I need some advice..........

[David Guthridge]

My wife and I are sailing our Pearson 26 from Solomons, Md on the Patuxent north to Dunn's Cove on Harris Creek off the Choptank next week. Weather looks good with a northwest 10kt breeze. The tide will be out bound so we will be against the wind and tide. I have a 110 Jib and a 160 Jenny. Which sail would you use and would you make a few long tacks or many short tacks or would you just motor up? The boat points up better with the 110 but goes faster with the jenny. I just had the bottom painted so she can make 7 kts with the jenny on a broad reach. Suggestions?David

 

[John Dawson]

Don't be silly

If those are the conditions why would you waste the trip motoring? Use the genny for more power going upwind and upcurrent. I don't frequent that stretch of Bay but it looks to me like staying out of the ebb would be advantageous, which means following the shallower water up the east side. There's a wide band under 4 fathoms on that side, and with a GPS and/or a fathometer, and some short tacking, you can stay in it and out of the stronger flow. Then scoot across the Chop's mouth and into Harris Creek. With soft wind, you can usually get more breeze near the shore anyway. As long as the sailing is good, save the motor for getting up the creek. But if you can get some local wisdom here, go with it. bon voyage.