9 October 2010

Oriental to Bay River
I received an email from a retired co-worker (HB). HB stated if you ever go single-handed sailing again, then give me a call. It was Columbus Day weekend and early Friday afternoon, I decided to call my friend and see if he wanted to go sailing over the weekend. The weather forecast for Saturday was calling for light to variable winds with temperature in the low 80s.

Four years ago we went to the annual boat show in Annapolis, Maryland. The weather that weekend back in 2006 was horrible. It rained every day. The worst thing was that it was hard walking around the Marina with inconsiderate people with umbrellas. After one day, we were soaking wet.

I was planning on going again this weekend with my wife, but she was unable to go so I went down anyway to check out the boat. I wasn't going to let light and variable winds dampen my weekend. I explained to HB on the way down that they were calling for light to variable winds.

When we arrived at Oriental, we ran into Captain Ron. I knew that HB was thinking about buying a sailboat. HB was a west coast sailor and used to sail to Catalina out of San Diego harbor. Ron told him about a 30-foot Bristol sailboat for sale. We decided to take a look at it Saturday morning before going sailing.

The weather forecast was perfect except for light to variable winds. The temperature was cool in the morning, but by noon it was in the low 70s. The winds (if any) were calling out of the West. I wasn't sure how nice of a day it would be for sailing. Light to variable winds usually means no sailing and more motoring. At 09:30, after looking at the Bristrol, we got underway.

When we got out on the river, we were pleasantly surprised. The winds were coming out of the west at 8 knots. So we decided to head out to the middle of the river and then turn into the wind (heading back toward Oriental Harbor), then do a port tack until we decided which way to go. We could tack up river toward New Bern and then be on a run on the way back, or we could start off on the run toward the Bay River (the mouth of the Neuse) and then tack all the way back. The wind always seems stronger at the mouth of the river than down river where we were at. We tacked again, then jibed to start our run toward Bay River.

About the time we reached South River, the wind speed increased to 12 knots with gusts to 14 knots. We were making good time on our run to the mouth of the Neuse River. We were averaging 3.8 knots on our run. We departed Whittaker Creek at 10:00 and arrived at the entrance to the Bay river by 12:40. We were surprised that there weren't many sailboats out on the river. At 13:00, we started our trip back to Whittaker Creek. Unfortunately, the wind shifted and our port tacks were long, while our starboard tacks were short. The best we could do on a starboard tack was to head across the river. We were underway for 7 hours. We moored at 17:00. It was busy coming in. The sailboats were lining up to enter Whittaker Creek Channel.

25 September 2010

Second Single-handed Sailing

What a prefect day for sailing, but I am missing my crew. My oldest boy was at maintenance day for the NC State sailing club. My youngest was in the process of trading in his sea legs for skating legs and preparing for hockey season. My 1st mate and lovely wife was busying providing taxi services for the household.
Autumn was offically here, even though it doesn't feel like it. It felt more like summer. On the first day of Autumn (22 September) the temperature was 96 degrees in Raleigh. It was the warmest September on record for the Raleigh, NC and surrounding areas.


So when the weather forecast is calling for upper 80s with Southwest winds around 10 knots, then it's a good day to go sailing even if your are short-handed. They were calling for winds 10 to 15 knots on the Pamlico Sound and acturally they were around 15 with gusts in mid-teens. At 09:00, I decided to get underway. With the temperatures forecasting to be in the upper 80s and southwest winds around 10 knots, I wasn't sure if it would be a good day for sailing or working on the segalboat. The winds were gusting around 8 knots at the slip, so I decided to get underway.

When you are single-handed sailing, you need to prepare all the lines and sheets before getting underway. You also need to prepare for snacks and lunch, because you might not have time to leave the helm. I was not disappointed with the weather. After I cleared Whittaker Creek Channels, the winds were blowing around 12 knots from the southwest.

I headed up river toward Adams Creek. I decided to head up river, because the winds were coming out of the southwest and were forecast to change to the northeast in the afternoon as a cold front moved eastward. If the forecast stayed true, then I should be able to tack up river and back in the afternoon. It took a little time to get the timing down in tacking, but after a few tacks I had the process down really good.
The first time I tried single-handed sailing the winds were blowing over 15 knots from the northeast. I had a difficult time bringing up the main and decided to sail without the jib.


Today, I did not have any problems, because the winds were coming out of the southwest and not the northeast and I did not have to deal with severe chops (waves). It was easier to bring up the main. I did not have any issues with the jib either. I let the wind decide which side to roll out the jib. The wind decided to place me on a starboard tack. I enjoyed a nice day of sailing on the Neuse River. The first weekend on Autumn, but it felt more like Summer.

