Winds from the North East

Winds from the North East

Sunday October 25, 2020

As it turns out, winds from the north-east help us to get southward along Chesapeake Bay. In weather terms, northerly winds are usually part of a cold front.  That means cold temperatures, rain and strong winds.  That was today’s picture.  We left the protected anchorage at Solomon’s Island despite the small craft advisory.  The theory was that once we were into the bay proper, we would be on a broad reach and the forecasted winds (10-15 gusting 20) would be no problem.  There was the small issue of the transit to the “bay proper”.  Let’s say the first part was a bit gnarly...

We were moving along nicely for the first couple of hours and decided that we should try for the forty-mile destination rather than the anchorage at the northern side of the Potomac (only twenty miles). The wind was actually pretty steady at 15-20 knots, which is perfect for Cotinga on a “broad-reach” (wind 45o off the stern). Once the decision was made, it started to rain.  Showers, heavy at times, might be the terms the national weather service would use to describe it.  I might choose some more colorful language. At this point, Mike wrapped himself in the tarp that we use to store the dinghy when it’s not inflated.  Something tells me that his foul weather gear isn’t what it once was! 

In a similar way to the starting section, the portion of our trip between the “bay proper” and the new anchorage had its excitement.  Suddenly we were taking the wind and waves on the beam. The wind piped up to 23knots with lashing of rain to complete the picture.  After six hours we were anchored in the Wicomico River (I am not clever enough to make these names up).  The boat is festooned with wet gear but we are very happy to be here. 

Gloria

37 49.780 N, 76 18.050 W  

No photos today - just a short video of sailing in the rain. The wind was 15-20 knots and seas 3-4 feet but you really don't get much sense of the seas. We covered 40 nautical miles in six and a half hours.