Row to Block Island

[*LB]

Hi Everyone,

After having my dory for about 5 weeks I finally had a chance to row out to Block Island on Saturday. This has been something of a dream of mine for a while.

I caught an outgoing tide out of the Weekapaug breechway at 5:30am. At 6:10am I took some photos of the sunrise & my destination (see below). Shortly after I saw a school of small bluefin tuna crashing some baitfish, but by the time I rowed within casting distance they had disappeared . . . talk about fulfilling a dream!

Shortly after I discovered that I didn't properly fasten the cap on my water jug and every drop of my water was sloshing around in my hatch compartment. I thanked God I had an apple and it wasn't too hot of a morning. I ended up landing in New Harbor at 10:30am - I would have made it an hour earlier but because of the wind/tide (?) I overshot New Harbor and had to slog back to New Harbor from the North Light.

I made a bee-line for the Oar and promptly had several cups of water, a coffee, a cheeseburger, and a $1.00 draft of Pabst Blue Ribbon. I didn't really need the beer, but at that price I was tempted to re-fill by water jug with brew!

The row back was relatively uneventful. The seas were pretty rough for a while, but the wind was S/SW and I made it back in 4.5 hours. I calculated that the round-trip would have been around 28 miles if I went in a straight line, but I think it was closer to 30 miles after my navigational blunders on the way out.

I'm not posting this to brag because I certainly don't know squat about boats or rowing and I know people have rowed a lot further than this. But I wanted to share my experience with people who "get it" because most people look at me like I've just escaped a mental asylum when I talk about this stuff. Next year I think I'd like to try going from BI to Montauk and back in a day . . . but I'll need to make sure I screw the cap down tight on the water jug.

[*LB]

Let's see if I can get these pics a little bigger:

[Ian McColgin]

Super.

We forget that rowing is like walking - just keep doing it and you actually get there. Folk used to row from Nantucket to Boston after all.

I'm so glad that the water turned out to be but a minor irritant that will keep you from that error ever again. Since you do the real open water, it would not hurt to just keep a sealed couple of quarts and a space blanket in case you have to huddle down or you break too many oars or something.

[Kim Whitmyre]

Nicely done. What kind of navigation is useful for this trip? A compass and your eyeballs?

Kim

[Bruce Hooke]

Well done!!!

[Figment]

Fantastic! good show.

[Kim Whitmyre]

LB,

Check this link out:

http://www.tsca.net/pdf/TABv24-4.pdf

Some nice photos and a great story of a few open boats (largest about 21', most shorter) taking a trip to Catalina Island from L.A. Harbor. They had it easy compared to you, what with a "mother ship" to watch over them, but that hardly detracts from the beauty of the experience.

Kim

[*LB]

Thanks for that link, Kim. Catalina Island looks like a nice target for California rowers/sailors. As far as my navigation went, I just went by dead reckoning - I pointed the boat in the intended direction, lined up the stern with a visible point on the opposite horizon and then tried to stay aligned as I rowed, adjusting as necessary. My boat tracks pretty well in calm conditions, but throw in some wind and current and it requires constant correction. I think I got off track on the way out because I became less vigilant or the tide/wind increased closer to the island and I didn't notice it until I was pushed well off course. I have a hand compass that I keep for fog, but it's useless to use while rowing. I was thinking about mounting a larger compass I could use while rowing, but eye-balling a landmark off the stern seems to be simpler, assuming of course that I can see a landmark.

Good advise on the water and blanket, Ian.

[Steve Lansdowne]

Shaw and Tenney are understandably proud of you!

[Ken Buck]

Sounds and looks like a good trip. I like the "tired rower" pic... How many times did someone in a motor boat ask if you needed any help? I get that a lot. Everyone knows that if you are rowing, your motor must be broke.

I want to get in some longer open water crossings but I'll admit to some trepidation. The Maine coast is unforgiving and one day is never the same as the next. Paying close attention to the forecasts only takes you so far. Fog can appear without warning, and a strong afternoon breeze can make things interesting. Always treat the sea with respect.

