Century Club: George Hernandez

Just across the channel. Originally to visit friends in Willoughby Marina I turned around after seeing the top of a thunderstorm about 40 miles SW over Franklin VA headed in my direction. It ultimately passed just to the south but no point in taking any chances of having to honker down and wait it out.

I wasn't going anywhere so by the time I finished a little work on the boat there was a 10 knot south wind to tack against leaving Mill Creek for the channel. I was headed over to Willoughby Bay but just as I entered the north channel going in, the breeze died. Fortunately I was off the channel as I slowly drifted on the incomming tide. Finally I dropped the sail and motored in.

Little wind, then a nice breeze. Starting off the outgoing tidal current carried me to the channel. Just enough air movement that I had rudder authority to maintain dricetional control. Once out a 15 knot NE breeze moved me along nicely. Knowing this likely wouldn't last I turned back to position myself for an easy sail back in when it did finally die.

One of my favorite places. Back River. Only 11.7 nm from Frot Monroe it is an easy sail even on a light wind day. This day had a wide range of winds. From 23 knot gusts that moved me along at 7 knots to dead calm. Obviously some thermal activity to make the day interesting. By mid afternoon the breeze became more reliable and the occasional throught of giving up left me.

With a north wind forecast overnight I anchored on the north side near north creek in ~8' of water. This didn't give me the protection I had hoped for as the breeze overnight was more NE and swells from the bay curved around the land and followed the river to hit me broadside rocking the boat until the early morning hours.