Wind Storm, No Water and First Day Out on the Bay!

 

This weekend was crazy!

The plan was to go down Thursday night... finish the move-in and clean up the interior a bit so I could work from the boat on Friday before a weekend of sailing with friends.

I loaded the remaining boat items and headed down right after work.  I'll spare you the typical messy boat photos but I will show some nice shots as dusk approached as I finished getting items stowed.  I knew it was going to get a bit windy that evening but I had not checked the weather for a few days.  THAT turned out to be a mistake.

Looking out to C & D docks from the parking lot.

All ready to work from boat (on the right).

Yes, you can assume the spaces I'm not showing were still a mess.

I watched some YouTube and went to bed, noticing that it was beginning to get a bit breezy.  As the night wore on, the wind HOWLED  through the rigging and dock lines groaned.  The motion of the boat picked up around midnight, so I got up and put on two seasickness wrist bands just in case.  (Sometimes when it's rocking below, I'm fine, other times it bothers me... why take the chance?)

In the morning, I awoke and found this weather report and this storm warning (which eventually became a gale warning).  The wind was high - high 20s to low 30s, and I guessed and Seas The Day was leaning maybe 5 degrees or so straining agains the dock-lines keeping her tied to the dock.  

Seeing that this was going to go through the night and realizing that I had a lot of fine detail to review for work, I decided I had enough time to head home (stopping at Waffle House) and make use of a flat, non-moving desk.

It was basically like a hurricane passing off the coast in terms of what we experience at Osprey Pt.   Davis from Shardana clocked 42kts at one point in the evening on Friday.  As I left Friday morning, this was the view from the deck.

I took my computer and a bag or two and headed to the car and there I experienced a really interesting photographic moment.  

You may recall Ansel Adam's photo "Sunrise" and the associated story he told about realizing that a unique moment was happening and rushing to set up (and having to guess at exposure) before the light was lost from the crosses in the photo's cemetery.

OK... I'm not Ansel, but as I approached the car I saw the the sun was about to rise... it was rim-lighting the clouds and I thought to myself "You should drop everything and capture this".  But I'm not Ansel and I took a few seconds to put the bags on the back seat and turned to see the sun had risen (washing out the neat scene I just saw)... the moment had passed.

I started to get in the car when I looked just a bit to the left and really liked how the sun played across the natural frame posed by a few pine branches... so I took a few steps and quickly captured it with my iPhone.  I wanted to get started at work so there was no time for playing... one or two quick exposures was it.  I processed it in lightroom during lunch and came up with this (which I think I may enter in my company's photo contest).

Sunrise in Rock Hall

I worked all day Friday at home until the power went out (if I had stayed on the boat I could have started the generator), and stayed at home that night.

I went back down early on Saturday.  It was still windy and there were small white caps in swan creek, but more importantly, there was no water!

White caps on Swan Creek.

This was high tide!  Depth should be reading 8' or so.
(My keel is 4'11" deep)

I've been told about this phenomena... it's called a "Blowout Tide"  The high winds blowing from NNW the past few days has blown water out of the Chesapeake Bay, resulting in abnormally low water levels.  

If it was high tide now... and if my friend came and we tried to leave (we probably would not have been able to get out), we would surely have problems getting back, so I postponed his visit until Sunday.

By mid-afternoon, the water levels were way below normal.
On a typical day the rocks on the left are at the edge of the creek.

With no guests coming, I decided to use the time on Saturday productively and swabbed the deck, getting Seas The Day spic and span for the next day.

After I finished cleaning, I was quite hungry so I went to Harbor Shack for a quick meal and ended up eating with some dock mates who were there for an early meal as well.

I was lounging around back onboard when I suddenly realized that the AC/heat had cut off.  I was reading about this possibility just the other day on the 425 group and opened the bilge and checked the AC strainer... my fear was the low water levels caused it to suck up some gunk (a technical term).

But the strainer was clean....

I checked the circuit breakers... they were on... but no 120 voltage... so now I focused on checking the breakers in the transom... they were off... no blue lights on the smart cables, so it must be the pedestal.

That's when I noticed... hmmm... the pedestals weren't lit up.  I looked over at the Inn... it was dark.  We were clearly experiencing a power failure - which was a bit surreal because my TV was still running and I had lights on (they run off the house batteries... AC runs off... well... AC).

It was so dark that I should have done some star-gazing.  Since I had already had my bourbon for the evening I didn't want to walk out on the docks.  Instead, with the TV working I watched Maryland Public TV which was having their pledge drive (these are much easier to tolerate with some bourbon).

If anyone else besides me has read to this point, I'm truly impressed... leave a comment if you have.

In the morning, breakfast preparations had to wait for me to do the yearly propane test... to make sure the system doesn't leak.  Once everything was safe, I had soft boiled eggs and toast.

While having breakfast, I received a cancellation from my friend, so after cleaning up, I FINALLY set off.  

...

...

