Author: BobS

Left Boston under sunny skies just after 7:30. Peter and Wilma had arrived on Ramble On last evening and Peter kindly donated his crewing services to Finnish Line. Interesting voyage out through numerous islands around Boston many, of course, with old military installations. Once out in the Atlantic the winds came up higher than forecasted so we got to sail for a few hours. Arrived at the eastern end of the Cape Cod Canal and as predicted we faced a few knots of current against us and opposing the incoming waves. It didn’t last long as our marina was only a short way into the canal. We booked there to have a more favourable current tomorrow morning. Harbour was an interesting blend of pleasure craft and fishing trawlers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday we did some historical walks around, walking to Bunker Hill (a US Revolution early battle) and the USS Constitution, a ship built by the US and launched in 1797, remaining an active duty ship. The staff on-board that assist visitors are all active duty sailors and marines. The ship is known as Old Ironsides as its special oak sides were impervious to cannon balls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later that day we prepared the boats for hurricane Dorian to go through overnight. For us it turned out to be almost a non-event with very little rain and the top gusts to only 23 knots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picked our way through the Marblehead mooring field to clear water. Had a nice sail on a close reach for about 30 minutes before we had to turn to a run and the wind dropped. Sailed at 2-4 knots for a few hours before packing it in and motoring. As expected lots of traffic heading into Boston Harbor. We are across the Charles River in the Charlestown Marina part of the park left after the Navy Yard was decommissioned in 1974.

Ramble On crew hopped a water taxi to do some walkies while we walked over to North Boston to meet up with them at pizza place from 1926. It’s a good walking city and we met many other walkers on the North Washington Street Bridge as it was rush hour —- good to see. After dinner we enjoyed a saunter around the neighbourhood to see many of the old buildings. Walked back across the bridge to get home and were treated to a spectacular sunset.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A cool, sometimes sunny morning resulted in a wonderful, exhilarating sail down Salem Sound. Arrived about 11 and were gobsmacked by the 100s and 100s of boats moored here. The field is so big the yacht club’s tender shows up to lead you to your mooring.

After checking in we took the launch to town and had lunch at Maddie’s which is supposed to be world famous among sailors but none of us had heard of it. After that we wandered around this lovely town with its very well kept up homes from the 1700/1800s most with a small plaque stating the year built, for whom and their occupation.

Returning to the boat we had a relaxing late afternoon and evening in the cockpit despite an early evening thunderstorm going through.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40 mile motor in benign seas with no wind but it was sunny. Took a mooring ball in the upper harbour and rode our dink ashore to explore the town. Not as old and well maintained as some towns but pleasant nonetheless. Had dinner ashore (way too) early before dinghing back before dark.

Keeping our eyes on the weather as Dorian moves north. We will most likely go to Boston a day early to ensure we don’t get caught.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have had courtesy cars from marinas before but they were all end-of-life. This marina gave us a brand new GMC SUV. We had it for going into town 4 hrs and again for the evening to go to dinner. Also unheard of in our experience as it’s usually an hour max.

Mid morning we took a 1 1/2 hour boat tour of the harbour which was well worth it for both the scenery and the history. There is a submarine base here plus many fortifications from the Second World War back to colonial times. The town has very much kept its older buildings preserved. The Wentworth Hotel beside our Marina was where the 1905 treaty to end the Sino Russian conflict was negotiated. A local merchant, William Pepperrell, led the New England forces supported by the British Navy to take the fortress at Louisbourg from the French in 1745.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunny start with calm seas. Easy run to Portsmouth with both sails up also the motor. Thanks to Chris’ suggestion we think we finally have the slight overheating of the engine under control.

Arrived at Wentworth Marina about mid afternoon. Very nice facility but then this what you get when you pay USD 3.85 a foot.

Relaxing dinner on-board with a wee bit of scotch to follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awoke to sunny skies and silence except for a few bird songs. Enjoyed the quiet and beauty until 11am when we departed for Portland. The seas were calmer but the soft winds were often on our nose so didn’t have any sails out for long. This being Labour Day w/e there was an enormous amount of boat traffic and, of course, the usual crab pots.

The Portland harbour is in behind some islands which have forts on them from days gone by.

Had to wait for both the fuel dock and our slip to be ready. Why do folks tell you it’ll be ready in 2 minutes when they know it won’t be? I’d rather know the truth. Waited on the fuel dock with the incompetent dock hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bit of a slog under sunny skies. Winds were in the high teens with the waves 3 to 4 feet with a short period between. Ramble On tacked out to run in under sail but we don’t point as well so we decided to go with full main, shortened jib and motor. It wasn’t overly pleasant but it was only a few hours before turning up to run with the wind the 5 nm to our anchorage. More protected from waves and wind it was a smooth and wonderful sail up the channel with occasional alterations of course to avoid anchored/moored boats. We were passed by a small runabout with 5 or 6 people aboard who slowed down and yelled, “yay Kingston , wonderful sailing”, followed by a thumbs up. Since very few Americans have heard of Kingston that was an interesting moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A long day of motoring through various islands and, of course, crab pots. But no fog! We do an hour on an hour off so one can relax a bit and keep refreshed for crab pot lookout concentration.

Arrived in the very picturesque Christmas Cove late afternoon under warm, sunny skies. Enjoyed a very good dinner ashore and I had the best oysters this trip from the nearby Damariscotta River.