Sunday winds were close to zero kts so we took the opportunity to take down the sails. The most difficult part is folding the sails on deck. We read a tip about using Irwin Quick Grip Handi-Clamps (available from Home Depot) to help hold the folded luff of the sails. It worked like a charm as can be seen beneath. By-the-way, it is said that timing is everything. One hour after taking down the sails for winter it started raining. Fortunately our sails are dry and made it to storage before the rainfall.
Now we just have to motor over to Quincy to Prairie Golds winter home - planned for next weekend. Fingers crossed for another weather window.
Today was a sad day. 2010 sailing is over and the winterization began. Before we take Prairie Gold out of the water for 2010 it is necessary to remove all water to prevent frozen pipes. Today we emptied all water tanks, then used antifreeze and pumped through the water system. Last year we added a bypass to the hot water tank. It is worth its weight in gold and simplified the process dramatically. In addition to the fresh and cold water system, we also used antifreeze throughout the toilet system (note the pink color to the toilet bowl,
as well as the bilge. The fridge is defrosting and its effluent path will have antifreeze added tomorrow. In addition to finishing the fridge tomorrow we will remove the sails - so long as they are dry. Then we will be ready to take Prairie Gold to Marina Bay marina in Quincy where she will be hauled out until May. Once in Marina Bay we will then change the engine oil and filter, and add antifreeze to the engine raw water cooling system.
You may remember from an earlier post that the spinnaker halyard needed to be retrieved from the top of the mast. Thanks to Rochelle and Dustin we now have it again. After a long work day we ventured to Prairie Gold and hoisted Rochelle up the mast. Now that we have the spinnaker halyard we are one step closer to getting Prairie Gold ready for the winter. This weekend we will be starting the winterization steps and will take her over to Quincy to Marina Bay (her winter home) either Sunday, or during the following week.
Over the weekend four Tufts couples sailed in three boats to Provincetown to a sailing rally. Winds were light on Saturday, with the need for a lot of diesel assistance. For a couple of hours Prairie Gold flew the spinnaker. However, as we were putting her back in the bag and immobilizing the halyard, Phil did not check the snap shackle. As the halyard was tightened, it went high up the mast. Guess we will leave it there for a week or so and fix it when we take the sails down for the end of the season.
We met in Provincetown marina, and went for dinner. One problem we had not anticipated the dearth of dingies: between eight us we had one dingy with oars to take us from the moorings to dock. So we decided to use Prairie Gold as a ferry. This went well as we went to land. However, after dinner it was extremely dark and we had to navigate the mooring field in the dark to return everyone to their boat. It wasnt until the next morning that we realised how many mooring buoys there were.
Sailing back to Boston on Sunday was in record time. We were on a beam reach with 15-20kts of wind, averaging 7-7.5kts most of the way. We made it back to the marina in a little over 7 hours - not bad for a 50 mile trip. We were happy to have a dodger on Prairie Gold as it was hit by water many times. However, twice we did not escape. Phil was sitting on the high side and took a face and body full of water (thank goodness for foul weather gear) and later Yolande got covered head to toe while standing at the helm.
We had a great weekend, but realise it is probably our last overnight trip of the 2010 season.
After an enjoyable sailing period Sunday September 26th was spent cleaning and organizing. We tried using Flitz cleaner for stainless steel. It works like magic to remove tarnish and rust spots.
We also installed six "Boat Savers" from GBG Enterprises, Plymouth MA. Boat savers allow rapid attachment and detachment of fenders from the boat without the need to tie knots. Given that we went into a marina in the summer where we were told to put fenders on the wrong side of the boat, only to find the error when we were a boat's length away from the dock, these will certainly allow rapid redeployment of fenders in the future. Additionally, even with short sails we won't be inclined to leave the fenders on the deck in the future as detachment and reattachment is so simple.
On Thursday September 23rd we set sail from Boston to Beverly Port Marina, MA in preparation for a work retreat. Sailing was relaxed and we had a lamb dinner (Dustin's cooking) followed by a couple of hours in the Anchor for a beer and Keno.