I agree with carrying sufficient (or even excessive) safety supplies. When I was younger (and admittedly not traveling as far from port), I used to take the boat, the oars, and that was about it, but nowadays the safety kit includes more things, starting with the PFD. I always carry a spare set of oars and oarlocks in my dory (although spare oars may not be feasible in yours, given its size and layout). I've never broken an oar, I've never lost an oar, and I don't intend to, but ... I still don't want to find myself 5 miles offshore with only one oar

A couple bottles of water (at least; take more than you think you need), if not lunch then at least an emergency candy bar or some other provisions, and some extra clothing in case it gets cold or you get wet. You have to remember that "you" are the motor, so make sure you have some fuel to keep operating [img]smile.gif[/img] I always carry a handheld VHF (for company, to hear the tanker security calls, and for emergencies), cell phone (in case you're in range of a tower), binoculars, flashlight, compass, horn, emergency flares, etc. An anchor and some line. The list goes on...

I'd say the requirements are adjustable to the journey. For a short row around the point, I don't bring along the whole store. As always, use your judgement. But if I'm going to be out the better part of the day, I like to be prepared to spend the night afloat if the need arose, even if I have no intention of doing so (like when that unexpected headwind and current turns your progress to a snail's pace). Also, use more caution in the colder months when there are fewer other boaters out there that might be able to assist in an emergency.

Enough helpful advice for now

For the record, my weekend rowing journey was shorter, just a 4 mile round-trip down to the lighthouse. (didn't get started til late in the day) Saw a couple seals, a bald eagle, a fancy commuter yacht, a lot of lobster buoys, and I made it home before the fog closed in!

[Joe Dupere]

Good job!! Rowing to an offshore island is a goal of mine also. So far the only ocean rowing I've done is in fairly protected harbors. I've done several longish rows so the distance won't be an issue. I'd like to get a more substantial boat than my Shellback though!

By the way, nice boat.

Joe

[imported_GregW]

</font><blockquote>code:</font><hr /><pre style="font-size:x-small; font-family: fixed;">I'm not posting this to brag...</pre>[/QUOTE]Go ahead and brag! This is something to brag about. [img]smile.gif[/img] Most people can't even walk up a flight of stairs without loosing their breath.
[img]smile.gif[/img] Well done

[adampet]

*LB,
Congrats on a beautiful Dory and your adventure.

Does this mean we'll see you at the Blackburn Challenge in July 2006? It's only 24 miles.

Just to echo a few things others have said:
water is VERY important.

I like extra oars, having had the experience of breaking one, and needing a tow home.

I consider a compass safety equipment. Having rowed in thick fog makes me appreciate knowing where I'm going. I mount mine on the foot stretcher, where I can keep an eye on it. Same with a whistle. Mines on the PFD zipper.

I'm not fanatical about extra gear in the summer, but we do row a lot in the winter. I carry a dry bag then. Extra clothes, hand warmer, fire starters, first aid kit, etc.

Friends who have dumped their rowboat and lost gear have taken to running a safety line through their equipment. I've practiced swamping just to see what it would take to re-enter.

Enjoy and be safe

Adam

[*LB]

Thanks for the nice replies.

Ken - Oddly enough I don't many people acknowledging me while I'm out on the water. I've got a fishing spot that's about 2 miles off the coast and most people don't even wave when they go by (but I do over hear a lot of the "look at that f'n idiot in a row boat" comments as they blast by me not 30' off my bow). The other thing I've noticed is that people in sailboats seem to be a lot friendlier than the "bayliner" crowd, and the wooden boat folks are the friendliest by a long shot. I'm still new to the whole boating thing so my perceptions could be a little off, so I probably shouldn't generalize.

Adam - I am looking forward to rowing in the Blackburn next year! I would have done it this year, but unfortunately the boat wasn't ready in time.