Cruising Block Island

2015 Cruising, Sabre 42

IMG_7491By Rich

If you’ve had a chance to shop for NASCAR tickets lately, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that attending races is a lot more expensive than it was a decade or two ago. One could theorize that more affluent Americans took to the sport and drove prices up, but another theory is that – depressing macro-economic statistics notwithstanding – many salt-of-the-earth, working-class Americans are doing quite well financially and that NASCAR ticket prices have followed in the steps of their good fortune. Continue reading Cruising Block Island →

Power Boat’n

2015 Cruising

By Rich

We are a group of sailors at our core, but we find plenty of opportunities to enjoy power boats, too.  We concluded our Nantucket Sound cruise week by taking a quick trip over to Dutch Harbor from Jamestown on our good friend Chris’ stunning Hinckley Talaria 44. On the sailboat, this trip takes up much of the day between coming, going, and cleaning up the boat after. On the power boat, it was a jaunt quick enough to allow us to enjoy The Shack’s fantastic tacos and still make afternoon flights home to Maryland.

IMG_7085 Continue reading Power Boat’n →

Cruising Nantucket

2015 Cruising, Sabre 42

IMG_6885By Rich

How is the experience of extended cruising impacted – for better and for worse – by the fact that the crew is comprised mostly of  sailors with a racing background? In the ‘better’ column must surely be that crew’s ability to keep the boat moving as quickly as it can under sail. That capability has two implications: (i) destinations are reached more quickly and (ii) more time is spent under sail because the crew need cave in and motor less often. Sailing is more fun and more rewarding than powering. Continue reading Cruising Nantucket →

Cruising Woods Hole

2015 Cruising, Sabre 42

IMG_6744

By Rich

On July 4th we had a lovely close-hauled sail in 8 knots or so from Cuttyhunk to Woods Hole. We decided to indulge in a novelty: making our way through the tiny draw bridge to pick up a mooring in Eel Pond. Ferry traffic and currents made the approach to the bridge exciting, as did the extraordinarily narrow bridge passage (which drew numerous gawkers – some of whom may have been expecting [hoping?] to witness an incident as we crammed our 12’6″ beam through).  Continue reading Cruising Woods Hole →