New Horizon cruises to Manhasset Bay, NY

This morning as we were heading out on our journey Bridget was right there waving goodbye. She lives right at the other side of the yacht club and has a most fabulous view. Today was the perfect day to cruise Long Island Sound with the wind, tide and current in our favor. As Nana was resting on the bow of the boat she took a picture of the horizon while a catamaran sailed past enjoying the perfect breeze. ( Apologies for the picture quality.) Capturing the moment is not always easy on a boat!

Cruising into Manhasset Bay , which is surrounded by mansion after mansion, is quite the treat. The waterfront towns of Sands Point, Manorhaven, Port Washington, Plandome, Great Neck and Kings Point wrap around the bay. After securing NH in her dock space Nana and Nandad decided to walk into Port Washington not realizing it would be a three mile walk in 90 degree weather , with little shade in site. However , our reward was a wonderful lunch at Louie’s Grille  and Liquors right on the waterfront. As it turned out this was our celebrity luncheon after receiving funds from the sale of Irelands Eye. Nana and Nandad are once again a one boat owner and boy does that feel good. We hope that the new owners enjoy her as much as we did.  

The water taxi picked us up right at the restaurant dock and brought us on a harbor cruise. The best part was we were dropped off right at the dock at Safe Harbor - what service. A beautiful evening watching the boats come in and out of the harbor. The sunsets right over one of the homes on Sands Point. Tomorrow NH will cruise into New York City and possibly anchor beside Lady Liberty - this time flying the Looper flag. 

NH heads to Milford Yacht Club

Nana and Nandad woke up to a beautiful calm morning leaving Fisher Island for Milford CT . Along the way Nana is reminded why we tell our children and grandchildren to watch and dispose of balloons carefully. Nana switched course this morning to avoid what she thought was a lobster pot but instead turned out to be one of those helium balloons!!This happened again approaching Niantic Bay but that time there was a bunch of three balloons. Let’s hope the whale that was reported to be in the area decided not to swallow them up! Nana was waiting with her camera but Unfortunately NH did not get an encounter with the whale.

The cruise to Milford was just picture perfect with a steady speed of 10 knots and almost 2 knots of current NH and Nana were very content and Nandad was happy about fuel consumption. 

Nana and Nandad had a wonderful afternoon and evening with Bridget and family. A short launch drive across the harbor took us right to Bridget’s house. Like most people it has been too long since we gathered together as a family. Sharing food, memories, and chit chat was much over due. This is the view that Bridget sees right from her back porch. As the sun goes down over the harbor Nana and Nandad are feeling very grateful for the opportunity to enjoy all that cruising brings. 

Tomorrow NH heads for Safe Harbor Capri at Port Washington. 

(Temporary Backup) Newport RI to Fisher Island NY

Cruising is all about having a cocktail after 5 pm in preparation for dinner and sunset. The wind picked up in Newport Harbor in the late afternoon and just as Nana and Nandad were settling with appetizers and drinks Nana was wrapping the blanket around herself to keep warm when suddenly a gust of wind swept across the stern of the boat and there went the large glass of Rose Wine!! Another reminder of the pleasures of boating. 

Sunday morning is such a perfect morning for our cruise to Fisher Island. An early start to the day is necessary in order to catch favorable tides and current. Newport harbor looks its best as NH leaves with The Oliver Hazard Perry at its dock in Fort Adams.

The perfect morning to view Hammersmith Farm and Castle Hill Inn in all their glory from the ocean.

NH leaves the harbor at 7.15am heading to Galilee for fuel. With fuel prices so high every saving counts. At $5.50 a gallon NH is cruising at the comfortable speed of 10knts. The swells are three feet high so the ride is a little uncomfortable but the view of Block Island to our port and the Coastline along Block Island Sound passing Point Judith, Weekapaug Point and Watch Hill makes up for the bumpy ride. Also Nana stays at the helm so that always helps- with a cup of tea!

At 12.45 pm the anchor is set and NH is ready for a relaxing afternoon. Brunch of scrambled eggs, bacon and fresh bread was such a treat. The afternoon was spent trying to get the engine for the dingy to start, hoisting the dodger, cleaning the salt from the rails and of course taking the time to enjoy the sailboats sail past and the power boats causing their wakes as they head into the dock. Nana was careful not to loose her cocktail to the wind or wakes. A beautiful sunset and quite evening on lovely Fishers Sound.

There are lots of sailboats anchored at Fisher. New Horizons flag will be lowered in just a few more minutes. Sunset is 8.10pm. Tomorrow Nana and Nandad are heading to Milford Yacht Club where we hope to meet Bridget who we have not seen since last May 2021.

New Horizon begins her 2022 adventures

April 23rd NH left Newport Yacht Club for repairs at NEB in Portsmouth. After five weeks and lots of attention - and frustration - she is on the lift and ready to be splashed. She is beautifully waxed and polished with rub rail repaired from damage during a storm at Newport. A new Davit System for easier dinghy assess, swim platform adjusted, two hundred feet of anchor rode added to the already one hundred feet of chain, and four new house batteries. We are indeed ready for our cruising agenda.

 Nana and Nandad  attended the AGLCA spring rendezvous in Norfolk VA which was so much fun and really prepared us for the next phase of our cruising. We have lots of manuals, guidebooks etc and with our new heavy duty fenders ( and big rubber gloves ) feeling prepared for the locks along the way.  NH will leave Newport tomorrow morning for Fischer Island. Nana and Nandad plan to cruise 40 to 50 miles a day taking our time to get to the Hudson River. So excited for our journey which we hope will take us into the Erie Canal, Lake Ontario, Rideau River, Ottawa River, Montreal, St Lawerence River and Quebec City. Lots to explore.