Mamaroneck to Huntington Harbor - Our New Sails

Dwayne was up at 0600 making coffee and preparing the boat for movement (check engine oil, check batteries, move VHF handheld radio, SPOT emergency alert device, iPad, binoculars, logbook to cockpit, remove wheel cover and instrument covers, etc.). Carla was on her feet at 0630 for a cup of coffee and checking the morning weather report. We reviewed the movement plan for the day, warmed up the engine and cast off just before 0700.

The weather was gloomy - overcast and cool. Winds were 10 - 15 mph on the bow and waves were up to 2 feet. We motored all the way to Huntington Harbor. We had been to Northport Bay previously; however, this was our first trip to Huntington Harbor which proved to be a pleasant surprise. The harbor entrance was narrow but the channel was well marked and deep. An old lighthouse helped guide us into the harbor. Hundreds of boats were on moorings or in slips at one of the several yacht clubs and marinas. The shore was lined with beautiful homes. Finally, the sun came out. The day was getting better with each passing hour.

We were to meet Jamie from Doyle Sails and Nick, the rigger at the Huntington Town Dock at 1000 where we would install the Tides Marine Strong Track System and hank on the new sails. Jamie called at 1000 and said they were running a little late and expected to arrive in a half hour or so. That was great by us, as we too were running a little late. We took advantage of this opportunity to stop at one of the marinas to get fuel, water, a pump-out and drop our garbage before arriving at the Town Dock. This was all accomplished very efficiently and we expected to arrive at the Town Dock about the same time as Jamie and Nick.

When we did arrive, there was no one to help us handle dock lines. This was the first time we had to land at a dock unassisted. However, we were prepared for this and made an uneventful landing. Shortly after, Jamie and Nick showed up with the new sails. Everything was going well.

Our first task was to remove the old mainsail. This took a little time since we had to remove the blocks installed as part of the reefing system. The shackles which attached them were small and it took a few minutes to remove them. We also had to unshackle the clew and tack, as well as, remove the topping lift. None of this was difficult, it just took some time.

The first sail up was the genoa as there was little more to do than attach the sheets, hoist it on the furler and furl it up once we verified everything was in good order. It was a quick and easy task since there was just a slight breeze less than 5 mph in the harbor.

Next, was installing the Tides Strong Track on the mast. Nick had to use a Dremel tool to create a new gate for the track to slide up the original track in the mast. This took a bit of time since the Dremel would get hot and we'd have to wait while it cooled and change cutting wheels. The track went on without any trouble once the gate was cut. Another quick and easy task accomplished.

Finally, it was time to hank on and hoist the new mainsail. Getting the reefing blocks installed took the most time but went rather quickly. A new topping lift was installed along with the new Dutchman system. Once the clew and tack were secure, the halyard was snapped to the headboard and we began feeding the sail into the track as it rose up the mast. Carla snapped pictures and it looked great going up. We expected to be leaving the dock sooner than anticipated and heading north with new sails.

We were all happy until it was discovered the leech was too long and the boom was not able to clear the dodger. This discovery "took the wind out of our sails". Our joyful, happy moment was short-lived. After a few measurements, it was determined the leech was at least two inches too long. Nick made a quick phone call to the sail loft and spoke to one of the sailmakers to determine what might be done. It was decided to bring the sail back to the loft to examine the possibility of having it re-cut. In the end, this was not possible as to do so would cause the Dutchman lines to be skewed and other elements of the sail to be less than perfect. A new mainsail would have to be made.

Jamie and Nick returned from the loft with the sad news. Nick re-measured for the new mainsail. Jamie would make sure it was placed on a rush order status. The loft took our original mainsail and installed new slugs on it to work with the Tide Strong Track System. Once again, the reefing blocks had to be removed from one sail and installed on the other. The old topping lift was re-rigged. The old mainsail was hanked on and run up the mast to verify all was in proper order. We would be able to sail with main and genoa. The new sail was expected to be finished in 4 weeks and we would come to Huntington on our way south so Jamie and Nick could get us on our way to the Bahamas for the winter with a new mainsail.

We left Huntington Harbor in time to move to Eatons Neck Basin to anchor for the evening. We got there at 1700. It was nearly high tide which was good because the entrance is perhaps 6 feet deep and we needed the tidal help to get in for the night. We had just enough room to drop the anchor and stay out of the channel in this narrow basin which is home to one of the largest Coast Guard stations on the Sound. Three other boats anchored with us. Around 2200 the Coast Guard came out to check the anchorage and loudly reprimanded some people on a boat near us for not having their anchor light on after dark and being anchored too close to the channel. We were glad we took extra care not to encroach on the channel and we make it a point to remind each other to turn on the anchor light as it gets dark. We feel asleep soon after the commotion was over.