4 September 2010

Whittaker Creek to Minnesott Beach
Hurricane Earl gave all of us a scare during the week. On August 29, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was forecasting Earl to track east of Cape Hatteras and stay 150 miles off the coast of North Carolina. Therefore, we prepared our sailboat for a tropical storm warning assuming that Earl was going to track east of Hatteras. Then on Wedneday evening it strengthened to a category 4 hurricane and was predicted to make land fall over Cape Hatteras. I was preparing to leave Raleigh and head down to Oriental to prepare for the worst, but Howard (Island Dream) called me and stated he was down there already. He stated my vessel looked fine and he was willing to take down my dodger for me. I said thanks. It was nice to know that your fellow sailors look after one another.


I slowly watched Earl move northward on the 75th parallel Thursday night waiting for the critical turn to the east.
It finally did and Hurricane Earl weakened to a 105-mph Cat. 2 storm and passed about 80 miles off Cape Hatteras. Our original plan was to head down to Oriental as a family when the boys came home from school. Now with the worst behind us, we were back on track for a long weekend on the sound.



On Saturday, September 4, it was a beautiful day to sail to Minnesott Beach. Our friends on the Island Dream were heading for Beaufort (NC) Town dock. They are members of Neuse Sailing Association (NSA). The NSA scheduled a weekend outting at Cape Lookout, but because of Hurricane Earl and Tropical Storm Fiona, Small Craft Warnings were posted for Cape Lookout. The NSA decided to change plans and stay the night at the Beaufort Town Docks.


The forecast for Neuse River and Pamlico Sound was Northwest wind 10 to 15 knots, waves 1 to 2 feet, wind coming out of Southwest in the afternoon down to 5 to 10 knots. It sounded like a beautiful day to sail to Minnesott Beach. We got underway at 09:30 EST with a crew of four (Michele-helms man, Raymond-crew and lookout, Zigman-boatswainmate, and Ziva-fly swatter). The Tabanidae (horse flies or green eyes) were tremendous. As we left Whittake Channel and headed southeast ward everything was fine. We came about to bring the sails. I had Raymond rise the main this time around and I handled the jib. Once the jib was up and secure, we proceeded with a starboard tack toward Minnesott Beach. Who would have expected the baby horse flies to be so dreadful. The crew was seeing who could rack up the most kills.

We enjoyed smooth sailing for the rest of the day.

28 August 2010

The last weekend in August

It was the last weekend of August 2010. Hurricane Danielle was forecast to stay away from our coast with a track that takes it just east of Bermuda. A High Pressure ridge was moving Hurricane Danielle off our coast with a Northeast wind, cooler temperatures, and low humidity. It looked like an ideal day to take das segelboot out. The weather forecast for the Pamlico Sound was Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, seas 2 to 3 feet, subsiding to 1 to 2 feet in the evening with wind becoming 5 to 10 knots. The morning sunrise was beautiful. It was time to wake up the rest of the crew and prepare to get underway.

We got underway around 09:30 EST. Michele was at the helm. Raymond was home for the weekend and wanted to go sailing. He completed his first week at North Carolina State University. I was glad to have a crew this time around. I enjoy the company of my best friend and wife, and as the saying goes "that is why I like having you around".

At the dock, the weather did not seem bad. Our slip is well protected from the Northeast wind. But when I was out taking my morning pictures at the Oriental fishing pier, the wind was coming out of the Northeast at 10 knots, so it seemed the weather forecast was correct. When we cleared Whittaker Point, the wind was coming out of the Northeast at 12 knots. We made our first track to South River. We had an exhilirating ride to South River. We were averaging 5.8 knots with a 15 knot wind. When we got to the entrance for South River, we decided to continue northward to the mouth of the Neuse River. The winds and the seas started picking up. The winds were now gusting over 17 knots.

There were several sailboats enjoying the Northeast breeze and cool summer day. It was still the dog days of summer and having temperatures in the mid-80s was nice for a change. There were a few power boats out on the Neuse River. On one occasion, I had to change my present course (a starboard close haul) to avoid a close encounter with a trawler crossing our path. The trawler was heading north bound on the Neuse and I was a close haul on the starboard side. I was hoping to enjoy our present track for a little while longer, but they we coming too close for comfort. We tracked to avoid them. There was another sailboat running a parallel course with us and they had the same problem.

