Sabre and Back Cove Yachts held a very nice owners rendezvous at CBMM this weekend. First class all the way from the lectures to the lobster. over 70 boats there. It was nice to be at such an event where I had no responsibility but to enjoy.
We headed up the Severn and "double dipped" this weekend. We picked up the granddaughters and headed to Family Fun Day in Sullivan Cove.
The family will be together three times in a six month window for niece and nephew weddings. As a result the usual summer family reunion in Annapolis shrank in size (just 18 total). Over the long holiday weekend just three of us plus spouses plus kids and grand kids and some USMC friends just returning to the US from six years living overseas joined together for some boat, Bay and pool time.
Almost every watercraft went out, some several times. That included the Key West, Avon and all three kayaks. We even got the Oday daysailer launched and rigged. The weather kept us from taking the big boat out for the fireworks but a good time was had by all!
Creek cruise to test the trim tabs (recent controller install) and grab dinner with a friend
short creek cruise and dinner at Cantler's
five days in tall ship heaven
Yacht club cruise up the Potomac and to ICYCC and Tides inn. We addded on a trip to Norfolk for Sail250. Over 500 miles covered.
Nice weather weekend for the AYC cruising fleet members who joined an anchorge in Meredith Creek. We decided to join the for happy hour on our Key West.
Spent most of the day capturing, banding and installing radio transmitters on two female Osprey with nests in Mill Creek. The wildlife biologist involved (I was just a volunteer boat driver) are working to learn move about foraging locations for our summer Osprey flock.
The process begins with placing a net over the nest that snags the Osprey upon return. Another group removes any chicks to keep them shielded from the hot sun. Beside keeping the eggs warm and feeding the chicks, shielding them from the sun seems to be a primary role.
The team then untangles the snared Osprey and places a hood over their head which immediately calms the bird. From there the banding and installation of a small radio transmitter that fits like a tiny backpack is done. After that work wraps up the chicks are returned to the nest and then the Osprey is released to be reunited with the kids.
Crusie to Fairlee Creek. Great weather up and back. A little windy on Saturday but we were snug in a slip.
Driving the boat home from a weekend anchorage about ten days ago I got the dreaded "check engine" message on the engine monitoring screen. I could not see anything after a look see but the engine sensors dialed the engine down to 2500 rpm, one of several "safe modes" built into Cummins electronic engine controls.
Any time something liken this happens we all think, what is it, how much will it cost me and perhaps most importantly, how much down time will I experience. Fortunately, I spoke the next day to mechanic, Ken Nevis ,and he generally diagnosed the problem (small antifreeze leak causing an engine temp sensor to loft a concern to the electronic engine controls) over the phone. He promised to be out the following week and he was. A couple hours later, the leaking coolant hose was repaired and he did a couple other maintenance tasks to boot.
We did a short test run to confirm everything was back to normal. All fixed now, I am ready for an upcoming 600 mile run up to DC and then down to Norfolk for Sail/250.