Posts from the ‘Mischief Managed’ Category

Chasing Summer

There comes a point in the calendar year – and in life – when all the signs of approaching Fall and Winter become sharply apparent. The quality of light changes ever so slightly, there’s an occasional chill, birds flock together and the long skeins of geese are overhead and honking.

It rains yellow leaves that litter the ground with the slightest breeze. You rake, and the next breeze undoes your work in an instant. Your esthetic sense says ‘leave it’  –  accepting change is inevitable.

Bit by bit the green of summer turns first more colorful, then brown and bare – or white (mostly).

Perhaps we’re not quite as quick or agile as we once were. Along with the birds, we feel the urge to head south in search of our own personal summers.  So it is that Valinor will turn her bow southward this Fall, perhaps seeking her namesake, the ‘undying lands’, along with the J.R.R.Tolkein heros.

Every year about this time, since I first sailed here on the Chesapeake Bay, I’ve watched the ‘snowbirds’ gather. Boats with faraway place and hopeful names scrolled on their hulls, loaded with extra gear, tanks of fuel and water and assorted water toys, all begin flocking here. They’re preparing to go in seek of warmer places down the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).  I’ve envied their adventure, and followed their blogs and other reports to experience the trip – if only second hand.  Stay tuned – this is my year to leave the cold behind …

One cold winter

Reports from the ICW through the Fall and Winter will appear here. I’ll share my experiences and thoughts in the hope that others will enjoy them as I have of the many that I’ve followed. I’m looking forward to crossing paths with sailing friends on the same quest, making new ones, and encountering other land-side friends along the way.

The general float plan is to depart home port on Back Creek in Annapolis mid- October, bound for Hampton Roads, VA.  After a brief stop there to attend a ‘snowbird rendezvous’, begin to wander down the ICW.  As Kenny Chesney sings, ‘I’ve no place to go and nowhere to be’  on any particular schedule.  The approaching chill may push me along faster, but don’t expect to be in Key West until Christmas.  And then …..we’ll see.

See you on the water, or here on these pages.

Doldrums…

Doldrums – (from Wikipedia) .. noted for calm periods when the winds disappear altogether, trapping sail-powered boats for periods of days or weeks. Colloquially, the “doldrums” are a state of inactivity, mild depression, listlessness or stagnation.^[1]

— a common, well-understood term in the sailing community, and one that comes frequently to mind this time of year.  As summer heat builds, it seems only two weather conditions prevail; hot, humid and still or hot, humid and thunderstorms.  Neither condition is conducive to good sailing. So what to do with this time that includes much of July and August?

Some options include:  make sailing plans for when more favorable conditions return, make those postponed repairs/improvements,  catch up on ‘home chores’ and/or seek air-conditioning. These options will clearly fill the time, and are productive ways to do so.

For myself, I’ve been working through a long list of home projects/repairs, finishing a set of companionway doors for the boat, and developing plans for extended sails come September/October and beyond. In addition, it provides a quiet time to reflect on a variety of personal and philosophical issues.

‘Forced’ quiet time can remind us to slow down, think about priorities and the important things in life – maybe even turn off the cell phone and computer?  Among more personal and arguably more important matters, emerge thoughts about why we sail, and why sailing can easily become a way of life.

Lyrics in Kenny Chesney songs, “vessels of freedom, harbors of healing”, resonate with the feelings that often come when on the water, powered quietly by the wind with “nowhere to go, and nowhere to be”.  Whether real or imagined, sailing offers a sense of total freedom to go wherever you choose and the wind can take you.  And maybe to capture just that feeling is the fundamental reason we sail.

All home safe – party time!

Here’s a brief summary and a few pix from around the DelMarVa. Also, see following post for more…..

Seven days from the start, all boats made it safely back to Annapolis in time for a celebration.

……and award of some prizes – both serious and fun.

The first stop in Hampton Roads at the Hampton Yacht Club, with a weather delay, offered time to do some cleaning.

Note who’s working and who’s supervising……

Morning briefings kept everyone informed, especially about the weather forecast. Thanks to HYC for use of their beautiful club house.

And there was time to enjoy the happening on the creek. The HYC Opti kids provided a lot of entertainment while we waited to go off-shore.

The Navy also provided some interest as we made our way out the Thimble Shoals channel – and one of our group got special attention for getting a bit too close to the inbound carrier……..all told going in and out, we passed or were passed by three war ships and a sub in addition to this carrier.

Conditions off shore were mostly great and offered plenty of pleasant sailing…….. three long tacks took us upwind to the Delaware Bay.

The stop in Lewes was brief, just long enough to get a bit of sleep at anchor – and  watch the Cape May ferry pass by.

We were fortunate to catch the tide cycle and get help form the current heading up the Delaware Bay. You can see the effect at the base of this channel marker…we got a boost from 1.5 to 2.5kts of current.

We arrived at the east entrance to the C & D Canal just at sunset…

…and  ducked behind an outbound tug and barge. Lesson learned – stay out of the prop wash behind these tugs, especially as they make a turn.

