Hello All,
I am currently anchored in Smith Creek near Point Lookout, MD. Yesterday I left Colonial Beach in sloppy conditions. The waves were big and the seas were confused. The first few hours was no fun at all.
The wind lightened and right around Ragged Point I noticed that they weren't going to build anymore. They were out of the North West so I decided it was time for some real fun. I hoisted my spinnaker and carried it for over 2 hours. It was perfect conditions and probably the best sail I have had in a long time.
In total, I sailed over 30 NM yesterday. I did it in about 7 hours. It wasn't a bad day but I didn't use any gas to get where I was going. To add a little more glory to it, and bragging rights, I beat my Uncle in his Catalina 34. It wasn't even close after I hoisted the spinnaker I took off and left him in my wake. It is a cool feeling to beat a boat that is supposed to be much faster than I am. Oh, and I was dragging my dingy too!
With the rain and light winds forecast, I decided to stay in Smith Creek today. There is a good chance that I will head for Mill Creek tomorrow. I really hope to get a break for this cool. rainy weather.
I will post some videos and photos when my cruise is done.
Sounds like a great day of sailing. Are you posting on Active Captain Locations, where others would be able to follow? I logged in, and didn't see anybody out there at all, so it might be user error on my part.
No. Active Captain is great on the Laptop but the App sucks. I have posted there but only for reviews.
I can't believe how cool it is out here. I just had my second cup of hot tea for the day.
Even though it is cool I have to admit that it is relaxing in here. I am listening to some Lorenna Mckennit. It is a quiet anchorage except for some Ospreys crying out as they fly by. The rain makes a soothing sound as it lands on my bimini. Heck, I could be at work, I will take this rainy day in a quiet anchorage anyday!
I think that it takes a few days to get adjusted to life aboard. The first few days I bump into things and my back hurts from crouching over. After that things are okay. It is also some adjustment to sleeping on board. I did pretty good last night despite the place where my solar vent had previously dripped some water on my V-berth. I had no idea it was wet until I put my sheets on. It isn't leaking now and it has been raining all day. That is odd that it leaked and it is the only time that this has happened.
I have made it to Mill Creek. The wind died on me today after a spirited run into the Chesapeake Bay. It was very confused and sloppy earlier today when I left the Potomac. The waves were pretty big. Still, the Compac takes it in stride and she continues to impress me. I have made over 60 miles on this trip so far. Tomorrow I will get to where ever I go, maybe Deltaville. How knows but the wind forecast doesn't seem too exciting and I bet it craps out again. Ugh!!! Wish me luck!
Good Luck!
Tom
Best of luck!
I like the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Smart Buoy app for checking on live conditions, and have been looking at Windy for wind predictions (seems easier to use than predict wind). It looks bad for Friday (almost now wind) and Saturday (30 kts gusts and rain), but after that looks much better.
I am now in Jackson Creek at Deltaville. There s town a cress through a public dock.
Coming out of Mill Creek was pretty nasty. 15+ sustained and huge waves. The Compac took it all in stride. After I turned to go south my speed went way up. I saw 6.9 knots surfing a huge wave. I was averaging over 6 knots for a while. The wind died down a little but the seas stayed high for a while. Saga was just rolling with it but it was not the most pleasant sailing.
I checked my charge controller earlier. It indicated that my batteries were fully charged. It has t been that sunny but my 100watt panel seems to be keeping up with my demands. Quite frankly I believe that my tiller pilot is the highest draw and I haven't used it much as I have been in challenging conditions.
I am not sure what I will do. I may end up in Deltaville for a few days.
I have to say that NoMas is a stand up guy. My Uncle is having battery issues and NoMas said that he would give him a ride to Napa. We found out that Napa would deliver the batterie so I called NoMas off. I guess that I still owe him a cold one for offering to help out a fellow sailor.
I have settle into a pretty good routine aboard now. I am getting use to my environment. This boat is set up really well. I am not sure if there are many more mods that I want to make to her at this point.
Yes, it does take awhile to adjust to life on board. The first few hours are the worst for me - it always seems we are sailing so slow we will never get there- Then I realize I'm always there whereever I sail and everything is alright..... does that make any sense? The other thing I notice is that we always get back waaayyy to fast-M
I agree with you about all ready being there.
