Javelin 2015

Javelin 2025 Maine Cruise August 17 - August 29

Javelin 5/2016 By Rebecca Jonas

Steve Blecher sold Javelin to Eric & Stephanie Grubman in the spring of 2024 and her new home port is Milford, CT. She has retained her name and green colors and the Grubmans are carrying on her rich history of down east cruises in summer. Their end-point destination this year is Rockland, on Penobscot Bay. Steve and the old Javelin crew are driving two cars to Rockland so the Grubmans can drive them back to Connecticut Steve (Dartmouth '64) boat Javelin, home port Westbrook, CT
Rick Van Mell (Dartmouth '63) boat Vanishing Animal, home port San Francisco Bay
Paul Wharton (Duke '64), home port Stamford, CT
Michael Luskin (Harvard '73) boat Turtleheart, home port Mamaroneck, NY

While this is basically a delivery trip, Steve has squeezed in a classic down east Javelin Maine Cruise, shown in The Plan below. From Rockland, head east to Northeast Harbor, then on to Roque Island, triangle out around Machias Seal Island and back to Mink Harbor behind Cross Island as our farthest east port. Heading west, it's back to Stave harbor in Frenchamn Bay, then stop at Northeast Harbor to refuel, do laundry and reprovision. Continuing on, The Plan includes rendezvous with old friends, the Millers and Mast Transit at Allen Cove, the Padauanos at Bucks Harbor, the Klingers at Wentworth, Jay & Hasty Evans at Sandwich, and the Grubmans at NYYC's Harbour Court in Newport before the final push back to Milford.

That was The Plan, and Shopping List, but you'll just have to read on to see what happened when the wind hit The Plan!

Pictures by Paul Wharton, Bob Miller and Rick, and are grouped between days. There are some fabulous movie clips too, mostly thanks to Bob Miller; click on the "Videos" link in the log table, or look between Saturady, August 23rd and Sunday, August 24th.

The table below summarizes daily runs and the date is a link to that day's log. Elasped time is generally time under way and has sometimes been adjusted for lunch stops. Cells with a darker background color represent changes from the original Plan.

Sat, Aug 16

"Rise at 0500, depart at 0600," softly, but firmly Captain Blecher explained the plan. The assembled crew knew the drill. Whenever there was a long way to go for the day, it was a "zero dark thirty" departure. Starting the cruise from Scarsdale, it was up to drivers Steve and Michael to deliver themselves, plus crew Rick and Paul, 370 miles to Rockland to board Javelin and let the Grubman clan head back to their homes. So Saturday night the crew was in their beds by 2200.



Go To Log Summary

Sun Aug 17

Breakfast of coffe and oatmeal completed, the two car caravan departed at 0607. Traffic was light for an early Sunday morning and we made good time heading "down east." Even after stops for gas, and BLT sandwiches at Moodys Diner in Waldoboro, we arrived at 1215. Loading carts with duffels and food Steve has assembled from Rick's list, we rolled down the long dock at Archers on the Pier and carefully restrained the heavy loads on the steep low-tide ramp to the dock where Javelin gleamed in the afternoon sun.

As Steve and Paul helped the Grubmans unload their gear from the boat, Rick & Michael headed for Hannaford's Market to get all of the fresh meat, produce and frozen items remaing on the shopping list. Returning to the boat at 1430, Rick & Michael's food-filled cart passed Steve, Paul and the Grubman's carts carrying their load to the cars. By 1500 they are on their way back and we finished stowing the last of the food and gear aboard Javelin.

The weather forecast and internet radar agreed. A line of heavy rain and thunderstorms was headed our way. The sky to the northwest grew black and around 1700 the torrential rain began. We closed the ports and enjoyed the pounding of rain on the cabintop. Rick had lit the oven to heat Paul's wonderful lasagna, and prepared salad to go with it. Fortunately, the rain backed off in time for Steve's long time friends Hank and Rebecca Jonas to board around 1830. It was a first reunion for the grounp aboard in about three years, but quickly warmed to recalling wonderfull sailing days, both on Javelin, and even years before that.

