Century Club: Tom Dean

This was the day to finish up the transom - cleaning off and adding our bubble decals.  First mate (with some help from the captain) got to work and had the new decals up in short order! Ate lunch in the slip - and even though the wind was only 3 knots, we were determined to go out. We headed out and found the wind even in the creek was at about 3 knots - and using the binoculars to scan the horizon, it seemed that the water in the Chester was flat, so the first mate who was at the helm, decided to turn towards Cacaway Island where we would anchor for a bit. There was another boat out there also, but we stayed our distance.  Once we were anchored, we did some chores and then I noticed that the wind was starting to pick up. Kept an eye on that as I continued to mull about and eventually it seemed we had a sustained 8 knot wind - so we put up the main, tried to sail off the anchor (but the first mate was having issues with that) so we turned on the engine to get the anchor up and then sailed - close hauled - down to the mouth of Langford Creek, before dropping the main and running back up the creek to our home port - Lankford Crreek marina. Had a nice 1-1/2 hour sail that was unexpected!  Winds out of the south - temps in the mid 70's.

Had to do a few chores before I went out - the first being finishing up the sewing and then putting snaps on a new cover that I created for the dodger front window. Our former one blew off in a recent gale. I had been working on it for a while, measuring, making a template and even sewing the top/side seams - but today it had to come together. First added a few snaps to stretch it out. Measured the remaining snaps along the top and installed them. Next, I stretched the fabric and located where the snaps should be along the bottom - made marks and cut them out - then proceeded to decide where the seam should be - and then sewed it up - right on the boat.  Worked out well!

After that job - and a little clean-up, went for a short sail out in Langford Creek.  Ended going up the west fork a bit and just had a bit of fun sailing back and forth. Again, the only boat out... but at least there were some other boat owners at the marina!

It was Sunny to partly cloudy - temps 58070 and winds - were 8-15+ out of the South - South West. Barometer was 30.22 falling to 30.08 between 11 and 4:30. Winds were much higher than expected by all of the forecasters - and even Predict Wind and Ventusky who all had it light winds - 7 - 10 until very late. With the winds that strong, I decided to go right out instead of plowing through some chores around the boat first. Got the main up quickly in Langford Creek and then got out the Genoa - reefed as a jib and turned the engine off! Pretty much beating in to the wind for the first half - letting the autopilot take the helm while I manned the sails. Had the autopilot sail to a wind direction which did pretty well going downwind... I know it works well on a beam reach too - with good winds, but compass heading is probably better for broad  and running. Tacked down the Chester a few times - and about 1 pm the winds picked up substantially, so on the next tack I stayed into the wind a bit longer and reefed the main - as I was seeing 15 knots steady with gusts. Made it down to the green/red marks 11 & 12 off of Quesnstown Crrek/Eastern Neck Island where I decided to turn back. Before I put my plan into action (tacking/stalling - pulling in Genoa, dropping main, turning the bat to head downwind and opening the full Genoa) I got hailed on the VHF! It was a sailboat testing out their AIS - wanted to know if I saw them. Following that, turned and had following seas and fair winds pushing Bubbles all the way back to the marina. A lovely 4 1/2 hour sail and I only saw 4 other boats out! Shame for such a lovely day!

Sunny - Mid 60's when I arrived - 78 when I got out of the boat. Barometer was 30.09 steady. Winds out of the south - growing.

Arrived early at the marina as I wanted to check the tension on the standing rigging at dock with no wind. Found all shrouds and stays were well within expected range - except on. The back lower shroud was a bit loose (compared to other side - but I did find out from a Maryland School for Sailing video about checking the rig that the mast should be a bit bowed out at the lower shrouds... which was why the front lower shrouds were a bit tighter than the back lower shrouds. After finishing the check and putting things back - got the boat started and pulled out - as the winds were expected to pick up a bit after 11.

Motored out of the marina and got the main up pretty quickly as I turned south in Langford Creek - then motor/sailed until reaching the day marks the one into the creek. Wind picked right about when they said - 11am... up to 7 knots for a bit, than 9 knots, then started building gradually. As the weather helm increased, I decided to reef the Genoa - which was smart because after not too long after 1 pm (again the weather guys were right on) it picked up significantly... 15 or more knots, gusts up to 20. The seas got a bit angry too - picking up quickly to a foot than more... and the wave length was quick - felt like it was hitting me every second. Since I had made it down the Chester, getting almost to Eastern Neck Island - beating with 4 tacks I decided to concede and turn to a broad reach. Made good time and speed going back up the river on two tacks. Got into Langford creek and not sure whether everything picked up more, or the wind was funneled down the creek - because it was really gnarly! Fun putting down the mainsail singlehanded! Re-wrapped up the Genoa and headed to slip at Langford Bay Marine. Fun day and I reefed early!