Today I am holding over in Deltaville. I biked into town from the Public Dock at the end of Lovers Lane. I had a nice lunch but I was disappointed to learn that the pizza place that was in Deltaville went out of business. A lot of restaurants have folded here in Deltaville. It is sad.
I checked out the consignment shop and saw some I teresti g things. I went to West Marine but I did t need anything. Finally I picked up some food items at the small grocery store. Oatmeal has been a favorite breakfast so far this trip because of cool mornings.
When I got back to the boat I tried out my cockpit shower. That was a cold shower!!! It did work pretty good though.
Tomorrow is supposed to be nasty. Wind is forecasted to gust up to 35 knots and it will rain 1.5 inches. I plan to stay here for at least tomorrow.
Funny but I am ok with staying in a place for a few days. I can rest up, relax, listen to music, read a book, and just enjoy living at a slower pace.
One nice thing is that my battery bank is fully charged. My solar panel is working great. This was peobably the best long term cruising mod that I have made.
I'm really enjoying your accounts of this adventure. Thanks! Serving as a spark!
Bob23
Glad that you guys are enjoying my reflections.
Tomorrow will be. Wash out. That is ok, that's is always something to do.
Quote from: HeaveToo on May 20, 2016, 03:34:09 PM
I agree with you about all ready being there.
Today I am holding over in Deltaville. I biked into town from the Public Dock at the end of Lovers Lane. I had a nice lunch but I was disappointed to learn that the pizza place that was in Deltaville went out of business. A lot of restaurants have folded here in Deltaville. It is sad.
I checked out the consignment shop and saw some I teresti g things. I went to West Marine but I did t need anything. Finally I picked up some food items at the small grocery store. Oatmeal has been a favorite breakfast so far this trip because of cool mornings.
I feel like I'm there! Wish I could have gotten it together to make the trip but this is the next best thing. Thanks for your continued posts. Stay warm, dry and safe and relax!
When I got back to the boat I tried out my cockpit shower. That was a cold shower!!! It did work pretty good though.
Tomorrow is supposed to be nasty. Wind is forecasted to gust up to 35 knots and it will rain 1.5 inches. I plan to stay here for at least tomorrow.
Funny but I am ok with staying in a place for a few days. I can rest up, relax, listen to music, read a book, and just enjoy living at a slower pace.
One nice thing is that my battery bank is fully charged. My solar panel is working great. This was peobably the best long term cruising mod that I have made.
Rain rain go away.
There is nothing like being a board your boat on a rainy day to find out where you have leaks. Apparently my solar van is leaking pretty good and I have to reseal it. I also had a small leak on my cabin top winch and my starboard side companionway sliding hatch brackets. The last leak was from the last screw so I tightened it down and it seems to stop leaking.
While I was sitting here I saw a nice Beneteau 38 go by with Annapolis Yacht Sales South on it. Sure enough Johnathan Hutchins was behind the sheen showing a prospective client the boat. Based on my dealings with him when I sold my last boat it took a lot of restraint not to yell out to the client to run.
It is pretty windy here with gusts to 30 or better at times. I did take the time to bail out my dingy and row to the public dock so I could walk into town and buy some Butyl tape to seal the solar vent when this rain stops.
Who knows what is left for the day. Definitely some reading and good music is in order.
I just made it into Urbanna. It was a rough and wet passage
The waves at Stingray point were huge. I had to steer off to keep from taking waves over the bow. The wind was about 15 knots, maybe slightly higher in the gusts.
Once I started up the Rappahannock River it calmed down a bit. The rain was ever present and I was mad my foul weather gear held. Towards the end the wind came up and it blew from right where I was going. It built to 20knots (damn you NOAA Marine forecast, you were wrong again).
Going into Urbanna I experienced some outboard issues. It didn't want to idle. I messed with it a bit once I was anchored and it seems to be okay now. Before that it kept cutting off at low speeds and it wanted to be choked when I restarted it. Seemed like fuel was getting through the filter so it could be plugs or I picked a little gunk in my fuel from it being so rough today. Either way I did get back running. I will check the plugs when the rain stops, if it ever does. I will also put some sea foam in the fuel if I can find some here.
My nerves are a bit frazzled from the outboard issue. I know it could always be worse but it still gets me going.
I will probably stay in Urbanna tomorrow because, guess what?...It's going to rain.
Thanks for the continued update - I feel like I'm there! Wish I could have pulled it together to make the trip down so this is the next best thing. Stay dry and safe and have a relaxing time.