Nibbles, a little wine, delicious lasagna and salad were finished off with Rebecca's fresh, tasty cookies. Another round of rain was predicted around 2030, and Hank & Rebecca were safe and dry ashore just before it began. Our crew, tried from a long day's drive, shopping and stowing, was in their bunks by 2200.

Javelin at Rockland ...	staging gear ...	Dartmouth College flag ...	Eric, new owner ...	Lyla ...
hammocks below ...	Bread area.	Steve & Rebecca	Michael, Steve, Rebecca & Hank	Nav station

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Mon, Aug 18th



A beautiful, sunny morning followed the rain. As high pressure moved in, a 15 knot northerly whipped the flags. It was 58 degrees in the cabin, so we fired up the HVAC to take the chill off. While stowing the food yesterday, Rick discovered that eggs, while on the list, didn't make it into the cart. In true Javelin style, when things hit the Plan, we adapt. Yogurt and "Pastry Chef" Michael's bananna bread was swapped for the planned eggs and sausage breakfast.

Our course to Northeast Harbor would easentially be from west to east, generally a nice reach for the 42 mile run. Steve called for a double reef in the main to make for less heel with only slightly reduced speed. We were under way at 0856.

The 42 mile route runs through the Fox Island Thorofare at the north end of Vinal Haven Island, past the town of North Haven. Then across Eastern Penobscot Bay into the Deer Island Thorofare past the quarries of Stonington. Stonington granite built many buildings in Washington, D.C. and New York. After crossing Jericho Bay, the choices are York Passage, or the slightly longer but straighter Casco Passage into Blue Hill Bay. We took the straighter Casco Passage. The picturesque Bass Harbor Light stands at the edge of Bass Harbor Bar and the short, well buoyed pass across the bar. Turning north at Western Way, the last four miles takes us into Northeast Harbor. Though we were close hauled through the beginning of the Fox Island Thorofare, and Steve just managed to picnch us past the Sugar Loaves and Fox Ears Islands, the rest of the ride was a delight. Turkey sandwiches for lunch went down well.

We arrived at 1525 and Steve, as usual, effortlessly backed Javelin into slip 42-B. Our Plan was for a lobster dinner at the lobster shack the Docksider, but alas, a sign on the door said they had closed because of a tear in their lobster pot. Another disapointment, when we went to get a faucet aerator from the hardware store, was that, after 125 years in business, it was closing forever in a matter of days on September 1st. Yet another shock was that the Pine Tree Market no longer had fresh meat, seafood or even produce - all a blow to our reprovisioning plans for next Friday. As we had seen as far back as the signs at Moodys Diner, the very seasonal businesses of down east Maine were suffering, unable to get low cost seasonal workers from Europe due to the current immigration limits. We were able to get the eggs we needed and even some Gosslings Black Seal Rum and Ginger Beer for Dark and Stormys.

After nibbles and beveragesa aboard, we walked over to the Kimball Terrace Inn and their Nor'Easter restaruant for dinner. Once again, we were in our bunks by 2200.

Monday morning ...	Michael ...	Steve, and ...	Paul are ready ...	for Turkey Bacon ...
breakfast.	Nice morning ...	to clear ...	the decks and ...	coil the power cord ...
secure the flag and ...	get underway.	Rockland astern.	Open water ...	2nd reefed main ...
looks good.	Happy crew ...	Steve too.	Abeam Owls Head ..	Abeam Owls Head new chartplotter
Ditto Rick's computer	Owls Head light.	going fast ...	Steve's driving	North Haven
still reefed ...	but flying ...	at 8.8 knots.	Kite foiler ...	crashes.
Fox I. thorofare Goose Rocks light	Mark I. light	Old quarry building ...	We are ...	approaching ...
Stonington.	Lobster boat ...	Family lobster pound	Lunch condiments ...	and sandwiches.
Casco Passage ...	Mast Transit Bob & Maryann	Javelin from MT	Approaching ...	Bass Hbr Bar
up close ...	Bass Hbr Light	Western Way G1 ...	astern.	Beautiful yawl
Into NE Harbor ...	Clifton Dock Note flag in wind	We're standing tall	NEH Dock	In slip 42-B ...
all secure.	Javelin tucked in.	Rick shopping	Little cruise boat ...	BIG cruise boats
Nibbles before dinner.	Rockland to NEH

