SHIP'S LOG:
Current Location: Rum Point Cove, Atlantic City: 39'23.268N/ 074'24.611W
Up at that crack of dawn, I had to handle a few things before I could go anywhere. Figuring that a dinghy with one oar(again) was pretty much useless for my needs, I hauled it up onto the sock and deflated it. I rolled it up in a nice neat package and then stored it on deck . . . right where it was after it got puncture ion the way down. A nice touch, going in just like it was going out. And yes, I carefully stored the one remaining oar down below in the forepeak.
It took an hour or so to get the davit system to a place where it could no further damage to itself. Lots of unbolting and re-bolting but nothing that was anything more than boring. Even that early in the morning, it was already hot and humid and the toughest thing was not loosing tools overboard due to sweaty hands.
Eventually all was done and ABAISHAG was made ready to" go to sea" for indeed she was. The wonderfully accurate boys and girls at NOAA "promised" clear skies and 10-15 knots out of the Southwest. well, it was hazy but the skies were basically clear( I had the radar on just the same). The winds were not from the Southwest but from the Southeast. (I check several times and they kept saying "Southwest") They were not 10-15 but more like 5 to 10 and inconsistent. But hey, I'll take it and it was a great day to sail!
Compared to the Delaware Bay, the Atlantic Ocean was a mill pond. A nice rolling sea but no real waves. IT was just a great sailing day and that's why it surprised me how few people, and I mean "few", were out on the water. It was fine with me, fewer boats to "run into," but a bit strange nonetheless for the "beginning of summer!" Even the beaches that I could see along the shore were thinly populated and the temp ashore had to be in the 90's.
The most "exciting" part of the whole day was the run into the Abescon Channel at Atlantic City. The incoming tide jacked the speed of the flow to 8knots and the waters swirled around between the breakwaters. Atlantic city is, sadly, a profoundly ugly city. It had a striking skyline but it looks garish and tacky. It looks ugly at least from the sea.
I pulled into Rum Point Cove/Pond/ Lagoon or whatever they call this little spot inside of Rum Point. We stopped here on the way down after having been battered by the storm. All of us were so tired that we crash for the night foregoing food in favor of sleep. ( Then again, I am not sure Bob and/or Fred could have managed to eat anyhow.) It was sort of over run with people on PWC and speed boats doing their thing and the shores were line with grills and beached boats. It was a real party - in -progress. I had no problem finding a spot and dropping the hook. Then I took a nap . . evidently the results of yesterday's bash and not enough sleep last night. In any event, it is up the Jersey Coast to some place closer to home.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Ever Have One Of Those Days? ! ? ! ?
SHIP'S LOG:
Current Location: Utsch's Marina, Cape May 38'57.089N/ 074'54.381W
It started off as a real good day. The weather was perfect. The wind was light. And best of all, I timed the run from Bear, DE, to Cape May to a "T", with a mid-way stop all laid in in the Cohancey River should the need arise. The trip was 57 miles but with the light wind and the current in my favor, it should have been no problem. The last 2 hours would have/should have/ could have been a little problematic because that was when the tide would turn and the tide in the Delaware Bay can be rather severe.
The first part, to the mid-way stop went off without a hitch and in fact I got there by 1pm and the GPS stated unequivocally that I would be in Cape May by 5;05pm. So when I hit the mid-way point, I called Utsch's Marina so that I would have some place to stay in Cape May. There are few if any spots to anchor as the harbor is small and rather busy and there is a lot of tidal current. It would also give me the opportunity to tank up for the run up the Jersey Coast.
About 2pm \the wind picked up, 15 knots right on the nose(of course) and it started to create those "Square wave" for which the Delaware Bay is noted. The seem to come in groups of three. ABISHAG rode over and through the first, dropped down after the second, and often was brought almost to a stop by the third. And once the tide shifted, the waves came more frequently and with a lot more force. It became a real bashing experience.The wind picked up some more and it would toss the boat from one side to the other making it difficult to hold a course with much accuracy or consistency.
About 4pm I took a series of waves on the stern quarter and I heard a "clang" and the looked back to see the dinghy filled with water and the port davit broken out of its position. The davit sits on a ball giving it movement and is also attached to a stanchion. It had slipped off the ball and the stanchion had broken almost all the way through. I was able to release the stern of the dinghy from the davit and would have to tow the dinghy by where it was attached to the other davit. The state of the "sea" was such that I couldn't do much more than that without the very real risk of "going swimming" for which I was not in the mood. In addition, the wave riped off one of the oars and it was no where to be found.
