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Can the mods make this thread a sticky as they always do please
It's a new year (almost) and the most posted in Sailnet continuous thread lives on. Happy New Year, good health and safet travels to all😄🤘🌪
Our plans this year include a 3 week trip at the end May to the Long Island Sound and the Mystic, Greenport, Sag Harbor and Newport areas. Hopefully we meet up with some native SN up there ( SanderO are you listening)
Also a traditional 13 day mid September excursion to the the southern Chesapeake reaches , including Yorktown, Hampton Roads, Northern Neck of Virginia stops
Launched yesterday! Hoping to go out for the first short sail Sunday. I also just finished my re-stitch of the bimini. Now just need to clean it and apply 303. Dodger is still at the canvas shop having the eisenglass replaced with new Strataglass. That was beyond my competence or patience as a sewing amateur.
I was surprised by how many boats in winter storage at the yard don't seem to have had a single finger lifted in preparation to splash. I know March was chilly, but the past couple of weeks haven't been bad. Looks like people way in the back will be blocked in for at least a few more weeks.
Launched yesterday! Hoping to go out for the first short sail Sunday. I also just finished my re-stitch of the bimini. Now just need to clean it and apply 303. Dodger is still at the canvas shop having the eisenglass replaced with new Strataglass. That was beyond my competence or patience as a sewing amateur.
I was surprised by how many boats in winter storage at the yard don't seem to have had a single finger lifted in preparation to splash. I know March was chilly, but the past couple of weeks haven't been bad. Looks like people way in the back will be blocked in for at least a few more weeks.
This week I did bottom paint, disassembled/checked heat exchanger, painted and reinstalled refurbished prop, installed new anode on the strut, and a number of other things. I hope to splash April 14, but need to fly to Milwaukee this Sunday night, returning late Friday April 12. My motor test on the hard this weekend will be critical, as it will determine whether the boat can be ready when I get back. I'm hoping that I installed my new freshwater pump properly last winter. My motor did pass a static pressure test on the cooling system.
I'm also watching the weather forecast closely. A strong NW wind will prevent launching because it blows too much water out of the river.
Do you want to sail, or just stay on the hard for projects?
Shortest drive for you would be Potomac River, probably between Alexandria and the airport. Or you could head down I-95 to Occoquan, where you might find more working boatyards. Sailing at all these places would be iffy - lots of underground pilings and submerged trees outside the channel in the Potomac. I don't know the marinas very well - Washington Sailing Center by the airport is a start, but it's noisy there. I don't know what kind of haulout/lift facilities WSC has.
[EDIT: With the new road construction that's happened since I lived there, Occoquan, Quantico, and/or Acquia Creek may be easier to get to from Winchester. I don't know the facilities there at all. When I was a kid, we belonged to Landmark Yacht Club on Acquia Creek, but always went there by boat, never by car.]
If you want to sail, then your closest good place is Deale/Tracey's Landing. All the Herrington Harbor marinas and lots of family marina, huge boat yards, all the services you could want. Nice place to overnight if you're staying the weekend.
The story about Deale is whenever the political big-wigs move to DC and want a place for their yachts, they take a compass on a map (or digital equivalent these days), look for the closest good water, and immediately see that Deale is the place. I think that's exactly what my grandfather did when he moved to DC from the Shenandoah Valley (though he was just a small-time banker). My grandparents eventually retired (and ultimately passed away) in Deale. They had a cottage (later upgraded to year round home) in Masons Beach, directly on the water. I had a chance to buy out my aunt and uncle's share in the house when they passed away, but it wasn't the right time in my life. I still have some regrets about that.
Haleakala out for a Saturday sail. Winds are 6-12 off Thomas Point allowing us to do a steady 6+ knots for a few hours, but dying now. We just passed Thomas Point as ND are headed to as nchor at High Bar on the Rhode River. Nice place as few this time of year before it gets crowded.
Aswayze
I can't compliment you on the great job you have done on your boat...the last time I participated in this thread I was rebuked for being an 'outsider'.
Anchored off Camp Letts Rhode River with nary a soul out. Where is everyone? Sunny 68 degrees , beautiful Spring day. These days like in the fall on the shoulder seasons are bonus days. One of the many reasons we stay in the water in the inter,do a a hort haul if necessary , we when the Marina's are less busy and they're willing to negotiate their rates.
Spent today spinning around down the Potomac looking at a few places.
Found Machodoc Creek Marina which looked like the ideal spot for me. About 2 hours 20 min commute for me, fairly quiet area. Yard looks good, sailing looks decent, I think we have a winner!
I was concerned that I would end up having to trailer through a lot of traffic or down quaint cute little streets white knuckled and stressed out so I was pretty happy to find this spot.
Near term, got to go fetch up the boat.
Mid term, I need to do my keel work since having a travel lift to set the boat up on blocks is a huge help I do not typically have access to.
Longer term, I do want to actually get to sail on the boat and enjoy it.
