“Mattituck stinks, usually,” the Wolf said, as Scott, Bill, Peconic Jeff and I took a break on this fine and windy day. “But if it’s South-South East, with an outgoing tide and a full moon and at over 20 knots, then it can be good.” My one previous Mattituck session was during such an earth/tide/wind convergence, so Mattituck stinking was news to me.
Today we eeked out a good few hours. Sails were 5.0-5.5, and I actually managed to sail my 77 liter Fanatic “Candy 77” (last sailed in drysuit conditions in May). My bone dry board took one look at me as I was choosing between bathing suit and shorty and said “are you sure it’s windy enough for me? Doesn’t feel like there’s a nor’easter anywhere near!” “Don’t worry about it…the warm water won’t crack you,” I replied. “And without winter booties your footstraps won’t be so tight.”
I launched and didn’t get more than a jibe or two in before Scott headed off towards Robins Island. He, Jeff and I crossed (Bill hadn’t arrived yet, and the Wolf was otherwise engaged.) Landing on a rock-strewn beach, we guessed at the distance we’d crossed while Jeff tried to coax the answer out of his GPS unit (a map later determined it was four miles on the nose.) The reach back was plenty exciting as the wind and ramps came up.
We got back in time to take a few runs in blinding rain (always fun) before the rain and wind finally petered out. Fingers are crossed for a Sunday session…
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