Conference unifix::sailing

     Being north (12 miles) of Boston,,,some Boston Harbor Island
    sounds good to me...anything i can do to help set this up???

    Great idea.  Dick and I are brand new to sailing.  Although we don't
    have an "outrageous lies and other good stories" repertoire, we're
    eager to listen to other's.
    
    Boston Harbor is good for us (North Shore based) and the 23rd is
    good also.
    
    Let us know if there is anything we can do around the organization.
    We don't have a large house either, should this idea not "float".
    
    Mary

    
    I would be up for a meeting somewhere in boston harbor.  A good
    place might be brewster island (no ferrys go there).
    

    RE: .3  "No ferrys"
    
    What about us sailors who do not currently own our own boat, or
    are not within sailing distance of Boston Harbor?  The beauty of
    having it on one of the Boston Harbor Islands, accessible by the
    shuttle from George's Island, is that we could also come and share
    our experiences and get acquainted.
    
    	- former Secretary, Firefly Association of North America
    	  and Fleet Captain, Sandy Bay Yacht Club, Rockport, Mass. 

    Subject of course to the Greater Thomas Social PLan and Lindsay's
    attention span, she's our 4, almost 5 year old, it sounds like a
    great idea to me. 
    
    I will even be so bold as to suggest a site! Porcupine Cove on the N or
    W side (trying to envision the chart!)of Peddocks Island offers a very
    large anchorage that should be protected for the usual SW winds. I say
    bold since we've yet to anchor anywhere in Boston Harbor. We've sailed
    by this cove a number of times and there are always a few boats
    anchored there. I think this section of Peddocks is open to the
    public. How does this choice sound to you old-time Boston Harbor
    denizens?
    
    Ed 

    re .4
    
    Good point!
    
    Seems as if we have two posibilities.
    
    1. Go for a place accessible by road or ferry
    
    2. Them's that got boats in the area could ferry thems that dont
    to the site.
    
    We need some feedback folks!!
    
    Ed

    I vote for ferrying people who do not have boats out to an island
    without ferry service.  If you have ever been to an island in Boston
    harbor that has public ferry service to it you would find that they
    are quite crowded and noisy.  There are a number of islands within
    Boston harbor that have picnic areas maintained by the state and
    are not accessable by public ferry.
    

    Even though I will not be around that weekend of 8/23 let me suggest
    Bumpkin Island.  There is plenty of anchorage and it is not crowded.
     The other good point is for those who do not own a boat there is
    a water taxi that goes there.  I am not familiar with the times
    for the taxi but maybe someone else has that data.
    
    Bumpkin Island is south of Hull gut approx 1 mile in Hull Harbor.
    

    Hip, hip, horray!!!!
    
    I thought this idea would never return! I cast my vote for Georges
    Island because there's plenty of room on the island for all of us
    to make our own 'crowd' and for the simple reason that I'm between
    boats at the moment and I'd be landlocked w/o the ferry. There are
    also guided tours of Ft Warren for those tag-alongs who might
    otherwise get bored with our salty tales.
                                               
    bc

     Hey Bill, being an old friend of the "family" you are welcome to
    sail down with me from Salem...

    A minor problem with Georges Island is the rules against drinking!
    I'm not sure we'd get much of a crowd if we can't tip a few.
    
    Peddocks Island is MDC property (so are all the harbor islands)
    and
    a permit is required to party there.  I can look into the process
    for the permit, but Bumpkin is a good spot and central to us south
    harbor sailors.  The northern crowd would have a nice sail to get
    there.
    
    I put in my vote for Bumpkin Island.
    
    Jeff
    
    

Are there any "South of the Cape" sailors who would like to have
a rendezvous in the lower cape area the same weekend? Maybe if we can find 
HAMs or SSBers we could pass tails back & forth between the two flotilas?

Boston is too far for me for one weekend with no reliable engine.

A group of DEC sailors tried this some 9 or 10 years ago at Tarpolin Cove.
Only a moderate success, 2 boats showed up along with 25-35 kt winds. 

An Excellent idea. For me, a bad location.

paul

    About as far east as I want to venture over a 2-day weekend is
    Cuttyhunk. We come from the upper eastern end of Narrangansett
    bay.
    
