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!

 

Summer's Closing

Gosh, I am way behind on my blog.  Sign of a great summer!

Update and recap: Started out the month of August with an annual visit from the Coast Guard. We hauled out for a hull inspection in which Emyl spent the entire time explaining and re-explaining the construction of When And If  to the inspecting officer. Not that knowing what double planked, double sawn frames and bronze floors are is common knowledge, but you would think someone who is trying to give you an 'official Coast Guard' inspection would have an idea.  Or know the difference between a ceiling board and the hull, at least.  SO, of course, they passed us on our hull, but flagged several other things that just 'caught their eye.'  Like brand-new fuel lines and our all-time favorite, stability.  Would we have made it safely through the knarliest of North-Atlantic gales last November if stability was an issue? But it's no use explaining that to the big man on a power trip. It's all protocol to them.   

When And If attended the 2009 Opera House Cup in Nantucket. www.operahousecup.org The weather was absolutely perfect this year. We had a blast sailing around the race course and definitely had the most fun. Check out our pictures on facebook and the newest addition to the When And If apparel line.  (for those of you who were there..."bikini!!!") :)

Thank you to everyone who came out sailing with us! All of our Sail MV friends and charter guests.  

Sorry if we missed you.. We'll see you next summer or maybe somewhere down the coast. 

 Our Schedule for the next couple of months (which can also be found on our website) is as follows...

Sep. 2nd When And If departs for Newport, RI to be a mothership to Sprig for the 6 meter world cup championships. www.6metreworldcup.com 

Also in Newport at that time is the Museum of Yachting Classic Yacht Regatta, which we will spectate with our charter guests. Look for us in the parade on Sunday Sep. 6th!  http://www.moy.org/NewsEvents/ClassicYachtRegatta/tabid/478/Default.aspx

Sep 14th Return to the Vineyard

Sep 19th  22nd annual Gaff Rig Race hosted by Gannon and Benjamin 

           and Wedding of Emyl and Seychelle  crew of the When And If 

Sep 25th Depart Martha's Vineyard for the season. :(  

Sep 28- Oct 5th  Nyack, NewYork

Oct 8th Annapolis, Maryland

Oct 13th Baltimore, Maryland - Start of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race www.schoonerrace.org 

Oct 16th Arrive Norfolk, Virginia 

...and begin our passage down the East Coast. This year When And If will be leisurely sailing down to Key West, Florida for the winter season. Let us know if you can suggest any nice stops along the way. We hope to make it to the bahamas as well this winter. 

 visit us at www.schoonerwhenandif.com or on Facebook! 

Its a beautiful day for sailing!  (actually it's not. right now we are getting pelted with rain from Tropical storm Danny. :/ )

Cheers.

Home Sweet Home

Location: Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, MA

Weather: Mid 70s, mostly sunny, occasional rainy days. Summer is finally shaping up.

Update: Home Sweet Home. When and If has returned to the Vineyard just in time for summer to kick in to full swing. Everyone says we brought the good weather with us. Things have been busy and crazy lots of fun. Seeing old friends, making new ones, and being back on our mooring in Vineyard Haven Harbor. Here we are surrounded by our granddaughter ship Juno and fellow Nat Benjamin Design Liberty as well as the two Black Dog schooners Alabama and Shenandoah. The rest of the harbor is filled with other beautiful, wooden boats and of course a few fiberglass visitors. Even some motor yachts (stink pots as we like to call them) to mess up the view. Vineyard Haven is a port well known for their fondly kept tradition of messing about in boats. Gannon and Benjamin is a fully functional wooden boat building shop almost cooperative in it's operations, http://gannonandbenjamin.com/ Sail Martha's Vineyard offers free sailing programs to any child interested as well as sailboat racing and rowing camps, http://sailmv.com/ and on any given day you can watch dozens of boats just out for an afternoon sail in Holmes Hole and maybe even join them.

As for When and If, we are up to our usual summer schedule of private and chartered sails. This year we are trying to explore a few of the lesser gotten-to harbors and anchorages around the Elizabethan Islands.

Ships News: The 2009 Vineyard Cup was held last weekend. There were 3 days of racing this year. The short course on Friday was called off as we were drifting past the furthest mark due to the wind dying out completely and a foul tide. Saturday was an all day race with a beat up to Quick's Hole around Lone Rock and a fast run back to the Chops. This was a huge test of seamanship as there was heavy fog all morning and a tidal switch 1/2 way through the race. Sunday was a short course again with a pursuit start for a change of pace. When and If came in 5th overall in our class. Not to bad for a mostly green crew. http://vineyardcup.com/

When and If is looking forward to the 37th annual Opera House Cup on August 15-16th this year in Nantucket. http://www.operahousecup.org/page/ohc

Well. That's enough for now.

For more information about classic sailing charters aboard the schooner When And If visit www.schoonerwhenandif.com

or find us on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vineyard-Haven-MA/SV-When-And-If/24782432236

It's a beautiful day for sailing!

