Crossing the Gulf of Maine — 2003-08-17 14:40
(The swimming was exhilarating — Sam, Mike, and I went in several times.)
We went for a sail this morning, a brief out-and-back that included some fast tacking up a narrow channel. It’s quite a pleasure to ride the prow through nearly flat water on a close-hauled point. She cuts the water beautifully. So smooth.
We were becalmed at about 11:30, so we motored back to meet Alice, who had driven up to meet us. After fueling, filling the fresh-water tank, washing out the icebox & the head, and loading up the gear & food for Pop & Alice’s two-week cruise, we moored again and went ashore for lunch.
Lunch was ordered from the little restaurant at the Cod End marina in Tenant’s Harbor. A mix of lobster rolls, fried oysters, onion rings, fries, and PB&J. Several toasts were made — to the captain, the crew, to Alice (who had pre-made the dinners), and to Pamina (the ship, a 36-foot sloop made by Sabre).
We said our farewells — Steve, Mike, & Sam were driving back south in the car with which Alice drove up — and cast off from the mooring at 14:00.
After coating ourselves generously with sunscreen, Henry & I went forward and attempted variously to engage in conversation & to nap. I believe the latter was more successful, as I woke to cries of “Dolphins!” from the cockpit. We saw one or two, just cresting the surface, about 200 meters off the starboard beam.
The day remains bright and beautiful. Though we’ve been motoring for about an hour now (it’s 15:04), I have some hope that we will soon set our sails and catch the wind.