The Old Bay Club, our TSCA or Traditional Small Craft Association chapter gathered for several days on the water. We had an arrival picnic Thursday evening on the beach followed by 2 nights in the boats. We started on The James River near Jamestown, sail/motored to the Upper Chippokes for the second night, ran back down the James and up the Chickahominy River to Yarmouth Creek the third night. The mornings were cold, but we were rewarded immensely with gorgeous sunsets and Fall color. What’s not to like? Good pals, pretty boats, good food and drink.
Tip: sometimes two sleeping bags are better than one! Scenery found below-
After reconfiguring my truck’s bed, I took a hike to Spy Rock in Nelson County, VA. My daughter, son-in-law and trusty Huckleberry joined me. We camped out of the truck off a fire road. Wonderful 360 degree views at the top under blue skies and Fall colors.
The truck now has a isolated second battery with breaker panel for lights, fan and 12v outlets. A solar controller panel is awaiting a roof panel. The berth is 36″ wide allowing easier egress and lay down area for Pups.
Boat galley box, port berth and starboard cubbiesSpy Rock NW viewcouple seen along the waydinner over open firerest at the toplone shade tree3 amigosunder berth storage, cubbies and fold down tablebreaker panel
The Old Bay Club chapter of the TSCA (Traditional Small Craft Association) gathered this past weekend. Eight boats participated despite iffy weather conditions. We had a great time. Good food, drink and sailing!
Several years ago I began this Geodesic Airolite canoe, the Snowshoe 14. I was so disappointed with the messy epoxied rib to stringer results I nearly tossed the whole thing on the burn pile. Instead, it hung in the garage for a couple years. Recently, a week or so ago I lowered the carcass, got out the heat gun and scraped much of the oozed epoxy off in order to lash the joints. Inwales, breasthooks, floorboards and Dacron skin were added. Sealing coats of varnish and rub rails finished the boat.
Stern in foreground
Specs cite a 20# finished weigh, but mine ended at 31. My breasthooks and rub rails were heavy cumaru. Douglas fir stringers add pounds over cedar. Chestnut oak ribs exceed poplar or pine. I used what was in the pile of offcuts and I wanted a stout frame.
Copper tacked stem
Lastly, I found the Heatbond tape convenient, but questionable for holding the Kevlar strands and skin long term. I ended up using tacks for the Kevlar and staple for the skin. Two more floorboards were added outboard. Oh, and I designed a rowing “boomerang “ outrigger too.
Rowing “boomerang “.
Tropical storm Ophelia has spoiled the weather for a couple days, so a splash will have to wait. Until then …
Temps lately have been close to historic lows here for July/August. Sailing? You had to ask? Took Little Bird for a short lazy downwind afternoon trip across Mobjack to Browns Bay for the evening. Swimming, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres met the sunset. later reading under the forward hatch below was short lived. I did catch the full moon. Amazing, but not photographable via phone. The big bright dish got reduced to a small white dot set in the midnight sky. Still, believe it or not, I saw it. Luminous and beautiful throughout the night, a gentle breeze and 65 degrees made for an easy slumber.
The following morning provided some of the finest sailing home. Once clear of shoals, I lashed the tiller and watched the boat beat back home. Wonderful. Another log entry. Short but sweet. Lookie here:
The portage of a 50 or 75 pound dinghy can be moved about on land single-handedly. For years I’ve been flipping our two prams upside down and “backpacking” them to the waters edge. In hauling one resembles a two legged beetle or turtle, the process can be both awkward, and, tiring. Working smarter doesn’t always come easily. However, we’ve succeeded in cobbling together a couple of 2×4’s for a frame, drilled an aluminum rod for an axel, commandeered a pair of plastic wheels, slung some stiff webbing for support, using stainless screws and voila! we have a light flexible small boat dolly.
Keel support toggles
The forward keel support toggles to adjust for hull variations in our different boats. An oak pull handle offers a good grip andcleat for bow painters.
Notched post for a wider sling
The dolly is light and easily hung on a wall. Now maybe our little fleet will get wet more often. And, no more 2 legged cockroaches!
And, painted dolly with bent aluminum leg and Eastport Pram. Fini!
For good portions of the summer, it’s what it is. Light and variable winds, hot and sunny. Had 4 good sails to windward both up and down the river over several days. Here is a short iMovie video via phone from yesterday afternoon’s sail. D
The Old Bay club had a tight gathering of seven boats last weekend. An invitation was extended to the group from the Boat Shop Director John England at the Deltaville Maritime Museum. Their exhibits and hands on activities focus primarily on the rich history of the Lower Chesapeake. John currently has two 20′ deadrise skiffs nearing completion. They are beauties. Go see for yourself.
John’s camp/sail event at Freeport Landing on the Piankatank has been going on for about 40 years. Attendance was relatively light. Weathermen can be believed at times and thus scare away sailors. The sailing was two days boisterous the first days and the last one sedate.
Most of us arrived Thursday afternoon to sail down river for the night off Berkleys Island. Friday proved to be much of the same. Fewer still headed downstream to Cobbs Creek, returning again to Berkleys for lunch and a swim. That night’s anchorage tucked peacefully in Harper Creek south of Freeport. Saturday was light, variable and sunny. More crew joined for several short sails, picnics and a laden picnic table potluck dinner. Too much!
It was wonderful to be reacquainted with UNA. She seemed to relish the higher winds and was getting it to weather. A good time was had by all as they say. More shows in this video following.
Over the winter I discovered a pound net stake had washed ashore lodging itself here in the marsh and salt bush. At 45’ long I wondered how many jet skis it had taken out in its journey. Obviously, this was a highly valued artifact. I was tempted to re-float it, allowing the battering ram to continue its laudable mission, but it’s straightness caught me. A more radical thought occurred. Might a flagpole be raised? Just how far our stick had travelled was a mystery. The closest stakes in use I’m aware of are off Reedville, many miles up the Bay from Mobjack. The local watermen stopped using pound nets decades ago. With a shovel, chain and tractor I dislodged the pole. Hefted upon several sawhorses, I stained it white, tapered the top for a soup can cap, tarred the base, hand dug a 9’ hole with post hole diggers and auger, and then, a fellow trimming the neighbor’s trees agreed to raised and drop our pole in its new home with a cherry picker. A bullet eye as a masthead hoist, $5 of crab pot line for a halyard, a hand fashioned cleat from ipe, a couple brass snap shackles and we had a flagpole. I was amazed at how solid just dropping gravel in the hole locked the pile in.
I couldn’t locate one of those pretty rainbow flags a few are so spun up about, so I’m sure the one I chose will offend a couple. What kind? Who knows these crazy times. Well, can’t please everyone and some can never be pleased. I’m happy and proud of our efforts though. Oh, and it works!
Hi! my name is Sebastian (You can call me Seb!) ...welcome to my Blog. I'm a photographer from Worcester, Worcestershire, England. Thanks for dropping by! I hope you enjoy my work.
Gavin Atkin's weblog for the sort of people who like looking inside boat sheds. It's about old boats, traditional boats, boat building, restoration, the sea and the North Kent Coast
Lingering Lunacy 