This is our first winter at the current marina and the low tide finally got us Monday/Tuesday. It was beautiful both days for sailing. We went down Monday to toss the lines and get out for a few hours, but it wasn’t meant to be. The depth sounder read 3.5 and we need 4.3 just to tap the bottom, so we were in the mud. We had already removed the main cover, turned on the VHF, with the diesel running when I turned on the depth sounder. Bayou Chico is so dirty, you can’t see bottom in just a few feet of water, so we didn’t think anything of it. Now we know that when barnacles are showing a foot on the pilings, we aren’t moving.
The weather was absolutely perfect for a day sail. We departed the marina around noon and sailed till nearly 5pm.
Aside from Monomoy’s standard crew of Carol, Blake, and Ben, we enjoyed the company of Rudi (Ben’s step-mom), Steve (Ben’s dad), and Brice (Ben’s bro).
The wind and temperature couldn’t have been any better for this time of year as we shared the bay with a few other sailors.
It was quite an enjoyable day that even had the birds inspired.
Steve (Ben’s dad), Brice (Ben’s brother), Ben, and Blake took an afternoon day sail just to cruise about the bay for a bit.
When we first headed out the wind was blowing about 12 knots, but within a short period of time it picked up to 25. We only sailed for about an hour or two before dousing the sails and motoring in.
May have been a short cold sail, but we were sailing in December, so no complaints.
What a great weekend. The weather was supposed to be much better, so we had planned to stay out overnight, but the unpredicted clouds were questionable, so we opted to day sail on Saturday and Sunday.
There were many other boats sailing the bay.
Carol enjoyed herself.
As did Pogo.
Blake, Carol, and Pogo.
Blake hamming it up.
What a gorgeous sunset.
November 29, 2009…
Sunday was supposed to be even better than Saturday, so we headed back out in the morning for several hours of sailing.
Carol relaxed.
Blake hanging out with Private Stock Too in the background.
Private Stock Too sailed up for a chat.
Pogo drank too much too fast and had to lay down.
Cheers.
Carol took the helm for a photo op.
Hard to tell with the zoom lens struggling, but it appeared that Pan Dragon was out of her slip for the day.
Heading back in to the marina we were treated to a dolphin show, but they were so quick moving around it was hard to keep up with them enough for pictures, but we did catch the fin of one just at the bow of a passing powerboat.
It was a great weekend of sailing! Looking forward to next time.
We sailed out around 5:30pm on Friday November 13, 2009 and headed for Ft. McRee. It was dark by the time we arrived at 8pm, but what a great night sail we had as the bay was all ours. We dropped anchor at the first available spot near the cove entrance, because all we could see were anchor lights throughout. Jody arrived about 8:30pm (after launching his powerboat about 5 minutes before) and rafted with us for the night. He forgot his sleeping bag, so he became our first overnight guest and slept in our cabin on the settee.
The next morning after breakfast, Jody, Pogo, and I went scouting for a better location to anchor.
We found a great spot to anchor Monomoy and Private Stock Too (who arrived later around noon), then took Jody’s boat to shore to setup his canopy, cooler, etc. Blake came along this trip to help out.
Afterward, Bob and Teresa (Carol’s parents) were picked up by Jody on his boat, then upon returning to Monomoy, Jody rafted up, with Ken/Sheri arriving shortly after in Private Stock Too rafting up next to Jody.
We proceeded to eat raw oysters, shrimp cocktails, and Joe Pattie’s crab dip, while sipping rum, wine, and Corona as we watched the Blue Angel’s Homecoming Air Show.
Pogo complained occasionally about the super sonic fly bys.
Blake agreed that some of them were loud.
But it was still quite a site.
There were lots of boaters out to watch.
Pogo thought it more relaxing to watch the water.
Sheri enjoyed her day.
Bob, Jody, and Ben hanging out.
Pogo found a new spot to hold down.
Ken took his dinghy for a short sail. Blake wanted to bring The Force, but we were concerned about the number of boaters expected out there, so we opted to leave The Force at the marina for the weekend.
One kid got a better view.
Ken proudly flew his flag. He has a son in the armed forces.
Sunset Saturday night.
Private Stock Too under sail on Sunday.
Other sailboats out.
Blake decided to poke a straw into a lemon and drink directly from it.
What a beautiful weekend for hanging out. We started the weekend off hanging out Friday evening at the marina. Blake did some fishing and caught about 6 fish in total, but they were all throw backs; he had fun just the same.
Saturday we sailed out with Ft. McRee as our destination. The wind was blowing between 18-22 knots, but the seas were calm, so it made for some decent sailing. Ken and Sheri were supposed to join us, but Sheri is sick with a cold, so they decided it would be best and stay behind. Conrad, Roxanne, their daughter and nephew sailed Great Escape and John motored Toppsoff to all hang out for the evening. We built a campfire and ate chili and Smores while listening to the Auburn/LSU game on the radio.
Other sailors out for the night.
Blake collected seaweed.
Friends playing football on the beach.
Waking up Sunday morning.
We cruised back around 10am, arriving to the marina around 12pm. The wind was blowing at 20kt with 1 foot seas till we rounded the tip of Navy Point, when the wind hit our nose and seas grew to 2 feet, so we dropped sails and motored the rest of the way in. It was a fun weekend.
Saturday we headed out for a day sail. The weather was gorgeous and we spent the entire day out on the boat. We will point out that the weather was forecast to be horrid, but we went on Ben’s own prediction, which was that it would actually be a beautiful weekend.
We dropped the hook at Ft. Pickens for lunch.
Pogo had a good time relaxing.
We noticed Ruach out sailing. The vessel is berthed at our previous marina and captained by a fellow named Scott.
Blake did his usual movie thing.
Carol took the helm for a bit while I goofed off and did some sightseeing on the bow.
Pensacola Lighthouse.
Ben back at the helm.
Pogo did some more relaxing.
Carol enjoyed the sun and boat drinks.
Pogo hanging out some more.
After we returned from a day of sailing, Ben and Blake put the force in the water for an evening sail. Not sure why, perhaps the lighting at the time, but the picture didn’t come out clear, but you get the idea.
We only took a couple of pictures on Sunday, but it was mainly of the water, so we won’t post any here. It was another great day of sailing!
Welcome to s/v Monomoy's blog. This site is a journal of sorts in regards to sailing and maintaining our Catalina 27 named "Monomoy". Monomoy is a 1988 Tall-Rig with a 14hp inboard M-18 Universal Diesel.Contact the Captain at: bharris [at] RationalRealty.com
