10/14/2009
Mary spent a long weekend with two girlfriends and her daughter in Denver, for a few days of pampered luxury. I was happy not to be invited and took Curlew for a blustery sail down to Annapolis and spent a few days at anchor in Weems Creek. I had heard from friends that the Annapolis Boat show seemed to be busier than last year the first few days, but when I went on Sunday afternoon and Monday I thought attendance was light.
Not many interesting new boats this year. The prize for the ugliest boat goes, hands down, to the Shannon 52. I don't know what the designer, or the buyer, had in mind when they "designed" this boat. It looks like an enlarged version of their Shoal-Sailer, with several trawler-style levels stacked on top. I can't believe that it will go to windward, and it must be scary to be at that high wheel station with a real sea running. (It had a sign indicating that this was NOT Bob Bitchin's new boat!)
I liked the new Morris 29 day-sailer and was pleased to see that it has a tiller. Did not ask the price. But what really intrigued me was the Italian Sensei. I saw her sailing when I left the Severn River on Tuesday and she looked really pretty. Not retro, but a well proportioned contemporary design. Sorry I did not look at her in more detail at the show.
It was good to see that Cabo Rico had a presence at the show, with Joe Batista's Cabo Rico 56. Too big for my taste (and wallet), but what a beautiful Chuck Paine design. Sometimes I think that in the future it would make sense to go smaller than Curlew's 42 ft. Not too many appealing boats in the 34-37 ft size. I still like the Pacific Seacraft 34, designed by the recently deceased Bill Crealock, and it seems that built quality has improved since the new owners moved the factory to the east coast. Needs a tiller, though. The wheel takes up too much cockpit space. The Tartan 37, although pretty, did not make the cut: Not one good sea berth in this boat. I like at least one (but preferably two) straight bunks parallel to the center line. As a day-sailer the Alerion 28 is still my favorite.
Do I need to vent more opinions? Too many boats that are great as entertainment centers in a marina, and too few that are designed for cruising, with good anchor gear, plenty of handholds below and above decks, and good sailing characteristics. I especially dislike the deck-saloon style boats with their sunroofs at mast level; slippery as hell, and not a handrail in sight. I would hate to work at the mast on one of those dark nights when things always seem to go wrong. Why do you need 10 ft headroom below deck? And why do you need these huge windows? To keep the shutter manufacturers busy?
It was my plan to watch the start of the Schooner Race from the Bay Bridge to Norfolk on Thursday, but the weather forecast was for winds from the north in the 25/30 range, with heavy rain, and temperature around 45. No fun. So on Wednesday I went back to my slip, and watched the schooner parade in Baltimore's harbor from the docks at the Anchorage Marina.
To conclude the trip, I went to West Marine to buy a new space heater. It feels like winter already.
| Summer 2009 |
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09/07/2009, Corsica River, Queenstown and Bodkin Creek
We are in our fourth and final anchorage before we return to Baltimore tomorrow. We have been extremely fortunate to have had three beautiful sailing days, and five days of great weather, relaxation, good food, good friends and much laughter.
When we left Baltimore we sailed to the eastern shore of the Chesapeake to Swan Creek, near Rock Hall. On Friday we had a nice sail up the Chester River, to the Corsica River, to anchor in a relatively quiet anchorage. We rafted up with our friends Lisa and Kirk. Thierry had brought along the sailing dinghy, and it didn't take him long to get her into the water and take her for a sail. On Saturday we left the anchorage and motored down the Chester to an anchorage near Queenstown. I understand there really isn't much of a town in Queenstown, but there is a nice anchorage. There we met up with two other couples and we all rafted together. It was great fun - to see folks we haven't seen in a while and to just talk and laugh. We celebrated Kirk's birthday with a wonderful carrot cake made by Lisa.
One of our party left on Sunday and three of us remained. Kirk donned a wet suit and tank and went into the water and checked the bottom of all of our boats - cleaning off barnacles that had attached themselves to our prop. Thierry noticed a big difference today when we left the Chester River to head back to the eastern shore. By evening, our somewhat quiet anchorage became quite crowded with both sailors and power-boaters. I think we made enough noise to drown out whatever sounds were coming from the others around us.
We are currently at an anchorage about two hours from Baltimore (our home port), after a great sail across the Bay - we were sailing at a speed over 7 knots. On our trip down the Chester River and out to the Bay we joined what looked like hundreds of sailboats on their way to (I assume) their respective home ports. It was quite a site.
