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2008 Races & Events
2008 Races & Events
Event
1. Annual Meeting Severn Inn (Annapolis) COMPLETE
8 March (Sat) 1200 -1600 Marc Cruder 410-987-9616
2. 2008 Long Cruise COMPLETE
15-21 June Marc Cruder 410-987-9616
3. Patuxent River Shootout COMPLETE
5 July Steve Flesner 410-586-8179 & Butler Smythe 240-298-2602
4. Corsica River Races COMPLETE
26-27 July David Park 410-827-4168
5. Great Whitehall Race(Labor Day Wknd) COMPLETE
31 August Carolyn Hoover 410-757-0530
6. Old Salt Race CANCELLED
5 September Van Nield 410-268-6008
7. Prospect Bay Race CANCELLED
6 September Roger Compton 516-656-3243 or MD #410-827-6019
8. St. Michael Small Craft Festival COMPLETE
4 October David Bevan 610-649-4822 (MD#)410-745-5106
2008 Annual Meeting - Severn Inn (Annapolis)
8 March 2008
The 2008 CCBA Annual Meeting was held at the Severn Inn again this year to a great crowd that brought back old members as well as a couple new ones, some of whom have chosen to enter the catboat crowd with boats like an Atlantic City 24, which we hope will join us for races and other events over the year. The meeting was officially started after a great meal at the "Inn." Marc Cruder (Commodore without papers) begain the meeting and worked through the list of events for the coming CCBA season.
The first official event is the CCBA Long Cruise up to the Baltimore area which will get the cruisers into a more populated area than in past years - but with excursions into the last remaining quiet areas in that part of the bay. A warning to cruisers was that washing of dishes in the water, as well as swimming, might not be such a good idea due to the nature of the water....
Butch Miller provided a short report on the CBA Annual Meeting in Newport, RI and it appears that the CCBA will remain represented on various CBA committees which will keep us southerners in high vis. positions there. Steve Flesner provided a summary of the next event - the Pax River Shootout on the Patuxent River with the Corsica River Races and Great Whitehall Race to follow over the summer. Details are available on the CCBA Web site. Other events such as the Old Salt, Prospect Bay and St. Michaels Small Craft Festival were mentioned and Don Dunn provided information on the CCBA Handicap System which follows the Portsmouth Handicap system - also available on the site.
After CCBA Administrative Business discussing Dues and Newsletter with Dave Bleil; the Membership Roster with Dave Flesner; the Website and Communications with the CBA with Butler Smythe - and a Vote of Confidence for current CCBA volunteers to retain their volunteer positions - Marc moved on to awards. A door prize was presented to Ned Sprague who received a very nice Art piece donated by Alena Ortega who maintains an Art Studio in Dames Quarter on the Easter Shore, and who was there to greet and entertain us last year on our all too short visit to Larry's place. And then there was Larry. Larry Antonik was our more than gracious host last summer on the Long Cruise to the Eastern Shore and a large framed Catboat in the Marsh was presented to Larry as our thanks for his efforts. A signed photo with all 2007 cruisers was attached on the back.
Much hope for another successful sailing season!
2008 Patuxent River Shootout
5 July 2008
Steve & Lois Flesner and Butler & Maria Smythe hosted the third annual Patuxent River Shootout on July 5th held at the Flesner’s place on St. Leonard Creek in Southern MD. Dave Bleil and Jim Ohlmacher aboard Gull and Butch & Denise Miller aboard Dusty arrived Friday evening after a long cruise from the Eastern Shore and were greeted with crab cakes and steaks…pays to arrive early! Catboat races requires three ingredents..people, boats and wind. Unfortunately this year we only had two of the three…no wind…not even a whisper. Seven boats were at the mark at the start when the tide took command of the event…more tide, no wind..what now? Race was called and we headed back to the Flesner’s for a rather unique approach for the awards ceremony. Leslie Dale, a local artist crafted our trophies…unfortunately the kiln didn’t cooperate and we wound up with 3 1st place plates, 2 2nd place plates and 2 3rd place plates..we had backups…what unforeseen luck! So…in the spirit that catboaters camaraderie is noted for, Steve and Marc Cruder, Commodore without portfolio, decided the awards would be given in order of arrival! Thus the explanation for the group picture and no times! Steve was kind enough to donate his award to Kent Mumford who ran the committee boat from his Nimble yawl and all other catboats were happy with their trophies even if they arrived third and it said first! Kent desecrated his trophy by adding a mizzen mast to the catboat. Awards were followed by a pot luck with North Carolina barbeque and other tasty dishes. After such a “flat” day, a nice light breeze came up and Commodore Marc joined Deborah Keir on Patience for some very pleasant…educational sailing. So you see…our “First” place arrival actually earned her “First” place amongst the trophies…she got the only sail in of the day! Dave Bleil put it succinctly when he said, “it’s not always about racing, it’s about spending the day with your catboat friends”….how true!