The C & D Canal is well lit at night and made for an easy run. Here, looking back at the St Georges (west) bridge.

We dropped anchor in the Bohemia river, got some needed sleep and motored down Bay to home in 2-3kt of breeze – all in all, a great trip!

Around the DelMarVa – again

Follow the fleet @ – http://yb.tl/delmarva2013

Most recent updates will appear at the top, older posts in sequence following…

…….pictures and more to come later – check back.

Crew consensus – head off shore.

……….Posted 6/22 underway down the Bay headed home.

With a good weather window and a spirited crew, we left Hampton, made a right turn and out the Thimble Shores Channel into the North Atlantic via the Bay Bridge Tunnel.

  A left through the commercial traffic channels headed us NE up the coast to the Delaware Bay.   We took something of a beating at the start and at the end of this leg. Off the mouth of the Chesapeake we found confused, heavy seas and adverse winds. Waves were short and steep, running 3-4 and occasionally 5 feet, so progress was very slow. For several hours, a 3kt speed over ground (SOG) was considered great.

Once clear of the Bay entrance, the seas state improved and the NE head winds veered ENE enabling us to sail towards our destination through the night. With a couple long tacks we made reasonable progress up the coast. As we passed Ocean City we hove to, had dinned and prepared for the second night’s run to the Delaware. It was good to have rested, however brief. We arrived off the Harbor of Relief Light about 1am. The tide was turning and we had steep 3-5ft swells chasing us from astern, and poor visibility. To add to the fun, unidentified traffic failed to respond to hails as we approached the entrance. So, we proceeded slowly with all crew on watch. Inside we found calmer waters and a safe anchorage behind the inner breakwater for the remainder of the night.

Despite the late hour, it seemed appropriate to share a glass of wine to toast the successful offshore passage .  Morning came sooner than hoped, but with a pleasant SE breeze and plenty of sunshine. We transferred one crew off in Lewes at the Lewes Yacht Club. Vickery had a friend wedding to get to, and her skills and help will be missed for the balance of the tri

We had left Lewes, headed for the C&D Canal, a bit ahead of the tide schedule, but with favorable winds. Early progress up the Bay was slowed by adverse tide, but was scheduled to change and did so about 1/3^rd of the way north. Mostly a downwind run, we even ran wing-on-wing for a time. We had some heavy company along the way.

As the tide changed in our favor we chose to follow the Blake Channel up the west side. Not only did we find 2kts of current going our way, but were entertained by about 2 dozen foraging porpoises.  Multiple attempts to second guess them sadly produced no pictures. Made significant progress at 6.5 to 7.5 kts and reached Reedy Pt and the entry to the C & D Canal at 9:30pm.

….more later……

Tuesday in Hampton at Hampton Yacht Club…….

Waking up Tuesday morning after a much needed good night’s sleep.

The overnight sail (Sunday/Monday) from Annapolis to Hampton provided about everything a sailor might expect, including some terrific sailing. Most of the way south past Solomons offered hull speed sailing – for my Catalina 30, that’s 5-7kts on a beam reach provided by steady WSW winds.  Then, as the sun went down, winds became less consistent and more on the nose, so motoring or motor/sailing was the watch word for the balance of the trip.

There was enough time for some of the crew to play with their e-toys – garmin gps, ipads etc..… electronics has change distance sailing, and especially navigating, in interesting ways.

Some excitement was provided in the form of a nasty squall in the wee hours of the morning as we approached Hampton. Choppy seas and gusty winds in the gale range briefly made sleep a bit difficult for those off-watch, and a challenge for the watch at the helm.  None-the-less, the sun came up (mostly) as Hampton was in sight.

To top off the trip, while making way into the Hampton Harbor, we were treated to a parade of naval vessels. Three outgoing warships, with all hands on deck, passed by with periodic warnings to stand clear.  A more ominous warning related to an incoming naval vessel. We kept looking to see what it was, until finally the periscope appeared and a sub, with two escort gunboats, appeared off our stern. It partially surface as it headed into the base, passing us ‘more than 500 yards’ off as prescribed by the warning.  Sorry – no pix.

At 6pm the fleet gathered at the Hampton Yacht Club for dinner, shared stories and some briefings on the next couple day’s plans.  Next stop Lewes, DE – maybe.  Weather reports have some cause for concern.

Well it’s Tuesday AM and the decision was made to hold in Hampton to allow some problematic off shore weather to pass on by. So, plans are being modified and each boat skipper will make a final decision between offshore to Lewes or back up the Bay – hoping we can keep the Rally all together. Meanwhile, we will enjoy HYC’s fine hospitality!

Posted from Hampton Yacht Club; 6/18.

Annapolis, MD to Hampton, Va – The Start:  June 16, 2013;  0900

Start day is here! Sunday morning dawned with clear skies and the promise of a great trip down the Bay to Hampton Roads and the Hampton Yacht Club. On the downside, we start with adverse winds and tide, so it will be a bit of a challenge to make good progress south – at least under sail alone.

All the provisions were loaded aboard yesterday and there might be room left for the crewJ Let’s say politely, we will eat well.

