Lively afternoon sail with a crew of six on a south wind. Skipped along the Ocean View bayfront west of Little Creek inlet just south of Crump's Bank. Christened the addition of the boat's name on the port quarter and the new battery with a well-timed spray of tropical brew. Many different helmsmen enjoyed the consistent breeze and calm seas. The Gold Captain's bootfrau set the speed record for the day at 7.5 knots. A few complaints registered about a minor obstruction on the foredeck. Good warm up for voyages to come.

Courtesy of the outer fringes of T.S. Cristobal caught some late afternoon wind out of LCreek up to Thimble Shoals Channel and back with a crew of two. Gabriel was a bit persnickety at first but kicked in after some coaxing. Underway around 4 something. East wind took us up and back at 5 to 6 knot clip in a light swell. Single deck crew performed marvelously upon return. Motoring south in LCreek channel found some sand on west side even though inside the channel marker, best to stay closer to mid-channel course. Celebrated exhausting button up with dinner out for the crew.

Free at last! After a month and a half of repairs, the R&B finally put to sea from Virginia Boat and Yacht at 0904. Motored up the Elizabeth R. and tried some slow and muggy sailing on Willoughby Bank just east of Fort Wool. The brutal temp and humidity were only made bearable by Ant's very tasty oriental rib, chips, and Werther's picnic lunch washed down by ice cold brews. Surpised to see an Invincible class tied up at NOB Pier 12 with nary a real carrier. After relighting Gabriel and about giving up on the god of Wind, a minor miracle: A beautiful little bit of air from the North began to flow allowing motor shut down and an enjoyable hour long tack heading 110° for our new berth at Cove Marina. Unable to budge the helmsman while the wind was up (to give others a chance at steering) resulting in a permanent tiller indentation of his fingergrip. After some much-needed tack practice, entered Little Creek in a rain squall, and smoothly slipped into No. 189 on Pier 7 at around 1500.