Last Day Of the Season

[Nelsonhow]

It was a beautiful fall day here on Long Island. Nice wind, lots of sunshine. I took Avalon, my 1983 H-30, for the last sail of the season. 5+ knots between Huntington LI and Stamford CT (across the LI Sound).

I pulled into the Gold Star Mooring Field so Coneys my marina and storage yard could pull the old girl next week. The old girl looked small next to the 40 to 50 footers and million dollar houses that surround the marina. It was sad to remove the sails and boom and get her ready to be lifted out for the winter. I don't know who is aging faster me or Avalon. I'm sure that her back doesn't ache as much as mine does as I write this.

I know there are still days left but I'm out of town next week and the days get to iffy in November. I used to leave her in until almost December but then I had to rush to get with motor winterized before a hard freeze and the winter cover in place...I've decided it's not worth the worry. So it beddy bye time for my old girl until the spring.

But there's lot's to do over the winter. A new head sink and thru hull valve, clean or replace the mixing elbow, continue installing new wainscoting on the cabinets and 2 new cushion covers, (did 4 last year).

So until next spring I'll have to be content with looking at the pics I took this season and dreaming of sailing again next season.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Sympathize completely. Yesterday I was invited for a last sail on friends' C-34. Had to decline I thought. Forecast was for rain this week. Thought I had better attend to the Highlander. So while they were sailing I shanghaied two guys to help get the mast down. Now the forecast is for 62 and sunny on Tuesday.

 

[Jim Legere]

Yes, its a sombre time of year. Today was my last sail of the season. I came into my dock at high tide this morning and unloaded all the cushions, bedding, spare life jackets, etc. Then I went sailing for a few hours. Winds were light but I managed to beat out to the mouth of the bay, about eight miles. Then I rigged the spinnaker and flew that most of the way home (until the wind died all together). Tomorrow I will motor round to the marina where I haul out for the winter. The sails and all the sunbrella will be off by lunch time tomorrow. Haul out is Thursday. :cry:

 

[Forrest15112]

This time of year is basically the best time around here. It is so hot during the summer that daytime sailing is almost unbearable some days. It's pretty cold around Jan-Feb, but still gets up in the 70's on many days. The winds tend to be out of the north during cooler months too which makes for less chop along the north shore of the lake here. I'm looking forward to the cooler weather in this area.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Those are great pictures Jim. A fine last day by the looks. You can stop here and get me on your way to Louisiana. We'll go down and sail with "Forrest".