...When you can be on the water?
So, I started the engine, unplugged and untied. Simple project. Just a change to the anchor release line and float. I motored out to the windward end of Willoughby Bay and just drifted on the breeze, while working and enjoying the sunshine. Out for an hour or so. It was wonderful!
Sail with my marina neighbor Eris on her CSY 33 'Black Dog'. A light SW wind and the outgoing tide slowly carried us out to Thimble Shoal lighthouse. Once out there the breeze weakened further making the return painfully slow. Time for the diesel.
Last day of the Southern Bay Race Week had the James River full of boats.
First a short sail with a marina neighbor. He owns a C&C 38 and was curious about my Nonsuch 30. After that I was back out onto Willoughby Bay sailing back and forth until late afternoon when I anchored on the east end for the night. I had hoped to go somewhere but with a commitment the following day I decided to play it safe and stay close.
It was a beautiful day so I decided to just motor out and do my work out on the water. On the way out I saw something in the water. Once closer I could see it was a dinghy overturned in the water. A work boat arrived before I did and said that he had already brought the skipper to the shore. Calling the marina I found a crew was getting ready to provide assistance.
Back River was my alternate if Mother Nature didn't cooperate. Original destination the Goodwin Islands. During the first 2-1/2 hours in a light west breeze I only made 5.7 miles. It was a hot day with the afternoon high over 93°. Finally a refreshing NE wind arrived and I was then moving along nicely. However, by that point with 3 hours to my destination I decided to just pull into Back River.
My marina and sailing student was called into work at the last minute. Already on the way to the marina. Rather than going out on her boat, I sailed Sebatical. Turns out not really a great day for sailing. A light SW breeze only moved me along at around 2 knots. By a little after noon I decided to head back in. Tomorrow, if there a better breeze north to the Goodwin Islands or Back River if less. Willoughby Bay if there no wind at all...
Original plan, Middle Ground Lighthouse then Portsmouth. Making great progress until the wind died ahead of the shift from NE to S. Decided to try out Lafayette River for the night. Nice spot right across from the Norfolk Yacht Club.
Light east wind, just strong enough to carry us east against the incomming tide.
Light winds and sunshine fit well with the mild afternoon temperature but not for leaving Willoughby Bay with any confidence. Sailing out to the channel at Fort Wool about the time a lull arrived turned me back around. I'm anxious to go somewhere, but lately it is either too breezy or not breezy enough...
A light NE breeze had me averaging 2.3 knots over a 2 hour sail. The air had a slight chill but the sunshine kept it comfortable.