8/30/16
Dear Brother,
Many trips ago I learned to time the tide, taking the incoming flood up the bay. I could almost drift to where I wanted to go. Saturday was no different as the dock lines were let go and Ava eased out of her slip. What was different was the near dead calm wind that afternoon. There was a following breath, just enough to keep the main from collapsing, but as we dodged crab floats our speed over ground matched the current, hardly a knot and a half. Ahead the water lay smooth with little to promise the sails. For the first time we were forced to start the engine while far from our anchorage. The main was left up to add to our speed and stabilize her, though not really needed.
Out the 27th and back in the 29th. Two nights with one full day on the hook.
A quick trip to be sure, no worries of running out of water or propane. An indulgence where I could use all the water I wanted to rinse my coffee cup.
Of course I didn't. This was the first test of the new salt water system for the galley. The idea is to use filtered salt water for just about everything you can including washing dishes. It’s surprising how many things you can do without dipping into the tank supply. Only the final rinse is done with fresh water. You can double your time between fill-ups.
A somewhat uneventful trip did have one very enjoyable and unexpected event. All summer we have shared the entire Yaquina River watershed with only one other boat. This center cockpit sailor could be seen anchored most of the time up and down the river. I can say for a fact he was the only one with more time spent in the bay then Ava. The day before departure we met him on the transient dock. Brian is a single dad and has been home schooling his six year old daughter Dalia for the summer. The next day we were afforded a visit as they passed by, headed to there own anchor spot. They stopped and rafted up for a time, Dalia telling all about her adventures at the aquarium, complete with drawings and giggles. They were heading home tomorrow and wouldn’t be back till next summer. We sent them off with a bag of chocolate chip cookies and a children’s book about fairies. With the slow pulsing of their diesel engine they moved several hundred yards away and anchored for the night. In the morning they were gone.
Our return to Newport was uneventful, mostly at motor as the winds were only gusts here and there, undependable yet strong enough to catch you off guard and send a cup or plate to the floor. At one point I tried to set a reef in the main. It didn't work. I’ll explain that fiasco another time.
I hope you are doing well.
Dear Brother,
Many trips ago I learned to time the tide, taking the incoming flood up the bay. I could almost drift to where I wanted to go. Saturday was no different as the dock lines were let go and Ava eased out of her slip. What was different was the near dead calm wind that afternoon. There was a following breath, just enough to keep the main from collapsing, but as we dodged crab floats our speed over ground matched the current, hardly a knot and a half. Ahead the water lay smooth with little to promise the sails. For the first time we were forced to start the engine while far from our anchorage. The main was left up to add to our speed and stabilize her, though not really needed.
Out the 27th and back in the 29th. Two nights with one full day on the hook.
A quick trip to be sure, no worries of running out of water or propane. An indulgence where I could use all the water I wanted to rinse my coffee cup.
Of course I didn't. This was the first test of the new salt water system for the galley. The idea is to use filtered salt water for just about everything you can including washing dishes. It’s surprising how many things you can do without dipping into the tank supply. Only the final rinse is done with fresh water. You can double your time between fill-ups.
A somewhat uneventful trip did have one very enjoyable and unexpected event. All summer we have shared the entire Yaquina River watershed with only one other boat. This center cockpit sailor could be seen anchored most of the time up and down the river. I can say for a fact he was the only one with more time spent in the bay then Ava. The day before departure we met him on the transient dock. Brian is a single dad and has been home schooling his six year old daughter Dalia for the summer. The next day we were afforded a visit as they passed by, headed to there own anchor spot. They stopped and rafted up for a time, Dalia telling all about her adventures at the aquarium, complete with drawings and giggles. They were heading home tomorrow and wouldn’t be back till next summer. We sent them off with a bag of chocolate chip cookies and a children’s book about fairies. With the slow pulsing of their diesel engine they moved several hundred yards away and anchored for the night. In the morning they were gone.
Our return to Newport was uneventful, mostly at motor as the winds were only gusts here and there, undependable yet strong enough to catch you off guard and send a cup or plate to the floor. At one point I tried to set a reef in the main. It didn't work. I’ll explain that fiasco another time.
I hope you are doing well.
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