Arrival Order!
Deborah Keir Patience Handy Cat 14
Dave Bleil Gull Legnos 20
Butch Miller Dusty Marshall 18
Butler Smythe Caerulean III Menger 23
Ned Sprague Scardey Cat Marshall 18
Rob Dale Heron Marshall 22
Steve Flesner Scotty Marshall 15
2008 Corsica River Races
26/27 July 2008
The Chesapeake Catboat Association continued it's summer events with more racing and social cruising - just to get there sometimes. The most recent event was the CORSICA RIVER RACES for which our able reporter David E. Park submitted the following:
The Corsica River Races were held on 26 and 27 July at Conquest Beach Park in Centreville on Maryland ’s Eastern Shore. Winds cooperated this year and forced the catboats racing to reef at times during the four races held on Saturday, while on Sunday the winds blew a steady 10 to 12 knots that did not present that challenge. Two more races were completed that day under the more favorable conditions.
Winners based on handicap, average of 6 races were as follows:
Place Skipper Boat Make
1st Ben Heilman No Name Marshall 15
2nd Butch Miller Dusty Marshall 18
3rd David Bleil Gull Legnos 20
4th Mike Crawford Hamer Herman 17
Dinner this year was catered by the Phipps family of Kent Narrows Restaurant, who prepared an excellent meal of chicken, crab cakes and fresh vegetables. Turnout for the event was very good, with more than 80 boats participating in the event that brought together boats as diverse as catboats and catamarans. Sunday’s trip home was made exciting by an afternoon front that came through with rain and lightning but everyone returned safely to their home ports.
The CCBA has been known as "a loose concatenation of kindred spirits."... "with membership open to anyone discerning enough to recognize the unique qualities and beauty of the cat, even if they might own some other (ugh) type of boat."
2008 Great Whitehall Bay Race
31 August 2008
Out of the mist and into Providence Harbor they came – Wanderer, Gull & Caerulean. They, along with Patience, Dusty and Team Bradley’s Barnegat Bay Sneakbox came together to vie for the Capt. Bill Hoover Perpetual Trophy in the Great Whitehall Bay Catboat Race held on Labor Day weekend.
The usual suspects, David Bleil’s Gull, Marc Cruder’s Wanderer, Butch Miller’s Dusty, Butler Smythe’s Caerulean III, along with Deborah Keir’s Patience and John Bradley’s Barnegat Bay Sneakbox, arrived in Saturday’s steamy weather that ended with a brief but dry evening light show. Camp Bradley was thankful for the dry part. Sunday - race day - dawned with an azure sky and an unusual morning breeze, so the traditional Skipper’s Meeting breakfast of coffee and fresh donuts was dispatched quickly in order to get on the water before the gift of wind dissipated. But the start was delayed somewhat by the need to reset one of the newly acquired “can see ‘em for miles” marks that had wandered about 300 yds. downwind. The start on the triangular course was clean and racing was its usual challenge in the bay’s quirky winds. A wind chart would resemble iron filings dropped around a bar magnet with no south pole. The first time around went smoothly until the turn back at the start pin. Hails heard from the committee boat stating that it was ok to go through the line and not necessary to round the mark to port were heeded by Gull the first boat there, but rebuffed by the others who continued to round the mark so as not to foul. The reason for the “confused” race committee’s course change was soon discovered by Wanderer who promptly dragged across the hard bottomed shoal on the far side of the turn. It seems the pin had decided to take its gypsy brother’s lead and dragged until it anchored itself in the shallows. Both Gull and the race committee were later forgiven. Proper anchors will be club’s the next purchase. Racing was close, with a few lead changes and close crossings. Just enough wind held till the end for a fair finish to the event although Patience and the inseparable Team Bradley (captain and four crew in a 12’ boat) were stymied by their size due to the wind-blocking trees that line the small bay. Dusty crossed first followed by Gull, Caerulean III and then Wanderer. After the handicapping, Dusty placed first, Caerulean III second with Gull taking third place. Wanderer suffered from the dragging but took it in stride and offered suggestions for next year, and even though Patience and Team Bradley fell out of the running, both had a great day on the water.
