Log of September 11, 2008

Thursday, Sept. 11--

Beautiful morning. Sailed off mooring at 7:35 in the light NE breeze. Sailed about 40 min & then motored due to light headwind. Our goal is points E entered by Deer Isle Thoroughfare.

Our plan for the next couple of days is to sail East to Somes Sound so we can get Betsy to a plane out of the Trenton airport around noon on Saturday. We hope to make our way to Burnt Coat Harbor on the south side of Swan's Island tonight.

After rounding Webster Head & Oak Hill, we bore away and gave a try to the spinnaker with Lisa on the sheet. This was ~9:45 or so. Lovely time without the motor but progress was minimal. The current is S but we didn't get very far E.

11:00 Snack & give up on spinnaker.

11:20 Started motor and headed straight toward buoy off Deer Isle Thor.

11:35 Passing red nun, entering Stonington.

12:25 Sailing (!) as West breeze has filled in. Taking new route (for us) through islands (Little Camp, Potato, etc).
Stonington was lousy with schooners. Victory Chimes, Am. Eagle, Nathaniel Bowditch & 3 others in sight/anchored nearby. Lobster boats enjoying speeding past near us so we can feel big wake.
Nice watching Heritage coming to anchor at McGlathery as we headed past toward Colby Ledge before heading East to Toothacher Bay & Burnt Coat Harbor.

This was a really fun spur of the moment detour. We were sailing past Stonington in a light westerly and as we came past Scott I. the half-tide rock to the west of it was clearly visible, making it easy to reach past and head south there. I put up the helm and we threaded our way down through the islands. Much more enjoyable than running slowly through the rest of the Thoroughfare.

1545 In the harbor touring around having sailed in and lowered sail.
Picked up a green rental mooring (#4) belonging to "The Boat House". Then ashore to the Coop to leave $20 for the owner and take a short walk.

There seems to be a good anchorage just east of the mooring field. Heritage came in at sunset and did a lovely job of a flying anchor over there. The chart doesn't show much water, so it bears careful investigation.

1645 Back aboard for tea. Boat names in this harbor: Atonement, Emanuel, Prince of Peace, , Fifth Day, Fortunate Son, Bread of Life, Sparrow, Daily Bread, Trial by Fire, not to mention, Monkeys Uncle, Busy Bee (with yellow & black trim) & Rughless, Daddy's Helpers & Belinda B.
Note--while in the Fisherman's Coop we found the jar for donation to rebuild the burned Swan's Island Library (which Lisa was seeking) and she made a donation.