Floridaze...day two

[K3v1n]

Floridaze...day two July 3, 2006

Headed out again today, the wind was a little lighter when we first started out. We motored up the channel along the causeway/bridge, then under and tried some sailing on the north side. Since the wind was still coming out of the SSW we ran into a lot of wind shadow from Cedar Bonnet Island, which is part of the causeway/ bridge system. So we turned back and headed for the bridge once more and decided to try our hand at tacking southward into the wind.



As we neared the bridge we took notice of another sailboat headed for the bridge as well a little bit ahead of us. I told my daughter lets try to catch them. Once we fought our way through large wakes from power boats, which are supposed to slow down, which they did but now put off a bigger wake then if they would have just gunned it. Our little Com-Pac easily and smoothly cut through the waves. At the time we didn't know there would be more to come.

The other boat which turned out to be a Mariner had already begun to sail when we cleared the bridge. Quickly we cut the motor and went about chasing them. I don't know if they tried to stay ahead of us or what but after while we did catch up to them. At one point we were just about side by side when they asked what kind of boat I had. We had a blast chasing after them that's for sure. My daughter and I worked great together as she worked the jib and I the main.



It did take a bit of work to make headway that's for sure. We worked on heeling the boat over more to increase the water line and all. I watched their boat and was comparing their angle of sail to ours, I don't know all the 'official' sailing lingo, but I could tell we were sailing closer to the wind on a few tacks. Of course when we started to close the gap we would have to cross the channel. Bring back the large wakes from huge cruisers that have slowed our progress every time we had to bust through them. Some of which were rather fun, we even tried to surf a few of the bigger ones.



After leaving them we headed to a sand bar near Ship Bottom which is located on long Beach Island, New Jersey of course, a favorite spot for boaters to anchor up and swim and cook out. We picked a spot right behind a boat that was grilling, the smell was making us hungry so we ate what we brought, granola bars and pop tarts. After a swim we relaxed in the cockpit for awhile trying to nap as continuous boat traffic coming in and out bounced us around, but no seasickness to speak of this day.



After about an hour and half here we decided we should head back as it was getting late and we were starving. I'm not sure of the distance but it only took us thirty minutes to make it back to our berth. Along the way we rescued a raft that came drifting across our path. We brought our boat right along side it and snatched it up as we cruised past. So day two turned out better than day one. We proved to ourselves that we can make headway against the wind. The 'Iron Horse', our 2hp Honda pushed the boat just fine, faster than it was sailing most times.



PS. I'm hoping to get out today for one more sail before pulling her out for the week. We are headed off for vacation on the 15th so I most likely won't get out again until our return. Wow! I'm not sure if I want to go now, and miss sailing for two weeks, bummer.



-Kevin

[dusty]

ahoy, floridaze!

[sawyer]

Kevin...............    Awesome, got your sea legs already, photos show a busy weekend, but still huge fun I am sure....   You have been an inspiration to all of us, getting right into the boat and fixing it up and making it seaworthy again......  It has been good to see your determination to get it right and get it in the water........   Your posts really show the stick to it character you have, where I am from we call it "SISU"  Great photos and stories, keep it up...............   Fair weather and good sailing to ya.

Doug

Sisu is a unique Finnish concept. It stands for the philosophy that what must be done will be done, regardless of what it takes. Sisu is a special strength and persistent determination and resolve to continue and overcome in the moment of adversity...an almost magical quality, a combination of stamina, perserverance, courage, and determination held in reserve for hard times.

[B.Hart]

 hi kevin, love the stories and photos. It sounds like your hooked on sailing now,and makes me think about going sailing this week. The thunder storms have been here every day.  Keep up the good work.