Alien-Trip Report
 

First of all...I'm tired! We sailed back from Morris Cove in just over 9 hours.

Here's how it went:

Left City Island at 3:30 dispite a lot of people suggesting we wait until the
T-Storms pass. We caught good, if not strong air until we reached Oyster Bay
when the wind picked up. We anchored for dinner, then Suzanne reasoned we might
be better off making for Port Jeff. We enterer Port Jeff LATE, after 2:00 am I
think and grabbed a mooring. Bit of a challenge due to MAJOR waves and chop in
strong wind as we entered.
Morning at about 8:am we went tried to find a 40 foot Heron (as mentioned in my
badly dated guide) and found none! But we went into town, grabbed a few things
and Suzanne got herself a McDonald's coffee. We headed out into a beautiful day
and we agreed that the Thimbles still might be a bit of a haul if we wanted to
swim and have a bit of fun. But as the wind increased she determined we could
make it and quickly. We hit the thimbles at around. I tried many times before
and after, up until 5:00 to hail Bill. I even ****ed off a few people doing it
too often. Note: The wind was quite fresh and we were reefed and furled down,
still at hull speed. There were VERY few boats sailing, unless I saw what was
typical for the area
We had a bit of a tricky time figuring out where to enter the Thimbles, finally
found the anchorage indicated (between Pot and Hi, if I remember right. Steve
walls with homes and A TON of boats anchored for fun. Some lucky devil had a
J27 (I think) actually at his own dock between two narrow cliffs. Small
cliffs...but still very pretty. There was just too many boats there and many
more coming in. We toured the area...ran into a patch of sand not far past the
cable run area...managed to get around it. The best places to anchor, shielded
from the wind, were all full up. We had lunch and left, making for East Haven
at around 3:30 or 4:00. Again, hailed Bill. Nada. I was bummed. Meeting someone
there would've been fun.
We hailed Morris Cove and got...A FREE MOORING! Wow! Even the kid in the launch
came around and brought us ashore where they had outdoor stall shower for
guests-better than our puny shower. Came back, cooked a steak for her, fish for
me and watched Bowling for Columbine...a bit overated.
We left at 6:am sunday and it was COLD! We had sweatshirts and foulies on! The
wind was great, clipping along at about 7.5 or so...then....6.5....6. Slowing
down on the GPS as the current kicked in. After 5 hours we'd made 26 miles, but
the trend was slowing down. Then the wind flipped on us and died! Zikes. We
motored 2 hours before catching good air again near Oyster Bay.
We had a great time. Suzanne loved it....we tried to change plans to allow two
more days...couldn't.
Here's a pic of Alien powering toward the channel at the Thimbles.
http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/images/thimble4.jpg
More pics to come. I'm going to sleep!

Capt RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
|
| First of all...I'm tired! We sailed back from Morris Cove in just over 9
hours.

That means nothing to those of us who have no idea of the distance Bob....

|
| Here's how it went:
|
| Left City Island at 3:30 dispite a lot of people suggesting we wait until
the
| T-Storms pass.

Did you discuss route planning with them or were they concerned because you
had no sail plan and were unaware of the weather forecast?

We caught good, if not strong air until we reached Oyster Bay
| when the wind picked up. We anchored for dinner, then Suzanne reasoned we
might
| be better off making for Port Jeff.

If I understand this correctly... you decided to anchor when the wind picked
up... so you could have Dinner??


We enterer Port Jeff LATE, after 2:00 am I
| think and grabbed a mooring. Bit of a challenge due to MAJOR waves and
chop in
| strong wind as we entered.

H-m-m-m-m 11 hours with an estimated 1.5 hour dinner break for a total of
9 and a half hours of sailing. That would be what.. about 40 miles for your
boat? So.. did you navigate in with your radar? How did you find the
excercise of locating a mooring in an unfamiliar harbour with major waves,
choppy water and a strong wind?? Did you use your spotlight?? I can't
believe you didn't even look at your watch to confirm times while underway
to destination.


| Morning at about 8:am we went tried to find a 40 foot Heron (as mentioned
in my
| badly dated guide) and found none! But we went into town, grabbed a few
things
| and Suzanne got herself a McDonald's coffee.

Heh... I thought you had provisioned the boat... can't you even make coffee
on board???

We headed out into a beautiful day
| and we agreed that the Thimbles still might be a bit of a haul if we
wanted to
| swim and have a bit of fun.

Exactly how far is a "haul" ??????

But as the wind increased she determined we could
| make it and quickly. We hit the thimbles at around.

Glad she waited till the wind increased to determine you could make it ...
even though you decided to set it as destination prior to departure. You hit
the Thimbles ... when???? distance covered? chart used?

I tried many times before
| and after, up until 5:00 to hail Bill. I even ****ed off a few people
doing it
| too often.

