No sailing this morning

Tuesday 7/31

No wind equals no sailing, but at least the scenery is pretty here in Three Mile Harbor.  In addition, we're waiting for a callback from a nearby Marina to get our outboard engine repaired.  It's the same old problem; it runs fine at high RPM, but dies when you throttle down.  Our attempt to clean the carb yesterday did not improve the situation. Hmf!

Stupid Motor

Yep. That’s it. Dumb thing. First it’s too big/ powerful for our size boat. But it was included in the purchase so you go with it. But ever since we got it, it’s had the same issue. It won’t throttle down and idle low with out cutting out. We treat that thing better than we treat each other. It’s serviced every year. We always buy it fresh gas. We installed a fuel filter. We fixed the bracket so you can raise and lower it properly. We had emergency service done when we were in FL. And we are gonna have to have emergency service done tomorrow. Agh! Spent this morning cleaning the carb. I learned a lot but it didn’t fix the issue. 

Sag Harbor

Here’s a couples selfie in front of the Sag Harbor windmill. Cute little village. But l think I like Greenport better. Just a little too entitled. I was fine walking around but can’t imagine trying to get anywhere in a car. We bought fancy cheese which should be yum with tonight’s dinner of soup!

Sag Harbor

Sunday 7/29

We stopped of for a quick walk around Sag Harbor, which is nestled in the Hamptons on Long Island's South Fork.  Between the half dozen mega yachts and many pricey for cars, it's obvious that there is a high percentage of one percenters playing here in the summer.

It's a cute little village, and a relatively convenient stop for boaters in terms of provisioning.  But it's a little more chi chi than what I'm used to.  Definitely more so than what I remember from the 80's  My contributions to the local economy: a dragon fly pin wheel, grilled cheese, carb cleaner, an onion, and a bag of ice.

The sunset photo was taken at anchor in Three Mile Harbor, a few miles to the east.

Family history in Greenport

Saturday 7/28

We stayed the day yesterday in Greenport, NY which is where my dad was born and grew up.  It was fun to see that the village has enjoyed a bit of a resurgence and is thriving due to a steady supply of summer tourists arriving by boat, car, and train.  Still, it hasn't completely lost its working heritage with a small commercial fishing fleet and the boatyard with a large marine railway that specializes in wooden boats.

I have many pleasant memories staying at my grandparent's place on 5th Street, and it's nice to see that the house has been well cared for after being sold out of the family in about 1989.  The story is that they built it from a Sears kit about 90 years ago. I meant to post a photo, but the pics I took are on my camera, not the phone where I post the blogs.  This photo shows the still vibrant park at the end of the street, where my grandmother would swim in water so cold I wouldn't even stick my toe in.

Swimming

Until today the only swimming we had done was with the purpose of getting clean. Today we fixed that and decided to anchor in a swimming hole called West Neck Harbor on Shelter Is. it was a great retreat after walking around Greenport in the morning. Of course we originally anchored outside the anchorage area, to be away from folks and the police boat made us move. But no worries is still a great stop and the warmest water for swimming thus far. 

Shelter Island

So we were invited to a party on Shelter Island. Here’s the digs. Jazz sax playing, lots of swank old boats. Wouldn’t that be nice? The reality was this place was on shore near where we decided to anchor in Dering Harbor on Sheltet Is. which is directly across from where we want to go tomorrow AM in Greenport. We did get to listen to the sax while making dinner. I was so inspired I pulled out a canned cocktail!

Hatch management

Wednesday 7/25

Another lay day while we wait for another 40 kt gale to pass.  The air is damp, and the boat gets stuffy and warm unless the forward hatch is open. But we need to close the hatch any time a band of showers moved through, so the afternoon had been dominated by hatch management duties.

I can report another notable first for us since we bought Elf--we have deployed two anchors for extra security during the storm. The astute viewer can hopefully pick out the two rodes leading out from both sides of the bow. (I snapped the photo, gopher fashion, from the forward hatch during a dry spell.)

Treats

So we’re holed up as 40 kt gusts are predicted to rip through this afternoon. We set out the storm anchor and got more ice. With that done we decided a treat was instore, so we went into town and ended up at the North Fork Donut Company. This is a Cookies and Cream donut we decided to split. Yum!

On the move again

Tuesday 7/24

After two days waiting for the wind to calm down at Mt. Sanai Harbor, it was great to be under sail again this morning. This picture shows is under full jib and reefed main, on a close reach, headed east toward Mattituck Inlet on Long Island's North shore.

These conditions were short lived.  Soon we rolled up a couple feet of the jib, and by mid morning, we'd dropped to main to avoid being overpowered in the 25 knot gusts. It continues to be abnormally gusty; 10-12 most of the time, then a blast double that every now and then.

Mattituck is a perfect storm harbor, being well protected and an easy walk into town.  With another gale forecast for tomorrow night into Thursday morning, we'll be staying here an extra day unless we can make a quick getaway in the morning.

