Log of Saturday, June 14, 2008

Saturday, June 14--Clear sky, high cirrus, light air.

Awoke to sunshine and warm stove. Scooted over to Buckle Isl for a short hike--sat in cut-out tree chairs...took pictures.

This is a nice little island with a path through the middle which pops out at scenic spots on the North and South ends. At the North end one has a fine view across Casco Passage to the islands beyond and at the South end there is a sweet little grassy spot behind the rocky shore where we took the photo above. By coaxing the crew out on the rocks, we were just able to get North Wind into the frame. The little grassy spot seems to be the yard of an old cottage--only the foundation remains. Wildflowers bloom and two stumps have been carved into chairs for admiring the view on out the Bay. The island is privately owned, but is on the Maine Island Trail, so the rules for use by members are in the MITA handbook.

9:35 320 deg heading for Eggemoggin Reach & Pulpit Harbor.

Pleasant motor across to Egg. Rch. Took a tour past the Wooden Boat School & chatted w/ our rigger [Hans] who happened to be on the dock. Then took a short cut over to Center Harbor by going inside the Torrey Islands. (*see below)

(* Little Babson directly astern, then steered 345 deg thru the channel toward the nun off Chatto Island.)

We often swing through the WoodenBoat anchorage as we pass by, its a pretty spot and often an interesting boat or two will be moored here. A couple of times I have noticed Jon Wilson going through the passage inside the Torrey Islands, but this was the first time we had tried it. The good water is in the middle of the gap, but there isn't much in the way of nearby landmarks to help one aim.

Took tour of Center Harbor and then headed out the Reach.

11:55 raised sails as breeze seemed pretty good.

12:00 becalmed it would seem. Wind shifting.

12:10--lunch as we sit, no helmsperson needed to drift.

12:30 done w/lunch, breath of air.

12:45 Terrific breeze, close hauled. Heading for bridge.

1:20 "Raced" a while with Steve White who was sailing Tendress, a BBY fast sloop with a girlfriend / daughter(?). Kept pace only briefly as he moved past us despite having his traveler too high. (;-)

2:05 Passed under Deer Isle bridge. Waved goodbye to Steve. Wind has moved toward SW so now on broad "reach, as we slowed in the "Reach".

The wind is often variable at the West end of the Reach, but this was an exceptional day in that regard. Anybody who has sailed with me much knows how much I enjoy the changing breeze of a day on the water. The pauses as the wind changes round are moments of anticipation and a chance to have lunch before the afternoon thermal fills in is a delightful interlude.

3:30 Wind died, so motered into Bucks H. to see sights including funicular. Did a *"drive by" at the Marina [boat yard?] for ice (and wine). Now we are back out in the West end of the Reach, with a brisk SW breeze. Sailing closehauled.
(* bumpers but no docklines--B. jumps off first pass, jumps back on 2nd pass.)

1545 on to Pulpit. Breeze up and down, reefing in the mouth of the reach, drifting off Two Bush I. Always shifing to put us dead down wind of Pulpit. Frustrating and slow. Beat out past Hog, Beach, Great & Little Spruce Head, Horse Head & Compass Is. Wind basically SW, shifty & puffy.

I'm gradually learning how complex are the forces at work on the breeze in this part of the Bay. When the wind is from the SSW, Great Spruce Head Island casts a huge, turbulent wind shadow which extends almost to the water East of Hog Island, while the land masses of North Haven and Deer Isle seem to affect the timing of the afternoon thermal in their vicinity. As a result there is often a marked difference in the wind direction near Deer I. compared with the waters closer to Islesboro. The dividing line moves back and forth--sometimes one breeze prevails and sometimes they fight all afternoon. There is generally a line of near calm between the two.

On this afternoon, I played the game exceptionally badly and we spent a frustrating afternoon fighting shifts and holes in the wind as we tried to beat South to Pulpit in a boat which is not very weatherly to begin with.

2015--Egg Rock finally abeam. Started the engine & motored in to anchor in our usual spot. Several cruising yachts on anchors & moorings around. Sky still clear with filmy cirrus, but heavy clouds approaching from the West.

Finally, with about an hour to go before sunset, I admitted defeat and allowed us to "crank up the plant" so we could get in and set for the night. This was the last day with Mary and Betsy aboard and the last day before a change in the weather to a moist and unsettled regime which was forecast to last through the delivery. In fact, it lasted into August and while the weather affected our plans somewhat, it really wasn't a problem.

2115-2300--Anchor down & dinner of sausage, onions & spuds. Delicious. Bed.