RSYC Cruise Week 2020

RSYC 2020 Cruise Week

 2 July 2020: Converse Bay

 Marc- We spent the morning shopping for groceries and loading the boat.  We also filled the water tank after flushing the system, unfortunately there seems to be a leak in the system at maximum pressure.  This will give me something else to fix when I have the time.  We left Point Bay Marina at noon and motored partially out into Town Farm Bay before unfurling the genoa and sailing around Thompson’s Point into Converse Bay.  We followed Mindy Donnelly’s advice and anchored behind Cedar Island. This was a protected spot from any possible thunderstorms.  Fortunately all we experienced were passing showers. There was Great swimming to be had by all present here.  

 3 July 2020: Converse Bay

Marc- Another day here in this beautiful bay.  I missed the 8:30 VHF check in on channel 68 and so went over to the Cruise leaders’ boat for information.  The plan is to stay here until more of the fleet can  gather.  I noticed that our freezer and the refrigerator are taxing our electrical system ( a single 50 watt solar panel) and shut down the freezer.  We then went off in the dinghy to the Garden Island ferry dock to leave the dinghy and walk over to Point Bay Marina for the car. It was perfect with no issues raised by the locals. John and Mindy were surprised to see us so soon back to pick up the generator out of their garage. The Honda 2000i is great for peace of mind.  I did a few painting projects and some non-skid tape.   Steph made lunch.   We then prepared the inflatable paddle board for a spin around the bay.  I pulled Steph around in the dinghy.   The RSYC Dinghy raft up was fun with some good conversation at a reasonable social distance.

 4 July 2020: Shelburne Harbor.

 Marc- Departure at 08:00 a.m.  under spinnaker, main and mizzen with a South wind of 5 - 10 knots. Once past Sloop Island the wind shifted to North at 3-5 knots and we motored the remaining miles to Shelburne Bay arriving at noon. We anchored at the Southern end of the harbour for a quiet night of club festivities and boats lighting up to celebrate the 4th.   Lucy III was all decked out in led lights and then the fireworks started.

 5 July 2020: Malletts Bay

 Marc- Arrived at Niquette State Park in the Eastern end of Malletts Bay.  This is a great place with warm water, a nice beach, cliffs for diving, and extensive hiking trails with fabulous views.  Best of all there were very few bugs.  Steph and I did a long trail hike and a swim to refresh, The RSYC activity was a blind dinghy race.  Steph did the rowing and was very efficient.  A fellow Tartan 34c, Island Gypsy came over with Bob McGill at the helm.  We had a nice visit as he sailed around the boat discussing the latest on our boat club. 

 6 July 2020: Nichols Point

 Marc- We motored today out of the Eastern side of the Lake through the marble causeway to the Southern end of South Hero.  There were shallows West of the causeway that were easily avoided by staying close to the shore. This provided us with a view of South Hero beach and its multitude of colorful birdhouses.  I recall riding my old Schwinn bike here to skip stones as a teenager.  We then passed through the Providence Island Narrows to the Western Lake.  Still no wind to speak of as we proceeded North past the Grand Isle - Plattsburgh ferries and then on to Nichol’s Point at the entrance to the Gut.  We were the first to arrive and anchor.   We saw what appeared to be a Tartan 34C heading East and coming from the Laundon family camp just North of here.  I tried calling but was not successful.  The excitement here, aside from the water sports, was a silent movie provided by Patrick and Jessica and shown on the side of their boat.  One of the boaters even provided us with popcorn to cook.

7 July 2020: Burton Island.

 Marc- Our dreams have come true: we are going to Burton Island State Park for two nights.  This is always a favorite part of Cruise Week for us.  We followed the leader through the Gut to the North Hero - Grand Isle Bridge.  Except for a slight delay at the bridge all went well.  Once past Ladd’s Landing the wind picked up to 20 knots from the South and we quickly reefed the genoa.  Jerry and Sharon reported a 30 knot gust at one point.  It was otherwise a fast sail doing 7 knots over to Burton Island where we tied up to the service dock.  We assisted the late arrivals.  There are five RSYC boats here but only four are really doing the Cruise.  I organized a campfire for smores in the evening.  Steph and I enjoyed hiking the trails and picking raspberries.

