Sean and I Explore the Mangrove Islands by Sail
Sowell Family's Travels on Gijima
Skipper: Tim Sowell Admiral Tracy Crew Sean & Alex
Sun 8 Aug 2010 01:25
hotel and estuary is busy, actually at one point it reminded me of Newport
Beach, California in summer, lots of boats, and ladies on the bows etc.
But we had a good wind and Sean and I decided we would take the dinghy out,
sail it around the large island in the estuary opposite up through the
mangroves this water way opens up a lot but as we pass behind the island we
on our own, except for the Egret Birds which are in flocks in the tree in
their graceful white. They swoop off the high trees one back from mangroves
and glide over the still water with ease, right past us. We had a good
following breeze as we entered the upper river, so we were going along at a
good 3 to 5 knots, probably boat speed, as Sean pointed out it was so
peaceful (see photos). This was our time out sailing which Sean and I are
trying to do a couple of times a week, so it builds up his confidence and
love for sailing, he steers and we talk about the clouds, wind over the
water, currents and birds around us.
I was also using this trip around the island to investigate a possible
sailing race course as one of the locals on the island has built his own
sailing dinghy and challenged me to a race, but I wanted to see what I am up
against in terms of shallow banks, currents etc. We will have to pick the
tide as it could very difficult we a 5 knot current against us, but I think
we have a possibility and I know what conditions to layout.
We re-entered the main channel with the breeze now climbing to 10 knots
ideal for the dinghy and the outgoing tide at full run at 4 to 5 knots which
pushed us towards him as well, and we made good time. Sean loved it and it
was a good experience passing the fish men up the mangroves throwing their
nets from their dugout canoes as the tide turned.
I collected the dinghy by rowing over, as the engine is still out of action
awaiting parts (difficult with the holidays), so I wanted the dinghy back so
I could put the other engine on so Tracy could do Guitar lesson tomorrow
down the river.
You will see in the photos Sean up the mast helping with the "lazy Jacks" as
we re-rigged them, he has grown and matured enough to be good help around
the boat in many ways now.
Stay tuned.
