Trip to Norflok

Had the boys take the new jib off and fold it up when I went shopping.   It wasn't what I ordered and was not about to accept it even for a discounted price.  So we're using an old jib that's really short on the hoist but in OK condition.  With 3 of us aboard, loaded with food, dinghy on deck and tied down, motor on stern rail, we leave the dock in New Suffolk at noon on Friday the 12th of Nov. with 10 to 15k of breeze out of the NE.  Main up and we're off.  We go the northerly route around Shelter Island hoping for a better angle thru Gardiners Bay. Jib goes out after the Ruins and then to Montauk with a building breeze and changing tide.  As we round the point and head south the breeze and seas are building, no way I can sail that deep without winging the jib.  Not tonight with a crew that's turning a little green so we head south in 25k gusting to 30.  In the middle of the night we wear it around (with the engine making short work of it) to a westerly course and continue on never loosing sight of the lights on the south shore of Long Island.  Autopilot is doing a fine job but turning the wheel 3/4 turn each way at times to compensate for the confused seas on top of the swell.  Making some noise too as there may be a wee bit of air left in the system.  New install over the summer so this is the real sea trial.  As daylight breaks, I'm able to turn towards our destination and pole out the jib for a glorious day of sailing with the sun sparkling from the deep blue ocean water.  Our joyous progress attracts a pod of dolphin that frolic in our bow wave; not just a few but maybe 15 or more!  As the day progresses the breeze diminishes and we find our boat speed to be unacceptable by nightfall.  Jib comes in and then the main and we motor thru the night.  Sunday dawns even nicer that Sat. with warmer temps but even less wind.  We've been running at 7k but the price is fuel consumption so we back it off a bit for a while, then slow some more in the afternoon.  The fishing gear gets broken out again and this time it's not just a hit but a catch.  What is it?  After much laughter and discussion we dig out a bucket, find some knives, gloves and get the damn thing into the cockpit.  We use the cockpit grate for a cutting board and hook up the hose to the washdown pump to try to keep it under control.  The BBQ comes out and Joe takes over the galley.  We all sit down for a delicious dinner below and break out a bottle of wine.  The fuel situation is now approaching the critical stage and we are motoring at just over 5k.  Looks like the tide will not be any help on the way into the Chesapeake and no breeze to speak of.  We can see the lights of the Bay bridge tunnel for hours and it looks like we'll make it to our destination of Little Creek which is just inside the southern end of the bridge.  Finding our entrance bouy (not where the Garmin says) we head for the break and throttle up a bit.  Time for Rum!  I mix up a few dark and stormies for the lads and we find our way in.  By midnight we're at the marina and stretching our legs.  Phase one has been a success.