Maybe an impossible question to answer, but just for fun...what boat/boats would you select for sailing the Chesapeake (only the bay) and why? (cost not matter)
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T37Chef
A boat no greater than 32ft that draws no more than 5ft.
Why??
Because that's all one needs to day sail, cruise or occasionally circumnavigate Delmarva.
Why??
Because that's all one needs to day sail, cruise or occasionally circumnavigate Delmarva.
As I see it, the three characteristics of the Chesapeake are light winds, shoals, and chop.
Bad: heavy, deep draft, long overhangs
Good: High SA/disp, moderate draft, short overhangs, reliable engine.
Bad: heavy, deep draft, long overhangs
Good: High SA/disp, moderate draft, short overhangs, reliable engine.
If boat would only be used on the Chessie for weekend and up to weeklong Cruises, I would go for a light air performer.
Maybe a J-boat
or:
Sunfast 3200
2009 Jeanneau 3200 Sun Fast Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
Maybe a J-boat
or:
Sunfast 3200
2009 Jeanneau 3200 Sun Fast Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
Keels on the Bay
Even though our fin keel limits where we can sail on the Bay and rules out some marinas, we wouldn't change it. I'd rather be able to plow through most spots where we touch than dig in with a wing keel and be stuck there until whenever.
Even though our fin keel limits where we can sail on the Bay and rules out some marinas, we wouldn't change it. I'd rather be able to plow through most spots where we touch than dig in with a wing keel and be stuck there until whenever.
Of course, after you have about four pages of answers someone new to the forum will probably start a new thread with this exact question. 
I like the idea of a keel boat having a center board as well. That would include my little Tartan 27', the Tartan 34 and some 37's as well.
The center board acts as a kind of depth alarm which is easily raised.
The pervasive feature of the Chessy is skinny water so it's best to have a good way of dealing with that.
The center board acts as a kind of depth alarm which is easily raised.
The pervasive feature of the Chessy is skinny water so it's best to have a good way of dealing with that.
I've had the romantic idea to restore and convert a Skipjack to a comfortable family cruiser. If I had the $$ it would be an interesting project. I have seen one, I think it was on the Sassafras?
I find our current boat is pretty ideal with a 4'2" draft with c/b and respectable light wind performance, but lacks some things I would like such as a swim platform, island berth, larger cockpit...
I find our current boat is pretty ideal with a 4'2" draft with c/b and respectable light wind performance, but lacks some things I would like such as a swim platform, island berth, larger cockpit...
There are quite a few Cats around the Chessy if you look for them but I think cost and difficulty finding slips probably does temper their appeal a good bit.. The relatively narrow beam and modest purchase cost (for a cat anyway) of the Gemini probably goes a long way explain why they're pretty popular on the Bay. A Gemini will fit any slip that would take the larger monohulls.
Big cats are pricy even in relation to the big monohulls you see more and more on the Chessey, but you have to figure a 45' cat probably has the space of a 80' monohull.
Cats are attractive to me for the room and comfort, shallow draft and speed on certain points of sail. That said, I've yet to see a cat that my eye really loved like it does certain monohulls.
Big cats are pricy even in relation to the big monohulls you see more and more on the Chessey, but you have to figure a 45' cat probably has the space of a 80' monohull.
Cats are attractive to me for the room and comfort, shallow draft and speed on certain points of sail. That said, I've yet to see a cat that my eye really loved like it does certain monohulls.
I guess them there old guys with there 'Skipjacks' and '(sail'n) log canoes' had it all wrong as the ideal sail'n vessels for the Bay...
Horn Harbor Marina, way down on the outside of Virginia's Middle Peninsula, markets itself specifically as catering to large cats. Last I was down there, though, it was for sale and the business seemed to be suffering. A shame, actually, because it's actually a pretty nice facility in a very nice location.
Answer: the one you sail. Get off the dock! *grin*
Starting from scratch I'd want something with a high L/B for good speed, lots of sail area, and a lifting keel (not a centerboard). Definitely head at the base of the companionway and a good sized wet locker. Big sail locker in the foredeck to launch a chute for light air. Hard dodger with opening windows. Screens on everything.
In the meantime I'll keep sailing the bottom off Auspicious, gunkholing by braille, and enjoying myself.
Starting from scratch I'd want something with a high L/B for good speed, lots of sail area, and a lifting keel (not a centerboard). Definitely head at the base of the companionway and a good sized wet locker. Big sail locker in the foredeck to launch a chute for light air. Hard dodger with opening windows. Screens on everything.
In the meantime I'll keep sailing the bottom off Auspicious, gunkholing by braille, and enjoying myself.
Hylas 56....ok.wake up
I kinda like our C&C 35 for the bay.
