Savannah, GA

Location: Well, the title says it all. 

Weather: Warm, sunny, beautiful.

Update: Kicked the boys off in Charelston (Lyle and Harry, that is) and Seychelle and myself headed down the coast Savannah bound. The conditions were not quite what we expected and a bit hectic for just the two of us on a 75 mile day sail. 15 knots from directly behind us and steep rollers due to the shoals all along the SC coast. We jibed back and forth all day and finally pulled into Hilton Head for the night.  We found a good spot to drop the hook. No other boats around and no one to tell us not to anchor where we were. It was a quite, starry night. We left in the morning in "Pea Soup" as we like to call it. Fog so dense you can't see the foredeck. Gotta love that chart plotter.  Made it up the Savannah river on a foul tide and are currently on a down town floating dock.  I told the dock master our length was 80ft and that's how much dock space they gave us. 80ft exactly. They really pack them in here.  I managed to squeeze the old girl in with a crowd of about a hundred passerby's watching. They all applauded when the job was done. 

We will probably head to Cumberland Island on Monday. Check back for and update this week. 

Cheers! 

Ships log from Hampton to Charleston

10/26 0800

Position: 35.05.62 N

                   75.24.22W

 Weather: ENE 20kts  6-8ft seas 60degrees  and overcast. Threatening to rain.

 

    0800 and we are due East of Cape Hatteras, just as was predicted. We are making a good 9-10 kts, headed for Charleston, SC.  It’s been an awesome evening’s sail. We are skirting the North Carolina Coast so as to stay inside the Gulf Stream- a current of warm water that rushes North at 3kts along the coast of the US and Canada.  

    Big sets of rollers keep coming in from the North Atlantic. Boom dippers we call them. We could be miles out to sea, but when I look off our starboard, I can see the beach.  It’s an interesting feeling.

    On Board, we have Seychelle at the wheel; Lyle Zell, our former 3^rd hand; Harry Ricciardy; and Myself.  A little short handed, but it’s a short trip at this speed.  We can also pull in to several other ports along the way should we run in to unfavorable weather or exhaustion, whichever comes first.

 

10/26 1800

Position: 34.22.48N

                   76.20.15W

Weather: E Winds 10-15 3-5ft seas 70degrees and mostly cloudy

 

     When And If has been sailing like a dream. We are currently 20NM off of Cape Lookout. I find myself awed once more by the genius of yacht design, When And If in particular.  I could never describe the way a boat rides on the ocean swells. It is something you have to experience for yourself, a magical, sensual dance. When you catch a wave just right, it’s more than just physics and formulas.  It’s awesome. Provided you are a romantic like myself, and are not prone to seasickness, of course. 

     We have been visited by two pods of dolphins today. One of them was at least 50 strong. There were 30 of them around the boat and many more jumping up to a mile away. (check our facebook for a short video of the second school) Also, a yellow-breasted bird no bigger than a humming bird sat and ate kiwi with us in the cockpit while his wings dried out. Probably the cutest ocean visitor ever. (camera battery was unfortunately dead)

     Now the sun is setting and the dolphins are gone. Are little birdie friend is hopefully on his way to the safety of shore and it’s time for me to get some rest before my next watch.  Hopefully we hold this good weather for the rest of the night.

 

10/27 1600

Position: 32.56.52 N

                  79.18.57 W

Weather: E Winds less than 10kts 75 degrees with scattered showers

 

 The wind has all but died out on us. A motor-sailing we go. It’s been a very uneventful day. It sure beats a hectic one, but it makes for a bored crew.  The sails are all strapped in. 30nm to go. ETA 2200.  Should be fun coming in to a busy commercial harbor at night, one that we’ve never been to before.

Then it’s a good night sleep for the four of us. 

 10/27  2300

 Location: Anchored inside Charleston Harbor. No problems on the way in. Safe and sound. Having a glass of Chimay, then sending the crew off to shower and sleeeeeep.

The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race

Greetings!

Location: Hampton, VA  - When And If is currently docked at Bluewater Yachting Center making plans to head south.

Weather: Mid 70's and mostly sunny. -thank goodness- Last week was in the 40s and rainy!  definitely time to head south

Update: When And If just competed in the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. A 130 mile race benefiting the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. "Racing to save the Bay" is the motto. The race starts in Baltimore, MD and ends in Portsmouth, VA. 

It is a complete blast. Run almost completely by volunteers, the race really exemplifies Schooner Camaraderie among owners, captains, crews and all participants. 

There were 53 schooners racing this year.  When And If came in 5th place out of 13 boats in her class. Not too shabby for a 70-year-old lady...

The pre and post race events are worth checking out even if you don't have a Schooner to race on. There are free concerts, open boats, and a huge Pig-and-Oyster-Roast. 

check it out for next year www.schoonerrace.org

Here's a peak in to what's ahead for When And If... 

 next move: Depart Hampton, Va for Charleston, SC 

                      Exact departure date unknown. Possibly this week

 Eventually make it to Ft. Lauderdale for a quick haul and some paint

Spend the months of December-January in Key West, Fl

And February-March in the Bahamas. It's going to be tough on a boat with 9ft of draft, but it sure beats being cold!

Ships News: I know this is kind of old news but I have not posted it on the blog yet... CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. and Mrs. Hattingh!! We were married on September 19th at Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway in Vineyard Haven

I'm sure there was more and I will post it when it comes to me. 

Until then, for more information on classic sailing aboard the Schooner When And If visit our website at www.schoonerwhenandif.com or find us on facebook - I'll figure out how to do a direct link one of these days. :)

Cheers!