Quiet Night, Rolly Night

Our first day and night traveling down the bay were relatively quiet. There was not a lot of ship traffic and the waves were small. We crossed the bridge tunnel on George’s watch just before exiting the bay. In that area we often encounter ships as they converge to cross the tunnel. Fortunately, there weren’t many and those that did pass were not terribly close. I woke up at about 4:30 am, probably because the seas in the Atlantic were rollier than those in the bay. 

By 11 am the next day we finally had enough wind to sail again as we passed by the outer banks of North Carolina. We were able to continue sailing for the next 17 hours. A nice treat! George offered to get up to help me gybe—turn the boat through the wind while going downwind,  causing the boom to move from one side to the other—as we turned to go around Cape Hatteras. Although I can gybe the boat by myself it often isn’t pretty, so I took him up on his offer and woke him up at around 10:30. A few hours after George took over at midnight the wind started to drop and it was difficult to keep the sails filled in the increasingly rolly seas. So I returned the favor and got out of bed to help him drop the sails at 4:30 am. 

Now that we have rounded Cape Lookout the seas have calmed down. We had thought we would stay in Beaufort a week but now we aren’t sure. The current forecast suggests that we should leave in a day or two—going as far as Brunswick—or stay longer than a week, waiting for a strong cold front to pass through. I have to admit that heading out again after just one decent night’s sleep is not appealing. 

The cruise ship, Europa, passed us just before we crossed the bridge tunnel. The lights of Norfolk are in the background. 

It is always easier sailing at night when there is bright moonlight. This was taken as we were sailing between Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout.