Rachel

Maiden voyage of the Mollymauk after her lunch on Tuesday 8/19. We arrived at South Port Marine at 8 AM, set up the boom and bent on the sales. After trying without success to figure out the lazy jack set up we opted to proceed without this and we were able to depart from South Port Marine at about 1015. Navigated Portland Harbor with no issues, headed out between peaks Island and Cushing Island and set sail at a close haul. We were able to sell for about an hour averaging 5 to 6 kn and she performed beautifully. We encountered mild swell but much less than forecast, effects of hurricane Erin happily not as severe as they could have been but we still had some queasiness when we were down below. Wind ended up having a less favorable angle and dying down considerably and we motored most of the rest of the way back. We gave a wide berth to the heavy current at the mouth of the Kennebec and saw extremely impressive large breaking waves between fuller rock and Griffin head, happily none of which we’re close enough to us to have any significant impact. We came through goose rock passage at almost exact Slack low tide and did our first docking maneuver in order to pick up the dinghy without incident. We were in the car on our way back to pick up the vehicle in South Portland by 6 PM. It was a fabulous day, made particularly wonderful by the presence of Natasha Salvo and her excellent coaching and guidance!

Departed from Robin Hood at about 10 AM, very light airs to start and then enough wind that we ended up partially furling the jib and then taking the main down before the end of our time out. Rachel had an appointment and we had her back at the dock at about 2 PM, gorgeous day with some perfect sailing conditions.

Left marina at about 3 o’clock, took the southern route toward five islands and sailed back-and-forth across the mouth of the sheep good river with a lovely breeze about 10 kn, very strong incoming current. Eventually headed into Ebenecook Harbor in an effort to make the 530 Southport bridge opening, got there just on time but discovered some motor issues, wasn’t behaving well at full throttle or higher throttle levels, Rachel surmised likely a cylinder not firing. We had a leisurely motor into Boothbay Harbor, Hodgdon Marine let us tie up on their dock and we walked in to Shermans where we purchased books for our PEI vacation, headed back on board and made our way to Southport bridge again. Learned that after six the bridge only opens on request. Phoebe did some excellent seaweed hunting with the boat hook, Hannah enjoyed Lord of the rings down below. Absolutely beautiful sunset motor back across to goose rock channel, unfortunately full outgoing current conditions and with our impaired motor we were unable to make headway in the typical channel. We ended up going through the northern channel instead with the center board up, just barely were able to clear the current and made our way back to the marina. Dropped the kids off at the dock, Rachel and I put the boat to bed and had rowed back to the dock, I stepped off onto the float and then somehow lost my balance and fell right in the water. Luckily no injuries or damage and was able to pull myself out.

We had an epic beautiful day sailing, we waited in the harbor a bit as the wind was so strong and the small craft advisory was set to be lifted at about noon. After a less than perfect docking job by yours truly we set off with a NNW wind easily driving us down the coast, we realized we thought we could make it to Seguin Island under these perfect conditions. We lucked out with an open mooring there, and we went ashore to explore the beautiful island and trails and lighthouse. While we were there the wind shifted to the SSE and we had a truly lovely crossing to Boothbay Harbor complete with beautiful views of the Cape Newagen lighthouse. Between Seguin Island, Henricks head, and burnt Island it was a 4 lighthouse day! Pretty much completely perfect sailing, we spent the entire day sailing either downwind or on a broad reach. We found our mooring at the carousel Marina without difficulty and enjoyed our room at the Browns Wharf Inn in Boothbay Harbor. Excellent dinner at the tapas restaurant followed by favorite ice cream.

Epic day trip circumnavigating all of Southport Island. We just happened to hit the swing bridge exactly as it was opening which was providential, very convenient to dock at Hodgson marina in Boothbay and we had lunch and visited Shermans and had ice cream, then set off south and rounded Cape Newagen - somewhat heavy seas with substantial swells, definitely induced some sickness but better once we were able to turn down wind. We saw four lighthouses, multiple different sets of porpoises, beautiful coastal Maine scenery, and in general a truly beautiful day.

Afternoon solo sail. Light winds from the south.

Headed out a little late, left home almost 530, headed out from the dock about 645 with dinner from the Osprey. Motored out through the channel, raised sails at the end of goose rock channel and had a really lovely sail south along the shore of McMahon Island with a Southeast breeze. Winds died down relatively quickly, and we dropped sail and motored back through the channel next to McMahon in very gentle rain, started hearing some rumbling thunder about 2/3 of the way through the channel, sped up and headed back to Robinhood where we docked briefly to let off kids and gear, and CAF moored boat with storm worsening and visible lightning within a few miles. Waited in boat until RWN (watching weather radar) gave the okay to row in. Soggy dark voyage in, stopped in Brunswick for gelato on the way home.