We set out this weekend aboard Isola Naida with the plan of sailing to a quiet, protected bay and anchoring overnight. The forecast looked promising enough—winds between 7 and 18 knots, with gusts topping out around 19. Manageable, we thought.
When we arrived at the marina, it was immediately clear that the tailing edge of Hurricane Erin was lingering more than predicted. The winds were stronger than expected, and as we readied Isola Naida to leave her mooring, the instruments showed a steady 11 to 13 knots – already stronger than the forecasted 8 knots. If conditions were that far off here, in the protected marina, what might we encounter farther out in the bay?
Winds that had been forecasted as 18 knots with 5′ seas, but given what we were already seeing, it seemed more likely we’d face 23 knots in more open water. That felt less like a casual adventure and more like a test we weren’t quite eager to take on, especially with Skipper aboard. After some back-and-forth, we made the tough but sensible call to stay put for the day.
Instead of dropping anchor in a new location, we reset our expectations and leaned into the slower pace of a day on the mooring ball. With the wind whistling through the rigging, we settled into the cockpit with a simple charcuterie lunch, letting the rocking of the boat remind us that even tied to the mooring, Isola Naida was exactly where we wanted to be.
Sunday’s Daysail
We woke up early Sunday morning intent on departing the mooring for a day sail. D’Arcy, always up and about first, made coffee and blueberry pancakes before Noelle crawled out of the V-berth. After breakfast we cleaned, dried and stowed the dishes. Then we secured for sea and readied Isola Naida to set off.
Winds in the mooring field were nearly nonexistent – less than 1 knot – and the water lay like glass. Ripples in the distance hinted at a breeze working its way out of the south. Noelle secured the dinghy to the mooring and took the mooring lines in hand as D’Arcy took the helm and started Isola Naida’s engine. We motored out of the mooring field and began our southerly course making our way toward open waters.
With the winds coming out of the south, we found ourselves continually driving the bow straight into them. Hoisting the sails at nearly any point along this course would have meant heading directly toward shoals or shore, requiring frequent tacking. Given that today was meant to be a relaxing outing, we opted to motor until clear of Frog Island, in more open waters.
A Very Seasick Skipper
Beyond Frog Island, the wind filled in at 7 knots and gusts around 10 knots. We unfurled the jib and hoisted the mizzen, leaving the main stowed as we weren’t in a rush and expected the wind to build throughout the day.
As we pressed upwind, waves struck the starboard bow and beam, rocking the boat just enough to unsettle Skipper. She soon succumbed to seasickness – not once, not twice, but four times.
We noticed that we were the only sailboat out on Mahone Bay. For some time we wondered if everyone else knew something we didn’t – something that should have told us to stay home. But soon, a few sails appeared in the distance, reassuring us that we hadn’t made a big error in reading the weather forecast.
Halfway between Quaker Island and Rafuse Island, we decided to tack west and make for the lee of Rafuse. As we approached Rafuse Island the winds had risen to 17 knots and gusts of 19 knots. With a very sick kitty now sheltering in her carrier in the fresh cockpit air, we thought it would be best to north and begin making our way back to the marina. The downwind course provided her some relief as she settled in for a nap.
On the return, the wind chased us gently and we soaked up the sun, allowing the auto helm to keep us on our course relative to the winds.
Back On The Mooring
As we approached the marina, the wind held a steady 13 knots – enough to make maneuvering Isola Naida a challenge. Our first attempt at the mooring came in short and fast, the wind catching our quarter. We circled back, lined up nearer the shoreline, and secured her safely on the second try. With the lines fast, Skipper could finally relax, and so could we.
Despite the detours, the seasickness, and the gusts that kept us cautious, we were reminded that every outing builds seamanship and deepens our bond with Isola Naida. Not every sail goes to plan — and maybe that’s the point. The best sails are often the ones that teach you something new.
We’d love to hear from you. Tell us about a time you had to change plans mid-sail, or make a second approach to a mooring. Drop your stories in the comments below and the lessons you learned about your, or your boat’s capabilities. Be sure to follow along with our adventures on Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram for more sailing logs, lessons, and life aboard Isola Naida.
Fair winds,
