Foreign Affair Sailing

Mamaroneck, NY to Milford, CT

We departed Mamaroneck at 0830 under power as winds were less than 5 knots. We raised the main sail at about 1030 and sailed along at a leasurely 3 to 4 knots. We motor sailed for about an hour in mid-afternoon to charge our batteries and increase our speed.  We anchored behind Charles Island near Milford at 1700. Shortly afterward, a fleet of sailboats began flowing out of Milford Harbor for races. About 20 boats participated in a triangular course of about 4 miles in length. It looked like 3 fleets raced: small boats with spinnaker, large boats with spinnaker, and large boats main and jib. The winds were perfect for a fun race with good speed.

Charles Island is not very large and surrounded by rocks. "The Bar" reaches out to the island from Myrtle Beach and may be under a foot of water at most at high tide. The charts label the bottom as "Foul" for about 500 feet out from "The Bar" and Charles Island. However, reports on Active Captain are that this is a good anchorage in fairly settled conditions provided you stay in depths of 10 or more feet. This proved to be the correct and we had a quiet night with two other boats anchored near us.

Bill and Amy - Full Circle

We drove to Stamford in the morning to meet Bill and Amy of Full Circle for lunch at the Crab Shell Restaurant. They went south with us on the SAIL ICW Rally and crossed over to the Bahamas for the winter. We last saw them at Solomons Island on the Chesapeake as we were all heading north up the Bay. Their home port is Stratford, CT. Bill and Dwayne went over charts and discussed places to visit on Long Islaned Sound. Amy got Carla excited with talk of the Bahamas and how wonderful it was to have made the trip. We had a great lunch and look forward to our next get together which will probably on Foreign Affair's southbound journey toward the end of summer.

Oyster Bay

We slept well as the anchor dug deep upon set and we laid out most of our chain. The bluff protecting the anchorage cut down the wind and there was barely a ripple on the water. We were awaken around 0600 when the oyster dredgers began their work. This was the first time we saw oyster men working their trade. Three smaller dredgers were making loops around their beds marked with stakes. One large dredger was working further back in the bay and we were amazed at how many oysters she was hauling on board using her conveyor belt system. About a dozen small boats with one or two men aboard were hand tonging. It was amazing as the tongers would bring up a bushel at a time and the large dredger appeared to bring up the equivalent of a tonger's boatload in a matter of minutes. It is no wonder the oyster beds were depleted so quickly with the advent of mechanized dredging. The beds are now assigned to individuals or corporations and managed to maintain a sustainable supply of oysters.

Measured for New Sails and Explored Hempstead Bay and Oyster Bay

Re-provisioning and Back to Port Washington

While drinking our morning coffee in the cockpit, we noticed we had a new neighbor in the mooring field. A 12 Metre race boat was two mooring balls away. She must have come into the harbor late yesterday afternoon and we didn't notice her when we returned to our boat last night after dark. There was no sign of a crew and we knew of no regattas scheduled in the immediate area. It is quite a thrill to be moored between two classic racers - a 12 Metre and a Herreshoff S Boat.

It was also exciting to learn that many of the 12 Metre yachts built in the United States were constructed right here in Mamaroneck at the Derecktor Shipyard. In fact, Carla's first time on a sailboat was on a 12 Metre, Stars and Stripes, which was built by Derecktor. We first encountered a Derecktor Shipyard in Fort Lauderdale where many yachts were being serviced. It is amazing how we are connected in some way or another with people we have met and places we have been to in the past.

Sheldrake Yacht Club Race Day

We slept in and had a great breakfast. We cast off our mooring and went out into the bay to watch the Sheldrake Yacht Club races. We motored at the perimeter of the race course and took pictures to share with members of the club. After the races, we met with some of the club members at the Bar Harbor for drinks. Everyone was friendly and offered advice on places to go on the Sound. It was a pleasant day on the water.

Afterward, we went back to Brewer's Marina and met with Paul. Dinner was at Sal's where Dwayne ordered a wonderful veal parmesan dinner. Carla had a calzone and Paul had pizza. We went to the Italian bakery for dessert. It was another fun day.

Mystic Seaport - The Museum of America and the Seas

Today we drove to the Mystic Seaport which was hosting The Wooden Boat Show. This is an annual event sponsored by Wooden Boat Magazine and the Mystic Seaport Museum. Dozens of wooden boats were on display - both restorations and new boats. Many of the boats were built by their owners and one workshop was designed to help people complete building a small wooden boat such as  punt or canoe during the weekend. Numerous exhibitors were on hand selling various products and services to the boat builders and mariners. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed the day. We can hardly wait to return with Foreign Affair next week when Carla's daughter, Ann and her boys join us for a week long vacation.