I was also in a pickle with Utsch's as they close up shop at 7pm and now, with my speed cut down by the wind and tide, I was in real danger of not having a place to stay in Cape May. I called them and made sure that a slip was available but if I didn't get in before 7pm, I would have to do the landing solo and, despite all the times I have done it on this trip, I am still not all that confident in my skills at docking, especially in wind. So I really pushed and, as a result, really pounded. I got in with a whole 5 minutes to spare.
Tomorrow, I will have to jury rig a patch for the davits and deflate the dinghy and carry it on deck like at the start of the trip. Without another oar, it is basically useless anyway .
I have come to the unalterable and irrevocable conclusion that I don't like Delaware Bay and will avoid it like the plague in the future.
Current Location: Utsch's Marina, Cape May 38'57.089N/ 074'54.381W
It started off as a real good day. The weather was perfect. The wind was light. And best of all, I timed the run from Bear, DE, to Cape May to a "T", with a mid-way stop all laid in in the Cohancey River should the need arise. The trip was 57 miles but with the light wind and the current in my favor, it should have been no problem. The last 2 hours would have/should have/ could have been a little problematic because that was when the tide would turn and the tide in the Delaware Bay can be rather severe.
The first part, to the mid-way stop went off without a hitch and in fact I got there by 1pm and the GPS stated unequivocally that I would be in Cape May by 5;05pm. So when I hit the mid-way point, I called Utsch's Marina so that I would have some place to stay in Cape May. There are few if any spots to anchor as the harbor is small and rather busy and there is a lot of tidal current. It would also give me the opportunity to tank up for the run up the Jersey Coast.
About 2pm \the wind picked up, 15 knots right on the nose(of course) and it started to create those "Square wave" for which the Delaware Bay is noted. The seem to come in groups of three. ABISHAG rode over and through the first, dropped down after the second, and often was brought almost to a stop by the third. And once the tide shifted, the waves came more frequently and with a lot more force. It became a real bashing experience.The wind picked up some more and it would toss the boat from one side to the other making it difficult to hold a course with much accuracy or consistency.
About 4pm I took a series of waves on the stern quarter and I heard a "clang" and the looked back to see the dinghy filled with water and the port davit broken out of its position. The davit sits on a ball giving it movement and is also attached to a stanchion. It had slipped off the ball and the stanchion had broken almost all the way through. I was able to release the stern of the dinghy from the davit and would have to tow the dinghy by where it was attached to the other davit. The state of the "sea" was such that I couldn't do much more than that without the very real risk of "going swimming" for which I was not in the mood. In addition, the wave riped off one of the oars and it was no where to be found.
I was also in a pickle with Utsch's as they close up shop at 7pm and now, with my speed cut down by the wind and tide, I was in real danger of not having a place to stay in Cape May. I called them and made sure that a slip was available but if I didn't get in before 7pm, I would have to do the landing solo and, despite all the times I have done it on this trip, I am still not all that confident in my skills at docking, especially in wind. So I really pushed and, as a result, really pounded. I got in with a whole 5 minutes to spare.
Tomorrow, I will have to jury rig a patch for the davits and deflate the dinghy and carry it on deck like at the start of the trip. Without another oar, it is basically useless anyway .
I have come to the unalterable and irrevocable conclusion that I don't like Delaware Bay and will avoid it like the plague in the future.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Dead Zone In Maryland ?? ? ? ? ? ?
SHIP'S LOG:
Thursday - Sassafras River 39'58.957N/ 076.58.653W
Pulled out of Bodkin Creek south of Baltimore for the run up the Chesapeake to the Sassafras River. It was an all day sail. Not a lot of speed but then I don't necessarily have(had) to be anywhere in particular. The again, when a butterfly passes you going in the same direction, you know that you are not breaking any speed records.
It was a wonderful day spent sailing, not listening to the motor drone and there was sufficient wind to keep the sails full. What more could I need? I did encounter a floating tank! Not a military vehicle but a pressurized tank. It wasn't a propane tank but looked more like an oxygen tank. It was just floating along and I though that it was another tree trunk or telephone pole. When I saw it was a tank I called the Coasties and they ran me through three or four different people to get the exact location and a detailed description of the "floating hazard." I didn't want this to become my life's work so I informed them of where it was and what it was and tried to leave it at that. I got four phone calls back from various organizations wanting to know all about it. I finally told them, :" Hey look, I am on this boat all by myself. I am just trying to be a good boater and warn others of the danger." They seemed offended that I couldn't be more exacting in my information. Hey, it's not my job. I did my part. Give me a break.
