We left the mouth of the Welland at Port Weller at 16:50
Winds were 10-14 knots from the east, so it looked like we would have a fast close reach sail all them way to Whitby.
We unfurled half the main and all of the jib, and were blasting along at 8.5 knots sans motor!
However, the rail was in the water washing the deck, and the dinghy and arch were racking back and forth in the waves.
The course to Whitby was 20 degree, but we found that the boat had so much leeway from being heeled over, that we had to steer to 45 degrees to point to Whitby (instead of Toronto).
We further furled in the main, and about half of the jib to get the boat on its feet (less heel).
Had to move the jib cars forward. Lot more comfortable with less heel, but we still had the leeway.
Thought about it later, it was the current from the Niagara River that was pushing us towards Toronto!
We did cut the corner into US waters (see above).
The crossing was uneventful, we just wanted to get home:
And into Whitby Harbour:
The harbour was dark as we navigated to the end of dock 8.
Coming into the dock, Rita and dockmates Colin/Suzzanne were our marching band greeters banging pots and pans and cheering as we arrived at the dock at 10:35
We had been teasing Walter for the last couple of days that we need to make a call to make sure the marching band was there for our arrival.
Sorry no photos.
Here is a shot of the Beckoning docked beside Still Time:
It was good to be home.
We had a drink or two before calling it a night.
Walter stayed on the boat.
Rita and I drove home to Bowmanville.
Mark drove home to Port Hope.
615 nautical miles over 7 days.
The Beckoning was now delivered to her new home at Whitby Yacht Club.
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