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Tues, Aug 19th

For over a week, Steve and the crew had been tracking the formation of "Erin." First as a tropical storm, then, as predicted, briefly, into a major category 5 hurricane. Dealing with 150 mph winds is not something you ever want to do on a boat. When first projected to be even a storm, one track showed the storm going over Mt. Desert Island next Friday - exactly when we would be there. Thankfully, as the forecast eveolved, it looked like the stronger winds would stay out to sea, with varying impacts along the Maine Coast. Later forecasts nudged Erin ever so slowly west of the predicted path, with tropical storm winds touching Cape Hatteras, and maybe Cape Cod. In addition, life-threatening surf and rip currents were forecast for much of the east coast.

Based on a combination of predicted very light winds for the rest of the week and a mention of potential 8-10' swells, Steve made the command decision that we would not follow our original Plan and go 60 miles east. Too much risk of getting caught if wind and swells arrived earlier.

Thus the beautiful day began with a liesurly breakfast, then shoving the dock at 0937 heading for Clifton Dock. Having filled the diesel tanks and pumped out the holding tanks, we set off for a day sail at 1001. Heading out Eastern Way, we set sail in a light southeaster which slowly veered to south. That enabled us to reach up and clear Schoodic Point and aim our bow down east - as in the original plan.

As the breeze gradually filled in, we tacked back west off Petit Manan in 8 knots of wind. As we cleared Schoodic again, we bore off into Frenchman Bay and enjoyed a building breeze. The wind peaked at 19 knots off Bar Harbor, and after we cleared Sheep Porcupine Island, we furled the jib, dropped the main and headed under power for Calf Island and the entrance to flanders Bay. Long a Javelin favorite, Flanders is well protected and little frequented by other cruisers. A great place to drop anchor and enjoy peace and quiet. With the riding sail set, we fired up the grill and Michael did a masterful job of grilling the sirloin steak. A day's worth of fun in the sun had us all heading for our bunks at 1930!

Tuesday breakfast ...	Eggs & sausage	Heading for ...	Clifton Dock ...	Fuel & pump out.
NEH astern.	Heading east ...	crew alert.	Morning sail for ...	great kids.
Tuesday Sail	Heading east, then ...	heading west.	Good sailing	Into Frenchman Bay
happy crew ...	Great sail ...	good speed.	Mt. Desert /Acadia NP	Egg Rock astern
Flag is flying	Bar Harbor	Bar Hbr to Flanders	Cadillac Mountain	Entering Flanders B
Close attention	Beautiful spot ...	to anchor ...	anchor down ...	Anchored in Flanders
The riding sail ...	is set.	All secure.	Steak grilling	Smiling crew ...
that's why.

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Wed, Aug 20th

Our three day streak of beautiful weather came to a cool end with a dull gray sky and no wind. The predictions suggested it could be that way for the next two days. Never one to give up on a chance to go sailing, Steve had the crew whipped into shape and off the anchor by 0919. With a 9 foot high tide, we crossed the Calf Island bar right at the green can, saving about 2 miles in the process.

At 1020 we made sail in 7 knots of south wind. After about a mile on port tack, and another mile on starboard tack, the wind died. The current was carying us sideways through the dense fields of lobster pots, so sails down and engine on. After checking various weather predictions, the consensus was that out to sea the wind was even less. Steve then selected Moose Island about 17 miles through Eastern and Western Ways, past Bass Harbor Light into Blue Hill Bay as our target. If the wind came up we could sail, if not, we'd stop.

Off Seal Cove, as we approached Moose, we saw several pairs of dolphins. At the very end of the video, upper left, you briefly see three fins. Dolphin video.

As estimated by the chartpoltter, we arrived at Moose Island at 1402. After droping the anchor we headed below for a delayed lunch of left over lasagna and steak. Then time for reading, naps and log writing on into the afternoon.

