The Journey Begins

Final Preparations

Distant Horizon and I have been in the southern Chesapeake Bay area for the last four years. During that time, I rehabilitated my shoulder, injured during my previous attempt to cross the ocean. For the subsequent two and a half years, I have been preparing Distant Horizon for our final attempt to sail to Scotland. I have made repairs, updated systems, and installed new systems on the boat. Now… . It is time for the journey to begin.

In addition to the boat improvements, the sailing plan has also evolved and matured over time as well. Initially, I was going to cross the Atlantic Ocean and then go north to Scotland. It is getting late in the season now. Too late to cross the Atlantic from west to east. Instead of waiting for spring, I decided that I’d go south to go north! 

That is… I would sail Distant Horizon 1500nm to the eastern Caribbean for the winter. The journey begins by going south. Then, in the spring, we would sail north to Bermuda, east to the Azores, and then north to Ireland and Scotland… going north.

This plan keeps me actively sailing. I will have time to get my sea legs… time to grow accustomed to life at sea… time to learn Distant Horizon on a more intimate level; learning all her little nuances. The time sailing south and the time sailing in the Caribbean will be good preparatory times for sailing to the stormy north.

In keeping with this modified plan, we (Distant Horizon and I) departed Cobb’s Marina in Little Creek, Norfolk, Va. It was the 16th of November.

There was no grand send-off party or celebration of any kind. I wanted to depart at 4 am to take full advantage of the outgoing tide.  It was too early for the Marina and boatyard workers to be present. Only Stephen Cooke was there. Stephen and his girlfriend Skye live on their boat, which is on the same dock that Distant Horizon was on. Just the two of us were there, Stephen and I, taking care of last-minute preparations. It was a lonely start, but understandably so. Sailing 1500nm alone on my little boat, I knew there would be many more lonely moments.

Departure

The sky was getting lighter. I felt a little angst. 4 am had come and gone. I was still on the dock. I knew I should be sailing already. For a successful adventure, I had to start with everything properly prepared… no loose ends. It was 6:30 am when I finally slipped the dock lines and departed Cobb’s Marina.

As I motored out, I passed the naval base on my starboard (right) side. Another marina and condominiums on the port (left) side. About a quarter mile further, I reached the junction where the navy patrol boat sits… 30 cal machine gun on the bow. I turned to port to take the Little Creek Channel out to the Chesapeake Bay.

Distant Horizon Departing Little Creek, VA

Small rolling waves were coming in as I departed the Little Creek Channel. This made motoring out less than optimum, but not an issue… just slower than I would have liked. There were still Condos on the port side, but the starboard side is just sand dunes. It’s a navy practice area.

As I continued out the channel, I passed one navy patrol boat, and two work boats going the other way. The work boats bring crew, supplies, and equipment to the construction project enlarging the Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel.

Once outside the channel, I turned northwest… into the wind. I raised the mainsail. Then I turned east. I had to intersect with the main shipping channel and follow that channel to the ocean. I rode on the edge of the channel to be out of the way of the “Big Boys”… shipping traffic, tug boats, military surface vessels, and submarines. All of them travel through this area in great numbers… but not this morning. 

I was keeping a close lookout.

Distant Horizon was making good time as the tide was still going our way. The waves were small.

There was a good wind on my port quarter (left rear corner). The skies were clear and lit with the predawn light. I raised the staysail and unfurled the jib. These are two sails in front of the mast.

As I reached Cape Henry, I smiled as I looked at the two lighthouses. Cape Henry is the southern corner of the Chesapeake Bay; home to Fort Story a US Army Base. To its south, is Virginia Beach, which is on the Atlantic Ocean.

Cape Henry Lighthouses

My first milestone came quickly… I had reached the Atlantic Ocean.

I turned Distant Horizon to the south, keeping her close to the shore; within 5 miles of the coast. Typically a course to the southeast would be best when going to the Caribbean. However, I had to make one stop along the way. I was sailing to Currituck Beach.