CATATUDE: September 2009

September sailing… Hard to believe that it is September and we are on our 3rd nine day cruise. This time we would head for Cutty Hunk on the Elizabeth Islands. Eight foot swells and cloudy skies from Hurricane Danny assisted us on our cruise. It took us nine hours to finally arrive in Cutty Hunk with no help from the wind. We would only spend the night and head for Vineyard Haven on Martha’s Vineyard going through Quicks Hole. The sails were in full bloom now and we enjoyed the sail over. After spending a couple of days there we headed for Nantucket. But that was short lived. Lumpy seas and the wind at our nose, we decided to go into Edgartown and wait it out. We did not anchor where we usually do in front of the lighthouse but headed all the way down the channel into Katama Bay. It was a strong North wind and under those circumstances we learned that the harbor master would actually let you anchor. Since Katoma Bay had broken through to the ocean the new rule was made. We had contact with Dayle and Don of “Phantom”. They too decided to join us as they said here was one of their favorite spots. It didn’t take long for us to agree with them. In fact so much so, that we never ended up going to Nantucket. It was too fabulous here!! We were just down from Walter Cronkite’s house. Every year in the past we would watch him sail past us as he paraded in line with all the other boats in the “Blessing of the Fleet” which takes place every year in July. But not this year as he passed away. From here we headed for Tarpaulin Cove but not before touring “Oak Bluffs”. Tarpaulin Cove is one of Marks favorite spots, very tranquil… This is still part of the very private Elizabeth Islands. The cows walk the island freely and cool off in the salt water. A very funny site I might add. We would enjoy the wonderful sunset and walks on the beach and head tomorrow for Cutty Hunk again. We would have to leave very early so we would be assured anchoring space. The next couple of days were absolutely fabulous. Then it hit Saturday night, gusting 33 knot winds. Boats anchors coming loose and boats everywhere smashing into one another in the dark. Needless to say I never slept a wink. We wanted to fender off any boat that would come down on us. The smell of fiberglass was everywhere. Never had we experienced so many boats in such a small area trying to flee the harbor. But there was no place for them to go as the seas were rumbling outside the channel as well. We were one of the luck ones that did not get hit. The winds continued to stay gusting and a decision had to be made when we should actually escape the area without hitting someone on the way out. With the winds still gusting, we would try to lift our anchor. The problem was if we tried to turn Catatude with all its wind age, we could easily come down on another boat. At 1pm we gathered our thoughts and prayers and decided to go for it . We were one of the lucky ones. After getting around the island the wind was at our stern and it would push us all the way to the Harbor of refuge in Point Judith. We spent the night there, fueled up and headed for home. Wow what a cruise…