Fine autumn afternoon with a ENE wind around 10-15. Underway at 3:30 pm with a mixed crew from Buckroe and Alverstoke. Sailed to Willoughby Bank under main and weather jib. After tack practice was completed turned north for the Horseshoe crossing Thimble Shoals channel in the direction of Salt Ponds. Witnessed the passage of the USS Normandy returning from deloyment. Reliable performance by principal steersman earned the title "A-Tiller the Hun". Foredeck monkey was also at the top of his game despite pending hip replacement. Finally, confirmed difference between "figurehead" and "maidenhead" with cockpit crew. As wind abated, returned to homeport on north edge of TS channel via broad reach and ever reliable "Gabriel" for a 5:30 pm arrival.

Underway at 10 am on a fine, hot, sunny day with wind from the east. Sailed out to Willoughby Bank and then a broad reach back into Thimble Shoals channel. Dodged a container ship, tug and barge and a car carrier. Arrived OPCM to embark new crew down from Buckroe Beach and points south. Sailed off to Willoughby Spit for lunch and back on single tack each way. Ran aground briefly just west of tunnel causeway, but quick action by the Gold Captain brought us under power and off the sand, hereby dubbed "Tina's Bump". Smooth, consistent wind all afternoon with droopy bottomed crew in cockpit and glamorous foredeck crew on watch for crab pots. First successful whisker pole experience--no casualties. Arrived homeport around 5:00 pm. A fine day all the way.

Mid-morning departure on a sunny day with light wind from the south. Sailed to Willoughby Bank where the wind died. Turtle sighting on the way. Successfully installed new radio while foredeck crew kept a sharp lookout. Motored north and found wind near Thimble Shoals light. Drifted around the Horseshoe on a nice afternoon and finally head back at about 2:00 pm racing a mid-size cargo ship and the Truman to (our respective) home base for fine contingency arrival. Installed new motor hurricane cover.

Transit from Little Creek back to OPC Marina. Underway around 1:10 pm on a clear, sunny day with a 15 kt easterly wind. Intercepted again by the Navy harbor patrol and instructed to stay to the east side of the inlet, 30 yards from the sea wall. At the R2"LC" turned to 300° on a broad reach with a following sea. Averaged just under 5 knots on a single tack till Thimble Shoals Channel. Beautiful sea turtle just SE of Chamberlin. Back at OPC Marina at 3: 30 pm.

A fine, windy day. Underway around 0730 from OPC. Raised sail for Little Creek just in front of the Chamberlin Hotel. Single tack averaging 5 kts all the way to the LC channel buoy with 15-20 kts wind from the North and quartering seas. Arrived buoy at 0930. Exciting set up for motoring into Inlet followed with foredeck crew exhibiting best ever rock-climbing pose during jib haul down. Afternoon sail with full crew complement (6) explored the mouth of the LC channel down to the O-Beach and back. New motor christened "Gabriel" in recognition of superb performance. Intercepted by harbor security patrol upon entrance into LC with firm instructions on passage back to marina.

Hot, hazy, humid with very light south wind. Underway at 3:30 pm heading southeast against the odds and the rising tide. Drifted around Willoughby Bank for an hour, roasting alive in the sweltering air, criss-crossing the tideline, never over 2 knots. Fine view of the Maersk Denver cruising outbound in TS Channel. Crew rapidly consumed onboard iced water supply. Finally returned around 5:30 for a flawless arrival.

A brief, late afternoon sail into Hampton Roads and motor back. Fair, hazy, warm weather at high tide with a light breeze from the SE. Raised main from cockpit. Upon return reversed into slip and retied docklines.

Underway just after 4 p.m. with full crew (5 + 2 half pints). Very hazy, strong southerly breeze and falling tide. Broad reach direction TS Light under steady wind. After some eye-popping tacks (especially for the prostrate foredeck crowd), dropped jib and sailed return leg under power with reefed main. New outboard performed brilliantly. Arrived back at new slip 6:30 p.m.

Very light wind, clear skies. Golem took an hour to start. Underway at 10:45. Motored out to TS channel south of Hampton Bay, sailed in place for over an hour then motored home.

Underway on a clear day at around 1000. Motored into Hampton Roads channel and raised sail for Salt Ponds via Thimble Shoals channel. A light following wind from the SE of 5 to 10 knots brought us to the Salt Ponds entrance at about 1200. Began the return leg with mulitple tacks and a fine wind for about an hour. Wind dropped near TS light, so motored back to Old Point Comfort. Dolphins abundant. Arrived at slip K-1 about 3:15 pm.

Underway at 0930. Very light winds, clear skies, and strong westerly current. Abreast the Fort Monroe fishing pier while standing astern at 2+ knots, "Golem" (the outboad motor) was formally christened when failing to start. After repeated attempts finally underway under power through mid-channel, then sailed on to Willoughby Bay Marina for lunch. Return voyage from 1318 to 1430 averaging above 4 knots in last 1/2 hour. Smooth return.

Underway at 1145. Light winds and clear skies. Smooth departure under power into Hampton Roads channel. Raised sail for Willoughby Bay with an average 4 kts. A fine underway lunch of ham and cheese hoagies. A survival cup of wine was passed. Single tack to east end of W. Bay and then return for flawless arrival at slip. Encountered "gauntlet" of fishing boats at entrance to Fort Monroe bay.

Maiden voyage for new crew. Underway mid-morning on the 150 jib (main under repair). Light winds and clear skies. After motoring into Hampton Roads channel, motor died while in gear. Unable to shift to neutral. Sailed back to Ft Monroe Marina with multiple tacks and a few jibes. Tied up next to gas dock. Marina unable to tow, so called Boat Tow US for tow back to slip. Ignominy rampant.