Sailing Out

Sailing Out.

The typical summer winds on the coast of Maine are perfect for sailing out.

At dawn – often, there is no wind.

Our first zephyr stirs around 8:30 am., and exits soon after. We raise sails, raise anchor, and barely drift. There’s no hurry (and no worry).

Soon, we board the second morning zephyr, and ride slowly out of the cove.

Coaxing the limp sheets like the reins of an obedient carriage horse, we’re on our way.

We took a slow 1 – 2 knot, broad reach through Pulpit Harbor. The big basin is still. Like a handful of cast pebbles, the loud sound of a feeding school of mackerel break the surface and the silence.

Down at end, we jibe and get on the wind. That changes everything. There’s sound now. There’s wind to feel on your face.

Nobody sails out of Pulpit Harbor, without tacking. Billy’s Cove is dead ahead.

There is a bar to cross. We know where it is and how deep (local knowledge). We clear the bar and hold our third tack past the Pulpit, and out into Penobscot Bay.

Going,…going,…gone.

Coaxing the limp sheets like the reins of an obedient carriage horse, we’re on our way.

Photos of Sailing Out

Coaxing the limp sheets like the reins of an obedient carriage horse, we’re on our way.

The cove is still. Like a handful of cast pebbles, the loud sound of a feeding school of mackerel break the surface and silence.

Down at end, we jibe and get on the wind. That changes everything. There's sound now. There's wind to feel on your face.

Nobody sails out of Pulpit Harbor, without tacking. Billy's Cove is dead ahead.

There is a bar to cross. We know where it is, how deep (local knowledge), and hold our third tack past the Pulpit.

Patience: On a warm, sunny morning like this, the fickle summer wind is bound to strengthen. Going,...

going,...

gone.