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October 2008 Vol. 38 No. 10 |
David Arbuthnot Blue Heron |
Labor Day Cruise to Annapolis, September 5-8, 2008
On a cloudy Friday, September 5, with weather and water conditions in question, seven intrepid boats from SMSA began the sail north from Solomons. It turned out to be a fine day for a sail! Koel (Rene and Gresh Sackett), Kalypso (Fred Siessiger), Bonaventure (Chip Martin, Helen Cummings and family), and Wavedancer (Carrie and Mark Brownhill) headed to Whitehall Bay or thereabouts for the evening. Swan (Ellie and Ken Mowbray), who had left the day before, and Walk About (Lois and Dave Zonderman) found moorings in Annapolis; Blue Heron (Sally and David Arbuthnot) found a slip in Ego Alley and soon were joined by Lickety Split (Donna Maneely and Les Griffith). On Saturday morning, the Whitehall Bay fleet all moved over to Annapolis moorings. A second contingent from Solomons, Calypso (Frank and Rita Gerred) and Decoy (Judy and Curt Larsen) sailed to reserved slips at Port Annapolis, while Virginia Dare (Sally and Wayne Wilson) anchored in the harbor. Easy Time (Suzie and Ron Williams) turned back with engine problems. We even heard by phone from former SMSAers Nimue (Kris and Ron Hoile), who were anchored nearby. There were 25 members at dinner Saturday evening at the Federal House restaurant, including Mongoose Magic (Antha and Dale Koonce), who joined us by car, and former SMSA members Cat Morgan (Nikki and Jack Goodman), who had been in Annapolis for several days. The restaurant had a separate room-within-a-room ready for our crowd. After dinner most attended a wonderful performance of “All Shook Up" at the Summer Garden Theater.
On Sunday, most of the boats took off on the Gerred-led cruise to the Chester River, while Blue Heron, Lickety Split, Wavedancer and Bonaventure headed back down the Bay. Blue Heron and Wavedancer spent a beautiful night anchored in Hudson Creek. |
Frank and Rita Gerred |
Labor Day Extended Cruise Report, September 24-26, 2008 The “extended” cruise was the continuation of a very successful Labor Day Weekend Cruise to Annapolis. Calypso (Frank & Rita Gerred) started out on Saturday with Decoy (Curt & Judy Larsen), Easy Time (Ron & Suzie Williams) all motoring into light north winds. We were also joined by Nimue (with former SMSA members Ron & Kris Hoile). We got an early start, and about halfway to Annapolis, Easy Time reported that they were having engine problems, which was probably caused by bad fuel. They decided to sail back to Solomons. We were sorry to have them leave the cruise, but realized they needed to resolve their problem.
Upon arrival in Annapolis, Calypso and Decoy tied up at Port Annapolis Marina (no moorings available on this busy holiday weekend). Nimue headed for Whitehall Bay to anchor for the evening. We joined the weekend cruisers at Federal House Café and Pub for a wonderful group dinner, and then on to the Summer Garden Theater to tap our toes through a cool performance of “All Shook Up”.
Happy Hour Mill Creek Sunday morning was clear with a nice breeze to head north to the Corsica River. Decoy remained in Annapolis with a very leaky stuffing box. Happily they called us a couple of hours later as they left to join us. A mechanic at the marina had fixed their problem in just a few minutes for free!! In the Corsica we were joined by Anita (Ann Miller and Bob Halter), friends from our trip to the Bahamas a couple of years ago. They keep their boat in Rock Hall and are very familiar with the Corsica. They steered us into a great anchorage with plenty of room for all the boats. We were soon joined by Swan (Ken & Ellie Mowbray), Koel (Gresh & Rene Sackett), Cat Morgan (old friends Jack and Nikki Goodman), Kalypso, (Fred Siessiger), Nimue and Decoy. Virginia Dare (Wayne and Sally Wilson) anchored not far away and Walkabout (Dave and Lois Zonderman) joined a Catalina raft-up for the evening. We had a nice reunion with Bob and Ann, and soon Calypso’s cockpit was full of lively cruisers and delicious appetizers. A great start to our cruise. The following morning Calypso, Koel, Cat Morgan, Nimue, Decoy, Kalypso and Virginia Dare wound our way up the picturesque Chester River to historic Chestertown. Walkabout and Swan decided to skip Chestertown in favor of exploring some of the beautiful creeks and anchorages off the Chester River. Virginia Dare had not managed to get a slip at the Chestertown Marina, so she carefully anchored in the river. Wayne and Sally stayed aboard until the strong river current changed direction and they were assured their anchor was holding well. We all explored the town (very quiet on Labor Day) for a while and made plans for another Happy Hour. The marina provided us with an excellent venue under a tent with lots of picnic tables and comfortable chairs. “Kalypso Fred” appeared attired in his authentic chef jacket with several delectable appetizers to add to an already jam-packed table. Nobody left that gathering hungry! There was some discussion about the weather, as we were beginning to get an inkling that tropical storm Hannah might affect us later in the week. We decided we were okay for the moment and agreed to keep a close eye on the marine weather forecasts.
