Century Club: Tom Dean

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Tuesday, May 28, 2024 to Saturday, June 1, 2024
Number of days:
6 days
Tuesday May 28 - Sunday June 2nd Solo for the most part.

Tuesday May 28

First mate is retiring at the end of the month, so we decided to bring Bubbles up to Chesapeake city so she could have a little shindig with her friends on June 1st. Left the marina about 11. Barometer was at 29.83, Temp range from 74-77 under sunny skies. Winds were out of the NW 10-15. Had to motor a bit, but got to sail for the majority of the 6 1/2 hour jaunt up to Fairlee Creek.  Had hoped to go farther north, but the winds around Pooles island were really starting to pick up - and the forecast was for stronger winds the further north I went.  Didn’t want to be heading into Worton or Still Pond in the dark with heavy winds - and no protection from the winds, so decided to head into Fairlee.  Went in at low tide - water was really running out the cut… but managed to make it in and the anchorage was fairly calm even with the strong winds through the night.

 

Wednesday  May 29 - the journey continues

Pulled anchor at 8am and headed north.  Got the sails up for a wee bit until the winds just totally wimped out - we are talking 1.2 knots!! Barometer was 29.91, temp range from 65-73 and what winds there were came out of the NorthWest - not a bad direction… just not enough wind. Got into the Bohemia about 1pm and found a nice spot in Veazey Cove - at least I thought it would be nice as the forecast was for light winds out of the NW for the next 24 hours.  Then the storms came - only rained a little, but the winds started howling and never stopped.  Overnight had winds out of the N - NW 10-15 with gusts easily to 20 or more. One neat thing - got to watch the Wednesday night Sailboat races on the Bohemia!.

 

Thursday, May 30 - Last leg - Chesapeke City

 

Barometer was 30.01, Temperature started at 61 and the winds continued… more out of the North at 10-15 with gusts 20 or better. Sunny skies.  Tide/ Current was changing at the entrance to the C & D canal at about 10, so decided to pull anchor and head out about 9 so I would be hitting the entrance to the canal right when the current started running the way I would need it to run. 

Pulling the anchor would have been near impossible with the wind blowing 20 knots if I hadn’t had the auto pilot! The wind continued blowing with some gusts well over 20 knots - which made the autopilot work harder than usual. Did something stupid - went below for a few as there were no boats in sight, but forgot about the big buoys marking the channel.  With the wind gusting and the autopilot working hard… well, nicked one of them and now have an 8 inch by 5 inch gash in the bow.  Didn’t go all the way through, and it is well above the water line, but still - not good.  Another couple of boat dollars down the drain! Got to Chesapeake city - no room at the dock, so I anchored in the basin without any further problems.

 

Friday May 31st - Solo

Took a dinghy ride over into Chesapeake City dock and explored the city a bit - gave me a chance to stretch my legs a bit also.  Took the time to cover the gash in the front of the hull to keep any water from coming in.  Also went off on the SUP for a paddle around the canal and then under the bridge in the anchorage and down the creek a bit. Got quite a ways down before turning back… getting worried that I might not be able to make it back under the bridge with the rising tide.  Had to fight the current all the way back - and it was running! Got back to Bubbles and then pulled anchor and headed over to Schaefer’s Canal House Marina for our slip. Got a nice slip on the inside floating dock - little tricky getting in, but no biggie.

 

Saturday, June 1st - Party day

After a nice little paddle around the marina and in the C & D canal (stayed close to land and didn’t venture too far) got ready for the retirement party. Lots of women on the boat!

 

Sunday, June 2nd - Heading back down south.  Winds were out of the SW at 5 - 10 with some gusts.  Barometer was at 30.16 and the temperature ranged from 68 - 78. Took off out of the marina at 8:30 am and had a lot of help from the notorious C&D canal current.  Since I was going south and the winds were out of the SW, we had to motor most of it, but were able to get the sails up down around Kent Narrows and had some NICE winds all the way back to the home marina getting in about 7:30pm

Saturday, May 25, 2024 to Sunday, May 26, 2024
Number of days:
2 days
Saturday & Sunday May 25 - 26 - overnight in Reed Creek - full crew!

Had to wait for the wind to kick in on Saturday the 25th - so we got out of the slip - very nicely with full crew about noonish. Barometer was at 29.84, Temperature was 85 and winds were out of the SE at 5-10 knots. Got the sails up quickly and headed out not sure where the winds would blow us. First mate was at the helm and I handled the sails. Had some fun sailing around in the Chester before we decided that Reed Creek would be our final destination for an overnight anchorage. Headed in at pretty much low tide and found a nice spot, eventually 7 other boats were in the anchorage - 3 sailboats actually rafted up on the eastern side - but more than enough room for all!

