At the request of Let’s Go Sail, a nearby powerboat rescued three people struggling in the heavy wind on a small sailboat in the York River. Through choppy waters, they got towed into York River Yacht Haven.
Photo Sail
A fellow on the Sail for Cancer H-40 sent me excellent photos of Let’s Go Sail under sail. He lamented that so few of us have these photos of our own boats. I reciprocated by sending him a good pic of his boat and replied:
“Yes indeed, I know what you mean about getting good shots. I spent an entire summer shooting other people under sail. The challenge was tracking down their boats among three marinas to drop off the photo in their cabin. I quit doing it when a guy buttonholed me in the parking lot one day and said, ‘”I’m glad my wife was on the boat that day.'” Oops.
Blowout Sail
Angela Costello of Poquoson is a former administrative director for the Commonwealth who took her second sail, this time with her son Nick. He turned out to be quite proficient, so much that upon reaching 11.2 mph the jib blew out after suffering a small rip earlier. It’s seven years old and needed to be replaced anyway. Within 24 hours, I found a temporary replacement and hired sailmaker Phil Dogget of Hayes Sails to replace it.
Sailing Lesson
Dell Bottone of suburban Richmond took her daughter Natalie out to follow up on lessons she took at summer camp. The winds were pushing 15-18 mph as outer bands of Tropical Storm Chantell buffeted coastal Virginia. Despite that and with the waves building past 2 feet, Natalie handled her navigation with great aplomb. Later, Dell wrote a lovely review on Trip Advisor:
“My daughter and I had the absolute pleasure of spending an unforgettable afternoon sailing on the York River with Bill from Williamsburg Charter Sails. From the moment we stepped aboard, it was clear we were in great hands. Captain Bill was not only a skilled and experienced sailor, but also an exceptional host and instructor.
“He was incredibly welcoming and eager to share his deep knowledge of sailing — explaining everything from the rigging to navigation in a way that was both engaging and accessible. My daughter especially loved being hands-on at the helm. His passion for the water and for teaching was truly infectious.
“The scenery was stunning, the boat was well-maintained and comfortable, and the entire experience was both relaxing and educational. It was the perfect blend of adventure and tranquility, and we left the day feeling more connected — to sailing, to nature, and to each other. It was a great Mother Daughter experience. If you’re looking for a unique and meaningful experience on the York River, I can’t recommend this enough. We’ll definitely be back!”
Sailing Small
A couple from Ford’s Colony outside Williamsburg took their children and grandchildren sailing as part of a summer family reunion. Ron Johnson advised me tongue-in-cheek, “You need to know that you have an RC sailing crew on board today.”
He was referring to the Ford’s Colony Remote Controlled Sailing Club, which has 20 member boats costing upwards of $1,000. “We sail on the pond near the front entrance. You can see the three turning marks triangulated. We have 10 guys show up at any given event, competing against Kingsmill and other communities. There’s a short course and a long course. The Navy retirees are very helpful and very proficient.” He sent me this photo of his boat, which is nearly 5 feet tall.
His son-in-law Andy Smith mentioned a long cruise. “My parents sailed from San Francisco to Key West on their honeymoon, on a 30-foot boat and transited the Panama Canal.”
Ron topped him. “We sailed a Sunfish on our honeymoon in Jamaica. I fell off, but she saved me. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here today.” Everyone laughed.
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.
Sailing Blind
Two fellows living in Williamsburg’s swanky Port Anne took a neighbor sailing who is blind. Steve Wooley just wanted to get back on the water, and so he did.
On a warm morning with a steady southwest breeze, he took the helm and asked for a heading. With no further instructions, he sailed straight and true for miles, then tacked and did likewise in the other directions. There was no drifting, no noise, no deviation. Steve felt the wind on his face and quietly navigated like a pro. “The last time I was on the helm was 1982, before I went blind.”
The only downside was that a pod of dolphins suddenly showed up and ran with the boat for ten minutes, but Steve couldn’t see them.
We chatted about Colonial Williamsburg reopening the Golden Horseshoe golf course under the rebranded “The Shoe.” CW tried to sell the course to a developer to build 160 pricey houses, but the golf and neighborhood communities rose to object. Eventually a private citizen donated $7 million to the foundation to save the course, or at least half of it. None of that was in the press release CW sent to the local paper, which fawned over The Shoe as a noble venture undertaken by the foundation.
Burial at Sea
On a dark and stormy afternoon, Todd and Zaiby Baldwin of Oak Hill VA took their dog Zoey sailing so they could dispose of Zaiby’s mother at sea.
“We’re a burial-type of family but that’s what she wanted,” Zaiby said. We had a hard time opening the urn and finally gave up and launched it into the York at the 3-mile offshore point. It was quite solemn. The storm held off until we returned to port. “Maybe we’ll do this for Daddy when he dies so they can be together.”
We got to talking about fishing, so I recommended nearby York River Oyster Company as a superb fish house. Zaiby said, “I don’t like to eat fish, I just like to fish.”
ATON Alert
Last summer I alerted the US Coast Guard that buoy R-24 was sinking in the York River. They quickly drove out with a new buoy and replaced it within days. Now I noticed during the burial at sea that nearby R-22 is listing, perhaps from a hole in its rusty base. I sent them a photo and await their reply.
Let’s Go 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.
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.
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