Friday, July 29, 2011
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.
Monday, July 25, 2011
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.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Memorial for Gloucester sailors lost at sea
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Warm/Hot day in Boston
After writing for part of the day I decided to cool off with a brief sail. Here I provide another movie of docking. This gives a better perspective of the narrow space at the dock. The camera is mounted on the bow looking to the stern.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Quick Single Handed Sail
A warm day in Boston so I went our for an evening sail. Here is a video of the return. The camera is mounted on the stern rail, on the port side, looking behind the boat.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Boston To Salem
Saturday and Sunday July 16-17
We sailed over to Salem MA and moored at guest buoys attended by the Salem Water Taxi. The sail over was relaxed, seeing one humpback whale. When approaching Salem sailing go t a little more exciting as the density of boats increased - we could also hear frequent “bangs” associated with the Marblehead sailing racings. We had prebooked to eat at 62 Restaurant and Wine Bar. It was really a treat with delicious food. We highly recommend it as a place to go. We will return, and even willing to go over in the winter.
Our return sail was extremely fun as there was a small craft advisory. As we got close to Boston the winds accelerated and we sailed in 20-25kt winds. During the trip we took movies and will put together a single movie file on the blog.
In the evening (Sunday) we decided to go out again - couldnt get enough of the wind - and took a family friend for another sail.
We sailed over to Salem MA and moored at guest buoys attended by the Salem Water Taxi. The sail over was relaxed, seeing one humpback whale. When approaching Salem sailing go t a little more exciting as the density of boats increased - we could also hear frequent “bangs” associated with the Marblehead sailing racings. We had prebooked to eat at 62 Restaurant and Wine Bar. It was really a treat with delicious food. We highly recommend it as a place to go. We will return, and even willing to go over in the winter.
Our return sail was extremely fun as there was a small craft advisory. As we got close to Boston the winds accelerated and we sailed in 20-25kt winds. During the trip we took movies and will put together a single movie file on the blog.
In the evening (Sunday) we decided to go out again - couldnt get enough of the wind - and took a family friend for another sail.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Sailing downwind from Block Island to Buzzards Bay
We were sailing downwind (15-20 kts true at the time) wing on wing. Winds built to 25kts later. It was a glorious day. We ended up picking up a mooring in Mattapoisett, a beautiful harbor.
Single-handed asymetric spinnaker
On the way back from Buzzards Bay on Thursday July 7th I made this movie of raising Prairie Gold's spinnaker single-handed. It takes a while but with persistence works. Note that to reduce impact of wind on initial activities I sailed on a broad reach with the spinnaker blanketed by a full main sail. Thus when I hoisted the chute to expose the spinnaker it did not inflate. This was intentional. I came back to the helm and steered to a beam reach to inflate, then fell off to a broad reach while adjusting the spinnaker sheet. It was a great day of low wind sailing. I hope you enjoy.
Video transiting the cape cod canal bound for Manhattan
We promised this video a couple of weeks ago when sailing from Boston to New York
Back Home in Boston
Back Home
Yesterday was my longest singlehanded leg, 73.22 nm (but who is counting). In total the round trip was about 150 - 160 nm which isn't bad for my first major trip alone. As i left Mattapoisett you may have seen from a picture beneath that I was in fog. this continued until the Railroad bridge in the Cape Cod Canal. Fog was such that vessels were making radio calls alerting of their position, heading and speed.
Winds were low throughout the day reaching perhaps 7 knots maximum. So I thought I would use this to practice low wind sail trim. after a few hours i got bored, turned on the engine and headed for home. Part of the sail practice was putting up the spinnaker. I made a video and will post later. I have no idea how long the video will last. At one point i had 5 kts of true wind and was managing to get 4.5 kts speed over ground (no current). This was with the spinnaker up which really accelerates you. With our asymmetric spinnaker we can sail from a run to a close reach. This is very versatile and allows good sailing even under relatively light winds. However, when winds are at 3 kts or less our cruising boat struggles as she wasn't designed for this. However, it was good to know i could make headway even under these conditions.
