104 Kent Island Circumnavigation - September 9 to 13

The American Sailing course 104 - Bareboat Cruising Is always a unique, fun, and skill building
course. So, it with a sense of excitement when the crew gather for the first day. For many it may
be the first time venturing out for more than a day sail, and for others it may be the first time on
an extended cruise of more than a weekend. Either way it is an experience that is fun as we
explore a few places around the Chesapeake Bay, and approach the course as if we have just
chartered a boat in the Caribbean or other location.

While we are not out on the water the first day, it is a time to do a thorough review of the
inventory of the boat, and review and check all the boat systems. It also gives us a chance to
walk through the pre-departure check to assure the boat is in good shape and ready to go on
our adventure.

For our cruise this week, as we wrapped up the morning checks and boat system reviews, it
was time right before lunch to talk about our meal and beverage plan for the four days we are
out on the water. As the temperatures were still late July/early August temps, in the mid to high
80’s, we wanted to assure we had lots of water and other drinks to help keep us hydrated. Then
it was time to think about our meals (breakfast, lunch, and two dinners on the boat). The crew
decided that light breakfasts were good, and lunches of sandwiches was a good approach
which limited the time below in the heat. As for dinners we planned on two chicken-based
meals.

After lunch it was time to get down to our navigation plan for the trip, a procedure that is often
new to many and in other cases a good review. Following a brief review of navigation and the
deck log elements, the crew jumped into the task of determining destinations for each day,
headings, distances, ETAs, and looking up light list numbers. Also, the crew noted tides and
currents at our destinations, hailing frequency for the marinas and bridges, and our weather
forecasts.

While the crew was hard at work on navigation the skipper did the grocery run, and when they
returned the crew jumped in to stow all the food so they knew where to locate each item.
Upon completing our tasks for the first day we headed to one of the many great restaurants in
Rock Hall and enjoyed dinner while taking in the wonderful view overlooking one of the marinas.

Day 2

On the second day, we were up for an early start to our adventure. After a quick breakfast and
completing the pre-departure check the crew had the boat ready to go at 9 AM. We did a few
last-minute reviews of setting the preventer, and using a lead line to check our depth against the
depth meter, and then we were off by 9:20. We motored out of the marina and just north of G7
on Langford Creek practiced standing turns, then we were off following our course plan and
starting the Deck Log. As we passed the LC mark, we slowed to check the true wind direction
and determined we had good wind (7 - 10 knots) to be able to sail on a beam to broad reach.
The crew raised the main, set the preventer and unfurled the head sail and then we were on our
way. We followed our course plan making adjustments as we went, and had a great sail with
STW around 5- 6 knots. Along the way we talked about navigation rules, privileged vessels
(specifically small fishing vessels), and sound signals.

At the south end of Chester River we had to change course to starboard and start our way out to the Chesapeake Bay. The wind was on our nose so we furled the head sail and motor sailed till the wind dropped around 1 PM. We lowered the main and motored on to Swan Creek.

As we motored, we discussed navigation rules and light signals, and also talked about engine
failures and possible sources of the problems. Along the way we simulated a backstay failure
and rigged lines and the halyard in a manner that would support the mast.

We arrived at our destination around 3 PM, radioed for our mooring ball assignment and the
crew looked like pros picking up the mooring. After cleaning the boat and doing end of day
chores it was time to relax before dinner. While we had planned for a dinner of pan cooked
chicken, salad, and then cheese cake, it was extremely hot and humid so no one wanted to fire
up the stove and heat the interior of the boat. So, we had a light dinner of salad with chopped up
turkey cuts and cheese, and of course we still had the delicious cheese cake.

Day 3

The crew was up early between 6 and 7 to start what would turn into a nice sunny day with light
winds. After breakfast the crew jumped to the task of getting the boat ready for the day, and we
were set to go by 9 AM. After releasing the mooring ball, we did a few more practice runs of
picking up the mooring ball and then we were off by 9:30. We motored out of Swan Creek and
our destination today was the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St Michaels.

As we motored south the wind picked up a little around 11 AM, and we decided to sail downwind under
the head sail. However, the wind died on us at noon and we had to motor the rest of the way to
Kent Island Narrows. The channel on the north side to the Narrows is always interesting,
especially at low tide due to shoaling. Thus, we piloted the channel at a slow speed and at one
point our depth was so low we thought we were probably brushing along the bottom. After the
first series of markers, as we turned towards the north part of the Narrows, the depth picked up
and the helm person and navigator took a deep breath. At 12:30 we decided to take on some
fuel at the Piney Narrows fuel dock and then we were able to make the 1 PM bridge opening.

