It was approximately 3PM Sunday June 26th, 2011; we rounded Red #2 in the Sassafras river for an official 2 hours short of 7 full days circumnavigating the Delmarva Loop!
As we got closer to the Sassafras yesterday, I decided moving Lasata to Annapolis is a must! It seems the further up the bay we went, the less the wind blew. I will be moving Lasata for sure, maybe even before the end of the season, even if I need to anchor it near Port Annapolis. Of course I will need to finish installing the solar panel to keep my batteries fresh. ...a guys gotta do what a guy has to do.
This trip was full of lots of firsts; not the least of which it was the first time I have been around the Delmarva in one continuous stretch. It was also the first time John saw "Blue Water", the first time I had a crew on my boat other than very close friends and family, the first time Lasata had a breakdown in a major shipping channel, and the first time we sailed more at night than during the day. I don't recommend this last thing in the bay, unless you are prepared to be continuously on channel 16 and channel 13 to talk to the shipping traffic. In the middle bay it is difficult to stay out of the lanes, and ship captains find recreational boats annoying at night to say the least. You should also have really good radar and radar skills aboard to ensure that you know where all the traffic is relative to you. Trust me, the ship captains get very stressed out when recreational boaters are apparently oblivious to where they are and where the ships are... if you don't know, don't go.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Ride Back to Annapolis
Saturday morning we were down one more crew member, leaving only John and myself. This seemed to be the way the whole trip went. Lessons for next year; get the crew together early, get them out on the boat in different conditions, make sure we know each other by the start of the race. Anyone wanting to crew, and not following these guidelines will not be part of Lasata's crew. Safety and comfort dictates this course of action.
So after a long exhausting few days, we made a few repairs, one of which required going aloft to replace a spreader end-cap.
After repairs we set off again and again were under sail power alone with the wind to our port-quarter. The sail was sending us up the bay and a respectable 4 knots. This was becoming an all to familiar feeling.
Before long we were being buzzed by a helicopter and encountering southbound cruise ships.
Finally, after nearly 7 hours a familiar sighting, signaling our return home... Thomas Point Light and lots of sailboats racing. We even got into the action a little bit, much to the dismay of some of the racers though we were careful not to interfere.
So, after racing in to Annapolis we found a spot to anchor near Port Annapolis, and went off to have a warm dinner at a locals pub.
So after a long exhausting few days, we made a few repairs, one of which required going aloft to replace a spreader end-cap.
After repairs we set off again and again were under sail power alone with the wind to our port-quarter. The sail was sending us up the bay and a respectable 4 knots. This was becoming an all to familiar feeling.
Before long we were being buzzed by a helicopter and encountering southbound cruise ships.
Finally, after nearly 7 hours a familiar sighting, signaling our return home... Thomas Point Light and lots of sailboats racing. We even got into the action a little bit, much to the dismay of some of the racers though we were careful not to interfere.
So, after racing in to Annapolis we found a spot to anchor near Port Annapolis, and went off to have a warm dinner at a locals pub.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Awards Ceremony & End of Race
Today was the official end of the race as far as point-to-point time checks. The Delmarva Rally Committee had a very nice welcoming party and live entertainment for us. Seeing everyone again, in one place rather than spread over many miles was interesting and fun.
Lasata and her crew won a few awards, and I will say that I was proud to have been mentioned in the same category as "Cherokee" & "Hurry Sundown". These guys are excellent sailors and their boats are spectacular. One of our awards was a "Good Samaritan" award for assistance rendered to "Blue Whale", as described in a previous post.
In the previous nights events, many of the Delmarva Rally participants decided to seek shelter from rough seas and impending storms, while we headed out further offshore through the night. In the light of day, we saw "Cherokee" back tracking to find a boat who we thought might have been between us. We also learned that one of the newer boats, actually initiated a US Coast Guard rescue when they beached their boat. And finally, the crew of "Blue Whale" was very lucky for us to have wandered upon them. They had lost their anchor, their engine was giving them trouble, they were out of fuel, and their sails were not up... Oh and did I mention, they were behind a massive sandbar!
