Our stay in Nantucket was really lovely. The last day, the weather got a little dismal, but we did have a truly outstanding dinner at the Straight Wharf restaurant. The winds blew like crazy most of our stay (20-25) so there was really no time off for sailing.
The trip over from Nantucket was much calmer, with only a little wind to help us along. We have a quiet mooring about a half mile south of town.
The forecast doesn’t look good for our planned departure. Again, forecasts of wind with gusts to 30 knots… Perhaps they are wrong.
At least the Vineyard is a nice place to stay.
We spent a nice (but bouncy) day in Vineyard Haven. A regatta was in town, so things were crowded. Leaving the next morning was made difficult by weaving our way through a schooner race (quite a sight), then trying to get through the start of one of the larger races. Even the incoming ferry gave it up and turned around for another go at things.
The trip over to Nantucket started calm, with a fair current and not really enough breeze, but ended up riding a 15 knot breeze into the harbor, doing 7.5 knots under jib alone.
About a dozen or so very large motor yachts (200 feet or so) are med moored at the boat basin. We wonder how the guy with the “little one” feels… Inside, of course, there are the usual 80-100 footers, looking like they barely make the grade.
Nantucket remains a very $$$ place. 
It rained quite a bit last night (here in Cuttyhunk). Today, the marine forecast looks like this:
vineyard sound-
825 am edt thu jul 14 2011...small craft advisory in effect until 6 pm edt this evening...
.today...n winds 20 to 25 kt...becoming ne 15 to 20 kt this
afternoon. gusts up to 30 kt. seas 1 to 2 ft. a slight chance of
showers and tstms this morning with vsby 1 to 3 nm.
.tonight...n winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt... becoming
w 5 to 10 kt after midnight. seas 1 to 2 ft.
It must be pure joy in Vineyard Haven harbor, with the wind from the N at 26 right now. So far, we're just sitting here. It doesn't look like things will settle down until tomorrow.
We were set to leave BI this morning, but the wind was blowing 15-20.
Since it was from the SW, it was really no big deal, but we spoke with some friends that had just come in (all be it to windward), and they said the seas were no fun.
Fun, no fun: which to choose?
So we stayed another day. The harbor is delightful, there is a nice warm breeze, and fresh swordfish awaits our presence in the local fish store.
Tomorrow is another day.
After a delightful stay in Stonington (and dinner at the better than expected Dog Watch Cafe), we decided to give Block Island a try.
Surprise of surprises, we entered the harbor to find at least a dozen moorings available! In past years (before we just gave up), we couldn’t even find room to anchor, let alone a mooring.
The harbormaster commented that the weekend after July 4th is generally light, and a Sunday is the day with the biggest turnover. Something to remember.
In any case, the weather remains good, the sky clear and bright. We got our pastries from Aldo (who has certainly put on a few pounds), and are set.
So far, so good.
Well, I’ll try to backfill the blog a little later, but despite engine issues, we’re finally out there and almost sailing.
We are now en route Stonington from Branford. The wind is light but it is sunny.
TOO MANY FLIES.
We picked up many unwanted travelers passing Clinton… We hope they leave us soon. ‘Tis the season.
More updates later… promise.
Well, this weekend we finally got Boheme out and sails up. Last weekend, we missed the Blessing of the Fleet because the engine overheated as we were about to go under/through the Sea Bright Bridge. Coolant level was very low.
Couldn’t find a leak, so we refilled and tried again this weekend. Had an absolutely delightful sail in 8-12 knots of breeze, then brought the boat back home for more checkout, loading and the like. No overheating, but we lost a lot of coolant. Something isn’t right.
No leaks in sight (as if it would be that easy) other than a bit of leakage from the heat exchanger cap. That is our next suspect, I guess.
So this week will be the quest for parts, further testing, and more setup for the cruise.
Today seemed like a no wind day, so we went out on My Time for what turned out to be a very nice sail. Easier going, as it turns out. Marion and I both pretty much overdid the work yesterday. It was nice to just go for a boat ride.
More news as it happens, as they say…
Well, late start; too much as usual.
The spring has been wet and cold (and windy). Not friendly to boat thoughts, boat work or the marina. Although we missed Memorial Day weekend, Boheme went in yesterday, and made the short trip over to our dock at noon today. Finally.
We hope to be rigged and ready for the Blessing of the Fleet next weekend. Then on to sailing and cruising.
Stand by, there are bound to be adventures ahead.
Left from Port Washington at 6 this morning, arrived home around noon.
Chilly and very breezy trip through NY, then the wind let up as we came down to Sandy Hook (no sailing, lots of traffic), then the wind switched on to about 15 knots as we came up the river and home.
All in all, not a great day on the water, but typical for a last day of our cruise.
Home seems strange, but I’m sure tomorrow it will seem like we haven’t even left yet. We’ll have to read the blog to see if we had a good time. (BTW, more pictures and missing days will be posted soon).
Well, still summer out there. We’ll see what happens.
We decided that we really wanted to stop off at Coecles Harbor (Shelter Island). It is another one of the wonderful, quiet anchorages to be found.
There was actually quite a party going on when we arrived, but it was no trouble to find a place to anchor and enjoy the relative solitude of the place. No, it’s not The Basin, but still one of our favorite stopovers.