Block Island

Location: Block Island, Rhode Island

Weather: Cold and Rainy

Update: The Good ship When And If left New York yesterday after an epic final hurrah around Manhattan and New York Harbor. We went out for a sail at about 9pm just after the sun went down and the city light began to come on. The feeling was magical. We did a salute to the Statue of Liberty all lit up and silhouetted in pink clouds. Remnants of the day light and afternoon showers slipping away. We came about to view New York City in all her glory and I realized the truth of the saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Except I made one personal addition, "Beauty is in the perception of the beholder." These monstrous buildings, when view from an old General's Schooner in the middle of busy New York Harbor at 10:00 at night, were an absolute piece of art. We were stunned and awed and the reality of what we were actually looking at (a metropolitan mess?) seemed to melted away.

Our sail to Block Island was not as peaceful. The mother of all lightning storms, cloudy skies, and not much wind made for a "Let's just get there already" sort of trip. It was a little scary at times, and very wet, but it makes you appreciate the places you visit more when you have work to get there.

Block Island is a cool little spot. Nice for a one night fling and perfectly placed for a stop over from New York to Martha's Vineyard. If you enjoy the "island life" New England style, it would be worth checking out.

We'll keep you posted. Should be in MARTHA'S VINEYARD tomorrow!! When And If is returning home! Very exciting!

Until then keep checking our website for more info on Schooner Sailing Charters.

www.schoonerwhenandif.com

you can also find us on Facebook!

Cheers!

Hudson River hang-time

Hello and sorry for the delay. It's been a few weeks since the last post. And I know you were holding your breath... :)

Update:An Update on our current happenings. When And If is snugly anchored off Julius Petersen's boatyard http://www.juliuspetersen.com in Nyack, NY. We are surrounded by lovely green rock faces and tidal flowing waters. It has been raining or nearly raining everyday, but we are still managing to have fun aboard the good ship and have some great sails.

It's an exciting time on the Hudson River right now. The beginning of summer mixed with the River's 400th birthday. The Quadricentennial, as it's called, marks the 400th anniversary of the first European expedition to sail up the river led by English Captain Henry Hudson. Nyack was host to a very special event, A flotilla of boats from Manhattan to Albany, led by the Hudson's own S/V Clearwater, www.clearwater.org, and joined by S/V Onrust, S/V Woody Guthrie, and the Mystic Whaler. Get more information and check out a list of other Quadricentennial events at http://exploreny400.com/Home.aspx. If you live in the area, its definately worth checking out something!!

Speaking of... Saturday, June 20th, When And If will be at the Clearwater Festival at Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson for some live music fun. http://www.clearwater.org/festival/

More fun Hudson River events in the near future for When And If... you tell me. We are in the area until July 1st.

Upcoming: We will be in Martha's Vineyard for July 4th and then in Cape and Islands area in our home port of Vineyard Haven for the remainder of the summer.

July 11th : Sail Martha's Vineyard Seafood Buffet and Auction, Vineyard Haven, MA

http://www.sailmv.com/subpage.php?id=11

July 17th-19th: Vineyard Cup , Vineyard Haven, MA

http://www.vineyardcup.com/

August 16th: Opera House Cup, Nantucket http://www.operahousecup.org/page/ohc

September 5th-13th: 6 meter World Cup support vessel, Newport, RI http://www.6metreworldcup.com/Welcome.htm

Looking forward to a great summer!

As always for more information on Classic Sailing Charters aboard the Schooner When And If visit our website www.schoonerwhenandif.com

Cheers.

Location: Annapolis, MD

Update: When And If has arrived safely back in US waters. We spent a short stint in Fernandina Beach, Fl/ St Marys, Ga, where upon arrival from St Thomas we were greeted by "Pirate Ships," live music, and an amazing firework display. The town was holding their annual "Shrimp and Pirate Festival." Awesome! Needless to say, we joined right in on the festivities in the morning. Fried food, art work, antiques, and good 'ol southern hospitality. You gotta love the south. The boys soon learned that all the girls in town were either pregnant or married, but just as keen on having a good time. And I got made fun of on the dock for not using the proper terminology of "Y'all" to greet others.
We sailed up the Southern East Coast, around Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras, arriving in Hampton, Va at the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay. There we dropped of a crew member who had to get back to school (shame) and took on water and diesel. Then it was a nasty beat up the Chesapeake bay with 20-30kts on the nose and steep 4ft chop. not awesome. Annapolis is a great little town. Its the perfect blend of southern hospitality and northern sophistication. We feel so welcome and everyone is eager to help out. The Blue Angels show off for the Navy Graduation every year which we go out and watch.
Life is Good and so is being back in the US of A. :)

Ship's News: Lyle Zell is leaving our crew this week to go back to Martha's Vineyard and work on a friend's 40ft gaff-rigged sloop called Liberty. We are going to miss him. :( He's been a great asset to the crew. (even if we had to kick his butt a little)

The Skipper's Birthday is this weekend. May 30th. Happy Birthday Emyl!!!

When And If will be in New York by Tuesday. We will be spending most of the month at Julius Peterson's Boatyard in Nyack.

For more information on classic sailing charters aboard the Schooner When And If, please visit our website www.schoonerwhenandif.com
Cheers!