Stos and Z came down to the Cape early, shortening Z's camp by 2 days, so he could spend an overnight on Averisera. Grandma and Norm had been thinking about and planning a "Sea Trial" for many weeks now, and were ready with Plans A to probably somewhere mid-alphabet. Z's berth cushion was brought out and his berth was cleared of sailing gear, the spinnakers were taken off to make more room forward for gear and overnight bags, a sleeping bag was brought on board, his berth light tested. All was ready.
Z came over to our house around 11 on Thursday, after a breakfast with Dad at Grumpy's, and while Norm was out giving a sailing lesson, Z and I put another couple of coats of paint on the skiff, turned his embroidered trident (made at camp) into a little pillow, and packed the car with his overnight things, a cooler with our meals, readied the trailer with the nutshell, and waited for Norm. Then the 3 of us ferried the nutshell and the supplies to Stage Harbor, and we were off!
A day-sail or late afternoon sail more accurately
We came back to Stage Harbor, and picked up a mooring in the Outer Harbor. While supper was on the stove, Z rowed around in the nutshell, after making his berth cozy.
Norm and Z spent time looking at the stars and planets, and identifying familiar constellations. They also watched the "Hullabaloos", a group of a dozen or so young adults who had stranded their boat on a falling tide on the back side of Morris Island. They made a bonfire, a lot of noise, and left a mess behind when they got off late at night.
Friday morning, up early, Norm had coffee while Z rowed around the quiet, misty harbor. Clouds covered the early sky, and the wind had shifted to the North.
After oatmeal and leftover Grumpy's pancakes, Z took Grandma out for a row.
I think almost every inch of the outer harbor is now mapped in Z's brain. The shallows, the different seaweed beds, the mussels, live scallops, clammers at work, deep water, and on and on. When we were shipshape again, we took Averisera out for a morning sail. We followed "Rejoice", "Toujours" and "Checkered Past" out the channel. They were motoring, while we sailed off the mooring and out the channel. It was fun to be amongst 3 other sailboats sailing off Hardings Beach. We got as far as Harwichport, when looking around we saw dense fog descending over Monomoy and Stage Harbor. Time to turn around and head back in.
Wind from the Northeast, meant a beat up the channel into Stage Harbor. Norm steered, and Z and Grandma took the port and starboard jib sheets. Short tacking in the narrow channel was a new technique for Z, who quickly mastered throwing off the sheet for Grandma when going to port tack, and pulling in to trim the jib when tacking back to starboard tack. Mist and rain kept us cool as we brought Averisera back to her mooring in the inner harbor.
After unpacking, and bringing everything back home, we spent an hour at Red River Beach, where Z made friends with a family of kayakers. He got a tow up the Red River, and then spent time collecting minnows and exploring with his new friend.
"Sea Trial" ended with a family barbecue! Thanks!
Some comments from Norm. The Nutshell pram towed well. I may install a new towing point lower on the bow. More importantly, the rowboat is one of the most useful things we had. At a moment's notice, Z was over the side and into the dinghy to explore or just improve his rowing. The Nutshell has terrific load carrying capabilities and is still an easy pulling boat.
Next adventure? Dunno... Nantucket? Martha's Vineyeard? Block Island? St Thomas? Australia? (Why think small?)
Norm out.