Returning to Boston harbor in the middle of the summer in an evening always provides a picturesque view with the city as the backdrop to sailboats racing in the inner harbor. I counted 51 boats in the inner harbor alone.
It was good to get back to land and when i did I could feel the sway after being at sea for a few days.
Overall I estimate that I, together with crew, sailed Prairie Gold about 700 nm. Last year we closed out the season with 2000 nm. Hope we can achieve that this year too. we current have just over 1000 nm on the clock this season. Regardless of how far we have sailed it has already been a successful season with our enjoying the pleasures of family and friends on Prairie Gold. Now its time to clean and repair small items.
Yesterday was my longest singlehanded leg, 73.22 nm (but who is counting). In total the round trip was about 150 - 160 nm which isn't bad for my first major trip alone. As i left Mattapoisett you may have seen from a picture beneath that I was in fog. this continued until the Railroad bridge in the Cape Cod Canal. Fog was such that vessels were making radio calls alerting of their position, heading and speed.
Winds were low throughout the day reaching perhaps 7 knots maximum. So I thought I would use this to practice low wind sail trim. after a few hours i got bored, turned on the engine and headed for home. Part of the sail practice was putting up the spinnaker. I made a video and will post later. I have no idea how long the video will last. At one point i had 5 kts of true wind and was managing to get 4.5 kts speed over ground (no current). This was with the spinnaker up which really accelerates you. With our asymmetric spinnaker we can sail from a run to a close reach. This is very versatile and allows good sailing even under relatively light winds. However, when winds are at 3 kts or less our cruising boat struggles as she wasn't designed for this. However, it was good to know i could make headway even under these conditions.
Returning to Boston harbor in the middle of the summer in an evening always provides a picturesque view with the city as the backdrop to sailboats racing in the inner harbor. I counted 51 boats in the inner harbor alone.
It was good to get back to land and when i did I could feel the sway after being at sea for a few days.
Overall I estimate that I, together with crew, sailed Prairie Gold about 700 nm. Last year we closed out the season with 2000 nm. Hope we can achieve that this year too. we current have just over 1000 nm on the clock this season. Regardless of how far we have sailed it has already been a successful season with our enjoying the pleasures of family and friends on Prairie Gold. Now its time to clean and repair small items.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Fog winds and waves
Yesterday, Wednesday was an exiting day with many challenges. Leaving scituate was relaxed and I tried sailing despite low winds. When i was doing less than 1kt i turned the engine on. However, winds picked up to about 15kt true and allowed me to sail close hauled to the south for 2 hrs.during this time they turned further to the east allowing me to move in closer on the cape cod canal. It was necessary to reef both sails and with a little effort I managed to get good trim and no weather helm.
Since the fuel gauge stopped working last week i am working on estimated fuel usage so decided to stop in the sandwich marina to fill up with fuel. Surprisingly only 17 gallons was needed (40 gallon tank) so we must have been using good fuel conservation. As i headed back to the canal and turned west the wind picked up to 25 kts. definitely an omen of things to come.
Part way through the canal fog appeared. The weather on the east and west sides of the cape can be so different. As we exited the canal the wind against current caused the very predictable steep waves that were 6-8 feet in height. The difficulty was that they were so steep and with no visibility. I knew in front of me was a slow moving commercial vessel and had been purposely trying to slow Prairie Gold so as to put distance between us in case i needed to accelerate through waves. This was definitely good planning.
With visibility at about 100feet it was difficult to see the red and green buoys marking either side if the channel. The wave power was awesome. Initially I went head on into waves at about 4 kts because this meant we got less air! However, the speed was to little to get control. Normally i run the engine at 2.5k rpm. I pushed her to 3.5k rpm. I felt like we were flying but we had good control. We would come off waves with a crash then bury the nose and anchor locker into the next wave. Water would come along the deck and into the windows of the dodger and at ties crash over the bimini. It was most exhilarating. Lots of drying up to do in the evening.
