We grew up in Chesapeake Bay Country, but as I look back, we really saw a small percentage of the bay's gunkholes. Other than a few cruises to the usual harbors, we spent a lot of time on wonderful daysails or weekends crossing the same tracks countless times. Family demands forced our move first to Florida and then NW Oklahoma, where we're 750 miles away from the nearest serious water. Having finished most house construction projects here, and having retired from the sea commercially, I long to get back to the water as a cruiser. Depending on when spring makes itself felt, I'll finish the boat projects and trailer Thistle about 1200 miles to the bay where I'll sail a month on, a month off. The plan is to make a systematic and thorough exploration of the bay and its tributaries. Hopefully this will begin sometime in April.
When I pulled the Cruising Guide to the Chesapeake(by Blanchard and Stone) off the shelf and realized it was almost 50 years old, I went searching for a replacement. Cruising the Chesapeake: A Gunkholer's Guide by William Shellenberger is what I got. It looks great, with a few nice features I like. Besides listing available facilities for each anchorage, the anchorages are rated by degree of protection and points of beauty and interest from 1 to 5 stars.
Jean, my wife, got me a bay chartkit for Christmas, so other than getting the work done on Thistle, I'm about set.
One thing I need to find is a good, reasonable facility on the Western Shore with a travellift and room to leave a truck and trailer for a month at a time. Any suggestions out there?
My first project is putting a new gunwhale in the hard dinghy. While in Florida, it was tied upside down on some cinderblocks for an approaching hurricane. I shipped out a month at a time, and when I got back to the dinghy, termites had gotten into the gunwhale, and what they didn't do in a couple spots, water got into and finished to the point the whole thing needs to come out and be replaced.
Quote from: thistlecap on December 25, 2008, 02:03:23 PM
One thing I need to find is a good, reasonable facility on the Western Shore with a travellift and room to leave a truck and trailer for a month at a time. Any suggestions out there?
Try White Rock Marina in Pasadena, MS (just south of Baltimore). I worked on WanderBird in their yard when I bought her and they were very low-key and friendly. No problem at all with working on your own boat, and they have a huge yard where I'm sure you could arrange to leave a trailer (either alone, or with the boat on it when you're away). They have showers and laundry but are not a fancy-type marina, and their rates were very reasonable. Phone is (410) 225-3800, ask for Kristy (the Office Manager).
If you are going to be in the area, it would be cool to sail in company a bit. Let me know if you are interested. Maybe we can get a sailfar rendezvous going.
That sounds great, Adam. If you wish to send me a private message with your e.mail and phone number, I'll hang onto that and keep you posted as plans progress. Jim
Shellenberger's book is the very best there is today for cruising the Chesapeake.
What part of the Bay is most convenient for you? Someone can surely help you find a place to get in and out based on that.
I'd be happy to sail along with you as well. Adam can get 'hold of me.
I do my share of gunkholing (I call it "sailing by braille") and am happy to share the places I like the most.
The reason I mentioned the Western Shore was being able to avoid having to go up through DC and Baltimore with the boat in tow, but that's not a priority, just a convenience. I like family-owned marinas with a casual atmosphere, quiet, and which allow work by the owner. BillNH mentioned Pasadena. Anyhow, I'm not going to stay in the marina. It's just a place I can splash and feel safe leaving my truck and trailer behind. Also, I may move my base of operations month to month, so the one I don't use one month, I may well look forward to using the next.
Deltaville VA is probably a good spot to look for a launch site. You might also try Solomons MD. As you get closer to bigger population centers the costs will go up and land is sufficiently constrained that you are more likely to have trouble getting an okay to leave the truck and trailer on-site.
Personally I would worry more about the Blue Ridge Mountains than about traffic in DC and Baltimore. That said, if you come up 95 from 64 you can head up 301 across the Potomac to the Western Shore/mid-Bay.
lets not forget Reedville Va. there is a very cheap do it yourself yard there. showers and rest room, no laundry machine there that I know of though.
forgot to say the name of the yard is Jennings. it's on boatyard rd.
Bill
Reedville also has a great place for steamed crab. It's accessable from the water and the prices for large blue crab were $10 less than the price for medium blue crab most places in Maryland I visited last summer and fall.
And there is a very nice anchorage at Fishing Bay.
Thanks for the input. I'm making a list and checking it twice (or more). :)
If you just need a quick reference, there is this site also:
http://www.baydreaming.com/index.htm
I finished the dinghy project with gunwhales laminated in cherry.
