Who? What? When? Where? We know why!
The 2013 Daysailer Meet-up was a great success, many thanks to Rhodysail! Everyone who attended expressed interest in doing it again in 2014; Therefore, I propose the 2014 Daysailer meet-up.
Who? Anyone with a Daysailer, or similar sailboat who wants to have a good time. Tell your non-daysailer.org friends with boats.
What? A day sail with a beach picnic and a contingency plan if the weather does not cooperate. Last year we were only able to complete a ~12 mile round trip because of calm conditions the original plan was closer to 22 mi.
When? Tentatively, June 14, 2014 with June 21, 2014 being the rain date. Captains meeting at 9 a.m. just before shove-off.
Where? Here is a map showing the proposed routes (click on or download map for larger view). Here is a clean version of the map on NOAA chart viewer, chart 13232 New Bedford Harbor and Approaches. This is tentative and I am open to suggestion and other ideas. Historic New Bedford Harbor. We would start in the inner harbor (Ramp on Google maps) and sail past Palmers Island Light and through the hurricane barrier (AKA dike). Sometimes, the current can be swift and the wind is interrupted as you pass through, so an outboard or oars are recommended. After passing through the dike there will be a nice view of the Civil war era cannons atop Fort Phoenix to port. from there we will sail past butlers flat light in the outer harbor. From there it is a stones throw to Fort Tabor, an active fort from mid civil war to the end of the Vietnam war. Stay clear of green 13 known as old Bartlemy. Then it's across the harbor staying wide of angelica rock which has a broke down wind turbine build by an eccentric Fairhaven resident who wanted to build a house on the tiny island. There is also a 48' world war II observation tower on the island painted white with black horizontal stripes. After rounding the island we will beach in the cove on the back-side for a picnic with food and beverages provided, but feel free to bring anything you'd like. Depending on how things go and how the weather is there are two choices from here.
1.) Begin a return voyage returning the way we came (Green path).
2.) Sail around Nasketucket Bay for a while, maybe rounding some of the waypoints (Ram island, Nye Ledge, or straight to the ramp) marked with stars(blue, brown, pink options) or possibly heading to Ned's Point lighthouse (not shown on map. Just East of Mattapoisett harbor). From there we can return to the ramp north/north west of West Island (Ramp on Google maps) and I will have a relative shuttle everyone back to their trailers (about a 10-15 minute round trip).
Details: There is a $7 per day parking fee at Massachusetts boat ramps.
Who is interested in attending this year? Do these dates work for you weather permitting? Any thoughts or ideas?
Edit: 3/21 fixed map link. Added details.