After 10 days of dreary overcast, we finally got a sunny day with big winds. Repeater student Doug Drummond helmed as a couple from West Virginia celebrated their 20th anniversary by sitting quietly and taking in the scenery.
We sailed on a southwest wind up to the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station to see the USS Bainbridge. Afterward, on the way back, the Navy patrol boat guarding the Bainbridge hooked up with another patrol boat that came out of the NWS lean-to with its siren going full blast. They weren’t chasing us, for they were 100 yards away in a parallel formation. It spooked Doug, and he past the wheel to me. Eventually they trailed off. Exciting stuff.
Kentucky Sailors
A couple from Summer Shade KY performed well in 15 mph winds gusting to 20, but they didn’t sound Southern. “We’re from Rhode Island and New Hampshire,” David Collard. “We moved to get away from the bad winters,” added his wife Terry. “We went two months one winter with the temperature never rising above zero, living in the mountains.” He added, “I went camping over in Canada and woke up at 50 below. Everything gets frostbitten at that temperature unless you’re fully covered.”
Fortunately, Kentucky is much warmer, and they have a boat. “It’s a 30-foot pontoon boat with a cabin and bedroom with double bed, and a little kitchen. But it sucks gas.”
To make matters worse, “We haven’t been out this year because the marina is under water. We can’t get to the ramp and launch because of the flooding.” So they enjoyed sailing a fast three hours and made record speeds.
Women enjoy sailing today more than ever, and particularly a romantic cruise. Couples get to enjoy a romantic getaway as they sit up on the bow for privacy, and Let’s Go Sail provides professional photos for free. First-time or skilled mariners are welcome to sail a modern-32-foot sailboat in a unique setting of wildlife and Fall foliage or Spring bloom. It makes for an extraordinary anniversary idea.
Spinnaker Sail
Two couples who had never met got to go on a spinnaker sail in light winds blowing from the southwest. Sue and Rhett Francisco life in Cincinnati OH, where the Ohio River is not conducive to sailing. So they bareboat with the Moorings in the Caribbean.
Rhett and I hoisted the spinnaker near Yorktown and Sue helmed for five miles diagonally across the York River to the entrance of the Perrin River near Guinea. It was a delightfully silent, smooth sail and only the second time this season we did it. Spinnakers require teamwork and agility and are usually appreciated best by experienced sailors. Along the way, we passed a 44-boat set up to take cancer survivors sailing. Rhett sat up on the bow for a while, taking in the scenery.
Theatrical Sail
By coincidence, we had three couples aboard who had a connection to the theater. Eric Ruffin of Wilmington DE brought his sister Erika sailing on a sultry summer day. “I’m a theater director and teach at Howard University in Washington,” he explained. Josh Visser, who majored in theater, joined his girlfriend Madi Howe as she took her first sailing lesson.
I asked Eric if it was hard to memorize lines all the time. “Not for me, I’m a director,” he said kidding. “But it’s much harder for actors on stage than it is in films because they can always do a second take.” Josh interjected, “There is no second take on stage. You have to get the lines right and the timing as well. If you forget a line or flub it, you have to improvise and depend on your fellow actors to support you.” Eric nodded affirmatively.
Megan and Michael Johnson of Chesapeake were celebrating their 12th anniversary. I asked them about the Great Bridge that keeps getting jammed. “Yes, we live right there,” Megan said. “They drive a water truck over the bridge all day long to cool it down.” Maybe that’s the problem with the Coleman Bridge getting stuck open.
Michael has 24 years in the US Navy and drew some distinctions between the Arleigh Burke cruisers and typical destroyers. We eventually got onto submarines, and it was a surprise to learn that Eric served several years on one. “I used to tap-dance on the deck to show the sailors how, but an officer shut me down by saying ‘This is supposed to be the Silent Service.'”
I wondered about screening sailors for subs to make sure they all get along. “We were working 18-hour days with three months under water. Whatever differences we had were resolved within the first two weeks. After that, we all had a common enemy.” Michael interjected quietly, “The XO,” for executive officer. “Right,” Eric responded.
What about when someone cracks up on a sub? Eric explained, “They taunt you early in the cruise to see if you crack under pressure. Most guys slough it off and don’t take it personal. If someone overreacts and starts lashing out physically, we’ll lash him to a bunk with twisties and surface quickly for a helicopter to air-evac him off the boat.”
Michael said, “On the other hand, an aircraft carrier will have a therapy dog on board to calm certain sailors. Ours on the Eisenhower was a yellow lab named Demo.”
The things you learn at sea.
Minnesota Sailors
Toni and John Wilcox of St. Paul MN took their grandchildren sailing on the York while visiting Williamsburg. My Minnesotans tend to sail in March when it’s comparatively warm for them. “Actually, we had temperatures at 100 degrees last week,” Toni said.
The lakes freeze early and thick up north. “They’ll tell you what the relative thickness is, but they give no advisories on whether to drive or not,” John said. “I mean, we’ve got 10,000 lakes, so how could you?”
Toni said, “Every now and then someone tests the ice too early or too late, and they lose their vehicle. Hopefully without anyone in it.” John added, “Once it snows, they plow roads on the ice, so people know where to go. Before the ice begins to melt, people have to remove their ice houses where they fish. The permit requires that.”
We sailed in a warm haze that felt better than ever on a hot, humid day.
Family Sail
Our two daughters and new son-in-law brought their three kids in from Florida and Colorado for an annual family reunion that included the summer sail. We’ve been doing this now for 30+ years, and it never gets old.
More Crab Pots
After I complained to the Virginia Marine Police about roque crab pots dropped too far offshore, they haven’t appeared for several weeks.
Now they showed up again in nearly 30 feet of water, where they sit as a menace to boaters if their props run afoul of the lines. But when I complained this time, the police said there was nothing they could do unless they were in the channel. Bummer.
First Swim
The Larsen family of five converged in Gloucester from San Francisco, Boston and Norfolk to enjoy a warm afternoon on the water. Meredeth and Carl Larsen enjoyed a spontaneous swim off the aft. We continued to sail at 0 mph, but the current made it look like we were doing 5 mph. They enjoyed the warm water immensely.
Let’s Go on a Siren Sail
Check the “Book A Cruise” tab and pick a day for a sailboat charter. Scroll down reviews on Trip Advisor. Go back to the home page of Williamsburg Charter Sails.
siren sail siren sail siren sail siren sail siren sail
The best Williamsburg boat tour offers safe sailing daily for up to 6 people. It’s an extraordinary experience for couples. Leave your worries behind. Enjoy the thrill of moving with the wind without a care in the world. Put life back on an even keel with a romantic experience for a birthday or anniversary. 3-hour sailboat cruise as a semi-private yachting charter lets you exhale and relax as you enjoy comfort, stability and speed.
York River Sailboat Tour / An unforgettable Boat Tour / Ideal for Couples
Join us for a sailboat tour on the York River. Register online today. Choose from 6 unique sailing charters: Adventure, Lessons, History and more.
Charter Sailing for Everyone / Couples Sailing for Romance / Go Sailing Near Me / Let’s Go Sail Fast / Amazing Family Sail / York River Sailing Charters / See Openings at Website under Book A Cruise / Boat Tours Near Williamsburg / Couples Sail on Anniversary / Amenities: 3-Hour Sail, Dog Friendly (no cats!), Perfect for Couples, Low Rates for 13 Years.
