Germany's venerable cruise ship operator, the Columbus was designed to navigate the locks and canals that connect America's Great Lakes. At 15,000 gross tons the ship is small by today's standards, carrying 420 passengers when fully booked. Marketed primarily to German-speaking Europeans, Columbus nevertheless offers English-speaking travelers a unique experience: it's the only option for full cruise ship service through the waters shared by the United States and Canada."

Schooner Leaving Manchester

As we were preparing to drop our mooring this beautiful schooner departed. The sail back to Boston was great - 10-15kts apparent wind and we were sailing on a close reach most of the way. Temps in Boston were in the 80s. When we got to the Boston harbor winds dropped and we had a strong outgoing tide. Since the wind was from the north west tacking was challenging - the current slowed forward progress. When a cruise liner came nearby it was time to turn on the diesel engine and motor in for the final 2 nm. This was leg 73 of the year and Prairie Gold's odometer passed 5000nm.

Sunday fishing

We watched several people in the Manchester-by-the-sea harbor in kayaks fishing. They had foot paddles to propel their kayaks and were dragging coolers and using up to three rods. We even saw them catch fish. This harbor is very protected from the wind and there are almost no waves making this kayak strategy feasible.

What's wrong with this picture?

Taken from the port beam of Prairie Gold while moored at Manchester-by-the-Sea.

Note that boats are pointing in all directions - there is almost no current or wind in this harbor. The locals who are moored put out fenders to protect their boats....We understand why after watching the apparent random motion of boats on moorings.

Strong Winds on Thursday

The wind was blowing 30 knots Thursday

Here is Fujin, the boat we sailed on today

Cruise liner taking refuge from offshore storm

Today sailing with friends on their boat

Race night in Boston harbor

Wind was over for the day

I love this sail

Radar is on - we took the lead so Fujin could follow

Fog looming

what a beauty

Starting to head into the channel in Plymouth harbor

We sailed down to Plymouth to meet our friends Linda and Bob. Bob plays in a band Tsunami of Sound who were performing at the restaurant at Brewers marine. As we motorsailed back we had our opportunity for a photo shoot. Though Prairie Gold was a little shy, atfirst, as we neared Boston, winds came up to 5 kts and we were able to put up the spinnaker.

Stowaway!

Scituate - again

motorsailed down to Scituate yesterday from Salem. We just cranked the engine to get here by 5pm because the launch service only runs until 8pm this time of year. We ate at restaurant Oro again. It is really great and we intend to come down in the winter for a break from city life. Off to plymouth later this morning to hear a friends band play at the end of season marina party. End of season! Its still September. lots of sailing to do still.

Salem

We stayed at Pickering Wharf marina then went over to the Wylie confernce center for the Tufts Neuroscience Retreat.

Fog

As we were entering Salem Harbor we passed some beautiful fog scenes. Here the Smoke stacks come out of the fog.

Blog Stalking

as we were sailing back from Scituate brother Dave was checking on the blog and sending text messages to us. So we made a hello message for him!

Scituate For The Weekend

We sailed toScituate for the weekend. I think they must think we live there as this is the fifth time staying at that destination. we sailed over under light winds on Saturday and returned onder stronger winds Sunday. Legs 63 and 64 of the season complete

Leg 62

Last night we went out for what we thought was to be a relaxed sailing trip. As we departed we commented that at least we were on the water - an indication that the winds were low. As we got to Spectacle Island the winds came up as a frontal system passed through. We circled around Spectacle Island and as we were heading back in to Boston we had winds gusting to 30 knots. We went through the normal sequence of reefing the main, then lowering the traveller, then we had to reef the headsail too. When we have done this before it has been very difficult to sail close to the wind because of the poor sail shape that results. However, with the genoa car that we installed earlier in the season we were able to trim the sail much better than previously. Although the sail shape wasn't ideal we could at least tension appropriately for the full sail. Previously to do this we would have had to walk out on to a deck on the low side and move the block by hand while holding on to stay on the boat. We all commented that the genoa car makes control so good from the cockpit. During the sail Lande commented that she thought this was a 30/30 - 30 knots of wind with a 30 degree heal. Certainly it was a rail dipper at times.