And THIS, my friends, is what it is all about.  After all this preparation... the SECOND I untied the last dock-line and stepped aboard it was like all the tension from the last few months just melted away.  All was right with the world as I glided out Swan Creek.   

Once I rounded the #3 buoy, I set the sails.  The windspeed was around 15 to 17 kts and Seas The Day instantly embraced that wind, leaning over slightly and finally feeling free after a winter on the hard, effortlessly came up to 7 kts SOG.  It was breezy and cool.  I just sat back listening to the sound of gliding through the water and feeling the breeze on my face.

Life is good!

Sails are out!

7 kts across the bay without even trying.

Checking out the traffic

Contented?

My track for the day.

If You Come Sailing With US - 2021 Edition.

Just the facts... 

Previous posts about joining us for a day of sailing had a lot (perhaps too much) explanation about why you might come sailing with us.  For this update, I'm assuming you already decided to join us for a day of sailing, so here are just the facts.

How to Find Us:

We are now in Rock Hall, MD at Osprey Point Marina.  The address is...

20786 Rock Hall Avenue, Rock Hall, MD  21661

We strongly recommend that you use WAZE (the GPS app) which will bring you down from northern Delaware using the new US 301 (toll road).  It will save you a significant amount of time from the back roads.  (Hint, use US 1 to come down and cross over the C&D Canal, then take the exit for Annapolis, MD.)  Some GPS apps (especially our cars) don't seem to know about this new road yet.  (Note, if you have extra time and want a scenic drive, then come down the back way through Elkton, Chesapeake City and Georgetown, MD.)

One important thing to know is this area of the Eastern Shore of MD is known for speed traps.  So please watch speed limits on the back roads carefully and observe them.  

An especially insidious speed trap is just about a mile after you cross this bridge as you approach Chestertown, where the speed limit drops to 45 (with a warning sign) and then suddenly drops to 30 (WITHOUT a warning sign) just as you hit the point where the camera is aimed.  Be careful!

If we spoke about lunch and I mentioned getting it at the Liquor Store, it's this one... last driveway on the right before you go under "the" traffic light in Rock Hall.

Yes, get lunch there... just go in... walk to the back... you'll see.

These guys make a great Ham and Swiss on Rye 
(w/mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, onions & salt, pepper and oregano.)

About a mile after the liquor store, you'll see the sign for Osprey Point Marina.  On the photo below, you'll be arriving on the main road from the lower right.  Turn right coming from the main road at the bottom (remember the marina speed limit is 6 mph) and proceed past the farmhouse to the main parking lot (circled in red) and park there.  Then walk past the pool, the Inn, and the marina shack to go out on the docks.  B-dock is the last dock all the way at the top of the photo and Seas The Day can be found just to the right (around the area of the red circle at the top of the photo).

Who Should Come?  What to Bring?

The Right Age:

Children should be old enough to reason with (Those under 13 are REQUIRED to wear a life vest), so I generally recommend age 5 and above, though we frequently make exceptions.

Some kids are cool with life vests...

Attire

We all think about a day of summer sailing as something like this...

The reality might be something more like this...

Being out on the water can be both warm and cold... sometimes on the same day.  So dress in layers.  Go ahead and put on that swimsuit if you want.  The wind might die down and we all decide our best bet is to just anchor and catch some rays in the warm sun.  But put on some other layers as well.  Generally in July and August we are comfortable in shorts and a polo shirt.  However, do bring along a windbreaker (and maybe even some sweats if you're prone to getting chilled).

About shoes, we're not asking everyone to go out and get boat shoes (with white soles that don't scuff the decks), but please don't wear sneakers (or anything) with black soles (which do scuff the decks).  Most shoes with the tan or colorful polymer soles are OK and so are most flip flops.  If you don't have anything else, then just throw the black sneakers below once you get on board and go barefoot on the boat!

Safety & Sun Protection

Safety first... All Children under the age of 13 MUST wear a life jacket.  This is a Federal law and is not negotiable.  Some children are OK with this (like the girl above)... others are not....

Some kids are NOT COOL with life jackets...
(It doesn't matter... under 13 MUST wear them.)

I strongly recommend that adults wear them as well.  (You might be able to swim well, but can you swim long enough for me to get back to you?)  Along the lines of safety, expect that we'll spend 10 minutes talking about safety basics as we get the boat ready to depart.

The other essential safety items are sun protection items.  We keep a little sunscreen on Seas The Day in case you forget.  Don't forget sunglasses... remember that the sun hits you from the normal direction (from above) but also reflects off the the water as well.

Food, Drink and Seasickness

We'll figure out food options depending on the trip. And we've had some seriously kick-a$$ spreads.

Sushi & Champagne (just a little for the Skipper - see below) while underway!

Seas The Day has a complete galley with oven, stove and refrigerator.  We can prepare a meal, but most of the time we just bring something in a cooler for a simple (and easy to eat while underway) lunch.