    We thought about doing the Boston thing, but cant take an extra
    day off right now.  Anyway, if a 'south of the cape' meet does find
    interest, count us in.

    Walt

    If this thing is to get off the ground (water?), someone should
    take the initiative and say "everyone can meet at "x" island,
    state park or whatever".
    
    This discussion could have as many replies as Boston Harbor has
    islands!
    
    My suggestion would be that the originator of this note has the
    final decision (should have?).
    
    Tom--
    

re .14: Ah, the old DEC problem -- how to make a decision when there 
is no one person designated to make the decision. With my chart in front 
of me:

	Georges Island seems to lack a good anchorage. 

	To the northeast of Bumkin (the spelling on the chart) Island 
	is a special anchorage -- moorings maybe (I've never been in 
	the area) -- and the island is shown as surrounded by rocks.

	Peddocks Island has a nice cove on the northwest side with
	reasonably shallow water. We've never been there. Any one know
	anything about the island, what's on it, and the anchorage?

	Anchoring is possible at Great Brewster to the north of the spit 
	and southwest of the jetty. Georges Island is only a mile and a 
	half -- plus or minus -- so an informal ferry service from 
	Georges to Great Brewster perhaps could be arranged.

To make the distance to be sailed more or less equal for everyone, I'd 
suggest Great Brewster. Concensus or further discussion?

When I suggested this get together, I didn't have in mind organizing
anything -- organizing/hosting social affairs is not my forte. My idea
was for whoever happens by to anchor in the same general area, dinghy
over to the largest boat with drink in hand, and tell previously
mentioned outrageous stories. If the weather is benign, perhaps raft up
til dark. If this gets too large, we can all dinghy to the nearest
shore. If someone would like to be a little more formal, would you 
care to raise a hand? 
	
Alan

    There have been two suggestions for using Bum(p?)kin, .8 and .11. Would
    one of you guys say something more about the anchorage, e.g., location,
    crowded? High tide on the 23rd is at 2:43 pm so the Gut shouldn't be a
    problem since it'll be with you coming and going. 
    
    I volunteer to be a clearinghouse for them's with boat willing to
    take some folks and them's without who'll need to be tooken. Send
    me Vaxmail - Summit::thomas, Decmail - Ed Thomas @chm, phone me
    on DTN 272-7216.
    
    We won't be able to make it because Uncle Rich and Aunt-to-be Mary
    are coming in that weekend. But I would like to sail by wherever
    the group is and at least wave!!
    
    Ed
                                                

    I'm interested in in meeting up with the "South of the Cape"
    contingent. I'm leaving from Pocasset for Nantucket on "Nomad" (9.2 S2)
    and it would be fun to meet up somewhere. I know the crew would
    enjoy a stop like this. 
    
    Peter
      

    Has decision been made for this weekend?  I will be out tomorrow
    and want to know where to go on Staurday if we still are thinking
    of having a party/get together/meeting/beer blast!
    
    If all is dead, let's plan for another date after labor day, or
    kill the idea entirely.
    
    Jeff
    

Well, the weekend weather forecast is good (for once). Think we'll sail
down to Great Brewster and spend the night. Anybody who is in the area
is welcome to join us. We are unlikely to arrive before late afternoon
as half the crew doesn't return from 10 fun filled working days in
Dallas until noon Saturday. Look for for D, E, and C signal flags on the
backstay (easy for me since the letters are printed on the flags).
Otherwise look for a Valiant 32 named Toward Morning. 

Alan

    Well, this weekend is out as far as getting out of the bay, but
    we plan to watch the BOC boats leave Saturday morning the 30th
    and head over to Cuttyhunk for the weekend (Labor Day). We would
    enjoy company if any of you are in the area. Look for a Tartan 33
    named PEGASUS.

    Have fun everybody.  I won't be sailing this weekend, but I will
    be boating.  I'll be at the Isles of Shoals on the Bertram "Donna
    III"  Say hi if you're in the area.
    
    Christine
    

    I'll try to arrange a sailby with Uncle Rich and Aunt Mary. Watch for a
    dark green Sea Sprite 23 with "93" in red on the mainsail. 
    
    Ed

     I'll be sailing by Great Brewster on the way to Manchester sometime
during the morning on a Sabre 34 called Vannen, out of BHYC.  We'll stop
by if we see any of you.

