Homebound Leg 2

Day 1- Plans were to be off the dock in New London by 0700 to reach the East end of Fisher's Island as the current turned fair. Arthur Sweeney and Ai Lean Lim had signed on for the remainder of the trip to Boston. Fog had rolled in overnight and we had just enough visibility around 0830 to depart. As our crew of three made our way down the channel we were greeted by the Coast Guard and escorted across to make way for an inbound Naval submarine. We were able to catch a glimpse but unable to take a photo of this rare opportunity.

The entire day was spent motoring in fog with � -1 mile visibility. Good progress was being made so we pushed on to Cuttyhunk and arrived approximately 10 hrs later around 1830. The wind had picked up since entering the Cuttyhunk channel and I was a little concerned about good holding once we found the winter sticks had not yet been replaced with moorings. After dragging anchor twice through eel grass the anchor held on the third try. Shortly after settling in, the fog became so thick only the anchor lights were visible from the 4 neighboring boats who were also using Cuttyhunk pond as a refuge. The crew was rewarded with a nice dinner of steak wraps.

Day 2 (SUN)- After boiling some water for coffee and grabbing a piece of fruit for breakfast, we were off the hook around 0730 and underway toward the Cape Cod Canal. The fog lifted throughout the morning and we could see both banks of Buzzards Bay by late morning. We reached the mouth of the canal a little early and decided to take a lunch break near Wings Neck by drifting.

After lunch we started our transit 30 min before slack and had a slight current against us during this time. The only other traffic we encountered was a mid 30's Pacific Seacraft and a tug & barge. Based on the weather forecast for Monday with a small craft advisory after 12 noon and winds increasing to 15-20kts with 30kt gusts, we decided to push on past Sandwich Marina and head all the way to Scituate with an estimated arrival of 2130. Seas were 3-5 feet and I occasionally needed to back off the throttle on a couple larger waves we encountered. The other sailboat we had motored past in the canal had now overtaken us, no doubt to the use of autopilot that tracked better than my helming skills and the heavier displacement and full keel of their boat. We bounced around several hours and made it to Scituate well after dark.

The night was spent at the SHYC floating dock which was still being heavily worked on and several tripping hazards were present. Arthur's son came to pick him up leaving myself and Ai Lean to make the short hop from Scituate to Winthrop Harbor.

Day 3 (MON)- The cabin got quite cold overnight and I reluctantly climbed out of my sleeping bag to use the head. After listening to the weather forecast on the VHF I decided it was better to get a move on and get into Winthrop before the small craft advisory took effect. After a short 3 � hrs, we were secured to my mooring just at high tide around 1115. The skies cleared and the sun warmed up the air to the upper 60's. It was hard to believe it got so nice at the very end of the trip.

Dirty and weary, we threw our gear into the inflatable and headed toward the public launch ramp. My truck was still where I had left it (always a good sign) and I backed partway down the ramp to load up. A 2 hour drive to CT and 2hr drive back was still ahead of me, but I was glad to be finished. With the lack of sleep and irregular diet over the last few days, I began to feel a little ill. With my contingency day of TUES still in my back pocket, I planned to use it to sleep in at home and clean up the boat.

I'd like to thank all those that made the trip up to Boston possible, including both crew and support personnel. I'd like to thank Iain Galloway and Jeff Elefson for volunteering their time and saving me from the transient rates being charged at Westbrook after April 15th.

I'd like to thank Arthur Sweeney and Ai Lean Lim for stepping up to help a sailor safely bring his boat to his home waters of Boston. Your experience increased my level of confidence in the trip and of my capabilities.

A very special thanks goes to Craig Spear, who not only offered dock space to a sailor in need, but for also the phone support and weather analysis and logistical concerns during our trip. Now that Harmony is at home in Boston, I invite all of you to enjoy what Harmony Sailing and Boston have to offer. Thanks again!

It appears that my well drawn out plan to bring Harmony to her new home in Boston will had to be revised. A Nor'Easter was forecast for New England the same weekend. I decided to make a day sail on Saturday, April 14th, and at least make some forward progress before the storm set in. With a crew of three including myself, Iain Galloway and Jeff Elefson, we made our way eastward to New London. A friend of Pelagic Sailing Club graciously granted me temporary dockage until a better weather window was forecast to make the remainder of the trip up.

Winds were 15-20kts with gusts to 30kts, and we proceeded under 1/3 roller furling jib averaging 6.5-7.8kts over ground with fair current. The winds were on the port quarter and helped to push us quickly along. We arrived in New London just after lunch on Saturday. Once in New London, we made preparations for the storm by using multiple dock lines and fenders attached to the 4 pilings we were held between.

The Nor'Easter showed its full force of fury Sunday evening into Monday morning with gusts of 54kts registered at the New London weather station. It wasn't until Wednesday that winds dropped below 30kts in New London. Harmony took quite a beating, and did suffer minor damage including the bow pulpit being pushed in after 2 lines broke and allowed the bow to make contact with a forward starboard piling. The bow nav lights were pushed back and the lower starboard lifeline was dangling in the water along with a tangle of fenders. Quite a heartbreaking moment.

Repairs were made to all but the bow pulpit which will be taken care of later in the season and didn't affect working on deck or interfere with the roller furling. Lessons learned were to use everything available regardless if you think you need it or not. Had I rigged the fender boards and chafe gear prior, I may have avoided the damage to the pulpit.

Plans are now being made to make the remainder of the journey to Boston beginning Saturday, April 28th.

Since taking ownership of Harmony on December 28, 2006, I have already begun a "To Do" list including a complete cleaning inside and out. Some of the tasks include:

Cleaning the head
Wiping all interior surfaces
Airing out cushions
Cleaning/organizing cockpit lockers
Installing GFI outlet
Installing new main halyard + mainsheet
Replacing nav lights on bow
Replacing steaming light bulb
Installing new drive belt
Replacing radiator cap