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Thursday, 7 August

From outside, hulls in Cuttyhunk hide behind the sand spit.

One-time America’s Cup challenger Nefertiti found the wind to her liking near Buzzards Bay.

Thunderstorms again were in the afternoon forecast when Steadfast shoved off from Cuttyhunk about 0945. The destination, Newport Harbor, offers reasonable protection and would be within easy reach, given NOAA’s call for five-to-ten out of the north.

Once past the shoals, rocks and ledged that guard Cutty and through the channel between her and Penikese Island, Steadfast turned to a heading more or less due west and held it all the way to Brenton Reef. Sails unfurled, Little Red took a break, and Steadfast was making 4 ½ to 5, thanks in no small part to a fair current. Even when the wind laid down, then shifted so’west, Red had to turn just 2000 revs to maintain speed.

Castle Hill Light marks the rock ledge leading to Newport Harbor.

Then, pleasant surprise, the wind backed some more and Steadfast was able to sail the remaining two hours, from Sakonett Point on.   The Mate had the helm from Brenton Reef all the way into Newport Harbor, tacking among the usual fleet of runabouts, yachts, megayachts, ferries and cargo ships that seem always underway in the East Passage off Fort Adams.

A little over 26 nautical for the day, average speed five-plus. Not bad. Oh, and the thunderstorm never materialized, not for Newport, at least. Just a brief spritz. But passing to the north, it did display an always welcomed message from heaven.

After a hard day, some sailors may well see Newport as their “pot o’ gold.”

Steadfast out.