Salem

Departing Salem

Impressionist Sailing

A picture taken taken using paper camera app which someone opined "Yolande was a dum dum".

Salad

Phil eating salad as we leave Boston harbor. At this time we thought we were going to Scituate. however, as we left the harbor the prevailing winds made is decide to go to Salem instead where we enjoyed Restaurant 62.

Sorry for not blogging

We took a vacation/work. Trip to Slovenia and have not blogged. ut today is a big day - leg 60 of the season. we will set off soon to scituate. We plan to celebrate tonight with proseco! Keep posted and we will upload sights during the day.

September and October are great sailing months. winds climb and hopefully we will use the motor less. it might be cooler temperatures but we will get out.

Had another wonderful solo sail on Sunday. After sleeping in due to the previous late night sail I headed out of the north channel and off on a different route. Rather then head around north of Graves lighthouse, I decided to head through a small channel - Hypocrite channel. I had not gone in this direction before because of the need for careful chart use. However, today it turned out that storms helped me make the decision. As I looked back to Boston (west) I couldn't see the skyline and could see lightening. It looked like the storm was moving in a north westerly direction. Consequently I decided to head south away from it. Snaking through the islands was the answer. Although there was a lot of threatening thunder I escaped the worst of the storm.

I circled around Outer Brewster Island and back into the Hull gap/entrance to the harbor. As I entered the narrows a race was on! I was following a Bavaria 37 (we are a catalina 350) so I thought we had al least a fighting chance. The race continued all of the way in to the coastgaurd station in Boston ~ 6 nm. We sailed through the lower middle channel and were neck and neck all of the way with victory being claimed close to the coastgaurd station. Winds were variable 10-20 kts which meant I had to keep on my toes. At the end of the race the crew of both boats waved to one another - I think I had a little smirk also.

Entering Hypocrite Channel. Thought I said never to go there!

Imposing skyline north. Can't see boston. Heading south. First solo storm!

Returning to boston at midnight
This was my first solo night sail and it was a blast. I left the marina at about 6pm and sailed on a single starboard tack out, and a port tack back. I exited through the north channel to the Graves lighthouse. Recently i have been taking the less conservative route of passing close to the lighthouse through a narrow channel to the west of the lighthouse. With this strategy i was able to get on a close reach and sail to Minots lighthouse. Dinner consisted of a saioimg staple - mashed potatoes, peas and canned tuna. My family know that this is an essential ingredient of life.

The moon didnt rise until about 11pm so there was a great view of the stars. i practiced radar alarms and the warch commander which sends an alarm if I dont press a button for a preset time. I even managed to catnap occaisionally, an essential behavior for solo sailors.

I turned around at Minots ligjthouse and sailed back past Hull, through the Narrows and back home. i arrived in the marina at 12:30 am and did one of my worst docking maneouvers. Glad it was the early morning so that nobody was watching.

In this trip I realised how much i like the isolation of heading out to sea. I dont have to be on my own, but getting away from lights and other boats is so relaxing. Once I turned around to head for Boston I wanted to be back because the process of getting through the channels is becoming a little tedious.

Next week off to Europe for business and a little R and R. Maybe over labor day weekend i will take a 2 day voyage. If others want to sail with me i willdo as they prefer because i enjoy taking people out. If not - well we will see where....

Time to clean up and prepare for today's voyage.

Here we go - first solo night sail.

Stainless Steel Cleaner

Before - I tested our new stainless steel cleaner. It is citric acid based. Instructions are simple - apply gel, leave 30 minutes and drink a beer, wash, drink another beer. Didnt know a beer could be so effective at cleaning. See the after picture.

After

USS Constitution viewed from condo window

Dinner time at sea

Egg rock, Nahant

Victory - prairie gold 1 - others 0

Rain rain go away - picture is of spectacle island on our way back to the harbor.
the forecast for the next fews days is rain, rain, rain, and maybe thunderstorms. Therefore we decided to head back to Boston to give us more options overmthe next couple of days. It was a great sail, but wet. Winds were 15-20kts gusting to 30kts. lots of reefing amd quick decisions to be made: exhilerting sailing. Drying off, but wanting to go out again later.

