SV Why Knot- No plan, no schedule, no destination.

The passing of my life mate has ended the cruise of Why Knot. Thanks to those that followed her voyages. It gave us wonderful memories and a heck of a life

Dreams in Works

Who: Bear (Jo) and Bligh (Howell) Cooper and Scurv
Port: Port Aransas, Texas
Our greatest challenge was to actually bring in the dock lines at our home port and get going. Next came the actual act of living aboard which is way different than weekending or the occasional extended sail. This is life avoiding causing your mate to drop stuff or run into bulkheads. This is having so much stuff aboard that one has to inventory. This is life without land transportation in strange places. This is meeting folks and hating to say good bye, then looking forward to the time when courses cross again, to the surprise of seeing them at some unexpected place.
14 October 2015
16 February 2015 | Port Aransas
18 December 2014
02 December 2014 | Port Aransas, Texas
09 October 2014 | Port Aransas
28 September 2014 | City Marina, Port Aransas
04 September 2014 | Clear Lake, Texas
01 September 2014
24 August 2014
13 August 2014
09 August 2014 | Clear Lake Shores, Texas
01 August 2014
13 July 2014 | Clear Lake, Texas
29 June 2014 | Clear Lake/Canyon Lake
17 June 2014
15 June 2014 | Solomons, MD- same old slip- not moved
12 June 2014
28 May 2014

In Port At The Right Time

30 June 2012
IN PORT AT THE RIGHT TIME
6/30/2012 12:45 AM
Just a few minutes ago, we were awakened by the sounds of very high winds and a 15 degree list aboard. The wind in the wire was definitely indicative of something we did not want, a fierce squall line approaching. There was not much rain at that time but that changed quickly. In fact, our instruments clocked the winds right at 60 knots or 69.1 mph. That is just 5.9 mph short of hurricane strength. So, here we are in a slip with a long fetch upwind. The waves were hitting us broadside that actually topped the dock to windward of us. Since we were not doubled on the dock lines, I was somewhat concerned at their ability to hold but they did. We were showered repeatedly with salt spray and the sounds of the winds that kept Scurv on high alert. A nearby dinghy tied astern of a boat actually flipped with the motor on. The good news is that it did a 360 as I watched it so the only casualty was a loose life jacket which went on its own program down wind. About ten minutes into the event, a nearby boat with a continuous line roller furling has a failure of the furling system. The headsail deployed in a Mae West with the sheets still wrapped. It took twelve minutes to shred that sail and there was nothing we could do because of the high winds. The noise was deafening. Thirty minutes later, as quickly as it came, it was gone. Fortunately, the ensuing rain washed the salt away. It was really strange to see a large gaggle of geese swimming about in the harbor. They seemed to enjoy the ride.
We have been shanghaied in a way by this place. Since there is so much to see around the Bay and we may never pass this way again, we decided to stay a while longer. In fact, we are taking a year slip lease with the idea of getting to see as much of this historical and scenic place as possible. We also decided we need to get back to Texas for a visit since there seems to be no difference in the weather lately. Thus, we will leave here just after the 4th and come home for a bit. We look forward to seeing family and friends soon.
Comments
Vessel Name: Why Knot
Vessel Make/Model: Beneteau 411 #24 built in Marion, SC
Hailing Port: Port Aransas, Texas
Crew: Bear (Jo) and Bligh (Howell) Cooper and Scurv
About:
Each other's only date in life. 30 years sailing Texas waters and now on the cruise of dreams (even though there are days when it is hard to believe). About Why Knot Why Knot survived Hurricane Katrina whilst in New Orleans. Year Built: 1998 L.O.A.: 41'-8" Hull Length: 40'-5" L.W.L. [...]
Extra: Scurv (ABSD= able bodied sea dog) signed on in October 2012. Scurv is a toy Schnauzer

Dreams in Works

Who: Bear (Jo) and Bligh (Howell) Cooper and Scurv
Port: Port Aransas, Texas
Our greatest challenge was to actually bring in the dock lines at our home port and get going. Next came the actual act of living aboard which is way different than weekending or the occasional extended sail. This is life avoiding causing your mate to drop stuff or run into bulkheads. This is having so much stuff aboard that one has to inventory. This is life without land transportation in strange places. This is meeting folks and hating to say good bye, then looking forward to the time when courses cross again, to the surprise of seeing them at some unexpected place.
Why Knot left Texas in January of 2010 bound for no particular harbor. We made ports of call all around the Gulf Coast to the Keys then north up the Atlantic Coast and to the Abacos.