Blue Water Sailing — June-July 2017

(^32) BLUE WATER SAILING • June /July 2017
{ WORLDCRUISING }
through the narrow channel, seemingly unaware of
the monstrous challenge that stood before us and our
small sailboat.
With the pass now clear of oncoming vessels, we
launched forward, Michael up on the bow to guide us
through any obstacles and me, hand fastened to the til-
ler with the jib sheet gripped steady in my other hand,
standing at attention in the cockpit.
Before we cast off the logs, Michael had switched the
Genoa for the jib so as not to risk being overpowered.
I was happy to have the jib hanked on if only because
its smaller size gave me a much greater view of the
seascape before me.
Precaution abounding, we motored for perhaps one
minute, just long enough to position ourselves in the
middle of the channel and provide some directional
stability. Then, we shut the motor off.
Michael raised the mainsail and jib and the main
filled with a glancing breeze from our own apparent
wind. We were underway. The ebb, having given
way to slack tide before the flood, boasted great
rises of rounded shoreline rock, lapped by the now
shallow waters to reveal lucid pools of damson and
mulberry starfish.
Mike and Kate, becalmed after transiting Dodd Narrows