Sometime during the day a shore-side comment was made about the conduct of some of the powerboaters in the creek. It went something like, “If I lived here, I’d have to shoot someone.” Not long after, the sentiment was affirmed when two Hoover family members were capsized while rowing their skiff within the 6 mph zone. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
Libations and the presentation of the awards, including the Capt. Bill Hoover Perpetual Trophy, followed the race. The trophy was conceived to honor Bill for his character and contribution to the CCBA and catboating. The large plaque was built and donated to the club by Peter Legnos, and features a half-hull model of Gull, the “Legnos” Mystic 20 formerly sailed by Bill. Caroline Hoover has graciously presented the trophy for past three years.
The afternoon wrapped up with a tasteful potluck supper including Mary Dunn’s much anticipated shrimp dish. Caroline Hoover did her usual magnificent job of hosting the event at the Providence community clubhouse with the help from co-hosts Denise and Butch Miller. All who attended are grateful for a thoroughly enjoyable time. Special thanks also to Dave Park who made an 11 hr passage on Lyre from the Wye to be the able, if not always heeded race committee, and for his patience with those who doth protest.
Place Boat Skipper Make
1st Dusty Butch Miller Marshall 18
2nd Caerulean III Butler Smythe Menger 23
3rd Gull Jim Ohlmacher Legnos 20
4th Wanderer Marc Cruder Wittholtz 25
“BALTIMORE NAUTICAL ARCHEOLOGY CRUISE - 2008”
By Marc Cruder
Introduction: Our cruise to industrial Baltimore easily exceeded expectations and was loaded with pleasant surprises at every turn. The weather was cool and insect free. The wrecks were more accessible and plentiful than is documented. The creeks on the south side of the harbor back up to undeveloped state park land where we sighted all manner of marine wildlife including bald eagles. We found a Brewer catboat in the shadow of the Hanover Street bridge and we lived large at the Inner Harbor Marine Center, where we took advantage of downtown sights like the U.S.S. Constellation and side trips to Fells Point to sample mussels at Bertha’s. Two of us even walked up the street to Camden Yard and got free tickets to an Orioles game! On the way back we rafted up next to a pirate ship in Stoney Creek (actually the currently laid up Schooner Clipper City, but she was flying a skull and crossbones), and finished up right with dinner the last night out at Windows on the Bay. We welcomed new cruisers and retained our core group, minus a few regulars for various reasons. There was favorable wind and no casualties reported. So if you haven’t been to Baltimore lately; “Hon”…it’s time to give “Charm City” another look, and don’t forget to go see the “O’s” while you’re there. Here’s how it went….
Returning Cruisers
- Marc “Lost in the wrecks” Cruder sailing Wanderer –Wittholz/Prudence 25.
- Dave “I have a speedo now too” Bleil with crew Jim “Who authorized a second speedo?” Ohlmacher sailing Gull - Mystic 20.
- Jack “Coffee from my French press?” Smith sailing Winters Dream - Marshall 18
- Butch “We’ll meet Denise at the tapas bar” Miller sailing Dusty - Marshall 18
- Rich “The beatings will continue until morale improves” Mclaughlin with crew Mike “Breath the marine air” Crawford sailing Tenacity - Marshall 22.