You do expend more calories sailing, even though you're mostly sitting or standing (think of it as a 4 hour low-impact core workout).  Realize that the wind blowing past you all day WILL dehydrate you.  Plan to drink a lot of water.  We keep a bunch of snacks on Seas The Day along with lots of water, so just ask if you're hungry or thirsty.

Which leads to... we have a head (boat speak for "toilet") if you need it... we just ask that you aim well, and don't put anything in the head that you haven't eaten first.  (Yes, ladies, that means... um... well... ah... "carry in, carry out".  We have a garbage can just under the sink in the galley.)

We don't drink alcohol while underway.  Period.  I don't want "drunk boater" listed as my cause of death (or anyone I'm responsible for).  If we tie up to the dock just before sunset, we usually have a little wine on board for just that occasion as we wait for dinner.  However, all boat trips usually end at some restaurant or bar, so we usually have our drinks afterward.

That leaves seasickness... the only time I've been queasy on Seas The Day was during the delivery trip when we were out on the ocean for many hours.  We mostly sail on the bay and won't usually go out if the bay is rough.  Still, I keep a few natural remedies on board and you're free to bring your own protection if you wish.  (Only a few guests have gotten queasy and that usually happens when they go below to use the head if we're underway at the time.)

Finally, COVID  

(Yes, we're still dealing with this.  We hope the end is near... if everyone cooperates on vaccines.  I'm sure this section will continue to change.)

As of May 15th, Gov. Hogan lifted the mask restrictions in MD.

Our marina's guidance is now "wear a mask when you feel it is necessary".

There are still some places in town asking folks to wear masks.

Our advice is to please bring a mask.  (We have disposable ones onboard if you forget.)

We (Vicky and I) hope you are getting vaccinated and we will strive find a time to go sailing with you after you're clear.  If you're refusing vaccination, we sincerely hope you don't regret the decision.  We won't ask your status, but if you are not vaccinated, please wear a mask if you go below decks on Seas The Day.  Thanks.

A quick summary

1. Dress in layers

2. Please, no black shoes

3. Kids MUST wear life jackets (and I recommend them for everyone).

4. Bring sun protection (sunscreen and sunglasses).

5. Plan for food and plenty of water (but no alcohol please).

6. Watch for speed traps on the back roads of MD

7. Please bring a mask!  Wear it if you are unvaccinated and go below deck.

Finally, for those who want more information about sailing, here's a great link to an online course that will tell you more than you want to know about your first sailing experience.

ASA's "Your First Sail" online course

We hope you join us!

-George & Vicky

Back in the Water - Moving Day!

It's a little later than I had hoped for, but I received word on Friday morning that Seas The Day was back in the water.  So yesterday I loaded up all the "boat crap" (after spending Friday evening digging though the house finding it all), and headed down to Rock Hall.

This time as I walked out onto the dock, there she was (unlike last November, when I walked out and found her missing).  Wind had blown from the north for a few days, blowing water out of the bay resulting in a very low tide... there would be no sailing today.

Seas The Day is back at her berth!

The pile of "boat crap" ready for loading.

The other reason there would be no sailing is there are no sails yet.  Well, they're here... just piled up below deck.  In their rush to get the boats launched, they're running a bit behind some of the commissioning work.  

Low (and muddy) water level looks a bit green.

Starboard aft cabin is filled with jib and Bimini

All this adds up to the fact that this is NOT up to Vicky's standards.  While I'd appreciate her help toting everything aboard, I'm grateful that I don't have to drop everything and immediately swab the decks.  We'll wait until the yard guys are finished installing the sails and Bimini and then worry about achieving spic and span.

With the boat crap all successfully transferred from our kitchen to the boat, I busied myself with stowing as much as I could.  For now, the bedding will stay in the garbage bags on the salon seating as the aft stateroom is filled as shown above and the forward stateroom is filled with the Eisenglass for the dodger and all the battens for the mainsail.

Once the bulk was stowed, I then started on my own checklist for the season.  First up was to update the firmware for the electronics.  In my real life, I'm amazed that scientists will buy an expensive piece of analytical equipment and then fail (or refuse) to keep it's firmware up to date.  So setting a good example, I connected to the marina's WiFi and reached out to Raymarine for an update.

While the update proceeded (about 30 min), I dug through my bags and filed the boat documentation certificates and also put the new registration stickers on the base of the mast.  We technically had a month or so remaining on Vicky's fishing license, but I knew that we would forget to renew it in May so I did that at the beginning of the season.  We added a crab sticker this year.

As I put those on, the top sticker reminded me that I need to request a new USCG VSC, so I double-checked the safety drawer and the fire extinguishers.  (Note to self... still need to test the propane system.)

Finally, I went out and checked the engine hours... 132.0!  Since we were at 49.0 a year ago, that meant that we motored for 83 hours last year.

Camera had to be held about 6 inches off the floor to catch the display.

Then I closed up the boat and headed home... making sure to set the battery switch at #2 (the house bank) so I don't return to a dead boat like last fall.