We picked up some crabs from a couple of fellows selling steamed crabs from their skiff last night. We'll eat them tonight along with left over pasta. Although it is cloudy outside and there is a threat of rain, it is still comfortable and we are savoring our last evening aboard.
Since we've come south, I finished one book, read two (albeit somewhat short) and am almost finished a third. The one I finished, "Casa Rossa" by Francesca Marciano was a story about three generations of women who spent a portion of their life at a farmhouse (Casa Rossa) in Puglia, and the events (men) that shaped their lives. I really enjoyed this book. There are frequent references to food, with many of the key ingredients (not recipes per se) in Italian. So, I'll have to take the book home and ask Dad what they are talking about. The book makes me want to go to Italy - and to try some new pasta dishes! Because of the book I bought a magazine, Cucina Italiana, that I have never seen before hoping to get inspired... it was only okay.
Lisa loaned me a book, "The Madonnas of Leningrad", which was wonderful. This book took you from past to present, in the memories of a woman who suffers from Alzheimer's. Her past memories take her back to Leningrad in the winter of 1941, when the city was under siege by the Germans. Some 2000 people lived in the basement of the Hermitage during that winter, where our main character resided. She had worked as a docent in the museum before the war, and during her stay, she memorized the original placement of the artwork that was removed to protect it from damage or theft.
I also read Iain Pears' "The Bernini Bust," a detective story that brings an art dealer to Los Angeles where two murders occur relating to some stolen artwork from Italy, which required the assistance of a female detective from Rome who solves the case along with her art dealer boyfriend. An okay, easy read. I am now almost finished reading "Bel Canto" by Ann Patchett. I believe this was one of the books selected by our reading group when we were away. This is about a group of people, including a famous opera singer, who are held captive by a group of South American militants. I a,m enjoying the book so far, being about 2/3 the way through.
So, as you can tell, we've been getting lots of R&R. Water, sun, friends, wind, music, laughter, a good book, and an amazing Skipper; what more could one ask for! It's been a great couple of days!
(This post was taken from Mary's blog "A Day in Mary's Life").
| Summer 2009 |
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09/02/2009
We did it! Arrived in Baltimore around 12:30, just the right time to go to Mama's on the Half Shell for lunch. Curlew looks beautiful, albeit a bit dirty on the outside from the weather and sitting in the slip. Thierry has a spring in his step that I haven't seen in a while. Even the moon will be full for us when we take Curlew out for a few days on the Bay. We picked up wine and beer, will get food on board tomorrow (you see we have our priorities straight), and hope to head out by noon. We'll join friends in Swan Creek (Rock Hall area) that evening then see where the wind takes us. During the weekend, we hope to raft up with two other boats - it should be a fun time.
This morning I went for another Neupogen shot (to build the white blood cells). It was a good thing I telephoned the oncologist office yesterday to ask if a) they got the results of my blood work and b) if I needed to come in. When I later spoke with the PA she did confirm that running a fever is a side effect of the drug. So, I have been popping Tylenol all day - so far (at 9:55 p.m.) I am still feeling pretty good, and report a normal temperature. I also learned that three shots of Neupogen is a standard regimen.
My wonderful neighbors, Barbara and Doris, both brought over care packages on Monday. Barbara makes the most incredible chicken soup which will feed us for a couple of days. Doris made egg parm (one of my favorites) and included some fresh veggies. All this after my sister and our friend Joan brought dinner (and my parents) over on Sunday. The Sunday dinner at mom's came to our house. Lauren and Mike pitched in - it was great to have everyone around.
Well, Thierry is hoping that the boat isn't too fouled with barnacles and the prop isn't too clogged up so we can get the boat out of the slip tomorrow. I'm off to get a good night's rest and am looking forward to a great couple of days. I hope you all enjoy as well.
(This post was taken from Mary's blog "A Day in Mary's Life".)
| Summer 2009 |
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06/17/2009, Baltimore, MD
CURLEW and her equipment needed some TLC after our trip to the Bahamas. I went back to Baltimore on Monday, with a long list of things to do. It so happened that Wilbert Quesada, who used to work for the Cabo Rico factory in Costa Rica, was in the US, and I "invited" him to spend some time on CURLEW to take care of the woodwork below decks, and some gel coat crazing on deck. Here is a picture of Wilbert at work.
Tuesday I prepared the caprail to touch-up some minor scratches that we incurred since I "cetoled" the caprail in Beaufort, SC.
Next I put a new tire on my folding bike,
and put another patch on the air floor of the Avon dinghy. We'll see how long this lasts. This dinghy has given me more grief than any of the Avons I've owned before. I firmly believe that the quality has suffered since Avon was bought by Zodiac.