I had intended to sail down to the tip of buzzards bay but the fog was so dense i decided to go to a port i had been during our Manhattan trip. I turned for mattapoisett harbor and moored on buoy 5, the same buoy we used on our way down to NYC. It took three attempts to pick up the mooring single handed. The first was sheer stupidity on my part, the second i didn't estimate the impact of 18kts of wind, on the third i made it.
The evening was foggy and fog lasted until 10am the next day.
You may ask why i am doing this single handed sailing. It is a different challenge and i am considering entering the newport 160 race next year. Completion of this race is required for entry into the Bermuda 1, 2 race. If you are interested in the bermuda 1, 2 let me know. Just had breakfast on the east side of the canal, will post about todays experiences tomorrow. Pictures will go up today. Time to put some sails up.
Since the fuel gauge stopped working last week i am working on estimated fuel usage so decided to stop in the sandwich marina to fill up with fuel. Surprisingly only 17 gallons was needed (40 gallon tank) so we must have been using good fuel conservation. As i headed back to the canal and turned west the wind picked up to 25 kts. definitely an omen of things to come.
Part way through the canal fog appeared. The weather on the east and west sides of the cape can be so different. As we exited the canal the wind against current caused the very predictable steep waves that were 6-8 feet in height. The difficulty was that they were so steep and with no visibility. I knew in front of me was a slow moving commercial vessel and had been purposely trying to slow Prairie Gold so as to put distance between us in case i needed to accelerate through waves. This was definitely good planning.
With visibility at about 100feet it was difficult to see the red and green buoys marking either side if the channel. The wave power was awesome. Initially I went head on into waves at about 4 kts because this meant we got less air! However, the speed was to little to get control. Normally i run the engine at 2.5k rpm. I pushed her to 3.5k rpm. I felt like we were flying but we had good control. We would come off waves with a crash then bury the nose and anchor locker into the next wave. Water would come along the deck and into the windows of the dodger and at ties crash over the bimini. It was most exhilarating. Lots of drying up to do in the evening.
I had intended to sail down to the tip of buzzards bay but the fog was so dense i decided to go to a port i had been during our Manhattan trip. I turned for mattapoisett harbor and moored on buoy 5, the same buoy we used on our way down to NYC. It took three attempts to pick up the mooring single handed. The first was sheer stupidity on my part, the second i didn't estimate the impact of 18kts of wind, on the third i made it.
The evening was foggy and fog lasted until 10am the next day.
You may ask why i am doing this single handed sailing. It is a different challenge and i am considering entering the newport 160 race next year. Completion of this race is required for entry into the Bermuda 1, 2 race. If you are interested in the bermuda 1, 2 let me know. Just had breakfast on the east side of the canal, will post about todays experiences tomorrow. Pictures will go up today. Time to put some sails up.
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Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Off again
For the last week of my vacation i am single handed sailing. I left boston at 8:30am tuesday July 5th and am heading south. There is almost no wind so am heading either to scituate or plymouth. I would like to get to Buzzards bay and back, but dont want to push it. Alternatively i will head over to P town tomorrow, then off whale watching. We will see what the winds offer. Can see minots ledge lighthouse at moment.
Independence day
Independence day
Took the day on prairie gold around Boston. Four of us motored out of the marina prior to the USS Constitution disembarking. Winds were low so we motored out to the edge of the harbor. We motored in to a location that we had not previously been that was north of Brewster islands and east of Lovell Island. we anchored in 20 ft of water and relaxed for 2 hrs while eating bbq chicken and a delicious beetroot, walnut and lettuce salad. One of us went for a swim - v brief.
We then headed out to the east and it was perfect spinnaker weather. Since we weren't in Boston anymore we flew her. Well we are allies and we do pay our taxes.
We headed back into Boston with close reach sailing from castle island to the coastgaurd station. All four crew were on - we needed to constantly trim sails for the gusting winds -12to 20kts. It was exhilarating. We docked, ate dinner and watched the north end fireworks.