Port Washington to Mamaroneck

We took a tour of the shoreline as we worked our way back to Mamaroneck. We left Manhasset Bay, rounded Stepping Stones Light, entered Little Neck Bay, paralleled the Throngs Neck Bridge, passed through the gap between City Island and Hart Island then north to Larchmont and eventually Mamaroneck. Like Manhasset Bay, Little Neck Bay is lined with multimillion dollar homes and dozens of boats on moorings. City Island is surrounded by a forest of sailboat mast as hundreds of boats are moored there.

Working and Napping

We spent the morning re-rigging our reefing system to reduce friction and checked the reefing lines for wear. The winds were forecast to be in the mid-teens and we planned to sail to Little Neck Bay and anchor there for the evening.  So, we took advantage of the calm morning to make sure we would be able to quickly reef if the winds exceeded the forecast.

Walking Tour of Port Washington

It was a beautiful, cool morning. So, we rode the dinghy in to the town dock and took a walking tour of Port Washington. We enjoy learning about the history of the places we visit. So, our first destination ashore was the Sands-Willets House which dates back to the early 1700s. A special exhibit of clothing and costumes was coming to a close. We thought it would be interesting to see the exhibit and house. After walking a bit over two miles to get there, we discovered tours of the house were only being conducted on Sundays and the exhibit closed last Sunday. We were able to sit on the porch and cool off with some ice water provided by the artist in residence who was very informative and regretted our missing the wonderful exhibit. We learned to call ahead to check on museum hours prior to taking a long hike and discovering the doors closed.

Mamaroneck to Port Washington

We took down the genoa while it was calm in the morning. The tear in the sail was worse than we anticipated. It is not worth trying to repair only to have it blow out somewhere else in a heavy breeze.

We headed over to Port Washington to refuel, pump-out and get a free mooring ball.  Enroute we encountered four sloops from the US Naval Academy heading toward the East River to catch the best tide for negotiating Hell Gate. We fell in behind them for a little while. Dwayne wondered if he became a Rear Admiral since we were bringing up the rear of the naval convoy. We suspect not.

Mamaroneck, NY to Columbia, MD and Back

We left Foreign Affair moored at Mamaroneck and rented a car for the ride to Columbia to pick up our car which was left with family there. The trip was uneventful and we did not have to deal with rush hour traffic. Still, it took almost 5 hours and cost a small fortune in tolls. Brian had the grill going when we arrived. Burgers and brats, beans and potato salad for dinner. Yummy. Did I mention beer? It was also nice to have reliable internet and Carla appreciated the television.

Manhasset Bay to Mamaroneck

After spending a peaceful night on a free mooring ball courtesy of the Town of North Hempstead we headed across the Sound to Mamaroneck where Paul and Enough have taken up residence. The passage was quick and easy. We took a mooring ball belonging to the Sheldrake Yacht Club, launched the dinghy and found Paul at Brewer's Marina. It was a good reunion. 

After a quick shower, Paul took us into town for an orientation tour. Everything needed to keep a boater afloat and fed is within walking distance of the marina. The town is very quaint and the main street is lined with restaurants and small shops. Like Staten Island, it looks like the Italians were plentiful in the population. Dinner was pizza and dessert was Italian ice. We ended the evening with a short dinghy ride to our boat which was moored just outside the harbor.  Another great day.

Great Kills Yacht Club to Manhasset Bay

We departed Great Kills Yacht Club at 1030.  Jim (Blue Heron) arrived just as we cast off and he helped get us out of our slip. We were leaving a full hour early to make sure we got to Battery Park in time to catch the tide through the East River. We made very good time and took advantage of our early arrival to head up the Hudson River while waiting for the tide to change. There was not too much traffic on the Hudson; however, the water taxis were a bit of a nuisance as they darted about.  We entered the East River at 1430 and had a great run. Hell Gate was as calm as it probably gets. We overtook several other sailboats heading to Long Island Sound. We saw a few others ahead of us as we passed under the Throngs Neck Bridge.

Wednesday Night Races

We spent the day cleaning and working on the boat preparing for our departure tomorrow. Jim and Kathy of Blue Heron, a Tartan 3700 invited us to sail with them on the Wednesday night race. Carla accepted the invitation despite her assertion she had given up racing. It was a great night to be on the water. The wind held pretty well most of the evening and we had a spirited ride to the finish line.  Despite a less than perfect start, Blue Heron took first in her class. We enjoyed pizza and beer after the race with some of the other sailors at the yacht club. It was a great ending to a wonderful stay at the Great Kills Yacht Club. Tomorrow it is off to Long Island Sound via the East River.

New York City Day 3

We passed through Chinatown and Little Italy spending most of our time in SOHO.  The highlight of the day was the time spent at the "Tenement Museum". We took the "Shop Life" tour which educated us about how several families made their living operating shops on the ground floor of the tenement housing the museum. Our docent was very knowledgeable and entertaining. He helped us gain a better understanding of what life was like in the Lower East Side neighborhood throughout its history.  Among the earliest shopkeepers was a German family who ran a saloon in the building offering a free lunch with the purchase of beer. Later businesses at 97 Orchard included a kosher butcher shop, auction house and enterprise selling discounted ladies undergarments. We plan to visit the "Tenement Museum" again and take in one of the other tours.