I informed the crew they seem to be drifting and they need to make way to keep the boat from beaching. If they could find a path out, under sail I would be happy to give them my Generator Gasoline supply, so they'd have enough fuel to make it to Hampton, VA. After a few hair raising moments, they were off and making way to our location.
For these efforts, the race committee awarded us the Good Samaritan award, and "Blue Whale" recommended an additional "Eagle Eye" version of the same. On a less serious note, we were also awarded the "Provisioning" award, because we actually ran dangerously low on food with all the extra time spend on the ocean.
We will be looking for race times in the near future, maybe we can claim some other small victory; considering just making it around with what turned out to be a very short handed crew was victory enough for me.
Lasata and her crew won a few awards, and I will say that I was proud to have been mentioned in the same category as "Cherokee" & "Hurry Sundown". These guys are excellent sailors and their boats are spectacular. One of our awards was a "Good Samaritan" award for assistance rendered to "Blue Whale", as described in a previous post.
In the previous nights events, many of the Delmarva Rally participants decided to seek shelter from rough seas and impending storms, while we headed out further offshore through the night. In the light of day, we saw "Cherokee" back tracking to find a boat who we thought might have been between us. We also learned that one of the newer boats, actually initiated a US Coast Guard rescue when they beached their boat. And finally, the crew of "Blue Whale" was very lucky for us to have wandered upon them. They had lost their anchor, their engine was giving them trouble, they were out of fuel, and their sails were not up... Oh and did I mention, they were behind a massive sandbar!
I informed the crew they seem to be drifting and they need to make way to keep the boat from beaching. If they could find a path out, under sail I would be happy to give them my Generator Gasoline supply, so they'd have enough fuel to make it to Hampton, VA. After a few hair raising moments, they were off and making way to our location.
For these efforts, the race committee awarded us the Good Samaritan award, and "Blue Whale" recommended an additional "Eagle Eye" version of the same. On a less serious note, we were also awarded the "Provisioning" award, because we actually ran dangerously low on food with all the extra time spend on the ocean.
We will be looking for race times in the near future, maybe we can claim some other small victory; considering just making it around with what turned out to be a very short handed crew was victory enough for me.
Overnight Sailing up to Solomons Island
After much needed rest in Hampton, and a great favor from Kate at the city dock who allowed us to borrow her car for provisioning, we were off and running again. Lasata made great time up the bay out of Hampton with most tacks running in excess of 4.5 knots. With favorable sailing conditions like that, we were not even thinking of stopping off to anchor overnight.
When conditions did slow, the timing was absolutely perfect for a quick dinner of Portabella mushroom caps, bed up like a cheese burgers. The crew absolutely loved them and were almost ready to come to blows over the last one. No, I didn't take it for myself; I made the command decision to offer it to the MVP of the team.
Passing Wolf Trap light, we were really starting to get into the groove for the night. Just a little informaiton on Wolf Trap Light, courtesy of Wikipedia; It got its name from the 1691 grounding of HMS Wolf, a British naval vessel engaged in enforcing the Navigation Act and in combating piracy. In 1821 a lightship was stationed at this spot, and after refurbishment in 1854, the original ship was destroyed by Confederate raiders in 1861 during the Civil War. Two years later a replacement ship was put on station.
So with dinner out of the way, John and I needed to prepare for a long night of sailing, so I put Mark on the helm for an extra day watch. Just before nodding off for a nap, I took the time to admire a sunset on the bay:
After the sunset, John and I set to the tasks of overnight sailing on the bay. There is something almost magical about being under full sail at night. The peace and magic lasted only just so long though. It was around 11PM we started hearing some frantic radio calls to a sailboat north of us who seemed to be headed directly in the path of a 1000 foot freighter. We had out suspicions who it might have been, but I decided to have a quick chat with the ship captain, to verify who he was seeing, and to let him know that we will make our course anything he requires, to keep us from being run over. We would continue the remainder of the night in nearly constant radio contact and on visual and Radar lookout watch.
So at approximately 7am, we made it to sunrise and our destination.
With that, we found the first place to anchor and dozed off to a well deserved nap before trying to dock at a strange marina.
I just realized; the sunset and sunrise look very similar, except they happened on two different sides of the boat.
