A Lucky 13 Catboats ranging in age from almost 120 years old (Patience, a Crosby workboat converted into a comfy cruiser) to the brand-spanking new Marshall 22 Merryheart enjoyed predictably hot and windless weather on the Chesapeake Catboat Association’s (CCBA)Annual Long Cruise in mid-June.
In contrast to previous cruises which were beset by no small amount of rain and wind, this voyage was devoid of calamitous conditions ( two violent squalls with 40 mph winds which hit the group while in Bohemia Bay notwithstanding) but replete with rum, fellowship and good times.
This year’s destination was Bohemia Bay and the C & D Canal. After an initial rendezvous in Bodkin Creek, just off the Patapsco River, the catboaters enjoyed a tolerable motor sail up the Bay to the friendly confines of Still Pond, just south of the Sassafras River. The wind was light but the sun was relentless…making a dip in Still Pond’s cool water a refreshing interlude. The group anchored just beyond the Coast Guard Station in Still Creek…where the hospitality flowed within the spacious confines of Patience, Commodore Marc Cruder’s 25’ Whittholz, and Mike Crawford’s Fenwick Williams 25, Shoveller. Joining the crowd was the adult contingent of Shorebird, a New Jersey-based Marshall 18 with a crew of four aboard. Tight quarters for them…but a welcome addition to our story telling soiree.
The next destination was the friendly confines of the public dock at Chesapeake City, where the intrepid catboaters took full advantage of all the libation-serving venues that gateway city had to offer. The connoisseurs aboard rated the Chesapeake Inn an A (good AC; great crabs; cold beer. What more could a sailor want!) ; the venerable Bayard house a D- (food ok; service abysmal) and (upon a return trip two days later) the newly-reopened Shafer’s a B+.
Patience owner Guy Beckley hosted the group at the Bohemia Bay Yacht Harbor. There, we endured a ferocious line of thunderstorms that sent the group scuttling back to the dock to add extra lines and secure dinghies. But once the line of storms passed, all settled down for a restful night.
The next day proved the sailor’s adage true: you can lead a catboater to a rendezvous, but you can’t make him cooperate” as catboats of all shapes and sizes headed in different directions for a lay day of exploration.
The last “official” day of the cruise saw the fleet head south to the friendly confines of Swan Creek just south of Tolchester Beach on the Eastern Shore. From there, each skipper made his way home, sun tan lotion and bug spray in hand.
“We don’t call it the ‘Long Cruise’ for nothing,” recapped Commodore and catboat chronicler Cruder.” From start to finish, I logged about 120 miles (sailing out of the Rhode River); used 15 gallons of diesel fuel; and I estimate the membership went through 50 pounds of ice and consumed enough adult beverages at anchor to qualify for a membership in the 12-step program of their choosing. We are a good group…sailing classic sailboats…exploring the Bay in all of its intricacies.”
To find out about next year’s Long Cruise and to catch up with the catboaters throughout the year, go to: www.chesapeakecatboats.org.
