Tashmoo rendezvous 2013
For 2013 NETS decided to change up the rendezvous schedule a bit. Making a change from Cuttyhunk to Lake Tashmoo on Martha’s Vineyard. Truth be told, it is the same rendezvous as the “Buzzard’s Bay” rendezvous later in the season. Unfortunately, the Buzzard’s Bay rendezvous often gets cancelled due to weather late in the season. This is a good opportunity for members to enjoy Tashmoo and explore Martha’s Vineyard during the season!
The rendezvous was scheduled from Friday through Monday (or longer if members wanted to stay). Paul and Millie on Mildred Rose were the Cruise Captains for this rendezvous. After some initial emails to the club members, we quickly received 8 replies for members that were coming! Due to the nature of Buzzards bay, some boats being moored, some being launched at different ramps, and members coming different days, it was critical for members to keep in touch with the cruise captain with their plans. This worked out quite well, because there was some bad weather on the first day, Friday, so many members, including the cruise captain, did not depart on Friday.
Saturday morning, Mildred Rose, a 1968 Ohlson 38, with Paul and Millie on board, departed marion for a day sail in Buzzard’s Bay, to kill some time, and enjoy some of the best sailing this season so far, before entering Wood’s Hole to get to Tashmoo. The sailing was great, but a bit choppy, as is common on Buzzard’s Bay, but not too bad. There was plenty of wind - about 15-20 knots, about the limit for the boats in the club. We sailed the bay a bit, then went through the hole, to meet up with a few member boats that were already anchored in Lake Tashmoo. Upon entering the hole, Mildred Rose met up with Andrew on Over Easy, who followed us through the hole, and across Vineyard Sound.
Crossing the sound can be tricky due to very strong currents. However, with proper planning, it can be done quite easily. Over Easy followed us across Middle Ground - a very shallow area in front of the entrance of Tashmoo. Our full keel sailboat can easily make it across, although watching the depth sounder can be a bit unnerving as the depth goes from 30’ to 5 in a matter of a minute! Entering the hole, hugging the beach on the left side, where the deep water in the dredged channel is, we made it through without a problem.
The pond was already quite crowded, as is pretty common on a nice summer weekend! We found a reasonable place to drop our hook. Power set it with 120’ of anchor rode out! since we were starting to swing into a nearby mooring field, I shortened it to about 80’, still plenty of rode for the depth (about 7-1). After checking for anchor dragging , we picked up the boat and relaxed a bit.
over the next few hours other NE-TS members continuted to show up. Once everyone was settled, we all decided to have a party on Ken and Judy’s boat - a trimaran called tri-oomph, this was ideal as they had large trampolines for everyone to party on! Millie decided to put on her halloween costume, a Mermaid outfit! This was quite the photo-op! Not too often do you see a mermaid on Lake Tashmoo!
After having drinks and happy hour snacks, we all went to our own boats for dinner and a good night sleep.
Sunday morning , got up to take a walk into Vineyard Haven, and walked around a bit, then took the bus, the VTA, to Edgartown! The VTA is quick, inexpensive ($7 full day pass - unlimited!) and easy to get around the island! Upon arriving in Edgartown, we walked around a bit, did some shopping, had some lunch, relaxed a bit.
After we got back to Vineyard Haven, we walked back to Tashmoo and went back to our boats for dinner! After dinner, dodging some raindrops, everyone came to Mildred Rose for a nightcap! We had snacks, drinks, music..had a great time!
Monday Morning, we took a ride to the beach at the head of Lake Tashmoo. We had a gret time wading in the nice warm water. took a dinghy ride around the pond.. Early afternoon many of us departed for home to make the favorable current through Wood’s Hole.
Another great NE-TS adventure!
