First Sails of the Season

first sail of 2013!

Evelyn's first sails of the 2013 season occurred soon after she was back in the water, following her five-week haul out for spring maintenance, and by sunset of her launch day we had rigged and ready to go.

We then had a couple of busy days aboard the Helen Brooks, including the annual Southwest Harbor Rendezvous Friendship Sloop Regatta which this year fell on Lou's birthday.  Race day was sunny and calm, and we had a poor start and trouble with our topsails, so in the end we came in sixth.  But it was an enjoyable race because we had a lot of fun clawing our way through the pack, and pulled in front of the Alice E. close to the finish, which was the highlight of Lou's day.

The next day we had only one sail aboard Helen, so we enjoyed Evelyn's first sail that evening.  We had a perfect breeze and sunny weather, and Evelyn moved smoothly along.  The following day we sailed again, this time with guests.  Our charters that day ended at six, and the night before Lou received a message from some college friends telling him that they'd finally gotten married and were in the area for their honeymoon.  We were excited to be able to gift them a special and unique experience as a gift, and so met them at the dock as soon as Helen's charters were over.

pulling ahead of the Alice E. during the annual
Southwest Harbor Rendezvous 

We raised sails at the mouth of the Harbor and sailed past Bear Island towards the Cranberries, with a great breeze moving us along.  As Lou pointed Evelyn towards the Western Way, I began to cook dinner, which required a bit of captain and cook coordination and well-timed tacks due to the angle at which Evelyn was heeled.  But it was all good fun!  Just as we were ready for drinks and dinner, the wind began to calm and the sun began to dip, and it was a fantastic sunset.  We came into the Harbor just at dusk, and spent the rest of the evening chatting on deck as the skies darkened and the stars came out.  Later that night Lou treated his rowing buddies with a row back to the docks that was sparkling with bio-luminescence.

A few days later we were back on the water again, this time with a gaggle of guests and another dinner party!  The Gallagher & Frasier clans arrived for family vacation on Mount Desert Island, and we were excited to find the time to get everyone on board!  We enjoyed a perfect sail all through the afternoon and evening, a brilliant sunset, and a great breeze!  Everyone was comfortable and relaxed (some a little cold), and we had plenty of food and drinks to keep the gang content.  For most of the group it was their first time aboard Evelyn, and for many of them the first time sailing with us, and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to share our home with our family and friends.

sunset aboard Evelyn

Later that week the younger portions of the gang joined us for a sleepover aboard Evelyn, after fishing most the evening off the docks.  The weather was a bit cold, but it was a great night and a lazy morning.  After rowing ashore to wash up and enjoy goodies from the Farmer's Market, we might up with the rest of the group for a day's work of hiking, followed by some well-deserved relaxation and a delicious meal.

When the group left some rain came in, but it wasn't long before the sun was shining again.  We did some more sailing aboard Helen, but found ourselves with some free time, and once again had Evelyn out on the water.  After a long winter under cover followed by weeks of hard work getting her prepped for the season, it felt wonderful to be out sailing again, and again, and again.