The weather on Friday and Saturday of this weekend was not good, so we decided that sailing was in order for Sunday the 27, despite a forecast for strong winds in the afternoon.

Breakfast and an Early Start

We had a plan for breakfast with Heather's parents aboard Lucky Bear for that morning, so we arrived at PYC to find that the launch wasn't running. Apparently the launch driver didn't have a key to get into the dock house, and so couldn't get the launch running. We called Lucky Bear and got a lift via dinghy out to the boat. We had a nice breakfast and then headed over to Dasein.

There was already a breeze blowing, so while Heather put Gavin down for a nap I got the boat ready to go. I got the main up by 0915 and we headed out, sailing on a close reach up toward Portland. Gavin settled down quickly, and we enjoyed a nice sail past the south end of Clapboard, at which point we reached off for the Hussey Sound. The wind was fresh, but not overpowering, and we had a great beam reach out the Hussey with full sail and a favorable current.

Decisions, Decisions. . .

As we left the Hussey it was time to decide which way to go. We really didn't want to do much beating, especially later in the sail, as the wind was supposed to be very strong in the afternoon. Initially we thought we would reach off around Long Island and out to Broad Sound, but that would require a beat through the narrow slot between Little John and Chebeague where the wind is always gusty and flukey even with favorable winds.

Instead we decided to harden up for a close reach out to Cape Elizabeth and the southern boundary of Casco Bay. We felt that from there we would be able to tack and have a nice reach down the ship channel to Portland and a pleasant run back to Falmouth. So we hardened up and had a quite pleasant close reach outside of Ram Island Light.

After a while, however, the wind seemed to be increasing, as well as clocking around, as if they were coming straight out the ship channel. Grrr. We continued along for a while and nearing Cape Elizabeth, we tacked to see what course we would be able to make.

It appeared unlikely that we would be able to go in the ship channel without beating all the way, so I eased off a bit, thinking that we would go around between Ram Island and Cushing Island and back toward the Hussey. At this moment however the wind seemed to fairly double in strength and we drove the rail hard into the water. Heather suggested that perhaps a fairer course would be outside Ram Island Light and back to the Hussey. I concurred!

A Whole Family Sail

After easing off further we were on a beam to broad reach and screaming along at a steady 6.8 knots. Nice! At this point Gavin woke up. We were amazed that he slept through the sail up to Cape Elizabeth as we were often heeled pretty steeply and his head was on the low side of the boat. Heather went below and brought him up to the cockpit and they relieved me from tiller duty for a few minutes. After a bit I took the helm back and we continued on into the Hussey while Heather fed Gavin some crackers. After a bit, he seemed bored with the crackers and decided to play with the throttle. "Faster, Dad, faster!" Too bad for him, the engine wasn't on!

After a while he got bored with that too, so Heather took him below to find something to do. Meanwhile we were passing Cow Island and looking out across the flats toward Portland I saw a mob-scene (sarcasm)! At least 8 or 9 boats were out! kee-rist folks, its a beautiful June Sunday, 75 degrees and sunny. Where is everybody?

We continued along to the north end of Clapboard without incident and took the boat in to the mooring. It was about 1230, and we were pretty worn out. Sailing with a baby is tiring!

Still Many Hours Left

As it was so early, we had a mostly pleasant rest of the day aboard. A nice lunch and some playing in the cockpit with a big bucket of sea-water. What fun! After a while Gavin was clearly getting exhausted so we put him below in the v-berth for a nap. See the picture? See how well he was napping? Eventually Heather went up to the v-berth with a book, hoping to settle hiim down. Unfortunately he was resistant and spent some time fussing and crying.

Eventually we decided to head over to Lucky Bear where we were going to have dinner anyway. Heather took Gavin ashore and drove him around until he fell asleep in the car and he managed a short nap which was helpful. Finally she returned and we had a nice afternoon and evening with her parents. Gran-bear certainly seemed to be happy to be home from cruising (see pic!). Around 1930 we headed back home.