Skip to main content

Sailing Once Again

Image
By
Good morning everyone. The roll of the vessel under foot once again
does feel good. We had a great Memorial Day Weekend shakedown
cruise. The weather was just fantastic and the guests were awesome.
We left the harbor with a stiff northwest wind that carried us across
to Merchant Row and our first lobster picnic of the season. A sunny
beach, a warm fire, and more than enough lobster finished out a
perfect first day. We all had big eyes as we short tacked Mary Day
up into the anchorage in Pulpit Harbor on Sunday. I wish I could
have been onshore watching. Camden was too close and Monday came too
soon.

Our turn around was quick as we greeted a school group from
Connecticut on Tuesday and off we sailed again in a stiff northwest
wind. The crew has been truly amazing teaching all day and standing
their watches by night. This is not the most relaxed way to start a
season and they deserve all the kudos for hustling and keeping their
young charges moving as well. Yesterday we sailed in a stiff
southwest wind that blew up to 30 knots as we short tacked through
the Merchant Row. With a deep reef in the main and just the staysail
and foresail the boat balanced beautifully. The kids steered us all
the way through the rock strewn waters with confidence and ease. The
boat actually sailed itself without a hand at the wheel for most of
lunch!

So we are pleased with our start to the season. Jen and I are
thankful for a hard working and cheerful crew. We should have a few
days between cruises and the crew will get a well deserved break. 24
hours may not seem like much but it is an eternity when the bay and
islands are calling us to come sailing once again.

Have a great day. Be well. Do good.

Comments

Anonymous said…
For the first sail of the season and my first sail on a vessel this size it was fantastic. All I can say is GO GO GO. I was thrilled. Everything that could be done to make you comfortable will be done, without asking. Should you ask for anything be assured whatever can be done will be. This is a 1st class, no, world class, good time. Go Go Go
May 30, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Unknown said…
Captains Jen and Barry,

The start of the new season and your comments about the hard working crew inspired me to put together another video slideshow. I borrowed quite a few photos from the blog and added a few I have gathered over the last three years. I hope you enjoy "Working and Sailing the Mary Day"

The video can also be seen on my web site in a somewhat larger format than the one on YouTube.
May 31, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hail Mary

By
My heart is heavy with sadness as I write this particular blog. Since the beginning of August our dear friend and cook for the last 12 years, Mary Barney, had been struggling with cancer. I have intentionally respected Mary’s privacy and I apologize to you for not sharing any news about Mary’s health sooner. On Monday afternoon Mary passed away very peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and “family”. Her departure was as graceful as the rest of her life. Many people, including Jen, have been doing heroic work to support Mary these last few weeks. Oddly enough Mary was never very excited about transitions though this was about the fastest transition she ever made. And as I struggle to let go of Mary I realize I am terrible with transitions as well. We used to joke about how we liked things just the way they are, thank you very much, so why change what is working already even if it might be less labor intensive. Hard works is its own reward. I used to joke about getting Mary a Cui...
28 comments
Read more

Swimming Anyone?

By
Good morning everyone. Winter is still here in New England though it seems to be taking a rest these days. We have enjoyed a little bit of a thaw. We still have snow covering our field but it is thinning out in the sunny patches. Mary Day rests comfortably in the harbor, bilges dry, cover intact, waiting for the crew to return. Another busy week has passed so I will get you up to speed on everything that is happening here at the global headquarters. Jen is putting the finishing touches on year end taxes. Blockfest 2008 is finally finished. The blocks have received quite the massaging. And while we have the off-white paint out we are starting in on the lifeline stanchions, the davits, and a few other miscellaneous parts. Alex asked me last night how we were doing with our pace. We are doing great but in the back of my mind I know that there is never enough time to do it all. Having perfectionist tendencies is a curse. I want to do it all and know we will never have enough time. There se...
6 comments
Read more

Black Dots Make Me Smile

By
Good morning everyone. Happy Ground Hogs Day to all. If today’s forecast comes true folklore tells us we will see an early spring here in our neighborhood. What does the groundhog say about your weather forecast? We start a new month, albeit a short one but a month in which we gain an emotionally crucial 1 hour and 13 minutes of light. By months end the sunrise will be at 0620, a full 37 minutes ahead of this morning. Jen and I were shocked how light it was so early yesterday even though it was overcast. So while the weather is one thing we spend much time talking about the light is what really makes the psychic difference here. One of the things you will find me talking about in blogs, especially in summer, is seals. We have more lousy, unfocused pictures of little black dots on the ledges and every one of them makes me smile. Each picture reminds us how delighted we are to see seals. Harbor seals (phoca vitulina) are the most common seal here in Maine and their numbers have gr...
6 comments
Read more