This past weekend Joao emailed me to say that there is a low pressure system that is heading for Rhode Island, and thus what is our plan? Initial forecast for Tuesday was 20 knots out of the east during the day, strengthening to 30-35 at night. That seemed quite alright for doing the passage from Newport to Block Island since the Salt Pond in the middle of the island is very well protected. Since the wind was forecast to get stronger in the afternoon, the plan was to have a quick breakfast and leave right away.
When all the crew assembled on Ann Street public pier in Newport we had to take Frank's things to Salty Ginger. I was told that there is a public dock where I could get water. Rather than search for it on the sailboat which is much less maneouvarable , we took the dingy to see where we can tie up. When we were next to what seemed to be the right dock, we asked if this was the right dock to fill up with water. The guy looked at us and the dingy in a condescending sort of way and asked "You want to fill that up with water?" We burst out laughing: clearly we didn't look "professional" enough on a folding dingy with an electric motor. When we pulled up on Salty Ginger he was much more respectful and helpful. Now we had water, the holding tank was empty, so we were ready for early morning departure.
The weather on Tuesday turned out to be nicer than forecast: we had 15 knots of easterly wind on the passage and even though the seas were confused and we saw some 4-5 foot waves, everybody's stomach could handle 2 hours of being tossed around while making 7-8 knots. And once we were on the western side of Block island the water was practically flat and we were able to accelerate to 8.5 and even 9 knots. Salty Ginger can certainly move!
Finding a spot to anchor was easy. We let out a bit more chain than usual in anticipation of the stronger winds and then cooked some pasta for lunch. Then it was time for a nap. I think I haven't had a day-time nap since doing the passage from Nova Scotia to Maine, and it's not like I didn't get enough sleep the night before, but yesterday the nap was in order.
Before leaving Newport we folded the dingy since dragging it through potentially high seas did not seem prudent. It was definitely the right decision. 15 minutes spent to fold it and then 15 more to unfold it on the deck is a cheap "insurance" to prevent damage or loss. After all, that's the only way we can get to shore from an anchorage. Folded dingy occupies minimal space tied to the lifelines and can provide wind protection.
When we got into the dingy to check out the waves on the beach it started to drizzle. The wind was getting stronger, but not so bad: the drops hitting the skin didn't hurt. The seabed off the eastern coast of the island has a gentle slope, so this is not a surfers' paradise, but the sea looked a little angry.
3-year old Gabriel had fun being chased by the foam, so we walked on the beach for a bit looking at little birds and picking up some trash left by people or washed ashore. Our plan to check out the town was foiled by stronger wind and rain, so half way to the town we turned and headed for Salty Ginger. Inside the cabin it was dry and warm.
Frank brought cooked food: boef bourguignon, turkey chili, frozen burritoes. He has done a number of offshore races, where time for cooking is limited at best. This put us into a difficult position of deciding what to have for dinner! A good problem to have, for sure. Last night expertly cooked beef bourguignon and rice were appreciated by the crew together with some salad and red wine.
Through the night the wind was howling and the rain kept pouring nonstop until 6 or so. Even though the pond is very well protected, sleeping in the berth on the bow I could hear the little waves crashing into the hull. In turn, Joao said that in the aft berth it took him some to get used to the sound of the waves hitting the dingy. Even the pond is a little angry in 20 knot winds.
The forecast calls for somewhat lighter winds by 13:00, so now it's time to bail out the rain water from the dingy and explore New Shoreham before heading to Montauk.
When all the crew assembled on Ann Street public pier in Newport we had to take Frank's things to Salty Ginger. I was told that there is a public dock where I could get water. Rather than search for it on the sailboat which is much less maneouvarable , we took the dingy to see where we can tie up. When we were next to what seemed to be the right dock, we asked if this was the right dock to fill up with water. The guy looked at us and the dingy in a condescending sort of way and asked "You want to fill that up with water?" We burst out laughing: clearly we didn't look "professional" enough on a folding dingy with an electric motor. When we pulled up on Salty Ginger he was much more respectful and helpful. Now we had water, the holding tank was empty, so we were ready for early morning departure.
The weather on Tuesday turned out to be nicer than forecast: we had 15 knots of easterly wind on the passage and even though the seas were confused and we saw some 4-5 foot waves, everybody's stomach could handle 2 hours of being tossed around while making 7-8 knots. And once we were on the western side of Block island the water was practically flat and we were able to accelerate to 8.5 and even 9 knots. Salty Ginger can certainly move!
Finding a spot to anchor was easy. We let out a bit more chain than usual in anticipation of the stronger winds and then cooked some pasta for lunch. Then it was time for a nap. I think I haven't had a day-time nap since doing the passage from Nova Scotia to Maine, and it's not like I didn't get enough sleep the night before, but yesterday the nap was in order.
Before leaving Newport we folded the dingy since dragging it through potentially high seas did not seem prudent. It was definitely the right decision. 15 minutes spent to fold it and then 15 more to unfold it on the deck is a cheap "insurance" to prevent damage or loss. After all, that's the only way we can get to shore from an anchorage. Folded dingy occupies minimal space tied to the lifelines and can provide wind protection.
When we got into the dingy to check out the waves on the beach it started to drizzle. The wind was getting stronger, but not so bad: the drops hitting the skin didn't hurt. The seabed off the eastern coast of the island has a gentle slope, so this is not a surfers' paradise, but the sea looked a little angry.
3-year old Gabriel had fun being chased by the foam, so we walked on the beach for a bit looking at little birds and picking up some trash left by people or washed ashore. Our plan to check out the town was foiled by stronger wind and rain, so half way to the town we turned and headed for Salty Ginger. Inside the cabin it was dry and warm.
Frank brought cooked food: boef bourguignon, turkey chili, frozen burritoes. He has done a number of offshore races, where time for cooking is limited at best. This put us into a difficult position of deciding what to have for dinner! A good problem to have, for sure. Last night expertly cooked beef bourguignon and rice were appreciated by the crew together with some salad and red wine.
Through the night the wind was howling and the rain kept pouring nonstop until 6 or so. Even though the pond is very well protected, sleeping in the berth on the bow I could hear the little waves crashing into the hull. In turn, Joao said that in the aft berth it took him some to get used to the sound of the waves hitting the dingy. Even the pond is a little angry in 20 knot winds.
The forecast calls for somewhat lighter winds by 13:00, so now it's time to bail out the rain water from the dingy and explore New Shoreham before heading to Montauk.
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