Stormy Weather

Once again, we found ourselves racing to Newport, aiming to arrive before the forecasted chance of afternoon thunderstorms. With 14 knots of wind and an opposing tide, we rolled out the genoa shortly after 11 a.m. and motor sailed in an effort to stay ahead of the impending weather.

The northerly fizzled and we rolled up the jib as we approached the Newport bridge. Once under the bridge we spotted the Laser fleet, this time reaching back to Brenton Cove from Jamestown. We tied up to the now familiar pontoon in Brenton Cove, prepared the dinghy for afternoon pick-up and relaxed on the boat until the air dampened discernibly, the clouds became thick and dark, and fleet after fleet of young sailors -- in Lasers, Optis, Quests, 420s -- made their way to shore just as the rain descended, just before lightning and thunder erupted. Puffling rocked and rolled on the pontoon, her lines and fenders squeaking while the wind whooshed through the rigging, raindrops pelted the deck. Rainwater streamed into the cabin, until we slid the companionway boards into place (one at a time), which still allowed water (aided by the strong wind) to enter the cabin. Dan turned on the instruments and clocked windspeeds of 42, then 48-knots. The radar screen was plastered in green - rain. We lost a seat cushion and somehow the starboard window on our dodger tore.

After the storm passed, the skies cleared, the sun shone brightly and the glassy waters reflected the now peaceful conditions as if to say, storm? What storm?. A gentleman rowing to his boat noted that Newport was dealing with a power outage, knocked down tree branches, street detours, and that he had driven through 2-feet of water downtown.

Luckily, the severe conditions didn't damage the pig stick (for more on that, see prior post)!

oxo Pufflings