New Cruisers
- Pete “Take me out to the ball game” McCrary with crew and grandson Nate “Don’t worry Grandpa, I’ll get us off the bottom” Sylvester sailing Little Mary – Cape Cod 17
- Kerry “Bugle Boy” O’Malley with crew and wife Kris “It’s all about the Persian rug and candles in the cockpit” O’Malley sailing Crabby Cat – Marshall 22.
Cruise Support that met us along the way
- Denise “I finally ate Bertha’s Mussels” Miller
- Debbie “I can always do stuffed shrimp at Windows on the Bay” Cruder
Sunday, 6/15: Day One - Destination: Bodkin Creek
Weather: Overcast with winds north/northwest @ 5-8 kts
This was the second year in all our cruising time where my busy teenagers just had other things to do besides go “catboatin” with Dad. To complete my solitude this year, John Brown, my regular crew was otherwise engaged with a personal trip to China to meet new in-laws. We were advised to stay tuned to CNN for late breaking international incidents John would surely be at the bottom of. All that said, I can assure you, it is the lap of luxury (in a catboat sort of way) to be one person on a 25 ft boat and I was more than happy to be single-handing. Wanderer spent her first winter under my ownership in the water at Orme’s Bluewater Marina, so there were no big projects save turning the gooseneck fitting over that had been upside down all these years and installing an anchor winch purchased at the CBA winter meeting. The boat had been shook down weeks before, with only a clogged thermostat housing to deal with. All that was left was a haul and the bottom, which “Chili Orme” at Bluewater accommodated the week before the cruise. He actually did a better job than I usually do, and it was nice to see the boat up on a real railway…yes railway (which will be the subject of another article, since there are few left to talk about, much less see).
With all in readiness and no one to think about but myself (thanks Deb), I departed Blue Water Marina on Bear Neck Creek off the Rhode River under power with dinghy in tow at about 0900. With the Bukh sufficiently warmed up on the transit out, I set sail at 0935 at the mouth of the Rhode and West Rivers shaping up on a course of 060 degrees per magnetic compass (PMC), splitting Thomas Point and its lighthouse heading for the Bay Bridge. With a fair tide, I was making 5.0 mph per GPS in the company of several wood workboats out crabbing including the round stern Elfie and the transom stern Patty D.
In another half hour I was crossing the mouth of the South River adding engine to stem the tide. By 1030, I was abeam Thomas Point Light and under sail again, moving at an easy 3.8 mph per GPS. At about 1130 passed the flashing green off Tolly Point adding engine again to stem the tide and wake wash of the Severn River at Annapolis. By 1250 I was under the Bay Bridge bucking a foul tide, then abeam Sandy Point Lighthouse at about 1310 followed by Baltimore Light (another caisson lighthouse) at about 1355. As the wind came up about an hour later, fell off to a port tack in the vicinity of the Craighill Channel lower entrance range, making about 4.0 mph per GPS under sail.
Rounded Bodkin Point, sailing past the green #5 into Bodkin Creek about 1600, picking up the channel marks. Continued under sail thru the #2 red where I sighted Little Mary at anchor to port and Copy Cat, her nutshell pram out for a sail. Doused sail and searched Main Creek under power, finding catboats along the way, to finally raft up in Back Creek at about 1700. We had 7 boats in the raft up once all lines were secured and anchors run. Took the requisite photos, then commenced swim call and happy hour, welcoming our newcomers Little Mary and Crabby Cat with a round of “Dark and Stormies.”
Monday, 6/16: Day Two - Destination: Curtis Creek and beyond
Weather: Sunny and warm; winds south at 5-8 kts, building to 15 kts with weather
Overnight we found Back Creek to be a good anchorage with plenty of breeze to deter our winged friends along with natural surroundings that made us stay rafted up. At 0700, I was cooking corned beef hash and eggs for breakfast while Winter’s Dream, at one end of the raft-up announced the use of a French press for his coffee and Crabby Cat, at the other end of the raft-up echoed that they had one too. Declining both offers, I was satisfied with my perk pot. I could have pulled out my stove-top Italian expresso pot, but it seemed they were having a moment. So I left well enough alone as I reviewed Little Mary’s “map” while Crabby Cat sailed off into the sunrise with bugle ablaze. The group dynamics were out of control after just one night, but it was all good. By 0900, most of the group were underway, leaving only Dusty and Winter’s Dream to enjoy the solitude.
