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!

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 2009

Location: Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda, Leeward Islands

Weather: 85 and Sunny :)

This week: When And If performed beautifully during Antigua Classics. 68 stunning boats sailed in the regatta. It was amazing and and a total blast. We came third in our class of Vintage Schooners. Paul, Candy, and 3 friends came down to enjoy the racing. There were four races. Each day a different course. And of course besides tearing up the race course all day there were festivities to enjoy like the Mount Gay Party, Dark and Stormy Party, Galatea's 110th Birthday Party, Maine Party, Champagne Party, and I can't remember the rest. (probably due to too much partying ;) )
We really want to thank our awesome "race crew:" Paul, Candy, Emyl, Seychelle, Lyle, Louise, Don, Paul, Jacemo, James, Frankie, Ben, Zack, Nick, Bunch, Harry, Kelsey and all of those who stood in for a day. We had such a great time. I have never seen the fisherman come down and go up so quickly. Cheers!
If you ever have a chance to participate in Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, do it.
There are amazing pictures posted. Check them out www.antiguaclassics.com, www.lizakirwan.com, www.corysilken.com, www.ianroman.com

Ship's News: Let's see. 3rd place in Class at Antigua classics.
Seychelle put the boat stern-to and Antigua Yacht Club.
Our delivery north will be the end of April. We plan on making landfall in St. Augustine, FL. Our crew is finally all lined up. Exciting stuff.

That's it for now.
As always, for more information on classic sailing charters aboard the Schooner When And If please visit our website www.schoonerwhenandif.com

bye bye BVI. Antigua bound

Location: Nelson's Dockyard, English Harbor, Antigua

Weather: 85degrees and super sunny.

This Week: When and If finally left the BVIs. Its a bit sad to go. We really like the crusing grounds and all the new friends we have made, but on the other hand it is really exciting to finally start visiting some more of the Caribbean. We left Tortola in light easterly trade winds and sailed 20 hours to St Barths. Not bad time at all. Just the three crew on board, we arrived early in the morning exhausted from sailing through the night.
From the mate's log: "...We are sailing along beautifully and I just wanted to savor this moment. We are close hauled in 10-15kts, headed SE to St Barths. The flying fish are jumping, the fishing line is trolling, the sky is nearly cloudless, and the sun is slowly setting behind us to the west. Life is good."
Upon Arrival in St. Barths we had a pleasent surprise when we learned that our grandaughter ship "Juno" was still in the harbor planning on leaving for Antigua in the morning. We planned a little "no holds barred" race to Antigua. We ended up leaving St Barths a good 2 hours before Juno and arrived just after sunset in English Harbor. I guess that means we won the race, but nothing was mentioned of it again.
From the mate's Log: "Whales off the port bow!!!"...This morning started off so cloudy and wet, now everything has burnt off. It is blue and sunny and we are surrounded by St. Kitts, Nevis, and Monseratt. 25 miles to Antigua. Sailing 7 knots to windward with everything up. I love When And If."
So that was our big trip of the week. Now its back to buisness. We are on the dock because, of course, the generator is not working. [note: NEVER buy a fisher panda generator, EVER] We removed the sails to get a nice coat of varnish on the spars and sent the fore off for a new batton pocket. going to do some painting as well this week. Get the boat all spiffied up for Antigua Classics.

Ships News: April 16th-21st Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta www.antiguaclassics.com

Caribbean departure date: April 26th, weather depending

For more information on classic sailing charters aboard the Schooner "When And If" visit www.schoonerwhenandif.com
also check out our facebook page. :)

It's a beautiful day for sailing!

Found a new spot!

Location: Little Harbor, Peter Island, BVI

Weather: 80F mostly sunny and calm.

This week: Chill out.
We left Nanny Cay on Wednesday and headed out to Norman Island for a bit of a detox/relaxation period. After a couple of days of hiking snorkeling and Willie T's, ( a floating bar known for it's craziness) We moved to a much quieter anchorage and are currently stern-to the beach in little harbor, Peter Island. Or as the local yacht crews call it, "unemployment cove" because it is where all the charter crews go when they are not on charter. It is so lovely here. A real detox. (Well, I guess there is still a bit of drinking that goes on.) Cleaning, fixing, painting, oiling, tarring, and of course varnishing a bit every day and spending the evenings amongst new and old friends.

Ship's News: We leave for St. Thomas tomorrow to pick up Lyle, reprovision, and then pick up our first real charter of the season. Excitement.

This is long over due!!

Location: Nanny Cay Marina, Tortola, BVI

Weather: Perfect!

This week: We Splashed!! When and If is back in the water and looking better than ever. 3 coats of paint on the topsides, 2 coats on the bottom, new gold leaf on the transom and When and If is popping! Brand new propeller works like a charm. Yes! Lots of torque and power and we even painted a coat of propspeed on it. Right on time we are so psyched. Oh and by the way, if anyone ever needs a place to haul in the caribbean, Nanny Cay comes highly recommended. Wooden or fiberglass. These guys did a great job. And if you are a wooden boat, come in February for Wooden Boat Month. You'll recieve awesome discounts and be treated lke a king.

Ships News: We are currently without a computer (hense the reason this has taken so long to get out.) You never realize how addicted you are tot hese things until you don't have one. So no internet for a little while.

Also, no camera so I cannot finish my album of the haul-out yet. visit www.picasaweb.google.com/roberts416/nannycayhaulout

By the way, Nanny Cay Marina has the best marina shower facilities in the world.

Now it is time to kick back and relax for a couple of days.

As always, for more information about sailing charters aboard Schooner When And If visit www.schoonerwhendandif.com

"It's a beautiful day for sailing."

blue tape, bad butts, and bottom paint

Current Location: Nanny Cay, Tortola, BVI

Weather: winds NE 15-20 83F/27C Partly Cloudy

This Week: This weeks has been brutal. We sanded and fared both topsides, applied 1 coat of primer and black paint so far, reefed out, dryed out, and re-caulked a few seems, replaced a section of planking, made a couple copper tingles, and we are finally getting there. We plan on going back in the water on Monday. We have two more coats of paint to apply and the crew painting on the bottom is almost finished as well. Then comes the best part...clean up time!
Check out some photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/roberts416/NannyCayHaulOut#

Ship's News: Feathering propeller has arrived and is ready for a test run!! Very exciting.

Lyle Zell, our current 3rd crew member is headed back to the cold north for two weeks. Silly Bugger.

We are looking forward to being back in the water and to our upcoming charters in March.

As always, for more information on Classic sailing charters aboard the Schooner When And If, visit http://www.schoonerwhenandif.com/