I had a brief weather and schedule window allowing us to get out there. More to report later, but here is a taste.
I think Canada Goose is a misnomer. Once here the bird stays and flies in circles. It is either confused and/or just wedded to our waters. The geese can be seen here year round. Their honks fit the day here.
Category: UNA sailing
Daughter of a Sailor: A Memory Captured
I’ve just returned with Una from another overnighter, the details of which I’ll share later. However, I did want to point you toward photography of a previous sail taken by a genuine talent, A Girl Named Leney. My post of the trip was basic at best. Her camera evokes the style … and, choose to believe it or not, she’s my daughter. I’m blessed.
Sometimes You Need A Push: MASCF 2014
I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed an organized event so much. Generally I don’t like to be told what to do when, where, or how. And standing in lines … forget it, but this past weekend’s event the Mid Atlantic Small Craft Festival in St. Michaels, MD was a wholly different experience. It had it all: great weather, good people, terrific food, and … wonderful small boats of all description (+/- 125). Add to that, I enjoyed 4 days of solo time with my youngest boy. Oh, and lest I forget, we won some ribbons! Una was voted runner up in looks and we won our class in the 2 races offered.
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| the skipper with the loot. |
To make a quick and proud victory story, conditions were blustery 15-20 kts. Out of +/-55 boats we were 6th or 7th off the port favored start line. In the shadow of larger boats we tacked to starboard, got fresh air and a lift to windward. Now 3rd to reach the windward mark suddenly the tiller stick exploded. A quick attempt to lash a repair failed as we rounded the mark and clipped the buoy. A second lashing held as we re-rounded the mark falling to boat number 6. A close reaching leg took us to the finish in the harbor. Una planed in the buffs, bout the course ended before realizing any gains. Still, we won our class (double mast boats) by quite a margin. I hadn’t raced in decades and Una thrilled me to no end with her performance. Had we not lost the tiller extension, I’m confident we could have gotten a 2nd overall. I know, if wishes were horses …
Tops to all that was to meet so many wonderful folks. Lots of these people I knew from other blogs or forums regarding boating. It was a terrific event. People of all ages with their loved boats. It made a great combination in a quaint and lovely town.
We tent camped under the pines on the Chesapeake Maritime Museum grounds. Breakfast and dinners were provided. Some of the best oysters and steamed crabs war Friday night fair. I could go on, suffice it to say that after attending the Annapolis U.S. Sailboat Show for years, I won’t miss it. None of the frenetic hucksterism of that show was present. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for making money, but that is not why I sail and it was refreshing to be away from those trendy and god-awful “living rooms with a stick”. I can’t remember the last Annapolis show where I saw a boat I’d like own (unless it is the diminutive standout Melonseed. When I first noticed them, they were $4,500. Now they ask for $12,000. Ouch! The only trading going on in St. Mikes was a small swap opportunity under a tent Sunday. All in attendance seemed to be good people who love small boat and enjoyed sharing them. So, in no particular order are some images throughout the weekend.
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| museum sharpie |
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| small leak |
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| Grandpa Checkers |
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| Saturday afternoon |
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| Friendship Sloop |
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| “Canvasback” |
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| “Una” and her specs |
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| vane to be copied? |
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| just a view |
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| good guy |
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| sweet transom |
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| “Elf” |
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| more view |
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| Friendship and pram |
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| New friends Alan, Maryanne and Didi steering “Dark Star” |
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| vintage sailing canoe |
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| George’s Crotch Island Pinky |
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| a Coquina |
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| more canoe |
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| Skin on frame Greenland kayak |
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| boats |
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| pulling boat |
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| young lad’s pond yacht |
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| tank testing |
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| Peter and his Caledonia Yawl “Nip” |
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| boat yard in the tide |
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| hot rod racing skiff |
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| John rigging his CY |
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| Museum’s clinker Melonseed |
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| skipper testing a CLC Petrel Play |
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| messing about in boats |
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| Barry and his beautifully built Melonseed “Aeon” |
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| crew ready to go! |
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| Dale – 1/2 man and 1/2 F-1 kayak. |
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| Dark Star |
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| excellent musicians |
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| skipjack and ferry |
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| oyster tonging |
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| happy sailor |
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| “Aeon” and friends |
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| dory |
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| whery |
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| high class |
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| Sunday morning |
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| skipper with a lashed tiller out for his morning sail |
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| Shelly Moth over fearing |
Pictures don’t do it. I was told I wouldn’t know unless I go. Glad I didn’t risk missing it. We’re ready for next year!