We decided to make a run for Oriental Harbor and have lunch. It took us about 45 minutes to make and eat lunch and only 45 minutes to make it back to Whittaker Point. The wind was now blowing over 20 knots. Our wind indicator was showing 17 knots on the run to Oriental. The seas were still coming out of the Northeast at 2 to 3 feet, so it wasn't a smooth ride as we expected. We decided to continue down the Neuse River towards Adams Creek hoping the conditions would calm down. We were averaging 5.3 knots on our run. When we got to Adams Creek, we decided to head home.

As we made our track to Oriental Harbor, the winds were clocking at 22 knots. The seas were still 2 to 3 feet. It was even a more exhilirating ride home. We were keeling close to 20 degrees at times. Two regular members of my crew were home. It's Friday Night Football in Carolina and Daniel wanted to attend some football game at home. He stayed home and watched the fifth member of the crew (Ziva, "I love this dog!"). The adventure we had today would had made Ziva a nervous wreck . On a day like today, she would be happy to trade in her sea legs for some solid land and a shady spot under a tree. After mooring das segelboot, we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon at the pool.

14 August 2010

Single-handed Sailing on the Neuse River

I decided to practice single-handed sailing today (14 August). The weather forecast for Pamlico Sound looked promising (E Winds 10 to 15 knots. Waves 1 ft.). It was a stormy day on Friday the 13th (the only Friday 13th in 2010. The next one will be in May 2011 and that will be only one for 2011 too).

In the morning, my gut feeling was telling me something wasn't right. I checked the weather forecast on NOAA weather radio and internet. I also checked the wind forecast on SailFlow wind forecast for Pamlico Sound. They both were forecasting the same (East Winds 10 to 15 knots). From what I can tell, it seemed that the winds were coming out of the Northeast. Maybe by mid morning, the weather would be more promising and as forecasted. The good thing is that my slip is well protected from Northeast winds (and easterly winds). If the wind is coming out of the Northeast or easterly, then the wind would be pushing me onto the slip (therefore leaving and entering would be a breeze).



I decided to get my segelboot (sailboat) ready to get underway. The wind indicator was showing the winds from the Northeast at 10 knots at the slips. Again my gut feeling was to stay in port and wait for a better day to practice single-handed sailing, but I decided to get underway any way. Sometimes you have to push the envelope and take a chance. My gut feeling was right. When I cleared Whittaker Creek channel and started my track in the Neuse River, the wind was howling at 17 knots, gusting to 20 knots, and the seas were 1 to 2 feet (which made me wonder if I made the right choice).


My Hunter was built for single-headed sailing (with rollerfurlings jib and a in mast furlings system for the main), but I do not have an autopilot. When I locked down the wheel, I had 22 seconds before the vessel was out of the irons and at close haul. When you are letting out the main, the time span decreases. It usually takes me over 22 seconds to hoist the mainsail. I would be in a close reach in no time. The second part was rolling out the jib. I decided with winds from NE at a 17 knot wind (gusting to 20 knots) and seas 2 feet to sail with just the main up. I practiced maneuvering the vessel in the wind or should I say letting the wind take me where it wanted. Bringing down the main was easier than putting it up.


As expected, I did not have any issues mooring. At noon, the wind was still blowing out of the Northeast at 10 knots at the slip. Luckily no one was coming in or out of the basin so I practiced mooring several times. I wanted to back her in, so the trick was keeping the bow point up wind. I practiced several approachs and successfully moored Livin' On A Prayer. Over all it was a good learning experience. The lesson learned was to trust your gut. I am glad that I got underway and learned some dos and don'ts. Overall I missed my crew, especially the one who complains that I am coming in to fast and need to slow down, but I love her anyway.

31 July 2010

Whittaker Creek - South River - Minnesott Beach - Whittaker Creek

I took several weeks off in June hoping to get some good sailing in, but fate was against me. First, the weather was not cooperative. It was the hottest June on record with heat advisories with high humidity and no wind. They recorded the highest low (82 degrees) at RDU. When it rained, there were severe thunderstorms. Second, my wife had a "honey to-do" list for me, which included doing some painting around the house. Third, we went to Jersey to visit our relatives. Even at the Jersey shore, the temperatures were near 100 degrees. Needless to say, of Mice and Men that no plans are fool-proof and no one can be completely prepared for the future. So in June I took day trips.

The weather in July was just as hot as June. It was the Dog Days of Summer starting in June. On July 31, a cold front was passing through with low humidity and cooler temperatures. Actually, it was going to be below normal day weather wise for July, high 86 and low 68. Needless to say, a nice day for sailing.


