P
Paul Akers
The first year I had my Hunter, I was making my first visit to the South Fork of Long Island (NY). I had my waypoints set and was sailing West from Block Island about 5-6 miles from Montauk Point on the tip of the fork. As I looked South towards the open ocean (next stop Bermuda), I swore I could see land. I could only think that this was the South Fork and I was heading in the wrong direction. I rechecked my bearings and waypoints but still had a sinking feeling that I was disoriented. I hailed a passing boat on VHF and raised a French-speaking sailor (Oh my God!) who was just arriving from across the pond. He confirmed my position and I proceeded on to Montauk. Later that evening I spoke to other sailors that came from the same direction and they mentioned that they experienced the same thing. It really looked like land. It turned out to be haze and smog out over the water that probably drifted eastward from NYC. This taught me a lesson about navigating. Check and re-check, but you must also trust in your equiptment. Navigating in testy conditions can be intimidating, but like a trusted friend, also trust your instruments.