I also was going to end-for-end the anchor chain. One section starts to rust, and I was going to treat this section with Ospho, to remove or bind the rust, and then reverse the chain. Unfortunately it is raining today, and this project has to be postponed to a later date.
| Summer 2009 |
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05/20/2009, Baltimore, MD
Our trip on CURLEW started on 11/1/2008. We returned to Philadelphia for the holidays on 12/15 and we went back to CURLEW in Florida on 1/26/2009. CURLEW was back in Baltimore on 5/19/2009. The entire trip lasted 158 days.
We were 428 hours underway and put 2,596 nm on the log. We ran the engine for 262 hours, which includes some motorsailing, but most of this was spent under power on the Intra Coastal Waterway. Also, we ran the engine 21 hours purely for battery charging and running the water heater. In addition, we ran the Honda generator a total of 83 hours for charging and water heating.
No real mishaps, only small things, such as constant problems with a leaking dinghy (Avon, I would never buy one again), a burned out alternator, a small tear in the mainsail and one grounding (both happened in the last few days on the Chesapeake Bay).
| Bahamas 2008/2009 |
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05/19/2009, Baltimore, MD
CURLEW is back in her slip in Baltimore. Yesterday I stayed in Weems Creek, to wait out a predicted strong cold front, that, in the end, did not have much of a punch. Anyway, there is always something to do on a boat, and I used the time to move the remote control for the autopilot from the cockpit (where it did not do much good, as it was too close to he main control unit at the wheel) to the chart table. Now I can steer the boat both from the cockpit, the chart table and from the companion way. This was a project that had been on the "to-do list" for 5 years or so. Finally done. Very satisfying. This morning I left Weems Creek around 0900 for the short trip to Baltimore, and I was lucky that I left early, because the Severn was about to be closed for the Blue Angel air show rehearsal The trip to Baltimore was entirely under power, and uneventful. Good to be back (Or is it?).
| Bahamas 2008/2009 |
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05/16/2009, Weems Creek, MD
We left Solomons at 0800, with little wind and low clouds. The forecast was for 10/15 knot winds from the south. They did not materialize until noon, when I turned off the engine. The first part of the trip I saw very few sailboats, but I had to dodge numerous small fishing boats. The spring fishing season must have started. Approaching Annapolis there were sailboats everywhere, including a few races. I can't remember the last time I saw so many boats. Unnerving, almost. Passing Thomas Point lighthouse (picture) felt almost like coming home. At 1500 I picked up an empty Naval Academy mooring in Weems Creek. We will stay here until the predicted strong cold front has passed. Nice opportunity to re-visit Annapolis. Then back to the marina in Baltimore.
| Bahamas 2008/2009 |
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05/14/2009, Solomons, MD
It almost gets boring: another perfect sailing day for CURLEW, with plenty (may be even a little too much) wind from the right direction. We left Fishing Bay at 0700 and were under sail at 0750. The wind was from the south, at around 18 knots. After a few sail changes, especially after the wind had picked up to 20 and 25 knots, with some stronger gusts thrown in to keep things interesting, we arrived in Solomons at 1600. The anchor would not hold in the first anchorage, in Back Creek, so we moved to Mill Creek, where we dropped anchor at 1700. After I cleaned up on deck, and put the cover on the mainsail, it was time for a well-deserved beer.
| Bahamas 2008/2009 |
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05/13/2009, Fishing Bay, VA
Mary left CURLEW this morning to take the train to Philadelphia. After Mary left I got the dinghy on deck and raised anchor at 1030. Once outside the Hampton River I set the mainsail and the genoa, and with an 8 knot breeze from the east CURLEW was sailing north at 4 knots. Around 1300 the wind shifted to the SE and increased to 18/20 knots and our speed picked up to 8 knots or more. Wonderful sailing. I decided to go to Deltaville, a distance of about 40 miles. Once we had rounded the Wolf Trap lighthouse I put the genoa on the pole to starboard and we continued on our way to Deltaville. Deltaville has a narrow entrance channel with a few sharp turns. It also has a reputation to be shallow. However, the pilot books indicate a minimum depth of 8 feet. CURLEW draws 6 feet, so there should be ample water, or so I thought. Before we even reached the first turn I saw the depth decreasing rapidly, and we ran hard aground. Generally, running aground is no fun. But when you are single-handed and on a lee shore and the tide is falling, you are in real trouble. It took me 30 minutes to get off. I still don't know how I did it, except I followed my principle of getting off the way you came on. Behind me I noticed COOYA heading towards Deltaville. We had met Mike, the owner of COOYA in Belhaven. We spoke briefly on the VHF and, after I finally got myself back into deeper water, he decided to follow me to the nearby anchorage of Fishing Creek. Once we were anchored Mike invited me aboard COOYA (picture) for a beer. He was grateful that I saved him a potential grounding! I ended up staying for dinner, with Mike and his crew Therese (sp?) and Mike II. All in all, a lovely evening after an eventful afternoon.