As I passed by the Aberdeen Proving ground, they were exploding something. Not only could you hear the explosions, you could feel the pressure waves from whatever it was that they were setting off. Whatever it was, It didn't sit well with the local bug population as my boat suddenly got overwhelmed with gnats and mosquitoes and horseflies and all sorts of biting bugs that just showed up. If they were creating a new bug repellent, it certainly repelled them from Aberdeen, but repelled them right o my boat. When they stopped exploding "whatever," the bugs disappeared.
I got into the Sassafras River and was followed by another sailboat, one from Denmark. They were disappointed that I really wasn't from Finland. The chaplain's pennant is so shortened now it really does look like the finish Flag. Only a short time left before it gets retired for good.
Here, cheek by jowl with the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Harve de Grace, Chesapeake City and not Internet access. Its like being back in North Carolina.
Friday: NOAA proclaimed with absolute certainty that it would rain all day so I hunkered down. Not a drop fell. I really have to learn not to trust NOAA so much.
Saturday: Bear, Delaware. 39'32.801N/ 075'42.237W
Tripped up from the Sassafras to the C&D Canal. I took the time to watch two tugs, Annacostia and Oyster Creek, man-handle a barge through the canal. It was really something to watch them work. They really know thier stuff.
Again, lots of wood in the water. I don't know where it is coming from but it is like some huge dock was busted apart and all the pieces set loose in the Bay. It is a good thing that I am moving slowly as hitting any of these pieces would ruin my whole day. I had to pull into Summit North Marina for fuel and decided to stay the night. The weather is supposed to crap out. It will also give me the chance to plan the assault on the Delaware Bay. Tomorrow I will either get to Cape May or half way there depending on the tide. The wind should not be too much of a factor. In the Delaware, the tide rules. If all goes well, I could be in New London next weekend!
Boat names: Sea-Clusion; Razamataz; Panic Attack; Final Option.
Thursday - Sassafras River 39'58.957N/ 076.58.653W
Pulled out of Bodkin Creek south of Baltimore for the run up the Chesapeake to the Sassafras River. It was an all day sail. Not a lot of speed but then I don't necessarily have(had) to be anywhere in particular. The again, when a butterfly passes you going in the same direction, you know that you are not breaking any speed records.
It was a wonderful day spent sailing, not listening to the motor drone and there was sufficient wind to keep the sails full. What more could I need? I did encounter a floating tank! Not a military vehicle but a pressurized tank. It wasn't a propane tank but looked more like an oxygen tank. It was just floating along and I though that it was another tree trunk or telephone pole. When I saw it was a tank I called the Coasties and they ran me through three or four different people to get the exact location and a detailed description of the "floating hazard." I didn't want this to become my life's work so I informed them of where it was and what it was and tried to leave it at that. I got four phone calls back from various organizations wanting to know all about it. I finally told them, :" Hey look, I am on this boat all by myself. I am just trying to be a good boater and warn others of the danger." They seemed offended that I couldn't be more exacting in my information. Hey, it's not my job. I did my part. Give me a break.
As I passed by the Aberdeen Proving ground, they were exploding something. Not only could you hear the explosions, you could feel the pressure waves from whatever it was that they were setting off. Whatever it was, It didn't sit well with the local bug population as my boat suddenly got overwhelmed with gnats and mosquitoes and horseflies and all sorts of biting bugs that just showed up. If they were creating a new bug repellent, it certainly repelled them from Aberdeen, but repelled them right o my boat. When they stopped exploding "whatever," the bugs disappeared.
I got into the Sassafras River and was followed by another sailboat, one from Denmark. They were disappointed that I really wasn't from Finland. The chaplain's pennant is so shortened now it really does look like the finish Flag. Only a short time left before it gets retired for good.
Here, cheek by jowl with the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Harve de Grace, Chesapeake City and not Internet access. Its like being back in North Carolina.
Friday: NOAA proclaimed with absolute certainty that it would rain all day so I hunkered down. Not a drop fell. I really have to learn not to trust NOAA so much.
Saturday: Bear, Delaware. 39'32.801N/ 075'42.237W
Tripped up from the Sassafras to the C&D Canal. I took the time to watch two tugs, Annacostia and Oyster Creek, man-handle a barge through the canal. It was really something to watch them work. They really know thier stuff.