Set sail in the main part of Bodkin Creek at 0930, turned off the engine and exited via the channel. Once out on the Patapsco, I came left to a northwesterly course headed for the Key Bridge. Tenacity was under sail ahead. We were on a nice broad reach making 5 mph plus on the GPS, hugging the south shore of the river. By 1030, I was abeam White Rocks Shoal making 5.8 mph per the GPS with a visual on Fort Carroll. Tenacity and Gull still in sight ahead. Made Fort Carroll at about 1115. Did a once around under sail, then set the lunch hook on the north side at the entrance sign labeled “Private - Keep Off - Guard Dog.” Took pictures from the dinghy, then had lunch. Aside from becoming a rookery, which was evident if you were down wind, the place looked like the “monkey city” in the movie version of Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book.” It must have been cool when little John Brown played here as a kid. Too bad John wasn’t here.
At the 1200 radio check, only Winter’s Dream answered up. He reported to be sailing toward the Key Bridge with Dusty. There was no sign of Little Mary. Departed Fort Carroll at about 1230, negotiating the commercial tanker Rainbow I as I passed under the Key Bridge and left the small wreck sight at Hawkins Point for the way back. By 1330, sighted the remnants of the wall of WWI wood, U.S. Shipping Board Freighters in Curtis Bay as indicated on Chart 12281. Continuing on, I arrived at the first big wreck site just before the highway bridges to port. Dropped the hook to find Tenacity and crew kayaking thru the wrecks. Proceeded in by dinghy. There were reportedly 6 vessels, all visible with plenty of room to row around them and get up close to retrieve plank bungs and the outboard end of trunnels with wedges intact. These were available because the wrecks had been set afire. The combination of the inboard ends released from the planking and the contraction of the weathered wood allowed them to just be pulled out by hand.
Left site #1 and powered over to site #2, to starboard just before the railroad bridge. Arrived at about 1430 and can easily say there are more vessels here than documented in the references I read. I couldn’t identify the iron square rigger Conemaugh, but I did find 2 riveted fire tube boilers of different sizes in different locations. Left the wreck sight about 1515 and made my way beyond Curtis Creek to Marley Creek and finally Tanyard Cove to port where I found 3 of the other catboats. It was about 1600 as I entered the Cove and the National Weather Service was broadcasting severe weather, so we all hunkered down in our cabins, anchored separately just in time for the “line of severe thunderstorms” to roll through, after which everyone had time to dry out, libate and cook dinner. As noted in articles I read, this cove backs up to a county park. Although we had just come through industrial Curtis Creek, the east shore was completely natural, where in addition to the usual marine waterfowl, we surprisingly spent our time focused on a bald eagle in flight to and from its nest! It was just as described: “going from Baltimore’s back alley to Baltimore’s backyard,” and pleasantly not what we expected at all.
Tuesday 6/17: Day Three - Destination: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor
Weather: Sunny with winds west at 5-10 kts building to 15-20 kts with a foul tide
It was a quiet, cool night with a substantial temperature drop after the 2 hour weather event of the previous afternoon. All boats stayed on their own hooks, but I did move Wanderer out to the middle of the cove for a breeze, while Little Mary had to be urged off the end of a sand spit that appeared after the tide fell and she was aground. This was handily done by her crew, whose own weight, once removed was enough to float her.
With a low mileage day ahead, got underway at about 0815 and powered further up Marley Creek to locate Tenacity and Winter’s Dream. They were found about a half hour later just off the #7 Green to port of a small island just big enough to have house on it. Reviewed the day’s itinerary and then departed under sail. Passing Tanyard Cove again at about 0945, I was joined by Gull and Dusty coming out under sail. By 1000, we had sailed thru the open railroad swing bridge, past the Coast Guard Yard and were making our way under the highway bridges, joined by Winter’s Dream, now visible astern. Reached the end of Curtis Bay at about 1030 and sailed across Fort McHenry Channel where I sighted the NS (Nuclear Ship) Savannah*
* This U.S. flag freighter was the world’s first nuclear merchant ship prototype, built some 36 years ago and now being renovated as a floating museum ship.