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But I couldn't stop. Each project led to something else, and the hoped for departure for early May....well, that didn't happen. The dinghy led to revarnishing the interior, painting the saloon, compounding the hull, painting the deck, removing and rebedding the deck hardware, making new companionway slides, adding brass companionway slide tracks, new teak companionway hatch rails, 5 coats of epoxy gel coat, 5 coats of poxytar, new paint and tires on the trailer, new zippers on the bimini cover, and bottom paint. I'm not done, but the list has stopped growing. I won't be brash enough to publicize a new departure date, but it's getting closer, and the Chesapeake beckons still.
Well, I should have known it was too much to hope for. I tried following the directions for posting pictures, and this was my first attempt. Any ideas on how to replace the "X" with the pictures? I used:
Edit: CapnK
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Jim - I went to your Picasa pages, right clicked on the image and chose "Copy Image Location", then Paste that location in between the {img} and {/img} tags you get if you click on the little picture-looking icon above. Hope that helps! - Kurt
wonderful woodwork!
Truly impressive
Beauty! You have accomplished more work in less time than I could imagine. It take me longer to think about a project than for you to do it. ::)
Thistle is ready, and we start the road trip at first light. I don't carry a computer, but when I return, if there's a story to tell, I'll tackle it then. This is a test to see if I've solved the picture posting problem.
The companionway rails by Dufour were rather involved for a home shop, but I wanted to try, as the original teak rails had rotted. Then, the companionway hatch slid on four hard plastic pieces that wore a groove in the fiberglass deck over time, and when I started painting, made short work of the paint. I got two 1 X 1/8 inch pieces of brass flatstock from Jamestown Distributors, sanded the deck and back of the brass for some tooth, and epoxied in place. It not only solved the problem, but looks better IMHO, and the hatch slides like a dream.
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Ouch! But yes, much better to have issues early than well into the trip.
Never had those kinds of issues personally, though I've seen them (grew up in my Dad's repair shop.) I *can* say that the worst-case solution is a lot less expensive than a new trailer. On the third hand, the cruising budget is likely to take a hit early.
Wishing you better luck come Monday.
Sorry to hear about the trailer woes. Good luck getting back on the road quickly.
Where did you decide to aim for on the Bay?
There were a lot of fits and starts, and you and I both were probably having doubts as to whether this cruise was going to happen. Well, friend, take heart. It did.
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I started off 17 September. By the time I made Oklahoma City it started pouring and didn't stop until I made Greensboro, NC. At times it poured so hard I feared someone running into Thistle in the poor visibility, forcing me to pull off the interstate to await better visibility. Finally, the fourth day brought clear skies and my return to Chesapeake Country. After Oklahoma, and after being away so long, the countryside was breathtakingly beautiful.
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I arrived at Kennersley Point Marina on the Chester River near Chestertown.
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Sunset from Kennersley Point Marina
Thistle was launched and I got to see her by the boathouse and in her element for the first time in five years. The trip was 1,687 miles. Kennersley Marina is at the back end of a land grant farm dating from 1703. It's on Island Creek off Southeast Creek, and is a quiet hurricane hole that the regulars guard from the world. As you meet each new person, one of the first five questions seems to always be, "So, how did you find this place?"
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Adam (Sail Far "Godot") joined me for a daysail. We went up to Chestertown, anchored for lunch, and got a good picture of Sultana under sail. Sultana is a replica of the 97-ft. schooner built in 1767 in the Boston shipyard but soon after sold to the British and used to enforce the hated Tea Taxes. By 1772, Colonial resistance had grown so heated that the British, fearing for the safety of vessel and crew, called her back to England and sold her at auction.
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Chestertown is living history at its best. The route through town was a main traveling artery during the Revolutionary and Colonial periods. George Washington often frequented the town as one of his favorites, became involved in the establishment of Washington College in 1782, the nation's tenth oldest college, provided financial support, and served on the Board of Governors. The first few blocks along the river where merchants and sea captains built their homes are a joy to stroll to appreciate the perfectly preserved architecture.
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Sailing was boisterous. On only two days did we set full sail. For the rest of the month we had at least a reef in the main, spent one day with double-reefed main and a reefed working jib, and three days were spent in port in 30-40 kts of wind. One Saturday was forecast to be pouring rain, so we opted to return to Kennersley and drive to the Naval Academy in Annapolis for the day. Other than a spritz as we crossed the Bay Bridge, the day turn beautiful.