     Sounds like it's going to be a nice day.  Anyone interested in a short
race, say to the monster buoy and back?

- Derek

south of cape readers:

i'll be in Edgartown this weekend and on Nantucket labor-day weekend 

blue Pearson Ariel, "Cachalot",  w/ smell of rum permeating the air...
all are welcome.

anyone interested in sept/oct get together?

paul

     Did anyone sail out to Great Brewster?  We sailed by about noon, but
the currents and building wind were not favorable for a stop there.

     It was certainly an exciting weekend out on Massachusetts bay.  The
Easterly built all day Saturday.  We hit 9.4 knots on a close reach into
Gloucester Harbor.  As we headed over to Manchester, we saw a 16-18'
centerboarder capsize and turtle off Great Egg Rock, so we called to Coast
Guard.  They were on the scene within 10 minutes.

     On Sunday, I was racing on a C&C 33 out of Marblehead.  The wind had
shifted to NW, blowing a steady 28-30 knots, with a peak sustained wind
of 34.  Our whole crew was exhausted after completing the twice-around 10
mile course.  As we were beating to weather toward the finish, a 22-24'
keelboat was knocked down, and didn't come back up.  Apparently, the
companion way was completely open, and she swamped.  Two boats dropped
out of the race to assist.  The first threw a line to the two people in
the water, but the chop sucked the line under the boat and fouled the prop.
The exact same thing happened to the second boat.  They ended up sending
a crew member into the water to reach the distressed sailors, who were clinging
to the hull.  The last we saw, the boat was nose-up, riding on the pocket
of air trapped in the forepeak.  The harbor master and police boats showed
up, and towed in the disabled rescuing vessels.  There were lots of tales
to tell back at the club after this one!

     Did anyone else experience these conditions?

- Derek

    I was out at the Isles of Shoals - the wind was screaming there
    too.  We woke to find we were dragging and very close to the 
    rocks, reset the anchor and spent the rest of the night on watch.
    Another vessel broke anchor and bounced off a couple of others
    before he could resecure.  Sunday the winds and the seas were
    opposed in direction and there was no lee to be found anywhere.
    We ended up heading back to Beverly before noon and we rocked
    and rolled all the way back....but, we did have fun.
    
    Chris
    

    Sunday was the first time I remember Narangansett Bay actually being
    rough.  Of course there was no power to the waves, but our bow
    managed to stimulate several to lift long enough for us to sail
    the cockpit under (then BLOOSH!).  Naturally, our return from overnite
    was in a NW direction. Fortunately the Tartan goes well to weather
    under main alone (deep reefed) cause the gusts were overpowering
    with anything that resembled headsail up! Someone said (I think
    it was RI TV news) that TF Green airport clocked gusts over 43Kts.
    
    Most (as in all but 1 or 2) returning weekenders were under power
    and making 2-3 Kts, with headwinds, and bobbing in the 20' spaced
    waves. We managed 5-6 upwind which not only made the ride exciting
    (with the waves coming down at about 7-8 kts, the sense was that
    of much greater speed) but more stable.
    
    Fall sailing in August!
    
    Walt

     I was out by Misery Island, doing 6kts on a reach with no jib and
    the main reefed to about 30%-40% of its sail area. After a couple
    real nasty gybs (sp?) i decided to drop the main and motor back
    to my mooring. On my way back, under motor power, a gust hit me
    that actually spun my boat completly around. WOW what a ride!!!
    
     When i got home the wind was really blowing on the lake i live
    on soooo out came the Hobie...well after some real spectacular
    examples of "flying a hull" and a few knock downs, i was cold
    and wet enough to call it a day...
    
     Yep...an early fall day!!!!

RE: .26

     You're right, it was fun.  We decided it was about the maximum
amount of wind (and of course the beautiful skies helped) you'd want
to sustain and still have a "pleasant" sail.  Certainly not extreme
conditions, but a good test of boat handling skills.  We did a
headsail change for each reaching leg, switching between the 140%
and 110%, raising one, and peeling off the other, and shook out or
put in a first reef.  We spotted two nuts flying heavy air spinnakers.
The things people will do in a race....

