Let the 2026 Season Begin

Launch day was Thursday May 21,2026. This was right before Memorial Day weekend. Long time followers will likely being asking "Why so late?" Well, as noted in a post last summer, the answer is that Faye is began teaching school again this past year.  She is thrilled about it. She is teaching 3 and 4 graders at the school run as part of our church in Litchfield. I have not seen her this excited since ........ humm ........ I'll have to think about that one for awhile.

So, as we will have the summer to ourselves, there was not the pressing need to get the boat to Maine to be able to have only a few weekends before school ended. So this also allowed me the luxury of working on it at a leisurely pace to get the boat ready - which was fine as the spring weather was very unaccommodating. Also, we hoped that the later time would make the late spring time align with warmer weather.

The trip is about 87 statue miles as noted from the map below. It is about 78 nautical miles. Which at about an average speed of 9 knots takes use about 8 hours dock to dock.

 

Departing at 5:30 am from Great Bay Marina in Newington, NH

The tide was high and we needed to get a lift of Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth seen below.  This delayed us about 20 minutes.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard - located in Kittery, Maine - which, as noted before, is a constant battle of New Hampshire which claims rights to it.

Newcastle at the mouth of the river

We turned east and it is very calm. And it is supposed to stay that way. Which it kind of does. The wind was forecast for 5-10 from the NE - right is my face. But shortly after this shot the wind increased to about 10-15. That made the very cold sea air (water temp is low 50s) seem like 20 knots in my face. And the seas started to build up to white caps. It was cold - but the wind did slack back to the strength that was predicted and the ride was cold but relatively calm.  Remember the hoped for warm ride. Wishful thinking. But best of all it was uneventful.

Portland Entrance buoy - 2/3 there.

Small Point at the east end of Casco Bay. Sequin Island is in the distance to the starboard (right)

Marina in sight

Ah, the way things should be. Time to turn on the electric heaters!!

The wind, as predicted, turned to the south in late afternoon. It made for a nice memorial day shot.

A walk around the marina.

And the Chief has made it though another winter

We stayed on the boat on Saturday - but it was cold and rainy. I did normal chores. We left early on Sunday to come home.

Here's to another boating season - our 28th season with Perelandra - and as Gordon Lightfoot sung " She's a good ole boat" - just like her owners - good I mean. 

So Good Night, from the good ole crew, and may God Bless