April 12, 2023 - AIS works!

Mostly Sunny with temperatures between 65 and 78 degrees.  Winds were out of the West from 7 - 14 knots.. with a few gusts but nothing worthy of a small craft advisory that was out. Barometer 29,96 steady. Got to the marina early because the water was turned on yesterday and I wanted to treat the water tanks with some West Marine water tank treatment. So filled the three tanks and then went out to "shake them up" a bit. Based on the winds at the marina and when I got out on Langford Creek (along with the small craft advisory), I decided to reef the main and only bring out the headsail to a jib. Got everything up in Langford Creek as usual - and then headed out on the Chester. Decided to shake out the reef on the main pretty quickly as I was only really seeing 8 - 12 knot winds - and there didn't seem to be any stronger wind further down the river. Tried to stay pretty much on a beam reach - and I flew down the Chester. Got all the way to the north entrance of Kent Narrows before I turned around to head back to Lankford Bay Marina. Found out my AIS works well with my iPad - as I received a warning about a possible collision from a catamaran that was about 1.2 NM from me. The cat never got close as she was under engine and I was under sail! Flew back up the Chester on a close reach to start, a tack to get me to the western side, and then a beam reach followed by a broad reach.  As luck would have it, as soon as I went to douse the sails and head into the marina, the wind picked up! Made it back safely though. A truly lovely spring sail!