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A view on the Chester River.
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Two farm siloes converted to a 5-story home with wrap-around porches on the second and third floors and floor-to-ceiling windows giving a panaramic view of the Chester River.
More to follow--
Looks great... gives me more reason to finish my projects and get on the water too.
Part 2:
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We leave Island Creek and Kennersley for the drive to the Naval Academy, a must see at Annapolis, MD, any time you visit the East Coast. There's never a day without a buzz of activity. As soon as we arrived, we heard performances by the Air Force Academy and Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps.
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The USS Delaware, a 119-ft frigate, was built in 1775 by order of the Continental Congress as one of the new Navy's original ships. Its figurehead was of Tecumseh, Chief of the Shawnee and the largest confederacy to oppose the new nation during the Tecumseh Wars and later the War of 1812. The original figurehead resided on the grounds of the Academy, but to preserve it from exposure to the elements, was later moved to the visitor center and replaced by a bronze replica. Before each football game, Tecumseh is adorned with battle dress. This was the meeting of Navy and Air Force, which Navy won 16-13.
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Don't worry. By Monday morning, Tecumseh is back to his polished brilliance.
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Annapolis harbor from the Academy grounds.
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Shortly after the Wright brothers flew, the Navy acquired its first naval aircraft.
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Bancroft Hall shorly before the brigade would form up in the courtyard for the march to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
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The entrance to Memorial Hall.
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...and Memorial Hall. The ceilings covered with oil paintings of famous battles.
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The Naval Academy Chapel.
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And for those with a musical inclination, yes, the story-high organ pipes are real.
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The lower level of the Chapel is the final resting place of John Paul Jones. This bust of Jones is just one of numerous displays surrounding his crypt.
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Sorry, not my best picture. The black and white marble coffin rests atop pedestals of waves and porpoise. You just need to see it for yourself. Another must-see is the naval museum in Preble Hall. It just reopened after a two-year makeover. If you have an interest in naval history, it's all there.
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The brigade marches for the stadium.
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The Navy band leads the march, and the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps drops in at the end. In the background is the admiral's (superintendent) residence.
From end-to-end, besides being one of the nation's most beautiful places to sail, the Chesapeake is jammed with the nation's history and heritage. Part of this is the skipjack, with only a hand-full of surviving working examples.
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To help preserve the industry, oysters may only be dredged by the skipjack while under sail. They carry a powered push-boat, but before taking oysters, the push-boat must be raised in the davits.
When a friend visited from Georgia, we sailed down the Chester, through Kent Narrows, and spent a few days exploring Eastern Bay and the Wye and Wye East Rivers.
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We anchored the first night in Lovely Cove, off the Wye, and indeed it was.
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We sailed both ends of Wye Narrows to circumnavigate Wye Island, and then got a glimpse of Wye Heights Plantation.
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We anchored in Dividing Creek off the Wye East that night and got an early start for the return to the Chester River.
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Thistle's anxious now for spring and the chance to return when the geese do.
Absolutely Wonderful! Thank You, especially for all the photos.
Enjoy a grog!
Thanks for the update,
I really enjoy the Cheasapeke, and am glad the WX has not made your journey less then fun. Annapolis is a great town. I Like to visit Fawcets and Bacon and Associates to find out 'what I need'. ;) Of course I usually end up selling it all off for pennies on the dollar. ;D
Thanks for taking time to take pictures and write up your trip.
Thank you for the write up. I really enjoyed it and look farward to any more pictures that you have. It just makes me ready to get my boat to the big water and just go.
Well, jotruk, I do have some others that you might find interesting.
This one was just from a personal interest point of view. I found the design of the bay window interesting.
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This is a pineapple picket fence. Each picket is finished off on top with a pineapple, which is the ultimate symbol of hospitality and friendship. When sailing captains first traveled the Pacific, they would bring back strange, never before seen wonders. Many would be for resale and were for the captain's personal profit, but many were to impress or for the enjoyment of friends and relatives, like silk for a wife's new dress. The ultimate in hospitality was being invited to a captain's home to enjoy the treats, and that would often be the only time one might ever taste the sweetness of a pineapple. Pineapples, therefore, soon began appearing on gate posts, porch posts, and elsewhere as a welcome greeting to visiting guests.