On Saturday afternoon, following the retreat we sailed back to Boston with winds up to 20kts apparent. Despite the late time in the season boats were a plenty. Numerous races were taking place just offshore from Marblehead (see beneath). As we approached Boston we passed the Tallship "Friendship of Salem". Friendship,is a reconstruction of a three-masted Salem East Indiaman that was originally built in 1797 Boston harbor was its normal relaxed self with boats a plenty. Here we are circling waiting to get through the channel near Castle Island after two Cruise liners reverse across the channel. Because their dock is perpendicular to the main channel, they block the channel when they reverse into the channel prior to turning to head east out of the harbor. Here one of the cruise liners can be seen passing a barge at Spectacle Island.
Hurricane Earl missed Boston, so after putting the sails and other items back on Prairie Gold we had a weekend to sail. On Sunday we sailed to and from Marblehead with great winds. On Labor day we sailed within the harbor - out to the Narrows, then towards Hingham, and back to Boston. Many boats were out today - A gray ship with school buses as well as the normal assortment of sail and power boats. Passing south through the channel west of Hull we enjoy 3.5kts over water, but only 0.3 kts SOG. Beneath sailboats coming in the opposite direction can be seen. Beneath is a shot of boats looking south as we enter The Nubbles - note the number of sailboats in the background. It was a busy day today.
As hurricane Earl approached New England we prepared Prairie Gold in case the storm arrived. All canvas including sails, dodger and bimini were taken beneath decks. Extra docklines were added (numerous) and we wait.
We set sail from Boston to Penobscot Bay, Maine and sailed for about 30hrs. Overnight we were sailing hull speed on a broad reach with 25kts apparent wind speed. Notable events included losing the shackle attaching the tack of the headsail. A quick reefing allowed us to continue. As we arrived in Maine, fog was dense.
We have heard before that sailing in Maine requires diligent lookout for lobster pots. This is an understatement. From Penobscot Bay we sailed to Burnt Island where we anchored. Just after anchoring a thunderstorm rolled through which made for an exciting evening. This was followed by barbequed Bronzini and mased potatoes. Next day we sailed to Boothbay Harbor. Along with Penobscot Bay, Bothbay harbor are entries in the book "Fifty Places to Sail Before You Die". Subsequently we sailed on to Portland. Having never been there we were surprised about what a nice city Portland is and enjoyed drinks at a wine bar on wharf street followed by dinner at an adjacent restaurant.
Next morning we woke to dense fog and decided to continue with our departure south. The marina is tight preventing us from reversing, turning 90degress and heading out bow first. We therefore turned and exited in reverse. Winds were low and we motorsailed down to Boston. Since we were not expected back at the marina until the following day we anchored off of Long island for the night.
The trip was wonderful - we had a combination of small town and city with marina, anchoring next to an isolated island as well as mooring in penobscot bay in seal harbor. We saw numerous dolphins and seals. There is a special rugged beaty to Maine. I am sure we will repeat.
We decided to take a three day weekend in Provincetown. Setting out on Friday July 16th 2010 at 8am we arrived in Provincetown at 5pm. We moored at buoy #701 in Provincetown Marina. Saturday was a day for relaxation and seeing the town. As we returned to Prairie Gold on a launch we were told that this boat was purchased for $1. Apparently inside the boat is a full fireplace! Looking back at the marinaThe mooring field Sailing back from P-town was enjoyable for the first couple of hours but then the winds dropped to 2-4knots. With about 5knots of wind we were diligently attempting to get every 1/10th of a knot out of Prairie Gold when we turned to see a sailboat bearing down on us. Most disheartening until we could hear that they were motorsailing.
The sailboat is Vanish, which had moored near to us in P-town. A google search shows that this 50nm trip was a small trip for this boat.
As we closed in on Boston the winds came up to 25kts apparent and beautiful sailing. Here is the NE Graves lighthouse taken as we were entering the North channel to the outer harbor. Once in the harbor we brought in the sails and motored and enjoyed the sight of this sailboat. Finally, we passed the Nantucket light house boat, which is docked in Boston harbor and can be seen in the background of this picture (taken earlier in the week). Another boat recently purchased for $1.
