Boy Are We Glad We Left Manteo

Abemarle Sound
N 36 10.87 W 076 01.98

This morning we almost stayed for another day in Manteo. For one thing the weather called for 25 knot head winds this morning, when we would be foreced to motor out in the narrow channels and passages, and then nearly zero wind after that. I hate doing that against strong winds. Another thing was that today is the day for the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony. That was to be held at 1100 exactly at the place where we were tied up at the public dock. That sounded somewhat interesting from a local color point of view.

But leave we did, and boy are we glad. By 1030 we were out of the shallows and had entered Abemarle sound. Guess what, the weather report was wrong. We were able to set all sails and proceed close hauled (pointing as close as possible in to the wind) right across the dreaded Abemarle Sound.

We looked ahead and we could see the blimp hanger on the Posquotank River. What a great landmark. We could see it from 17 miles away. It can not be mistaken for anything else, nor can anything else be mistaken for a blimp hanger. Then the wind picked up but didn't change direction. Perfect! Soon we were doing 6.5 knots with main, jib and stay sails. What's more, we were pointing exactly where we wanted to go. Tarwathie was extremely happy with those conditions as so was her crew.

That makes today the nicest sailing day we've had since the Bahamas. As far as sailing to windward, it is possibly the best day ever. 29 nautical miles (33 miles, 54 km), all on port tack and all with almost no adjustments to sails or tiller. Wonderful.

Our first year on Tarwathie, I was very unhappy with her windward performance. I considered hiring an instructor to teach me how to sail her better. By the end of our second year, we learned more about heavy displacement boats. Now, in our third year, we have a new jib. She sails fine to windward. Just fine.

Tonight, we'll be in Elizabeth City. We'll stay there until Monday or Tuesday.