Cruises
2003-07-26 Sailed to Swan Creek on the Eastern Shore for a gathering of S2 owners. Average speed while motor-sailing was 6.3 knots, which we did for about the first hour. After that we sailed the rest of the way at about 5.5 knots on a close reach in 10 knots of wind. Sailed back the next day, close reaching on port tack all the way in, at a consistent 5.5 knots. See the Chesapeake S2 Owner's page for more details and photos.2003-06-07 Motored down to Back Creek in Annapolis for the Volvo Leukemia Cup. We spent the first night at anchor in the creek, having arrived around 3 AM. Woke up the next morning, the rest of the crew cancelled, not wanting to drive or sail through the torrential downpour and 25 knot winds, and the steering system came apart as we were approaching the starting line. We got it repaired and made our way back to Annapolis Landing Marina where I had a slip reserved for the night.2003-05-24 On Saturday, 24 May 03, Bay Retriever again set sail for Annapolis for
2002-09-13 Annapolis On Friday, 13 Sept 02, the Bay Retriever set sail for Annapolis and the Hospice Cup Regatta. Facing a 25 knot wind out of the south that had been blowing up the Bay for several days, the Bay Retriever powered through 4-6' waves tightly packed together, motorsailing for some time at almost 7 knots but eventually dropping back to 3 knots under engine alone. Due to the closely-packed waves and the head-on wind, the bow plunged under the oncoming waves frequently, bringing green water almost as far aft as the mast. Almost to the halfway point, having already motored 4 hours with an estimated 9 remaining, the trip was abandoned and we fell off, raised the sails and ran with the waves home.2001-04-09 So I finally decided to go after rounding up some friends to join me, and after getting stuck for half an hour in traffic we made it to the boat by about 4:30. After walking the 150 yards to the end of the pier (our deep-draft Cal's tend to sit near the ends I guess), I remembered that I needed to add oil after yesterday's change, so I got to run back to the chandlery and pick up two quarts (one for reserve). But that gave me time to run the blower a little longer, and I'm certainly happy to do that.With winds from the SW at 15, temps in the upper 70s, a few clouds in the sky, and the distant haze indicative of a later afternoon thunderstorm, we cast off at 5:00. The two with me had been on boats before, but never a sailboat. After making it out to the Middle River channel, and with a mostly West wind now, we raised the main. It quickly became apparent that there was more wind then I was used to, as when we fell off the wind heading South towards the Bay, our speed quickly picked up to 4.5 and we were heeled over at a little over 5 degrees - just under main. So I went ahead and unfurled the jib, and Bay Retriever smoothly accelerated to 6.5 knots with 20 degrees of heel. The autohelm was having difficulty handling the boat, as we were on between a close reach crossing 2-3' of chop. I felt more comfortable with the tiller in my hand anyway, as the rig hasn't really been stressed at all in the past several years, and I'm unsure of the tension in my stays. When I saw just how loose the leeward stays were, I furled the jib back up. Four and a half knots was plenty for me today. When it was time to head back, rather then jibe unnecessarily (I know my rig is strong, I just want some one else to tell it to me before I go and stress things any more then I have to), I did the 270 degree tack, and proceeded back upriver on a broad reach with quartering waves. It's good to see other boats on the water now, knowing that other people are using them and enjoying the beautiful days, but I long for the days of winter when it was just us and the ducks. Stinkpots and their darn wake... Docking was again an interesting experience. I'm still getting used to handling a slip with just over a foot on each side, and today was the stiffest wind I've worked with in a while. But now that the water's warmer, my A4 doesn't stall when I put it under load in reverse, and that's a big confidence booster. The first time I missed and the wind was pushing me towards the next slip, but the second approach was dead-on and we glided gently to a stop as my friends grabbed the bow lines. Well the thunderstorm has finally arrived, along with 40 knot winds and a good deal of, well, thunder, so I'm going to log off now. But it was a good day to be out on the water. Kevin Sherwood Cal 2-30 Bay Retriever
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