With a calm and beautiful evening, we had nibbles below as the sun set. Pan grilled chicken with mixed veg was a satisfying dinner, but the delight was our dessert of Javelin Sundays: Oreos + Blueberries + Whipped Cream.

Wednesday ...	Breakfast.	Hauling anchor.	Under way	Calm morning
Morning paddler ...	waves hello.	Under power.	Mt. Desert in the morning	Crossing Calf I. Bar
Thrumcap I.	Lobster boat.	The Cat @ 28 knots Bar H. to Nova Scotia	Beautiful Rebecca ...	abeam.
Approaching Moose I.	Dolphin ripple.	Into Moose Cove	Steve checks depth	Anchor down ...
cleated ...	and checked.	Beautiful spot.	Wednesday sail	New neighbor ...
dogs wants to ...	go ashore!	Tranquil ...	sunset.	Chicken for dinner.
Oreos +	Blueberries +	Whipped Cream = Javelin Sundays	and Happy Crew!

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Thus, Aug 21st

McHanks for breakfast. Using the double sandwich maker donated by Hank Jonas, the crew indulged in this tasty sandwich of ham, cheese and egg between English muffin halves. With 8 - 10' swells predicted from hurricane Erin, and 20 +/- knots of northerly wind predicted for tonight, we opted to head for Somes Sound, and were able to reserve mooring #4 at Abel's Yacht Yard. Somes Sound, one of the few fiords on the US east coast, runs 4.5 miles due north into Acadia National Park on Mt. Desert Island. It's high sides protect from most winds and being less than half a mile wide, there is little room for waves to form.

Then anchor up at 0940 to go wind huntng. By 1015 we had 11 knots of wind and set sail in bright sunshine to beat down the eastern passage of Blue Hill Bay past Placentia and Black Islands. Alas, the wind went light and then slowly oscillated about 45 degrees between 098 and 150.

The Bass Bar buoy (on the route to Somes Sound) was the active waypoint on the new B&G chartplotter. As we worked our way down the bay on port tack, we approached the layline for the buoy on starboard tack. The poltter actually calculated the required angles and the countdown to a tack if we had still wanted to go that way. The picture below shows that and an overwhelming amount of (useful) data at the same time.

We worked down almost to Long Island, before tacking to head back into Western Way and on to Somes Sound. It was a picture perfect 8 mile sail. Sunny skies, 10 knots of wind just abaft the beam, and even a gentle swell that you could occasionally ride for an extra few tenthes of a knot. Rick even emerged from the nav station and galley to take the helm all the way down Western Way, around Greening Island and making the turn into Somes Sound. When the wind went light, we declared victory, furled the jib and motored the rest of the way to Abel's Marina at the head of the Sound.

Michael's World Class Chili was an excellent dinner, then a beautiful sunset and early to bed.

McHank maker ...	Bottom + Ham +	Eggs +	Cheese & Tops =	McHank sandwich
ready to serve ...	Thursday breakfast	Thanks Rick!	Thursday morning ...	calm start
Anchor up.	Underway	Layline to Bass buoy	Seen on Chartplotter	Tacking out to sea
looking ahead	Placentia Island	Lobster boat ...	hard at work.	Making the turn
Beautiful sailing	Thursday sail.	Eased off ...	nice speed.	Rick at the helm
and from leeward.	Western Way houses	scenic hills	Pots to dodge.	Rick concentrates
Eased main.	Work barge	Classic cruiser ...	up close.	looks great.
Harbor seal.	Green can ...	at entrance to ...	Somes Sound	Head of the Sound.
Mooring field & ...	Big yacht anchored	Another on mooring	Abel's Yard & Lobster Pound	Thursday sail.
Beautiful yawl ...	All is quiet ...	as twilight ...	touches Abel's.	Aboard Javelin ...
all is secure.	Doing the dishes!	Sunset.

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Fri, Aug 22nd

Another very chilly morning with the generator going at 0600 to get some heat in the cabin. Eggs for breakfast as a gaggle of 11 young geese paddled by astern. We're headed for Northeast Harbor to reprovision and do laundry. Though breakfast, and dishes, were done before 0830, our official slip time is 1100, so a little reading and log time until we could get underway for the run into NEH.

