Javelin Nano-Cruise
Monday, May 21, 2012

Following the Dartmouth Alumni Regatta (Link), Rick & Steve picked up Paul and headed for Javelin about 0800 on Monday morning. The Plan had been a two day cruise to a destination and back. Maybe Shelter Island, maybe Stonington or Mystic might be fun.

Then the weather forecast of rain, possible thunderstorms, and light wind hit the plan. So Steve recommended a perfect destination: Westbrook - Javelin's home port. That way we would go out for a sail and come right back where we started with a restaurant right there and no need to go anywhere if the weather got stinky. This was now Plan B.

Though cool and misty, there was much better wind than predicted. We got aboard and were under way around 1030, setting main and jib after clearing Duck Island and the sea buoy beyond. With 13 - 14 knots of wind, Javelin raced along close hauled at 8 knots. As the wind increased into the 15 - 17 knot range, we were roaring along at 9 knots. The video below give a feel for the ride.

With great speed, one thought was to try for Shelter Island for lunch, then return. Close hauled against the east southeast wind the best we could lay was Rocky Point on Long Island, about 6 miles short of Plum Gut, and the route to Shelter Island. We tried short tacking along the shore toward the gut, but the wind increased to almost 20 knots and we still had 5 miles to go. Since it was now noon, we tacked to starboard, eased sails and reached back north across the Sound so it was easier to make lunch.

Standard Javelin cruise sandwiches filled the bill. First the condiments bowl was passed on deck. Carrots, olives, pickle slices and radishes was the starter course. Hearty roast beef on rye, with Mayo or Dejonaise, Swiss cheese, tomato, onion and lettuce, was passed up for the main course. It wouldn't be any kind of a I cruise if the meal wasn't finished off with a round of Oreo cookies. Mission accomplished.

All the while Steve & Paul were tracking weather radar on their smart phones. A big blue & yellow blob had been pounding New York City & suburbs, and another was slowly moving north over the ocean toward Long Island. We arrived back at Westbrook right at 1500. By the time we had Javelin back in her slip, all lines secure, power cord connected, the sail cover on and when finishing putting the cover over the binnacle & wheel, the skies opened up. We stepped below nice and dry.

After the first wave of rain passed, Rick walked up to the head and got trapped there by a second wave of rain. He did discover, between drops, the the Boom Restaurant was not open on Mondays. Time for Plan C. Steve & Paul jumped in the car for a quick shopping trip to get meatballs and cucumber while Rick started a pot of spaghetti and made a salad. The shoppers returned with the goods and a great dessert of strawberries and a whipped cream bomb. It all made for a delightful dinner with occasional waves of rain splattering on deck.

Tuesday morning snuck upon us with little light, a steady drizzle and no wind. Scrambled eggs, Little Smokies, and hot biscuits were a great start. Paul went out and found a New York Times and a Wall Street Journal which, along with some oldies but goodies tunes on the stereo, passed the morning quite nicely.

The constant rain since Monday afternoon exposed some small leaks in the overhead hatch in the master cabin and in the main cabin. The yard boss came by to take a look, and since it was then about lunch time, Kip joined us for a Javelin sandwich lunch. Turkey this time.

With no wind and continuing drizzle, we packed up and arrived back in Scarsdale about 1500. All agreed it had been a pleasant nano-cruise.

Checking GPS	Ready to go	Javelin looks ...	great, as usual.
Paul's ready ...	bow watch ...	Steve's driving ...	fuel dock astern ...
Rick's turn, and ...	he's happy.	Paul's turn ...	with coffee.
Rail down at 9 knots.

Steve is ready ...	to steer.	Tacked to starboard.	Paul is ready ...
for lunch!	At the nav station.	Rain begins ...	after we get in!
So we go below ...	set the table ...	fire up the stove ...	for spaghetti & meatballs.

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