8/19, Friday
Dear brother,
Our last day at anchor.
It has been seven days. Hard to believe. Staying out that long allows us to test each system, from water to power. Is it enough? Will it last long enough? Is it needed?
There are things to be learned as Summer becomes Fall, then Winter. For now all looks good.
If we don’t conserve, 40 gallons of water is plenty for seven days. I’m working on a salt water system for the galley that will help stretch the fresh water another week. Power is easy during the summer months, the solar panels supply all that is needed. Winter will show what has been missed.
A slow and quiet morning leads to tide change at 2:30. We sail on the tide so this is important. At two the anchor is pulled, the tide fighting us now inconsequential. With a head wind we pull into the channel at 2.5 knots. This changes every 15 minutes as a half a knot is added to our speed. It sounds so slow but when you are out there, watching the land slide past, every increase in boat speed is obvious.
Unlike most days, today we have a schedule and because of that we have little time to sail. A head wind demands lots of tacking. That combined with all the crab pots to dodge ensures we motor all the way.
By the time we pass the Coast Guard station our speed is 4.5 knots and climbing. A turn and tuck brings us into the marina. I put her in neutral two docks away and ghost her into her slip. A final reverse stops us and we are home.
Again the readjusting to land, the change of pace. There is so much noise.
Next time i’ll tell you about the tree at 1:30 am. It scared the crap out of me.
Be safe, I’ll call as soon as I can.
Dear brother,
Our last day at anchor.
It has been seven days. Hard to believe. Staying out that long allows us to test each system, from water to power. Is it enough? Will it last long enough? Is it needed?
There are things to be learned as Summer becomes Fall, then Winter. For now all looks good.
If we don’t conserve, 40 gallons of water is plenty for seven days. I’m working on a salt water system for the galley that will help stretch the fresh water another week. Power is easy during the summer months, the solar panels supply all that is needed. Winter will show what has been missed.
A slow and quiet morning leads to tide change at 2:30. We sail on the tide so this is important. At two the anchor is pulled, the tide fighting us now inconsequential. With a head wind we pull into the channel at 2.5 knots. This changes every 15 minutes as a half a knot is added to our speed. It sounds so slow but when you are out there, watching the land slide past, every increase in boat speed is obvious.
Unlike most days, today we have a schedule and because of that we have little time to sail. A head wind demands lots of tacking. That combined with all the crab pots to dodge ensures we motor all the way.
By the time we pass the Coast Guard station our speed is 4.5 knots and climbing. A turn and tuck brings us into the marina. I put her in neutral two docks away and ghost her into her slip. A final reverse stops us and we are home.
Again the readjusting to land, the change of pace. There is so much noise.
Next time i’ll tell you about the tree at 1:30 am. It scared the crap out of me.
Be safe, I’ll call as soon as I can.
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