We covered the 6.1 miles down Somes Sound and around into NE Harbor at a relaxed six knot pace and arrived just after 10:00. Laundry was split between the Yachtsmen building near the dock and the coin operated laundry in the basement of the Pine Tree Market. Additional reprovisioning, as planned, was upstairs at the Pine Tree Market. However, the prices were certainly summer tourist robbery: a box of Triscuits that's regularly on sale in California for $1.97, was $7.99 at Pine Tree. But the laundry and shopping got done and the crew relaxed for the afternoon.

We were taking no chances that the Docksider would be crowded, so headed for dinner at 1730. No worries, we were the first customers there. Paul, Michael and Rick opted for the boiled lobster dinner, while Steve stayed neater with the clams. It was good, as usual, and, at Steve's suggestion, we finished it off with Maine blueberry pie al a mode. But did get a picture, so proved that we were there. An easy walk back to the boat, and another early to bed.

Friday breakfast	Gaggle parade.	Rebecca on her mooring.	IOD Fleet gleams	Easy going.
A boat named ,,,	Scout!	imposing.	Into Northeast Harbor.	Pine Tree Market ...
100 years ...	community billboard.	The Docksider Restaurant ...	great sign.	Great dinner!

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Sat, Aug 23rd

Since we were tied to the dock and had shore power, at least there wasn't the dull rumble of the generator when the HVAC was turned on at 0611 to knock off the chill. Everyone up and running before 0700, it was a simple breakfast of yogurt and Cherrios before casting off at 0757 for Clifton Dock. Four days since we'd been there, but time to refill the fuel tanks and pump out the holding tanks.

Actually as in The Plan, we were rendezvouing with Bob & Maryann Miller aboard Mast Transit today, first at Galley Cove at the northeast corner of Bartlet Island, then again for the night at Allen Cove. We powered out Western Way on a beautiful morning, some of the remaians of hurricane Erin's swells rocking us a bit, before we turned west past Bass Harbor Light and set sail into Blue Hill Bay. At first we had a glorious ride all the way back to Moose Island where we had been yesterday, then the wind went light. We debated going the short route to Galley Cove on the east side of bartlet, but then the wind came back and we stayed west.

As we worked north, we saw Mast Transit out for a sail heading west, then tacked to rejoin us at the head of Bartlett, where we dropped sails, to head south, upwind, for Galley Cove. The nerve of anyone! Both mooring balls at Galley Cove were already taken. Neither Great Cove, nor Pretty Marsh Harbor gave any protection from the 16 - 18 knot southerly blowing up the bay. Mast Transit lead the way another mile south to Sawyer Cove. Great protection from the wind and ample room to anchor. Bob & Maryann motored over in their dinghy for a greeting and pics. We agreed to continue on after lunch to Allen Cove.

What a fun ride it was! With winds in the 12 - 18 knot range, Javelin raced along at over 8 knots. Steve was all smiles as he drove his baby of over 20 years in perfect sailing conditions. Rick commented, "It's like loving your grandchild, having a wonderful time, and knowing you can give her back when it's over." Steve smiled.

We dropped anchor in Allen Cove at 1532, with Mast Transit about 50 yards in front of us. They came aboard at 1700 bringing a wondrful plate of cheese and crackers, and most of all, a dozen fresh oysters that Bob shucked for the crew. Michael's World Class Chili was again the star of the show, and Rick added some rice and green beans almondine to round out the plate. For dessert, it was the famous Javelin Sundays (yes, as Bob noted, "served on Saturday") that finished off the meal.