Again, lots of wood in the water. I don't know where it is coming from but it is like some huge dock was busted apart and all the pieces set loose in the Bay. It is a good thing that I am moving slowly as hitting any of these pieces would ruin my whole day. I had to pull into Summit North Marina for fuel and decided to stay the night. The weather is supposed to crap out. It will also give me the chance to plan the assault on the Delaware Bay. Tomorrow I will either get to Cape May or half way there depending on the tide. The wind should not be too much of a factor. In the Delaware, the tide rules. If all goes well, I could be in New London next weekend!
Boat names: Sea-Clusion; Razamataz; Panic Attack; Final Option.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
What A Difference A Day Makes!
SHIP'S LOG:
Current Location: Bodkin Creek(Main Channel) 39'07.546N/ 076'27.451W (South of Baltimore)
Whereas yesterday was rainy and gray and pretty much a total bust, today was completely different. The day was warm but sunny and there was even some wind. You really couldn't ask for much more, could you?
It was "sail off the anchor", then sail out Harness Creek, they sail down the South River, then sail into the Chesapeake Bay (proper), and then sail into the wind and all the sailing stopped. Sigh! The wind in October had been pretty much on the nose on the way down the Bay, I would have thought that the opposite would be true this spring. It just isn't working out that way. Sigh!
I went passed Annapolis about 10:45. It was there, in Back Creek at the Port Annapolis Marina where I bought ABISHAG. There was a lot of low haze so it was difficult to make out the Naval Academy but I could just pick out a couple of buildings. I had no trouble, on the other hand, seeing all the tankers and cargo ships swinging at anchor south of the Annapolis bridge. It is amazing how many come from Panama! That country must have one of the biggest merchant marine fleets going, right up there with Liberia. Let's hear it for "flags of convenience!"
It was interesting( and heart-warming) to hear commercial captains "slamming " some of the crazy fishermen who were out today. In the low haze, the smaller fishing boats can be a bit hard to spot and, despite what you have heard, radar isn't close to being that good. Commercial captains, some of some rather large vessels, were calling to the "crazy fishermen" who were scooting around all over the place, crossing the shipping channel thither and yon, and not responding to any radio calls. It did get up the ire of the commercial captains and some gave vent to their feelings in some very colorful terms that rarely get heard on channel "16" as the Coast Guard disapproves.
To get into Bodkin Creek I had to cross Bodkin Shoal. When I did this back in the fall, I followed my carefully plotted course, not deviating the slightest bit from the Magenta Highway, which guaranteed that I would go aground. And that I did, a first soft kiss and then, after a lot of screaming, I got off. Today, it really was a piece of cake. I did lay in the course and followed it carefully, but I also kept my eyes out of the cockpit and on the water. This allowed me to notice that in some places on the way into Bodkin Creek, the locals have use "Reduce Speed " buoys as channel markers to enhance the official one and get you in through a rather shallow spot or two. I had no problems but I do hope that they get the channel dredged sometime soon.
I anchor in the same little cove I did when I was here in October. It is a nice little spot but you can tell that the boating season is already underway here in a big way. Lots and lots of traffic, even in this rather same creek. Then again, it will be commissioning day up at TYC this weekend, so summer can't be that far off.
Current Location: Bodkin Creek(Main Channel) 39'07.546N/ 076'27.451W (South of Baltimore)
Whereas yesterday was rainy and gray and pretty much a total bust, today was completely different. The day was warm but sunny and there was even some wind. You really couldn't ask for much more, could you?
It was "sail off the anchor", then sail out Harness Creek, they sail down the South River, then sail into the Chesapeake Bay (proper), and then sail into the wind and all the sailing stopped. Sigh! The wind in October had been pretty much on the nose on the way down the Bay, I would have thought that the opposite would be true this spring. It just isn't working out that way. Sigh!
I went passed Annapolis about 10:45. It was there, in Back Creek at the Port Annapolis Marina where I bought ABISHAG. There was a lot of low haze so it was difficult to make out the Naval Academy but I could just pick out a couple of buildings. I had no trouble, on the other hand, seeing all the tankers and cargo ships swinging at anchor south of the Annapolis bridge. It is amazing how many come from Panama! That country must have one of the biggest merchant marine fleets going, right up there with Liberia. Let's hear it for "flags of convenience!"