When conditions did slow, the timing was absolutely perfect for a quick dinner of Portabella mushroom caps, bed up like a cheese burgers. The crew absolutely loved them and were almost ready to come to blows over the last one. No, I didn't take it for myself; I made the command decision to offer it to the MVP of the team.
So with dinner out of the way, John and I needed to prepare for a long night of sailing, so I put Mark on the helm for an extra day watch. Just before nodding off for a nap, I took the time to admire a sunset on the bay:
After the sunset, John and I set to the tasks of overnight sailing on the bay. There is something almost magical about being under full sail at night. The peace and magic lasted only just so long though. It was around 11PM we started hearing some frantic radio calls to a sailboat north of us who seemed to be headed directly in the path of a 1000 foot freighter. We had out suspicions who it might have been, but I decided to have a quick chat with the ship captain, to verify who he was seeing, and to let him know that we will make our course anything he requires, to keep us from being run over. We would continue the remainder of the night in nearly constant radio contact and on visual and Radar lookout watch.
So at approximately 7am, we made it to sunrise and our destination.
I just realized; the sunset and sunrise look very similar, except they happened on two different sides of the boat.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Back in the Chesapeake Bay!
It was just before 11PM Wednesday night when Lasata finally cleared the southern tunnel entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. We had been sailing since Tuesday, for a total of three days and two nights on the Ocean. What a ride it was!
Monday's events were rather mundane, and uneventful. Basically motoring and Motor-Sailing just beyond Ocean City, Maryland. It was Tuesday morning the sails went up, and it would not be until Wednesday evening until the sails came down. Tuesday and Wednesday would be our "Fun" days.
It started with the fleet pulling away because they continued to motor instead of beating to windward toward our destination. Lasata was built for sailing, so we did just that... SAIL! Engine off; Sails UP; Electronics kept at a minimum; and off we went.
As the day wore on, it became apparent that none of us in the fleet were making much progress, and a few even had to duck into shore because they were burning through more fuel than they anticipated. We were comfortably sitting with enough fuel, provided we didn't lose the Jerry-Can of Diesel be put aboard when we topped off in Georgetown.
Before long it was apparent that we were going to be in for another night on the ocean, as the seas were and wind were building from the south. I didn't mention the impending storms to the crew at first because there was little we could do about them anyway. Although I know of at least three boats who ducked into shore to try and find safe harbor. Anyone sailing along this stretch knows just how un-safe approaching land here at night is.
As a matter of fact, one boat initiated a US Coast Guard rescue, but eventually received local help when their brand new well equipped boat got Beached HARD aground with no possibility of un-grounding. Another boat narrowly escaped the same fate as we found out the next morning.
On Wednesday after John and I tacked through the night working our way down the coast; back and forth some 20 to 30 miles outward then two thirds back toward shore. Again and again, eventually making approximately 35 to 40 miles toward our destination. Now this was sailing!!! Reefed, then a 2am "Double-Reef". We were blasting along! ...then the lightning...
I think I might have heard John saying some prayers. But, above us was clear starlit black sky! All around us, was just ominous black sky with occasional flashes followed by some booming or rumbling. After tacking all night in heavy seas and maybe even heavier wind, I decided that it was calm enough to have our sleeping & not feeling so well, take the tiller while we got a few minutes rest. What a night!
So before long, we were noticing one of our boats in a precarious location behind some waves that appeared to be some shoreline breakers. Not sure how they got there, but we found that they were in need of fuel, and were having engine difficulty, so they pulled in to a very dangerous place to anchor and fix their engine. ...Remember I said we didn't start our engine until Wednesday; well this was the occasion. We ultimately passed them two gallons of our generator fuel, and off we went to wait for them in safer water. ...That two gallons actually allowed them to get back to the Chesapeake Tunnel entrance, and back into safe water with repair facilities.
"No good deed goes un-punished" ... those were his EXACT words, and that was when I was ready to throw Mark overboard. Why tempt the Gods??? Why tempt fate??? Just keep your mouth shut. But it was too late... we did in fact have some trouble, starting with the arrival time of Lasata to the Chesapeake Bay. First there was a very strong current pushing us away from the bay back into open ocean, Secondly, there was a large fire nearby, big enough that the smoke obscured visibility for a mile or two around the Chesapeake Tunnel bridge entrance. But, that was not the least of it!
