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2005 Chesapeake Bay Cruise |
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Saturday, August 6: We
met at 0900 to cover an overview of the 8 day course.
Our cruising area stretched from Rock Hall to Solomon’s Island, a
distance of 50 miles, with specific daily routes determined by weather and
distances as we cruised. After checking the boat carefully and provisioning, a DR
course was plotted to Baltimore, and we were underway by 1300. Light
northwesterly winds required us to motorsail most of the way, although there was
a period of several hours where we tacked up the Patapsco, under the Francis
Scott Key Bridge, and on toward Fort McHenry.
Kevin did two perfect dockings at Inner Harbor East; after entering the
first slip we were asked to change to another slip which was very tight. This
was the students first encounter with floating docks, so much discussion
followed on the different techniques used between docking at pilings versus
docking at floating docks. Ravishing hunger struck us all, so off we went
downtown to dine with several thousand others bent on partying the Saturday
night away. Sunday, August 7: Some
class review, then we were on our way to Annapolis with usable winds for about 3
hours, then we again had to motorsail to a mooring off City Dock.
Lots of navigational practice to keep track of our position while we
tacked down the Chesapeake bay, We took a water taxi into town, dined and
strolled the downtown area, then returned for a good nights sleep. Monday, August 8: A lengthy run down the Chesapeake to Duns Cove via Knapps Narrows, where the students got a good taste of navigating in a shallow and narrow entrance passage, as well as communicating with the bridge tender and then passing through. At Duns Cove we found a good anchorage, barbequed dinner and enjoyed the sunset.
Tuesday, August 9: A
long run to Solomon’s Island began in poor visibility and steady rain for the
first few hours. Careful navigation was the order of the day. The winds avoided
us as much as possible, so motoring was necessary nearly all the way.
At Solomon’s Island, Kemal made a great shoehorn docking in the marina.
Kudos to the crew on a really great job! Into
this quaint little village for crab cakes and other goodies, then hit the books. Wednesday, August 10: Students took their ASA 103 exams and
all did well. We then plotted a course to Oxford on the Choptank River.
Motorsailed all the way in ok weather with little wind. Dropped the hook off the
Strand in Oxford and rowed in on the dinghy to get some badly needed pool time.
Dinner at the Robert Morris Inn, then back to the boat for a good snooze.
Thursday, August 11: St. Michaels was the next port of
call. Sailed and then motor sailed
again through the Knapps Narrows bridge, then squeezed through Poplar Passage
and up Eastern Bay to the Miles River and on to the Maritime Museum in St.
Michaels. Marisa deftly squeezed Moxie into a tiny parallel-parking slip, and
then we quickly plugged in the air conditioning to cool off. Strolled around the museum and the old shipping village,
reprovisioned, then dined at the Crab Claw. Friday, August 12: Straight
shot from St. Michaels to Rock Hall via the shallow and tricky Kent Narrows.
Slipped through the bridge after Kemal requested an opening, then onto
the Chester River. Eight to 10 knot
breeze proved fine for some drills, MOB being foremost.
Also reefed, double-reefed and hove-to.
Snuggled into home slip at Spring Cove, cooked up some steaks on the
marina barbeque, then dispersed for the evening. Saturday, August 13: Students took ASA 104 test, and all passed. Reviewed the test, then set out for an enjoyable sail for a few hours. Re-fuelled and pumped-out, then put Moxie to rest in her slip, packed up, graduated, and all left with a smile. The students seemed pleased that they were able to learn so much, particularly understanding charts, route planning and revisions underway, approaching previously unseen “foreign” ports, docking where no boat could possibly fit, handling bridge openings and passages, and gauging the impact of the weather on each leg of the trip. Captain Don Kinney |
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