 

Sunday we spent the morning and afternoon exploring reed creek on my SUP and the first mates kayak. After checking the weather and seeing the impending overnight rain/storms, we decided to head back to the marina for the overnight (bad call - because the storms didn’t come in until after noon on Monday!). Left the creek right when it was predicted that the winds would come up - they didn’t so we had to motor a bit.  Finally, we did get some winds while heading up Langford Creek - so we took advantage and put out the Genoa. A very lovely weekend - and a nice “first” overnight at anchor.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
may 22 - great day on the water!
  • Blue angel fly by.
  • Strange looking bar-b-que boat??
  • Haulin’

Got to the marina right about 10 and immediately prepared the boat to head out. Barometer was 29.98, Temperature was 71 - got up to 80 and winds were out of the south and blowing about 10. Winds eventually were up in the teens - but that started about 1pm. Sunny skies - some clouds came in later in the afternoon.

Took off tacking down Langford Creek into the Chester.  Decided to keep going south and see how far I could get - maybe catch a few glances of the Blue Angels.  Making good time beating into the wind - with the autopilot doing well  - because the skipper had the sails set well. Made it all the way down past Kent Narrows - to the eastern side of Kent narrows by 1:30... so I sailed back and forth there for a bit since the show wasn't supposed to start until 2pm. Saw the Blue Angels fly by heading north a little after 2, so turned the boat around and started to head back - letting the autopilot steer while I watched some of the show through binoculars.  Checked the distance at the end - had gone 34 nautical miles for an average speed of 5.5 knots. Lots of fun - great day for a sail - probably the best one so far this year!!

Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
May 21 - Solo - Saw the blue angels - for a few seconds.
  • Sailing School boats
  • Neat little rig I saw
  • Another neat sailboat I came across
  • On a beam reach

Got to the marina at 10 and found a nice breeze blowing so decided to head right on out rather than wait for the forecasted afternoon winds.  Barometer was at 30.01 and we dropping slowly.  Temps ranged from 70-79 under blue skies with a few clouds over the land - but nothing over the water!. Winds out of the SW at 5-10.... had a few shifts - ended up out the WSW.

Took off and got the sails up quickly - and started tacking down the Creek to the Chester.  Sailing school boats and a few others were out. Had fun out there in 6-9 knots of wind - seemed to be moving much faster than the other sailboats! Worked on balancing the sails - starboard tack is easier than port tack.  Usually get a bit too much lee helm on a port tack.

Almost came in about 1:40 - but decided "what the heck" and stayed out for another hour before starting to head in.  Had a good wind blowing me back up the creek - tried to wing on wing it - but not enough wind, so I tucked away the Genoa and just used the main.  Fun day!!

 

Sunday, May 19, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Sunday, May 19 - Full crew… no wind!!

Well, we had the full crew on Bublles, but there was no wind... SO..... instead of wasting the day doing chores, we practiced docking!  Since the first mate hasn't backed into the slip yet - and since she still needs repitions to really feel secure manning the helm while taking Bubbles in and out of the slip, we too our time and practiced.  First go around was a bit sketchy - but we learned and the second and third times went much better.  The first mate and the captain both feel a bit less concerned.  We will continue to work at this to make sure that we are both seeing the same thing out there so we can work in concert. Also working out communications.  Think we will be using hand signs and VHF radios.

Thursday, May 16, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Thursday, May 16 - Another Solo Sail

After working on the boat all day yesterday, it was nice to get out for a sail again.  There was a SCA and there should have been one.  Winds out of the North - North West 10-15 with gusts well over 20. Barometer was 29.7 and steady. Temps range from 65 - 73. Sunny to start off with, but got cloudy as the day went on. Decided to head over towards Spaniards Neck and Conquest Beach to see if I could get out of some of the wind - didn't help much at all, but I was double reefed so it was a comfortable ride. Boat handled well - when I had her balanced, but with a reefed/furled Genoa.... balance is a tricky thing! Was out of the slip at 10 and came back in about 2:30.

Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
may 15 - work day on the boat!

It was a bit overcast and rainy, so I thought it would be the perfect day to do a bit of work - had to install a new fuel line (it was leaking) put a new bearing on a winch, and also had to empty the water tanks and refill them. Those tasks ended up taking the better part of the day, but as always - nicer to spend the day on the water than on land!!

Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
May 14th - Solo Sail - return from Iowa

Spent about 10 days in Iowa so this was the first sail after that. 

Barometer was at 29.99 and falling.  Temp range was 65-71. Winds out of the SSW at 5-10 with mostly cloudy skies.  Got out of the slip at 10 am and didn't come back in until 3:10. Sailed around the Chester River basin and of course up and down Langford Creek. Great being back on the water again and sailing!!

Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
April 30 - Solo Sail

Got to the marina about 9:30 and was out of the slip by 10am! Barometer was 29.87 and falling.  Temperature range was 71-79, winds were out of the SW at 5-10. Mostly sunny with some very high wispy clouds. It was a nice day for a sail and this would be the last opportunity to go off for a sail before heading out to Iowa for a bit. Had a lovely day - came in a bit after 2pm. 

Sunday, April 28, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
April 28 - Full Crew sail

Didn't think it was going to be much of a sailing day, but it turned out OK. First time taking the boat out of the slip bow first (reoriented the boat on account of the Ospreys trying to nest on Solar Panel). First mate had a little bit of trouble - turned too early and smashed the grill into a piling.  Light winds out of the south, but a nice sunny day with temps in the 60's.

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