Century Club: Hank Messick

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Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Hangover Regatta
  • Grounded and awaiting a tow
  • Howell & crew commence towing

The WNW wind was gusting over 30 knots when Arcas and Sabrina set out for the race course for the DISC annual New Years Day Regatta. Sabrina got to the start line but Arcas grounded in the channel even though water levels were higher than normal. According to my crew, we didn't simply ground on the muddy bottom but hit something and we're stuck hard.

Sabrina graciously responded to Arcas’ radio transmission for assistance. She returned to their slip where Howell, Doug, and Carey jumped into a powerboat. and returned to Arcas. Tossed us a tow line as the tide was falling,

Arcas refused to budge when attempting to pull her directly to deeper water so Howell and crew got creative. They spun the boat in the direction of the wind toward the public docks and momentarily freed her “L-bulb keel”for about 15 seconds. Then we grounded again. Howell then spun Arcas in the opposite direction and successfully towed/dragged Arcas (with her diesel running), pass #13 and into deeper water toward the slips.

A disappointing News Years Day.

Thursday, December 19, 2024 to Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Number of days:
5 days
Upgrades & Maintenance Summary

Herewith a listing of my boat projects for the year. As usual, these tasks take me longer than I expect them to, e.g., removing old NEMA 0183 wires goes quickly but pulling NEMA 2000 cables thru the came conduit with their much larger connectors required a greater level of effort and ingenuity. Other projects like priming and painting a saildrive takes days because of the time required for curing before addtional coats are applied. Weather isn't always cooperative either. "Boatyard" time much like "Island Time" but less relaxing.

Maintenance:
Engine and Transmission oil change plus fuell filters
Prime and paint Volvo Penta sail drive
Install removable sail drive anode kit; change anodes

Rigging:
Upgraded to a "single line" reefing system
Installed new backstay cascade and made soft shackles for attachment

Electronics
Install new Garmin log transducer
Installed Triton II Display

 

 

Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Horn Harbor Delivery
  • Volantis at Horn Harbor Marina
  • A stunning Hacker speedboat in the nearby boat shed!

Jake and I rendezvous will Bill at 0530 this morning and he drove us to Severn Yacht Center, Mobjack Bay, to resume our delivery of Volantis, Jake's 50' Dickerson Ketch, to Horn Harbor Marina. We failed to get into HH three days before Thanksgiving during the evening high tide but the water levels were lower than normal due to strong NW winds the previous day.

After two hours of motoring we got to HH's outer channel at the morning high tide and 45 minutes later tied up at the marina. Volantis' 6.5' draft rubbed the bottom a couple of times and, as we neared the marina, started to plow the bottom. The tide had fallen some over the past half hour but thankfully we had ample horsepower to  maintain speed. We were happy not have grounded!

 

 

Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
West River Afternoon

Moe, Eric, Bob, myself spent a few hours on the West River on Bob's Tartan 34. A 6 to 8 knot breeze was forecasted but it was much lighter. Nonetheless it was sunny and warm (mid-60s). A great way to enjoy an December day!

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Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Cold Sailing Tuesday

Bob and I decided to brave near freezing temperatures for a few hours on the mighty Potomac. It was sunny and breezy (7 to 13 knots); water levels lower than normal because of the NW breeze. No other boat we're out except for one water taxi.

Friday, November 22, 2024 to Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Number of days:
0 days
Down the Bay Adventure

Jake, Peter and I sailed Volantis, Jake's 50' Dickerson Ketch, from WhiteHall Marina near Annapolis to Severn Yacht Center (Mobjack Bay). Stopovers at Solomon's Island (Safe Harbor zahnisers), Deltaville (Regatta Point Marina). We breakfasted at anchor in Fishing Bay for a few hours after leaving Deltaville then headed for Horn Harbor (Mathew's, VA), our planned final destination.

A beautiful sunset greeted us as we arrived at the outer channel marker to Horn Harbor  at high tide. A couple of hundred feet later we were grounded. Two days earlier we enjoyed a spirited sail to Solomons in 20+ knot nw winds. Those same winds reduced the water levels in the Bay for the next couple of days and was the reason we grounded. About 45 frustrating minutes later we managed to pager out of the channel and headed south to Mobjack Bay where we anchored for the night. Next morning we motored a few miles to Severn Yacht Center and left for home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, November 22, 2024 to Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Number of days:
5 days
Down the Bay Adventure
  • Volantis at Regatta Point Marina
  • Sunset while grounded near Horn Harbor

Jake, Peter and I sailed Volantis, Jake's 50' Dickerson Ketch, from WhiteHall Marina near Annapolis to Severn Yacht Center (Mobjack Bay). Stopovers at Solomon's Island (Safe Harbor zahnisers), Deltaville (Regatta Point Marina). We breakfasted at anchor in Fishing Bay for a few hours after leaving Deltaville then headed for Horn Harbor (Mathew's, VA), our planned final destination.

A beautiful sunset greeted us as we arrived at the outer channel marker to Horn Harbor  at high tide. A couple of hundred feet later we were grounded. Two days earlier we enjoyed a spirited sail to Solomons in 20+ knot nw winds. Those same winds reduced the water levels in the Bay for the next couple of days and was the reason we grounded. About 45 frustrating minutes later we managed to pager out of the channel and headed south to Mobjack Bay where we anchored for the night. Next morning we motored a few miles to Severn Yacht Center and left for home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, November 16, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Volantis short Haul

Jake and I took his Dickerson 50' ketch, Volantis, from slip today at Whitehall Marina down to Bert Jabins for a power wash. Wind was 15+ knots out of the NW as we motored to Back Creek. Rob Jabins and crew were professional group who expertly and easily got all 22 tons of Volantis into the well for hoisting.The shaft and prop we covered with barnacles while the rest of the hull had a light slime and few barnacles. We fueled at Annapolis Landing fuel pier on the way back, taking on about 52 gallons. Still windy but warmer on the return trip to White Hall.

 

Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Election Day sail
  • Woodrow Wilson Bridge on the horizon

I voted weeks ago and decided to sail up river to see the Capitol and Washington Monument. Windy and warm w/Gusts to 14 knots.

Saturday, November 2, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Founders Cup
  • On the way to the race course
  • Wish it was 1st place—next year!
  • Happy crew returning home

Mt Vernon Yacht Club hosted their first regatta Saturday after a very long racing hiatus. Fantastic weather, autumn colors everywhere and and 5 to 7 knot northwest breeze. Dave, Josh, Sara, Paul and myself  raced against five other spin boats and took 2nd both times, loosing to Dark Star by a minute in corrected time.

Grounded twice in the WSM  channel for about two hours total returning to the slip during a lower than usual low tide. Nonetheless I  had an enjoyable time at the post-race party at the MVYC clubhouse.

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