So, Meet the crew:

Left to right……. Vickery Brewer – accomplished racer, our performance coach.; Bob Black – former skipper and twice around veteran.; John Halpern – off shore time, and marine head plumber

After putting the boat in order and briefing on the day’s float plan, we headed for the start at G5 just off Back Creek. Slipped dock lines at 0800, and cleared the start mark at 0830. Rally boats are starting at variable times based on estimates of travel time to Hampton – all to be sure we arrive in the light—AND before the start of the party at HYC J

Come back to see updates as we sail around the DelMarVa………..

Once Again around the DelMarVa Penninsula

On Sunday, June 16th, 26 sailboats will sail from Annapolis for the second Spinsheet- sponsored circumnavigation of the DelMarVa penninsula. The boats range in size from 30 to 41ft with crews of four or more aboard.  The Rally will stop in Hampton, after an overnight sail down the Bay, for a gathering at the Hampton Yacht Club. The next day, the fleet will sail, staged in three groups based on performance, off shore around the Chesapeake Light then north to the Delaware Bay and another stop at the Lewes Yacht Club. The last leg(s) will be a sail up the Delaware Bay and through the C&D Canal, then back to Annapolis for a final party! 

The Rally follows a series of informational seminars designed to prepare those who may be making this lengthy and off-shore cruise for the first time. Special attention has been made to be sure boats and crews are prepared, with guidance on safety considerations and navigation skills. Responsibility for boats and crews remains, as always, with the skippers of each boat. Skippers will certify their boats’ safety preparations and completion of on-the-water (including MOB recovery) practice with crews.

You can follow the progress of the individual boats or the entire fleet at the link above. Pictures and brief reports will be added here as we progress around the peninsula. Valinor made the same trip in 2011, but in the reverse (clockwise) direction. See “DelMarVa Offshore” earlier post here.

This is a great opportunity to gain off-shore sailing experience with support from accomplished off-shore sailors. The entire trip covers over 400nm with about 165nm being off the Atlantic coast  by 10-20nm.

Upcoming:

A great seminar for registered skippers and crew is scheduled for this coming Sunday (19th) to cover safety and navigation issues. Presenters will be the same folks that manage the Caribbean 1500 and ARC rallies.

Check back for the leg reports…….. Thursday, June 13 – just a couple days to make final preparations and provision the boat. Looking like there will be decent weather/wind for the Rally 🙂

_________________________________

NOOD

Out yesterday for a short day-sail and got to watch a downwind leg of the J22s during the  National Offshore One-Design races. NOOD is a 9 city racing circuit.

Pictured here just south of the Bay Bridge on a beautiful sunny day with 8-18kts of breeze!

Passing through….

Roger has been wandering the east coast for a couple years now. A retired naval architect, he sails single-handed between Maine and Florida, and shares his travels through a sail boat owner’s forum. http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/forumdisplay.php?s=4583776b13603dc90d7444afdd67d03d&f=142

Always an interesting read!

He stopped and visited here last Fall on his way south, and just again yesterday on his way north. We enjoyed a crab feed at Cantler’s and good conversation over some very nice single malt. With weather and other issues pressing, he made an early morning departure and is north of the Bay Bridge as I write this.

Fair winds Roger! Will look for you again this Fall……….

Strider

Chasing Pirates

First weekend cruise of the season headed for Pirates Cove at Galesville, MD!

 Thirteen boats sailed on Saturday from locations around Annapolis. It was a bit on the cool side, but with plenty of sun. Winds were light and variable – really non-existent at times. Valinor slipped lines about 10:30am with Kate and Kathy as crew.

Forecast called for 5-10kts from the west. We found 1-14kts from every directions except for west. Heading south from Annapolis to Thomas Point we had enough following wind to sail, but it died to less than 3kts and we drifted awhile with the outgoing tide along with several other boats heading our way.

After rounding the point, we picked up 8-12kts and had a great sail into Galesville.

As usual, the happy hour on the dock and dinner in the restaurant provided outstanding food and our favorite beverages. Live music at the Marina restaurant rounded out a fun evening.

The return on Sunday was much the same as the trip down – some good sailing breeze, but mostly light and variable. Just as we turned for home and dropped sails, the wind picked up to 16kts…….  In any event, it was a fun trip and we had  very nice sailing when the wind cooperated.

At other times, the crew just relaxed…….. ...name withheld to protect crew reputation!

Finally …

… weather, schedule and available services came together over the weekend.  While only down the creek a bit, at least it was out of the slip. Checked out the engine and got the holding tank pumped out – first step.  Sails up next weekend!

Just a bit of wisdom found on Facebook …… a good reminder for sailing and for life.

Poplar Island Progress

What a great restoration story!

See pictures and description of the restoration of Poplar Island. Tremendous progress has been made in about 15 yrs, from a beginning when only about 4 acres of the original island remained.

Follow the link below for an outstanding photo essay…….

                                 Photo by Steve Droter

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/blog/post/photo_essay_poplar_island_restoration_brings_critical_habitat_back_to_bay