North Bay Yacht

(The Sailors Forum is composed of questions that come to Captain Bob Appleton via e-mail, phone or just general “dock chatting” with other sailors. His answers come from his and others insights and research. Have a question? We’d enjoy hearing from you.) 

Q. I’ve read all the articles on making our 38 Ericson ready for the sailing season. Most are general with greater direction given to power boats. I also read your last Sailors Forum in the Nor’easter magazine with regard to lifelines. Very insightful. My question, I’m not keen about going up the mast. Some have said that you can use a good pair of binoculars to assess the fittings at the masthead. Your thoughts on this and anything else you might consider useful. (Rick and Beth Ann)

A. The only way to truly assess the fittings on the mast is to either go aloft (you, your rigger or a good friend who knows what to look for) and inspect them at eyeball level. The best of glasses will not allow proper inspection for crevice corrosion of fittings and wire condition (most failure occurs at the fitting). In addition inspection should include the spreaders and all bolts that travel through the mast; egging of the these holes can occur as well as the bolts becoming deformed. Down below deck check the chainplate tabbing at the bulkheads

With regard to other maintenance items, I would also recommend that all the chainplates be re-bedded at least every other year as well as all deck hardware fittings. Winches should be field stripped, cleaned of old grease and a new coating of grease applied. An inspection of the rudder, cables, and quadrant should also be done. For those with a centerboard have the yard drop your board while the boat is in the slings. Check the trunk pendant, and pin for wear. 

There are surely an additional hundred little things to inspect. Just keep in mind, if it moves or is affected by something that does you should inspect it for wear.

Nothing I’ve said will keep the gremlins away but it will give you a better chance. It will also help you to know your boat better. 

If anyone has other insights share your knowledge.

(Bob’s articles and Forum can also be found in the Nor’easter Magazine (www.noreastermagazine.com).

In 19 years of operating a B&B (www.northbayinc.com) we have been asked this question a multitude of times. To be frank, we really didn’t start out to focus our efforts in this direction. After leaving corporate my wife, Pam, and I were more focused on starting a sailing/charter company. When the opportunity came to move into a waterfront home on the Chesapeake Bay right next to the marina where we were teaching it was, as my friend Don & marina owner of Bay Boats Works) said, “It’s a no brainer”.

Over the years the combination of sailing lessons and lodging has proven the wisdom of a balanced synergy. The only problem… the B&B has grown to be more of a business then the sailing lessons. Not that this is a bad thing. Pam and I prefer to look at the home as a nice boat that can’t go to weather.

The on the water aspects of the B&B business has allowed us to add various charters (on JOURNEY our 50 foot Gulfstar ketch), weddings, small family reunions, overnight slip rentals, and a growing list of advanced levels of sailing instruction to the standard offerings of the lodging industry.

Even while the B&B grows as a stand alone business our focus remains getting people out on the water for this is truly where our passion lays. So when people ask us, “Why a B&B?” the answer comes down to, “It’s something that happened on our way to sailing off to far horizons. We just haven’t tacked back over yet to get back on course. One day… maybe.”

We invite your questions and the shared interests in sailing.

Celebrate life,

Bob & Pam

I sit here in warm comfort the sun shining through the window into our kitchen/office. The table isn’t moving, the drum of the diesel engine a faint memory. The delivery, a source of material for articles in the Nor’easter magazine (www.noreastermagazine.com)and many “lessons learned” that will be applied to future trips on the ICW.

The last day had been uneventful, just 45 miles from the Solomons, MD to Rock Hall. We had hoped to do some sailing on this last leg home. We had sat out the day before at Zahniser’s Marina due to strong winds (15 to 25 gusts to 30) out of the WNW. Too strong to hammer our way north. Our last day the winds were to have swung out of the south at the same speeds. It would have made for a fine reach up the Bay. They never set in… we motored.

We arrived in Rock Hall shortly after four under cloudy skies. Like any delivery it had taken its toll on the crew. Nothing a good hot shower and a solid nights sleep wouldn’t mend. To my surprise I find it difficult to fall asleep, perhaps the lack of motion and the sound of wind and water had become all too common.

A few things I had learned along the way:

* Navigating the ICW takes constant vigilance - There are many places that a boat drawing   more then 6 foot water at low tide can not travel.

* There are four bodies of water that must be transited with proper consideration given to wind and tide; The Chesapeake Bay, Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds and the Cape Fear River.

* GPS, Chart Plotter and depth sounder are essential - While many have made the trip without them they add a great deal of comfort.

* If possible don’t make the trip as a delivery - Take time to rest and see the sights. It will lessen the tension.

*  Make sure you boat is well stocked - Thanks to Pam, my wife, and my daughter, Jacki, we would not run out of stores. There are few places where one can re-provision. Do your research on those areas where you can.

