Well I did it again. Squeaked by with only a few paint rubs and a dirtier sail, pilings, ugh! A smarter sailer would have stayed at dock, but you know, the wind; it was blowing. I'd been looking forward to this for quite some time.
It was blowing 20, gusting to 25. Not a Problem, in a Paradox. Leaving Cove Harbor with the wind right down the chute made for some interesting tacks. Using an oar to push off a shrimper, then a sailboat, should have sent me a warning. I think the wind increases in restricted areas. Got a few waves from a couple of dockside workers, then I saw four, then five, what were they expecting?
Missed a tack, that's why I now have dirty smudges on a new sail, penned against the dock by this nice breeze, out I go to muscle off, scramble back abroad, I clear the remaining barge.
Having been this way before, I know what lies ahead with this wind direction and velocity. Got to the first pier, another tack, she don't wanna come about. Drop sail, come about, with concrete blocks a short 30 yards away on the lee shore. Raising sail I notice the main sheet wrapped around the boom, not good.
But I got enough sail up I'm making a bit of progress. I think I can do this. Across the channel onto the shoals, I drop anchor just as the rain comes down. Furl the sail, pull back the canvas top and enjoy the downpour.
Everything's cool now, rain lets up, and as I'm untangling the mess around the boom, a oil rig service boat come by offering assistance, nice of him, but I wave him on, giving him a thumbs up.
Three misses, I decided to forgo the Aransas Bay sail, went back up the Intercoastal, anchored and took a nap.
Nice sail, actually.
.........michael j beebe |
