It’s Friday morning and we are headed from Vineyard Haven to Newport as we make our way to our final destination, Wickford this weekend. Yet again, we have wind from a favorable direction as we close reach at between 7-8 and sometimes 9 kts in wind at just under 20kts apparent. I love the fact that she’s so fast and doesn’t heel much either. It makes for a very nice and speedy ride.
Craig and I have been out for nearly a week and have enjoyed nearly perfect sailing conditions. When was the last time you went for a week cruise and were blessed with fair winds each day?
As we headed east earlier in the week we had solid SW and S winds and now, as we head back west, a front has blessed us with NE winds that are making the return trip perfect as well. I can’t recall when I have been able to sail this route with fair winds BOTH ways. It reminds me of when parents quip “You don’t have it so bad. When I was your age, we walked hill to school, both ways, in the snow”. However, this week, it’s been nothing like that. Perfect.
However, the hardship in all of this, as as we have been sailing so much it’s been tough to get warm showers as the engine just hasn’t been run enough. Feel sorry for us? No? If it helps you feel better, I did get a bit of salt spray on my arm as we took the dink ashore the other day. And, it rained for an hour this morning as we left Vineyard Haven. Still not sympathetic? I am having trouble seeing the puffy clouds as I am having to squint into the sun… Still? Never mind…
On another note, we had a very nice visit on Martha’s Vineyard and took the bus from Vineyard Haven to Edgartown yesterday.
There are many beautiful buildings. Every town should have such a nice town hall building. 
Here’s the Chappaquiddick ferry. 
When we were standing on the town dock Craig noticed that there was another Aerodyne 47, like Pandora, on a nearby dock. As there were only three made, seeing one was pretty amazing. Note the Edgartown Yacht Club in the background and the Aerodyne in front on the left. 
Well, I trotted right over and introduced myself. The owner, actually the boat has two owners, weren’t aboard but the “manager” invited us aboard for a tour. It turns out that this is hull #2 and the owners live in NYC and NJ. I understand that the boat splits it’s time between Edgartown and The Hamptons with the manager moving her around and taking care of her as needed. I need a manager…
The boat, even though she’s the same design looks a lot different. She has a hard dodger but it’s a lot shorter and down below the woodwork is teak and white, a much different look than Pandora. Here’s the cockpit layout. You can see how much shorter the hard dodger is. Mine is about two feet longer. I like the extra protection it affords. So does Brenda and what she thinks is critical. 
Down below, much more white.
Here’s a similar shot of Pandora.
She also lacks the second head stay that we keep our Code Zero sail on for sailing in light air. I expect that she has an asymmetrical spinnaker. I gave my card to the manager and hope that he shares it with the owners. I also have the contact information for the owner of hull #1 so that will give us an owner’s group of three. It will be fun to compare notes.
After our tour, Craig and I stopped at the Edgartown Yacht Club for a drink. It’s a beautiful spot. 
Edgartown looks a lot like Nantucket with the major difference being that “competitive container gardening” doesn’t seem to have taken hold quite as strongly. However, it’s a lovely place and the gardens are beautiful.
This is a very popular wedding spot. I think that it’s perhaps the most perfect porch that I have ever seen. 
How about these gardens? All that’s needed to complete the picture is a blushing bride. I expect that one will arrive on Saturday. 
Enough gardens? There is a real working wooden boat yard in Vineyard Haven, Gannon & Benjamin. They have been in business for many years and have churned out a steady supply of beautiful boats, many of which reside here all summer. 
Well, thanks to a speedy run, we are almost to Brenton Reef where we will turn the corner toward Newport. Besides, it’s lunchtime and I wouldn’t want my crew to get cranky from low blood sugar. And, to add insult to injury, he may end up with a shower that’s only warm as we haven’t been motoring much. Such are the compromises of cruising.
Craig! Lunch is coming.
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