Weather was near perfect, maybe a bit cool, for our launch this season!
Launch started on Thursday, moving the boat and mast from the boat yard to the ramp. The riggers installed the mast, boom, and furler. Hooked up the wiring from the mast (lights, wind vane, radar, speaker). left the boat on the ramp, to be splashed friday morning
The previous owner had some new sails made, but never installed them. The sail loft is local, I had the owner come down and help me install the mainsail, and gave me tips and tricks. I finished tightening the rig, got everything ready to launch.
When launch time came, normally, we get launched, and a rigger takes a bow line and spins us around , so we don't have to back down the ramp, as our boat backs poorly. There was no one around..so I figured I would give it a shot. As I thought, the boat went right to port as soon as I engaged the prop. A boater next to us was on board and started walking the boat around, so we could go out straight. By now the driver was at the dock and assisted us spinning around.
Once off the ramp, we grabbed a mooring in the harbor to get our ducks in a row, and double checking everything before departing for the Vineyard.
Once we departed Mattapoisett harbor, we set a course for Wood's hole, a channel between Buzzards Bay and Vineyard sound. We were launched a bit earlier than scheduled, so we got an earlier start. Our plan was to anchor by Woods Hole, in Hadley Harbor, then go through the hole in the morning. However, the wind was blowing quite hard, and had a beam reach all the way to the hole, and we got there way ahead of schedule. Since we were so early, we were in time for a favorable window to go through the hole. We went directly to Martha's Vineyard.
Once anchored, the wind was picking up, and was quite strong while we were at anchor. The plan was to inflate the dinghy, but the wind was so strong it was not practical. The wind was blowing quite strong all night, boat was swinging around..everything was rattling...was amazing! It was like a hurricane!
The weather was a bit better saturday morning, so I inflated the dinghy, and we went ashore and walked around Vineyard haven, had a burrito and enjoyed the nice weather!
back on the boat, and checking Sundays weather, we made the call to depart Sunday, instead of Monday. I broke down the dinghy and prepared for an early departure on sunday. We had dinner, then coffee and hunkered down
Sunday morning, we woke early, and got the boat together. Once we were ready, we had to lift the anchor. The new Spade anchor sets agressively and deeply. Took a few minutes of yanking, using the boats weight to finally break it free. Once up, we made fast for the harbor entrance. Once out of the harbor, we headed for Woods Hole. We motored to the hole, as it is pretty close to the vineyard. Once through the hole, which was pretty calm, as we hit it at near slack current, we set the foresail, reefed, for our journey across Buzzards Bay.
The wind was blowing, about 15 knots when we got out of the hole, and the current and waves were coming off our port quarter, and was not as punishing as if it were off our bow. The wind gradually incresed to a steady 22+ knots. We were sailing 6.5 knots over the ground, with just a reefed headsail! Ride was smooth as we had following seas. Made it across the bay in record time, over an hour earlier than predicted!
Once on the mooring, we finished rigging the mainsail on the boom, and put the sailcover on. Called the launch and went home!
Full report can be found here http://www.findmespot.com/spotadventure ... pid=337800