Sunday, November 1, 2009
Gradient Wind: N to NW – 5 to 8 kts
Current: flood Race Point 1545
Temp: 50
Yesterday, Brian and I (bundled appropriately for the weather) shared the last sail of the season on ‘Empty Pockets’.
Sailing off her mooring at 1215 in a slight northerly and after ghosting down the Mystic River between the Rock-pile and Morgan Point, and then reaching across to Groton Long Point, we continued down to Black Ledge short of the Thames River. At BL R”2”, we bore off wing & wing towards Race Point, discussing the likelihood of rounding Fishers Island. Shortly after passing inside and abeam Silver Eel , with the wind backing we began a reach towards R”2” at the Point, eventually rounding hard on the wind; a fickle sea breeze losing a squabble with the gradient.
After sitting off the Elizabeth Field for a half hour or better with no gain on Wilderness Pt, we bailed back towards Race Point with just enough breeze in the weakening flood to weather the buoy. Skimming past Silver Eel the breeze freshened, building to 8 kts, clocking northwest at North Hill and through the Dumplings. Passing Intrepid we witnessed in the distance the sunset (1643), along the south side of Seaflower, a rare occurrence sight into the waters of Long Island Sound*. Again the green flash failed to show.
After dousing the sails alongside Noank Shipyard, with a full moon peaking through the clouds and temperature dropping rapidly, the motor up the river in the dark was uneventful, securing Empty Pockets in her slip at 1800.
* For most of the year the sun sets over the Connecticut shore to the northwest or over Long Island to the southwest. Only for a couple of weeks in the spring and autumn does it set over the waters of LIS.