8 July 2020: Burton Island.

 Marc- Glad to still be here for a second day.  Steph did kayaking and stand up paddle boarding on our inflatable paddle board today.  I rowed the dinghy.  My arms got a good workout especially on our trip to Eagle Bay.  We ready some Longfellow at the park at the Southern Tip.  The excitement for today came from a most severe thunderstorm with 70 knot winds that came from the Northwest. This was wild even being tied to the dock.  Steph took a video of our friends on a mooring nearby who disappeared several times from view.  We later learned that a camper’s tent had been blown away.  The campers were fine but very wet.  Steph and I walked around to check on things and saw puddles everywhere and lots of close lines strung up between the trees to dry out whatever got wet. Th e fake dog is there to scare the canadian geese from the picnic area (It works!).

9 July 2020: Valcour Island.

Marc- We departed the marina at 9 a.m. on short notice that the construction company invasion barge needed Lucy III out of the way for it to back off of the beach. We did not argue and left.  Lucy III motorsailed over to Ladd’s Landing by the North Hero - Grand Isle Bridge for a few items. No food available due to covid 19,  not even coffee.  They did have lots of cold drinks so we returned with water and lemonata six packs. 30 minutes later it was 11:00 and time for the bridge to open.  There was not much wind in the Gut and then light headwinds towards Cumberland Head so we motored.  We were the first to arrive at Butterfly Bay and anchored right in the centre of the harbor. There were half a dozen powerboats up near the beach but no crowds.  Our RSYC compatriots arrived within an hour and anchored. Swimming and paddle boarding were next in order to cool off.  The water was very nice.  Jessica and Patrick organized a group picnic on the beach which we attended. We then took off on an Island hike to the Valcour Lighthouse and Bluff Point South Harbor.  It was great especially after we decided not to take the poison icy infested trail and stick to the beach.  After Bluff Point North there was a nice trail to the Lighthouse and then a great trail over to the Southern harbour.  Later in the evening Jessica and Parick set up a on the water gas fire pit.  They stayed in the water next to their flaming raft while the others circled by Dinghy. There were not very many bugs in this bay.

10 July 2020: Burlington Mooring Field.

 Marc- We departed at 08:00 before the VHF call in on channel 68 since I wanted to get an early start on the wind. The wind was very weak at 06:00 but blowing 10 knots by 08:00. It was due to increase to  15 knots from the South.  Off we went following the New York shore until Port Kent and then tacking once over to Burlington.  We had a great sail over with Steph reporting 6.6 knots sustained speed for most of the trip. Unfortunately the wind diminished just before arriving in Burlington but we persisted under sail until past the breakwater.  We picked up float 101 and made our way to the Burlington Boathouse to check in. There were fewer boats in Burlington than in past years. While at the dock we had lunch at Splash. This rated good since the waitress was less than understanding for a vegetarian.   We later hiked up to "Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream" with Jerry and Sharon from "Exit Strategy".  Church Street was not very busy.  I picked up a few food items at the Market on the hill.  Unfortunately we left the grocery bag in the park by the dingy dock. Fortunately a kind soul kept an eye on it protecting it from the seagulls until we came back. The return trip was a problem with running out of gas.  Steph rowed us over to the new marina nearby but they had no oil to add for a two cycle engine.  I rowed us back to the Lucy III where we had oil. I did buy 1 gallon of gas for $ 2.40 discounted to 2.00 since they could not make change at the gas dock.

11 July 2020:  Point Bay Marina.

Marc-  We departed before the tropical storm winds were to arrive.  That meant leaving the mooring field at 06:00 and motor sailing South.  "Exit Strategy" followed us.  The trip was mostly uneventful except for rain showers and some fog.  We arrived at the PBM fuel dock at 08:50, before they opened. Todd came down to help us both out with our needs.  Steph and I off loaded a week’s worth of laundry, clothes and excess food.  Lucy III was placed on its mooring and off we went to the RV in Panton.  We returned for a cookout under the RSYC tent.  The tent is very well placed for social distancing.

12 July 2020:  Point Bay Marina Mooring Field.

Marc- We returned to Lucy III to check out items left aboard and to replace a recharged propane tank.