Bill claimed he attempted to hail you... did you shut off the VHF at 1700
hrs?

Note: The wind was quite fresh and we were reefed and furled down,
| still at hull speed. There were VERY few boats sailing, unless I saw what
was
| typical for the area

Good gawd... very fresh?? How fast is that?

| We had a bit of a tricky time figuring out where to enter the Thimbles,

You'll find charts are a real help in that situation.....

finally
| found the anchorage indicated (between Pot and Hi, if I remember right.
Steve
| walls with homes and A TON of boats anchored for fun. Some lucky devil had
a
| J27 (I think) actually at his own dock between two narrow cliffs. Small
| cliffs...but still very pretty. There was just too many boats there and
many
| more coming in. We toured the area...ran into a patch of sand not far past
the
| cable run area...managed to get around it.

Odd you can describe everything with such clarity as long as it doesn't
include navigation.

The best places to anchor, shielded
| from the wind, were all full up. We had lunch and left, making for East
Haven
| at around 3:30 or 4:00. Again, hailed Bill. Nada. I was bummed. Meeting
someone
| there would've been fun.

You claimed you weren't going in one of your last posts.... what do you
expect?

| We hailed Morris Cove and got...A FREE MOORING! Wow! Even the kid in the
launch
| came around and brought us ashore where they had outdoor stall shower for
| guests-better than our puny shower. Came back, cooked a steak for her,
fish for
| me and watched Bowling for Columbine...a bit overrated.

Claimed visiting Yacht status? What time did you arrive there?

| We left at 6:am sunday and it was COLD!

It usually is before sunrise....

We had sweatshirts and foulies on! The
| wind was great, clipping along at about 7.5 or so...then....6.5....6.
Slowing
| down on the GPS as the current kicked in. After 5 hours we'd made 26
miles, but
| the trend was slowing down. Then the wind flipped on us and died! Zikes.

Zikes is right... an average of 5 knots!

We
| motored 2 hours before catching good air again near Oyster Bay.

What was your return time that allowed you to make such a passage within one
day?

| We had a great time. Suzanne loved it....we tried to change plans to allow
two
| more days...couldn't.

Well it's nice to have a Plan B.... if you have a Plan A.

| Here's a pic of Alien powering toward the channel at the Thimbles.
| http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/images/thimble4.jpg
| More pics to come. I'm going to sleep!

Well the photo says a lot.... fenders laying on the deck.... [sort of
indicates you've departed from a nearby dock] powering in a moderate breeze
[ what's up with that?]

Bob... this little adventure requires a better standard of reporting... or a
better comprehension of sailing to confirm it's authenticity. I'm certain
you will be able to provide the particulars.

Glad to see you both back safe and sound.

CM

Alien-Trip Report
 

| First of all...I'm tired! We sailed back from Morris Cove in just over 9
hours.

That means nothing to those of us who have no idea of the distance Bob....

About 44.5 Miles after we cleared the breakwaters (less than a mile).

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Did you discuss route planning with them or were they concerned because you
had no sail plan and were unaware of the weather forecast?

Weather had been warning of severe stormsin our area all day. It was even
mentioned on this board before we left.
I judged the sky of an even cast indicating that we had time to make for wider
water, where we'd have room to work if a storm clobbered us. That meant making
the few short miles past Execution rocks where the sound opens up. Though there
was plenty of thunder and lightening, we never felt a drop and the radar was
clear. Good luck.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

If I understand this correctly... you decided to anchor when the wind picked
up... so you could have Dinner??

No. We caught good air at Oyster Bay, anchored some time later for dinner.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

How did you find the
excercise of locating a mooring in an unfamiliar harbour with major waves,
choppy water and a strong wind?? Did you use your spotlight??

It was tough, even with the GPS. We used the spotlight and crossed back and
forth twice to make sure we understood the entrance which is somewhat narrow.
In the light of day it was a very obvious entrance and we couldn't believe how
confused we were!
Port Jeff was a parking lot with next to zero room to drop an anchor. We
motored in where there's a huge ferry and a lot of work boats. The clubs were
all sleeping. We grabbed someone's mooring instead.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Glad she waited till the wind increased to determine you could make it ...
even though you decided to set it as destination prior to departure.

Our "plan" as it was from the start, was to make for the Thimbles, but not if
we had to motor hour after hour in dead air or if wind direction worked soundly
against us.
There are plenty of places to pull in for a swim.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Odd you can describe everything with such clarity as long as it doesn't
include navigation.

What would you like to know? You want coordinates?

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Claimed visiting Yacht status? What time did you arrive there?

About 6:00. The kid asked us if we were from a club and that was it. We tipped
him for the launch service. I was happy not to bother with the dinghy.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

| We left at 6:am sunday and it was COLD!

It usually is before sunrise..

No, no, no! COLD. As in truly COLD. It stayed that way until well after noon.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

We
| motored 2 hours before catching good air again near Oyster Bay.

