Hove to off Swan Point

Here’s a first time video taken with my new device. Flip killer? Possible; it’s very simple; no adjustments, just point and shoot. Not ideal for all conditions but very watchable. (Not necessarily in this instance but the video quality’s pretty good.)

Here’s MaryAnn, ready for the second round of the Season tomorrow at Island Heights. She’s tied for first.

Taken with my new iPhone. Not too bad; click for a larger image.

…

Tug action two weeks ago. One of the local dockbuilders moving stages. Nice to have a bit of a commercial “harbor”. There also a couple or crabbers that use the Pond. Reminds me of one of the tiny villages in Riddle of the Sands

…

Went ashore to see if I could grab Tom for a quick sail. No such luck.

…

I did grab a sail with Captain Joe on his boat The Gale. Went down to Reedy Creek and back in light and shifty westerlies.

…

Happy Hydrangeas. Another iPhone pic. Video possibilities….hmmmmm.

We’ve been going for years, even to far Rockland, Maine. It’s been in Mystic for the last three years which seems just about perfect. Wandering around the Seaport while looking a beautiful yachts and honest working craft is a delight.

Here’s a link to the Flickr album.

Or the day after tomorrow but in any event some choice pics from our annual pilgrimage:

…

The Seaport catboat Breck Marshall seen through Brilliant’s rig.

…

Elf, the 1888 racing yacht followed us up from Philadelphia. Perhaps we’ll see the new Maid at the next WBS.

…

That’s Thad Danielson’s Sea Harmony in the background. I think that’s a Fish Boat on the left. Anyone know?

…

Aida, one of my favorite Herreshoff designs. Simple shoal draft ketch built in the 20’s?

…

Egret, a Commodore Munroe sharpie. She’s rigged with sprit booms on her two sails. Very handy rig.

…

Refreshing amongst all the varnish. An old but very functional crab skiff. It takes a lot of work to maintain that patina.

…

Shane and Scot Bell, WoodenBoat Forum Moderator and a very patient man.

…

Photo by Steven Bauer’s camera.

Speaking of the Forum, here we are with a couple of dozen of our closest imaginary friends. This was the third time Doug and Carter hosted a party like this. Thanks all.

Lived up to my tag line this past Saturday morning as Shane and I sailed truly as slow as we could. Steady half knot breeze, gusting to 1. Dry to start, then a light drizzle. All in all a useful way to spend a few hours.

…

My one-armed helmsman, Shane Eyre. Out sailing in a VERY light breeze along with a touch of drizzle for atmosphere. Dressed for the occasion but still a bit damp.

…

Caught fondling the varnish.

…

Still fondling the varnish. It was great to have him on board, we had a nice little sail in spite of the conditions. I gave him the grand tour of Beaton’s, pointing out the various Herreshoff’s scattered around the yard.

…

Running home in the rain. Almost missed the landing; needed a bit of rudder sculling to finish the job.

…
What a treat to have his Dingoness on board. I think he makes the seventh WoodenBoat Forumite to sail on Sjogin

…

On the porch, in the Cloud. Our correspondent keeping up with his public. I may have done a terrible thing and pushed him to start a blog. The world will never be the same.

…

Channeling his inner Bruce: “… the cops finally busted Madame Marie for tellin’ fortunes better than they do.”

Bruce Springsteen: 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) 1973

…

You can just make out the drool on the edge of Shane’s beard. He’s watching the uh….keel of our fine young waitress, Miss Mary Margaret.

He’s now had a sail on Tidbit with Forum friend Joe Foster and is in Guilford, CT with “mum and dad”. We’ll see him at the WoodenBoat Show this weekend.

See the thread linked to below for his continuing hi jinks. He’ll be here another few weeks before returning to Oz. Based on what we’ve seen, Shane should be a regular visitor to our shores.

More pics on Flickr.

Shane Eyre, a long time virtual friend on the WoodenBoat Forum, has gone walkabout from Western Oz and is our guest for a few days. He’s been here five weeks and is visiting the East Coast contingent of the Forum. Here’s a link to the Thread.

…

Gnome, sweet gnome. The famous “Wild Dingo” (Forum name).

Hope to go for a sail this morning. We have a narrow window before the next front comes through. If nothing else, a walkabout at Beaton’s.

More later.

Julia and I went to the launching of the new Silent Maid last Sunday at the Independence Seaport Museum. Master boatbuilder John Brady has built a new Maid to the 1923 Francis Sweisguth plans. We drove down with Kent and Nancy Mountford. Kent’s parents owned the original Maid in the 60’s.

Owner Peter Kellog had asked all available former Silent Maid owners, sailors and friends to join the Museum in the launching a new Queen of the Bay.

…

Silent Maid aweigh. The hull’s planked in Spanish cedar.

