boats

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More Air in a Hurry

Stay, go, stay …. Go!!  Sunday’s forecast kept us guessing and chicken sailor I am, I was not up for 25kts, even off our stern. But when Sunday arrived and conditions looked favorable for a decent sail much of the day, we took off. Monday was predicted to be a motoring event so we wanted one last good sailing day to complete our Chesapeake expedition. Plus, s/v Spray Cat, an Island Spirit 400 (same as One White Tree), the cat ahead of us coming into Crisfield, was leaving and even we possess a teeny bit of competitive spirit.

The day was a virtual replica of Friday; big wind overnight, moderating in the morning and diminishing down to less than 10kts by early afternoon. We raised the main with one reef and shook it out after 30 minutes. Conditions were so favorable that we felt comfortable using the screecher, but that didn’t last long as the wind diminished too much to keep the large sail filled. At least we got to take a good look at her since the repair work and check that we’d gotten her and those long lines back on correctly. So much for that air in a hurry- in a hurry to leave I’d say.

We did catch up to Spray Cat who’d left at least 30 mins before us. But in their defense, they had a reef in the entire time and looked to be headed toward Deltaville, a closer destination than ours but a better sailing angle.

We passed by Wolf Trap Light near the end of our day

We passed by Wolf Trap Light near the end of our day

Even with our 9am late start we logged 57nm (65 land miles) in 8 ½ hours, arriving in Claxton Creek just past 5:30. Earlier in the day we crossed the state line; farewell Maryland, hello Virginia!

And some of you know what Virginia means- Norfolk! and all those Navy ships, Coast Guard cutters, tugs, barges, pleasure craft, pilot boats, container ships, oh my!   This being our seventh time through here we’ve become a bit blasé about the trip. But just in case others are too, the Naval ships make sure to get your attention.

Naval aircraft carrier #5 announced the ship was preparing to leave the dock and heading out to sea. Our ears prick up when we hear any naval vessel on the airwaves. This announcement is made on CH16 and is a bit lengthy. The gist of it is who they are, where they are headed and what actions other vessels should and should not take. Other vessels need to keep clear by at least 100 yards and if they don’t they will be subject to, “….including arrest and deadly force.” Well, alright-y then. We kept our distance and cut across the channel before #5 arrived.

We stay clear of No. 5 as she heads out of Norfolk

We stay clear of No. 5 as she heads out of Norfolk

We’d seen a steady stream of double-masted sailboats heading up the Chesapeake as we came in to Norfolk. After the first few I figured some weekend event must have taken place and sure enough we learned about the Schooner Fest. Weren’t surprised to see our old friend, The Pride of Baltimore II heading back to her home port. She sure gets around.

Pride of Baltimore II heads home after the schooner fest

Pride of Baltimore II heads home after the schooner fest

We got lucky and snagged the last spot on one of two free docks near the Great Bridge Bridge. Guess who was on the other free dock? Yes- Harmony II!  We may see them yet. Swapped stories and shared ActiveCaptain info with m/v Otter who was docked ahead of us. From our stop last April we knew just where to go; Chili’s for dinner, Panera for breakfast treats, then Farm Fresh supermarket for a couple of bags of food. We are now at Mile 12 on the official AICW; only another 1,000 more to go; less if you convert to nautical miles 🙂

 

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Busy Bees at Block

Although the forecast gods (related to Zsero- god of the unknown) cast down upon us their big wind and waves for several days, we sat snug on a town mooring; a difficult feat during the prime season of July and August. Hangin’ out for the week was fine with us; a near-perfect return day would have us returning at our leisure- AND NOT BEFORE!  We made good time motoring from Oak Bluffs catching a favorable current most of the way. The wind slid from calm to calmer and so did the tiny wavelets. If we can’t sail we at least want a favorable current and/or calm seas- well, I do anyway.

West Chop lighthouse at Vineyard Haven

West Chop lighthouse at Vineyard Haven

Tuesday brought in the big winds with gusts to 30kts and a bunch of serious sailors who also possessed excellent mooring pennant retrieval skills. Some were single-handers, some were couples and others just several guys- enjoying September sailing.

Our VHF radio was off; we’re on vacation after all. Russ has a rare episode of ESP, turns on VHF 16 and immediately hears a boater in distress in the Great Salt Pond talking to the Coast Guard. Uh, I think the boat is right here in New Harbor, also known as Great Salt Pond. Binocs in full use by me, Russ hails the BI Harbormaster who only monitors CH 12. She hails Ms Viv the vessel in distress; water over the floorboards. The captain describes his 26ft sailboat with no sail cover and says he’s anchored by Breezy Point. We’re damned if we know the location of Breezy Point but it’s not on this side; Russ heads across with our crash pump and long discharge hose (kept at the ready in an engine compartment). The harbor rescue boat is en route and when they tie up to Ms Viv, Russ ties Bunting to them and within 5 mins has the water pumped out.

At max zoom: can make out Russ on Ms Viv. A second dinghy stands by

At max zoom: can make out Russ on Ms Viv. A second dinghy stands by

Providing mooring attachment assistance- oh wait, more water- go to dock.

Providing mooring attachment assistance- oh wait, more water- head for the dock.

Bill’s story is that he’d recently anchored after arriving under sail in Ms Viv who he’s owned for two years.  Noticed water coming up over the floorboards and when he couldn’t stem the tide he called the Coast Guard, figuring someone in the pond would hear the call and be able to quickly assist.  As Russ was helping with the mooring, Bill saw more water and the Harbormaster had him get to a nearby dock.  The culprit was a hose in the unused head that had become unattached during the trip and with each wave, water would spurt through and into the boat. We provided a wine cork to plug the end of the hose- I always make sure we keep a few on hand- left the pump overnight just in case and hoped the water would remain outside the boat.

The next morning, Russ retrieved our pump and soon after Ms Viv sailed off.

Ms Viv prepares to sail away from the dock

Ms Viv prepares to sail away from the dock

Thursday afternoon shortly after we returned from a short walk and cemetery stroll, CH 16 sprang to life with a call to the CG from a boat in Block’s New Harbor. We’d noticed a sailboat come in a short time ago under sail (most have done that this week) and was still sailing around once in the anchorage area. Seems they’d put down their (puny) anchor, it was dragging and their engine failed them entering the harbor. Repeat steps from above- binocs- good, boat has red hull- I see it; Russ hails harbormaster and heads across. Our dinghy doesn’t have a bridle which is helpful when attempting to tow a larger vessel so Russ wasn’t able to help much, but the harbormaster tied Flash alongside and brought them to a mooring.  I can imagine how the pounding hearts and tense nerves (came through distinctly over the radio) found a much calmer zone once the boat was secured.

Bunting and BI Harbormaster assist s/v Flash

Bunting and BI Harbormaster assist s/v Flash

We wonder if Flash could have kept its sail up until securely anchored and used it for propulsion if the anchor wouldn’t set. Much of the pond is grassy- not good- and much is deeper than 20ft- also not good. Where they were was grassy (Breezy Point is better, I checked) and I’ll bet the depth was 10ft or more (we had anchored in that section back in Aug). With 50ft of line out that wasn’t enough scope and/or the grass did not agree with their anchor.