Tag Archives: Four Brothers Islands

Catalina 310, Sailing

Shakedown Sail 2016

John Davis sailing Errant on May 22, 2016.
John Davis sailing Errant on May 22, 2016.

It was a pleasure and a privilege to be joined by my friend and Essex, New York neighbor, John Davis, for Errant’s 2016 launch and shakedown sail. In addition to legendary wildlife/lands advocate, author, activist, and adventurer, John’s a very capable sailor.

Launch

We arrived at Willsboro Bay Marina around 7:45 AM, and Errant was hanging in the travel lift by about 8:15. I touched up the cradle pad marks with bottom paint, and we splashed her.

Shakedown

All day the conditions were overcast and cool-ish. Morning was windless with satin smooth waters, but conditions  improved as we made it out to the road lake. Gradually freshening as we approached The Four Brothers (islands), winds mostly ranged 6-12 knots.

John Davis raising the main on Errant on May 22, 2016.
John Davis raising the main on Errant on May 22, 2016.

We crisscrossed Lake Champlain between Willsboro and Shelburne until we reached Whallons Bay, then tacked back upwind to Charlotte before heading west to Errant’s berth at the Essex Shipyard.

Both Essex marinas appeared to be empty as we approached, however a single blue powerboat graced the otherwise dramatically illuminated but eerily uninhabited scene.

Buying a Sailboat, Sailing, Ship's Log

Second Sail: Sailing from Willsboro to Essex with Mark

Sailing Errant "home" to Essex from Willsboro after purchase. (Sept. 7, 2014)
Sailing Errant “home” to Essex from Willsboro after purchase. (Sept. 7, 2014)

What a lovely way to take ownership of a new sailboat. Perfect weather. Perfect following wind. And a good friend (and great sailor) to accompany and coach me.

I have to admit that it still hasn’t fully sunk in that this is now my boat. All day it felt like we were borrowing it. I’ve had this experience before, most notably with Rosslyn, the home where my bride and I reside in Essex, New York.

Mark coached me on navigation, paying especially close attention to depth as we sailed through the Four Brothers Islands. We experimented with the equipment (auto pilot, etc.) and with the operation of the vessel. At one point in the afternoon, shortly after dropping the sails to motor into the Essex Shipyard, Mark suggested that I spin the wheel to discover what a tight turning radius the boat could execute if/when necessary. It was a little startling and truly informative. She can practically pivot in space!

Here’s a gallery of photographs from the day.

Willsboro Bay Marina with Errant (formerly DaCapo), a 2002 Catalina 310, in the middle.
Saying goodbye to previous owners at Willsboro Bay Marina. (Sept. 7, 2014)
Mark helming Errant out of Willsboro Bay Marina. (Sept. 7, 2014)
Sailing Errant “home” to Essex from Willsboro after purchase. (Sept. 7, 2014)
Sailing Errant out of Willsboro Bay. (Sept. 7, 2014)
Mark helming Errant out of Willsboro Bay. (Sept. 7, 2014)
In Essex with Mark September 2014
In Essex with Mark September 2014
In Essex with Mark September 2014
In Essex with Mark September 2014
Errant in Essex, September 2014

And here are a couple of fuzzy photos that my bride snapped as motored in to the Essex Shipyard.

Motoring Errant past Rosslyn en route to Essex Shipyard.
Motoring Errant past Rosslyn en route to Essex Shipyard.
Motoring Errant toward Essex Shipyard.
Motoring Errant toward Essex Shipyard.