Continuing on, I added the engine to stem the start of the outgoing tide as I tacked up the Ferry Bar Channel-East Section, picking up the channel to Ferry Bar and on to the Hanover Street Bridge, where we docked at Nick’s Seafood House at about 1115. Although I had stopped here in the middle of the winter to scope out the restaurant, and saw a plywood catboat on the hard, I didn’t meet the dockmaster, who, as the owner of the plywood cat, was probably quite surprised to see 6 catboats pulling up to his dock. It turns out his cat was a Brewer designed 18’ 7” glass over ply version as he proudly showed us the original construction plans that came with the boat. We traded catboat pleasantries, wished him luck with his project and then moved on to a nice seafood lunch.
Departed Nick’s at about 1330 with the weather picking up and all putting in reefs (2 for Gull) in anticipation of the downwind leg enroute the Inner Harbor. Little Mary had a crew reduction as grandson Nate took a cab out of Nick’s to move along to some other commitments. We enjoyed meeting him and having his company, but now Pete was on his own. As expected, we screamed down Ferry Bar Channel and rounded Fort McHenry with its oversized American flag flying straight out at about 1400, before turning up Northwest Channel to tack against the tide. That said, by 1615, all were tied up at the Inner Harbor Marine Center. While we arrived safely and were impressed with our new digs, Winter’s Dream ripped his 20 year old sail at one of the batten pockets. So, as most were taking advantage of a hot shower ashore, Winter’s Dream was on the horn to Marshall Marine ordering a new sail, that would arrive before our departure in two days!
After a good day of varied sailing and the use of good facilities ashore (the wall paper adorned with catboats and friendship sloops – we knew we were in the right place), took the time to relax, catch up my logs, cook dinner and take a climb up historic Federal Hill immediately behind us. Federal Hill, despite all the condos being built at its base, still commands an unobstructed view down to the Key Bridge. This vantage point puts the strategic history of the port in perspective and makes clear why the British only got as far as Fort McHenry….there was more than ample time to see them coming!
Wednesday 6/18: Day Four – Lay Day in the Inner Harbor
Weather: Cool but sunny; Small Craft Advisory - west winds @ 15 kts, gusting to 25 kts
Temperatures continued to cool down overnight and winds blew, but all were secure at the Inner Harbor. Up at 0700, made coffee and a leisurely breakfast, followed by a good cleaning fore and aft before heading into town for the day.
About 0900 left Wanderer in company with Butch Miller and Pete McCrary to tour the Sloop of War Constellation. This is a vessel you can stay on as long as like while you do a self-paced audio tour. We stayed at the end of our tour until 1200 to witness the daily scheduled cannon firing. Then Butch told us we were meeting his wife Denise at the “tapas” bar (we thought he said “topless” bar…obviously we were mistaken!). In any case, Denise had a plan and it was a good one. We boarded the water taxi and made our way to Fells Point, with the express intention of going to “Bertha’s” for their specialty …mussels. It was like going to McDonalds for Chicken McNuggets with half a dozen dipping sauces, only better, since we had “Letter of Marque” discount coupons for a free pint of beer (bitter). We had a great lunch and without knowing it, halfway through, we turned around to find Gull’s crew at the next table. They had come in after us on the next water taxi. We were so busy dippin’ our mussels that we didn’t even see them come in.
By 1530 we were back at the Inner Harbor Marine Center and just in time for a nap. After lazing around for a few hours, I was invited to some Merlot aboard Winter’s Dream. It was there that plans were hatched to walk up the street and see the O’s. After comparing notes with other transients in the marina, we confirmed the Orioles were in town. Pete McCrary and I were game, so we headed to Camden Yard about 1900 to see what we could do. Luck was with us as we ran into an off-duty Baltimore policeman trying to get rid of some “free” tickets. We didn’t have to be asked twice, and after trading I.D.’s to establish some legitimacy, we found ourselves sitting in right field upper seats (there are no bad seats at Camden Yard) enjoying sausage and peppers and drinking a beer. On top of that, it was “hat day” so we were properly outfitted as well. The O’s were playing Detroit, went into extra innings and won the game. It was a banner night, even for a catboat cruise. You just never know what can happen. This was simply another reason that staying at the Inner Harbor accessible to everything on foot was worth the extravagant $2 a foot slip fee. By 2300, it was lights out, hatches closed and sleeping bags on as the weather continued to be unseasonably cool.
