Just a short sail around Willoughby Bay. I wanted to see how it went getting in and out of my temporary spot with a east wind. I did it, but I think next time particularly if the wind is stronger I'll come in front first...
Century Club: George Hernandez
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
After a year at Old Point Comfort Marina I'm returning to Willoughby. I couldn't stand the traffic problems with the HRBT. It seriously impacted access to my boat and getting out sailing. Thank you to the staff at Old Point Comfort Marina. They were great and I am sad to leave...
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
It started off nice with a gentle south breeze as I tacked towards the channel. Once out there it dropped to almost nothing. Eventually a very light wind returned enabling me to cross the channel before sailing back to the marina. With little air movement it got quite warm in the sun running downwind. Saturday I will be moving my boat to Willoughby Harbor Marina. Sad to leave Old Point Comfort but the HRBT is killing me with almost constant backups adding about an hour to my round trip...
I forgot my camera, so no pictures!!!!
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
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.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 to Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Number of days:
2 days
Orignial plan, Sail north. New plan, give up and go over to Willoughby Bay for the night.
Though I knew the winds were forecast to be fairly light, the combination of wildly variable winds and tidal current slowed my progress to a crawl. After 2-1/2 hours and only a few miles which is just out of shouting range of my start point I gave up and elected for a relaxing afternoon and evening anchored in Willoughby Bay.
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
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.
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Light south winds and pleasant weather made for a relaxing sail on the channel near Fort Monroe.
As I was identifying an unusual looking boat named "Windea Courageous" I found there were no pictures of it on the 'Boat Beacon' app. So the following morning I uploaded my photo to the app. Since I take pictures of everything that passes me, contributing to the database might be something fun to do....
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
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.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Back to Fort Monroe. A fairly strong breeze had me start off with a reef in the sail. With the wind about 30 degrees off my track through the narrow channel and an incoming tidal current I was making slow progress. I had to run the diesel to get through the tighest point which also turned more into the wind. Once out and as the channel turned more SE, out comes the reef and an easy though rolling sail towards home.
Monday, May 19, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
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.