Last Sunday marked the maiden voyage of Jim’s new kit-built wherry. “It floats!” we cheered. And indeed it did—fast, too.

However, ¾ of the way to Davids Island (2.5 NM from HHYC), one of the oarlock things suddenly snapped off—a design flaw—leaving Jim paddling in a big circle… Geeks to the rescue! We set up an in-line tow and ferried the wherry back to HHYC, where Jim swapped it for his proven kit-built kayak.

Undeterred, we relaunched and paddled around Davids and Huckleberry Islands, our next area snowstorm looming overhead. Air in the mid-30s, water similar.

A gull took flight near New Rochelle…

…as a big “bird” took off from LaGuardia Airport.

Jean’s tuilik also made its first on-Sound voyage.

We did a little mollusk-hopping (?), as the extra-low Spring tide exposed mussels…

…and got back to the boathouse just as the meager daylight gave way to a pale moon.