Thursday, 6/19: Day Five – Destination: Stoney Creek
Weather: Cool but sunny; winds west @ 10 kts with scattered thunderstorms predicted
It was a noisy last night in the Inner Harbor, mostly from the other partying transients, but nonetheless a good night with cool temps and no bugs. Up at 0700, it was “one-eyed Egyptians” for breakfast before one last shower ashore. Made a quick stop at the fuel dock for 5 gallons of diesel, shook out my reef and settled the slip bill. Most of us were away from the dock by the time I got Wanderer out in the stream at 1045. Powered for about half an hour before setting sail in the vicinity of the Baltimore Museum of Industry. It should have been uneventful, but I managed to accidentally jibe and take out my yacht ensign, snapping the staff. I did this once before a few years back, but this time it didn’t land in the cockpit, it was over the side. So I proceeded to execute the requisite “yacht ensign overboard” drill, successfully retrieving what I needed to epoxy it back together.
By 1215, I was in Thomas Cove on the north side of the Key Bridge off Hawkins Point and at the last wreck site, supposed home to a schooner or two. Again, I found more vessels as I explored by dinghy, including two wood hulls with large four bladed propellers intact. I was joined at this site by Gull. With lunch and exploration complete by 1330, we both came out of Thomas Cove to see Dusty in the company of Winter’s Dream with new sail bent, coming hard southbound on the Patapsco. We joined them just under the Key Bridge and navigated under sail as a foursome to the entrance of Stoney Creek. As we approached the drawbridge, which had to open for us, I could not successfully get an answer from the tender on Channel 13 or 16, so I sounded a healthy “prolonged” blast then a short blast with an air horn canister. That decibel level got instant results. We saw window blinds go up on the bridge and gates go down. The bridge tender was awake! Winter’s Dream told me later that he had successfully reached the tender by radio. In any case, got thru the Route 173 bridge at about 1515, heading right into Nabbs Creek. This decision was colored by the site of the large steel schooner Clipper City, anchored with her board down and flying a skull and crossbones. So we opted to anchor just ahead of the “pirate ship.” According to the caretaker that came out to check on the vessel, it had just changed owners and was in need of renovation before the USCG would give them back their Certificate of Inspection to carry passengers again.
Happy hour and swim called ensued once the raft-up was set. We were then visited by a Coast Guardsman stationed on the Construction Tender (Buoy Boat) we saw moored at the Coast Guard Yard. He had rowed across the creek in a homemade rowboat from his liveaboard home at Hands Brothers Marina on the south side of Nabbs Creek. This prompted “Winter’s Dream” to break out his new West Marine inflatable, so those of us with dinghies all took a row across to see a marina that can only be described as “Liveaboard City” with its plethora of large wood cabin cruisers relegated to being floating homes at this stage of their lives. The most interesting find was a wood hull that started life as a Norwegian lifeboat converted to but not finished “pirate ship.”
After our diversion, everyone got down to cooking dinner, now that we were on our own again. Tenacity had business at home during our stay at the Inner Harbor, so left for a bit with the promise of rejoining us, which they did as we sighted them coming through the draw bridge at about 2000.
Friday, 6/20: Day Six - Destination: Rock Creek
Weather: Sunny and warm; Winds southwest @ 5 to 10kts.
We enjoyed a peaceful quiet night with cool sleeping weather. I was up at 0645 and decide to run with the “French Press” crowd by making coffee in my stovetop Expresso pot. In another hour, we were reviewing charts and involved in general “breakfast chat.” Although we had a short mileage day ahead, I had a commitment ashore and needed to move down to the next creek early, so I started the Bukh at about 0800.
