Sailing the MerryMac at GYC

Jason G

Wind from NW 13 kn gusting to 28 kt, sailing on high tide. When sailing on a starboard broad reach, sustained gusts opposing the current stirred the water making it unexpectedly choppy a few hundred yards from the bridge. I had planned to gybe before I got too close to the Newington Lee shore but the chop coming from multiple directions made it too difficult. I attempted a chicken gybe but made no progress as I tried to head up, so I headed downwind again as it looked to be calmer closer the newington Lee shore and I was able to safely gybe there. Later on I had issue tacking due to similar stirred chop, which again brought me a bit too close to the Lee shore.