Tell us how you calculated the effects of tide on your course to steer.
Tell us how the weather forecast affected your plans. Tell us how the
actual weather affected your trip. Did everything go according to plan?

Great questions!
LIS currents were more of a factor than I anticipated, especially from previous
sails. On our return leg, we were slowed below 5 knots which I might have
improved on had I sailed closer to the Con. Coast. I often find reduced current
there.
The weather on friday predicted "severe T-storms" but I knew we could be in a
good area to deal with them (plenty of water) and it would be a worthwhile
experience. I've never been in a T-storm at night. The storms flanked us with
plenty of lightening and thunder, but never came. Not even a drop of rain.
By the time we were approaching Port Jeff, winds had come up to around 20 knots
+ and there's a bit of a confused sea (as our cruising guide warned) outside
the entrance. Following advice, we sailed back and forth making sure we
fathomed the entrance correctly. Suzanne was doing the nav and having a tough
time making sure we had it right.
Everything went according to plan accept that we did not know that so many
boats would be littering the Thimbles. It was so crowded that we left soon
after and grabbed the mooring in nearby Morris Cove. We missed our planned
return time at City Island by two hours.

RB