She's Home!

The last two weeks have been hectic!

Awaiting High Tide

After initial rigging by Hall Spars and UK Sails, COUP D'ETAT was expertly moved onto the rail at Kittery Point Yacht Yard at 1400 hours on Tuesday June 8th to await the evening tide. This is one of the oldest and last remaining rail systems left in Maine and it was breathtaking to watch and be aboard during this process. 

Launch time 22:30 hours, June 8, 2011

After leaving the yard around 1700 hours, the crew returned promptly at 2245 for high tide and to lower COUP D'ETAT down into the water for the first time in over two years! It was both exhilarating and an anxious few minutes to be aboard as she floated. After a couple of minor leaks were sealed in the rudder post and dripless shaft seal, she seemed as happy as I was to finally be on the water again.

Bob Eger and Jonathon van Campen of Warren Pond Boatworks scurried to finish up odd projects and to start the engine for KPPY to commission. She purred to life to everyone's relief and was fully commissioned by Thursday for a Friday departure with the morning tide.

Bob Eger Completing Companionway Boards

The delivery home with friend Ken DiPrete was expected to be a straight run to the Cape Cod Canal, through Buzzards Bay with an overnight in Cuttyhunk before running straight down the length of Long Island Sound to AYC.

Departure Eve - New Dodger Installed

Reality turned out to be something different.  The ride to the CC Canal was uneventful enough but a slog the entire way with tall, short seas pounding us on the nose. We arrived at the Canal to an adverse current but decided to power through rather then wait six hours. We managed a respectable 3-4 knts SOG regardless and exited the Canal just in time for the weather to turn horrendous. To me, there's very little less enjoyable than finding my way through Buzzards Bay at night in a storm. There are more NavAids there than at the JFK runway and taxi system. Blinding heavy rain sqalls, lightening, 30-knt winds, short 6-8 ft. seas and complete darkness kept us guard-dog alert. It just isn't fun to risk bumping something on a night like this in unfamiliar water. Anchoring in conditions like this wasn't much of an option either so we marshalled on.

The Slog Home - 20-30 Knots  on the Nose

Safely out of Buzzards Bay, finding our way into Cuttyhunk in these same conditions and at low tide seemed less appealing than continuing on until daybreak. So that's what we did.  On Saturday, the heavy rain was replaced by fog as we entered The Race with a favorable current.  Unfortunately, somewhere off New London, the engine quit. Despite filling both fuel 55-gallon tanks, a fuel supply valve on the port tank had been closed and overlooked during commissioning. Suddenly, just when it looked like we'd arrive on schedule under motor, we were grateful that sails had been partially bent on before we left, albeit without reef lines, lazy jacks or a cover.

Fuel Supply Problem Leads to Smooth Sail

New UK Main Sail

The new UK-supplied main was sublime.  Much taller then her predecessor, she handled the now 5-15 knot winds of LIS exactly as hoped. COUP D'ETAT literally steered herself for hours at a time.  Unfortunately, a High Pressure system rolled in on Saturday and we were becalmed much of the time, but still managed 3-4 knots of boat speed in 5-7 knots of wind. This was a major improvement over her old sail plan.  We finally arrived at AYC at 1400 hours on Sunday, to be greeted by my three sons on Fathers Day. I couldn't have asked for a better reception!

 

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