It was interesting( and heart-warming) to hear commercial captains "slamming " some of the crazy fishermen who were out today. In the low haze, the smaller fishing boats can be a bit hard to spot and, despite what you have heard, radar isn't close to being that good. Commercial captains, some of some rather large vessels, were calling to the "crazy fishermen" who were scooting around all over the place, crossing the shipping channel thither and yon, and not responding to any radio calls. It did get up the ire of the commercial captains and some gave vent to their feelings in some very colorful terms that rarely get heard on channel "16" as the Coast Guard disapproves.
To get into Bodkin Creek I had to cross Bodkin Shoal. When I did this back in the fall, I followed my carefully plotted course, not deviating the slightest bit from the Magenta Highway, which guaranteed that I would go aground. And that I did, a first soft kiss and then, after a lot of screaming, I got off. Today, it really was a piece of cake. I did lay in the course and followed it carefully, but I also kept my eyes out of the cockpit and on the water. This allowed me to notice that in some places on the way into Bodkin Creek, the locals have use "Reduce Speed " buoys as channel markers to enhance the official one and get you in through a rather shallow spot or two. I had no problems but I do hope that they get the channel dredged sometime soon.
I anchor in the same little cove I did when I was here in October. It is a nice little spot but you can tell that the boating season is already underway here in a big way. Lots and lots of traffic, even in this rather same creek. Then again, it will be commissioning day up at TYC this weekend, so summer can't be that far off.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Rainy Day Blues
SHIP'S LOG:
Today was a day of rain . . . at least through the morning and then the afternoon came hot and humid. It was like being back in Beaufort, SC, again. Then the clouds came back but this time they just put in an appearance.
I was able to plan out the next route on the jaunt, to Bodkin Creek outside of Baltimore. From there, it is a one day sprint to the Sassafras River, one day through the C & D Canal, and then one day to Cape May. All this is of course dependent on the weather which has been a lot less consistent than it was further south along the ICW.
Other than that, there is really not much to say or write. While sitting for a day is wonderful for my peace of mind, it doesn't help much with the creative process.
Today was a day of rain . . . at least through the morning and then the afternoon came hot and humid. It was like being back in Beaufort, SC, again. Then the clouds came back but this time they just put in an appearance.
I was able to plan out the next route on the jaunt, to Bodkin Creek outside of Baltimore. From there, it is a one day sprint to the Sassafras River, one day through the C & D Canal, and then one day to Cape May. All this is of course dependent on the weather which has been a lot less consistent than it was further south along the ICW.
Other than that, there is really not much to say or write. While sitting for a day is wonderful for my peace of mind, it doesn't help much with the creative process.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Here Today, Here Tomorrow
SHIP'S LOG:
Current location: 38'58.149N/ 076'30.656W South River out side of Annapolis, MD
Sunday(Solomons) I got an early start for Annapolis as I wanted to get docked and showered and be ready for dinner with Nick & Donna. Getting out of the Solomons, I passed by three interestingly named boats: Chicken of the Sea, Rode Warrior( rode as in anchorline) and SHORE-BILLY( I supposed as opposed to "Hillbilly).
For some reason, the departure this morning was similar to the Oklahoma Land Rush, people speeding out of the anchorages and marinas in one huge moving mass and seemingly no one watching out for anyone else. Heading down the Patuxent River, I was treated to the morning take off of the Navy's newest 'blimp," and I ain't kidding. I didn't know they still used them and I have no idea what particular role they play but as the Patuxent Naval Air Station is right there, there must be some kind of training going on. Hey, the Experimental craft off Ol' PointCOmfort and now a blimp. I am getting to see all that the Navy has going for it.
I have noticed that in the rivers and creeks, while there are crabpots scattered about, they also seem clustered around markers, another reason to give a wide berth to them. In some places they are laid out in geometrically precise lines, miles long and dead arrow straight. All I want to to do is to be able to see 'em and avoid 'em.
One of he real problems in the Chesapeake is there are crabpots everywhere and there are seabirds everywhere and a lot of the time it is difficult to tell one from the other. I have discovered a fool proof way of tell one from the the other though, if it flies away when you approach it is probably not a crab pot bout.
Lots of fishermen out today and like the crabpots, they cluster around markers. The problem with them is that they sometimes obscure the markers making it hard to read their identification. That can get you in a lot of trouble if you are not careful. I struggle to be very careful. There are three kinds of fishermen that I have encountered today. The first are the drifters who shut of the engine, drop a line and wait for a strick. Then there are the trollers who move along at steerage speed(slow) hoping to entice a strike. Then there are the "draggers," these are the guys with that device they two behind their boats off of which several lines are spread. They move slowly too and make big wide turns so as not to tangle their lines. One has to slalom one's way through them and no matter how careful you are you earn dirty looks.
