Last Sunday afternoon we decided to go out for an afternoon sail. Winds were coming out of the east 10 knots perfect for a quick sail up the intracoastal waterway or as some of the locals call it the Halifax River. We headed out with a full crew. Myself, my first mate our two children and friends M— and L— and their two kids.

It’s interesting to observe people getting onto a boat. Sometimes they can be a little reserved or comment on the boat shifting when they step on it. Others will step aboard never missing a beat. I wasn’t sure what to expect because one of the children had mentioned the boat tipping when we moved. I thought about the steady wind blowing across my face and how in 20 minutes we would be heeling over.

It was a great day. We swung out of the marina and headed north cruising between the huge concrete pilings supporting Seabreeze bridge. The kids were getting acquainted and starting to get their sea legs. Quickly we came across a of school of dolphins heading the opposite way. I don’t care how many times you see them it is a sight to behold. Everyone oohing, aahing, and pointing as we passed each other.

We pointed up into the wind and set the mainsail followed quickly by the jib. Falling off a bit the wind catches the sails and we are now under sail. We shut the engine off and our guests were able to experience the quiet power of the wind. I love it when someone comes aboard a little fearful but after a few minutes of heeling over they have their feet dangling over the sides catching the spray on their feet!

We kept this course for close to two hours and then tacked and headed back. During the course of the day the kids had been kicking around one of the fenders. We were close to arriving in port when M— yelled that one of our fenders was drifting behind us with the wind pushing it out of the narrow channel. Now I do have to tell you I’m a bit fond of my maroon Taylor fenders. We quickly went into our now familiar man overboard drill having already gone through the drill for our 2 year old daughter’s baby bottle.

The fender was now 20 yards east of the channel marker and we were slowly making our way towards it. As we passed the channel marker there was that fleeting thought of shallow water ahead. No I’ll have enough water to ease my 3’10” draft over to the fender. The depth gauge went from 6’ to 4’ to 2’. Two feet! That can’t be – the soft but quick stop shook that thought out of my head. The wind continued to push against the sails driving us more securely into the soft muck bottom.

Meanwhile the distance between the fender and boat was quickly increasing. I hopped over the side. Stood up and was in 3 feet of water. I could see the expressions of disbelief of everyone on board. I quickly swam over to the fender and brought it aboard.

I then dropped the sails and jumped over board and proceeded to try and pull the boat out. It was going to take more that me to pull five tons of boat out. M— jumped in to help but neither of us could get the boat to budge. I was starting to think about calling a boat towing company knowing it would be five to six hundred dollars.

A person on a jet ski came by and offered to help. We attached a line, put the boat in reverse, M— and I tugged, and the boat started to move. We got the boat out to the edge of the channel and with a little difficulty on the first mate’s part got the boat to shut off (this will be another blog). We thanked the jet skier and we were on our way again.

The remaining quarter mile was uneventful and we made it into the marina satisfied with a good sail and maybe a little wiser.