Burnt Store

Monday, 23 February                                    12.2 SM (motoring), 11.8 (under sail)

It doesn’t like like a great day for sailing!

It’s been a long wait, more than four months and more than a thousand miles. So long, in fact, that it almost seemed she might never do this again. But no.

She sails!

Goodness, Steadfast still knows how to sail. She really does. And she loves it!

Not right away today, mind you. It was anchor’s aweigh about 1000, a clean anchor at that (another thing to like about Pelican Bay, the sand bottom). After easing over the five-foot shoal that guards the bay’s entrance, Little Red assumed her usual role and dug into Charlotte Harbor for the run to Burnt Store. Ahead, a rendezvous with Martha and George, already there with Venture.

Every sailor dreams of a day like this.

It’s pretty much a straight shot—Cayo Costa to Burnt Store—assuming one is not deterred by frequent readings of seven- or eight-foot depths. The skies at this point did not portend an especially pleasant day on the water, much less wind for sailing.  No evidence of blue above or wind below, just thick threatening clouds.  But the run is uneventful.  It’s 1215 when Steadfast motors up to the pier where Martha and George wait to take lines and tie her off just long enough for lunch under the trees.

The “V” follows just astern.

The wind that was lacking all morning then starts to ripple the harbor, enough to coax both boats—Steadfast and The Venture—back out to Charlotte Harbor. Once past the entrance marker, it’s hoist the main, unfurl the genny and give Red a break. The Com-Pac 27 is a solid, well-built boat that serves a skipper well in any conditions but she’s built to sail. That’s when she shines, fairly

chuckles as she skips over the light chop.  What a kick to hear the soft clatter with winches turning and pawls slipping into place to snug up the Genoa sheets.

You can almost see Steadfast smile!

“With sails drawing full and by.”

With a steady 8-to-10 knots rippling Charlotte Harbor, Steadfast heels slightly, then quickly settles into a groove, all but sailing her self.  The Venture is just off the starboard quarter likewise moving smartly as the wind builds slightly from the south.

There’s a long northeast tack up the Harbor on a beam reach. The two boats then tack back to the southwest for half an hour before tacking back out to run that route again. Then near 1700, the sun settling low over the Gulf, regrettably it’s time to head in.

So, more than 50 miles and two days of motoring, just to get two hours of sailing? Yes! Worth every bit of it to finally feel that unique motion of a vessel under sail.

Charlotte Harbor glistens as Steadfast is silhouetted by the late afternoon sun.

Given the nature of cruising the waterways, there may not be another day like this, of letting wind fill sails to slip through waters glistening in the sun.  So be it.  This day will long be remembered and cherished.  What a blessing!

Steadfast out.