The 2010 spring Coastal Passage Making course had two boats, Melissa and Invictus, with two instructors and nine students. The forecast of squalls, calms, and fog followed by a stiff cold front on Sunday proved accurate. The answer was a classic cruise through Buzzards Bay and the Elizabeth Islands to Menemsha, on the Vineyard.
Todd Rodgers
Fog from Thursday night persisted in to Friday morning as we headed through the Canal.
Geoff Rand
Fog had made the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal unusually blind on Thursday. Invictus deployed this Model 180 RadarSkillet. The Model 180 improves on the orthogonal geometry of conventional radar reflectors with its innovative circular design and state of the art teflon coating. Mounting handles included.
Todd Rodgers
In conjunction with the RadarSkillet, we used the orally actuated Phantom Duck foghorn to warn away traffic outside the Canal. This rare photograph captured by Todd Rodgers is the only known image of the Phantom Duck in his working habitat.
Geoff Rand
Now retired, the so-called "Duck of Death" relaxes at home with his wife of 37 years.
Geoff Rand
For lunch on Friday we anchored off the Weepecket Islands in Buzzards Bay. Here the crew on Melissa weighs anchor under sail.
Geoff Rand
Even in early June, the water off the Weepecket Islands was warm enough for a swim.
Geoff Rand
Melissa in light air between the Weepekets and Naushon Island..
Geoff Rand
The breeze had freshend nicely by the time we tacked through Quicks Hole.
Geoff Rand
Melissa coming out of a tack..
Geoff Rand
Entering Menemsha harbor.
Geoff Rand
Friday night we rafted the boats together at the town dock in Menemsha for steak tips on the grill and a buffet of elegant side dishes from both gallies.
Richard Avelon
The menu included roasted potatoes, roasted squash, white beans with broccoli rabe, sauted zucchini and mixed salad.
Todd Rodgers
Saturday night in Fairhaven. After showers, the two crews headed out for dinner.
Todd Rodgers
Our neighbor in the Fairhaven Shipyard.
Geoff Rand
Leaving Fairhaven Sunday morning, the channel got a bit bumpy. Winds built to nearly 20 knots from the southwest, making for an exhilarating run to the Canal.
Geoff Rand
Winds shifted to the west behind a cold front around sunset giving us an overnight beat to Gloucester. In these conditions, it's definitely "One hand for the ship and one hand for yourself."
Geoff Rand
Melissa passes Eastern Point Light in Gloucester, on her way back to Boston Monday morning.
Read about some of the harbors we visited on the June 2010 Coastal Passage Making Course in the Boston Sailing Center's Online Cruising Guide: