We lost another boater on our way here: John’s boat developed a problem with getting into and out of gear — not safe when maneuvering in tight spaces so he had to head back. Our trip was fine, autopilot did the work again, giving us time for other things, including outdoor showers in the cockpit, miles from potentially inquisitive eyes. The only other time for such showers is after dark.
The only problem is that we motored all the way. There was about eight knots of wind, generally enough for good sailing, but it was from almost directly behind us. The diesel did not strain in pushing us along at six knots, our customary cruising speed. But the apparent wind was only two knots (8-6=2), not enough to be useful. If we cut the engine, we would have made maybe three knots out of five apparent 8-3=5).
Mattituck Creek winds two miles, generally south into Long Island to a rectangular basin where we anchored. But from the Sound, half a mile off shore, you will miss the entrance buoy unless using GPS.
The charts are old, published before a recent survey. We got a somewhat anxious text from Josh and Ally: “Can we go in? The chart says it’s only three feet deep.” The answer was yes, it has been dredged since the chart was published, we had been there two years ago with A five foot ten inch draft, but stay in the channel, mind the buoys, watch your depth sounder and call the Marina, which depends on boaters, if you want assurance.
Wildlife, commercial fishing boats and big power boats line the creek’s sides, though much of it n.looks primeval. We dropped our anchor twice but drifted on its scope too close to other boats before we found the magic right spot. There were six boats on anchor, and room for perhaps six more. The Marina which lines the east side of the basin charges $6.25 per foot per night, plus tax!!! Hmmm, times 43 feet, well you can do the math. We could afford it but strong winds were not expected so far inland and we had a pleasant night.
We finally got to meet our traveling companions, Josh and Ally, and their friendly dog Cherry. Her coat is somewhat the color of cherrywood but they changed her name from Jerry to Cherry to avoid confusing her.
We went over to their beautiful, meticulously maintained boat by dinghy with a bottle of wine, after a delay while I repaired the outboard thanks to knowledge from Harry imparted to me in Massachusetts last summer. They set out delicious snacks.
“Neaera” is 33 feet long, and is a Rassy, a forerunner of Hallberg-Rassy, with teak decks, lots of gleaming brightwork and an amazingly new look. They have owned her only one year and told us that at the home mooring she is protected from the destructive effects of the sun by being completely covered with a custom canvas cover when not in use. She is also old fashioned with brass fittings and winches and lacks a working autopilot (we commiserated). She has a pressure alcohol stove and we recommended an inexpensive update to a low pressure one, for safety and ease of use.
Then we all dinked to the rickety municipal dock and strolled through town and beyond to a supermarke about ten minutes past town. Good exercise for zcherry, and for us all. Our first landfall since we set out. Contrary to a rumor, there was no indication of a fee for the use of the dock. Then dinner at the Marina’s restaurant, “Windamere”. Josh and Ally met in grad school at Columbia, and both have public service jobs. Ally, a commercial litigator in her native New Zealand, now works for that nation at the UN. Josh works for an NGO promoting applied measures to achieve world peace. Lovely new friends, who we would like to sail with at home, but per the itinerary of the Club Cruise of which, with our departure tomorrow, they will be the only boat, they have one more day in Mattituck.
No comments:
Post a Comment