It was an absolutely beautiful summer day. It was warm, the skies were blue and there was a 15 knot wind. A perfect day to be on the water. But my little girl Mimi had a tough time going against wind and tide along hurricane alley. We had to tack often, made even more challenging by the many motor boats coming and going, creating wakes for her to maneuver. I am always hoping that the skippers of the motor boats are responsible and mind the rules of the sea. Most of them are. But some create huge wakes as they barrel past us, thinking it is fun to watch the sailboats struggle in the large wakes.
But we made it out after much effort and had to turn around as the afternoon was getting late, and well, the New England Patriots game was going to start! The trip down wind was exhilarating and we just flew back to the mooring. However, one needs to gibe and pick up the mooring against tide and wind. So after many, many tacks, we finally made it back to the mooring. The force of the tide and wind kept taking us away from the mooring. I had taken an indirect route as another sailboat was attempting to pick up her mooring close to mine and I did not want to be in her way if she missed it. Finally - able to pick up the buoy with out problem. Watched one other small sailboat pick up his mooring and he had some challenges just like me. Persistence works, along with a calm approach. The small sailboat with a motor had the advantage, but I like sailing without being dependent on a motor. Am always working on developing my basic sailing skills.
And of course, it seems like summer just started and it is already football season and almost time to have her dry docked for the winter. I need a longer sailing season! Next Sunday is our last Rhodes 19 race, an event not to be missed.
A satisfactory feeling of getting back to the mooring under the power of the sail. Mimi is secure on her mooring as we prepare for Florence (hurricane that hit the Carolinas this week) to hit us with her rains and winds later this week. In the background is CPYC. Tide is rushing into the harbor.
But we made it out after much effort and had to turn around as the afternoon was getting late, and well, the New England Patriots game was going to start! The trip down wind was exhilarating and we just flew back to the mooring. However, one needs to gibe and pick up the mooring against tide and wind. So after many, many tacks, we finally made it back to the mooring. The force of the tide and wind kept taking us away from the mooring. I had taken an indirect route as another sailboat was attempting to pick up her mooring close to mine and I did not want to be in her way if she missed it. Finally - able to pick up the buoy with out problem. Watched one other small sailboat pick up his mooring and he had some challenges just like me. Persistence works, along with a calm approach. The small sailboat with a motor had the advantage, but I like sailing without being dependent on a motor. Am always working on developing my basic sailing skills.
And of course, it seems like summer just started and it is already football season and almost time to have her dry docked for the winter. I need a longer sailing season! Next Sunday is our last Rhodes 19 race, an event not to be missed.
A satisfactory feeling of getting back to the mooring under the power of the sail. Mimi is secure on her mooring as we prepare for Florence (hurricane that hit the Carolinas this week) to hit us with her rains and winds later this week. In the background is CPYC. Tide is rushing into the harbor.
Cottage Park Yacht Club, Winthrop, MA
Ready for the storms with her cover securely in place. Boston skyline and airport in the background.
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