Liquid Sunshine and the New Cat - July 20-22, 2012

New crew and renewing crew visited “Kelly IV” and CaptMurph last weekend. Unlike the many hot, humid days experienced much of the previous summer days, this weekend was just plain wet. Experienced crew Guy Stewart, Bill & Sarah Paviol introduced new crew Ed and Meredith Stewart to “Kelly IV” and Capt Murph. Due to the long drive from Pittsburgh and St. Mary's, PA, the weekend crew didn't arrive until after 11pm, but that was just in time to fire up the galley stove for some late night burgers and munchies. Once hunger was sated, the crew, new and old, toured the new catamaran that is a major yacht in the Moorings fleet in Annapolis. Once the appropriate oohs and aahs were expressed, it was finally late enough for everyone to return to “Kelly” and crash in their bunks for the night.

Sarah, Ed and Meredith

The next day continued with unceasing liquid sunshine, so the sea trial of the new powercat was cancelled. Breakfast was still a grand success which is always the case when this crew is running the show on board “Kelly.” Bill was the primary chef, but had significant assists from Guy and Ed. Murph, Sarah and Meredith merely enjoyed the fruits of their labors.

Murph had to attend to his broker's duties, so the crew hit the town of Annapolis for a day of touring enjoyment, visiting the shops, walking the thoroughfares, and ducking between the raindrops.

Sarah at CaptMurph's office

That evening, the crew put together another grand meal, proving that we never starve and usually eat much too well on board “Kelly IV.” The evening downpours maintained the damp atmosphere, so “Kelly's” crew shrugged it off and played 500 through the evening until sack time.

Sarah and Meredith aboard "Sylvester"

The next day was still cloudy, but the indomitable crew sallied forth on board the new catamaran, “Sylvester.” The slick new yacht was soon operated by Meredith and Sarah (under CaptMurph's watchful eye) and they did a great job steering “Sylvester” towards the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, northeast of Annapolis.

Dads, Ed & Bill, enjoy the sail as their daughters steer

A mild breeze filled in for a time so the boat drifted under sail for about an hour and a half, covering about about a mile and a half. Not fast, but it was a lazy, comfortable day to be out on the water.

"Sylvester", Leopard 39 sailing catamaran

Crossing under the bridge was both the turning point to head south for Thomas Point Lighthouse as well as breaking out the fixins for a terrific lunch. The little breeze we had was now nearly nonexistent, so the engines were fired up for a motorsail south. As we passed one yacht after another, at least one crew member was heard to be asking those on a nearby yacht, “might you have any Grey Poupon?”

Thomas Point Lighthouse is the only screw-pilelighthouse in the bay which stands at its original site. Others exist at museums and are great to visit, but sailing past the light at Thomas Point always seems special. “Sylvester” took the “Kelly” crew nearby for photos, then returned everyone safely to the docks at Annapolis Landing Marina in time for the long trip home.

The Bridge Looms Nearby, July 7-9, 2012

Saturday afternoon on the Chesapeake is often a hot, hazy, humid stereotypical day, but Saturday, July 7 was special when John and his grandson, Nathanael, showed up early for their weekend on “Kelly IV.”

Track of sailing with John and Nathanael

John and Nathanael packed their gear on board and “Kelly” nosed out of her slip, through the dogleg that makes up the channel out of Back Creek, and into the Severn River. The wind was light but there was enough air that sailing on a close reach made the heat dissipate, thanks to the moderate apparent breeze of “Kelly's” forward motion through the small, choppy wavelets left over from the many other boats enjoying the summer weekend.

First John, then Nathanael, took the helm and steered “Kelly IV” through the maze of crabs pots that cluttered the waterway at the southeast corner of the Severn's mouth. The proof of their excellent boat handling is that no pots were snagged and the sailing was a blast. We never heeled more than a few degrees, but the mild breeze created by the 12,000 pounds of fiberglass pressing forward made it clear we had two great crew. In fact, John's instruction led Nathanael to a near perfect execution of helm control, keeping “Kelly” on a very straight, unwavering track as we tacked northwest towards the three now-defunct, radio towers.