Took the day on prairie gold around Boston. Four of us motored out of the marina prior to the USS Constitution disembarking. Winds were low so we motored out to the edge of the harbor. We motored in to a location that we had not previously been that was north of Brewster islands and east of Lovell Island. we anchored in 20 ft of water and relaxed for 2 hrs while eating bbq chicken and a delicious beetroot, walnut and lettuce salad. One of us went for a swim - v brief.
We then headed out to the east and it was perfect spinnaker weather. Since we weren't in Boston anymore we flew her. Well we are allies and we do pay our taxes.
We headed back into Boston with close reach sailing from castle island to the coastgaurd station. All four crew were on - we needed to constantly trim sails for the gusting winds -12to 20kts. It was exhilarating. We docked, ate dinner and watched the north end fireworks.
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Sunday, July 3, 2011
Back Home
Home
We sailed all points of sail to get back to Boston. Initially we sailed close hauled towards Minots Ledge. As predicted the winds started to move from the north to the east. By the time we were past Minots ledge and we were on a beam to broad reach. Winds were insufficient to support the three knot rule that you have heard of before. Consequently we got the spinnaker out. For days Phil has threatened to use the sail singlehanded and with Yolande and Bob on board he was able to try this with a crew in reserve in case of disaster. It worked - he as able to fly it without assistance. Actually we thought this would be the caee. The bigger issue was whether he could douse it and pack it back into the bag alone. Again success was achieved. A remark was made "bet you feel smug now don't you". Certainly do.
Boston harbor was more than its usual crazy. Half of the channel was shutdown due to a race. We were wing-on-wing and then finally on a starboard tack and determined to sail as far as possible. Now there are rules of the road just like with car driving. However, there are so many rental boaters that they are not necessarily aware of them. This we often had to make avoidance maneuvers despite being the stand on vessel. Nonetheless, we made it home, reversed Prairie Gold into her slip and went back to the condo for the first night of sleep on land in 2weeks. I for one slept like a log.
Today is boat cleaning ready for the fourth of july and next weeks single handed sailing. Spinnaker is away in her sealed bag for a couple of days.
We sailed all points of sail to get back to Boston. Initially we sailed close hauled towards Minots Ledge. As predicted the winds started to move from the north to the east. By the time we were past Minots ledge and we were on a beam to broad reach. Winds were insufficient to support the three knot rule that you have heard of before. Consequently we got the spinnaker out. For days Phil has threatened to use the sail singlehanded and with Yolande and Bob on board he was able to try this with a crew in reserve in case of disaster. It worked - he as able to fly it without assistance. Actually we thought this would be the caee. The bigger issue was whether he could douse it and pack it back into the bag alone. Again success was achieved. A remark was made "bet you feel smug now don't you". Certainly do.
Boston harbor was more than its usual crazy. Half of the channel was shutdown due to a race. We were wing-on-wing and then finally on a starboard tack and determined to sail as far as possible. Now there are rules of the road just like with car driving. However, there are so many rental boaters that they are not necessarily aware of them. This we often had to make avoidance maneuvers despite being the stand on vessel. Nonetheless, we made it home, reversed Prairie Gold into her slip and went back to the condo for the first night of sleep on land in 2weeks. I for one slept like a log.
Today is boat cleaning ready for the fourth of july and next weeks single handed sailing. Spinnaker is away in her sealed bag for a couple of days.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Scituate
We left Mattapoisett harbor before 7am and were able to sail all of the way to the Caped Cod Canal. Through the canal we go up to 10.2 kts speed over ground. Later during the transit one of the local law enforcement officers was heard over channel 13 telling a powerboater that the canal is a no wake zone with a 10mph speed limit and that the canal was busy and they should get in single file. We were at the head of the column with numerous powerboats and sailboats behind us. You can tell it is a holiday weekend as there are so many inexperienced boaters out
Heading North to scituate we motored most of the way. Because of the different point of sail we were making under 3 kts. On Prairie Gold we have a 3 knot rule - turn on the engine of speed is beneath 3 knots.
