The Western Islands and Trip Back

       The western approaches to the Thoroughfare have islands, lagoons and creeks enough for a week of gunkholing.   Thayer's boatyard at the top of Southern Harbor doesn't have gas but you can use the float, shower and there's a grocery store a mile away. Between Cedar and Lawrys Islands I find a pleasant but well occupied anchorage.  I finally chose Ledbetter Island's tiny southern cove as my jumping off spot for the trip back to Rockland. It's a pretty spot, which retains its privacy even though the main channel to Vinalhaven runs by the entrance.  That evening "Heritage" a topsail schooner ghosts by.

 Copywrite - W. Elliott, Portsmouth

       Friday morning arrives with a glassy calm and fog that said. "Don't even think about getting underway".  Going ashore where tides change 2 ft an hour is a challenge.  I tried out a "frape" which I'd seen in "Practical Boat Owner".  It's shown in the sketch.  The idea is to use a stern anchor for an outhaul to pull the boat in while bringing the control lines ashore above the high water mark.  This took a fair bit of line but worked well. I just had to be careful not to mix up the lines or lose the anchor.
 

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