Speaking of fishing, I was surprised at the numbers of dead fish floating and rotting on the Bay. And not tiny ones either, but good size fish. I know that they have really been working hard to clean the Bay and keep it clean and I am not sure if this fish kill is in spite of their efforts or despite their efforts.
Yesterday, I was listening on the radio to a conversation between a sailboat, MY GIRL, and anyone who would listen. As I mentioned, his electronic navigation packed up and it seemed as though he was unsure how to navigate with a compass. Today, he was near Point Lookout(appropriately) and had gone aground on a rock pile. Evidently, he didn't have a chart in addition to being unsure how to use a compass.I got out of range before I heard the complete story but the friendly boys and girls at Towboat/US were on their way to him.
Chesapeake Bay, as wide as it is, is buggy as hell when there is no wind, even in the middle. I have had to make ample use of the bug repellent I bought. It is just so strange how the Mosquitoes, Black Flies and other creepy-crawlies find me out in the middle of no where, miles from land.
On last thing about the Bay, wakes last forever. I am not sure why but when you get "waked" by a passing boat, the wake hits you, goes to the shore, "bounces off" and comes back to get you a second time. And I am talking miles here. Very strange indeed.
I got in contact with Nick and found that the D.O.D. had set up a "week from hell" for him so there will be no get together. So rather than Annapolis, I put into Harness Creek off South River. After dropping the hook, I rowed ashore, walked a mile and a half for some foods stuffs and walked back. A long day finally at an end.
Monday: Unmoved!
It was supposed to rain and storm today, so I decided not to move. I did make another trip to the store and humped to cases of water back to the boat. After lunch, a wind storm hit and the anchor dragged, though I am not sure why. The holding seemed pretty good but ABISHAG dragged anyway. I nearly visited some local guys dock uninvited and so I had to make an emergency sortie and re-anchor in another part of the creek. The spot was actually where I wanted to anchor last night but it had been filled with locals . It was empty today and so I moved. I am just happy that the windstorm came when I was on the boat and not when I was humping the water back to it. Unfortunately, I will probably be a little less sure about leaving the boat unattended on anchor for awhile. OH, the rain and thunder and lightning and hail did not put in an appearance.
Current location: 38'58.149N/ 076'30.656W South River out side of Annapolis, MD
Sunday(Solomons) I got an early start for Annapolis as I wanted to get docked and showered and be ready for dinner with Nick & Donna. Getting out of the Solomons, I passed by three interestingly named boats: Chicken of the Sea, Rode Warrior( rode as in anchorline) and SHORE-BILLY( I supposed as opposed to "Hillbilly).
For some reason, the departure this morning was similar to the Oklahoma Land Rush, people speeding out of the anchorages and marinas in one huge moving mass and seemingly no one watching out for anyone else. Heading down the Patuxent River, I was treated to the morning take off of the Navy's newest 'blimp," and I ain't kidding. I didn't know they still used them and I have no idea what particular role they play but as the Patuxent Naval Air Station is right there, there must be some kind of training going on. Hey, the Experimental craft off Ol' PointCOmfort and now a blimp. I am getting to see all that the Navy has going for it.
I have noticed that in the rivers and creeks, while there are crabpots scattered about, they also seem clustered around markers, another reason to give a wide berth to them. In some places they are laid out in geometrically precise lines, miles long and dead arrow straight. All I want to to do is to be able to see 'em and avoid 'em.
One of he real problems in the Chesapeake is there are crabpots everywhere and there are seabirds everywhere and a lot of the time it is difficult to tell one from the other. I have discovered a fool proof way of tell one from the the other though, if it flies away when you approach it is probably not a crab pot bout.
Lots of fishermen out today and like the crabpots, they cluster around markers. The problem with them is that they sometimes obscure the markers making it hard to read their identification. That can get you in a lot of trouble if you are not careful. I struggle to be very careful. There are three kinds of fishermen that I have encountered today. The first are the drifters who shut of the engine, drop a line and wait for a strick. Then there are the trollers who move along at steerage speed(slow) hoping to entice a strike. Then there are the "draggers," these are the guys with that device they two behind their boats off of which several lines are spread. They move slowly too and make big wide turns so as not to tangle their lines. One has to slalom one's way through them and no matter how careful you are you earn dirty looks.