I invite others to share their experiences and insights on the ICW either on this blog or to the Sailors Forum in the Nor’easter. Look forward to sharing with you.

Today was to be our finial leg, up to Rock Hall from Soloman’s Island. Mother nature, as she often does, had other ideas. We were up early ready to move on our last day. NOAA as calling for small craft advisory. But over the course of the last 11 days they have been wrong more times then right. They are calling for 15 to 20 north with gusts to 25. We check Weather Underground, they’re calling for 10 to 15 north. We split the difference and think we can make it even with the winds coming right down the Bay.

We motor out. Winds are gusting to 15 north. Should be okay. As we round Cove Point we are hit with 3 to 4 foot waves and wall to wall white caps. NOAA was right. We press on. Boat speed drops from 6.8 to 4.2. We take water over the bow in successive waves. Into The Mystic drives forward, pounding hard. Water dashes against the dodger sending spray over the cockpit. A flood tide against strong winds produces the worst of a Chesapeake Bay chop… one of the reasons that the Around the World race canceled Baltimore from its schedule. And they sail around the world!

We hold course. Some quick navigation shows that if the weather continues we will be hard pressed to make Rock Hall by dark. I’ve done this before but not after being beat-up for 11 hours. I check for a closer anchorage. Listen again to NOAA. They are calling for temps in the 20’s tonight. Not something we would like to experience, sleeping aboard without heat. Anything close would require anchoring.

NOAA is calling for the wind to shift tomorrow to the SE at 15 to 25. This would give us a swift sail up the Bay. We turn around and  head back to Solomon’s. We surf back at over 8 knots! We’ll live to sail another day. We’ll also have heat tonight. One more night, one more day underway. So be it.

We sit tied-up at Zahniser’s, Back Creek, Solomon’s, MD waiting out our second March cold front. We arrived on the 15th following another long push up from an anchorage on the Great Wicomica River. We had arrived there from Norfolk. Making Norfolk the day before had been a tough one; five bridges and one lock. Not all bridge tenders are personable and bridge schedules, into Norfolk (closed from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, opening on the hour and half hour) make it difficult to get through before dark sets in. Missing the the last bridge before 3:30, due to a railroad bridge closing, we were forced to anchor in the Elizabeth River. We made a marina just before dark running between tugs and midst navy and commercial ships… exciting!

Outbound from Norfolk we passed an inbound navy warship. We noted two 50 cal. gun crews tracking our passing, a result of 9/11 I’m sure. Around Point New Comfort we motored steadily against 10 to 15 knots of north wind with a following tide. It had been our intent to make Jones Creek, Deltaville but with the tide we pressed to the Great Wicomica River near Reedville. We anchored in Cockrell Creek just in time to weather the first of two fronts that would move through the area.    

If I’ve not mentioned it I hate March weather; 70 one day 40 the next, cold winds come down from the north, clouds block the warmth of the sun and make for a cold that sets down in the bones making the only Rx a long hot shower, not something that is readily available on a sailboat on delivery. There is always a price to be paid for being a sailor underway.

So here we sit awaiting Monday morning. We will push on up through to Rock Hall and home tomorrow. It will have been 10 days underway through shallow water, shoaling inlets, cold fronts, bridge schedules, commercial traffic, beautiful landscapes and shore-side homes. There were some tension filled moments but all in all it was a good trip. One benefit of this cold front, a blessing if you will, it keep us dockside so I could go to church for Palm Sunday at a small church, St. Peters. There is a purpose for all things.  

(For a more detailed description of this trip see the Nor’easter magizine, Waypoint, in the next couple of weeks)   

March 12, 0930 hrs.

The past few days have been hard pushes, moving 10 to 11 hours each day making great distance varying between 60 and 90 miles each day. All has not been without instances; running aground twice (we were able to get off without assistance), one bridge operator who felt it was more important to oblige those sand blasting the bridge as to keeping to a restricted opening schedule (We waited 3 hours past the opening schedule). But all in all things have been good.

A few things we’ve learned along the way:

* Don’t believe the ads in the Cruising Guide - ”Showers” does not mean multiple showers. Nor does it mean modern.    

* The word “Marina” is not all ways defined the same way - It can have slips, no slips, or just be a High and Dry.

* ICW travel brings the every present opportunity to run aground - It doesn’t mean you will but with the many inlets coming in across the ICW shoaling is an everyday occurrence, marks are not moved to reflect this. Some very open bodies of very shallow water make crossing these areas an adventure.

* Anchorages are few and sometimes a far distance apart - This makes for some long days (we have made 90 miles and have been averaging over 60).

* Other cruisers are always willing to help - We meet a great couple, Paul and Mary. They are making for Norfolk and have guided us through some of the more difficult spots.

