Sunday July 27, 2008

Sunday July 27, 2008

Low 80's F thunderstorms forecast for the afternoon.

Late morning sail with Katherine.

A slow departure with light winds 5 knots or less , out of the southwest, to Darby Creek, then winds pick up 10 to 15 for a speedy beam reach along the shipping channel side of Little Tinicum.

Storm clouds build over Delaware County and NWS on WX issues storm warning for Chester and Delaware County with 2" rain per hour.

Rather than take the long way around the island, come about and return to Darby Creek with building winds out of the west. The wind eases as we pass Piaseki, pole out the genoa, sail wing on wing with good speed.

The front approaches, drop the genoa, winds build to 30 knots out of the north in minutes, to close to the seaplane base slips to head into the the wind to drop the mainsail, so set a fisherman reef, mainsail against the spreaders and sail with the wind on port beam.
Boat speeds builds above 7 knots and we race to the marina.

Gusts develop to 40 knots (PHL reports 43), turn to windward past the marina and off the former Westinghouse sluice gate, mainsheet in as we come to windward, drop the main halyard and Katherine flakes the mainsail on the boom and secures with sail ties. Timing was good, the manoever was complete well clear of the mud flat.

Motor into the marina with 30 knot wind and 40 knots gusts.

Plenty of windage on the side of the boat. Hold the boat in the slip with motor on forward gear at idle, while we secure the dock lines, then the deluge begins.