Solstice Cruise a Success!
The annual Solstice Cruise got underway on June 19, with a fleet of adventurous sailors setting their sights on Coecles Harbor. Mother Nature, however, apparently hadn’t gotten the memo that this was supposed to be a relaxing cruise. Instead, she greeted the fleet with gusty winds, steep chop, and enough excitement to satisfy even the most seasoned sailors.
“It was hairy,” laughed Nancy Andrews a fair weather cruiser, who was aboard Sebago with her family. “I had a white-knuckled death grip on the rail while everyone else was having the time of their lives!”
The route was no leisurely afternoon sail. Boats beat their way close-hauled toward the sluiceway, tacked down Plum Island, squeezed through The Gut, and finally arrived at Coecles Harbor—some with bigger smiles than others.
Not everyone chose to wrestle with the conditions. A few of the smaller boats wisely waited until the following day when things calmed down, while others decided discretion was the better part of valor and skipped the trip altogether. No shame in letting the weather win once in a while!
After everyone safely made it into the harbor, a celebratory rum toast aboard Zennora was in order. (Because nothing says “We survived!” quite like a little rum.) Spirits were high as everyone climbed into their dinghies and headed over to Taylor’s Island for a potluck barbecue.
The evening couldn’t have been more perfect. Grills were loaded with chicken and steaks, tables overflowed with delicious side dishes, and the grand finale featured lemon bars and gooey s’mores enjoyed with a spectacular sunset. The rough ride over was quickly becoming just another sea story.
Of course, Coecles Harbor has a reputation for breezy nights, and it didn’t disappoint. The wind howled through the anchorage, but thankfully everyone’s anchors held fast. There were no midnight anchor resets—always a reason to celebrate—although there were a few sleepy, underwear-clad cruisers making emergency cockpit appearances to double-check that everything was still where it belonged. Better safe than dragging!
On Saturday several boats departed early for the comforts of the Shelter Island Yacht Club, while others lingered another night in Coecles, capped off with a happy hour aboard A Domani. As every cruiser knows, any excuse for another happy hour is a good one.
By Sunday, everyone was moored at the Shelter Island Yacht Club and scattered to enjoy their own adventures around Greenport before regrouping for another happy hour aboard Sebago. (Cruising, after all, is really just a series of destinations connected by happy hours.)
“One of the best parts of the Solstice Cruise was seeing new friendships form and creating lasting memories on the water,” said Fleet Captain Marsha Couture. “It was especially exciting to have members who were new to the club join us alongside longtime members who were experiencing a club cruise for the very first time. That’s what Thames Yacht Club is all about—bringing people together through a shared love of boating. We hope this is just the beginning and that even more members will join us on future cruises and make memories of their own.”
“Our Fleet Captain Marsha Couture has done an outstanding job creating cruises that are welcoming, enjoyable, and offer something for everyone,” said TYC Commodore Colin Redhead. “Members can travel at their own pace, enjoy the destinations however they choose, meet new friends, and experience the camaraderie that makes TYC so special.”
Some crews headed home on Monday, while others stretched the adventure into Tuesday. The return trip couldn’t have been more different from the ride over. Gone were the pounding waves and gusty winds. Instead, boats motored home across calm, glassy water, leaving many to wonder if Mother Nature was apologizing—or simply saving the wind for next year’s Solstice Cruise.