* Modern navigational electronics (chart plotter, laptop, etc) are great aids - But don’t always depend on them, things change quickly. You must stay-up on Local Notice to Mariners.

March 13

We have been in and out of cell range for for the past two. We’ve made great time. Weather has been great. Have only been able to motor sail three times. We should make Hampton Roads by evening. Then it ill be on up the Chesapeake Bay with to stops before Rock Hall. Weather coming in might prevent this… we’ll see.

Tonight will be first night with a hot shower in three days, we’re all looking forward to this. Not much else to stay, just still moving along the ditch.

Underway Day One 

Making progress on the ICW is much like the fable of the Tortes and the Hare, “slow and steady….” As in any sailing endeavor, especially one involving setting time-lines, mother nature has her way of adjusting your plans. Tides and resulting currents slow or enhance boat speed. Trying to make 50 miles a day is not always possible, throw in the required bridge opening and the vagaries of March weather and one must count any progress as an achievement.

The first day out of Charleston was a perfect southern day, warm with cloudless blue skies. We covered a little over 60 miles in 10 plus hours, making Georgetown SC just around sunset. Much of the trip was in water in less then 7 feet with some areas sounding at 5 feet, a mear half foot under our keel. Spectacular homes graced both sides of Isle of Palms, shore birds worked the mud flats, as pelicans sat perched on docks awaiting deeper water on the incoming tide.

 The cruising guide stated there was anchorage space available in Georgetown opposite the “town clock tower”. But with several “derelict” boats on moorings it was impossible to gain enough swing room to drop a hook. We took a slip at Hazard Marina.

Georgetown is a great stop over,  small but upscale in every way; stately homes, fine restaurants, a great variety of stores, and a very nice marina with good services. We plan to spend more time there on our next trip.

 Having a full cockpit enclosure goes a long way in keeping the crew comfortable. On our boat it provided shelter from the sun, wind and at night protection from the many biting insects. It would become even more important on day 2. 

Day Two

0740 hrs. Underway from Georgetown heading to Myrtle Beach. NOAA is calling for a deepening low off the Carolines. We would be hounded by this system all day.

0900 hrs. First light rain spreads over the area. Winds staying light. The Waccamaw River is deep (to 40 feet) right up to the tree lined shore. Trees tower over the water. NOAA is calling for deteriorating weather. There were few places to hide, we pushed on.

1100 hrs. Rain is heavy! Thunder rumbles the GPS goes goofy placing us a mile onshore. Visibility don to the bow. I get in my foul weather gear and go to the bow giving directions to Jacki and David in the cockpit.

1130 - 1200 hrs. The Gps has found itself, rain is light, wind increasing, making good speed with the tides.

1200 - 1230 hrs. Rain again heavy. NOAA calling for tornadoes. Sky is dark. We are through the last bridge for the day. Making for Barefoot Resort Yacht Club & Marina.

1300 - 1300 hrs. Tied down in slip just in time! Wind pushes “Into The Mystic” against the dock, rain is heavy and thunder rumbles to our north. The full enclouser is worth twice the money.

1900 hrs. Jacki has made a great meal; Mac and cheese with turkey and tomato. Music plays from the bar. My bunk is warm. Tough day but good day. NOAA is telling us that we will stay put tomorrow. Bridges do not open in winds over 30 mph.

Day 3

0800 hrs. We are staying put. Wind is the factor, 15 to 25 with gusts to 45. Nice place to stay but ish we were moving on. Next test is the Rock Pile then Cape Fear. Winds rush across the marina, the sky is clear blue. Nice day… I hate March weather.  

In the next couple of days we’ll be pushing off from Charlestown, SC. moving a 43 Beneteau up the ICW to her new home in our charter fleet inRock Hall, MD. Jacki (my daughter) and her husband, David, own and operate Haven Charters (www.havencharters.com). This boat will bring to 27 the number of boats in their fleet.

The volatile weather of March makes the trip north a little more interesting. This combined with the ever changing conditions on the ICW promises an adventure.  But the boat is well equipped and with the purchase of an “air card” for our laptop we anticipate being able to stay connected to Local Notice to Mariners, weather, and the many web sites that offer information on conditions (bridges etc.)

Pam (wife) and Jacki have the food essentials taken care of; prepared and frozen for quick serving. Pam will cover this aspect in a future edition of “From the Galley” in the Nor’easter magazine (www.noreastermagazine.com).

The weather forecast for the first couple of legs is not all that promising, with some hours of sever weather coming late Tuesday and into Wednesday. We should be fairly well protected in the “ditch”.

Once underway I’ll post to this blog to keep, those who are interested, involved with the trip. Don’t hesitate to shoot us questions and insights.  We’ll be aboard the night of Tuesday March 4th. I hope to get pictures on our site (www.northbayinc.com).

Celebrate life.