Summer highliights

[philb Junkie19]

I started to respond to Kieth's comment about my summer over on my trailer bracket post and got thinking about summer's highlights. For me, sailing wise, it was a cruise downeast to a three day junk rig junket. We had boats from as far away as North Carolina and one intrepid junkie who towed his little newly junk rigged boat from Missouri. There was lots of fun sailing, a great lobster feed, a chance to reaquaint with or meet, for the first time, interesting people, including our own Jim, Jasmid53, and experience some amazing downeast hospitality. Of course the trip over and back including passing under the lee of Cadillac Mt. was no unpleasant thing.

Others' highlights?

Also, I'm wondering if Bob got to Gloucester for the Blackburn Challenge and if so how it went.

[Jasmid53]

The New England Junk Rig Junket was my summer highlight too. And thanks Phil for having me on your boat. After I got home I thought of all kinds of questions that I could have , should have asked you. I'll get back to you later about them.

The guy from Missouri had a Mirror sailing pram which he had converted to a junk rig. I was very impressed with its sailing performance and the ease to set up the rig. When I got home I did a search to see if there were any for sale around Rhode Island. Mirrors are rare in America being an English boat. They are common in Canada, Australia and other commonwealth countries. And a few hot spots in the US. I did find on a Mirror website a guy, near me, who was thinking of selling his Mirror. Well, I contacted him and I now have yet another boat.

I have to sell one of my boats. I have a 19 and a 16. I think next summer the 16 will have to go. I have some more work to do on her interior. I like that boat a lot and there are many positive reasons why I should keep her. But now that I own a Mirror I will be able to use her for short day-sail trips. And I will keep the 19 for when I want to go on longer over night trips. Decisions ,decisions.

[Bob23]

Yes I did, Phil and it went great! 4 hours 18 minutes...not bad for an old fart in a Guideboat! The conditions were absolutely perfect, tide cooperated, wind was most favorable and I got to see some sights on the granite shoreline that is the coast of Cape Ann. Can't wait for next year!! It would be wonderful to sail in those waters...but rowing the intrepid Guideboat "Straggler" is a blessing beyond belief! Next year in Gloucester!
 
  I am curious about your junk rigged 23. I've read a bit about this unique rig...maybe a Koinonia Conversion is in my future!!
Bob23

[philb Junkie19]

Three boats Jim, what an awful problem. Congats on your new Mirror.  Looks like you have some sailing fun ahead.

Great goin' Bob, on your rowing marathon. I'm thinking on a row like that you want to steer courses just as straight as possible. How do you manage it rowing over that distance?  I can't even seem to row my dinghy in a straight line between the dock and my mooring.

What a great and unusual way to see all of Cape Ann's natural and rugged beauty while recognizing a piece of its great history.

[Bob23]

Thanks for the interest, Junker Phi!
  First, the Guideboat tracks pretty straight plus I have charts which I marked the magnetic courses from each turn. But the rowing compass is the key to it all; really helps row in a straight line and is especially helpful in fog, which I've been able to avoid so far.
  Cape Ann is a wonderful place, such a rugged granite coastline. Unfortunately, I don't take much time to shoot photos-maybe a GoPro will accompany me next year!
Bob23