I almost didn't go out this morning. Breezy and forecast to get stronger. Also, southwest winds make it difficult pulling out of my slip. Turned out to be beautiful with a thin overcast and near 70 degrees. I sailed west for a bit before turning back towards Willoughby Bay. Checking winds aloft confirmed the possibility of much stronger gusts and with blue skies approaching I suspected heating and mixing of the atmosphere would bring them to the surface. I was ready and near my marina with my sails down when the 25 knot gusts began.
Century Club: George Hernandez
Friday, February 10, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Origionally planning to take advantage of a warm day to varnish, on the way to the boat I remembered I had used tle last. So instead I just disconneted the power and untied my sailboat and motored out onto Willoughby Bay and just drifted on the gentle breeze enjoying the warm sun, listening to music. So peaceful...
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
A beautiful morning after a night on the boat. Some adjustments on the boat solar mounts, then out for a little sail. With light winds and strong sun it was warm enough for shorts and t-shirt. Departing Willoughby marina and beginning my turn north towards the main channel I could see the carrier Gerald R Ford had been pushed back and was beginning to get underway. I managed to get a few shots as it crossed the HRBT. After sailing to Fort Monroe, warm sunshine became cold as the winds picked up and sails blocked the sun on me. Back into long pants, and sweatshirt...
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Sunshine and light NE wind when I finally got out this afternoon. Earlier I took advantage of calm conditions to do a little work on the boat. Of course, things took longer than expected and I didn't get out until almost 3. I never made it out of Willoughby Bay and just enjoyed a lazy sail back and forth. Just before heading in the Navy frogmen were practicing rescues a short distance from me.
Friday, January 27, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Storms approaching from the west were not forecast to reach Norfolk until mid-afternoon. Arriving at the marina clouds quickly moving in argued against that timing. I decided to get in a short sail in spite of this. Just as I was backing out of my slip the winds began increasing causing the bow of the boat to be blown to the right. For a moment my anchor was hung up on a line attached to the piling pulling it out of its stored position before being released. Motoring out of the marina into Willoughby Bay and looking west it was obvious showers were less than an hour away. Turned around and back to my slip without raising the main...
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
...and around Swells Point Spit. A steady 10 knot NW breeze made for a relaxing sail. At ~50 degrees it was a little cool when sails blocked the sun, but very comfortable the rest of the time. I would have stayed out longer but wanted to get in and remove my genoa to bring in for inspection and a little stitching. I may not go fast or far, but I will sail with just the main until it is returned.
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
My main goal was to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to get a coat of varnish my wood. I try to keep ahead of the UV, but the sunlight is always a step or two ahead of me. As always, things take longer than expected. What seems really warm to me, actually wasn't when it comes to drying varnish. But it was too nice a day to let that stop me. I just was real careful not to contact the tacky teak...
Sailed across the channel to Fort Monroe and back. Feeling warm in the sunshine, the plan was to anchor in Willoughby Bay to cook burgers on the grill. However, as the sun went down and my hands started to get cold, shore power and heat seemed like a better idea!
Monday, January 16, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
#4. About 15 degrees warmer than Sunday reaching the mid 50's. With the sunshine it was really nice, especially when you realize it's the middle of January! I sailed for about an hour and 20 minutes. Just out to the main channel around 1ER and back. Wed and Thur the highs might reach upper 60's. On one day a mid-winter coat of varnish and the other hopefully a sail...
Monday, January 9, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
A 20 knot NW breeze and a strong outbound tidal current made exiting the N channel out of Willoughby Bay a little difficult with only my main up. Finally unfurling the genoa partially gave the needed speed to offset drift through the narrow channel. Upwind was slow for a bit after turning west until the tidal current eased. I returned to Willoughby through the western channel after rounding Swells Spit.
Friday, January 6, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
#2
With a 10 knot west wind blowing a short sail from Willoughby Bay to near Buckroe Beach was perfect. A little cool on a beam reach became quite comfortable during a brief downwind with the sunshine. Returning, I saw in the distance what appeared to be a dinghy floating east on the outgoing tidal current. Hoping to capture and return it to the owner I changed course to intercept. As a got closer I could see it was a large tank of some sort. Several attempts to contact the USCG to advise them, failed, on both my radios. This hazard was eventually spotted and the following day CG radio broadcasts were still warning boaters.