Saturday morning	Farewell Scout	Out Western Way	G 5 ahead	Both systems
Erin swells on Long Ledge	G1 Western Way	Approaching ...	East Bass	Bass Hbr Light
Work barge	Into Blue Hill Bay	Bartlett Island	Mast Transit -going	and coming.
Takes pic of Javelin	The hub	Galley Cove is full	300 acre estate $23M	Heading for ...
Sawyer Cove	MT anchored ...	Bob & Maryann aboard	Heading back to MT	Across to Allen Cove
Javelin is ...	beautiful, and ...	going fast.	Great shirts!	Steve's in heaven
Too soon to quit ...	Mast Transit ...	Paul is ...	flying.	gone by.
Catching MT ...	looking great ...	Bob clicks!	Terapin.	At anchor.
Anchored Allen Cove	with Mast Transit	Michael swims!!!!	Bob shucks oysters	The Gang's All Here!
Sunset.	Saturday's sail

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Videos Saturday & Sunday morning

Beautiful Javelin Sailing

The "Bob Clicks" video from Mast Transit

At the end, Bob catches Rick taking pics from the cockpit.

Hauling anchor Sunday morning in Allen Cove.

Sun, Aug 24th

With a short 20 mile run to Buck's Harbor planned for the day, we started with a casual McHank breakfast. Casual yes, but late, no. We were finished with breakfast and under way at 0807.

Though our anchorage was close against a windward shore, thus no waves, the wind whistled in the rigging. When we rounded the green can at Harriman Ledge and turned south, the full blast of 20 knot winds was apparent. Between the strong headwind, a grassy waterline, an adverse current and not pushing the engine too hard, we were making less than 6 knots over the bottom.

We worked steadily south to Pond Island Passage, then turned south southwest past Mahoney Island before turning north into Eggemoggin Reach. We rolled out the jib, and with gusts to 25 knots, we enjoyed 8 knots over the bottom. It was a beautiful, sunny day with both big and little boats in the Reach. Javelin did her usual best to clear under the center section of the bridge so her 75' mast would fit under the 85' clearance.

We arrived at 1137, then had soup for lunch and relaxed until going ashore for a 1700 pickup by the Paduanos.

Their beautiful rustic house built from parts of old barns is wonderfully warm and inviting. Dan & Nancy had a cart full on nibbles and then a mouth-watering lobster feast. Skilled lobster cooks Bob & Paul deftly handled the 8 lobsters into the boiling pots. Nancy steamed the corn and roasted the potatoes - and melted the butter. It was one glorious feast!

Mast Transit sits ...	we haul anchor.	Rounding Harriman Pt. ...	where there is ...	22 knots of wind.
Old Green I. light	Stevenson River.	Eggemoggin Reach ...	jib only.	Big boat ...
small party.	Little Deer I. bridge ...	both sides ...	we aim ...	for the center.
Small boat ...	looking good.	into Bucks Harbor	Long dock and ...	nice buidings.
Paul's 41 meatballs	Ahead is ...	Mast Transit	Other cruisers	Bucks Hbr Marine.
In Bucks Harbor	Allen Cove to Bucks Hbr	1st week tracks	The Paduanos for ...	nibbles and ...
dinner.	front yard ...	and porch ..	both ways.	Candle holder
Fireplace, and ...	beautiful blocks.	Spare wood stove.	These are ...	ready for ...
the pots.	Comng out ...	being split ...	Lobster buffet ...	get in line.
Smile ...	With a fire!

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Mon, Aug 25th

Under way at 0516, Steve was determined to get as far west as we could. Unfortunately, he had gleefully declared at last night's dinner that we hadn't had any fog. The fog gods heard that and we were socked in most of the run.

It's a long 38 miles south southwest down Penobscot Bay to Old Man buoy, where we turn west southwest. Given the high desnsity of lobster pots tht we had been dodging, Steve elected to follow the offshore route in the open Atlantic Ocean to minimize pot dodging. Yet even there we saw pots in 300 feet of water.

It was radar drill for sure. Rick at the nav station with a split screen of the radar and chart watching for radar echoes that didn't corespond to land or buoys. Those were boats to be avoided. One was within about 700 feet of us abeam before we saw it - though we had been tracking it closely on radar.

There were periods of better visibility, and even a very hazy sun for a few minutes. We worked our way west past Bantum Rock, then Seguin Island. After Fuller Rock below Cape Small, we aimed for Jewel Island, the eastern boundry of Casco Bay, and turned for the shallow entrance to Cliff Island Harbor. Again the fog was very thick and we were only a few hundred feet from it when we saw it.

