Sailorman

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

Today I officially felt like I became a sailorman

Ok so here is the story. Ernesto is coming up the coast. This morning I go out to check Dove sitting out on her mooring. Pumps are working fine but they are continuously cycling, there is a significant leak some place. After not being in the water for 30 years I expected as much.

So Knowing that the wind and tide are going to be unusually high and expected heavy showers I'm concerned with her out there on the hook all alone. 10:00hrs I get down and check both Tidbit and then down to Garrison to check on Dove. Take the dink out and all systems are operating the bilge pump is cycling and there is little water in the bilge.


18:00hrs I get a call from John Guinan - Joe your boat is listing to port and the winds are coming in hard, rain is coming down, and the tide is freaky high. The south dock is going under water. Ya might wanna come and check on yer boat. So I run and get a spare battery, an extra bilge pump, some hose, some dock line, and and a large electric sump pump with a float switch.

So down to the dock I go and sure enough the tide is some of the highest I have ever seen. Way above the dock. I talk with the dock-masters son and he says there is a slip on the floating docks on the inside of the marina I could use and it has shore power for the pump. Ahhh but how to get her there. No motor, heavy rain, and strong wind. I make a mental note that the tide is still coming ion on a heavy flood. The wind is unusually coming out of the south and has let up a bit.



I wade through 6 inch of water over the dock, thank God for my trusty Crock's Jump on the dingy dock and launch lil'bit. Out to Dove we row, through the rain and tide. hook up and asses the situation. She is OK but the choice is let her ride out the storm just on the remaining battery power of the one bilge pump or take advantage of the offered slip. Arrrrrg am I not a river sailorman ? I get in Dove raise the sails, asses the wind direction and tide while still on the hook. I think I can handle this maneuver says I. Unhook her and catch a nice southerly. Ease out the main and pull the mizzen in a lil'bit. bringing her stern around. then on a nice reach I make the parallel heading along the now submerged outer south dock. Starboard tack into the narrow marina opening. Once again pulling the Mizen in before the main to bring her stern around, I'm liking this ketch sailing Angle into the slip as smooth as silk. I knew I had just one shot to do it perfectly. I'm utterly amazed that anyone let alone me could sail a small boat off a mooring around a submerged dock into a narrow opening, turn and position the boat to a single slip, with nothing more that skill, wind and tide. No motor, no bow thrusters, nada. I was unbelievably proud, I felt like this one small task confirmed me as a true sailor.



I cleated her off on the slip. Fixed the sump pump and plugged it in. Immediately it started to cycle. and Dove was safe from Ernesto. I walked into the Pub at Guinans with all the boys who watched me and saw their jaw drop when I explained Dove has no Motor. They all had assumed she had some form of aux power. Lots of congratulations on my sailing skills.

We still have to sail her back up to Cold Spring and pull her and locate the source of the leak and repair it. But for now she is OK.

Today was a good sailing day. I know Neptune will exact his revenge someday but today was not that day.

[JimD]

Cool story. Good thing you had your Crocks.

[Stiletto]

Well Done!

[rbgarr]

A rum well earned. I hope someone bought you one.

[reddog]

Good on ya Joe.You knew what had to be done to keep Dove safe and took the appropriate action.

Earl

[Concordia...41]

Plus you did a good job of describing that intangible feeling when your knowledge and ability has grown to a point that you can assess a situation, make a plan, and then execute it. And a very good feeling it is.

- M

[Thad]

Thanks for the picture, Joe! Blowing good here, and you're much closer to the center of the storm.

[Phillip Allen]

Good story Joe...I'm proud of you too...wish I could do that

[Tylerdurden]

Thanks for that story Joe, Gives us ex-powerboat sailors hope.
I am always afraid I will make an ass of myself and can't bear the thought of not having an auxilary. I just might give pure sail a try.

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

Morning inspections.

08:00hrs Went down first to check on Tidbit. Fine, I'll be it dewy
Warmed up the outboard and untied the lines eased out into the channel.





The Hudson was like glass and the early mooring light coming through scattered drizzles created a wonderful early morning light.







Heading South, with a hot coffee in one hand and the tiller in the other. Tidbit glided effortlessly at 3/4 power.



Down to Garrison to check on Dove. Passing Gees point and Constitution Island



One lonely trawler making way



Water so calm I could let Tidbit motor alone as I go forward and look at West Point from the bow



Down at Garrison you can see the dock is back above water



Lonely sailor going back to his sloop on the Transient mooring. He came in last night after heavy winds and tide forced him back from Haverstraw



Finally Dove resting on her lines and dry, safe and sound in her new slip



I was worried since we lost power last night up on the mountain. But it was comforting to see her.

[Ian McColgin]

Good job there, sailor.

[Mrleft8]

Good job! (But you forgot to mention the most important factor..... LUCK )

[Paul Girouard]

Arrg a salty tale , but yer still a "wog", Pollywog that is Thanks for posting the photo's and fer the salty tale , arrg!

[Tylerdurden]

That is the prettiest area on the hudson by far. And she is a fine boat.

[waters'l]

Joe,

Isn't it a sweet feeling to do everything under sail? If you keep at it, it will become second nature and you won't want to do it any other way. I'll admit that I am very much still in the pollywog category, but one thing I can do is leave and return to my slip under sail. Pearl also has no motor and so necessity has required competence in that aspect.

[Tim B]

Excellent story Joe. Thankyou so much for sharing it. I too am proud of your achievements! -Tim

[paladin]

damn...you izz gonna become a real sailor yet.....

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

damn...you izz gonna become a real sailor yet.....

Highest praise I ever got Thanks

[Bruce Hooke]

Nice story and nice pictures. Thanks!

I remember a similar feeling when, after a passage through thick fog across the mouth of Penobscot Bay with the tide trying to push me up or down the bay (I don't remember which), the mark I was aiming for appeared right in front of us right on schedule.

[Popeye]

... It was my first experience of coming into port alone, with a craft of any size, and in among shipping. Old fishermen ran down to the wharf for which the Spray was heading, apparently intent on braining herself there. I hardly know how the calamity was adverted, but with my heart in my mouth, almost, I let go of the wheel, stepped quickly forward, and downed the jib. The sloop naturally rounded in the wind, and just ranging ahead, laid her cheek against a mooring-pile at the windward corner of the wharf, so quietly, after all, that she would not have broken an egg....

[paladin]

actually Joe....I think you become a real sailor when you put the boat first and don't worry so much about your ornery hide.....

[Stari27]

Well done, well written and a pleasure to read. The pic added to the overall effect. Thanks for sharing.
PetrB

[mark obrien]

Awesome story and a gutsy move, but not gtsy to a Sailor!
Great pics too! Calm river and coffee.


Mark