timjet
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,920
After much planning, boat preparation and a little anticipation we finally got underway yesterday on our cruise from Herrington Harbour just south of Annapolis to our home in Tampa. Due to work constraints we were able to use the boat only once this season so I’m a little worried about the condition of the boat mechanics. Before departing I changed engine impellers, oil and tranny fluid. We installed new blinds in the aft cabin, a new music radio and I installed a Tract-it-TV dish tracking unit so we can watch DirecTV on the hook and at marinas. I finally got around to installing the fwd front arc weaver davit support for my hard bottom dinghy. Now the dinghy sits parallel to the swim platform and not at a 20 deg downward angle as seen in my avatar.
Having no experience in cold weather cruising I posted an earlier thread for recommendations and thanks to Howard (hmason) I got a Mr Heater, portable propane heater.
After meeting friends in Annapolis for dinner Friday we planned to leave Saturday but by the time I returned the rental car and got a few other things squared away it was too late. I retired last month so there is no agenda or time table.
Our initial plan is to head south to Solomons Island then down to St. Marys on the Potomac, across the bay to Onancock and then back to the west side of the Chessie to Little Bay. That may change, but I generally like to plan 3 legs in advance. Weather is supposed to be great this week.
We finally got underway yesterday at about 10:00 and ran a straight course to Solomons Is, giving the Dominion LPG prohibited area a wide birth. The boat ran great and we got her up on plane for about 30 minutes. We generally run at hull speeds – 7.5 kts. With a north wind it was a pleasant cruise but a bit chilly even with all the eisenglass closed. The Chessie is getting some unseasonable cold weather with forecast temps down to freezing tonight.
Last year northbound at Solomons Island we anchored up Back Creek near the Holliday Inn. There is limited anchor room there and with the annual southbound migration in full swing I was afraid I couldn’t find space so we anchored up Mill Creek about half a mile from its convergence with Back Creek. There are several boats anchored here but there’s lots of space so anchoring is no problem.
My Delta anchor though generally a good holder does not do well in mud, the prominent bottom in the Chesapeake. My initial attempt was not to my satisfaction. With a forecast NW wind to 11 kts I decided to anchor as close to a NW shore as I could so we moved to a more favorable location. I started my Drag Queen app and while my wife was at the bow monitoring the anchor deploy she pressed the set button on the app. We’ll sleep well tonight.
Now getting close to happy hour and to celebrate our successful run we adjourned to the sundeck for some well-deserved adult beverages. The sun was setting and it was getting a little cool so time to check out our Mr Heater. We cranked it up and it did a pretty good job of taking the chill off even on the sun deck. I grilled chicken for dinner and watched the ducks fly by and the sun set. A very pleasant dinner – I’m going to get use to retirement.
At 19:30 I cranked up the genny to charge the batteries and took advantage of the AC power to check out our antenna tracking device. So here we are at anchor watching TV with the reverse cycle heat on and enjoying a spot of Fireball (after dinner drink). Life is good.
Before leaving and knowing we’re cold weather cruising we did a Walmart run and got some extra blankets and clothes. After charging the batts for an hour and a half I shut down the genny and we hit the sack. With the new blankets we were comfortable all night.
However this morning when I got up to make coffee about 0600, it was cold. The OAT was 43 and inside it was 56. I cranked up Mr Heater and within 10 min the chill was gone.
We will stay here in Solomons Is today and maybe tomorrow. My wife brought her sewing machine so while we run the genny she’ll have something to do. I’ll report back tomorrow about our experience at Solomons Is.
Having no experience in cold weather cruising I posted an earlier thread for recommendations and thanks to Howard (hmason) I got a Mr Heater, portable propane heater.
After meeting friends in Annapolis for dinner Friday we planned to leave Saturday but by the time I returned the rental car and got a few other things squared away it was too late. I retired last month so there is no agenda or time table.
Our initial plan is to head south to Solomons Island then down to St. Marys on the Potomac, across the bay to Onancock and then back to the west side of the Chessie to Little Bay. That may change, but I generally like to plan 3 legs in advance. Weather is supposed to be great this week.
We finally got underway yesterday at about 10:00 and ran a straight course to Solomons Is, giving the Dominion LPG prohibited area a wide birth. The boat ran great and we got her up on plane for about 30 minutes. We generally run at hull speeds – 7.5 kts. With a north wind it was a pleasant cruise but a bit chilly even with all the eisenglass closed. The Chessie is getting some unseasonable cold weather with forecast temps down to freezing tonight.
Last year northbound at Solomons Island we anchored up Back Creek near the Holliday Inn. There is limited anchor room there and with the annual southbound migration in full swing I was afraid I couldn’t find space so we anchored up Mill Creek about half a mile from its convergence with Back Creek. There are several boats anchored here but there’s lots of space so anchoring is no problem.
My Delta anchor though generally a good holder does not do well in mud, the prominent bottom in the Chesapeake. My initial attempt was not to my satisfaction. With a forecast NW wind to 11 kts I decided to anchor as close to a NW shore as I could so we moved to a more favorable location. I started my Drag Queen app and while my wife was at the bow monitoring the anchor deploy she pressed the set button on the app. We’ll sleep well tonight.
Now getting close to happy hour and to celebrate our successful run we adjourned to the sundeck for some well-deserved adult beverages. The sun was setting and it was getting a little cool so time to check out our Mr Heater. We cranked it up and it did a pretty good job of taking the chill off even on the sun deck. I grilled chicken for dinner and watched the ducks fly by and the sun set. A very pleasant dinner – I’m going to get use to retirement.
At 19:30 I cranked up the genny to charge the batteries and took advantage of the AC power to check out our antenna tracking device. So here we are at anchor watching TV with the reverse cycle heat on and enjoying a spot of Fireball (after dinner drink). Life is good.
Before leaving and knowing we’re cold weather cruising we did a Walmart run and got some extra blankets and clothes. After charging the batts for an hour and a half I shut down the genny and we hit the sack. With the new blankets we were comfortable all night.
However this morning when I got up to make coffee about 0600, it was cold. The OAT was 43 and inside it was 56. I cranked up Mr Heater and within 10 min the chill was gone.
We will stay here in Solomons Is today and maybe tomorrow. My wife brought her sewing machine so while we run the genny she’ll have something to do. I’ll report back tomorrow about our experience at Solomons Is.
