GL: Mike and Tammy -Taking mast down at Cape May

[samsdcts at aol.com]

You will have approximately 25 to 30 miles to Sandy Hook in the Atlantic.  
You must go out at Manasquan.  Sailboats are not stable when you take  your mast 
down.  Do not take your mast down until you reach the Erie  Canal.  The 
waters in the Hudson river at NYC can be very choppy,  particularly when the tides 
are going in or out and there are strong  winds opposing the tide direction.  
NYC Harbor is very busy, so  keep your wits about you!  You may be able to put 
your sails out if the  wind is right. Make sure that the tide is coming in 
when you enter at  Sandy Hook,  otherwise you will be fighting a strong current 
going up the  Hudson. 
 
When you do take your mast down, and put it on deck, make sure the system  
you use will stabilize the mast from any movement.  If your mast should  break 
loose, you will have a highly dangerous situation.
 
We learned a lot on our trip when we sailed from west of Cleveland, OH, to  
St. Petersburg, FL.  We had our mast taken down on the Niagara River, and  put 
it on the deck with a special cradle built to support it. Everything was  fine 
until we got to Lake Oneida. When we left Brewerton to go out on the  lake, 
the weather was calm,  However, that changed very quickly, and the  east wind 
built a 2-3 foot chop in a hurry since the lake is very shallow.   When the 
mast came loose, it caused a fire drill to keep it from going over  the side.  We 
got it stable and continued to the other end of the lake  where it finally 
calmed down. Also, one of the greatest aids to us on the trip  was Skipper Bob's 
Waterway Guide.  All sorts of great information.
 
Sam Warr

**************Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and 
favorite sites in one place.  Try it now. 
(http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000010)