Sablier - Ocean bound

Yesterday's Skipper meeting gave the weather a-okay for us to depart this morning for leg 2 of the trip. So, last night we tried on our safety equipment and practiced lashing to the jack lines that are now running along both sides of the boat's deck. Jacklines allow you use a tether to connect to boat should one need to be out on deck in unstable seas. This is a pic of Nick, with all his gear on. Can you tell what is wrong with picture? Hint: Nick is standing in the cockpit behind the binnacle.     20160618_181956.jpg We rose early and left Ocean Yatch Marina at 5:30 am. It was pretty to watch sunrise and the cities that flank the Elizabeth River start to wake-up. Initially, winds are light and from our stern. As the day went on and our route changed, we were able to set sail.. read more...

Sablier - Day 3

Unfortunately, the weather is not in our favor. There is a cold front coming and that means storms. So we will lay over at Ocean Yacht Marina tonight,  Right now, we anticipate leaving Portsmouth Wednesday morning around 3 am.  As always, things can change. So we are prepping for the possibility of  rough seas.  What does "prep" mean? Pre-plotting course options, prepping food, cleaning up the boat, napping . . . .Grant the navigator 20160621_124749. read more...

Sablier - Leg 1 completed!

We began our journey to sail around the Delmarva Peninsula months ago. But the final day was upon us. Grant Woodside (skipper), Diane (DePew) Woodside, Susan Whalen, and Nick Steinbrecher had done a shake out cruise 3 weeks earlier. We identified what was needed (Coast Guard approved live jackets)  and optional luxuries (cup holders!). We had done everything we could think of (bounded only by time and money) to prepare the boat and ourselves. Good thing we each prepped out nails to show team spirit! (See pic). The last few items were brought aboard the boat on the eve of departure and we hoped to have a good night sleep.​On Sunday, June 19, Grant, Diane, Susan and Nick left Glebe Bay aboard the s/v Sablier at 8:57 am to start the first leg of the trip. The goal was to leave at 9 am. read more...