Probably due to a little late start, tide being against me and the NE wind right on my nose. I was making terrible time even before the wind let up mid afternoon. Chart plotter predicted arrival after sunset so Kiptopeake would have to wait for another time. I turned towards Back River for the overnight. Clouds thickened and the forecast continued to go downhill with rain forecast in the morning. Fortunately only light rain for the sail home. I needed to wear a raincoat for a little while but overall it was a pleasant and fairly fast sail back home.
Century Club: George Hernandez
Monday, September 23, 2024 to Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Number of days:
2 days
Friday, September 20, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
A nice afternoon on the water. Sailed downwind on the north side of the Hampton Bar and around to Fort Wool before turning back to OPCM at Fort Monroe.
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
I was asked to be one of the safety boats for this race. It was a very breezy day with a northeast wind gusting over 20. Normally I wouldn't even untie my boat on a day like this! The course was shortened to eliminate crossing the main channel to Middle Ground Light and the expected rougher conditions out there. I anchored just east of R22 which would be the turnpoint. Six boats made it around the course. Four Sunfish, a trimaran and one sloop. It was impressive to see these little sailboats out on a day that I was not happy in my 6 ton Nonsuch!
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Finally, I was able to get some much needed work done. The removal of a jammed up Blooper line and cheek block, installation of a wind indicator, and new topping lifts. Plural, because Nonsuch have three. One from the mast top to the end of the 'whichbone' boom and two from the sides of the mast to support the front of the whichbone boom. Thank you Gaston Saada and Tidewater Marine Service.
After that I motored over to photograph the Willoughby race. Nice NE breeze blowing and fast racing. With the sun already setting, I again simply motored back to Old Point Comfort. With an outgoing tide and incoming wind it was quite rough crossing the channel. Arriving in the dark with a flashlight in my hand I was happy for an uneventful docking...
Monday, September 9, 2024 to Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Number of days:
2 days
A sail over to Willoughby Bay for the night. Some fishing, burgers on the grill and then movie time. Pleasant night with the cooler weather...
Monday, August 26, 2024 to Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Number of days:
2 days
A sail north. Light winds early picked up as forecast and gave me 7 knots as I turned NW towards the York River. Comfortable night. Nice sail back to Fort Monroe. Light winds for a good part of the day...
Friday, August 23, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Departing Willoughby Bay about 9:30 with a 5-7 knot north wind I was concerned about sailing the narrow north channel. Fortunately, as I approached the winds shifted about 20 degrees to the east and I was able to sail out with only a couple tacks in spite of the incoming tide.
That went well, but the incoming flow was carrying me towards the Hampton Bar rather than OPCM. No problem, I'll just tack and make more progress east before turning back on course. After tacking, I'm looking at the chart plotter in disbelief. It says I'm not even going to make it back to where I entered the main channel. That's it! Fire up the diesel...
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
After some overdue work on a stantion, I was ready to head out. Unfortunately by then it was right at peak ebb tidal flow! My slip at OPCM is close to an opening in the seawall and the current squeezing around the seawall gets quite powerful. It wants to push me back into my slip and even worse since it is at an angle, so when backing out I occasionally get pushed sideways against the pilings. Eventually I'll work out a technique until another slip becomes available. With the current and narrow fairway, backing in is not always an option.
Comfortable temperatures and a NE breeze for the evening. Nice sailing for the racers and perfect for sleeping. I love the hot weather but prefer 60's for an overnight low over 90!
Monday, August 12, 2024 to Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Number of days:
2 days
An overnight to Back River. Originally planning for the Goodwin Is, light winds midday forced a change of plans. I was hoping to watch the Perseid meteor shower from the dark skies there. Turns out upper level clouds would have diminished the view anyway. The following morning an area of showers moved across that area and off to the east so I guess falling short of my destination was a blessing....
Thursday, August 1, 2024 to Friday, August 2, 2024
Number of days:
2 days
A very warm Thursday as I set out ahead of the evening Willoughby Race. A light west breeze had faded as I got out of the marina so with the sail up I motored into the channel to let the outgoing tide carry me east. Passing Fort Wool into the bay ripples were visible on the water a half mile to the north. Again with the help of the Westerbeke to get me there, some sailing! I cruised north past Buckroe Beach before turning back.
The sun was brutal. With the temperature in the upper 90's, light winds and no bimini to hide under I was very uncomfortable. Entering Willoughby Bay I gave up and used the diesel again. As soon as the anchor was down, so was the swim ladder and into the water to cool off.
After photographing the evening race, dinner and a movie. It never cooled off and with a fan blowing on me, sleep was impossible until 3 am. On the plus side, I was awake to watch the upper stage of a Falcon 9 heading up the coast.
In the morning back to OPCM before the worst heat of the day arrived,