What was your return time that allowed you to make such a passage within one
day?

When still in good air, we both bet dinner on the return time!
My guess: 3:40
Suzanne's Guess: 4:10
Actual Arrival time: 5:15
Not bad given the fact that wind left us becalmed, then motoring slowly against
the current on several ocasions.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Well the photo says a lot.... fenders laying on the deck....

I got bad news for you, Mooron. Those fenders were out after we left port jeff
and are STILL there. We brought the towel in.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

powering in a moderate breeze
[ what's up with that?]

We're entering the channel. Sail up to it in unfamiliar wate? No thanks.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Glad to see you both back safe and sound.

My nose got sunburned.
Thanks.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Cool... that's an approximate average of 5 knots....

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| | First of all...I'm tired! We sailed back from Morris Cove in just over 9
| hours.
|
| That means nothing to those of us who have no idea of the distance
Bob....
|
| About 44.5 Miles after we cleared the breakwaters (less than a mile).
|
| RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Isn't that water a little bit cold for swimming? Don't you need Viagra
after a swim just to find everything?

Bobsprit wrote:

Glad she waited till the wind increased to determine you could make it ...
even though you decided to set it as destination prior to departure.

Our "plan" as it was from the start, was to make for the Thimbles, but not if
we had to motor hour after hour in dead air or if wind direction worked soundly
against us.
There are plenty of places to pull in for a swim.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Cool... that's an approximate average of 5 knots....

With the knotmeter showing 7.5!
Turned the boat around to see and the GPS said we were doing better than 9!
Several boats were sailing with us (including a C&C LF 35) and were going just
as "slow."

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message

| I honestly doubt Bill ever hailed me. There were SO FEW boats sailing. If
he
| only hailed me for a 1/2 hour period, then it's also possible I missed it.
That
| would be about the time we were coming into the Thimbles or a bit after.
It was
| not a day for anyone seeking a relaxing sail. My radio was on channel 9
most of
| the day, except when I switched to 68 to hail Morris Cove for the mooring.
I
| hailed bill probably 10-12 times between 12 and 5:30 or so.

Wind speeds? From the photo you posted yesterday I doubt it was over 15
kts. from the seastate. You do have a helm repeater on the VHF don't you?

CM

Alien-Trip Report
 

Just the basics Bob.... leg times or distances. departure times / arrival
times.... wind speeds that include a better description than "strong"....
Log readings and tides add a certain authority and credibility to a sail
report.

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| Odd you can describe everything with such clarity as long as it doesn't
| include navigation.
|
| What would you like to know? You want coordinates?
|
| RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

that's a silly response.. with a hard beat and current you could have
covered a linear distance of 20 miles with a distance over ground of 40
miles.

If you don't know the conditions, currents and so on, why guess at all? You
silly!

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Wind speeds? From the photo you posted yesterday I doubt it was over 15
kts. from the seastate. You do have a helm repeater on the VHF don't you?

You can't judge the windspeeds from pictures, certainly not the strong gusts.
In any case I took no pics when it picked up because there was too much spray
for my nice Canon G3 camera.

But keep trying!

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Again... a nother relative descriptor... don't you have a thermometer...
what was the temperature and wind speed reported on WX ??

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| | We left at 6:am sunday and it was COLD!
|
| It usually is before sunrise..
|
| No, no, no! COLD. As in truly COLD. It stayed that way until well after
noon.
|
| RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Just the basics Bob.... leg times or distances. departure times / arrival
times.... wind speeds that include a better description than "strong".

Why? Why? Why? On our approach to Thimbles, 15-20, gusts past 25. So? Does that
matter to you?

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message

| Yup, but in the first few we were averaging over 7 knots.


and in the last few you averaged 3 knots....

Alien-Trip Report
 

That type of behaviour is akin to leaving the toilet with your zipper down
Bob. Bad form!

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| Well the photo says a lot.... fenders laying on the deck....
|
| I got bad news for you, Mooron. Those fenders were out after we left port
jeff
| and are STILL there. We brought the towel in.
|
| RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

In effect you have justified the group's premise that you are uncomfortable
with handling your vessel under sail. Most of us here can power up and down
as well as complete intricate maneuvers under sail... Tapole's "Donut" seems
to ring a bell.

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| powering in a moderate breeze
| [ what's up with that?]
|
| We're entering the channel. Sail up to it in unfamiliar wate? No thanks.
|
| RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Zinc next time out....

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| Glad to see you both back safe and sound.
|
| My nose got sunburned.
| Thanks.
|
| RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

That type of behaviour is akin to leaving the toilet with your zipper down
Bob. Bad form!

Agreed!
My zipper was also down.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Zinc next time out....

I had it onboard. Just another fender, zipper situation.
You see? I admit to the rare error!