Speaking of fishing, I was surprised at the numbers of dead fish floating and rotting on the Bay. And not tiny ones either, but good size fish. I know that they have really been working hard to clean the Bay and keep it clean and I am not sure if this fish kill is in spite of their efforts or despite their efforts.
Yesterday, I was listening on the radio to a conversation between a sailboat, MY GIRL, and anyone who would listen. As I mentioned, his electronic navigation packed up and it seemed as though he was unsure how to navigate with a compass. Today, he was near Point Lookout(appropriately) and had gone aground on a rock pile. Evidently, he didn't have a chart in addition to being unsure how to use a compass.I got out of range before I heard the complete story but the friendly boys and girls at Towboat/US were on their way to him.
Chesapeake Bay, as wide as it is, is buggy as hell when there is no wind, even in the middle. I have had to make ample use of the bug repellent I bought. It is just so strange how the Mosquitoes, Black Flies and other creepy-crawlies find me out in the middle of no where, miles from land.
On last thing about the Bay, wakes last forever. I am not sure why but when you get "waked" by a passing boat, the wake hits you, goes to the shore, "bounces off" and comes back to get you a second time. And I am talking miles here. Very strange indeed.
I got in contact with Nick and found that the D.O.D. had set up a "week from hell" for him so there will be no get together. So rather than Annapolis, I put into Harness Creek off South River. After dropping the hook, I rowed ashore, walked a mile and a half for some foods stuffs and walked back. A long day finally at an end.
Monday: Unmoved!
It was supposed to rain and storm today, so I decided not to move. I did make another trip to the store and humped to cases of water back to the boat. After lunch, a wind storm hit and the anchor dragged, though I am not sure why. The holding seemed pretty good but ABISHAG dragged anyway. I nearly visited some local guys dock uninvited and so I had to make an emergency sortie and re-anchor in another part of the creek. The spot was actually where I wanted to anchor last night but it had been filled with locals . It was empty today and so I moved. I am just happy that the windstorm came when I was on the boat and not when I was humping the water back to it. Unfortunately, I will probably be a little less sure about leaving the boat unattended on anchor for awhile. OH, the rain and thunder and lightning and hail did not put in an appearance.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Chesapeake Bay
SHIP'S LOG:
Friday: Little Bay off Antipoison Creek: 37'38.145N/ 076'19.156W
I am heading up for Fleet Bay and Antipoison Creek and a little bay off of the called, appropriately enough "Little Bay." On the way down(South), I anchored there and in the morning I left, or perhaps the night I was there and anchoring, i dropped my anchor weights overboard and they sank like the proverbial stone. I do not anticipate a similar occurrence on this visit and who knows, perhaps I will actually dredge up the old weights.
On the way I ran into, figuratively not literally, my first fishing weir or fish trap. It is made up of netting strung along and around a series of poles set into the bay bottom. It is something not really marked on charts except in a most genera;l way. It is not something that shows up on radar and your auto-pilot will not avoid it. If it is hazy or at morning or evening twilight, it can be impossible to see until you are right upon it. And who says coastal cruising isn't fun and exciting?
As I was motoring north, I kept looking at sailboats all around me who had their sails up and I didn't. I had no win d to speak of and what there was, little indeed, was right on the nosey. I could figure out where they were getting wind and why they were getting it and I was not. It turned out that none of the other boats had anymore wind than i had and were simply running with their sails up in the hope of enticing some wind to come along and fill them. No such luck I am afraid for what wind there was died out completely by late afternoon and we were all motoring, sails up or down, in a mill pond calm. It clouded over abit and that promised the possibility of some wind later but we would be at anchor then and have no real need of it except to keep the gnats away.
I was listening to the the VHF and caught a sailboat, "MY GIRL," who had evidently experienced some king of electronics failure as his GPS and Chart Plotter was out and he wanted to get to Annapolis and he wasn't sure which way to go as all he had was a compass and no charts(paper)! Way back in December at the New Symnar Municipal Marina, after I had docked for the night, I had my charts out and was laying the course into the GPS for the next day and writing it down on paper after checking each waypoint on the chart. The guy running the marina came over and commented on how good it was to see someone who still used paper charts and didn't depend solely on electronics. Evidently we are few and far between in his experience. The guy on "MY GIRL" evidently solved his problem by contacting passing ships, inquiring about there destination, and following those that were head toward the Baltimore - Annapolis area trusting that he would be able to make it safely. I hope he did as it is well over 90 miles and I doubt that he was going to be able to do it in daylight. Even then, how would he know where to go to anchor or dock. It was a sad commentary on the use of one source navigating.