We picked up a mooring at 1518. Then enjoyed Paul's 41 hand-made meatballs in Steve's favorite spaghetti dinner with salad. It was off to the bunks by 2030 for yet another early start tomorrow.

0557 Monday morning	Dark in the nav station	Active radar target ...	light spotted ...	lobster boat.
Weather buoy Penobscot Bay	less fog ...	but cold.	Cliff I Can 5?	astern.
At anchor ...	panning left ...	little house ...	mooring field ...	boats ...
rocks ...	far point.	Spaghetti dinner.

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Tues, Aug 26th

Under way at 0639, we were taking advantage of both wind and current to get as far south as possible before the wind was predicted to go southerly and on the nose. With a nice 10-12 knot westerly, we set the main and power sailed down past Taylor Reef below Cape Elizabeth at 0804, just south of Portland.

The wind gods were kind to us and we were able to maintain speeds over 8 knots all the way down the coast to Portsmouth. The remaining southeast swells rocked Javelin as she raced along on starboard tack with the westerlies.

We covered the 50 miles in good order and arived Wentworth Marina at 12:56. The crew quickly went through our usual drill. We had switched from the port to the starboard fuel tank yesterday, so we filled the port tank with 28 gallons of diesel, and added 12 to the starboard tank. The holding tanks were pumped out, and the starboard water tank filled.

Steve neatly tucked us alongside the open side of E dock, next to big power boats. Long time crew member, and Rick's college roommate, Brian Klinger came aboard for nibbles, then we walked up to the Latitude restaurant for dinner where Brian's wife Lise joined us.

Tuesday morning ...	rocks exposed ...	halyards aft ...	under way 0639	Nice house ...
nice lobster boat.	Leaving Cliff Hbr.	Cape Elizabeth old light.	Old Coast Guard station	Passing 2KR ...
Whaleback light	Little River / Wentworth Marina ...	at the dock.	Hotel & Restaurant	The marina ...
Javelin looks great.	Heading for ...	dinner with Brian & Lise.

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Wed, Aug 27th

A long 80 mile leg to the Cape Cod Canal called for an early departure. We were underway at 0505, with just enough light to work our way out of the mooring field. Two long legs, about 30 miles down to Cape Ann, then a 12 degre right turn for the last 50 miles to the Canal and the little port of Sandwich.

The beautiful sunrise illuminated Javelin as we worked past a pair of big fishing boats with their lights on. As Steve remarked on, "Red over white, fishing at night." With a favorable current, we made the trun at G 1 at Cape Ann at 0807.

Though it had been clear since daybreak, thick cumulus quickly built over the land by noon time. Some were looking black as we entered the Canal at red buoy #4. The current was flowing into the Canal - and through it into Buzards Bay, 8 miles ahead. We turned in to the Sandwich marina, topped off the fuel tanks and pumped the holding tanks. Several loud peels of thunder and a flash of lightning provided the sound and light show, and we were tied in our slip just beofre the sikes opend for about half an hour.

Fellow Dartmouth alum Jay and Hasty evans joined us for dinner at the Pilot House. Then again, with a long run to Newport tomorrow, we called it quits at 2000.

0520 Wednesday	Fishing boats ..	companion.	Sunrise ...	on Paul ...
very welcome.	Lobster boat.	Perfectly aligned BTW, COG, & HDG	G1 at Cape Ann	Old light towers.
Power plant ...	R 4 at Canal ...	in we go.	Doing 9.9 knots.	Lightning, thunder then rain.
Heading for dinner ...	Little Miss Sandwich ...	the story.	plus anchor ...	for lost at sea.
Tie-dyed anyone?	With Jay & Hasty ...	plus Rick.	Twilight ...	and Javelin.
The crew ...	plus Rick.	Wentworth to CCC

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Thur, Aug 28th

We were now so used to going to bed early and getting up early that our 0508 departure from Sandwich just seemed normal. There is something to be said about getting the first picture with a bright star in the sky astern! The early light may not be the fabled "million dollar light," but it certainly illuminates things in a special way.

