Planning DelMarVa sail May 25-June 3

[Captain Ron]

Again planning on sailing with my brother Capt. Bob on his 43 foot Beneteau "Breezing Up" this late spring on the Chesapeake Bay.  He is planning sail the DelMarVa between May 25 and June 3 and would welcome some accompany boat(s).  He would be probably doing the counterclockwise route based on best estimates of predominated SW winds.  Would be leaving from Titewater Marina, Baltimore Harbor.  On June 3-5 we will be attending the AYS Beneteau Rendezvous at Tred Avon Yacht Club, Oxford MD.

 

If interested come back, [e-mail]

[Larry Wilson]

Friends and I have been thinking about it around the same dates.  I bought a couple of cruising guides for the outside portion, but they're mostly aimed at very shallow draft boats, and not much help for keel boats like ours. There is a flotilla sponsored by either Chesapeake Bay magazine or Spinsheet, can't remember which at the moment, and not sure of the dates. I'll confirm all, and repost.

[Captain Ron]

Ahoy Larry,

Bro. Bob sent me that one from Spinsheet.  Believe they plan to start June 25 and too later for our plans.  I still would like at least one other sailboat for company just in case Murphy's Laws rears it ugly head during the transit.  Bro. Bob wants to take advantage of the Memorial Day holiday so as not to burn too much vacation time.  Our data shows only to try large inlets on the ocean side with a keel boat.  Big concern is to avoid entering an inlet with opposing tide (ebb tide) and wind/sea condition from the ocean.  Best plan is to await slack water before entering.  Perhaps we will see you on the way South.  Say hello to the Irishman, Capt. Marty for me.

[Mike Brown]

We too will be at the Beneteau Rendezvous but not time to do the DelMarVa run. We will squeeze in vacation between the holiday and rendezvous though.

[Captain Ron]

Ahoy Capt Mike,

Bro. Bob's boat is "Breezing Up" out of Baltimore MD.  What is your boat name to look you up at the rendezvous?  Bob has made a slip reservation at the yacht club for the Beneteau Rendezvous, as he wants to relax after the DelMarVa.  However, my review of the anchorage off the Oxford Town Center shows 10 feet MLW and good shelter from the winds, and was my first suggestion.

[Mike Brown]

Ron, we're October Moon a B43 and are also out of Baltimore. I think Bob's boat is a 423 isn't it? We're going to raft up with a friend and his wife on their 423 "4 My Sanity". Not sure where we'll drop the hook but plan on getting there early enough to scope out our options.

[Captain Ron]

May 26 1130 U/W from Tidewater Marine, Baltimore MD. Cleared river and set sail in South wind 10-15 MPH on a broad reach.
1600 anchored in 8.3 feet water in Still Pond.
May 27 0900 U/W from Still Pond for Bohemia River. 1900 Anchored in a South cove of Bohemia river
May 28 0600 U/W for C&D Canal to catch the high tide at 0700. Did not notice any affect of tide in canal. Canal wide and kept to starboard side to allow fast moving tug and barges to pass. Cabin cruisers did slow before passing, but still left a big wake in the canal. 1200 entered the Delaware Bay. High winds 10-15 MPH gusting dot 20 MPH, South wind, steering "Green" side of shipping channel. Channel very wide. Heavy waves, 2-4 feet. At sunset entered traffic lanes at mouth of Delaware Bay. Set sail and set course to tack clear traffic lanes. Having battery problems. GenSet has to be used more frequently than expected.
May 29 Tack out to 100 miles before tacking back to lay a course for boat channel at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Fishing boarts at night drifting with very visible work lights and easy to avoid. Experience some fog in the early morning. Set fog watch. 2200 anchored at the sandy shoal next to Nun "6" on the boat channel in 15 feet of water. Experienced some rocking from wake of ships in the shipping channel.
May 30 0900 U/W in fog to boating channel. Using chart plotter to navigate. By the time reach the bridge, fog lifted. Motoring to Cape Henry for fuel. 1100 Fuel and U/W for Deltaville Boatyard, VA to repair battery problems and water under the engine. 1800 Docked at Deltaville Marina.
May 31 1000 Technicans aboard to check problems. #3 battery show signs of acid overflow on wooden retainer board, low water. Leak under the battery in area of shaft strut. Boat lifted to inspect shaft area. cut less bearing ok but is due to be replaced based on slight wear on one side. Decided to use 3M 5200 to seal the area of the tube entry into the shaft alley as the suspected water entry. Some suspesion there is a leak in the shaft tube which migrates outside the tube and is the source of the leak. Will be check when new Cutlass bearing install later.

Battery #1 tested OK, Batt #2 dead, #3 don't plan on replacing Batt #3 at this time. Will replace Batt #2 and set AMPs to 400 from 600 on the controller.

Waiting for relauching of boat.