Had a nice kayak ride after work -- great to be able to ride around Valentine Creek in the evening!
Century Club: Richard Turman
Sunday, April 24, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Sunday April 24 was a nice warm day, so I got to take the winter cover off our SeaRay 205, put the battery back in and the bimini on, and put the drain plug in (which requires a kayak ride out to the stern of the boat, on its lift). And then see if it would start.
Luckily, it did, on the very first try --- due to the great winterizing service we get from South Shore Marine.
Took it out, and found that the engine's tilt mechanism was still frozen, in the partially-up position, so I couldn't get the boat up on plane.
Took it back to the lift, and stood on the outdrive after sozzling it with WD-40 while my wife activated the up/down switch. And just as the mechanic had predicted when winterizing it in November, it loosened right up and eventually moved up and down on its own.
Took her out and she performed beautifully.
Great to have the powerboat available again -- ready for spring.
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Got to crew on a fellow Round Bay Sailor's boat while mine is being manufactured in Ohio, and it was a beautiful eveining with 6-10 knot breezes from the South, and on a Dehler 39, we were cooking. I've been beaten by this boat over a hundred times when in my Harbor 20, so it was nice to actually be on-board and see how easily she went 7-8 knots. Got to grind winches for the genoa and the symmetrical spinnaker pole. I'd never been on a boat that didn't fly an aysmmetrical spin, so this was all new -- and great to learn!
A great crew on a great boat with good wind and a nice sunset -- great way to start the season!
Friday, April 15, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Took off a bit before sunset into 5-7 mph from the WNW in 68 degree weather, and had a wonderful time. Chatted over a dock with a neightbor who had just managed to get her mainsail and jib onto their furlers for the very first time, which is an exciting time for any sailor. Pushed on up Valentine creek toward its headwaters, into the wind, which had some substantial gustsl. Watched the sun set and then on my wayback downwind happened to look up and see a full moon rising. No boats about, and the only night noises were from a spirited volleyball game at Arden's nearby beach. Wonderful spring evening a perfect time for kayaking -- which brought me to five straight days on the water!
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
A storm came through about 5 pm, and after the front passed, I took the Sunfish out into a very gusty northerly, onto Valentine Creek off the Severn River. Had some really glorious rides upwind. Dinghy sailing is so exhilerating compared to larger keelboats, since the accleration from a puff is so immediate, and one's constant leaning in and out keeps things in control. Such fun, and so glad sailing is back in my life after the cold months of October, November, December, January, February, and March -- since I sold my keelboat in September and had to wait for everything to warm up before venturing out on my Sunfish. Glorious runs right to the end, when I had such a puff that it drove me so fast downind that it pushed us right up the beach. Fantastic!
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Was able get out at 6 pm instead of 6:45 like the previous night, so had more time to really sail on the Severn and out into the middle of Round Bay on 5-8 knots of breeze on a South wind in the low 70's. Fantastic to really 'stretch my legs' and get the Sunfish up on the wind. Beautiful evening.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Light warm wind from the South in the 6-8 range provided a great reason to get out on the Sunfish for the first time this season. Had to scull from our home on Valentine Creek about 200 yards to the Severn, but once there, found great wind and had a fine evening of it.
Monday, April 11, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Great to have 'shorts weather' again, bringing with it the chance to get out on the kayak for the first time in April.
Friday, March 11, 2022 to Sunday, March 13, 2022
Number of days:
3 days
Took my kayak out once each in January and February and March when the air temp was above 50, in the late afternoons. In one case I had a zoom call but just took it from the kayak and turned off the video, since it was such a treat to have warm-ish weather and an opportunity to get out on the water!
Friday, December 31, 2021
Number of days:
1 day
Was lucky that it reached an unseasonably warm 55 degrees today, with light winds, so I could take the kayak out for one last trip this calendar year, to which in many way we get to say 'good riddance.'
Light, 5 mph winds from the SW left Valentine Creek pretty calm at 4:30 p.m., as the sun was preparing to set. Didn't see a single power or sailboat out on the water during the 50 minutes I was out, which was wonderful. Did see one fisherman on a kayak, but that was it. One of my very few kayak trips this year without seeing any heron; saw a flock of Canada geese on someone's lawn, but that was about it for waterfowl. With the water temp around 50, and not wearing a dry suit, I stayed within 50-75 feet of land, to give me a fighting chance to make it to shore. With the tide about a foot above normal, I could explore further back into the headwaters of Valentine Creek than i usually can, in several cases becoming completely surrounded by tall reeds as I ventured further and further up the creek. Wonderfully quiet night, with the only noise coming from my paddleblades rhythmically dipping into the water. Enjoyed watching as various holiday lights turned on as I paddled, with various trees, Santas, and boats all outlined with lights, including a sunfish made to look like a tree.. Marvelous evening, and fitting end to 2021.