Century Club: Keith Donald

I took Mystic to Back Creek for fuel and a pump out.

I observed that we covered 1200 nm in 25 days of voyaging for an average of 48 nm per day. The shortest day was 24 nm and the longest day was 69 nm. There were three weather related delay days and two days in Charleston, for a total of 30 days. Total fuel consumption was 91 gallons for an average of 13.2 nm/gallon. Average fuel consumption was 0.47 gallon/hour. Individual days varied widely as some days included significant sailing assist and one day in particular was nose into pounding waves. All but one fuel stop had fuel consumptions of less than 0.5 gallons/hour. Our typical cruising speed was 6 knots although that number also varied widely due to current and wind.

The decision to cruise during the month of April was based on the knowledge that, at least down below, we would be comfortable due to the 12 volt heating system. I also wanted to be home by May to enjoy the beginning of the cruising season on the Chesapeake. Upon reflection, a cruising window between mid-April to mid-May would have been more reasonable.

Another consideration was the pace. Although we remained on schedule despite having three weather related delay days, it would have been nice to schedule extra days to chill, spend time ashore, etc.

All in all, a great trip, made even more enjoyable by having good friends along to share the experience.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

Saturday's early departure opened up options for our final leg home. Our original plan was to stop in Solomon's Island. We had favorable WNW winds as we crossed the Potomac River and cut the engine for a while. Given the pending forecast of rain on Sunday with possible afternoon thunderstorms, we pressed on, first to the Little Choptank then eventually to Dunn Cove off Harris Creek. We were anchored by 6:30 pm for an 11.5 hour journey. We grilled hamburgers and ate below since warmer weather never materialized.

Anchorage: Dunn Cove

Distance: 64 nm

Total Distance: 1176 nm

We decided no early departure was necessary so we had bacon, eggs, muffins and fruit for breakfast prior to our 9 am departure. Today's journey took us 50 nm in 9 hours in search of a well protected creek to hunker down for tomorrow's gale. We found the perfect spot in the upper reaches of Cockrell Creek off the Grest Wicomico River. Winds were mostly 10 knots from the south. A combination of full sail and motor made for a relaxing trip. Partly sunny and a high of 70 degrees added to the pleasure.

Grilled salmon and white wine topped off the evening.

Anchorage: Cockrell Creek

Distance today: 50 nm

Distance to date: 1112 nm

Today was a great sailing day. ENE winds at 10 - 15 knots had us almost fetching the entrance to North River as we crossed Albemarle Sound. Two short tack had us reaching up the river until the ICW turned NE. The puffy and shifting conditions kept us on our toes. We took a two hour lunch stop at the Coinjock Marina and met some sailors from Norway sailing a Hanse 415 with a seven foot draft and a mast height 2 inches shy of 65 feet. They spent 10 hours aground at one point and we observed them a day earlier just barely clearing an overpass.

We continued sailing up.Currituck Sound right up until our anchorage in Blackwater Creek. I'm sure the ferry boat we crossed going from Currituck to Knots Island had some choice words for us but we'll never know since we left our radio on channel 68 after contacting the marina. It never really warmed up today. After dinner we all hit the sack in preparation for the 60 nm journey to Sarah creek off the York River to meet Peter's son Nick for dinner.

Anchorage: Blackwater Creek

Distance today: 49 nm

Distance to date: 1001 nm