September 25, 1980 - Overnight Sail -- Part IIPage 12A Irbe &Uffolk Timex
Overnight Sail -- Part H
As we continued our sail to Sag Harbor,
the first part of which we described last
week, we passed Majors Cove off Masho-
mack, known to yachtsmen as a favorite
spot.
As we rounded the bend just east of
Shelter Island's south ferry and headed
south, we could clearly see the big tanks
that marked our destination. Now the wind
became a bit more difficult to work with
and our progress slowed to a series of-
tacks until we were at the mouth of Sag
Harbor, where the sails were furled and
we motored in.
The harbor was filled with moored boats
and many more were inside in the marina.
What overshadowed everything were three
large sleek ocean -going yachts tied up to
the piers, top drawer in every respect.
Sometbing you'd expect Jacqueline Ken -
nedy'Onassis to be romping around on. We
toured the harbor and drooled at the
yachts as they all hung into the wind. We
went ashore at the town dock and took a
short tour of the town before anchoring.
Whenever possible we like to hang off for
the night, and this was no exception. We
dropped anchor and tied together for
dinner. Hot chili, black bread and wine
enjoyed with good friends made the day
complete.
Early the next morning we were up and
out winding our way to the channel that
leads eastward. Cedar rpint light, with its
Jong strip of sandy beach, told us that we
had deep water ahead. This early 1900
lighthouse stood out and reminded us of
times when men manned these lights, but
in today's world all that is needed is a
mechanical device to do the job. It some-
what belittles those dedicated men of
yester year.
A Time For Relaxing
Our trip was but a short one, for we then
headed into Three Mile Harbor. We had
spent many a wonderful night here years
ago and were anxious to try it again. The
wind by now was again blowing strong and
so we headed across the inner bay to the
lee of the trees on the south shore. The day
was warm and it seemed a time for
relaxing. With lunch over we all fell to
reading or snoozing or just plain loafing
around.
In the evening we went ashore and
splurged for dinner but that was our only
landward venture. During the night a new
wind howled in the rigging and we could
feel a different sensation taking over -- the
boat came alive and we knew then we had
a change of wind. By morning a strong
northwest wind was howling across the
bay. We sat for hours over breakfast
watching the sparkling water and the
boats in the bay — swallows had congre-
gated in the air above and were dipping
and darting after insects. One group
congregated in one of the more sheltered
spots and milled about the tall masts of a
schooner. Soon one landed... then another...
and another until the rigging became
dotted with birds. Probably they had flown
all night and were glad to rest, no matter
where.
September 25, 1980
Our sail homeward was a dash of
splendor. The wind swung more to the'
north, which meant broad reaches and
billowing sails all the way home. As we
tied up back at our buoy we thought again
how lucky we are to live out here on the
East End.
Money can not buy what we have about
us. This is the way it was in many places to
the west of us years ago but not so today.
What we have must be tended well. It will)
take a concerted efffort.
-PAULSTOUTENBURGH
SHOREBIRDS- -Short days and cool weather bring these sanderlings
and other birds to our shores on their migration south.
Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh