Friday

I took Friday as a vacation day to load the boat for the first trip of the season.  It was a good decision.  Every last moment was needed to get the boat loaded and ready for the shakedown cruise.   Krisanngria was tied up at the far end of the courtesy dock and with the tide ebbing, the no fewer than 7 round trips from car to boat lugging overloaded dock carts ended up being a real Crossfit work out.

Saturday

We overnighted on the dock and planned to make an early departure.  Belle had an excellent first night on the boat and slept through the night without a peep. There was no to rush to get out however.  The minus tide was at its lowest around 8:00 am and even with her 4 foot shoal draft, Krisanngria might not make it through where the water is skinny.  So I gave the boat a quick, but much needed bath while Krisann went to get provisions meaning more round trips down the dock.  On one of those trips, Bruce, the launch driver, suggested that I put a reef in and I realized then that the wind was really picking up.

As we leave the protection of inner Dorchester Bay, just how much the northwest wind has picked up has become evident.  There are white caps all over the bay.  Krisann says something about a small craft advisory-I hadn’t heard that but wonder what winds will be like after I clear the wind shadow of Castle Island.   This is after all, Belle’s first ride on Krisanngria and we want it to be a good experience-so she’ll come back.   We make the call to motor because the wind IS howling, but it is on our stern so the ride is comfortable.   As an experiment, I let out the boom and gain 2 knots motor-sailing under bare poles down the Western Way. 

For four great years we summered on Krisanngria at the Sunset Bay Marina, but this time we followed the markers on our portside down the Narrow channel to the Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club.   Through our yacht club we have reciprocity at NBSWC and this is our second visit.  During our prior visit, the members welcomed us with open arms and we promised ourselves that we would return.

The club itself sits on a narrow strip of land with Nantasket Roads on one side and the Hull Bay on the other.  The clubhouse is essentially a single room with a dance floor, a bar with a million-dollar view, and a nice courtesy dock system.  Steve the Vice President, introduced himself and was quick to ensure we had everything we needed. 

Last time here, we were pounded into the dock by the prevailing SW wind.   This time, the northwest wind when we left home was switching into a bit of a nor’easter.  But, since this time around we are protected by the lee of the peninsula, our only punishment is some wind, some rain, and some light strapping against the lines.

To kick off the afternoon, friends Dan and Sheryl, who live only, a chip-shot down the road, join us at the club for some Tequila cocktails accompanied by delicious ham and cheese sandwiches from the galley.  Next, the five of us, for Belle came along, piled into their Jeep to head to Jo’s Nautical Bar near Pemberton Point.   Luckily, Belle in her life-jacket looked like a service dog in training and no one said boo about her being in the bar.   Dan went deep into the vast musical archive of brain of his and picked out a great playlist from the jukebox.  My favorite:  the Rolling Thunder Review, screaming-Bob (Dylan) version of Shelter from the Storm. 

More drinks followed at neighboring Hull Yacht Club, but when the rains picked up, Dan picked up his guitar and harmonica and our venue changed to sister-in-law Karen and brother-in-law Kevin’s home down the road. Accompanied by Kevin on “stellar” Garage Band percussion Dan played a few songs as we took some actual shelter from the storm.

Sunday – Father’s Day

Miss you Dad.  Saturday night and Sunday morning had everything you want on a small boat.  Cold, roaring winds, and drenching rains. The Nor’easter had reached its height.   Kevin, however, throws us a life preserver… Coffee is on, newspapers are delivered, and he’ll give us a ride to his house.  

After returning to the Saltwater Club to clean up, we double-back to the house for Father’s Day with our families.  Kevin and Karen do a great job of keeping people together and we had was a wonderful day wrapped up by a lengthy game of Catan-which I can only describe as a cross between Monopoly and Risk.

Monday

As often happens, the best weather day is the last day.  The wind is east and light, but favorable.  Low tide is at 11:00 and we hang around for a while to get some water under the keel.  It is a good time to flush the stinky water tanks, rinse the boat, to take Belle for a dinghy ride around the mooring field.  This is also a good day to test Belle’s reaction to actual sailing.  We don’t want to scare her from sailing by giving her too much too soon.  So we hoist jib only until the wind dies down. When the sail flaps, she gets a little anxious.  Belle is a trooper (labeled as “spunky” by her breeder) and is getting more and more comfortable with each trip.