Racing the weather, intensity and recovery

Dear friends and family,

I am writing from Port Aransas, Texas. From a hotel room in that city. Comfort, ease, warmth, and no wind (in the room). What a change from:

I had one day of a weather window to get from my “open from the north” berth at Clem’s to sail across the open water of Corpus Christie Bay and then take a sharp right turn to head east to get to Port Aransas, about 18 nautical miles of sailing for the day.

Conditions at the start were for wonderful sailing, about 10-12 knots of downwind sailing, wind being from the south. As the time went on, the wind increased which was lovely sailing and coasting through the wind created three foot waves. There was the odd rain squall with attached wind but nothing worrisome. A treat to enjoy five knots of boat speed in comfort.

The forecast was for the wind to veer from southeast to south-southeast which I would need to make my right turn and still sail my course. 

As I approached my right turn into a narrow, freighter filled channel, I noticed that the wind had not veered and wondered about my sailing angle, so while I had open water room I turned the boat the angle that the channel would be and realized that I could not sail that course with just the main. So, I dug out the small jib and spent too much time attaching it, but I was pretty much staying still in safe and deep enough water, so no danger. Once this was up, then I sheeted it in tight and saw that I could just about, with minimal margin, sail the course of my channel after the right turn.

So I approached the turn and could see three barges heading my way, keeping to the middle of the channel. Once I turned, sheeted in the sails way tight, I could just make the course staying to the right of the ships. The wind was picking up, I estimated just about twenty knots, too much wind for this amount of sail, but I deemed it necessary to keep to my course as more wind would heel me over a lot, but also point me higher into the wind. So now I had to hike way out over the side allowing my body weight to compensate for the high winds trying to tip us over. Perched like this I could hold my course in the gusts, but drift back towards the middle of the channel  between gusts where the potential squishers were coming. So on each gust I went as far up into the wind as I could to compensate.

Only three hours of this. No break, not for a second being able to change my pressure on the helm, needing every inch of upwind to make my safe way. It was exhilarating and wonderful sailing, and enjoyable except for those darn freighters and barges cruising ever so closely by me.

I had spent considerable time checking out my course ahead of time, so I knew once I passed the ferries going back and forth, and they very nicely waited for me to pass before running me down, I could see the marina entrance. Looking upstream, no ships in sight, so turned toward the entrance and stayed mostly still as I dropped the sails and set up the rowing station. I guess I took a lot of time because I did drift back into the shipping channel and was alerted by the multiple blasts of a very loud and very close horn as a ship entered the channel heading my way. I probably was not actually in their way, but if I drifted back any more I would have been. It took only a few hard strokes of the oars and I was clear and back in the entrance channel to the marina. It was easy to row in and find my allotted spot and tie her up. I sat still for about a half hour just to breathe. 

The tent had to be set up next and I broke a tent pole setting it up. Doing a repair in my tired state wasn’t my expectation, but I had no choice, so splint, duct tape, and wire ties and I had a half-ass workable tent to block some of the wind. I ordered a replacement on Amazon to be delivered to the marina in

two days.

What did I learn? I learned that this boat sails really well into the wind and fast as well. I learned that my big boat sailing skills translate well into this small boat, which is a good thing. 

I also learned that these passages are tiring and I need to keep myself in condition with food, hydration, and sleep to perform well for a few hours straight. Because I was well rested and fed, I was able to enjoy this several hours of intensity this trip. I did strain my arm holding pressure on that tiller for so long. I didn’t really notice it until, the next day, but now it’s really sore and weak. Guess I’ll call it the sailing version of tennis elbow and name it “tiller arm”.

And that, my friends, is why I am now ensconced in a hotel to rest and restore myself for the next chapter. Sitting in the wind and cold aboard during the day and night isn’t that comfortable (the outside temp is 48 F this morning, and the wind gusts are up to 40 knots, making the wind chill on the boat about 32F). I slept aboard last night to make sure the boat would be safe in the big winds, but now that wind speed is dropping, I can sleep away. It might seem counter-intuitive, but protecting the boat is top priority. And now maybe sleep more hours per night!

I also realize that I burn a lot of calories being out in the wind with the occasional rowing sprints and lost a lot of weight. Guess I’ll have to make that up while here in the city. I think I’m up to that challenge.

More angels, Roger and Michael (friends of Gerard) drove down here to see the boat and take me to breakfast. They are both small boatbuilders and we shared our boat stories. Then we visited the Farley boat shop where Farley boats are now being restored and new boats are being built, kind of a miniature wooden boat school and museum. I even got to attend their spaghetti fundraiser in the evening (thanks Roger) and met a number of their volunteers and talked boats. Most people there knew about boatbuilding in Port Townsend and some of the people in the industry. It is a small world when you get into wooden boats. 

Sending love,

Charley