A long weekend on the Bay started with strong breeze.
The Hunter Sailing Association Station-1 (HSA-1) took advantage of the three-day Memorial Day weekend to do a lot of sailing. Several HSA-1 boats began a circumnavigation of the DelMarVa Peninsula while seven HSA-1 boats did a mini-cruise on the Chester River.
For Sea Whisper from Rock Creek off of the Patapsco, Sweet Pea from Solomons, and Windrose from Rock Hall, the weekend began on Friday with a fast sail, courtesy of a strong (15-20 knots gusting to 30) west wind. No one claimed it to be a relaxing day, but it sure made for some unforgettable moments, like when Carl glanced at the instruments and saw Windrose slow to 9.1 knots SOG on a single reef and full jib.
The wind stayed up on Saturday but shifted to northwest making it a slog for White Out coming from Annapolis and Bootlegger and Ruff’N It coming from Herring Bay. Peregrine had a beam reach much of the way from Rock Hall.
Peregrine and Sea Whisper found good anchorages a short dinghy ride from Lankford Bay Marina, and the other five boats docked at the marina. After chilling for a while to unwind from a demanding day or two of sailing, the group gathered around the grill and picnic tables, shared side dishes, and had a fun time reliving their trips to the marina. The biggest challenge of the gathering was getting the charcoal to light in the strong breeze. Once lit, the breeze fanned it to a perfect fire for grilling.
Sunday morning became decision time. What to do? White Out departed to get back to Annapolis. Bootlegger, Ruff’N It, and Sweet Pea opted to just chill at the marina with its dog friendly atmosphere. It also has a very nice pool, but the temps in the 60s were a bit low for a swim. Peregrine, Windrose, and Sea Whisper sailed over to Reed Creek. The eight-knot winds from just the right direction made for a peaceful five-mile sail. Sea Whisper even managed to sail off of the hook and not fire up their Yanmar until past the One Can at Reed Creek.
Once in the creek Windrose and Sea Whisper rafted to Peregrine who hosted a splendid happy hour that grew into a pleasant evening continuing until 2130. JR makes a dynamite Dark N Stormy! Peregrine won the boat decoration prize, and Sea Whisper took second.
Monday, Memorial Day itself, began after a calm, restful night. By 11 a.m. the boats from Reed Creek were all underway, motoring in very light wind. Similarly, the fleet from Lankford Bay left the Chester, either to continue their cruise or head home.
Thanks to new members JR and Renee of Peregrine for hosting their first HSA-1 happy hour, to Carl of Windrose for coordinating the Saturday cookout, and to all 14 members and four dogs that made this Memorial Day Weekend Mini-Cruise a success.
If you have a Hunter or Marlow-Hunter in the mid-Chesapeake Bay and are not a member, please check out our club at hsa1.org or email [email protected] to learn more about the benefits of membership, which includes access to all club cruises and events and a direct connection to a network of Chesapeake Bay Hunter owners. We hope you will join us!
by Celeste Streger