We arrived at scituate at about 4pm, got a mooring and were helped by the launch - EZ Rider. The skipper was a great help and very friendly. As we sat and waited for Yolande to join us we watched two boats pick up a mooring under sail power. We have done this on prairie Gold when we engine problems - thats a story for another time and I am sure a few of you will remember that evening by George's island. The first boat effortlessly moored. then the second came in under sail power and was single handed. I nearly got up and cheered for him. It was an awesome sight.
In the evening we went to Riva again and had our waitress, Kristen, who is shown in an earlier blog entry. Scituate is a delightful town and the marina and harbor are beautiful and the staff friendly and helpful.
Today we return to Boston. ITs been a great trip, though I do look forward to a day or so on land and to the fourth of July celebrations in the harbor.
Heading North to scituate we motored most of the way. Because of the different point of sail we were making under 3 kts. On Prairie Gold we have a 3 knot rule - turn on the engine of speed is beneath 3 knots.
We arrived at scituate at about 4pm, got a mooring and were helped by the launch - EZ Rider. The skipper was a great help and very friendly. As we sat and waited for Yolande to join us we watched two boats pick up a mooring under sail power. We have done this on prairie Gold when we engine problems - thats a story for another time and I am sure a few of you will remember that evening by George's island. The first boat effortlessly moored. then the second came in under sail power and was single handed. I nearly got up and cheered for him. It was an awesome sight.
In the evening we went to Riva again and had our waitress, Kristen, who is shown in an earlier blog entry. Scituate is a delightful town and the marina and harbor are beautiful and the staff friendly and helpful.
Today we return to Boston. ITs been a great trip, though I do look forward to a day or so on land and to the fourth of July celebrations in the harbor.
Friday, July 1, 2011
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great white
Just heard a radio report of a great white cruising around. This was followed by reports from fishermen of the explanation why they arent catching anything. Excuses. Reports also coming in of whales!
25 knots of wind
Thursday we decided to use tail winds to our favor and sailed almost all of the way from Block Island to Mattapoisett harbor on a run with the sails wing-on-wing. We rigged a preventer to the mainsail to stop a boom swing if we accidentally gybed. We were glad we did this as the seas got to be about 6 foot swells which caused an occasional problem.
As we left Block Island we initially headed into the wind, then fell off to a close haul under sail and gradually changed sail position as we turned to a run as we rounded the northern tip of Block Island. When we started sailing a wave came into the cockpit (well a splash) and hit Bob in the face. He smiled, and I knew he was hooked.
There were several interesting VHF announcements - a 20ft tree in the channel at Block Island, a person in the water and most interesting was a runaway 16ft Boston Whaler doing circles with nobody on board.
After about 60 miles of sailing we arrived at Mattapoisett harbor where we picked up a mooring for the night, bbq mackerel and relaxed and slept well.
We write this early as we have to make it through the Cape Cod Canal by 10:40am before the current turns against us. Not certain where we will stop tonight. There is a holiday this weekend and its unlikely we will get a slip or mooring. Maybe we will anchor somewhere or head back to homeport. We will see what the day brings us.
As we left Block Island we initially headed into the wind, then fell off to a close haul under sail and gradually changed sail position as we turned to a run as we rounded the northern tip of Block Island. When we started sailing a wave came into the cockpit (well a splash) and hit Bob in the face. He smiled, and I knew he was hooked.
There were several interesting VHF announcements - a 20ft tree in the channel at Block Island, a person in the water and most interesting was a runaway 16ft Boston Whaler doing circles with nobody on board.
After about 60 miles of sailing we arrived at Mattapoisett harbor where we picked up a mooring for the night, bbq mackerel and relaxed and slept well.
We write this early as we have to make it through the Cape Cod Canal by 10:40am before the current turns against us. Not certain where we will stop tonight. There is a holiday this weekend and its unlikely we will get a slip or mooring. Maybe we will anchor somewhere or head back to homeport. We will see what the day brings us.
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