Century Club: Mick Meckler

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Sunday, May 16, 2021 to Monday, May 17, 2021
Number of days:
2 days
Trip 4 - Test of the new Spade Anchor
  • Another trip to Still Pond

Parkside to Still Pond: A quick trip to the Parkside pump out to empty the aft tank to install the new iTank System rod as the old one was reading incorrectly.. Multiple flushed and filled to overflow to make it as clear as possible. Then we headed to Strawberry Point to test the new anchor. Well, the winders were good and much stronger than predicted so we decided on a short trip to Still Pond where we would end up doing the holding tank job. It was a pleasant smooth sail across the bay on a starboard broad reach. We had sandwiches for lunch after turning north and being more calm. After a bit we headed in by motored to get there in time for the job. We anchored in the souther side again and I used the controls at the helm to anchor. Winds were picking up - gusting to 20+ but the new anchor held quite well. There was only one other boat with us (Time Warp) but we were not close. The holding tank job went ok. I used the stick of epoxy to hold it in and there were no problems. Dinner was grilled steak, potatoes and onions and salad with red wine. We relaxed in the cock pit until almost 11 and then wen to bed No movement though the night. We used about 122 ah from 1600 until 1000 the next day - 6.7 per hour. 

Still Pond to Parkside: Calm night - good sleeping. I couldn't find all of my pills so we decided we needed to get home to check where they were. I was up around 7, showered and had coffee. We had sausage and omlets for breakfast while watching the eagles and osprey. We motored all the way back as there was no wind. Docking went well. We cleaned up and headed home. 

Days: 2     Days to date: 6

Miles: 35.1     Miles to date: 77.8

 

Saturday, May 15, 2021
Number of days:
1 day
Trip 3 - New Spade Anchor
  • Moved boat around to add new Spade Anchor

Well, this wasn't much of a 'trip' but we did motor about a little bit as we turned the boat around in the slip to go bow in. There we removed the anchor and all of the chain to clean out the anchor locker as well as clean the chain. There was a small portion that was rusted beyond use so Marty and I removed it. Then we both remarked our respective chain for different depths. Then I installed my new anchor - a Spade 55 lb. Then, once all the markers were dried we both hauled the chain aboard and turned our boats around and backed into our slips. 

Days: 01     Days to date: 4

Miles: .5     Miles to date: 41.7

Sunday, May 2, 2021 to Monday, May 3, 2021
Number of days:
2 days
Trip 2 - First Overnight
  • Great sailing with current on the way to Still Pond
  • Heading to the southern side of Still Pond

Parkside to Still Pond: Sue and I did some work in the morning and looked up and the weather seemed ok so we decided to head out for a quick sail. We motored out of Middle River and raised the sails half way out. We killed the engine at MR 4 and started out on a close reach to beam. Once we were past Pools Island we turned north head on a beam/broad reach and finally a run. Our speed was great the entire time with controlled heeling. Sailing was going so well I didn't really want to stop but we decided an overnight in Still Pond was good so we headed over there to get anchored before dark. We motored towards the southern end to get out of the wind. There were 2 large power boats and 2 sailboats but everyone left before sunset. Dinner was chicken tortellini and salad. We relaxed outside and eventually went to be around 10 pm sleeping calmly with 60' of chain deployed. 

Still Pond to Parkside: Breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausage. The weather was a little rainy now and then but mostly just cloudy. We wanted to get an early start as storms were predicted for the afternoon. Since there was little wind, we motored home - mostly at 2,300 RPM and doing 6.5 knots. We docked well, saw some friends and chatted with them. Then we started working some jobs including removing the paddle wheel and cleaning. We also installed the new chain counter! It finally was working. Can't wait until the next anchoring. Dinner of chicken marsala and salad. Katie called and chatted for a while and hit the hay after a few TV shows. 

Days: 2     Days to date: 2

Miles: 35     Miles to date: 41.2

Monday, April 26, 2021
Number of days:
1 day
Trip 1 - Maiden voyage for 2021

Sue and I motored over to Windy Hill Marina off of Dark Head Creek to see if Mike was in the water yet and also to warm up the engine for the spring oil change. Trip went well boat performed just fine. Not enough wind to sail so we headed back and changed the oil. 

