Well, Spirit Chaser is now safely back in Noank. (This is actually a photo taken of her before we set off to Block Island). She'll need a new jib or genoa, and most of her rigging will need to be replaced before we cruise off to Block Island again, or to Montauk. But she's a beautiful sloop, and I refuse to give up on her. We will have her sailing the Sound again next year. In the meantime, there's still plenty of time left this Fall to take her up and down the Mystic River, and to more local points of interest. Long live Spirit Chaser!!!

As it turned out, the wind REALLY picked up at about the 3 and a half hour mark. Instead of using common sense, and furling the genoa a bit, the eager Skipper continued to head into the wind at a close haul for some fun, fast sailing. It wasn't until the boat nearly capsized that it started to dawn on Captain and crew that maybe, just maybe, we were all tempting fate a bit too much. Unfortunately, we came to the realization a little too late, as the main sheet pulley broke free from the boom and the boom fell to the side, hanging over the boat. As I worked on that problem, we were blown around by the wind in the genny, which ultimately caused our big problem - the genny wrapped around the headstay, which made it impossible to furl it in. At this point, the waves were coming in big and strong with whitecaps and sizeable rollers. Once the main sail was stabilized, we headed in toward Watch Hill, aiming to get in behind the sand bar. Well - the story of our adventure consists of multiple parts, involving the kindness of multiple strangers (including the U.S. Coast Guard!) - and is probably better told over a few pints of beer. But the one lesson we did learn, aside from not tempting fate on the open seas, was that there are some remarkably kind people in the world. In particular, Kevin and Dennis, some local residents of Stonington, who helped us find our way to a safe harbor with a shredded up genoa in 5 knot currents. They helped us with our outboard, which got tangled up in a lobster pot rope. They helped us retrieve our anchor after it fell overboard - bitter end and all! They brought the First and Second Mates to shore as we struggled to keep the boat moored while we attempted to cut the genny free. Suffice it to say - they saved our lives, and we are forever grateful to them!

Here is a picture of our rescuers, standing with the Captain and First and Second Mates in front of our tragically torn up genoa. THANKS GUYS!!!

We got an early start back to Noank on Monday, heading out at about 9:30 in the morning to meet the flood tide. The trip was pretty uneventful at first, with a consistent but fairly weak wind. (We got spoiled by the winds the day before.)

About 3 hours into the trip, the winds started to pick up, and we had some fun. The First and Seconds Mates yelled "Heel! Heel!", urging us to go faster and faster.

Here's a photo of them holding onto the pulpit as the boat tilted in the growing wind.