Arrived in scituate - wait, they think its Salem

We are off east. Destination TBD

Laura Dekker - 15 year old circumnavigating the globe

I had forgotten that Laura Dekker was sailing around the world solo. Laura set sail from the Netherlands at the age of 15 and is trying to be the youngest to singlehanded circumnavigate the globe. Her history can be read at wikipedia and involves the Dutch courts trying to block her voyage. She is one of many who tried this including Abby Sunderland from CA, USA and Jessica Watson from Australia. Abby did not complete the voyage: her boat Wild Eyes was hit by a rogue wave, turned upside own and dismasted. Her EPIRB rescue device saved her as its transmission was detected by a commercial aircraft and Australia launched a rescue mission. Jessica did complete her voyage and is the youngest to circumnavigate the globe solo.

There has been a lot of talk online about these voyages with many opposed feeling that it is too risky for a young person, others appalled by the costs for rescue - estimated to be $200,000 for Abby Sunderland. Certainly there is an age that is too young, but what is it? I would have been concerned about my own kids setting sail at a young age. However, I disagree with the arguments about the costs of rescue. Part of the human spirit is to adventure. Where would we be today if our predecessors had not had this spirit? Each developed-country has established rescue services, the US coastgaurd, for example, to help people in distress. Every time we sail we know they are there should we need them. One could argue that countless dollars are wasted on grown adults being rescued because they set sail without proper training, or were DUI. I wonder how many of our tax payers dollars are wasted on these people. I am certainly not opposed to them being there for the well trained and prepared young sailors who happen to be hit by the one in a million rogue wave.

One good aspect of Laura Dekkers trip is that she started early enough (of course this means at a younger age too) so that she can make the trip in two years. This allows her to stop in destinations and await good weather windows for the next leg. This is prudent sailing in contrast to others who have pushed through to allow the potential to make the record books and as a result have sailed into bad weather seasons.

But about the age? Age does not necessarily bring maturity or common sense. I will not go into details here, but I am sure we can all think of immature adults......How young is too young? If you had a son or daughter who truly was a pioneer would you hold them back especially if they were highly qualified? Where I get concerned is when it is the parents who are trying to live through their children and "push" them to do the voyage. I certainly remember being on the sidelines and listening and watching parents living their youth through their children's "voluntary" participation in sports. Hopefully parents aren't pushing their children to sea for the book contracts that will result on completion of the trip.

I don't have answers but I do respect the adventuring spirit and wish Laura well, and as a parent, can only imagine what her parents are going through. Each morning we wake to read the news. Each morning they wake to read about their daughters journey and at the same time hope not to hear that the EPIRB has been activated.

I find her and other journey's inspiring and hope that I can make the time to do it myself before I run out of days. Perhaps its time to set my date and begin planning.

If you have thoughts about Laura, or the topic please enter in the comment box. Also follow her journey. Whether you agree that she should be doing it, she is, so lets support her.

Great sailing over the weekend. Everyone else was busy so I took her out on my own a few times. Winds were up to 20kts off the beam and with a little sail trim she was well balanced and a pleasure to sail. Whilst cooking lunch I realised I would love a wifi camera that I can connect to from my ipad or blackberry. Would save a lot of trips up and down the stairs to the cockpit

Evening sail with the Spinnaker

We couldn't believe that we haven't sailed in the dark yet this season. Consequently, we headed out of the harbor after work, turned around and came back to Boston on a beam reach then broad reach using the spinnaker. This is our first use of the spinnaker at night. Boston lights are in the distance and the picture is taken near Spectacle island.

Leaving Blynman Canal, Gloucester

Yolande was holding tightly on to the boat with one hand and to her phone/camera with the other. Consequently, she did not realize that her fingers were partially covering the lens. Nonetheless, its well worth a look. The current was strong and the passage through the bridge narrow with about 7 feet of depth in the channel.

Memorial for Gloucester sailors lost at sea

We spent the weekend in the Gloucester area at a local marina - Essex Marine - that was a mile along the Blynman canal. Very helpful and courteous staff. Sunday morning we took a stroll through Gloucester and came across the fisherman memorial.