…

Julia toasting a very dry bilged new boat. She be on the Bay this summer and hope to grab a sail. We both sailed on the Maid when Sally owned her. In fact we were in a Benjamin Mendolwitz photo of her under sail south of Swan Point.

…

The Maid in the inner harbor at the Museum. That’s the Great White Fleet Olympia in the background.

…

Also in the basin was the 1888 Elf, up from Chesapeake Bay. She’s been recently restored and the oldest American racing yacht. We expect to see her at Mystic next week for the WoodenBoat Show.

…

Even this perfect little garvey was dressed for the occasion.

…

Last fire of the season? Last Sunday morning was cool enough for a quick fire. With more rain and gloom forecast for Saturday, we may see a Solstice fire.

The local fleet was out this morning for some tune up racing just south of Swan Point. Nice breeze out of the ENE about 4 to 8. Reached out and eventually hove to off Sloop Point, just SW of Swan Point. Managed to be near the weather mark for some close up viewing.

…

With the wind out of the ENE, it was easy to turn her around, pin her to the piling, raise sail and pull her out. The jib’s backed and the helm’s up so she falls off after a bit of pulley-hauley.

…

Trim…TRIM…TRIM!!! On the way to the start.

…

All the E’s on the Bay now use asymmetrical spinnakers. Neat drag race.

…

Bill and his Sea Sprite. There are several of these practical and handsome boats around this end of the Bay.

…

Ghost and her cousins. The last of the new rowboats has been sold. Stay tuned for rowboat races this Summer.

Off to the Silent Maid launching in Philadelphia tomorrow afternoon; pics to follow.

After a week of seemingly endless rain and gloom, the local Chamber of Commerce has again arranged for beautiful pair of days. Managed my usual short sails Saturday and Sunday. A lot more traffic yesterday but had a nice building sea breeze.

Finally started to hack back the holly hedge. It seems to thrive in damp cool conditions. All of the perennial’s are competing for bed space which is as it should be. Unfortunately the Bindweed seems to like these conditions as well and needs attention. All in all a nice Spring; not to hot (sorry Julia) and just enough rain.

…

What may be the last fire of the season as it was cool and damp enough Saturday morning.

…

After Saturdays sail. The jib’s backed so it doesn’t flog and the topping lift’s set up to take the drive out of the main. She lays quietly against the dock this way and won’t bang about.

…

Running for home.

…

Friend Joe and his boat The Gale moving along nicely in light air.

…

The original is in front. The first one sold was rowed home by her owner and daughter.

…

Barberry and Poppies and Iris in full glory.

…

Overgrown hedge to the right before shearing. The bright pink flowers are coral bells.

…

And here’s a pic of Julia enjoying supper on the porch. The season’s begun.

It’s also son David’s Birthday. No sign of same as he’s busy teaching at J-World in Annapolis. Cushy huh?

Had a quiet sail Saturday morning. Nice breeze from the WNW about 4 to 8. Was able to reach the T Dock by shifting jib sheets while hove to. Basically sailing quite slow and needed the tiller line for just the last few feet. Also slow enough not to do any damage. He hopes…

…

Hove to in the basin. Sjogin will tack herself when the jib sheets are shifted. This close sailing can be done from the comfort of the companion way, nice on cool days.

…

Serena, looking Beaton Fresh, being placed on her mooring by Tom. Randy’s down below tidying up. Sailed circles around her in the almost empty basin.

…

Bow details along with peeling paint on the stem. A normal sign of “it’s time for a haul.”

…

Tom, talking about the rowboats. The first delivery is supposed to be today.

Spent a week enjoying the hospitality of our good friends Dave and Cheryl on Success, their 42′ cutter.

Flickr pics here. More later.

And later than intended but nonetheless, here are a few choice snaps…

…

Fish Bay, south side of St Thomas. The National Park starts just to the east. Our home for the week is the second boat from the right.

…

S. V. Success, Dave and Cheryl’s 42′ cutter. The other boat is a Fife schooner.

…

Mooring pennant OK?

…

Classic view of Trunk Bay. We picked up a mooring there the day after and had some beach time.

…

Julia and Cheryl on Trunk Bay beach.

…

Honeymoon Bay. We were there on a Monday which turned out to be Movie Night. This is on Water Island off St Thomas; the locals rig a screen between the palms and show movies. We caught glimpses of Yes Man.

…

Cheryl and Dave firing our boat christening gift for the first time. It’s a yacht cannon, traditionally used to signal end of day, when colors are struck. Or the Beer Gun as remarked by a nearby boat. Great echoes in Francis Bay.

…

Neat gaff skiff moored in very shallow water in Fish Bay. Could be a local design, though I see a bit of New England influence. (Very hollow bow.)

…

Finally, a great shot of Cheryl and the emerald water of Trunk Bay. Such is paradise.

Thanks to them both for another great cruise. Our experience grows.