I never did find the old anchor weights!
Saturday: Solomon Islands(Maryland) 39'19.943N/ 076'26.658W
I had plenty of wind today but it was out of the north and I was heading north.(Sigh!) For most of the day it was a long hypnotic droning diesel that did its best to put me to sleep but failed.
I ran into a new fishing technique, at least to me. From what I could see of it, I didn't want to get top close, a boat drags 2' x 3' piece of wood or metal or heavy plastic from the stern of the boat on a line. Attached to the "drag" are several lines with bobs and hooks and shiny things that I don't know what they were, and the boats troll around at a slow speed. It is not a commercial enterprise as I saw all types of powerboats big and small using it. It tends however to bring out the nasty in people if you get too close or cause them to change course as it messes up the lines. Don't know if it works well or not but everybody fishing to today seemed to be using it.
Of course the best and bravest fishermen of the day were that hardy bunch that anchored and fished amongst the targets in the target area off the Puatuxent Naval Air Station where the Navy trains its pilots. There must be some kind of warning system that alerts people in the target area when there is to be a live fire exercise, either that or these are some extremely brave fishermen. The fish must be pretty spectacular too of them to risk their lives to catch them.
Friday: Little Bay off Antipoison Creek: 37'38.145N/ 076'19.156W
I am heading up for Fleet Bay and Antipoison Creek and a little bay off of the called, appropriately enough "Little Bay." On the way down(South), I anchored there and in the morning I left, or perhaps the night I was there and anchoring, i dropped my anchor weights overboard and they sank like the proverbial stone. I do not anticipate a similar occurrence on this visit and who knows, perhaps I will actually dredge up the old weights.
On the way I ran into, figuratively not literally, my first fishing weir or fish trap. It is made up of netting strung along and around a series of poles set into the bay bottom. It is something not really marked on charts except in a most genera;l way. It is not something that shows up on radar and your auto-pilot will not avoid it. If it is hazy or at morning or evening twilight, it can be impossible to see until you are right upon it. And who says coastal cruising isn't fun and exciting?
As I was motoring north, I kept looking at sailboats all around me who had their sails up and I didn't. I had no win d to speak of and what there was, little indeed, was right on the nosey. I could figure out where they were getting wind and why they were getting it and I was not. It turned out that none of the other boats had anymore wind than i had and were simply running with their sails up in the hope of enticing some wind to come along and fill them. No such luck I am afraid for what wind there was died out completely by late afternoon and we were all motoring, sails up or down, in a mill pond calm. It clouded over abit and that promised the possibility of some wind later but we would be at anchor then and have no real need of it except to keep the gnats away.
I was listening to the the VHF and caught a sailboat, "MY GIRL," who had evidently experienced some king of electronics failure as his GPS and Chart Plotter was out and he wanted to get to Annapolis and he wasn't sure which way to go as all he had was a compass and no charts(paper)! Way back in December at the New Symnar Municipal Marina, after I had docked for the night, I had my charts out and was laying the course into the GPS for the next day and writing it down on paper after checking each waypoint on the chart. The guy running the marina came over and commented on how good it was to see someone who still used paper charts and didn't depend solely on electronics. Evidently we are few and far between in his experience. The guy on "MY GIRL" evidently solved his problem by contacting passing ships, inquiring about there destination, and following those that were head toward the Baltimore - Annapolis area trusting that he would be able to make it safely. I hope he did as it is well over 90 miles and I doubt that he was going to be able to do it in daylight. Even then, how would he know where to go to anchor or dock. It was a sad commentary on the use of one source navigating.
I never did find the old anchor weights!
Saturday: Solomon Islands(Maryland) 39'19.943N/ 076'26.658W
I had plenty of wind today but it was out of the north and I was heading north.(Sigh!) For most of the day it was a long hypnotic droning diesel that did its best to put me to sleep but failed.
I ran into a new fishing technique, at least to me. From what I could see of it, I didn't want to get top close, a boat drags 2' x 3' piece of wood or metal or heavy plastic from the stern of the boat on a line. Attached to the "drag" are several lines with bobs and hooks and shiny things that I don't know what they were, and the boats troll around at a slow speed. It is not a commercial enterprise as I saw all types of powerboats big and small using it. It tends however to bring out the nasty in people if you get too close or cause them to change course as it messes up the lines. Don't know if it works well or not but everybody fishing to today seemed to be using it.
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