Just as we cleared the tunnel, and began to recognize our pathway to the Marina, our Engine gave out! Right in the Channel! A frantic ship captain in an outbound Tug pushing a very large load actually interrupted the Coast Guard as I was talking to them. He basically pleaded for me to back away from the channel as he was about to make life very rough for us. Not to mention he said an even larger ship was right behind him!
Well, we had just set anchor and I was 100% sure I was out of hid direct path. He and my crew both were just as sure that I was going to have us run over! ...We sat on that anchor for nearly two hours and didn't budge an inch! Watching Ship after ship pass by, a few hundred yards in front of our bow. A Front row seat to the US Shipping industry.
Finally our tow showed up, and I pulled anchor, then hooked the tow and when we got underway; I went to SLEEP, after two solid days of being awake. This was a great sail! More to come tomorrow... Oh, and the problem? I knew it was dirty fuel, and I needed to change out the fuel filter. I did have a spare, but I was dangerously tired and didn't want to pull into the marina that late and that tired.
So Thursday morning, with a new filter and more food... we're off again!
Monday's events were rather mundane, and uneventful. Basically motoring and Motor-Sailing just beyond Ocean City, Maryland. It was Tuesday morning the sails went up, and it would not be until Wednesday evening until the sails came down. Tuesday and Wednesday would be our "Fun" days.
It started with the fleet pulling away because they continued to motor instead of beating to windward toward our destination. Lasata was built for sailing, so we did just that... SAIL! Engine off; Sails UP; Electronics kept at a minimum; and off we went.
As the day wore on, it became apparent that none of us in the fleet were making much progress, and a few even had to duck into shore because they were burning through more fuel than they anticipated. We were comfortably sitting with enough fuel, provided we didn't lose the Jerry-Can of Diesel be put aboard when we topped off in Georgetown.
Before long it was apparent that we were going to be in for another night on the ocean, as the seas were and wind were building from the south. I didn't mention the impending storms to the crew at first because there was little we could do about them anyway. Although I know of at least three boats who ducked into shore to try and find safe harbor. Anyone sailing along this stretch knows just how un-safe approaching land here at night is.
As a matter of fact, one boat initiated a US Coast Guard rescue, but eventually received local help when their brand new well equipped boat got Beached HARD aground with no possibility of un-grounding. Another boat narrowly escaped the same fate as we found out the next morning.
On Wednesday after John and I tacked through the night working our way down the coast; back and forth some 20 to 30 miles outward then two thirds back toward shore. Again and again, eventually making approximately 35 to 40 miles toward our destination. Now this was sailing!!! Reefed, then a 2am "Double-Reef". We were blasting along! ...then the lightning...
I think I might have heard John saying some prayers. But, above us was clear starlit black sky! All around us, was just ominous black sky with occasional flashes followed by some booming or rumbling. After tacking all night in heavy seas and maybe even heavier wind, I decided that it was calm enough to have our sleeping & not feeling so well, take the tiller while we got a few minutes rest. What a night!
So before long, we were noticing one of our boats in a precarious location behind some waves that appeared to be some shoreline breakers. Not sure how they got there, but we found that they were in need of fuel, and were having engine difficulty, so they pulled in to a very dangerous place to anchor and fix their engine. ...Remember I said we didn't start our engine until Wednesday; well this was the occasion. We ultimately passed them two gallons of our generator fuel, and off we went to wait for them in safer water. ...That two gallons actually allowed them to get back to the Chesapeake Tunnel entrance, and back into safe water with repair facilities.
"No good deed goes un-punished" ... those were his EXACT words, and that was when I was ready to throw Mark overboard. Why tempt the Gods??? Why tempt fate??? Just keep your mouth shut. But it was too late... we did in fact have some trouble, starting with the arrival time of Lasata to the Chesapeake Bay. First there was a very strong current pushing us away from the bay back into open ocean, Secondly, there was a large fire nearby, big enough that the smoke obscured visibility for a mile or two around the Chesapeake Tunnel bridge entrance. But, that was not the least of it!
