This Side Up

Launching another sailing season

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 5/28/19

When you own a sailboat without an engine, it's handy to have a friend with a powerboat. Such is my good fortune this Sunday. John Cavanagh, who ended up owning my sailboat with an engine, had everything planned to officially launch this year's boating

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This Side Up

Launching another sailing season

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When you own a sailboat without an engine, it’s handy to have a friend with a powerboat.

Such is my good fortune this Sunday.

John Cavanagh, who ended up owning my sailboat with an engine, had everything planned to officially launch this year’s boating season. He still hauls and winter stores my former boat – a 30 footer – at Pleasure Marina in Oakland Beach even though he lives on the east side of the bay. This winter he went through a massive renovation, even fine sanding the hull above the waterline to spray on a coat of metallic blue. It was an amazing job that turned out remarkably well.

Pleasure Marina is also where I launch my Rhodes 19, the boat without an engine.

John enjoys making what others might consider mundane chores adventures. He wasn’t just going to bring the 30-footer to her mooring, but he was going to use his powerboat to ferry his crew from Bullock’s Cove in Riverside. When he arrived at Pleasure Marina at 10 a.m., just as he said he would, he had an entourage of seven including adults and kids. John and one of his crew, Chris, helped me cast off in a fluky breeze that at one moment from came from the west, then would die and puff lightly from the south. I ghosted along in a stream of traffic heading out to a glassy Greenwich Bay. The mariners were a friendly group, enjoying the long weekend, many already stretched out in transom deck chairs. The harbormaster acknowledged my wave with a tip of his hat.

Off the homes of Anglesea, John passed me in the sailboat, which was under power, followed by Chris at the helm of the powerboat. Chris came alongside and asked if I wanted a tow. It looked like the wind would build so I declined. They motored ahead, soon disappearing as they turned east off Warwick Country Club. What wind that was whispered from the southwest.

It was a sure sign of summer. A southwest wind is a summer song, usually blowing 15 knots by midday. It looked to be that kind of a day, perfect bay sailing.

I scanned the horizon, hoping to see sparkling waters ruffled by the anticipated southerly. With the exception of confused wakes from pleasure boaters, who having left the harbor were now going full throttle, Greenwich Bay was a millpond. With each wake, the Rhodes 19 lifted and banged on the water. With no wind in the sails, the boom swung from side to side until I pulled hard on the main sheet. The sails flopped.

There was no forward movement. The tiller was neutral; the boat nosed toward shore and the country club. A foursome was finishing an early morning round on the 18th green. Their putts were traveling farther than I. In the distance, beyond Davisville, the sun danced off the water. A southerly was stirring, but how long would it take to reach Warwick Neck.

I scanned for clouds, usually a harbinger to a sea breeze. The sky was clear and blue. Perfect, but not for sailing.

Some will argue no wind and too much wind are the drawbacks to sailing. Both conditions have their challenges. Heavy winds sets the adrenaline pumping. You need your wits when sails tear, water washes over the decks and it takes both hands on the tiller to keep a course. Everything is moving quickly and you’re aware mistakes can be costly.

The doldrums can play tricks. It’s easy to “think” you’re feeling a breeze or that you’re moving ever so slightly.

I looked over the side. I was moving. The tide was taking me back toward the cove.

And then all of a sudden there was this powerboat along side with Chris at the helm.

I didn’t hesitate to accept his offer for a tow. I secured a line and he pulled ahead. I was moving faster than I had all morning. When we reached Warwick Light there was wind. I cast off the tow, eased the main and the jib and settled in for the ride to Conimicut.

Having backup made the first day of sailing in 2019 a joy.

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