| Bahamas 2008/2009 |
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05/13/2009, Philadelphia
I'm sitting here at our condo in Philadelphia with my feet up on the couch with the computer in my lap. It is nice to be home, but have to admit, I'm thinking of Thierry on Curlew. I came home to get ready for Lauren's wedding while Thierry brings the boat up to Baltimore. I am sure he is enjoying the quiet time with his other girl!
We both thoroughly enjoyed the Star Trek movie. I thought they did a phenomenal job. The characters were pretty much dead on (as younger versions of the originals), the dialog was quippy, and the story was good. Even Thierry liked it - and he was not familiar with the orginial series or the movies that came later. After the movie, we met up with the crew from Thalia and their friends Tammy and Mike who are sailing on a 34' catamaran. We had drinks and snacks at Tabby's (I think that was the name). They have a substantial beer selection - everyone had fun trying different brews.
I caught the 9:10 train out of Newport News this morning, and got in to Philadelphia, on time, at 3:55. Lauren picked me up, and we had dinner, along with my sister at one of our favorite spots, Radicchio. It is good to be back.
I tried calling Thierry a few times. He finally called back and told me that he was anchored in Fishing Bay, VA, near Deltaville. He had a great sail from Hampton, arriving around 6:30. Unfortunately, he ran aground on a falling tide. After about a half hour, he was able to get himself off. He ended the day on a good note, however, catching up with Mike on Cooya. He'll fill in the rest of the story when he has an internet connection.
| Bahamas 2008/2009 |
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05/12/2009, Hampton VA
We used the lay-over day in Coinjock to do engine maintenance (oil and filter change). Today we left early, again, for the trip to Hampton, VA. It was very windy, again, but this time on the nose. This trip involved going through Norfolk, with 6 bridges and one lock to deal with. Most bridges are on a schedule (closed at morning and afternoon rush hours, and opening only once or twice an hour outside rush hour). We missed one bridge, and that caused us to miss the next scheduled opening of the Great Bridge lock.
from Mary: It always amazes me to watch the dance that the boats do while waiting for the bridge to open. We were waiting along with 8-10 other boats of varying types, shapes and sizes - many very large. Unlike an auto, boats can't just stop - they move with the current and are impacted by the wind, which can spin you around if it catches your bow. You are also limited in space not only by the width of the canal, but also by depth, channel markers and barges or other vessels that are moored alongside the waterway. Some boaters are impatient, so they try to push their way closer to the bridge, without concern for you or space limitations. It rattles me so much some times, that I have to keep myself busy so I don't look to see what's going on. Thierry is always perfectly calm, and handles the boat like I would my car. It is second nature to him. (note from Thierry: you should see the Dutch in Holland in such a situation: by comparison, the Americans are very well behaved!)
We are now anchored in Hampton, VA, next to Thalia. This afternoon we are going to the IMAX theater to see the new Startrek movie.
| Bahamas 2008/2009 |
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05/09/2009, Coinjock, NC
We left Belhaven at 0600, at daybreak. It turned out a very windy day. We had the genoa up on the Pungo river, but by the time we got to the Alligator river the wind had increased and we saw gusts of over 30 knots. We furled the genoa and set the smaller staysail instead. Fortunately the wind was from the south-west, and we were travelling in a northerly direction. There is an old swing bridge crossing the Alligator river, which does not open in sustained winds of 35 knots and higher. We were lucky that the winds did not get that strong, or we would have been stuck in the unattractive Alligator river, which has no protected anchorages. Crossing the Albemarle Sound was a bumpy affair. This stretch of water is large but shallow, and kicks up a nasty steep swell in strong winds. Mary did not like it. When we got to Coinjock they told us the Gilmerton railroad bridge in Norfolk would be closed to traffic all day Sunday. So we decided to stay in Coinjock and leave for Norfolk/Hampton tomorrow. We had an OK dinner ashore and went to bed early after a long day underway.
| Bahamas 2008/2009 |
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