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.

Miss it already!

The Old Bay Club gathered for their now traditional James River Fall sail. 11 boats arrived. 8 continued on for the 3 day cruise. Fall colors were in bloom, temps were in the low 70’s, winds varied from none to small craft warnings. Our first night BBQ and oysters were a hit on the beach. Monkey business continued into the night. It was a great time with a fun group.

With several in the group taking “film”, UNA got some screen time. I’ll let our video convey the rest.

Oh, and as for the question, “… Chippokes”? See here.

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Zephyr, Molly and Mabu (all Caledonia Yawls) joined UNA for a 2 night cruise around creeks in Ingram Bay. Weather was mostly clear, winds variable and temps moderate. Delightful really. In fact, swimming was dare near perfect. “Racing” gave a good challenge.

The crew all took photos. Made for a fun mix of perspectives. Footage here:

Mid August sailing in Maine can be trying, or at times, non-existent. UNA, Molly and Little T put in at Rockland to visit Hurricane Sound, The Basin, Carver Harbor, Seal Bay, North Haven, Perry Cove and Pulpit Harbor to return to Rockland for the long ride home. There were a couple sunny days on either end, but the predominant “color” was grey, a perfect background allowing some sublime reflection. With each visit to this coast the outside world seems to have leaked in. However, those quiet and raw pockets still exist. I think we found a few.

Travelling by small boat frequently invites curiosity. Private space and time no longer are yours. Is it lunacy to sleep a week in the floor of a 19′ boat? Perhaps. You’d think that would ward off inspection.

“Are you guys Outward Bound?” If so, no one seems willing to come along.

“Oh, yeah, I had a little 8′ dinghy I’d row about.” Sorry, not the same thing.

“What kind of boat is that?” I never understand that question. Are you asking generically? Sailboat. Type? Balanced lug yawl. Design? Sooty Tern. What’s that? A seabird. Comical at times and yet the interest somehow validates the decisions to make the trip.

I won’t bore with too many details of the trip. The winds were light at best. The friendship was great. And, all those greys … beautiful.

Just got a text with this fine painting from Mabu’s skipper, Harris. He and his Caledonia were anchored just to windward of UNA that colorful evening on Yarmouth Creek two weeks ago. Seems like ages now. I can hear the slap of the water, cries of the geese …

Somehow the cold is gone.

Thanks Harris!

Sub freezing temps and small craft warnings make neither a good nor wise cruise. Earlier forecasts were off a day. Our planned three day sail shrank to two. Five boats were to gather. Weather pared the group to three. Still, it the sailing was spectacular. The higher winds had dropped to a gentle breeze. The winter light became brilliant. The night would drop back to freezing, but the crazies wore on. That’s two Caledonia yawls, Mabu and Molly, and one Sooty Tern, UNA. We awoke to frost on cars and boats. By mid morning we were sailing off the wind from Governors Land on the James River for an 8 miles up the Chickahominy River. Our trio slid past banks of cypress trees and glided into the watercolor marshes of Yarmouth Creek. Drinks and yarns accompanied our late afternoon anchorage. Tents, sleeping bags, long johns and wool caps tucked all in shortly after sunset. A good book was the evening’s entertainment.

Daybreak offered little air. We motored back down the Yarmouth, took a cut called Shipyard Creek to meet the Chick again. There we raised sail and had a great beat home. Una was in her element.

It was a fantastic couple of days with fine buddies. Hopefully its not the last sail in what has been such a fraudulent year. If so, perhaps this video will stretch us to Spring.

Monday was “breezy” with small craft warnings. However, Tuesday and Wednesday were as perfect as perfect can be. Winds started at 8-12 mph from the NW moving to the W the following day. Air was crisp, evenings cool and skies blue. The attending boat count got whittled down to two, but that offered some spirited “racing” both days. It was Caledonia vs Sooty Tern and the leads changed hands enough to make both parties happy.

Enjoyed it Bob!