Winter Sailing on or around the Chesapeake Bay

[Larry Wilson]

January 23, 2009
Urbanna Harbor, Virginia

I spent a great day out sailing in 50 degree + weather today. Wind was 5/10 mph,Sun was shining. Left the slip around 10:30am, sailed SE from Urbanna for about 2 hours, then returned on a reverse tack, and back in the slip at 3:00pm. Great, great day. We saw one other sailboat out on the Corrotoman. There were one or two small fishing craft. Other than that we had the entire Rappahannock River to ourselves.

[Judy Jones]

I had to comment -- today was beautiful in Dover, Delaware -- obviously not on the Chesapeake but I've sailed the Bay often with others as I could not afford to bring my boat east when I moved here four years ago. I am jealous! All I can think about this past few days is sailing so I am very happy for you. Sail on!

Judy

[Larry Wilson]

Judy,
You need to come to tropical Northern Neck ,Virginia!!!! You have an open invitation to go sailing.

[Judy Jones]

Now that sounds like a GREAT idea..........keep me posted. I'd drive a "fer" distance for a great cup of coffee or a day (or two or three) of sailing. I'm fairly competent and I take orders well!!!!!

[Larry Wilson]

I use an old fashioned Revere Ware percolator and Chock full o'nuts coffee. Best in the bay!!! So, coffee AND sailing
Soon as things warm up enough to sleep on the boat, we'll see about two or three days out. In the meantime, anytime you get the urge for a day trip, or want to spend a night in a great bed and breakfast, give me a holler, and we'll set things in motion.
I've done the drive from Delaware City to Richmond and back in a day, and it's not too bad, so the trip down, a day or two of sailing and the drive home would be a breeze.

[Judy Jones]

Totally on board with plans to go sailing -- I've sailed in some pretty brutal conditions -- Lake Superior can be very changeable. It can be cold in July. I sailed a couple of years ago with a friend from Baltimore in 25 degree weather with 22-28 kts wind (just before Thanksgiving) it was a hoot. One just needs to plan for it -- lots of layering. I enjoyed the attachments -- where is the B&B?

[Larry Wilson]

I've done Baltimore to Annapolis in October, in the rain and fog....Not fun. I had to have the skipper taken off the boat by EMT's. Long story.
The B&B in the Picture is in down town (haha) Urbanna.

[Larry Wilson]

bella,
I don't envy you one bit. My Columbia Sabre spent 7 or 8 years moored out in the Rhode River just south of you. The first time I saw her, she had at least 3 inches of ice on the water covering the cabin sole....I had to wait a month for the ice to thaw before I could have her towed for hauling. That must have been 5 years ago. I think this has been the coldest winter since then. I have friends though that talk about walking across the ice from Annapolis to the eastern shore. Now THAT's cold!!!

[Gaye Slaughter Currier]

Larry, The tides on the Rappahannock have been quite low. I am not on the bottom today (1/31) but spent the last 2 weekends sitting on the bottom :( Hope to talk to you soon. Gaye - Regatta Point Marina - Deltaville.

[Larry Wilson]

Gaye,
Bummer. And it's supposed to be a great day tomorrow...I of course have to work. Wanna borrow my boat? lol

[Dave Skolnick]

Sailing out of Oxford next week. Good news -- heading for Tortola.

*dances around on the aft deck*

[Larry Wilson]

You should be dancing you rotter......well, post often, so that us unfortunates can at least share the sail, vicariously. Have a great trip.
Fair Winds,
Larry