Home from Cutty
14 June 2012
There were some heavy heads in the morning, but Sunday dawned beautiful - if a little too calm.
I messed about in the dingy for a while trying to see if I could get the engine going right by simply running it with the new gas - but no luck. However, I was able to get out to the Canapitsit Channel - and I think it's navigable with Toodle-oo! Maybe one day we'll check that out...
When I got back to the boat, Laurie was feeling a little better and time was getting on - so we weighed anchor at 11:15 and set off to catch Elixir, with Jamin in hot pursuit. That didn't last long as Jamin pushed the button and raised the main, while we had tangles left, right and center which delayed the main for some time!
We motored out past Middle Ground with very little wind, but it began to pipe up so we launched the spinnaker in about 8kts and gybed to starboard towards Horseneck Beach. Meanwhile, Elixir, a mile or so ahead was also flying a kite and Jamin joined in shortly after on port tack. To keep everyone in sight, we lowered the spinnaker and gybed her over (gotta get another sheet!) so that we could follow Jamin, with a heading pointing us well out to sea - but a forecasted wind shift occurred and we were suddenly on a direct course for Newport in about 8 - 10 kts, managing to sail along at 6 - 7 kts in bright sunshine.
Champagne Sailing!
We were slowly hauling in Jamin and then chatted with Elixir, who were waiting up for us, with just a main up. As Toodle-oo! and Jamin went past, Elixir raised her kite and we had the three of us, flying spinnakers all in pretty close formation! Very cool! Lots of photo ops too - so check out the photo gallery on the right.
After an hour or so of wonderful spinnaker sailing, Elixir and Jamin peeled off to head up the Sakonnet while we pushed on towards Newport. By now Laurie was feeling much better and had her nose back in The Book.
Once we got to Brenton Reef, we found ourselves inundated with sailboats of all shapes and sizes returning from a regatta. I've never seen so many boats packed into the East Passage. Unfortunately, the wind had dropped, so we motored the rest of the way to NEB, arriving at the dock at 6:15pm. Long sail - fun sail.
Thanks to Jamin and Elixir for making it a great weekend...