Easy to handle for a couple, and fun to take trips in ( We take her to new England every year). Quicker than many similar sized and even larger boats and very well balanced ( You sailed her Shaun)....very good to windward....4'6 the 7'6 with the CB down so you can go in shallows or go for stability to windward when the wind blows hard. Safe when heeled with handholds and bracing points ( dont like huge sprawling cockpits or salons with no handholds). Masthead rig so you can downwind sail without worrying about ripping the main up. Good sail area..
I love to play on the cats...like the entertainment of the salon...but the sleeping areas dont have enough ventalation for me unless you get to giant size..
Dave
I kinda like our C&C 35 for the bay.
Easy to handle for a couple, and fun to take trips in ( We take her to new England every year). Quicker than many similar sized and even larger boats and very well balanced ( You sailed her Shaun)....very good to windward....4'6 the 7'6 with the CB down so you can go in shallows or go for stability to windward when the wind blows hard. Safe when heeled with handholds and bracing points ( dont like huge sprawling cockpits or salons with no handholds). Masthead rig so you can downwind sail without worrying about ripping the main up. Good sail area..
I love to play on the cats...like the entertainment of the salon...but the sleeping areas dont have enough ventalation for me unless you get to giant size..
Dave
Real Chesapeake Vessels....
We have a really special Skipjack in our marina,,,the Barbara Batchelder. Big, wide, heavy and seems pretty mannerly as how she handles. She is sailed by an older feller and his wife and they seem to have no problems. The boom would put fear in anyone....long as a basket ball court.
Then there is an easy on the eye's Dickerson. Draft is shallow. Finish is lovely and the vessel has earned a good reputation for a solid vessel to enjoy and since they were made up La Trappe Creek, they had to be shallow draft....could not get out of there without it.
Leslie
s/v Tango
CR 34
Lankford Bay Marina
Chester River, MD
We have a really special Skipjack in our marina,,,the Barbara Batchelder. Big, wide, heavy and seems pretty mannerly as how she handles. She is sailed by an older feller and his wife and they seem to have no problems. The boom would put fear in anyone....long as a basket ball court.
Then there is an easy on the eye's Dickerson. Draft is shallow. Finish is lovely and the vessel has earned a good reputation for a solid vessel to enjoy and since they were made up La Trappe Creek, they had to be shallow draft....could not get out of there without it.
Leslie
s/v Tango
CR 34
Lankford Bay Marina
Chester River, MD
Catalina 22 Capri-good for single handing?
Wondering if I could get some thoughts on this: I'm thinking of buying a new or late-model Catalina Capri 22, but was wondering how easy they are to single hand. Main concern: raising and lowering mainsail in windy conditions. I used to own an S2 22' and sold it for lots of reasons, but partially because it was frustrating to tie off the tiller, go forward to undo halliard and on that boat you had to really tug a lot to get the sail all the way down. Often in heavier winds, this took so long that the wind would push the boat around, and I'd have to run back and point her back into the wind, before scampering up to the mast again to try to finish the job. A similar problem was encountered while raising the sail. Well, that was my first boat, and I've only sailed larger boats with roller-furling mains and autopilots since. I'm getting a little nostalgic for the nice simple kinda sailing again though, and the Capri seems to be a nice economical idea.
Also, I'm interested in any general feedback present or former owners of this model may have. Thanks.
Wondering if I could get some thoughts on this: I'm thinking of buying a new or late-model Catalina Capri 22, but was wondering how easy they are to single hand. Main concern: raising and lowering mainsail in windy conditions. I used to own an S2 22' and sold it for lots of reasons, but partially because it was frustrating to tie off the tiller, go forward to undo halliard and on that boat you had to really tug a lot to get the sail all the way down. Often in heavier winds, this took so long that the wind would push the boat around, and I'd have to run back and point her back into the wind, before scampering up to the mast again to try to finish the job. A similar problem was encountered while raising the sail. Well, that was my first boat, and I've only sailed larger boats with roller-furling mains and autopilots since. I'm getting a little nostalgic for the nice simple kinda sailing again though, and the Capri seems to be a nice economical idea.
Also, I'm interested in any general feedback present or former owners of this model may have. Thanks.
A monohull with a swing keel like my Clearwater 35 allows you to get yourself out of a grounding and gunkhole where similar sloops simply can't go.
Baltimore to Annapolis in less then hour...
Hydroptere - world sailing record - 51 knots - YouTube
..provided there are no crab traps out..
Hydroptere - world sailing record - 51 knots - YouTube
..provided there are no crab traps out..
How about that little ComPac 22' pilot house sailboat thing? Can motor (inboard diesel) or sail from the cockpit OR the cabin. Shoal draft, thrifty diesel, and you can keep it from bouncing off the dock with your foot.
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