New York City Day 2

We slept in a bit. So, by the time we got off the Staten Island Ferry it was time for lunch. We went to the White Stag Tavern which was just a few blocks from the ferry terminal. They had several lunch specials advertised and it looked like an interesting place.  The White Stag or some other tavern must have occupied this space for many decades.  There was an old, long wooden bar that ran the length of the establishment.  Along the opposite wall was a make-shift kitchen and buffet.  A few tables occupied what little room there was left on the ground floor.  The second floor which had more table seating was closed for business; however, Carla was allowed to go up since there was no women's restroom on the ground floor.  The men's room on the first floor was about the size of a small walk-in closet and the plumbing reminded me of my grandfather's house. This was definitely not Applebee's, "Your Neighborhood Bar and Grill". It was a cozy, quaint and full of men who work in the Financial District. Carla was the only woman in the place with the exception of the cute Irish gal tending bar and running drinks to those sitting at tables. The beer was cheap and the food was good (enough).

New York City Day 1

Walk a mile from the Great Kills Yacht Club to the Long Island Railroad Station.  Take the train to St. George and get on the Staten Island Ferry. Get off at Battery Park.  Have fun in Manhattan.

Sandy Hook to Great Kills Yacht Club

We had a calm night at anchor and slept in. Dwayne made morning coffee which we enjoyed drinking in our cockpit and watching the activity in our anchorage and ashore at Fort Hancock. The old fort is now a park and a ferry brings New York City residents over to enjoy the park and its beach. We weighed anchor after breakfast and headed across Raritan Bay to Staten Island and the Great Kills Yacht Club where we had a slip reserved.


 

Up the New Jersey Coast - Cape May to Sandy Hook

The wake produced by the parade sport fishing boats leaving Cape May harbor at BMNT (Beginning Morning Nautical Twilight) woke us in time to hoist anchor and join Trinity as she passed our anchorage at 0600. The winds were still in the mid-teens and waves were up to 4 feet; however, we were able to rollout the genoa sail to help punch through the waves as we headed north along the New Jersey coast.

Summit North Marina to Cape May

We departed Summit North Marina at 0600 to maximize the effect of the current through the C&D Canal and down the Delaware Bay. Once again, we had a favorable wind and the sails were unfurled as soon as we cleared the canal and entered the Delaware Bay. Initially, we had everything going for us:  wind, current and engine power. We wanted to get down the Bay as quickly as possible as there is no where to hide if a storm hit and the Delaware has a nasty reputation in bad weather. The wind built during the day and eventually reached the high teens and low 20s. Small craft warning went into effect just about an hour before we reached the harbor.  We exceeded our previous record for a run down the Bay and top speed for Foreign Affair.  At one point, we reached a speed over ground of 10.3 knots (almost 12 miles per hour).

Worton Creek to Summit North Marina (C&D Canal)

The weather forecast was for possible rain and high winds in the late afternoon and early evening.  We left Worton Creek at 0700 hoping to get to Summit North Marina without getting caught in the rain. The sun was out and the winds were in our favor.  Sails rolled out as soon as we left the Worton Creek channel.  We motored as well since we needed to make haste to avoid the bad weather.

Herrington Harbour to Worton Creek

We departed Herrington Harbour early in the morning for a long run to Worton Creek where we rendezvoused with Chuck and Nat aboard Trinity, a Catalina 387.  Like us, they are members of the Catalina 380 Association and that is how we first became acquainted. Our paths crossed several times while heading down the ICW. They happened to be heading back home to Barnegat Bay at the same time we were bound for New York.  So, we decided to meet in Worton Creek and buddy boat for our trip north up the New Jersey coast.

Dwayne Works and Carla Plays (June 4, 5 and 6)

Carla took a week to play with her kids and grandkids while Dwayne stayed behind at Herrington Harbour and worked on the boat (much of the time).  Carla was able to get the kids to play so hard that she and they sometimes needed naps. Dwayne took naps too in the warm afternoon (tired from the morning's work and resting up to begin working again in the early evening).  Foreign Affair's hull got a good cleaning and wax job.  Getting the ICW crud off the hull took a lot of time and elbow grease.  With help from Paul, an exhaust hose was replaced and a new impeller was installed in the Yanmar engine's raw water cooling system.  Carla was happy with what had been accomplished when she returned.  We were prepared to head out for our journey north.

One of Those Days

It was one of those days which despite your best efforts very little seems to get accomplished.

The solar panel installation continues to be frustrating as every promising option for mounting is discovered to be less than desirable.  The solar panel vendor has been very helpful with suggestions and photos sent via email to help with finding a viable solution to this project. However, we have yet some up with a good solution which is easy and doesn't cost a fortune to implement. Hopefully, the obvious but overlooked solution will reveal itself tomorrow.