Once clear of the channel on the south side of the bridge we again picked up our desired
heading per our navigation plan. The wind decided to reappear, so we set sails for a beam to
broad reach and had a nice sail downwind for about 45 minutes. However, the wind dropped
again, so we motor sailed the rest of the way to the mark the signifies the turn into St. Michaels.
As we motor sailed, we talked about weather and weather patterns, and continued to discuss
various trouble shooting scenarios and what our action would be in case of a flooding situation
on board.

At 4 PM, we hailed the Maritime Museum to get our slip assignment and were docked by 4:15.
The crew did a great job docking the boat stern first, even though the wind, that had picked up a
bit, was blowing our bow down. Following our arrival, we toured the museum briefly and located
the important key points - the restrooms and the bathhouse facilities. The crew finished up the
end of day chores, freshened up and relaxed in the air conditioning, and then it was off to dinner
at Foxy’s for a great meal.

Day 4

The Maritime Museum was hosting a log canoe race today, so the crew decided we would be
up early again to have the boat ready by 9 AM for a 9:15 departure. The day broke with a
magnificent sunrise to watch during a light breakfast, then after final on shore head calls and a
discussion of our undocking plan with wind at 10+ knots on our starboard we were off by 9:20.

The crew conducted a flawless undocking like pros and we motored out to the Miles River and
got to watch the log canoes gathering at the start for the race. We continued to motor to beacon
R 10 and then set our sails for a broad reach. Today the winds were out of the SE at around 10
knots so we had a great sail on the single tack all the way up to the Kent Island Narrows before
the passage through the bridge. Along the way we were seeing STW upwards or 7.2 knots.

At 11:30, we lowered our sails for the noon passage through the bridge and the navigation of the
narrow channel on the north side. Once we cleared the channel on the north side, we again
raised the sails and sailed on the series of close hauled tacks until we could turn north towards
Corsica River. As we made the turn North, we adjusted our sails for a broad reach and again
were able to sail on a single tack up to the LC mark on the Chester River.

As we had a very comfortable point of sail, we continued our discussion of possible emergency
situations and the captain quizzed folks on questions they may possibly see on the knowledge
check.

Once at the LC mark we lowered our sails and motored into the Corsica River. We first took a
danger bearing on R 2 along the shoal to our port side to assure we did not drift out of the
channel and into very shallow water. After we motored past R2 we turned to starboard and
entered a great cove just beyond Town Point. This is a wonderful anchorage as it tends to be
uncrowded, well protected except from northerly winds, and has good depth and bottom
conditions. We anchored in about 10 feet of water and set a bow anchor with a scope of 6:1.
Winds were predicted to be only 5 - 10 during the night and there was a chance of showers
overnight.

The crew completed their end of day routine and then we set the anchor watches starting at 10
PM to 6 AM. With the boat cleaned and organized by 5 PM, it was time to relax in the very
pleasant weather prior to dinner. One of the crew members cooked a wonderful meal of chicken
and pasta, followed by Ice Cream. At 8 PM we ran the engine for an hour to charge the batteries
as we had been sailing for most of the day. A light rain moved in at 11 PM and we had to close
up the hatches and port holes. However, it was a cooler night, so we were quite comfortable.

Day 5

For our last day, the crew decided to get an early start to assure they had ample time to get the
boat cleaned up and secured prior to the knowledge check. Thus, we were up between 6 and 7,
and had the boat ready to go by 8:30. The weather to start the day was overcast with drizzle,
but it did not deter us from setting a second anchor to practice a forked mooring. At 9 AM we
weighed anchor and departed the cove. We had decided to chart two danger bearings, one from
R2 to the CR preferred channel marker and the other from R2 to R16. This would assure we
could navigate in safe water on our way out.

Once out of the Corsica River we motored to the LC mark and then up to G7 on Langford
Creek. When we cleared G7 we raised the sails and did a series of MOB drills, and at 11 AM we
lowered our sails and headed to the west side of our home marina. Here the captain did a
surprise engine failure drill as if we were in a busy narrow channel. Two members of the crew
moved quickly and safely to the foredeck and dropped the anchor. After discussing the
scenario, we weighed anchor and headed over the pump out dock.

After the pump out and taking on fuel at the fuel dock we headed to our home slip and were
secure in the slip by 12:30.

The crew completed the last day check list, filled the water tank and cleaned the boat prior to a
quick review before the knowledge check.

At 4 PM after completing the signing of the log books and issuance of certificates, it was time to
say our goodbyes and congratulate everyone on a great cruise. Overall, it was a wonderful
adventure with good sailing weather on two days, new experiences and skills acquired, and
great companions and dinners.