The Cape Cod Canal is known for its currents, and our early departure also benefited from almost amaximum ebb and we hit 11.4 knots over the bottom. With such a push we cleared the canal at 0615 and headed southwest down Buzzards Bay. Light wind made for easy going, but a low, persistant SE swell gave us a gentle rockinghorse ride. The green buoy on the north side of the Bay slipped past and by 0850 we were passing Sakonnet Point light for the run across Rhode Island Sound to Newport. 12 miles out to sea, we could see the proliferation of almost 65 windmills in Revolution Wind Farm reaching a maximum of 837 feet. Those "80 story" structures are why we could see them from so far away.

We rounded Brenton Reef Point and headed up past Castle Hill light. It's aptly named as several giant mansions line the waterfront - first built before the days of income taxes! Small racing boats were headed out for a regatta, tourist boats reached back and forth, and Ft. Adams stood guard at the mouth of Newport Harbor. We hailed New York Yacht Club and were assigned mooring 649, which happens to be right at the foot of the new docks with an excellent view of the Harbour Court clubhouse.

New owner Eric Grubman and Steve's son Jeffrey joined us for dinner at the clubhouse for thier fabulous all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. Shrimp, clams, oysters and scallops competed with clam chowder for operners, then swordfish, whole lobsters and fillet megnon took up the cause for entrees. No one went to bed hungry! After the lowering of the colors ceremony at 1725, Eric and Jeffery headed for home and we took the launch back aboard for another early bunk time.

0508 depart Sandwich	First glow ...	0540 Bourne Bridge	Railroad Bridge ...	astern.
Sunrise	0723 Bell G 7 Wilkes Ledge	off Sakonnet Pt.	Wind farm 12 mi out	Sakonnet light
Castle Hill, light, and ...	Castle ...	enough chairs?	Castle 2	Castle 3
Castle 4	Tourist boat ...	big yacht ...	Newport Harbor Bridge	Tourist boat ...
tourists.	Fort Adams ...	at harbor mouth ...	inside.	Oliver Hazard Perry ...
other side.	Q boat?	Equally beautiful.	New NYYC docks ...	Harbour Court clubhouse ...
up close.	Javelin on #649	NYYC docks ...	and Javilin.	Time to reboard ...
Javelin & moon.	Sandwich - Newport

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Fri, Aug 29th

Mother Nature's free Boat Wash passed through around 0400, pattering on the cabintop, but making little fuss. The crew slept in a bit later this morning, until 0500 ihstead of 0445. We were under way at 0520 under partly cloudy skies.

Leftover seas from the night rain made for a slightly bouncy ride the 9 miles south down Rhode Island Sound to Point Judith where we turned west. The good news was that the wind was southerly around 10 - 12 knots and we set the double reefed main and the jib. With over 80 miles to go today, we motor sailed with the engine running and were doing 8.2 over the bottom, despite a little adverse current.

We cleared Watch Hill at 0904 making 9.1 SOG and entered Connecticut waters inside Fishers Island. Heavy, black rain at the west end of Fishers politely moved north by the time we got there at 0954. Another big (beautiful) black curtain of rain moved ashore before we passed New London, and similar ones to the south passed east of us before moving north. As we closed with Javelin's new home port of Milford, yet another black curtain was right on our course. It just must have been good Javelin karma, but it too slid north and we entered Milford Harbor at 1505.

The crew turned to the usual end-of-cruise chores. Filling the fuel and water tanks and pumping out the holding tanks. Then stow gear, clean out the fridge and freezer and haul our duffel ashore. Thanks Eric & Stephanie for one more great Javelin cruise.

0520 departure	Newport Bridge	Happy crew ...	Michael at sunrise	sunrise.
Point Judith ...	we're around.	Whale watching	Watch Hill light ...	up close
Latimer Reef	Rain ashore.	North Dumpling	Here comes the ...	New London ferry.
Rain astern ...	to weather ...	and ahead.	Charles I. ...	entering Milford ...
our approach.	The crew tucks Javelin ...	in her new slip.	Newport to Milford (and Cape Cod Canal - Newport)

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Clear Sailing.

Rick Van Mell vanmells@ix.netcom.com

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