No place to hide

Update the grocery store was 4 miles away, and it started pouring rain as we walked there. So a short Uber ride later and we are at a great burrito place having dinner and drying out. Come to find out that was just a glancing blow cause after dinner we walk the rest of the way to the grocery store and got what we needed. Starts raining again harder while we’re inside. We call Uber to take us back to the boat. Well technically it’s to take us back to the dinghy so Steve can tow us back to the boat. The Uber gets lost getting to us. And is delayed like 10 mins. No big deal until we get to the dinghy. We jump in and Steve starts to row like mad we can see it coming the next wave of rain. Fiercer than the others. We’re half way to the boat when it hits. The upside was I was pretty sweaty from the walk now all that was washed off. Once on the boat we dove into the cabin but we were so soaked the first thing we had to do was strip down and put our wet clothes in a bucket to keep the whole cabin of the boat from getting soaked. We are still waiting for it to stop raining so we can dry out our clothes. Go they said. It’ll be fun they said. HA!

Stuck in 1 spot

So that’s ELF dead center beyond the boats in slips. Back there with the yellow sail cover.  The shot was taken from the deck of Ralph’s Fishing Station, Mt. Sinai NY. This place serves very good Texas toast grilled cheese. And individual beers/cider/wines out of the refrigerator case. You sit on the deck have your lunch and watch your boat. Pretty good afternoon. Considering it’s blowing 25 kts sustained and your next destination would be a beat going east. Ralph’s is a much better choice. 

Gale winds

So we are tucked away at Mt. Sinai, Long Island. It’s a cutie Little hideaway. We rode out the 40 kt winds last night and decided to make a lazy day of it. We slept in, moved the boat off the mooring to go anchor. Got got ice, fuel, and water. Now it’s nap time. We’re planning on a little provisioning later today. It’s a 3 mile walk to the grocery store. Hoping tomorrow the wind calms down enough so we can continue East. But if not there’s more Harry Potter to listen to and I’m sure Steve wants a rematch at cards, cause I beat him the other night. 

Backup plan

The plan seemed like a good one: leave Port Jefferson at the top of the tide and ride it east to Mattituck inlet.  The sailflow forecast called for light headwinds, gradually building to 20 kt max gusts by late afternoon.  True, beating upwind for 8 hours would be a workout, but the inlet looked like a perfectly protected hole to ride out the gale forecast to move through overnight.

It all started out per plan, but three hours into the journey, gusts we're already hitting 20 knots and the seas were really beating us up.  Time to turn tail and run back to Mt. Sanai Harbor and get a secure morning ball for the night.

The backup plan entails watching boats, both power and sail, poke their noses out the inlet and then turn around when they see the 25 kt winds and abundant whitecaps.  As for us, it's nap time!

Duck Harbor

Here’s a shot leaving our little gunkhole. I like this shot cause it also shows our repainted dinghy and our solar charger. The solar charger has made a world of difference. First, the push start on the motor works every time, thanks to that trickle charger. That alone is worth it, but it also allows us to charge the devices. Let’s face it between the Navonics on the iPad and our phones we are a bit power hungry. And Steve and I are not even what you would call addicted as compared to many of our friends. 

Port Jefferson

It was a mixed day; some nice sailing, some light wind beating, and a little motoring.  We successfully short-tacked up the channel into the harbor, bucking a light outgoing tide.  Normally that brings a sense of accomplishment, since so many sailboats motor so much of the time.  But here it seems to be a regular occurrence.  At least half a dozen boats did the same thing after us.  It's nice to be among like minded people demonstrating good seamanship.

City Island

We enjoyed the sights along the East River on our way to Long Island Sound. Elf had probably never traveled faster (except when on her trailer); at one point we saw 10kt on the GPS!

We just snagged a mooring off City Island before a thunderstorm rolled in, as shown looking out from our snug cabin. Looking forward to some drier, more comfortable weather tomorrow.  Yay, we've finally arrived at our Target cruisng ground!  Now we can start meandering from harbor to harbor rather than racking up long miles along featureless beaches.

Love me some lighthouses

Saw this beauty as we were leaving Eastchester Bay just passed Hart Island. We settled in a secluded cove called Duck Harbor at the bottom of Northport Bay. Tomorrow we head further east. Water is getting colder, I had to really convince myself today getting in would be worth it!  

Charts

I think this chart sums up our experience cutting around Brooklyn to get into Long Is Sound. I also like being here on the Sound side of things cause people over here understand Sailors. Today within walking distance of the boatyard we are mooring in, we got a new batten and the electrical plug we needed for our mast head light. No funny looks, no rigmarole and suggestions of where else in the Sound has good Anchorages. I like these people. 

East River

So we left the Rockaways and headed north. We are currently on a mooring at City Island. This pic is of the Brooklyn Bridge, I was still helming at that point. We had purposefully timed the leaving of the icky marina so we would have a flooding tide to carry us up the East River. I turned the helm over to Steve for the 10 kts passing Roosevelt Island and that’s with no sails!  Hells Gate was interesting and I could see how it could be treacherous. Right now, I’m Really looking forward to the rain stopping, so I can go ashore and get a shower!!

