Should one be backing 23,000 pounds of sailboat directly into a Force 4 winds ...
and if, in addition to the winds, there is a two knot current surging perpendicular to the port side ...
with, having already made a 90 degree turn out of the slip, the docks now on the starboard side...
one just might over estimate how quickly the boat is moving ...
and discover that the bow will not quite clear the extended end of the "T" dock.
And thus I slapped Kintala upside the head with a pier, resulting in a few bent metal parts, including the shank of our 65 pound Mantus anchor. Rats.
I almost made it out of the Islands without breaking something, almost.
With that bit of embarrassing Bad Monkey Steering safely out of the way (the Dock Master insisted we did only $50 worth of damage, and that's all he would accept) we headed out of the channel and picked up a heading for the good 'ol US of A. We had solid F5 winds, a 5 to 6 foot swell running on an agreeable period, cloudy to overcast skies keeping the sunburn in check, and our friend Bill's Driftwood out ahead of us as a buddy boat. The point of sail was a close reach with Kintala taking the waves just 30 degrees of the port bow. Having Kacey along as an experienced sailing pair of hands, I was willing to fly a little more canvas that has been our wont so far. Even with the apparent wind touching the high 20s at times, we ended up flying a full main and jib. (We started out reefed and snuck up on a full Monte of canvas.)
It was cool. Kintala hissed along showing a boat speed of 6 and 7 knots. The swells were noticeable but nothing scary, so I was a bit surprised when the Coast Guard issued a small craft advisory for where we were. It seemed pretty near a perfect Gulf Stream passage to me. With the Stream though, over the ground spped was in the low 5s and high 4s. We were also giving away some southing since kicking the WesterBeast to life seemed sacrilegious on such a perfect run. Of course we had to wake the Beast near the end of the sail, ending up a few miles north of the Biscayne bay channel markers.
Familiar waters once again, and just after sunset we picked up a mooring ball at Dinner Key. We have a few days of play left before Kacey has to go back to the real world and I need to do some family stuff, having me off the boat for several weeks.
Except for the one little dock incident my take on our first Island season is that it went way, way better than I had any right to expect. Yes we got beat up a little bit, once in a while, but that is part of the game. We handled it when it happened, got over it, and went on. Most importantly we learned a huge amount, met old and new friends along the way (the most amazing part of cruising) lived in a different culture for a couple of months, thoroughly enjoyed every place we visited, and gathered up stories and memories; the things that fill a life full.
Obligations (good ones, but obligations nonetheless) will control Kintala's fate for the next few months. Since the boat is our home we will be taking advantage of mobility, moving to where ever it is that makes getting the things done we need to do, the easiest. Another advantage of living light and quick in the world. The adventure goes on, just in a slightly different guise for a while.
I'm kind of looking forward to it.
and if, in addition to the winds, there is a two knot current surging perpendicular to the port side ...
with, having already made a 90 degree turn out of the slip, the docks now on the starboard side...
one just might over estimate how quickly the boat is moving ...
and discover that the bow will not quite clear the extended end of the "T" dock.
And thus I slapped Kintala upside the head with a pier, resulting in a few bent metal parts, including the shank of our 65 pound Mantus anchor. Rats.
I almost made it out of the Islands without breaking something, almost.
With that bit of embarrassing Bad Monkey Steering safely out of the way (the Dock Master insisted we did only $50 worth of damage, and that's all he would accept) we headed out of the channel and picked up a heading for the good 'ol US of A. We had solid F5 winds, a 5 to 6 foot swell running on an agreeable period, cloudy to overcast skies keeping the sunburn in check, and our friend Bill's Driftwood out ahead of us as a buddy boat. The point of sail was a close reach with Kintala taking the waves just 30 degrees of the port bow. Having Kacey along as an experienced sailing pair of hands, I was willing to fly a little more canvas that has been our wont so far. Even with the apparent wind touching the high 20s at times, we ended up flying a full main and jib. (We started out reefed and snuck up on a full Monte of canvas.)
It was cool. Kintala hissed along showing a boat speed of 6 and 7 knots. The swells were noticeable but nothing scary, so I was a bit surprised when the Coast Guard issued a small craft advisory for where we were. It seemed pretty near a perfect Gulf Stream passage to me. With the Stream though, over the ground spped was in the low 5s and high 4s. We were also giving away some southing since kicking the WesterBeast to life seemed sacrilegious on such a perfect run. Of course we had to wake the Beast near the end of the sail, ending up a few miles north of the Biscayne bay channel markers.
Familiar waters once again, and just after sunset we picked up a mooring ball at Dinner Key. We have a few days of play left before Kacey has to go back to the real world and I need to do some family stuff, having me off the boat for several weeks.
Except for the one little dock incident my take on our first Island season is that it went way, way better than I had any right to expect. Yes we got beat up a little bit, once in a while, but that is part of the game. We handled it when it happened, got over it, and went on. Most importantly we learned a huge amount, met old and new friends along the way (the most amazing part of cruising) lived in a different culture for a couple of months, thoroughly enjoyed every place we visited, and gathered up stories and memories; the things that fill a life full.
Obligations (good ones, but obligations nonetheless) will control Kintala's fate for the next few months. Since the boat is our home we will be taking advantage of mobility, moving to where ever it is that makes getting the things done we need to do, the easiest. Another advantage of living light and quick in the world. The adventure goes on, just in a slightly different guise for a while.
I'm kind of looking forward to it.
3 comments:
Ouch that was a good slap to bend that shank. Oh well now when you anchor you will be a little crooked haha. Take care safe travels north I hope to see you in Velcro Beach.
Debb, I just know you're going to post an expense chart, breaking down all the expenditures for Kintala's island adventure. I can't wait to see what you have recorded for all of us potential island cruisers. ;-)
James,
I did post January and February but I'm behind on March and April. I'll try to get them done soon for you.
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