It doesn't look like fun. The NOAA buoys showed Stingray max wave heights over 5 feet yesterday.
http://buoybay.noaa.gov/locations/stingray-point
If you do make it up to Annapolis, the highway signs on Rt. 50 said the Blue Angels were Tuesday 11-2 and Wednesday 2-4. That seems to coincide with the Navy Academy commissioning week schedule: http://www.usna.edu/CommissioningWeek/Schedule/
It could be fun to see them if the weather clears up and you make it up north [the aircraft carrier air shows were impressive, although quite different]. Sadly, family won't allow me to escape, but I'll be following your adventures here. Hope the trip improves.
At one point Annapolis was a goal. I am not sure where I am going to get to on this trip. I have to admit that I am missing my wife quite a bit. This incessant rainy weather doesn't help. Currently it is raining and cold. It rained all last night. I could really go for some warmer, sunny weather. Everything feels damp in the cabin although it is just me and it isn't really damp.
Urbanna is a nice town. If it wasn't for the weather being outright nasty yesterday, wind clocking around when I was 5 miles out and blowing 20+knots, and my outboard issue I would probably like this place more. It has a lot of good things within walking distance. I was able to get some Seafoam at a NAPA that was close by and I picked up some minor grocery items at the grocery store. All walking distance from the free dingy dock at the Town Marina. The dingy dock is free too and there is ice on site. Like I said, this is a nice place with friendly people but tomorrow, when I leave here, I will put my rudder to it and probably never return. This is quite a haul up the Rappahannock River.
Wish me luck with the outboard. I am hoping the problem is solved. My spark plugs looked fine, fuel was going through the fuel filter fine, and I did get to idle yesterday. I swear that my ideal is a little low on the engine. Hopefully the Seafoam will clean it out the rest of the way and I will have no more issues with it. Guys, I could use a few prayers on that one. Nothing stresses me out more than issues like that!
One quick apology. I am typing these posts on an iPhone so I can see what is being typed and autocorrected until I post. My small inverter for my laptop eats up battery power and there has t been much sun so I am Leary of depleting my battery bank. I am sorry for typos and odd words, I promise that my writing is much better than this.
If this forecast is to be believed, tonight should be the last of it, and then you'll have the rest of the week of beautiful sunshine and pleasant temperatures. Don't apologize for the iPhone, but enjoy it, and best of luck with the outboard.
Matt:
The spelling police are on their way and you'll be promptly arrested and tried. Need a lawyer? My cousin Rocko is your man.
I'm toying with a remote spin on filter for the boat. It can't hurt and there's room on our 23's. Keep up the good journalistic work...it's encouraging to see someone is out there doing it.
Bob23
Hey Heave,
So sorry we could not be down when you headed up the "Rivah" to Urbanna. We missed you by a day. You passed across the entrance to Locklies where No Mas lives. Maybe next time. Just up stream from Urbanna is the Carrotoman where there is an absolutely perfect sandy beach anchorage with anchoring depths just feet off the beach. It is a fav for us.
Your weather may not be prefect but you are out there and I am looking at fields that need cutting once this rain stops. Will miss the boat this week but at least the weather is due to break. Happy sailing to ya!
Thanks Rick.
The place you mentioned is a fall back place if we don't get wind tomorrow. If I get wind then I will head towards Indian Creek.
This morning started well. The engine started ok and I ran it to just outside the harbor. The winds were light and I set the main and then the spinnaker. I shut the engine down and it seemed okay. I then started a 18 mile spinnaker run where the winds built to -0-15 knots. I flew out of the Rappahannock like my head was on fire and my butt was catching.
I got out in the bay and turned hard to the wind. Again I took off like a gunshot. I was fi I g to set some serious personal distance records and the. The Chesapeake said NO! I was in the middle of an 8 boat manhaden fishing fleet and the winds crapped out to nothing. I tried to fire up the outboard and she would t run! Oh no! I am in a bad spot with all kinds of things going on with no engine and no wind.
Luckily my Uncle was close by to bail me out. He towed me into Indian Creek. I contacted Chesapeaky Bay Boat Basin and they said that they can get to my engine tomorrow. So right now I am sitting in Indian Creek rafter up to my Uncle's Catalina 34.