The Crossing

So here’s me and my safety whistle. At the time I just couldn’t be bothered to take it off. Was just too tired. We spent 30 hours crossing from Cape May to the Rockaways. We didn’t really want to stop in Atlantic City and all the other NJ inlets were tiny and didn’t want to try and pull in, in the dark. I was good for the first 18 to 20 hours but I wasn’t getting enough sleep on my down time and it caught up with me. Not to mention a few of my down times were punctuated with going on deck which meant I had to harness in before doing so. We decided to splurge for a marina so we could shower and get gas. Do not come to the Gateway Marina! Expensive and no fuel dock, no WiFi, no laundry,  very ghetto, and the bathrooms are disgusting. So we are headed out tomorrow AM to go through Hell’s Gate and stop off at City Island. Hoping to find better facilities there. 

Along the NJ coast

It was a rolly polly afternoon despite moderate winds as we ran wing and wing northbound along the Jersey coast yesterday afternoon. The roll was caused by the ocean swells that ran about 30 degrees different than the wind direction and our course dead down wind.  

A bit too salty

No picture for this. Cause no one wants to be seen this way. Hair a mess, several days of sunscreen layered on, in desperate need of a pedicure. Yes, I like to sail. I forgo jewelry and pretty clothes, hell I haven’t even had a decent haircut lately but there comes a time. Say while trimming your toe nails while wearing a head lamp so you can see what you’re doing that you decide that you are still a girl. You you still want a little pampering. That’s going to be my first order of biz when we get to Long Island Sound. I’m gonna find me a place that caters to the Long Island ladies and get a tune up!

The Coast Guard has a sense of humor

We are anchored in Cape May Harbor. At sunset the USCG plays Boots and Saddles. Struck me as very funny. 

Sunset in Cape May

We had a great crossing of the DE Bay from Lewes to Cape May. It was so nice we decided to go the long way around and come in via the inlet instead of using the channel. Hoping wind and weather is as favorable when we return. 

Scow schooner

Here's something you don't see every day--a salty, inpeccably maintained scow schooner. (Scows have a bow transom rather than a pointy front end like most sailboats.) We are sharing a quiet corner of the channel in Cape May Harbor.

Kate and I enjoyed a lovely day making a  passage under sail, crossing the mouth of the Delaware from Lewes.  Every other day since we left Rock Hall has involved a majority of motoring. Ugh

A successful visit

This is Ma and me at the dock in Lewes. She carted us around to the grocery store and to grab a tea kettle (forgot to bring mine) and such. Was a good visit. We’ll be back through in September. I promise to call occasionally. 

Lewes, DE

Stopping in Lewes to visit with Ma. Stop overs are an excuse to do all the things you can’t do aboard. We’ve grocery shopped, we’ve done laundry and showers. We had Chinese carry out for dinner. And Kings Ice Cream for dessert. Our slip is right on the canal so it’s super easy to pop up to Second Street.  Tomorrow we head off to Cape May to wait for our weather window to head north. It’s grand to have no deadlines!

http://www.kingshomemadeicecream.com/

Sunrise over Henlopen

We were just in time to capture this sunrise after dropping anchor outside Lewes this morning. With light wind in the forecast, we decided to catch the fair tide and motor the rest of the way down the Delaware overnight rather than face a third day in a row baking under the sun shade. First order of business?  Naps all around!

The trifecta

So we used all 3 today!  The sunshade, the wind scoop and the pop top and it was still bloody hot. This shot was taken from the dinghy coming back from the Tiki Bar as we needed frozen drinks. Yes. Need. 

Light Air

If you have to motor on a bright sunny day for to lack of wind, we recommend breaking out the sun shade.  It makes the day a LOT more comfortable when you're not being baked every second you're on deck.

A dolphin? Are you kidding!?!

We anchored our first night in Swann Creek near Rock Hall.  I was NOT expecting a dolphin to surface 40 feet from the boat this morning!  It seemed to be just one guy heading for the mouth of the creek. Maybe he'd found some breakfast and was heading back to the pod. The only other dolphins I've seen in the bay were fifty miles or so south at Smith Island. Quite an auspicious start to the voyage, I'd say!

And we’re off

 So this is us, right before take off. First day was a bit of a bust. Really light wind, a late start (closing up ones home takes a some effort and fore thought not to mention time) and a foul current kept us from getting very far. So it’s Gratitude for our anchorage tonight. Fitting doncha think?

Provisioning

As you can see we are provisioning for our adventure as we shove off this weekend. That’s right you see triskets. And more Bfast bars than we’ll need but they were on sale. Note our brand new set of jerry cans far right, hoping all the lemon water has killed the plastic taste. We also upgraded our cooler for this go around, hoping to only NEED to shop every 5 days or so (instead of every 3 with the old cooler.) we shall see. 

Dinghy

So we painted the outside of the dinghy battleship grey and have repainted the inside today. The hottest damn day of the year. At least we did it early and not in the scorching afternoon. My concern is it’s starting to look too respectable. Guess we’ll still be pretty low on the let’s steal this dinghy hierarchy cause we only use oars!