Thursday June 30th

There was a small craft advisory out this morning so we didn't leave set out early. The man with the trimaran stopped by and brought some donuts. We left about 8 am and headed out the river, we had to wait and let a gigantic fuel barge out the narrow entrance first. We started heading out Long Island Sound and it was rough with the wind blowing against us. We headed out for a while with the mainsail up but we were making poor progress and getting tossed around. Tried heading towards Clinton but it wasn't any better. Poor Mr. Pooh got seasick again. We decided to go back as it would be a good 8-10 hours before we could reach port on Long Island. We were depressed and fed up with the weather. We anchored in the same spot and the wind started blowing very strong. We dragged anchor so had to reset them. Took a walk up town to try and cheer ourselves up- bought some beer, summer squash, clothes pegs and a latch for my door. Had left over spaghetti sauce, potatoes and summer squash for supper. We were thinking of traveling at night as there was supposed to be a bright full moon but it clouded over and thunderstorms were forecast. We hope it calms down so we can get out of here and through New York and into the Island Waterway. Seems to be taking forever with winds against us all the time.

Wednesday June 29th

Happy Birthday, Tom! We had to stay at Saybrook as it was very windy and thunderstorms and strong winds were forecast. We had French toast for breakfast and decided to go into town. We took the laundry and had quite a long walk to the laundromat. It was in a shopping centre so we had a look around the stores and bought some spare light bulbs and connectors. We went into Lums after we did the laundry and had a beer and hot dog to give us energy to walk back to the boat. We bought some bread and paper towels at the A&P. We really know our way around this town now. We took the cats some grass to chew on. We did some odd jobs on the boat- Andy repaired the stern light. We had a look for some charts in a nearby marine store but they didn't carry charts. The man that has the other trimaran in the marina stopped by and came on board to have a look at ours. His was built in England in 1966, its a Piver 30' but a different model than ours- his has the rear cockpit (no rear cabin). He was very interested in our and how we built it. We had spaghetti for supper. Listened to Mystery theatre on the radio and read for a while before going to sleep.

Tuesday June 28th

Went into town in the morning and mailed letters to Scotland. Bought some ice, bread and cat food. Washed hair and had a bath- very hot day. Andy washed out our jeans and they were dry in about an hour. We moved the boat closer up to the dock and let it sit on the mud when the tide when out. Andy sponged off the bottom- it wasn't too bad, mostly dirt. Ruth and Allen arrived late afternoon and Any rowed them out to the boat. It was good to see them again. We visited on the boat for a while then went to town to pick up some charts- managed to find some at a fancy marina place with stores and restaurant. Then Ruth and Allen took us to the 'Dock and Dine' for dinner. Had a delicious meal, really nice restaurant right on the river. I had shrimp, baked rice, coleslaw, wine and cheesecake and coffee for dessert, Andy had scrod, baked potato, coleslaw and a rum and coke, Ruth and Allen had broiled scallops, corn on the cob and potatoes. It was a fun evening. We picked up some gas for the boat on the way back. It was quite windy during the night and we had some very heavy rain showers.

Monday June 27th 1977

Got up early and left Wickford about 6:30 am. Headed out the bay for Point Judith. Conditions were good and we put up the sails. The wind was with us for a while but then it changed directions and was against up. Not to many other boats out early in the morning. We could see Block Island in the distance and a ferry going out there passed close by. Eventually reached Watch Hill and decided to go through Fishers Island Sound rather than all the way around Fishers Island. We saw some big Navy ships coming out of New London and two submarines. Also quite a few sailboats out- most of them passing us! We could see Long Island in the distance. It got to be quite cool in the afternoon. We finally saw Saybrook Breakwater Light and headed into the Connecticut River. We put into North Cove in Old Saybrook at 7 pm. A nice anchorage but quite crowded. We went into town and called Ruth and Allen. Quite a nice town- very quiet. We bought some bread at Cumberland Farms. Had quite a way to row from the boat to the town dock. It was nice peaceful in the evening with a large flock of swans swimming nearby. There was one other trimaran at anchor but didn't see any people on board. There is a Yacht Club here. We had beans, hot dogs and brown bread for supper. We were tired after a long day. 

Sunday June 26th 1977

Still at Greenwich harbour. Rained very heavy last night with some thunder and lightning. Cleaned up the main cabin in the morning while Andy checked on the engine. Had to go to shore to get oil for it and tried the Seagull after its dunking when Andy's Dad fell in! It still had a lot of water in it so drained that out, then the starting rope broke so had to buy some new line. Eventually got it running good. Got ready to move out in early afternoon when the starting rope broke on the Honda! Had to go back to shore and buy some more line. Repaired the starting rope and by then a thunderstorm was building so we decided to sit that out. Had supper while it rained heavily- also a little thunder and lightning. When it cleared we decided we'd move onto to Wickford. It was quite calm on the bay- a big difference from the last time we were on it. Went into Wickford Harbour- a nice quite anchorage- nicer than Greenwich Harbour.