 

Days: 1    Days to date: 1

Miles: 6.3    Miles to date: 6.3

 

Sunday, December 13, 2020
Number of days:
1 day
Trip 43 - Final sail of 2020
  • Final Sail of 2020
  • 111 days and 2123 nautical miles

I was hoping to top off the fuel tank but no one was open. So it was a quick sail out and back with a westerly wind of 10-12 temperatures mid 50's under sunny skies. I motored to Middle River and the sailed on a run out into the bay. Slow moving and then the winds became very light. I cooked soup for lunch and enjoyed the 'warm 50 degree' air and sun shine. Finally the wind picked up and I changed to a beam reach going past Hart Miller Island. I headed back in as the winds picked up to 12-15 and it was a spiritedly close reach all the way back into Frog Mortar Creek where I dropped the sails. Another good docking is 10 plus winds from the west. I ended up topping off the tanks with the jerry cans of fuel that I already had so I did not need to go out any more this year. I finally winterized all systems the week starting 12/14/2020.

Days: 1    Days to date: 111

Miles: 15.1    Miles to date: 2123.1

Final engine hours: 2648:08 (321:38 this year)

Saturday, December 12, 2020
Number of days:
1 day
Trip 42 - Nice Sail and photo opportunity
  • A foggy morning
  • All cleared up in early afternoon
  • Proud Mary (Travis's boat) at sunset
  • The Office at sunset

It was quite foggy until around noon and then no wind. Finally I decided to get underway as Travis (a fishing boat down the pier) texted to say that there was wind out in the bay. So, in predicted winds of S- SSW 10-20, temperatures in the high 50's and cloudy, I got underway. It was a great sail on a beam reach out to Pools Island Shoal light and I returned on a broad reach. It was a comfortably flat sail doing 6.5 knots with 17-19 knots of wind. Travis was still out so he motored around me taking pictures as I was taking pictures of him - which later we shared. It was quite windy while docking but all went well for my final night docking of the season. 

Days: 1    Days to date: 110

Miles: 17.3     Miles to date: 2108

Friday, December 11, 2020
Number of days:
1 day
Trip 41 - Warm December sail
  • The winter bouys are out
  • Sailing into the sunset
  • Brilliant sunset as I turned into Middle River

Around 11: 30 I left for a quick trip to Maryland Marina for a final pump out. Winds were from the S 9-20 temps 48-50 under sunny skies. I then decided to head out into the bay and had a very nice sail all the way up to Still Pond and back. I let out the jib and it appeared to be fine (remember I saw a little tear). I had great winds from the south as I was going on a broad reach out and close haul back. I had the current with me on the way back helping me get 8.9 as my max speed. Since I left late and traveled far I ended up docking in the dark again. All went well. 

Days: 1     Days to date: 109

Miles: 29    Miles to date: 2090.7

Sunday, December 6, 2020
Number of days:
1 day
Trip 40 - Another quick day sail
  • All bundled up

Just a quick sail as it was a nice sunny day and in the 40's. I sailed out on a run past Hart Miller Island and then on a beam reach. I tacked towards Gunpowder River and headed back in under main only. While the winds were strong, 20+, I was sailing comfortably but slow. Then I became concerned about the water depth so I dropped the sails and motored home. The water was 9.5 out in front of Long Beach Marina and then below 8 in front of Maryland Marina and then 6 as I rounded the area near Parkside. Finally at my slip there was 6+ feet and when I backed in it read 5.7. Just in time. Dinner of pizza and salad. Plugged in so warmed up. 

Days: 1    Days to date: 108

Miles: 15.9    Miles to date: 2061.7

Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Number of days:
1 day
Trip 39 - Delivery to Annapolis of S/V Salacia

Helped John and Marty deliver John's boat, S/V Salacia from Middle River to Annapolis. A nice sunny brisk day for a motor down the bay. 

Days: 1        Days to date: 107

Miles: 0       Miles to date: 2045.8

Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Number of days:
1 day
Trip 38 - Another brisk sail
  • Cold weather begs my warm hat
  • Another fast sail....

Chilly - well, cold and partly cloudy with winds from the SW 14-20 . I headed ouit with the jib only and sailed along and rode the waves to 10.3 knots. I turned north to get behind Pools Island and again this time I reefed the jib so I could cut south sooner. I tacked into the wind and headed home when I noticed a tear in the seam on the jib so I hauled it in and motored home into the wind and waves. I docked nicely in 17 knots of wind. 

Days: 1     Days to date: 106

Miles: 23.9    Miles to date: 2045.8

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