Fair Weather Sailors

Isles of Shoals
N 42 58.695 W 70 36.649

We set out this morning bound for Marblehead, about 30 nm away. The weather called for an afternoon cold front passage with thunderstorms, but otherwise 5-10. When we got out there it was blowing much harder. We had 23 knots of wind, directly on our nose. The short chop resonated with Tarwathie's pitching and slowed us down to less than 2 knots. I decided to sail, so we raised main and jib. Even with those, we weren't able to to more than 3 knots made good. I calculated that we probably
wouldn't arrive before dark, and thus might not get a mooring. Anchoring is not allowed in Marblehead. Then there were the thunderstorms, some of which could be severe, and the NOAA radio saying that winds would increase to 25-30. "Enough," said the captain, "We're turning back."

At least that's the best rationalization I could come up with. Although true, I think the real reason is that I've become a fair weather sailor. I no longer enjoy beating to windward against strong winds and choppy seas. I longed instead to get back to a place where I could have a nice nap after lunch. Is that despicable, or understandable?

As it turns out, two severe storms came, one south of us in Plymouth, and one north of us in Penobscot Bay. Tomorrow we're supposed to have sunny weather and NW 10-15, that's much more pleasant for southbound cruisers.