Marc Cruder, Commodore Table of Contents

Took a little time to find shade ashore at the bandstand rigged near the dock, before retiring to the Taproom for lunch with Mr. Brown, the crew of Shoveller, Tenacity and Eclipse. Air conditioning, beer and crabs started the afternoon right. Continued later in the afternoon over to the Chesapeake Inn “Tiki Bar” where we found Winter’s Dream and a few more catboaters taking in the sights. I was joined by Matt, who after blocking my access to the dinghy a few days earlier, drove up for dinner. We decided to revisit the “Hole in the Wall” at the Bayard House. Dinner was reasonably good, but the service was so bad that overall the experience was a disappointment compared to previous visits. At least the A/C was working and the view from the glass-enclosed deck was nice, but we can only recommend it with caution and hope they get their management and staffing worked out. The Chesapeake Inn, by comparison seemed to be the place to be.

This was the first hot, buggy night requiring the use of my battery-operated fan. About 0400, we were all substantially rocked by wake from the first tug and barge heading for the Chesapeake and verifying that the current direction had changed. From then on, everyone was a little antsy to get moving, so we were underway under power in the stream with the ebb at 0700. Patience and Bubbly were ahead with all other catboats astern. In the vicinity of the lower range, set sail. Tacked repeatedly in front of the Bohemia waiting to see Eclipse. Finally sighted him as he made a hard left at the red #10 buoy, but then a hard right continuing west. I would find out later, as if it wasn’t obvious enough, that he had a change in plans. Continued sailing into Bohemia Bay Yacht Harbour. Saw catboats tied up two deep ahead of the gas dock. Sailed in close enough just to report that I was staying out to sail the river. John and I took Wanderer down to the Route 213 bridge under sail, then into the mouth of Scotchman Creek, noting an Atlantic City 24 up on the hard in shrink-wrap. Without the name visible, there was no identifying it. Locals would tell us it’s been up and covered for a few years now. Set Wanderer up tacking out of the Bohemia. Got the boat moving well, but I had talked the sail maker into shorter battens, so was having trouble making the leech stand up in light wind. Decided I needed longer battens back.

Everyone was on their own for dinner. John and I settled into some homemade white chili, brought along frozen. The rest of the group organized some “I” talian take out and retreated to the second floor marina lounge in the A/C. Eventually joined the group after dinner to catch up the log. This was the first discussion of perhaps splitting up the next 30-mile leg into two, instead of staying a second day. Sometimes you need to let the cats herd themselves. All I knew was I was not leaving and would enjoy another day poolside. I also enjoy some downtime mid-cruise to tidy up the cabin, clean out the icebox and make any little repairs needed.

After catching up the log, all moved to bed down with most opting for the A/C of the lounge. I went back to Wanderer and set up in the cockpit, figuring when the rain came, I would just retreat to the cabin. The rain started about 0030 and the wind came up violently in two distinct waves of weather. It came up whistling, then was calmed by rain, only to come up whistling again, while all the while building fetch. That brought most back to their boats, with lines being doubled up between boats and to the dock, since most were breasted out, two deep and extra fenders were rigged. We got Planet’s dinghy out of the water, while mine banged relentlessly against the outboard stern quarter until I rigged it tight with a fender in between. Glad I had installed the new rub rail though. The wind was on the nose and no doubt we were rocking. The radio reported 40 mph. My biggest worry was Planet and Wanderer parting from the dock together and wondering if lashed together with two engines we’d be able to maneuver. I doubted it, but luckily taking up the slack and doubling up lines kept us together. The only thing behind us was rock riprap…not good

Walked the dock to find all tending their boats. Winter’s Dream was being cleverly fended off manually with a paddle. Rode the “line of thunderstorms” out until things settled out at 0200. No further weather, one cushion retrieved and no damage we could see.