Stamford to Shelter Island

So, after the yard work I decided to take a week off to cruise out to see friends at Shelter Island and Southold, on the Little Peconic Bay.  

It's nice to have a goal.

It's also tough to drop the lines and leave.

We get used to shore attractions, like Internet, shopping, seeing friends, a car, stable and constant electricity, and so forth.  All of those things are like docklines holding one to the dock. As each connection drops a feeling of relief and apprehension increase.  Wow, I'm going!  Can I do this?

Well, yes, yes I can.

It's been a strange few weeks out on Long Island Sound - the wind has been out of the east for a fair bit of time, and since I'm going east I'll be heading directly into it.  The sad part is that going east into an east wind is that on an outgoing tide with current against the wind, there's short, steep and uncomfortable chop.

My first day was to Port Jefferson, where I anchored near Conscience Bay - off to the west of the PJ entrance.  It's a wide area that used to be mostly empty, but is now mostly moorings with the north side the only anchorage.  The depths where you can anchor are 8 - 30 feet deep, so you have to pick your place carefully.  Which. being a professional, I did.  Because I had crossed Long Island Sound as well as headed east, the ride was pretty ok.  I couldn't sail, but a 4 hour motor was fine.

The anchorage was empty.  It was glorious!  And man, it was great to get out of the wind and salt spray.

It's funny - the same conditions in overcast weather and sunny weather create completely different feelings - impending doom versus grand adventure.  It takes a bit to realize it's all the same and enjoy whatever the conditions are.

So.  Next day - Shelter Island.  When I got up I could see the wind hadn't lessened or even changed direction.   The Sound had all night to get itself into a tizzy.  And it did. 

As I left Port Jeff around 7 in the morning turning east it was rough.  Video above.  It doesn't look like much and this isn't the worst - just a sample. Just realize the bow is pitching in 6 foot swings - sometimes much more, taking waves over the anchor.   

Now, I'm not complaining.  It was still fun.  Well, until the engine decided that it was going to have a fuel issue.  Then things got more interesting.  I had to crack off to a northerly course and set the jib and mizzen to get Pelican to take care of herself while I changed the Racor fuel filter on the engine.  It looked ok, but I suspect that the sloshing around had something to do with it. 

Then, the when I went to start the engine, the high temperature alarm sounded. It hadn't had enough time to cool off, but although the alarm goes on at 195, it won't reset until 175.  It runs at 180, so I had to wait until it cooled off a bit before starting.  In the meantime, it was a pretty rousing sail, tacking back and forth between New Haven and some point east of Port Jefferson. It was apparent that some organization was needed below - but for the time being everything that could end up on the floor did.

Soon, and by that I mean four hours later, I rounded Orient Point, and the wind was then behind me.  Woohoo!  Now we're talking!  Broad reach to Shelter Island!  

Eventually, I arrived at West Bay - thankfully my friend, Caitlin, was on her boat and called me to tell me I was on the wrong side of the bouy- the sun was setting in my eyes so I couldn't really tell the color or shape and it didn't make sense.  

After avoiding a faux pas, I anchored in the assigned area.  A long and adventurous day!  Caitlin and her mom invited me to her boat for dinner - a very welcome warm meal...

I'm Starting The Dream

Well, I see it's been at least 4 years since I posted anything. Probably more. Lots going on, but between work and sleep Pelican has not gotten off the dock. Seriously. The longest trip in 6 years has been like 10 nm to Asharoken Beach and back. Basically across the Long Island Sound and back with most years a trip from one side of the harbor to the next and back at the changes of the season.

Pelican just out before work

This year, normal maintenance required a haul out.  During that time, I needed to fix a boo-boo on the keel, paint the bottom, new boot top stripe, and some other stuff.  

Pelican was out of the water for six weeks while I was running an FPB 64 through Nova Scotia and Bras d'Or on Cape Breton.  The work was supposed to get done while I was away, but I didn't keep on top of it; I ended up doing it.

Anyway, shout out to Nichol's Yacht Yard in Mamaroneck, NY. In my experience, they are the best yard in the area.  They stand behind their work with great pride.

Before the FPB, there was a Nordhavn 47 for two years traveling between the BVI and Connecticut twice a year, plus my customers and the occasional mental health break.

All this by way of explaining what's coming next. 

After bottom paint and stripe

The day before yesterday Pelican went back in the water and as I started out from Mamaroneck the wind was 10 to 12 kts out of the east. 

I could have motored back to my home slip but I figured I hadn't sailed for a while so off came the canvas and up went the sails.  

It was beautiful! I felt the wind and waves and a peace I haven't felt for years. Pelican had become an extension of myself.

As I tacked down the sound, the wind increased to 15-20 with higher gusts. The waves built to 3-4 ft, and Pelican just took it all in stride, crashing through the chop like the workhorse she is.  No panic, no twitching, just a solid platform going where we wanted to go. 

Under sail

I remembered why I bought her. I remembered my dream of cruising. I remembered the water and the wind and the sounds and the world where you could, if for a little while, be the master of your destiny by becoming part of your environment rather than fighting it. 

I remembered how to sail. 

My customers know I've retired from the marine services.  Occasionally I do something or other, but Pelican is my focus now.

The plan now is to leave in the spring for Nova Scotia and beyond for the summer. Then head south for the winter of 25-26. 

That said, I'm resurrecting this blog. Maybe I'll do some YouTube. But don't hold your breath.

FPB 64

This is the FPB 64 that I spent the last year on, essentially.  It's an expedition trawler designed by the Dashews with a range of 5000 nm at 9 kts.  It carries 3000 gallons of fuel and 2000 gallons of water with a 1000 gallon per day water maker.  It's an awesome vessel to run.  It has hydraulic stabilizers, is constructed all out of aluminum, with a .5" thick hull and .25" thick doghouse.  Every system you need to get around safely has at least one complete backup.  Also, it will surf with impressive ease.

Nordhavn 47

This is the Nordhavn 47.  She's also supposed to be an expedition trawler.  She has a range of 3000 miles at 6 kts.  She is a seaworthy, but not a seakindly vessel.  She is well appointed, and immensely strong.  She is also too short by 10 feet. In a seaway, she's really uncomfortable.  That said, she can go anywhere.  I'm not crazy about the layout -  the guest cabins have bunks that are dangerously high, especially at sea.  Anyway, fun times.

I think this past year deserves some writing - especially with the FPB, and especially with Nova Scotia.  Let's see if I can get that done.