More Life, Better Style
This is simply a slide show of photos my daughter took on our little trip to Gwynn Island. She is a professional and has an artistic eye. These images reflect that and the good time we had. One of many memories I aspire to take with UNA. This is a top one for sure. Her site: A Girl Named Leney
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| my baby |
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| Other baby |
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| At the helm |
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| Popeye |
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| Breakfast |
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| Caffeine |
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| Sunset |
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| Anchor prep |
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| Hors d’oeuvres |
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| radar weather check |
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| AM |
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| Proud builder |
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| Nice end |
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| Perfect afternoon |
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| A beauty |
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| from the beach |
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| in the reeds |
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| driftwood |
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| that girl |
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| there’s Waldo |
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| shelled beach |
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| baby check |
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| morning return |
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| cheese |
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| off watch |
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| chart |
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| just a breath |
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| lazy afternoon |
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| tools of the trade |
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| sweet lines |
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| mizzen set |
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| long boat |
A Starry Starry Night
From virtually no wind to 15-20 kts, Una’s first overnight was fantastic. Having my daughter along doubled the enjoyment. We left town last Sunday afternoon and put in at the public ramp next to the Seabreeze restaurant on Gwynn Island next to the draw bridge.
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| Sandy Point marked at Gwynn Island |
Skies were bright, but little wisps of air seemed to elude us as we drifted along Milford Haven east to Sandy Point. The tide was with us as we took in the scenery.
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| The crew. |
As we approached Sandy point, the breeze filled in and we had a good beat sounding with the centerboard as we rolled along. Anchoring in 18″ a water, we waded ashore and explored a nice little beach. Weather was now a perfect 72 with 10 kt breeze.
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| Bayside beach. |
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| Glamor shot. |
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| Aft view. |
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| Una at anchor. |
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| My girls.
My daughter is an accomplished photographer and we spent some time “walking” Una by her bowline to take photos. However, I don’t have those pics yet so, the iPhone will have to do. The light was fantastic. After moving to a 3′ depth, we made a toast to the sunset, made some simple hors d’oevres, and later broke out the cooker for a fine meal of black beans and rice.
 Stars were infinite away from city lights. Shooters arched across the heavens. At 2200 we were tucked in sleeping bags and staring at the constellations. Around midnight the winds kicked up near 20 kts. I gave the anchor more scope. Una pranced along. I don’t know how much sleep I got. I may have awake 5 times through the night always amazed by the sky. 30 minutes before sunrise we made coffee and took note of the eastern horizon.
 The cooker worked great though I may add a windscreen and the pezio ignition that came with the burner element. From the french press the coffee went to a thermos and was still hot late that night.
 The wind had reversed over the night and the sail back to the ramp was in 12 kts gusting to 20. I had left a ratcheting block at home and lazily cleated the mainsheet as I stood in the cockpit steering. A good gust caught me flat footed and we shipped a little water, maybe 3 gallons before I rounded up. I’ll leave the report with two observations: We were back at the ramp by 0930 hating to leave. A great first cruise, a list of improved details and gear are already in the works. Now we are thinking about attending the Small Craft Festival in St. Michaels, MD. Should be a blast. Never been. |
A Dream Becomes A Delight
Approximately 560 man hours over a 10 month time frame ended this morning with a sail. And I didn’t miss any of the TV most people were watching.
What else can I say? Too much to tell, but a dream from boyhood and satisfaction from labor was realized on the Mattaponi River at West Point, VA. How can I report on this maiden voyage? There is so much to tell and then so much that simply can’t be relayed. Suffice it to say that Una floats like a feather, moves with grace, and slips along on a breath of air. She is, quite simply, a delight.
Iain Oughtred designed a superb little vessel. I took the better part of the morning rigging Una to confirm I had all the pieces. I dreamt I left the mast last night. Almost left the mizzen. Here are the beauty shots before travels, before I wacked her with the anchor after telling myself I couldn’t, and before she rubbed a pier. Now she is seasoned and ready for adventures.
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| Rigged for confirmation. |
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| Rudder sheave pins still to be finalized. |
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| Mizzen boom at clew. |
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| Mizzen at tack/goose neck. |
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| Downhaul |
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| Ready to roll. |
The trip to West Point was uneventful. I didn’t notice the trailer was following though I stopped twice on the interstate shoulder to satisfy myself that all was AOK.
At the ramp, the traffic was constant with boats coming and going. Re-rigging took maybe 20 minutes. I had to back the trailer until the brake lights were submerged. We’ll see how long they last. On Off Center Harbor Geeoff Kerr has his lights on a 2x strapped on top of the boat. That is more visible from the rear and keeps the lights out of the water. We’ll wait on that alteration.
So, I rowed out into the river, set the anchor (16# Bruce with 10′ chain), and raised the mizzen, sheeted it hard, and then raised the main. All was simple and worked like a charm until I worked the shear while raising the anchor. Now the boat is christened.
There wasn’t much wind. Hardly any most of the time, but puffs came and went to experience th boat’s potential. Since the main extends only 2/3 of the way aft in the cockpit you can stand up with the push stick and slide along. The stick was counter intuitive after years of dinghy sailing, but by the end of the sail it was almost second nature (until I swapped hands, but that will come too).
I’ve a laundry list of “improvements” for Una. Some are finicky. Others are necessary and known, but not deciphered until she hit the water. Perhaps I’ll elaborate at a later time … or not. I expect to be sailing a lot over the next few months into the Fall. What a boat! I’ll leave you with a few pics from the water. Adios-
Lingering Lunacy 