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This is a view of Thistle's interior showing the Thistles my wife added to each cushion. The inclinometer was a Christmas gift from my son.
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Several displays in the naval museum had these life-sized forms to help explain life on a sailing ship. This is obviously taking celestial observations, but others included loading a breech-loading cannon, life below decks, etc.
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And lastly, the schooner Martha White setting sail as she sails down river from Chestertown.
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Thank you Tistlecap you have whetted may apatite for moving my boat to the coast
Jotruk,
This blog was posted on trailer sailor bulletin board. They covered some of the same places we did in a home-built boat. Beautiful boat and great pictures. Check it out.
http://logofspartina.blogspot.com/
Thank you ThistleCap I really enjoyed the post. Now just to get my boat ready, but it will be next summer at the earliest
Great pix and text. Thanks, thistlecap.
BTW, I just got an e-mail from a college classmate. Turns out his company just finished work on the chapel at the US Naval Academy. Weird coincidence, that.
--Joe
When I was planning the trip from NW Oklahoma to the Chesapeake, I had no idea what the expenses would work out to or how best to economize. I was working in the dark. I kept very close records of the trip and thought some of you may be interested in what I learned.
To begin with, the tow vehicle is a 8 cyl. Dodge Ram 1500 with a rated towing capacity of 12,000 lbs., and the boat, trailer and equipment total close to 7,000 lbs. The trip east included a run south to Atlanta to avoid the Eastern mountain ranges before turning north to Maryland. A concerted effort was made to save fuel--keeping my foot out of the carburetor, no cruise control, slower speeds averaging 52 mph, although part of this speed was attributed to very heavy rain for most of the trip. The return trip was by the shortest distance, but at the posted speed limits, and with cruise control nearly all the time except in the mountains.
The trip east was 1,687 miles at 11.75 mpg for a total of $328.06 in fuel. The return trip was 1,542 miles at 15.79 mpg for a total of $221.38. For a truck that normally gets 19 mpg, running in the mountains at 70 mph took its toll. The two surprises were a difference of only 145 miles in distance between the two routes, and a difference in cost for towing the boat and trailer of only $106.65. I received numerous advice concerning the wisdom of leaving the boat in Maryland and wintering it at the marina versus towing it back home. With a towing cost of $107 and winter storage of $500, leaving it was obviously not the right choice. Total round-trip cost including fuel, tolls, and meals on the road totaled $659.40. Averaged over the 30 days I was on the trip, the cost averaged $21.98 a day. This does not include food except on the road, because I figured I'd be eating at home anyhow, and actually eat much less on the boat. I hope this may help someone in planning their sailfar trip.
Here's hoping that you have a very good sail and that it stays warm
Ain't nothing like a being tucked into a small cabin with a good book in a secure anchorage during a rainy blow. It legitamizes relaxing. Lots of little 'tuck in" spots on the Chesapeake. Have fun.
Let me know if you stop along the north side of the South River or in Annapolis. We can give you chance to do laundry and drive you around for provisions and supplies.
If you share your itinerary plans for this year I'll be happy to contribute any local knowledge I may have.
Quote from: ThistleCap on March 27, 2010, 01:13:12 PM
Excited!! The day is finally here. I'm rushing around the house and garage gathering all the stuff {snip}... loading it for the trip back to the Chesapeake.
Happy Times. :)
Good luck on the trip, and thanks for taking lotsa extra warm stuff... That preparation on your part will help ensure that Warm Spring is here to stay. ;) ;D
We continued the Chesapeake Cruise during the fall of 2010. When I got back, I decided to pursue something I had wrestled with for a long time---starting a blog. The cruise was 26 days long, and went from the Chester River, north on the Eastern Shore, across the head of the bay, and down the Western shore to South River, across to Eastern Bay, and back up the Chester. The report on the cruise and pictures can be viewed there.
I'm sad to say I no longer feel I can make coastal sailing work from Oklahoma. As you will see from the blog, I'll be selling Thistle and moving to paddling. I thought I'd spend the rest of my days sailing, but you know how it goes---life is what happens while you're making other plans.
Best wishes to all. I'll still haunt the site, and maybe even participate once in awhile. My heart is with you even if I'm not.
Thank you.
Jim
http://logofibi.blogspot.com
Please stick around.
If it can be paddled, it's a small boat.
And since CapnK did something like 1500 miles in a 'yak, long distance qualifies, too.
Thanks, John. Appreciate it.