2005 Chesapeake Bay Cruise

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Wednesday, July 27:  We gathered for an overview of the 8 day cruising course, then established area limits for the sail - central Chesapeake, Rock Hall, Solomon's Island.  Ports of call would be established on a day by day basis depending on weather and distances. After we checked all boat systems and provisioned, we plotted a DR course for Baltimore, and departed at 13:00.  The very hot day, relieved some by a light westerly, let us motorsail to Inner Harbor where we were greeted by a spectacular thunderstorm with nice refreshing rain and winds to 35 knots. It was a pleasant tour around the harbor while we waited for the winds to ease, then we docked at Inner Harbor East for the night. All showered and headed for dinner in town except Andrew- he decided that the “Duran-Duran” concert at Pier 7 was more to his liking than simple food. 

Thursday, July 28:  Annapolis was chosen for the next port.  Set up a DR course for the trip. More precise navigation was the order of the day. Weather was delightful, but light winds required us to motorsail most of the way.  Grabbed a mooring off City Dock in Annapolis, hit the showers, dinner at McGarveys Pub, and finished off the day with some Gelato at the Italian Café. 

Friday, July 29:  Sailed down the Chesapeake to an anchorage in the Rhodes River. Winds were sufficient to do some maneuvers including MOB drills.  Spent a quiet night on the hook after devouring chicken prepared on the barbecue grill. 

Saturday, July 30:  Students took the ASA 103 test; all passed.  Winds out of the south at 8-12 knots provided us with a pleasant sail to St. Michaels.  Students really learned a lot about navigation and estimating tacking angles to optimize the track across the Chesapeake Bay,  up Eastern Bay, and into the Miles river to St. Michaels.  Many fixes, estimated positions and DR were the order of the day.  Pleasant stay at St. Michaels Marina after a great shoe-horn docking by the students.   Showers and dinner ashore, then hit the sack. 

Sunday, July 31:  St. Michaels to the Wye River anchorage was the plan for the day. Sailing exercises off the Wye River entrance, then a long cruise up the Wye to stare at beautiful mansions lining the shore.  Anchored in Shaw Bay, cooked up another great BBQ feast. A clear night sky let us try to find key stars and constellations.  Went on with much intensity and fun late into the night. 

Monday, August 1:  Light winds dictated a mostly motor sailing day.  Students chose a revisit to Annapolis as the objective. A route was plotted there via Kent Narrows to give all a chance to experience calling the drawbridge, holding steady at the approach until the bridge opened, and then steering through the narrow slot after the draw was open.  Lots of careful chart reading and course plotting on this leg. Moored in Annapolis and again went ashore for showers, some more provisioning, and dinner. 

Tuesday, August 2:  Light following winds and a good motor took use from Annapolis to Rock Hall.  Navigation was straight forward now that the navigation skills were really sinking in.  Followed a 600 foot freighter through the Bay Bridge. Docked at home slip and dispersed for the evening. 

Wednesday, August 3:  Review of course, then the ASA 104 test; all passed.  Spent some time sailing and reviewing maneuvers, then refueled, pumped out, and closed up the vessel.  Graduation was informal (no caps and gowns).  Students were very satisfied after the 8 day adventure. They now feel confident that they can navigate in unfamiliar waters, locate and dock at previously unseen marinas and anchorages, and handle the boat with much more skill than before.

Captain Don Kinney
Aboard MOXIE, IP-32
Rock Hall, MD
August 4, 2005

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