Two Fellow Cruisers Depart on Sailing Adventures, October 18-26, 2013

Kelly IV took part in a Bon Voyage Party for Captain Troy Cain and only a week later bid adieu to Captain Joe Reed and his crew. Each Captain has great plans for their cruise although the adventure each will enjoy will vary widely.

Sail track followed by Bill, Sarah, Guy, Jack, Jim and CaptMurph

Captain Cain is singlehanding “Relentless,” his Irwin 34, the length of the Intracoastal Waterway from the Chesapeake Bay through six states and about 2,000nm. Although he welcomes crew for any leg they care to join him, he expects he'll be singlehanding, if you don't count his full size, shiny black poodle, “HoHo.”

"Relentless", on the hard

October 18-20 Kelly IV hosted the largest crew we recall including Bill & Sarah Paviol, Guy Stewart, Jack VanArsdale, Jim Clark and Maggie, Jim's second dog of that name. It wasn't until the wee hours of Saturday morning that the entire crew was on board. Jack, Bill & Sarah slept aboard one of the charter boats so everyone had room to catch some Zs. The day's coming excitement and sunshine roused the crew earlier than expected so we took a new Leopard 39 out for a brief test.

Captains Clark and VanArsdale Helm the new Leopard Catamaran

Kelly IV enticed the crew back with promises of great food and camaraderie at the party planned for Captain Cain's cruise departure. A short trip to Whitehall Creek and the crew piled into the dinghy taking plenty of food and drink to ensure a terrific party. Don and Donna Hekler

Captain Don Hekler and his beloved EVELYN MARIE

were hosting the event so everyone new it would be well done and wonderfully enjoyed. Due to adverse wind and waves, Captain Cain was delayed, but finally rafted to Kelly IV's port side. With a brand new dinghy, Troy took Jack, HoHo and I ashore to Hekler's. The crowd was in great spirits and Troy's attendance brought the festivities to a new high as gifts were shared and goodbyes offered to our adventurous friend. “Relentless” hosted the Paviols for the night as Kelly IV only has berths for 4 total.

Sunday proved to be a terrific day of sunshine and autumn breezes so the sailing was grand. We sailed under the Bay Bridge and reached all the way back covering the miles quickly, no motor necessary. It was a grand weekend to bid farewell as Troy began his cruising adventure.

In the past, "Relentless" was sometimes a bit cluttered

Captain Cain at the helm of Relentless

Joe Reed his adventure a year ago just as Hurricane Sandy was battering the seas offshore of Virginia, arriving in Hampton on 40 knot winds and 10 foot waves. Then he skippered his crew and J42, “Keep It Simple,” to win both his class and the entire fleet, sailing the Caribbean 1500 to Tortola, BVI.

Today, Joe departed on “Keep It Simple” with crew headed first for Virginia, then the BVI, but this time he doesn't stop cruising until either he is done cruising or circumnavigates the entire planet and ends up where he started!

"Keep It Simple" crew, Captain Reed on right

We'll keep both Captains in our prayers as they press on with their sailing adventures. I only wish Kelly IV could follow in their wakes. Maybe sooner than I know?

I added this last photo of "Keep It Simple" sometime later.  Here she is in Annapolis the previous spring, 2013, on arrival from the Caribbean. Of course, they also arrived safely in the BVI in the autumn of 2013.  That's Captain Reed on the left and Captain Hekler on the right.