- Derek

Julie and I sailed out of Marblehead on Sunday towards Gloucester. We 
saw steady winds between 25 and 35, frequent gusts into the high 40s, 
and one 50 knot gust. It was not particularly choppy (no fetch) and we 
had fun. We even let our windvane steer much of the time (hard to test 
it in heavy air without heavy air). We did notice many sailboats 
powering to weather -- hmmmm. Our experience has been that if you keep 
both headsail and mainsail up, the boat stays in balance and behaves 
better than under power. We were close reaching in the worst gusts, 
and only buried the rail a little -- single reefed main and 70% staysail. 
We were most suprised by the number of small boats out -- either their 
crews were crazy or they didn't know what they were getting into. 

     I noticed the same thing while sitting on my mooring in Salem.
    Mostly Windsurfers and small boats...

    We like wise could't get out of Newburyport, the inlet was up to it's 
    old tricks (i.e. 6-8 foot breaking waves). Saturday with the wind out
    of the E-NE and low tide at the middle of the day, set up all the wrong
    conditions. Somebody in a 17 foot Boston Whaler manged to roll their 
    boat, but everybody was safe since the tide was incoming. 

    Sunday was windy, we were making 5.4 knots (downwind) on a 25 footer
    under a reefed mainsail alone. We got as far as the inlet where it
    was breaking still. I heard from several folks who did brave the inlet
    in a much bigger boat, that the sea outside of the inlet was much
    calmer. They were sailing under storm job and doubly reefed main, and
    they were flying.

    Oh, well discretion is the better part of valor, as I keep telling 
    myself...

    Below is the AP wire service story on several of the boating mishaps
    that occurred last weekend.
    
    /jim

    Associated Press Mon 25-AUG-1986 11:03                Boating Mishaps

            Coast Guard Searching for Possible Capsize Victims

    BOSTON (AP) - A team of Coast Guard helicpoters and vessels searched
    the waters around Watch Hill, R.I., today, looking for survivors of a
    sailboat that reportedly capsized. 

    The search was one of a series of marine incidents reported Sunday as a
    result of high winds, according to Greg Creedon, a petty officer 2nd
    class. 

    ``It was kind of a heavy day for boats,'' he said. 

    Among other incidents: 

    - At about 7:30 p.m., the harbormaster on Cuttyhunk Island off southern
    Massachusetts said he found two people who had floated to the island in
    a liferaft. 

    Robert Meeks Jr. and Cindy Gross, both of Norton, said they had been
    aboard a 36-foot pleasure craft that sank in Buzzards Bay about 10
    miles south of Westport. They abandoned the vessel, which ``sank like a
    rock,'' at about 2 p.m. and drifted for 5 1/2 hours in 20-knot winds
    and 5- to 6-foot swells. 

    - On Sunday afternoon, a Coast Guard helicopter spotted a rubber raft
    about one mile off Hummarock in the Scituate-Marshfield area. Creedon
    said Richard Sullivan, 10, of Hummarock was rescued by a Coast Guard
    vessel after his raft was blown out to sea. ``They said the kid was
    cold but fine,'' Creedon said. 

    - At 8:30 p.m., a passenger on a jet out of Nantucket reported seeing a
    boat capsize in the waters off the island. Creedon said the Coast Guard
    checked on the report and determined that it was inaccurate. 

    Creedon said many reports of capsizings are mistaken and that observers
    actually see sailors lowering their sails. He said the reported
    capsizing off Watch Hill might fit that category. 

    - At 6:50 p.m. Sunday, a man on Misquamicut Beach in southwest Rhode
    Island spotted spotted what he thought was a sailboat keeling over and
    not coming back up, Creedon said. 

    At 8:45 p.m., a passing tugboat reported seeing a white object in the
    water in the same area, but it was not identified or picked up, Creedon
    said. 

    Two Coast Guard helicopters and three vessels searched the
    144-square-mile area bounded by Watch Hill, Block Island, Fishers
    Island and Montauk. 

    The search continued throughout the evening with no results and resumed
    today with 41-foot Coast Guard boats from Port Judith, R.I., and New
    London, Conn. Creedon said the search was also being aided by the
    cutter Cape Henlopen, as well as helicopters from Cape Cod and
    Brooklyn, N.Y.