2022-06-18 Moving north - checking out boatyards - attack of the flies

Been a busy week, and unfortunately, we were quite lax on taking photos.

Left Norfolk last Sunday, and headed north, having quite a nice sail most of the 43 miles up to Deltaville.  Had to motor last 3 miles, and wind dropped to under 3 knots.

At Deltaville, we checked out the Deltaville Boatyard, and the Stingray Point Boatyard.  We are looking to haul the boat this fall, and these were two yard options, that let you do work yourself, and we can live on the boat while it is out of the water.   This is getting hard to find, as with environmental laws, and liability insurance, most yards will not let you live on the boat, or do any sanding or grinding work on the boat anymore.

After the morning of checking out the boatyards, the wind was favorable so we upped anchor and sailed 35 miles north, and basically just pulled off to the side of the Chesapeake Bay and anchored for the night, as the winds died, and the bay water was calm.  That doesn't happen very often, but worked out well for us.

Early the next morning, we hoisted anchor, and had a pretty yucky trip going  north.  Winds were supposed to be about 5 to 10 knots out of the NW, but instead we had up to 20 knots on the nose.  The 50 miles trip north to Oxford, MD to check out another boatyard was not pleasant.  Usually we would just stop, but by the time the winds built, we were in an area with no good place to get to protection easily, so decided to just rough it out.   Got in around 4:00, and the boatyard also has a marina, so they let us stay at the marina for free, and next morning took us on a boatyard tour.   

Charm at dock in Oxford, Md

Had a nice walk around the cute town of Oxford, and there were a lot of rabbits.  Never seen that many rabbits just sitting on peoples lawns and eating the grass.  Saw about 6 rabbits from our short walk through town.

One of the many bunnies we saw in Oxford, MD

Also in Oxford they were having a charitable event, where people painted small sections of picket fences to place in the yard.   It was fun to see all the different designs.

Oxford is a quaint but seems to be quite an expensive looking town.  Nice to walk around though.  We did stop and get an ice cream at the local store.

Nice sidewalks and pretty streets.

One of the oldest continuously run ferries is in Oxford, and we were told that Oxford used to be a major port on the Chesapeake.   Boat building has a long tradition in the area as well.

There was no good wind to continue north, but could not stay at the marina for free for another night, so we went an anchored in a remote little bay.   BIG MISTAKE  

We have never had so many flies before.  Must have killed at least 30 that made it inside the boat somehow.  We think they must have crawled in around the pull screens.  There were at least 4 times that many outside in the cockpit.  Flies the entire day at anchor.  We were stuck inside. 

Flies

 

We were quite happy to have a  wind to sail the next day, and headed out.  It took half a day and some rain to get rid of all the flies.  Had a decent sail, with 15 to 25 knot winds, we moved right along with a double reefed main and jib and made it the 28 miles to Annapolis easily.  

At Annapolis we anchored in Harness Creek.  Harness creek has a nice large park next to it with a dinghy dock we can use.  It is a quiet and pretty area.  The only downside, is that it is almost a 1.5 mile walk from the dinghy dock to town although it is a pretty walk though the forest on a nice paved trail.

The first day we made a round trip walk of about 5 miles, to pick up an alternator, some groceries and some marine supplies.  (Luckily there was a McDonalds on the way, so we could replenish our energy 😋)

Next day was all boat projects with the supplies purchased.  Probably the hottest day we have had on the boat with high humidity, and 95 inside the boat with no wind.   Yucky day.

Luckily it cooled down that night, so next day was back to town for more supplies, more groceries, and another stop at McDonalds. 

That 4 mile round trip hauling stuff does get tiring.

Taking a break from hauling all the purchases.

With the cool weather, Kris finished here starboard engine wiring alterations, and Dean worked on cleaning up the small amount of teak we have onboard, sanding and oiling the entry grate and table edges.

Table is looking good.  You can see where he has oiled and where not.

Teak grates, one on left is oiled, one on right not done yet.

Will be in Annapolis area for a couple more days, waiting on winds to move north.  Will work on the Port engine new alternator installation, and some new wiring so we can use both engines to charge the batteries, installing blocks to help with hoisting the kayak, and a couple more small projects.  

We had two more boat yards on our list to check out, but one closed, and the other is more expensive than the three we already saw, so we will pick one of the three, and plan on that.

We are trying to move north quickly, as we want to take the next nice weather window to head up to Long Island Sound and get out of the heat and humidity of the Chesapeake before another one of those hot and humid days.  

It is always a debate on whether to move on and have to use the motor, or wait for the wind, but with the heat and humidity here, we think we will motor as needed to make the next weather window to head north.  It looks like our next brief window is in a week, so we will plan on that, knowing that it will probably change.