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.