My Recent Sail out of Salem Mass

[tafelice]

Last month the guy who crewed and helped me get across florida and the Gulf invited me to Salem Mass to cruise on his Cal39 (I know this is a small boat forum but I have a small boat 30' S2).

We left from Salem and sailed under reef to Scituate Harbor.  Next day we went through the Cape Cod Canal to Cuttyhunk which is on one of the Elizabeth Islands.  Then we went to Martha's Vinyard and took a mooring ball in Edgartown.  We spent 2 days there seeing the Island, you can get an all day bus pass for $6.50 which will take you almost everywhere on the island.  In Vinyard Haven we chanced upon the christening of a 50 foot wood boat.  This one was double planked.  It was quite the party and totally cool to see this big "old fashioned" new boat enter the water.  After Martha's Vinyard we went to Falmouth Harbor to pick up my friend's friend and his 6 yo for a day of drowning eels.  Then we went to Hadley's Harbor which is a free hook off the island where the Forbes have there "compound."  Then we sailed to Provincetown (P'town as the locals call it) and found that we could take a hook but couldn't get into town, no water taxi.  It was late in the season (a week after labor day) and most things were closed.  We did manage a ride in and back but it was chancey.  My friend was having trouble witht the starter so we returned to Salem, great sailing day.  Good thing too because we had a hard time starting the boat after that.  Good call.  A couple of days in Salem, nice city, great brazillian food, then I took the Rapid Ferry to Boston and home to Tenn. on the long dog.  Well, that's the thumb nail.  New England cruising is interesting in that you are never more than 20 miles from a harbor, there's deep water, and lots of million dollar boats.  If you have any questions just ask.

[Norm]

Hey All:
Welcome to NE.  I was there for the launching, too.  The C&C 38, Melissa, motoring around awaiting a berth at the Black Dog was me and my training crew.  It was quite and event.  A few weeks ago, Elizabeth and I were back in Black Dog Land and saw the schooner being made ready for winter storage.  MV is a really nice place.  The all-day bus pass really opens up the island to sailing tourists.  How did you like the currents?

Any chance you were sailing with Harry and June?

Best,
Norman
Boston

[tafelice]

It was my first time in those waters.  My friend is very familiar with the currents and I recall we did everything by them.  When they were against us it was very noticeable.  No we weren't sailing with Harry and June.  We happened upon the boatyard early in the day because we were looking to see if Patton's boat was still for sale (not in the market, just curious).  Apparently, the sale of that boat is what drop kicked the retirement of the two building partners and building the boats and closing the yard.  A man at the yard said both boats (we went across the road and down to the barn where the other boat was being planked) were made out of leftover wood from years of building.  I liked the idea of christening the boat with pond water instead of champaigne.  And it was delightful to see a couple of aged hippies who had aged well and true to their tie dyed colors.  I wish them fair winds.  What is a training crew?  Are you part of the Black Dog schooner?

[Norm]

Good morning:
I hope you got a chance to at least look out upon Patton's "When and If" as she swings at her mooring in the Vineyard Haven Harbor.  It is a good looking schooner, similar to the schooner, "So Fong" I sailed in my youth.  Schooners are for young men!  Of course, looking out on the harbor is a feast for a sailor's eyes.

There is a picture of VH on a foggy day with schooners everywhere at our little blog, www.averisera.com  fall cruise: cpm 

A training cruise is just that.  I am a cruising instructor for Boston Sailing Center in Boston and (soon) for Rob Swain Sailing School in Tortola.  I skipper cruises with folks who can sail but need training in cruising techniques.  Hence, my "training crew" reference.  We use a 38 foot 1987 C&C sloop in Boston and a variety of 40 to 45 footers in the BVI.  Practical but not very exotic!

Elizabeth and I know the folks on the Black Dog schooners.  I do not work for them, however.  Being there twenty times over the past four years makes me a regular but not a local.  I am fond of tying up at the Black Dog with my crew or when on a trip with Elizabeth.  There is real sailboat stuff going on in that neighborhood.  Good for the soul.

Hope we see you up in our waters again next year.  Great sailing.