What a different experience this year! Instead of days reefed this year we alternated between champagne sailing and fighting to keep steerage in calms. We only used the big genoa and spinnakers; we only put in a single reef once when a squall approached but never caught us. Not that this trip was without drama. […]
Longing for a Lee Shore
Why I almost quit sailing before I really got started Watching a peacock get blown over attempting to display his plumage tells me today will be a good day for sailing. I donned one of the terrible yellow foam life vests and signed out a hobie cat. The wind built as I sailed away from […]
A Difficult November Delivery to Maine
The shit hit the fan all at once: we rounded Cape Ann and suddenly we were no longer sheltered from the northwest wind or seas. We headed up to close hauled and began pounding into the chop. The sun dipped below the horizon and we were quickly enveloped in darkness. Rounding this natural choke point […]
End of Season Follow-up
In my post about my last sail of the season I mentioned that my phone went for a swim in the bilge and I lost the footage. In a shocking turn of events the rice immersion saved the phone and some of the footage. It was a hectic sail so I didn’t get much footage […]
Neptune Subtly Hints that my Season is Over
I started the day denying that the sailing season is over. October 31st is just another date, I don’t need to stop sailing just because most of my friends’ boats are out of the water and Boston’s sailing clubs are closed for the season. We planned a fun day of sailing November 1st in Buzzards […]
The Scenic Route to the Boat Show
“Today is rain free and just a little bit on the windy side in the Boston Harbor. Let’s go sailing ehh?” “The bay will be much like the open ocean. Sounds like an adventure!” “I really want to get out there now!” Thus were my lamentations as I watched some formidable weather pass the East […]
Fantastic First Delivery: Offshore at 17+ Knots
My first offshore trip was a delivery and it was an amazing sail. When I look back on it I always remember feeling relaxed and cruising downwind. This video makes me feel the same way. Though, as the end alluded to there was still some adventure along the way. With as many things as went […]
Fearless’ Marion to Bermuda Bash
I had intended to narrate this video but after choosing the songs and putting together a rough cut I decided I liked just fine sans narration. Fortunately I have this blog where I can share a bit about the trip: The start of the Marion to Bermuda race was eerily calm. Light to no wind […]