Strategic Positioning
11 October 2012 | Stonington
Linda & Grinnell / Cool & Sunny
An easy 18 mile beat into 3 foot seas with 12 to 18 knot winds has Thistle positioned on the lee of the Connecticut shore for the anticipated Saturday Northerlies. We have been battling winds that are stronger than we would choose since Tuesday. Last night Grinnell added chafing gear to the mooring pennant in anticipation of predicted 30 knot gusts, which did not disappoint.
When you are on a sailboat and the wind is blowing 30 knots and above you become very aware of the force of nature. Anything loose on deck rattles. Lines and stays thrum and hum. Halyards, given the chance, will start rhythmically thwacking the mast. Slots in the rigging become whistles. Waves build and what seemed a serene harbor in the evening is rolling with whitecaps during the night. Boats heel and yaw at their moorings.
Snuggled here up harbor in Stonington, we hear the wind building again. but we're well protected from the West and North and are looking forward to a night that does not involve multiple forays on deck to check the pennants and tame the halyards. Tomorrow we plan to explore town.