Spent today spinning around down the Potomac looking at a few places.
Found Machodoc Creek Marina which looked like the ideal spot for me. About 2 hours 20 min commute for me, fairly quiet area. Yard looks good, sailing looks decent, I think we have a winner!
I was concerned that I would end up having to trailer through a lot of traffic or down quaint cute little streets white knuckled and stressed out so I was pretty happy to find this spot.
Near term, got to go fetch up the boat.
Mid term, I need to do my keel work since having a travel lift to set the boat up on blocks is a huge help I do not typically have access to.
Longer term, I do want to actually get to sail on the boat and enjoy it.
Great choice! I'm glad that you can get down to Dahlgren in a reasonable time. The river does open up nicely down there. My only warning is to check out the weekend traffic over the toll bridge. It backs up sometimes, but I'm not sure exactly when, which direction, or how far. Based on my experience visiting my father outside Fredricksburg, it's worst heading eastbound on Sunday evenings, which is probably the opposite direction you'll be going at that time.
I had never heard of that creek so I had to look it up, and lo and behold, that's where I first learned to sail. My girlfriend's father was a navy officer who had a huge farm house on the Navy base. There was a fleet of sailboats for the Navy people to use at any time, and he took me out on one of them a few times to teach me to sail. I never learned the name of the creek, or the model of boat.
Interesting story: That girlfriend and I broke up, but have stayed lifelong friends (she lives in NY State, near Lake Wallenpaupack where we often vacationed). Her parents retired to Oak Harbor, WA, and 30 years later we visited him, since my son is in Seattle. I came to learn that in Washington he has a fishing boat almost identical to mine (he has Trophy 17, I had Trophy 15 which I just sold a couple days ago). He also had an almost identical sailboat (he had a Catalina 270, I had a Catalina 250). Quite a coincidence! He kept one-upping me by 2', so I went out and got a Catalina 34. lol
The first mate and I went out yesterday for a couple of hours on a rented Catalina 22 out of Leesylvania State Park on the Potomac river just south of Occoquan. This was our first sail of the season since taking our ASA101 course last Fall and renting a Flying Scot a couple of times afterwards.
Conditions were sunny with about 10-12 knots of wind out of the southeast. The wind died as soon as we got out of the marina, but after a while it picked up and we got a nice lean going. The Navionics app suggested we topped out about 7 knots SOG, which might be a bit generous given that the Catalina's hull speed is supposed to be 5.9. This was the fastest we had ever sailed, however, and it was a hoot. We're looking forward to getting back out on the water again soon, preferably on the Bay.
Started getting the boat ready last week. The battery charger failed apparently; both banks were dead. So no engine start but she's in the water. I think I'll do a short haul to look at the bottom. Mostly she just needs washing.
Anchorage Marina, where we slip her, has been doing a replacement of the D / E /F docks over the winter. The new ones are gorgeous! It's like walking on hard wood floors. And Wayne, the dockmaster, has totally turned around the service there over the last couple of years. It's good to see. Our boat has been in a different slip over the winter (we're on E dock) and it looks like we can get back in our slip next week. Yay!
We have an Alberg 35, always seems to take forever to get her ready. Last week when I was there cleaning, there was a nice little breeze and the other Alberg 35 in the marina slipped out to day sail. I don't think I've ever been so envious!
Glad to see they are doing this as the old ones were getting pretty atrocious. Harbor East Marina did the same thing last year and apparently Lighthouse Point is going to start rebuilding theirs this spring.
My year did not get off to a good start. Today I hit what was apparently a submerged railroad tie (based on the 8'x8' square deadhead that I saw bobbing astern of my boat). I suspect it destroyed my newly refurbished prop (zero thrust when I put it back in gear), and may have damaged my shaft and/or strut (vibrations, and does not spin freely in neutral). I was towed to Delaware City Marina to await haulout for inspection, survey, and repairs.
@chef2sail, I know you've spoken highly of surveyor Steve Mason. I actually tried to hire him for pre-purchase survey when I bought this boat, but he only does insurance surveys. He has been assigned to my case, so I'll finally get to use him - but not under the circumstances I would have chosen.
Oh, by the way, this is one thing that Petit Barnacle Barrier does not protect against. Maybe Rustoleum would have done better. lol
Well, trying to look on the bright side, at least whatever is left of the prop will look nice when you haul?
Sorry to hear of your seasons rough start. I'm sure many of us carry that seed of fear of something like this, especially when sailing or motoring at night. :captain:
The four ports on my boat are old, crazed (to the point it's hard to see through), and leaky around the frame. Over the weekend I received four new pieces of acrylic, custom cut, dark smoke. Port replacement will now commence!
But first, redoing the paint on the ceiling... That way I don't get any paint on the new acrylic. Or dust that would scratch it, or...
I'm hoping I can get all these projects done by June. Work gets in the way of having fun, but money makes it possible.
