First day sailing the Chesapeake in Maryland

[c130king]

Wow! What a great first sailing day of the season. Temps in the mid 50's. Lots of sunshine. Winds around 12-15.

Took my 17-yr old daughter and two of her friends out on the Chesapeake. Trailered 65 miles from house to Casa Rio Marina in Mayo, MD...no issues. Sailed out to Thomas Pt Lighthouse averaging 4-5 kts the whole way. Kept the main reefed all day just due to having 4 folks in the cockpit...didn't want to have too much heeling. Still it was great sailing.

Casa Rio Marina is very nice. Although I do wish the marina would add some slats or boards to the pilings that line the walls along the boat ramp. Have to figure out a way to turn my fenders horizontal to keep from rubbing on the pilings.

Can't wait for my many sailing adventures to come this year. The places to explore are almost unlimited up there.

And I got meet Jim Jones (aka Uncle Jim) who was there working on his motor. Looking forward to meeting other Casa Rio Mac owners and meeting up with others of you that sail in the Annapolis area.

On the negative side I had another engine issue. Never went to full throttle on the way out and had no issues. Coming in I went to full throttle and the RPMs hit 5100 (normal) and I got about 10.5 into the wind with ballast in (normal). But after after a few minutes I noticed the boat slowed a little and the wake was different than normal. I looked at my RPMs and I was down to about 4000. Full throttle only got me 4000. Was not able to get back over 4000 the rest of the way in. Once back on the trailer I ran it up in neutral with the hose hooked up and it hit 5000. No visible issues like prop or power-thruster. Just got it out of the shop for a new pump and impeller a few weeks back...this was the first time it was used since then. I will give the shop a call this week and see if they have any thoughts.

And on the "Dohhh" side of things. Spent 90 minutes completely rigging the boat and getting everything ready this morning. Launched the boat and started to back out of the ramp...towards some slipped boats. Had the rudders up as it was only about 3.5-4' deep. Turned the wheel to the right to straighten out and nothing happened. So gave it a goose of forward and by now the wind had blown me slightly cata-wumpus so now I was heading towards another pier. Had to goose a shot of reverse to keep from hitting the pier. What the &*%#$* is going on. And then the "Doofus of the Day" (or "Dingus" as the 17-yr old girls called me ) realized I did not have the motor connected to the steering. Turned the wheels and the motor didn't move...and with the rudders up and the motor not connected...the boat won't turn. But after I quickly got the motor connected all was well.

Great day. Can't wait for the next one.

Some video will be posted on my website in a few hours.

Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König
Sailing on König YouTube Channel

[Matt19020]

Jim we sailed there last year. We left from PA. Delaware River to C&D canal to Baltimore and on to Annapolis. It was a great trip! We are looking into getting a slip at Maryland Marina for next season.
http://maps.google.com/maps?t=h&hl=en&i ... 10525&z=17

I will be sailing there again in May, We are chartering a 42' Jeanneu from Rock Hall to Baltimore and Annapolis we have about 5 boats heading out with us. We have been doing that trip for about 18 years now

I also had a similar mishap... took the boat off the trailer without the clevis pin in the steering wheel after doing some maintenance ...we were lucky wind blew us into the dock and hardly anyone noticed...Except for me sweating and the elevted heart rate....


In Front of Pusser's at Annapolis city Dock "Ego Alley"

[Capt Sully]

Been there and done that, it's cool to run the Mac up Ego Alley. We trailered ours from metro Atlanta and stayed over a week on the water. Dropped anchor at the point of the Naval Academy when the Blue Angels had their air show. I cound't believe all the barnacles that attached to the boat in just one week. looking forward to another trip this year.

[Uncle Jim]

Jim,
it was great meeting you and hope to see you out there again. The ramp is not too hard to get out of with a rudder and center board down about 6"of line. I have more problems getting the trailer lined up with the ramp. Weather permitting we may get out on Saturday.

Jim

[NiceAft]

Jim,

You are certainly making up for lost time. You sound like a kid in a candy shop

Ray

[pokerrick1]

Have to figure out a way to turn my fenders horizontal to keep from rubbing on the pilings.

Jim;

I don't understand why this is a problem Most fenders have holes at both ends for rigging --- just hang some fenders with line attached at both ends so they hang horizontally from the lifelines What am I missing here

Rick

[c130king]

Jim,

You are certainly making up for lost time. You sound like a kid in a candy shop

Ray

[c130king]

Have to figure out a way to turn my fenders horizontal to keep from rubbing on the pilings.

Jim;

I don't understand why this is a problem Most fenders have holes at both ends for rigging --- just hang some fenders with line attached at both ends so they hang horizontally from the lifelines What am I missing here

Rick

Rick,

Not a problem...just wasn't prepared for it. Need to cut me a few more fender lines and prep a few more fenders with two lines. Might even have to make a "warp" (I think that is what is called") where you attach a board...maybe 4' or so between two fenders so that the board will rub against the pilings.

Will be better prepared next time.

Jim

[Bransher]

c130king wrote:

On the negative side I had another engine issue. Never went to full throttle on the way out and had no issues. Coming in I went to full throttle and the RPMs hit 5100 (normal) and I got about 10.5 into the wind with ballast in (normal). But after after a few minutes I noticed the boat slowed a little and the wake was different than normal. I looked at my RPMs and I was down to about 4000. Full throttle only got me 4000. Was not able to get back over 4000 the rest of the way in. Once back on the trailer I ran it up in neutral with the hose hooked up and it hit 5000. No visible issues like prop or power-thruster. Just got it out of the shop for a new pump and impeller a few weeks back...this was the first time it was used since then. I will give the shop a call this week and see if they have any thoughts.

I always have those same symptoms when I have “Sea-Weed” wrapped around the prop.
Next time it happens, just stop and raise the motor and check it out. It could be something that simple.

[c130king]

I always have those same symptoms when I have “Sea-Weed” wrapped around the prop.
Next time it happens, just stop and raise the motor and check it out. It could be something that simple.

That was my first thought as well so I stopped, shut down and raised the motor...everything looked normal.

Jim

[Highlander]

Still waiting on the Ice too go out

J