Guys, say some prayers or wish for some luck that my engine is a quick and eay fix. I think it is the carb and it needs to be cleaned. All the symptoms are there. Either way, I could use a little luck that this doesn't break the bank. I have darn near busted the cruising kitty this year.
I'll be wishing you luck on getting your motor fixed quickly. It looks like a beautiful week, and sounds like it was almost a really fun day.
Today I got my outboard back from Chesapeake Bay Boat Basin. The total pai was $181. The worst part is that I caused this. Apparently I had my mix too rich. I have no idea how I did this because I am careful about mixing. None the less it was the major problem and I have new spark plugs and my carb was cleaned. It was a painful learning experience. Oh well, I am set to go and I will leave Indian Creek tomorrow morning.
Most single handers don't breach this subject but I will tackle it. I am a bit homesick. I have a lot going on back there and I miss it. My wife has been patient and she will have to remain that way for a while. I still have a ways to go to get to home. I will probably cut the cruise short a few days. Oh yeah, my cruising kitty is gasping for breath too! Either way I am loving this trip despite a few hardships. I have had some lovely spinnaker runs, epic ones. I have also tested the skill of this helmsman and the metal of this boat and both stood tall. My Stingray Point story checked out and I went through five foot waves! It was t even close either, I never was really concerned or had thoughts of turning back.
The funny part is that I want to go home and as soon as I get there I will be dying to get back out here. Finding the correct balance is tough. I doubt that I will ever totally find it.
I think this poem suits many of us....
""By Don Blanding
How very simple life would be
If only there were two of me
A Restless Me to drift and roam
A Quiet Me to stay at home.
A Searching One to find his fill
Of varied skies and newfound thrill.
While sane and homely things are done
By the domestic Other One.
And that's just where the trouble lies;
There is a Restless Me that cries
For chancy risks and changing scene,
For arctic blue and tropic green,
For mountains with their mystic spell,
For lusty fun and raising hell.
But shackled to that Restless Me
My Other Self rebelliously
Resists the frantic urge to move.
It seeks the old familiar groove
That habits make. It finds content
With hearth and home dear prisonment,
With candlelight and well loved books
And treasured loot in dusty nooks,
With puttering and garden things
And dreaming while a cricket sings
And all the while the Restless One
Insists on more exciting fun,
It wants to go with every tide,
No matter where, just for the ride.
Like yowling cats the two selves brawl
Until I have no peace at all.
One eye turns to the forward track,
The other eye looks sadly back,
I'm getting wall-eyed from the strain,
(It's tough to have an idle brain).
But One says "Stay" and One says "Go"
And One says "Yes," and One says "No,"
And One Self wants a home and wife
And One Self craves the drifter's life.
The Restless Fellow always wins
I wish my folks had made me twins. ""
Excellent poem Frank- well suited indeed. Now I know the problem! Thx
Today was an amazing sail! In total I sailed over 35 miles, all under sail, 28 under spinnaker. Top speed was 6.2 knots on a surf.
I left Indian Creek at 8:00am. I made it to the Coan River in the Potomas by 5:00pm. I managed to run the autopilot with the spinnaker up for a while and I did shoot some video of it.
The only minor issue was that I was defended down upon by a plague of black biting flies. It was too warm to wear a lot but the constant bites was maddening. I guess they jumped on while I was going by Reedsville.
I am back in the Potmoac. I will probably make one more stop and return home on Saturday. This has been a good trip overall.
Heave, I'm really enjoying your cruising story, bleak rain and all. Wish you fair winds and water for the rest of your cruise.
Just par for the course on this cruise, my anchor isn't working tonight. I don't have the tools to troubleshoot it now. Ugh, this has had it's share of issues. I hope that it is the mast side of the deck plug. I need a voltmeter to test it but that is not on board. I am a bit frustrated with stupid stuff like this.
That's why all my electrical connections are below the deck. No corrosion issues. Nada. I'm really enjoying reading about this adventure of yours...it's inspirational. Glad you have a very understanding wife. Does she have any sisters? Hahahaha....
Bob23
The issue has to be in the socket on the mast because if I slap the mast the light flickers. Go Figure!
Today I finished my trip. I did 32 miles, most by motor because there wasn't any wind. It is sad because the day started with a beam reach where I was breaking hull speed. That only lasted for an hour or so.
I did over 200 miles and I burned under 8 gallons of fuel, not too shabby.