Just as we cleared the tunnel, and began to recognize our pathway to the Marina, our Engine gave out! Right in the Channel! A frantic ship captain in an outbound Tug pushing a very large load actually interrupted the Coast Guard as I was talking to them. He basically pleaded for me to back away from the channel as he was about to make life very rough for us. Not to mention he said an even larger ship was right behind him!
Well, we had just set anchor and I was 100% sure I was out of hid direct path. He and my crew both were just as sure that I was going to have us run over! ...We sat on that anchor for nearly two hours and didn't budge an inch! Watching Ship after ship pass by, a few hundred yards in front of our bow. A Front row seat to the US Shipping industry.
Finally our tow showed up, and I pulled anchor, then hooked the tow and when we got underway; I went to SLEEP, after two solid days of being awake. This was a great sail! More to come tomorrow... Oh, and the problem? I knew it was dirty fuel, and I needed to change out the fuel filter. I did have a spare, but I was dangerously tired and didn't want to pull into the marina that late and that tired.
So Thursday morning, with a new filter and more food... we're off again!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Two Beautiful Days and One Crazy Night
Well I know it's been a while, but this one will be short.
The reason for dropping out for a while was the two days have been filled with sailing offshore! I guess if you really want to unplug and get away from it all, this is probably one of the better ways to escape.
We spent the majority of the day traniting the Delaware River and Bay. Traveling down the Delaware can either be very exiting or a complete mind numbing experiende.
Entering open ocean was a first for at least on person in our crew. Once out there we had to devise a shift plan, because while in the ocean we will need 24 hour watches. This way someone is always awake to report or avoid issues to the other crew.
So we left Monday first thing from Chesapeake City for the open ocean and couldn't stop. I didn't sleep the whole first night by choice. and as I am having trouble with this it is because I couldn't sleep the entire second night too (not by Personal choice but some weather and crew issues )... even as I write this, i am having problems staying on task so I will add a couple photo's and call it done for now.
The reason for dropping out for a while was the two days have been filled with sailing offshore! I guess if you really want to unplug and get away from it all, this is probably one of the better ways to escape.
We spent the majority of the day traniting the Delaware River and Bay. Traveling down the Delaware can either be very exiting or a complete mind numbing experiende.
Entering open ocean was a first for at least on person in our crew. Once out there we had to devise a shift plan, because while in the ocean we will need 24 hour watches. This way someone is always awake to report or avoid issues to the other crew.
So we left Monday first thing from Chesapeake City for the open ocean and couldn't stop. I didn't sleep the whole first night by choice. and as I am having trouble with this it is because I couldn't sleep the entire second night too (not by Personal choice but some weather and crew issues )... even as I write this, i am having problems staying on task so I will add a couple photo's and call it done for now.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Delaware Bay & Dolphin Greetings!
Always a welcome sight... Dolphins!
We were two thirds the way down the Delaware Bay, when out of nowhere Dolphins were swimming around and under Lasata. It must have been a sight for the other boats, because they asked if we saw the Dolphins around our boat... Of course we did!
The Wind has been from straight ahead of Lasata, nearly our entire exit of the Delaware Bay in to the Atlantic. The good news is that we seem to be on an outgoing current flow, so we are basically doing 5 or 6 mph with the engine and add another 2 or 3 miles per hour push from the outgoing tide, we are not doing to badly. I think we are actually ahead of most of the fleet at this point.
So the Delaware Bay has a bad reputation for not having sights, well I think the sights are not that bad. I mean; Dolphins & Light Houses aren't all that bad are they?
We were two thirds the way down the Delaware Bay, when out of nowhere Dolphins were swimming around and under Lasata. It must have been a sight for the other boats, because they asked if we saw the Dolphins around our boat... Of course we did!
The Wind has been from straight ahead of Lasata, nearly our entire exit of the Delaware Bay in to the Atlantic. The good news is that we seem to be on an outgoing current flow, so we are basically doing 5 or 6 mph with the engine and add another 2 or 3 miles per hour push from the outgoing tide, we are not doing to badly. I think we are actually ahead of most of the fleet at this point.
So the Delaware Bay has a bad reputation for not having sights, well I think the sights are not that bad. I mean; Dolphins & Light Houses aren't all that bad are they?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)