Retro Repost #9 ~ A Row of Boats

Bunked Boats, Morning in Fogg’s Cove
St. Michaels, Maryland 

The light was so beautiful at sunrise on this Saturday morning. So much eye candy for boat lovers.

 

 

 

 

Retro Repost #8 ~ Melonseed “Caesura”

The Melonseed Caesura in Fogg’s Cove
St. Michaels, Maryland 

That is indeed one of my Melonseeds in the foreground of the previous post (thanks Steve!)

Both photos, and several to come, are from back in 2013 at the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival – MASCF to friends and family.

 

Retro Repost #7 ~ Fogg’s Cove

Melonseed and Navigator in Fogg’s Cove
St. Michaels, Maryland

 

It’s been hovering around 100 degrees here for weeks. Thunderstorms roll through several times a day. Not so great for boating this time of year here in the South. Going through some old photos helps. More coming in the days ahead.

 

 

 

Janes Island ~ Bright Sun, Big Downwind

 Harris with a tailwind in Mabu

 

It’s now gusting over 20 knots, and waves are building quickly. With the second reef tied in, and the chicken jibe out of the way, we have the wind and waves spanking us in the backside. Essentially this is now a five boat drag race across the river, all running for the mouth of the canal.

We’re way out ahead because we started first, but the other boats are coming really fast. It’s not a dead downwind run, which is no fun, but a very broad reach. Still, the Caledonia is amazingly well-behaved. This is probably the biggest wind Harris has had the boat in so far, and I can tell he’s both nervous about how she’ll handle and pleased with the results. Whitecaps are starting to break around us, charging in from the Sound.

 

Continue reading “Janes Island ~ Bright Sun, Big Downwind”

Janes Island ~ Bright Sun, Big Wind Video

 

direct Youtube Link 

This is video from the morning and early afternoon, up to just before the wind really kicked up and we decided to tie in another reef.

Great sailing. Here’s the whole track:

 

 

The next post and video will pick up where this leaves off.

 

Janes Island ~ Bright Sun, Big Wind

Harris at the tiller of Mabu 

 

Unlike last time we were here, there is no argument over which direction we’ll go today: North. The wind will continue out of the Northwest – sensible in the morning but build steadily throughout the day to something very unsensible. I’ve always heard old sailors say the wind is strongest on the backside of a cold front. This prediction bears that out.

Based on the forecast, I plan to explore the marshes inside Janes Island in the Melonseed, staying clear of big water, but Harris suggests I ride with him. He has a sparkling new Caledonia Yawl, Mabu, bulit by Geoff Kerr of Two Daughters Boatworks in Maine. Sounds good to both of us. I’ll be free to take photos again, and he might like two sets of hands when the wind pipes up, especially in a new ride. Continue reading “Janes Island ~ Bright Sun, Big Wind”