Yes, I do lament the way work intrudes on my recreational interests.
Good luck with you project. I've done my hatches, and my opening portlights are in decent shape. I do have some fixed portlights that are pretty crazed. I can still ignore them now so replacing them won't intrude on my recreational interests. lol
I am looking for a recommendation for someone to go up the mast on my C & C 25 the bracket for my anchor light and windex has come unattached. The boat is in the Cambridge city marina. Thanks for any help
Jim W
I am looking for a recommendation for someone to go up the mast on my C & C 25 the bracket for my anchor light and windex has come unattached. The boat is in the Cambridge city marina. Thanksc for any help
Jim W
Had a beautiful sail yesterday . Winds 12-14 steady out of the SE made for long 7 mile tacks back and forth across the Bay on near haul and beam reaches. Haleakula clipped along at 6.5 with a nice 12% lean. Light jackets as the Bay is still a chilly 53 degrees but sunny and behind the dodger some kept us reaching for cool water vs hot chocolate.
New wind instrument worked flawlessly.
Lunch underway was fresh chicken salad with red grapes, mango , roasted corn , red onion , green pepper with cumin and lime mayo.
Night before we spent anchored in Burley Creek hiding from the 35 mph gusts . Dinner was a couple of grilled fillets , grilled balsamic marinated portobellos, broccoli salad, and roasted Yukon potatoes. My wife made a flourless chocolate torte for dessert.
Sunday AM meant lox and Kona with matzoh as I honor not eating levening for the 8 days of Passover.
Haleakula has been properly shaken down for our upcoming 3+ weeks heading to Newport/ Block Island/ Sag Harbor and points in the LI Sound.
If the yard can accommodate she will come out of the water April 29 for 4 days and have her hull waxed and buffed and have a new boot stripe painted on.
Glad to say that on Tuesday we were able to get Margie Lou in the water and moved to her slip in Meyer Creek. A big day of scrubbing ensued and she is all cleaned up after a winter in the yard.
I'm hoping our son can help me take her out next weekend. Still recovering from major spine surgery. I'm not allowed to drive but I think I can sail.
Glad to say that on Tuesday we were able to get Margie Lou in the water and moved to her slip in Meyer Creek. A big day of scrubbing ensued and she is all cleaned up after a winter in the yard.
I'm hoping our son can help me take her out next weekend. Still recovering from major spine surgery. I'm not allowed to drive but I think I can sail.
After 5 hrs each of scrubbing, we got Keiko, our new to us Dufour 31 looking like something that someone cares about. I actually came topside Sat afternoon and felt like I needed sunglasses..she was so bright! We bought her Jan 1 of this year, in Castle Harbor on Kent. We are about $800 away from the last of engine repairs that will put us out there. It has been a road...but what path isn't?.
Am looking forward to seeing you out there. We plan to make our first overnight a trip to the Magothy...where I first proposed on the deck of a charter boat...15 years ago.
Patrick
East Wind is in the water at Machodoc Creek as of today. It was a long and tiresome drive out from Kansas City this weekend but I am finally in and settled.
I was going to do some yard side work but decided to take advantage of having Stagg around to help me rig up and launch instead. I am moving to Maine this fall anyhow, I will have plenty of winter hours to while away on projects.
We had hoped to make this our first weekend overnight of the season but the near-gale conditions kept us on land Saturday. We did manage to get out for a daysail Sunday. We made a nice reach across the river and back on about 10 knots of wind. But as we were returning to the marina cloud cover quickly increased and the winds jumped up to 20 knots, with the wind out of the NNW - exactly perpendicular to the length of our slip. I never love docking when the wind's perpendicular to the slip, especially not the first time out for the season. Somehow, though, my wife and I managed to get back into the slip without ping-ponging off any pilings. Our girls were very nervous about getting back out on the water but once we were back at the dock they were sad we weren't going to be staying aboard for the night. Can't wait to get back out there more!
Headed out to the boat for the weekend as soon as I can find my ninja smoke bombs here at work.
Naturally, it's going to be a rainy weekend but I am used to it always raining on my days off. Luckily I packed my crazy pants Guy Cotten offshore foulies so I can stand up on deck and cackle like a mad man until I get struck by lightning.
Big goal for the weekend is to figure out how to get the boat into and out of my very large slip by myself. I am not used to tying to pilings to start with, and having the pilings 10 feet away just adds a new level to the challenge.
Spring lines to midship cleats are your best friend to capture the boat so you can scurry around and grab your other lines. They will prevent you from crashing the dock and / or creeping out of the slip.
Haleakala back in the water after a spa treatment to a wax job, new boot stripe, . Tomorrow weather looks fine though only 10 knots to get a sail in. Sunday looks dreary.
Really great sailing Saturday morning. Urbanna to Deltaville and almost back in five hours. Great to have a fresh bottom. I had my son doing the work so I wouldn't stress my back. Maybe I should bring him along more often.
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