Recharge in Port Jefferson, NY

Departing Fishers Island

We reviewed the charts and checked the currents as we had previously read that the LI Sound currents can be either your best friend or your worst enemy. We had a 55mile sail ahead of us to get to Port Jefferson, NY, so we wanted to time our departure with the currents.  We weighed anchor at 0515 and got under way. Once in the LI Sound we were cruising along at 7.4kts – at her hull speed!

 I thought we were making great speed and then, before I knew it, she was up to 8.8kts!  It’s a bit surreal to be going along at that speed when we normally cruise at 5-6kts.  Actually, the trip up we averaged 4.5-5kts.  So compared to what we had grown accustomed to during the previous week, it felt like we were making ludicrous speed! Prepare to go to plaid (Spaceballs enthusiasts will get it).
 
We made it to Port Jefferson Harbor in just under 10 hours.  We lost the currents and wind a few hours out of Port Jeff, so again, we were forced to motor or arrive in an unfamiliar and busy port after dark.  We opted for the former.  As we approached the inlet to Port Jefferson we got lucky and the outbound ferry was just on its way out as the inbound ferry was on a course to pass a few hundred yards off our bow, allowing us to follow her in.   While the channel going in is sufficiently wide, it doesn’t allow for both a sailboat and ferry to comfortably pass (at least I would prefer not to attempt it!).  We read reports of shoaling on either side of the channel so we didn’t want to risk being outside of the channel markers.  Timing, though, was in our favor.

First step on solid ground in 6.5 days! Can you say serious case of land sickness?!?!

 
Port Jefferson Harbor is a great port of call!  We picked up a mooring ball near shore and ended up with a pretty sweet spot.  The Ferry runs every hour starting at 0600 until 2200 and comes back in every 1.5hrs, so while it’s a busy harbor, other than the horn blow at each departure, it’s not overly loud or rocky and rolley.  The Setauket Yacht Club has a launch that takes you to and from your boat – this was very convenient as it meant we didn’t have to launch our dinghy and lower our 93 pound motor.  We planned to stay in PJ for the week or so (weather permitting) to allow us time to catch up with my family.  So far it’s been a wonderful trip.  The weekend was filled with non-stop family time!  Great food, great craft brew, and lots of laughs!  PJ is a wonderful little town and, for any cruisers passing through the Sound, I highly recommend it.  All the restaurants are amazing and not too expensive, the people are friendly, and the atmosphere is great. 

At the beginning of the week our crew, Sean, decided to head back to MD.  While we wish he could have stayed longer, family and work stuff dictated he return much sooner than planned.  So Monday AM we took him to the rental car facility and said our goodbyes.  While in NY we were fortunate to get a car from a family friend to use for the week – it has been awesome!!  Thanks Greg.  It has allowed us to get around, run to WM for a few items, re-provision, and visit family without having to ask for rides or pay for cabs. 
 
The weekend was also filled with meeting other cruisers. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, one of the things I love most about cruising is the people you’ll meet.  We met a couple at the club lounge that was actually on the mooring next to us.  So we did what cruisers do and exchanged boat cards.  Turns out they too are headed to Maine for the summer!  Will be a lot of fun to run into them again as we hop up the coast.  Funny enough, they are also from New Bern, NC!  We’ll be spending some time down there on our way south in the fall and we definitely plan to catch up with them.  Soon after meeting them, we met their buddy boat, also super nice people who we look forward to catching up with in ME! 
 
As the week has progressed we’ve gotten into a routine. I am working remotely, so in the AM we’ll have a nice breakfast together then I get started on work while J either reads or tinkers, trying to reduce Tango's always present and never complete to-do-list.  He finished his class this past weekend so “school’s out for summer!!!"  He can actually read for enjoyment now and wasted no time in picking up his first pleasure book which he finished this morning.  Come lunchtime we'll hail the launch and run into town for a quick bite to eat.  After lunch it’s back to work until dinner, which has been enjoyed with family almost every night.  

Love this I'll' man!

 
We planned to leave LI on Wednesday but with Arthur approaching we plan to hunker down for a few more days and leave first thing Saturday AM.  

We’re still trying to nail down our next stop but think we’ll head back up to Fishers Island, then to Cuttyhunk Island, MA then wait in Onset for the right tides to go through the Cape Cod Canal.  From there we’re not sure where the winds will take us. We hope to take a look at the charts tonight and get a better idea of our plans for next week.  We’re both very anxious to get to ME!!!

 

UPDATE - We met George on his Tayana 37, S/V Peace & Quiet, our last day in Port Jeff. He is a fellow member of the Seven Seas Cruising Association who is making some repairs and, with any luck, headed to Maine in a few weeks.  He was kind enough to share some cheese and crackers over some beers in the cockpit and provided us with a bunch of great information about some of his favorite spots between LI Sound and Canada.  He also informed us of the Islesboro Gam being held the first weekend in August, which we look forward to attending.  We hope Peace & Quiet requires a simple fix and look forward to seeing George again when our wakes converge in ME.  Cheers!