Nathanael at the helm

With the sun slipping lower behind the domes and towers of Annapolis, we docked “Kelly” and enjoyed various crab dinners at “Buddy's” in downtown Annapolis.

The next day after a few hours in the office, I joined John & Nathanael on board for another sail, this time our goal was to reach the 4 mile long ChesapeakeBay Bridge. Once again John instructed his grandson in the nuances of handling and steering a small keelboat under sail. Nathanael proved that his superb steering skills were no fluke as he consistently steered “Kelly IV” on a close hauled tack keeping her as close to the light breeze as she'd go. Since the wind was coming directly from the bridge we had to tack several times taking over 2 hours to finally approach within about a mile of the bridge.

Nathanael had learned quickly from his grandfather and all three of us enjoyed a terrific day of sailing until, during and after the bridge loomed nearby.

"Kelly IV" Cruises the Chesapeake, July 4-6, 2012

Thanks to a terrific effort by Keith Otto and his friend Stephanie, "Kelly IV" began her first real (albeit brief) cruise on the Chesapeake Bay.

Brief cruise to Whitehall Creek

Keith and Stephanie arrived on Wednesday afternoon, loaded their gear on board and we immediately motored away from Back Creek.  Unfortunately, we couldn't raise the sails as they weren't yet bent onto  the boom and forestay and we were eager to enjoy a neighborhood celebration on Whitehall Creek with Don and Donna Hekler.  Whitehall Creek is only 5 miles from Annapolis Landing Marina by boat so Kelly motored there easily within an hour.  Thanks to Don's waypoints, we found the “crab free zone” in Whitehall Bay and avoided picking up any crab pots with Kelly's propeller.  We set the anchor, settled into the dinghy and were soon sitting down to enjoy a terrific meal with Don, Donna, Gail and Alex, among many others.

The Hekler's were kind enough to invite us for their Independence Day celebration complete with Maryland crabs steamed with Old Bay seasonings.  It was a classic Chesapeake Fourth of July.  The kids were running races around the block on their scooters while the adults cracked open the crabs and laughed at each others' jokes and stories.  After cleaning up and enjoying the refreshing air conditioning in the Hekler's home, the “Evelyn Marie” hosted the seven of us for a bayside view of the famed Annapolis fireworks.  Don and Donna have spent the past several years bringing the classic wooden 1960, 35 foot bay-built deadrise, to pristine condition.  As a stable, open platform, she was ideal for  hosting our group interested in the glorious flashes of red, white & blue fireworks,  Don's rousing collection of patriotic band marches, and relaxing conversation among friends.

Kelly IV with her windscoop rigged on an earlier cruise

With a comfortable breeze wafting through Kelly from the wind scoop at the forward hatch, we slept well and awakened to a bright, warm morning.  Keith went to work immediately as we bent the mainsail on.  This involves many different lines, all threading their way back to the cockpit through a number of blocks and stoppers.  After an hour of reeving, hoisting and knotting, we had the mainsail settled smoothly on her boom and a first rate hunger raging in our stomachs.

Kelly took us into Spa Creek for a traditional breakfast and pledge of allegiance at Chick and Ruth's on Main Street.  Then we rushed her back into Back Creek as I had to work while Keith and Stephanie played tourist in downtown Annapolis.  That evening I put Keith back to work as we rigged the 155 Genoa jib onto its furler on the headstay.  Now Kelly was truly ready to take her crew sailing.

The next morning Stephanie got her first true taste of sailing as Keith and I put "Kelly IV" through her paces with full main and genny drawing the breeze on a beam reach across the mouth of the Severn River.  Keith introduced Stephanie to the simple pleasure of lying on your back on the foredeck gazing upward at the sails.  The full sails present a wonderful kalidescope with the blue sky splintered by the bulging white sails, sparkled with the burnished sphere of the radar detector and flapping flags.  With the light breeze, the sailing was comfortable and easy, a great way to introduce Stephanie to the joys of travel under sail.