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).

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.

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.  

Q. We are making the move to sail. We currently have a Sea Ray 33. We have been to the boat shows and been convinced by the sticker shock that it will be a used boat. In looking through the boat yards we have noticed that the many designs have confused us even more. We’re looking for a 2000 or newer. Any suggestions as to how to make the right choice? (Mark & Debbie)

A. First, permit me to answer this question to all those who are thinking of making the change to sail from power. I must assume that the decision to go to sail has been done so for all the right reasons. If the primary reason to do so is the rising cost of fuel then consideration must be given to the issue of traveling at 6kts compared to your current speed. This could make your decision seem less then advisable. What takes just a few hours to travel to a destination for a day and return to a home slip for the night will become an overnighter a.k.a as weekend trip. There are many other factors to consider but this one stands as a major issue in our fast paced multi-tasking society.

But assuming all the factors have been consider, then, as I’ve said so many times before,  selecting the right boat begins with understanding the use to which it will be put. The reality is most us sail our boats in good weather, sailing close to homeport. Today’s “wide body” boats, full beam lead aft, of light displacement, and tall rigs are necessary for the protected waters, light wind, fun sailing must of us desire. However, these combinations are not the way to go if your plans take you to far horizons.

There is much to consider when making a boat purchase but my opinion is start with what type of sailing you plan to do. Consider the skills that are necessary to sail a boat based on the type of sailing you’ll do, they do differ from those of powering. Are you prepared for the learning curve? From there go to how much you wish to spend. Compare the price of boats you are interested in and then ask why the difference in price. Don’t be distracted by glitz unless you plan to do dockside entertaining vs. sailing.

I could spend pages going over the issues but the best advice I can give is to be a knowledgeable buyer. Seek the help of a good broker, talk to surveyors and other sailors. Above all buy brand name quality, so when the time comes to sell, you’ll not be just one of another 100 like boats all looking for a buyer.