Pulled out of the raft-up at about 0815 and used the time until the first draw lift at 0900 to explore the rest of Stoney Creek. By 0905, I was at the bridge and this time successfully raised the tender on Channel 13. His only concern was whether I was coming back, to which I replied in the negative. With that, the draw lifted and I exited Stoney Creek under power. It was only about an hour until I was tied up at the tee pier at White Rocks Marina, where I elected to take a slip since I was going ashore for a few hours. I was assigned slip 61(c) and was all fast by 1030. The sun was high, so I took advantage of a shower ashore before meeting and heading out with my better half. I was back at the boat by 1430. Debbie agreed to come back for dinner, since the marina’s restaurant “Windows on the Bay” is one of our favorites. Caught up my log and shortly after, started seeing catboats inbound arriving in the creek.
By 1700 Dusty and Winter’s Dream had rowed ashore, so we went up to the restaurant to start happy hour. Within half an hour, the rest of the group joined us and Debbie returned for dinner. After a leisurely dinner, a good time had been had by all before those anchored headed back to their boats, but not before consensus was reached to stage next year’s cruise from the Patuxent, then do the Potomac River. With business complete, I walked down the pier after saying goodbye to Debbie. It was a good time for an evening cigar.
Saturday 6/21: Day Seven - Destination: Homeward Bound
Weather: Sunny with winds from the west @ 10 kts
The final night, like those before it, continued to be cool and comfortable. With some mileage to cover, I was up at 0530 making coffee and underway outbound under power at 0615. By 0650 and abeam White Rocks Shoal, set sail and a course of 120 degrees PMC. In another ten minutes I was abeam Rocky Point with the wind astern making 3.5 mph per GPS. Jibed to a course change southeasterly. By 0805, I was abeam Green daymark #7 off Bodkin Point, making good time gently sailing with a favorable tide and the sail shading the morning sun. Had a visual on the Bay Bridge.
Abeam the Craighill Channel lower entrance range at about 0855 under sail and power to stem the turning tide. By 0945 I was passing Baltimore Light at the mouth of the Magothy River with the sail still up, but only for shade as the wind continued to ease. Continued to come right as I went under the Bay Bridge and around Greenbury Point to make an appointment at Eastport a-Rockin’ where my son and his band “Stockyard” were playing. Anchored stern to in front of McNasty’s Oyster Packing House and home of the Annapolis Maritime Museum at about 1215. Found Debbie and the band ashore and enjoyed their set. Got underway under power again at about 1330. By 1400, I was off the engine and under sail off Tolly Point heading east. Tacked around and back on the engine at about 1420 to stem the tide at the mouth of the South River. At 1600, I was off the engine and sailing briskly into the Rhode River. With favorable winds, I was tied up at Orme’s at 1630, making another cruise history.
Epilogue
As usual, emails started coming in as soon as I arrived home. Happily, all got home safe and enjoyed the cruise. Special mention goes to first time cruiser Pete McCrary, crew Nate Sylvester and their CCC-17 Little Mary. As our senior most participant (74), Pete sailed solo for the return trip, got himself to his retrieval spot, unstepped his non-hinged mast and made it home to Virginia perhaps a bit fatigued but without mishap. His “take away” from the cruise was the ability to share a new drink (a Dark and Stormy) with his wife upon safe return. Can’t do much better than that for the first time out.
For me, it was nice to go to industrial Baltimore, yet find it was more than we hoped for, with some interesting and natural respites tucked in and around the harbor. The wrecks didn’t disappoint and are worth a visit for any nautical history buffs. They certainly aren’t going anywhere soon. We found a stray catboat waiting to be refurbished, took in the best of the Inner Harbor including the O’s and Bertha’s mussels at Fells Point as well as the U.S.S. Constellation. Beyond that, there were no serious casualties; Marshal Marine could not have responded quicker with a new “off the shelf”18 sail; and we have consensus for next year’s cruise of the Potomoc….so see you then for more catboatin’ fun on the Chesapeake.
Stay tuned to www.chesapeakecatboats.org, as plans develop for next year’s long cruise.
mcc (Wanderer)
