I don't think it got below 80 at night! But, with a nice breeze blowing it was comfortable and I slept great. West wind carried me easily out of the Back River. As afternoon arrived the winds shifted to a SSW direction forcing me to sail further east close hauled. After a few tacks I arrived at the HRBT right at maximum outgoing flow it was a battle to get past Fort Wool. Finally I fired up the diesel. I hate to do this because that isn't the game for me! Sailing is. But, I needed to get home for events in the evening.
Century Club: George Hernandez
Monday, July 17, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Thank heavens for a nice breeze, because it was HOT!
The forecast was for lighter wind but instead was out of the east at 10-13 knots. I rode east on the outgoing tide picking up a knot and a half before turning north and sailing past Thimble Shoals lighthouse. Showers were already building over VB as I turned north. The forecast was for a slight chance of showers at Langley. I watched one late afternoon to the west but it fizzled out. Another popped up over Newport News and headed my way. Moderate rain and maybe 30 knot wind fought with the tidal current over orentation of the boat at anchor resulting in my anchor line against the keel holding me sideways.
Thursday, July 13, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Beautiful evening ahead of wind and showers later that night. Was planning to anchor out after the race but had a passenger to get home. Once back at the dock I decided to sleep there.
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
There was a nice breeze blowing as I walked the VB boardawlk in the morning. As soon as I untied the boat it was gone! I stuck it out, slowly sailing back and forth in Willoughby Bay all the while cooking in the 90 degree Wx. In less than an hour though, the breeze picked up and it was beautiful as well as much more comfortable.
Sunday, July 2, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
A very warm day with a nice SW breeze. Sailed west about half the way to Middle Ground Light on the James River before turning back so could be home for dinner.
Thursday, June 29, 2023 to Friday, June 30, 2023
Number of days:
2 days
Nice afternoon of sailing. Staying clse in anticipation of the Thursday evening race I was disappointed this was an off week. Anchored on the east end of Willoughby Bay, I fished, photographed a few of our local sailers enjoying the good weather and cooked burgers. Later popcorn and a movie. The following morning a lazy sail around our little bay.
Monday, June 19, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Another one of these perfect days. While I had to tack twice exiting the Back River in a SE wind, everything else was perfect returning to Norfolk making for one of my most pleasant sails...
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Early in the day north winds forced me to tack a couple time as I headed towards Buckroe beach and again to aviod the shallows east of Grandview. Later on, sailing into Back river with a breeze that had shifted more southeast I was moving slow and with so many fishing boats motoring in I fired up the diesel to get through the narrow entrance. After that is was back to sailing untile stopping just NE of green 21.
The fish were biting but a little on the small size. Intesad, clam chowder out of a can for dinner...
Friday, June 16, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
After coffee and breakfast in the morning, I took advantage of a gentle breeze to sail back and forth on our little bay. While on the water I sailed alongside a Catalina 25, who also spent the night out, so I could chat and get a few pictures of him...
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Over to Hampton for work that is out of my reach. New mast light, replace bulb on steaming light, New topping lift and attaching a block to spreader. I met up with Gaston Saada on Sunset Creek at Tidewater. Afterwards I sailed back to Willoughby Bay and anchored for the night first to photograph the weekly race, then dinner and a movie.