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Your replies to
date concerning basic navigation have displayed a serious lack of
understanding of this skill.

Why are you guessing at anything? I can give you exact distances traveled. In
fact I can tell you how far we sailed from 7:00 am to 4:45 pm yesterday, if you
like.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

Of course it matters if you want the audience to get a true sense of what it
was like. At what time did you make the approach to the channel at the
Thimbles?

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| Just the basics Bob.... leg times or distances. departure times / arrival
| times.... wind speeds that include a better description than "strong".
|
| Why? Why? Why? On our approach to Thimbles, 15-20, gusts past 25. So? Does
that
| matter to you?
|
| RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

At what time did you make the approach to the channel at the
Thimbles?

I think about 2:00 or so, maybe 2:30. Winds weren't as bad as we approached,
but there was some flakey powernboat traffic.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

You stated
the wind was sufficiently strong to keep many other vessels off the water
yet your photo does not justify your claim.

I love it when Mooron gets caught lying!
1) I clearly indicated that I saw few boats, which MIGHT be normal for the
area.
2) I clearly stated that I had to put the camera away due to spray when it
picked up.
Uh oh, Mooron! More lashes for you?

Hooooh ahhh! Two balls out again!

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

That's 3 unforgivable transgressions.... 1- No morning Java... 2- no weather
confirmation on WX... 3 - no verification on chart to forecast or existing
conditions. Bob.. the last 2 take about 5 minutes and provide a clearer
baseline of expected time and distance. It's basic safety... like wearing a
PFD. You seem to have a cavalier attitude towards proper navigation and
weather.

Yes Bob... discussing sailing is always fun..... email you direct...
why?... do you have something to hide?

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| Again... a nother relative descriptor... don't you have a thermometer...
| what was the temperature and wind speed reported on WX ??
|
| Nope. We just woke up and hoisted! Clear skies and a good breeze was all
that
| mattered!
| I'd guess it was around 55-60 degrees when we got up. The "stiff" breeze
was
| cutting after the previous day's heat. "Stiff" = 14.4 knots steady!
|
| Are you having fun yet!? I am! Hoooh ahhh! Wait to Billy Jane wakes up!
BTW,
| e-mail me direct if you want "better info." That's a test.
|
| RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message

Uh oh, Mooron! More lashes for you?

Hooooh ahhh! Two balls out again!

At least he isn't sliding down a razor blade, using them as brakes...


--
Wally
I demand rigidly-defined areas of uncertainty!
www.art-gallery.myby.co.uk

Alien-Trip Report
 

Better look at the Photo because either delineation markers, a Fairway or
Bifurcation buoy would allow approach to that Island on either side at a
beam or broad reach from the shown wind conditions. I don't see any traffic
to back your claims that powerboats would impede progress of a 32 foot
sailboat to destination on a clear sunny afternoon with moderate/favourable
winds.

Your boating skills are not only in question... but absent from any
indication you have provided. Please clarify your statement

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| In effect you have justified the group's premise that you are
uncomfortable
| with handling your vessel under sail.
|
| You can't sail into that channel. Especially on this day. We're minutes
from
| the entrance, flanked by dopey powerboaters. I think I'll stick to my
clearly
| better boating skills, but thank's anyway!
|
| Hoooh ahhh! Better than I hoped!
|
| RB
|

Alien-Trip Report
 

Must be a typo... I know you meant to say you rarely admit to errors.

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| Zinc next time out....
|
| I had it onboard. Just another fender, zipper situation.
| You see? I admit to the rare error!
|
| RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

2- no weather
confirmation on WX... 3 - no verification on chart to forecast or existing
conditions. Bob.. the last 2 take about 5 minutes and provide a clearer
baseline of expected time and distance. It's basic safety.

Look at the pics? You seem to able to judge wind speeds. What do they tell you
about the weather? Do you think the clear sky and dry cool air was a warning?
Why make work where no work is needed. Results are the final element. We stayed
on our schedule within a few hours for all three days. Obviously I can helm,
trim and navigate. Am I a master navigator? No way! Will I be. Yes, in time and
as required by the sailing we do.

Do you even have any balls left to pitch? How about a fast ball??? Bwahahahaha!
Do you now see how you're s-l-o-w-l-y being dragging through the bog of
humiliation??!!! Wait till Billy shows up! Bwahahahaha!

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

At least he isn't sliding down a razor blade, using them as brakes..

I think I saw that in a movie called the Long Ships years ago.

RB

Alien-Trip Report
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message

At least he isn't sliding down a razor blade, using them as brakes..

I think I saw that in a movie called the Long Ships years ago.

I heard it as a joke many moons ago, when I was a schoolboy...

What's the definition of pain?

A fly sliding down a razor blade, using its balls as brakes.

:-)


--
Wally
I demand rigidly-defined areas of uncertainty!
www.art-gallery.myby.co.uk