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.

12 Meter

We went in to get the laundry done and re-provision. We had another nice visit with Paul before heading back to Foreign Affair. The dinghy was really full as we had laundry and provisions for the next week aboard.

As we entered the harbor's main channel, we noticed the local police boat had its flashing blue lights on and there was a runabout rafted to it. Obviously, it was someone getting a boat inspection or citation. We started to give the police boat a wide berth when one of the officers hailed us and ordered us along side just as the runabout was cast off. We spent the next five minutes responding to questions from the police who pulled us over for failure to display our boat registration numbers. After confirming the dinghy was indeed registered, we were finally given a ticket for failing to display our registration numbers and allowed to proceed on our way. The police immediately flagged down another boat passing by and most likely found it deficient in some way so as to warrant a ticket.

We'll call the court clerk in a few days to find our how much we owe for the fine. Lesson learned - put the registration numbers on the dinghy when it is on the water.

We cast off the mooring and headed across the Sound back to Port Washington where Jamie of Doyle Sails is to meet us in the morning to measure for our new sails.

A minor tragedy occurred enroute to Port Washington, Dwayne's favorite hat which was given to him as a present was lost overboard while we were dousing our mainsail. The hat floated away and was last seen  by Dwayne astern of Foreign Affair and drifting quickly toward Connecticut. Carla turned the boat around once the sail was secure on the boom; however, she did not follow the track left on the chart plotter and we never came across the hat despite looking for it for almost a half hour. Neptune now has another fine hat to add to his wardrobe. Periodically, Neptune demands some tribute and the Zephyrs helped him on this occasion.

Last photo of Dwayne's favorite sailing hat - Blown overboard moments later

Upon arrival at Port Washington, we took one of the free mooring balls and settled in for the evening. Tomorrow, we will be ready for Jamie when he heads over on the water taxi at around 0900.