Sailing the New England area-Buzzard’s Bay, Vineyard Sound, and Nantucket Sound, July 20-27, 2014

When sailing the Gulf of Mexico, much of the Caribbean, and even the Mediterranean Sea, the tides and currents are not too much of a concern.  But in New England, let the Navigator beware!

We met up with Captain Phil Levine and his terrific 1^st Mate Laura Schaub aboard their 48’ double head sail sloop in Fiddler’s Cove Marina, just outside of Falmouth, Massachusetts. 

New England has over 150 iconic lighthouses, which have saved ships and lives for centuries.  They are truly symbols of the region and its maritime heritage.

Steve is seated in the salon and is carefully reading Phil’s copy of the Eldridge Tide & Pilot Book. If you depart with both the wind and the current against you, you may never arrive at your destination.

Tacking up to Nantucket, we had to double reef the main and we were still making a consistent 7 knots.  To take advantage of the currents, we had to depart early from Edgartown at 0700. 

There was still plenty of opportunity for a little pleasure sailing and we certainly took advantage of it.

Who’d have known it?

Laura can handle the galley perhaps better than she handles the running rigging!  Here’s her “ship-made” crab cakes served with tequila lime sauce. 

And how about a little color with these future young sailors racing their Optimist Dinghies in Vineyard Harbor at Martha’s Vineyard?  Where’s is the skipper in the middle ding?  Do you see him?

Resting after a bit of beach combing at Tarpaulin Cove on Naushon Island in the Elizabeth Island chain.