June 26, 2009
The "race" was on! "Outrageous", "Polaris" and "Celerity" all vying for anchoring first! All 3 boats took different routes to our destination. We tended to take the route closest to land, but ended up tacking lots to try and keep our sails filled. In the end, all 3 vessels took down the sails and motored into the Yeocomico River. The rudder stuffing box was really giving us fits so Dennis (Polaris) and Thom (Outrageous) kindly offered to take a look. While they couldn't see the rudder stuffing box, they were able to "feel" it and gave it two plus turns. Wa-la...they are brilliant. We now have a dry bilge and no more pumping. Melinda was SOOOO happy! While under way we kept checking, but every time we pumped, we came up empty. One problem solved anyway. Polaris hosted dinner aboard tonight, but unfortunately Melinda was just too wiped out to attend. She had been working all day fixing this and that and needed a night to crawl in bed with Molly and veg. The Polaris taxi graciously picked me up and took me to their boat for a night of wine, food and story swapping.
June 27, 2009
Anchor up at 9 am and all 3 boats motored across the Potomac to the St. Mary's River to anchor in Horseshoe Bend. St. Mary's is a really historical little town with lots of charm. Unfortunately this day brought nearly 100 degree temps and high humidity. We were miserable. We did stop for fuel and water at a marina that had a pool. Their Boat US Discounted rate was $1.50/ft. and we almost bit the bullet and took a slip, but we decided to rough it and go to the anchorage. Melinda put up the forward sunshade and that helped a bit, but it was just so hot and miserable that we didn't even feel like making dinner. We settled on sandwiches and potato chips. We did meet some nice folks aboard a Bristol Channel Cutter, an absolutely gorgeous boat in the anchorage. St. Mary's College had a very nice dock so we used that to take Molly ashore for her morning and evening romp of 15 minutes on dry land.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Fishing Bay (near Deltaville)
We spent an additional night in the Severn River since the weather wasn't cooperating. I did the laundry and babysat for Molly (Melinda's Schnauzer) while Melinda went with Teri and Denise to Walmart. We needed provisions for the rest of the trip.
June 24, 2009 - We left the Severn River and crossed Mobjack Bay (which is HUGE), around Stingray Point to Fishing Bay. I had never anchored there before as Chris and I went up the Rappahanock River instead to the opposite side of Deltaville. We were fortunate enough to have a small marina nearby where we could "land" and take Molly to shore. We also wanted to take on some fuel and water which we did the next morning. We learned a valuable lesson though--fill up the boat in the afternoon when you arrive! The next morning there were 3 sailboats all waiting for nearly an hour as 2 small power boats filled their tanks (not simultaneously). The first was a 16 ft. center console and he parked in the middle of the entire dock (big enough for two 40' vessels), the second boat zipped in right after the first even though it was obvious that three sailboats were circling to get onto the fuel dock. A Catalina 38 named "Almost" was really upset and ended up calling the marina, but it really did no good. We finally did get in, filled up with diesel and water and were on our way. Our destination was Sandy Point on the Great Wicomico River.
June 25, 2009
We motorsailed up to Sandy Point with "Polaris" and "Outrageous" and anchored in a cove that had a small beach. Celerity has a leak and Melinda and I started to count and time our bilge pump outs. Melinda was pretty convinced that it was a rudder stuffing box leak. I didn't even realize that the rudder HAD a stuffing box! In any event, the leak was obviously getting worse and it was on Melinda's mind A LOT! Also...the outboard was a big problem on the trip as it took 10-11 pulls before the motor would cough...and perhaps 11 more before it started. Dennis on Polaris came aboard with a can of STP gas treatment thinking that it may help. Melinda is convinced that the dinghy motor has a personal grudge against her!
June 24, 2009 - We left the Severn River and crossed Mobjack Bay (which is HUGE), around Stingray Point to Fishing Bay. I had never anchored there before as Chris and I went up the Rappahanock River instead to the opposite side of Deltaville. We were fortunate enough to have a small marina nearby where we could "land" and take Molly to shore. We also wanted to take on some fuel and water which we did the next morning. We learned a valuable lesson though--fill up the boat in the afternoon when you arrive! The next morning there were 3 sailboats all waiting for nearly an hour as 2 small power boats filled their tanks (not simultaneously). The first was a 16 ft. center console and he parked in the middle of the entire dock (big enough for two 40' vessels), the second boat zipped in right after the first even though it was obvious that three sailboats were circling to get onto the fuel dock. A Catalina 38 named "Almost" was really upset and ended up calling the marina, but it really did no good. We finally did get in, filled up with diesel and water and were on our way. Our destination was Sandy Point on the Great Wicomico River.
June 25, 2009
We motorsailed up to Sandy Point with "Polaris" and "Outrageous" and anchored in a cove that had a small beach. Celerity has a leak and Melinda and I started to count and time our bilge pump outs. Melinda was pretty convinced that it was a rudder stuffing box leak. I didn't even realize that the rudder HAD a stuffing box! In any event, the leak was obviously getting worse and it was on Melinda's mind A LOT! Also...the outboard was a big problem on the trip as it took 10-11 pulls before the motor would cough...and perhaps 11 more before it started. Dennis on Polaris came aboard with a can of STP gas treatment thinking that it may help. Melinda is convinced that the dinghy motor has a personal grudge against her!
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