Dinner at the Blue Heron On Tuesday we did more exploring. All the nice shops and restaurants were now open and we had lots to see. By the end of the day it became apparent that we were going to get some inclement weather from “Hannah” and we all made plans to head back to Solomons. Meanwhile, we made the most of the evening with a scrumptious dinner at Blue Heron Restaurant. We were disappointed to have to bypass the Wye R and St. Michaels, but we will save that destination for another cruise. Several different scenarios developed for each boat's "best route" back to Solomons. Since Nimue had to get to Kilmarnock, they were headed to Solomons on Wednesday and home from there on Thursday. Virginia Dare headed to the Rhode River. Calypso and Decoy decided to head for Tilghman Island for an easy in and out of the Bay. Cat Morgan, Kalypso and Koel went to the Little Choptank. Back out on the Bay on Thursday everyone was fine and motoring into light air toward Solomons. Cat Morgan reported that they had a rousing good time in the Little Choptank helping Fred S. finish off his awesome appetizers. Calypso and Decoy had a relaxing afternoon poolside at Tilghman Island Marina, and then dinner out at Bay Hundred Restaurant. Virginia Dare got an early start home from the Rhode River and Nimue reported that they were well on their way to the Potomac. Swan phoned to report that due to an alternator issue, they sailed back to Solomons arriving at midnight on Wednesday. The “extended” cruise was unceremoniously “shortened”, but we avoided Hannah’s drenching rain and wind, and we can enjoy the memories of yet another enjoyable SMSA cruise. |
Mark Brownhill Wavedancer |
CANCELLED - Second Saturday Cruiser's Raft, October 13th It looks like most people are going to the boat show on October 13, so we'll cancel the raft at the clubhouse. Chris Miller has suggesting that members might like to get together at the boat show, so please contact him if you are interested. |
Wayne Wilson Virginia Dare |
Chester River Anchorage Report
Virginia Dare Safely at Anchor We anchored in the Chester River at Chestertown on September 1 & 2, 2008. The anchorage owns a solemn reputation that we suspect has become exaggerated with time and retelling. When we arrived there were two other sailboats and two motor boats at anchor. We dropped our anchor (a 55# Delta) east of the channel and 100-yd downstream of Chestertown Marina. It hooked on the first set. Owing to the reputation of the place, we set out a lot more all chain rode than we normally would (100-ft) for the 9+ ft depth at the time (12-ft at high tide). Before leaving the boat we watched for the change of tide (flood) and verified the set with the turn of the boat upstream.In a current greater than 1-kt, our paddle wheel speed transducer will spin at anchor and indicate water speed past the hull. The Chester River current, even at max flood or ebb (the more significant current) never spun the transducer. I guess the currents to be close to 1-kt which is approximately what the Chestertown Current Station predicts (+0.6 & -0.8-kt). When we raised the anchor the chain was clean and the anchor tip showed pieces of mud from a hard mud bottom. If you visit Chestertown and don't have a slip at the marina, anchoring in the river is a very reasonable and quite safe option. There is a free-use public dinghy dock right at the foot of Cannon street. Stay downstream of the underwater cable that crosses the river bottom at just about the position of the dinghy dock. Hooking on that may be the last of your anchor and possibly your welcome in Chestertown. |
Stovy Brown |
Hospice Challenge August 23-24 at SMSA
Two days of team racing and a great Casino Night party on Saturday night were the features of this year’s Hospice Challenge fund raiser, held the weekend of August 23 and 24 at SMSA. Six teams representing various local businesses sailed two complete round robins of 15 races each using the Flying Juniors. The sailors took off from SMSA each morning and used the beach at the north end of the Solomons Boardwalk to swap boats. Team racing consists of three boats from each of two teams sailing against each other in a race. The team that has the best result gets a win, the other a loss. The idea is to have the highest number of wins at the end of the regatta. SMSA was turned into a party and casino for the Saturday night party. With lots of food donated by local restaurants and gambling organized by the Rotary Club of Prince Frederick, a good time was had by all. Lots of door prizes were drawn for during the evening. Proceeds of the event support Calvert Hospice, Hospice of St. Mary’s, the scholarship fund of the Rotary Club of Prince Frederick, and the Southern Maryland Sailing Foundation.
Hospice Challenge Teams |
Kristi Yurko Women's Chair |
SMSA has partnered with the USCG Auxiliary to help offer boating education courses for SMSA members and the community. Below is the October-November course schedule. SMSA requests that all members email women@smsa.com prior to class so we can keep track of SMSA member attendance. Radar Course - 5 nights, 7:00 to 9:00pm
NOTE: Please contact the USCG Auxiliary in order to get your books, as the USCG Aux requests you have read ahead prior to class. (Contact information below) Boating Skills & Seamanship - 9 nights, 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Maryland State law requires that any person born on or after July 1, 1972, who operates a registered or documented pleasure vessel on Maryland waters be in possession of a Certificate of Boating Safety Education..... “Blue Card” Pre-registration requested, but not required. Please contact Ronald Hillard (301-737-4277, ronsjoye@verizon.net) or Fred Camp (301-872-5246, fwcamp@erols.com). |
Carol Smith Social Chair |
Social - Chili Cook Off and Oyster Scald - October 18, 4:00PM This year we are going to resurrect prizes for the chili cook off. There will be the following prizes, 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place and Peoples Choice. The plan is all of you who bring in chili will get a number, so no putting your names on the pots. Everyone who comes in the door will get one ticket to vote for their favorite. I will have containers that will go next to each the pots (with corresponding number) for everyone to put a ticket in. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places will be decided on by the judges. I will also have small bowls/containers to make it easier to take a taste of each chili. And of course we will have the oysters too. As always, non alcoholic drinks will be available free of charge but as will a limit amount of beer and wine. Once the beer and wine are gone, you will have to buy from the bar. So here is what I need to pull this off! I need 3 judges, someone who can get to clubhouse early to hand out numbers and tickets, bar tenders, and I need a couple to help with the oysters. If you would like to help out please contact me at social@smsa.com or 301-863-8285 (leave a message). This should be a blast, hope to see you all there. Annual Membership Meeting and Brunch November 1, 2008. Don't forget to mark your calendars to attend. | |||
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