Ebb Tide Running, St. Simons SoundI’m stating the obvious in saying this, but here goes: it’s been a while since I’ve written in this blog.
For that matter, it’s been a while since we’ve even been aboard Jo Beth save the occasional look-see to be sure she’s still afloat. Here’s a brief review of the happenings since the last entry dated September 24, 2009.
Bob & Sara Miner, Aboard S/V SMALL PLANETOctober – December
We were aboard frequently through fall and early winter last year, and made the occasional day sail in and around St. Simons Sound and St. Simons and Jekyll Islands. The fall was warm and the conditions good for sailing, though our collective schedules didn’t permit any overnight trips or short three or four day cruises. In late October, the cool weather fronts began to plow through, bringing with them cooler temps and blustery winds.
In November, we caught a couple of nice breaks in the weather. Our friends Bob and Sara Miner, aboard Small Planet, also a Pacific Seacraft Crealock 34, (though slightly newer than Jo Beth), were in from Colorado. Small Planet is berthed one dock over from Jo Beth and we spent one weekend sailing aboard each other’s boat. The contrast in weather between the two days was startling; when we sailed aboard Jo Beth, skies were blue, and the winds were warm and perfect; 15 knots from the southwest. Aboard Small Planet, on the very next day, the skies were clear and the weather warm, but the wind was nowhere to be found. Using Small Planet’s auxiliary diesel motor, we plowed across a flat, glassy sea looking for wind, going as far as 5 miles offshore, to no avail. Still, it was fun to be away from the dock on a warm fall day, and aside from encounters with two freighters in the harbor channel, the runs were uneventful.
The month of December was quiet for Jo Beth. Bob and Sara returned to Colorado for the Thanksgiving holidays and will be back in April. The weather began its downward spiral and we decided to skip weekends aboard in December in favor of taking the week between Christmas and New Year’s and sailing south to Cumberland Island. Then, on the day before Christmas Eve after driving to visit my mother, my back began to cause me problems. We also began watching the weather and realized conditions would not be the best for sailing. So, with a bum back and little hope for friendly weather, we once again pushed the calendar back.
Outbound Traffic on the Brunswick RiverThe weather has been our biggest issue in getting away from the dock. Several trips have been postponed due to frigid temperatures and howling winds; even snow. The weather pattern is reminiscent of the winter of 2003, where we spent our first months aboard in this same marina, watching front after front train through. Several boats were holed up with us, waiting for a weather window to make a run for the Bahamas and points south.
This past weekend we decided enough was enough, and with a moderately promising forecast, headed to Jo Beth to spend a few days on board and hopefully, get in a few hours sailing. We experienced quite chilly temperatures and winds near gale force Thursday and Friday, and as I sat in Jo Beth’s cozy cabin writing this entry, I watched gray, overcast skies and light winds stir outside her ports. The forecast indicated more rain and blustery winds as yet another front approached.
The only consistent factor was the cold. We were hopeful to get out for an hour or so one of our days aboard; move the boat through the water, run the motor, and perhaps get a few small maintenance projects completed.
Larger maintenance projects loom ahead of us; the bottom paint, now over two years old, is losing its effectiveness against marine growth and a diver needs to clean the bottom about once every three months. Some of the safety equipment on board need expensive batteries replaced; and the overflow vents on both fresh water tanks are blocked. Ah, the joys of owning a yacht!
Mostly, we’re looking forward to spring; bluer skies, warmer days, and steadier winds.