Saturday June 25th 1977

Small craft warnings were posted for Narraganset Bay and thunderstorms forcast so we decided to spent the day at anchorage. The day started with Pooh falling overboard, we had let them out and we were just thinking of getting up when we heard a splash. We rushed on deck to find poor Mr. Pooh clambering up the transom- soaking wet. I don't know how he managed to get out of the water. Quite a scare for him but he seems okay now and is very caustious around the edge of the deck. We managed to get quite a few odd jobs done- Andy made the shelves for between the crossarms, shelf for chart box, put a bar across the crossarms to keep things from sliding off, also got the bathroom (head) doors on. Also got the sail jiffy reefed and tied it up again like that. We rowed to town and walked to the nearest grocery store- about a mile away. Also bought some charts at marina store. Had potatoes, summer squash and Lasagna for supper- was good to have some summer squash again.  Read for a while and listened to the radio. Slept good except for the occasional rocking when motor boats sped by. 

Friday June 24th 1977

We started to head out to the ocean but it started to get really rough so we decided to go up Narraganset Bay instead and try to get some charts. The wind was just right and we sailed up the bay to Tiverton. we went ashore to the Marina and got some gas and ice. Unfortunately they were out of the chart we wanted but we managed to get one from Pt. Judith to Watch Hill. We headed on around the Bay, around Prudence Island. It started to get really rough when we started heading south again as the south wind was blowing right down the bay. There was about a 5' chop and water was flying everywhere. The wind was blowing gale force and there were long streaks of foam on the water. We got tossed around quite a bit and poor Tigger got seasick this time. I was quite scared myself. We had to head west before we could turn and head North into the shelter of East Greenwich Harbour. I was certainly glad when we started to see the entrance to the Harbour. We managed to find a good anchorage at a cove just before the Yacht Club. We rowed to shore and bought some beer. The town was celebrating their tricentennial and everyone was wandering around in old style clothes. We bought some gas then rowed the 1/3 mile back to the boat (at least Andy did!). We had chili and potatoes for supper and went to bed early.

Travel map

My brother is making a map to show where out parents are sailing in this log- check it out! 

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=42.972502,-71.38916&spn=6.558926,14.523926&t=h&z=6&msid=110992232215058089995.00045a1d96eaca5ddde68


View Larger Map

Thursday June 23rd 1977

We slept in his morning and didn't leave Onset Harbour until 7:30 am after a hearty breakfast of hash and eggs- and Dramamine for me! It started off nice and calm and we ran the motor most of the day. The wind picked up in the afternoon as we passed New Bedford- we saw a large sunken tanker about 2 miles offshore. Most of the time we were about 1 mile from shore. We began to look for anchorage so could call and get Buzzy a ride home. We put into Sakonnet and managed to find a small sheltered cove. We rowed ashore and found out we were at Middleton beach- we could see Newport in the distance. Andy and Buzzy went and called Dad while I rowed back to the boat and made supper- Ham, Yams and Green Beans. We had supper and listened to the radio while we waited for his Dad to arrive. Buzzy had a nap and I wrote some letters. Dad and Ivan arrived about 11 pm and we rowed ashore. We were sad to see Buzzy go as he'd been good company and a great help. It was good to have someone along that had experience in trimaran sailing these first few days. We slept soundly as the bay was smooth.

Wednesday June 22nd 1977

Left Gloucester Harbour at 6 am and headed out to sea, a beautiful calm morning. We motored for a while and when the wind started to pick up we hoisted the sails for the first time. It was quite a feeling to be moving along being blown by the wind. We were going about along at 10-12 knots. It was nice and quiet without the engine. We saw a different view of Boston and sailed on by it at a good speed. It started to get a bit rough in the afternoon and poor Mr. Pooh got seasick. Cleaning that up made me feel queasy and as it got rougher I got seasick too. I felt miserable for quite a few hours but when we neared the Cape Cod Canal I started to feel better. 

About 25 miles offshore

You are only allowed to motor through the canal and as the tide was right it only took us about an hour to get through. We put into Onset Harbour which was a nice sheltered harbour. We rowed to town and looked around for a restaurant but their summer season hadn't started yet. It was a strange town- very old fashioned with run down hotels along the waterfront. Quite picturesque in a strange way. We managed to find a deli and bought some subs, beer and pepperoni. We ate out at the boat and Buzzy, Andy and I enjoyed some good La Batt beer. WE listened to the Boston Red Sox game on the radio.

Tuesday, June 21st 1977

Left the Golden Anchor Marina at 2:30 pm. It was exciting to finally leave the mooring and move out out the river. Bridge opened for us at 3:30 pm and we headed on out through the cut. It wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected it to be and we motored on down the coast. We ran into some heavy rain and rigged the boom tent. It worked good and kept us nice and dry in the cockpit. We put into Gloucester Harbour and anchored amongst some other sailboats . We rowed to shore and went to Dunkin' Donuts for coffee. Walked around town for a little while then went back to the boat. Had chille and rice for supper- the first meal ever cooked on board. Was very good and the stove worked nice and fast. Buzzy was along and helped us a great deal. The cats slept most of the day but clambered around on deck when we were at anchor. Withe a restful night apart from getting up to check the anchor and looking out the window every few minutes- first night at anchor nerves!!