Introduction

A day sail with sister Kaye, boat owner Corbin and myself in early July, 2000. The boat is a Catalina 30 foot sloop that is kept in Fairhaven, MA, next door to New Bedford. It is a very good location in which to keep a boat, as it has easy access to Buzzard's Bay allowing day trips to the Elizabeth Islands and Martha's Vineyard to the south, or northward up the Bay. Longer trips allow visits to Nantucket, the southern Cape shores, or northward through the Cape Cod canal to the north shores of the Cape. Very nice cruising grounds for any sailboat.

This day was mostly clear and a bit breezy; winds probably over 15 knots. We departed Fairhaven and headed south to the Elizabeth Islands, passing through the gap between Pasque and Nashon Islands called Robinson's Hole. Passing through this gap southward puts you into Vineyard Sound heading east with most of the Elizabeth Islands to the starboard, and Martha's Vineyard on the bow.

Since this was to be a leisurely cruise, we simply sailed a bit eastward, and put into a nice anchorage at Tarpaulin Cove, on the south side of Nashon Island, where we dropped anchor, and enjoyed a late lunch and a spate of napping during the day.

Departure was against the SW winds so we had to beat back westward in the Sound to Robinson's Hole. Several tacks and little headway later, we were fortunate to see a sail to the west heading directly for us. A large set of sails! We did not know it at the time, but it was the Russian bark Kreuzenstern, one of the largest of the "tall ships" heading towards Boston for the Tall Ships Parade of Sail to take place the following week. We had seen a couple other, smaller, tall ships heading up the Bay to pass through the Cape Cod Canal, earlier in the day.

This sailing ship passed very close to us on our way up the sound. What a treat to observe this vessel under sail with a brisk wind to run with! It was extremely beautiful sight to see and really made our day of sailing.

Passing throught "the Hole" with an adverse current would not have been possible withou the help of the engine. Photos show what almost appears to be rapids in a river flowing against our passage. The channel buoy looks to be a part of a submerged submarine racing through the water, but alas, it is only a very strong current pushing the buoy down into the water.

Once through Robinson's Hole, it was brisk sailing across Buzzards Bay back to Fairhaven, with a strong, 15-18 knot wind to work with. We made it back to the dock just as the skies started closing over and rain beginning to fall.

A great day of sailing in southern New England waters!

Starting Out


Some fried muffins fortify us for the morning start of our voyage.

Our sturdy 30 foot Catalina sloop at its slip in Fairhaven, MA, awaits the start of our day of adventure. Corbin and Kaye have everything set and ready to go. Destination: The Elizabeth Islands across Buzzard's Bay and just north and west of Martha's Vineyard.

Under Sail

The cruise across Buzzard's Bay is uneventful. Kaye alternates between napping, taking the helm, and keeping watch. The on watch photo is actually while passing through Robinson's Hole. You can see the red channel marker buoy on the starboard side.


As we approach Cuttyhunk Island, a tallship passes in the distance cutting between islands on its way up Buzzard's Bay to the Cape Cod canal and Boston for the Sail Boston 2000 event.

The Kruzenstern Under Sail

The Russian bark "Kruzenstern" was a bonus for us during this day of sailing. Such a large vessel, making way through clever use of the wind alone. Quiet and controlled and graceful.
At first we couldn't quite figure out what it was. Some sort of dark grey smudge on the grayish horizon and sky. Perhaps just a strange cloud way off.

However, it didn't fade away. In fact it became larger. To our delight, it was another tall ship moving in to Vineyard Sound from the west. We changed our course in order to intercept this massive area of sails floating above the horizon.

It was the Russian bark, Kreuzenstern on its way around Cape Cod to Boston for the Sail Boston 2000 festivities getting underway for the next weekend.

It slowly plodded by, running directly before the wind. What a gorgeous sight! We would see this vessel again in Boston the following week up close, however it would not compare, in my mind, to the beauty of this vessel in its natural element, being driven by the wind!

Robinson's Hole Against the Current

The approach to Robinson's Hole, the gap between two of the Elizabeth Islands, was made against the height of the tide. A good stiff wind required shortened sail, but the motor was enlisted for help. The other side of the "Hole" is the waters of Buzzard's Bay.
A channel bouy appears to race along through the water, seemingly attached to a submarine. This is a good illustration of the force of a contrary tide that can reach 5 knots speed.

The water is very "confused" because of the tide and sand bars across the passage. It's a bumpy ride but not a dangerous one.

A clear line can be seen in the waters ahead where calm resumes. This lumpy water is caused by a sandbar that must be carefully passed. A red channel bouy marks the passage ahead.

Beyond the channel, the waters of Buzzard's Bay and another couple hours sailing to reach home in Fairhaven.

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