The forecast for Pamilco Sound was winds out of NE 15-20 knots, changing to E 10-15 knots on Sunday. The same forecast for Cape Lookout, so Daniel and I decided to stay in the sound. We started our day early and got underway. I was surprised to see one s/v coming in so early. Whittaker Creek Channel is narrow. With a Northeast wind, there shouldn't be any issue with water (the depth of the channel) but I wasn't going to take any chances. We waited until the incoming vessel cleared the number 3 can bouy before heading out. Once we cleared the entrance to the channel, we headed northeast to bring up the sails. There was a good 15 knot- breeze and we were averaging 5.8 knots. It did not take us long to make it to South River. If we stayed on our present course, then we would be at West Bay in no time. But, we would have a long trip back to Oriental (we would have the wind at our backs on the run back to Oriental Harbor). The problem is that my Hunter has a very small jib. So with a light wind, it would be better to break out the oars and start rowing. The only good thing about having a small jib is that I do not have to reef at 20 knots, and you can sail single-handed. But today that would not be an issue, because I had a crew of 2 (Daniel and me).

We decided to head to Minnescott Beach instead, then we would have winds at our backs up river (running) and good strong steady breeze on the return (close haul). We jibed and started our run to Minnesott Beach. The wind speed was being clocked at 12 knots and we were averaging 3 knots on our run to Minnesott Beach .

We had a relaxing sail. At Dawson Creek, the Neuse River turns West toward New Bern. We would have a beam reach on the starboard side. The next few hours will be relaxing. We had lunch and chatted (as Father and Son should do). We talked about politics, life, and what's going in his world. We talked about girl friends, actually his girlfriend. I happen to marry my girl friend and we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary this year.

When we got to Dawson Creek we started our track to New Bern. As expected, the wind was still coming out of the NE at 15 knots. We had beam reach, until we returned to Dawson Creek and heading for Oriental Harbor and Whittaker Creek Yacht Club. It only took us over 2 hours to return home. The wind changed to NNE and gusting to 20 knots, but we had some very good tracks and enjoyed the ride home. We were averaging 5.8 knots, on a close reach with 15 degree kneeling. Every now and then we were keeling at 20 degrees, but on average it was more like 17-15 degrees. Over all, it was a good day. The temperature did not go above 82 degrees. It got cloudy in the afternoon. There was even a dizzle.

31 April 2010

The last day of April

Today is the last day of April. It looks like another nice weekend for sailing on the Neuse River. Because I got off at noon, I arrived at Oriental just time to unpack the car and do some house keeping on das boot. The winds are from South West at 15 to 20 knots, so I might have to stay ashore this weekend. But the sun set was beautiful and I am looking forward to weekend.

2 April 2010

Easter 2010

It was a beautiful Easter weekend. You could not ask for anything better.

Good Friday was the best day to go sailing. It was unusually warm for the first week of April. The temperature was in the mid-80's. Unfortunately, we were unable to depart from our slip. We arrived at Oriental too late in the day. We were planning on going to St. Peter the Fisherman Church (in Oriental) for Good Friday Services at 1500. The nice things about Oriental is that people are friendly, especially at the parish of St. Peter. Some day, I wish to join and be a permanent resident of the community. The nice thing about sailing is that there isn't any time clock, you depart when the weather window is good and time is right for you.

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3 April 2010

Saturday, it was foggy. Need I say more.

When we woke up the fog was thick. We could not see the length of the boat. I was hoping to get under way by sun rise, but that did not happen. So, I let the crew sleep in, and they did. It wasn't until 1100 when we could see the other side of the basin. Because of the fog, we were unable to meet up with the Neuse Sailing Association anchored out at West Bay. Our other friends who anchored at South River Friday night stated it was clear there until around 1000, then the fog bank started rolling in.

We finally got underway around noon. We had lunch on the water where very seat has a perfect view. The winds picked up. The wind was coming out of the NorthEast at 8 knots. We could sail north toward South River but it looked like the fog was still hanging around the mouth of the Neuse River.
So we decided to head toward New Bern on a run.
It was our first time out on the water in 2010. The crew were: Michele (coxswain and navigator), Zigman (coxswain and navigator), my two boys (Raymond and Daniel) who handle the lines, and two special guests, Oreo (our cat) and Ziva the wonder dog. As the saying goes "I love that dog!"

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Easter - 4 April 2010

Easter Morning, the Lord had risen. My only regret was that the weekend was over. We attended Mass for Easter Services at St. Peter the Fisherman Church in Oriental. Father Paul had another awesome sermon. After Church, we ate lunch at WCYH. Then Michele and I started doing spring cleaning on das boat. The rest of the crew were busy playing Monopoly with their friends. Over all, it was a prefect weekend.