Tanzer 22- Sparrows Pt. to Cambridge, MD

While still dry at Sprrows Point. Fresh bottom paint.

Well John, my son, and I moved the boat from Sparrows Point near Baltimore to Cambridge over the Memorial Day weekend. We had postponed the trip previously due to weather. We decided that this had to be the weekend. Anything short of a gale wouldn't stop us. The weather called for cloudy skies with possibility of showers. There was a chance of small craft warnings; but, there always are warnings.

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The forecast was for south winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 for both Saturday and Sunday. The south wind was our concern. Why? because we wanted to go south. It meant that we would need to tack all the way. All that zig-zagging would mean much more time.

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We left Lansdale around 5:30 AM. We were on the Chesapeake heading toward the Annapolis Bay bridge by 8:00 AM. I figured that we would get to the bridge by noon. Bad guess! We were still 10 miles away. The wind was from the south but light all morning.

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At first, I was cautious so I rigged the working jib; but, after an hour of nothing, I switched to the 135% Genoa. We got a little more speed; but, the wind was just to light to get going. Our tacking angle to the wind was about 50-60 degrees to the wind or worse. If it wasn't for the GPS, I would have thought that we were not making any southerly progress. At last we did what all modern sailors do, we started the motor. We motor sailed to a point about a mile north of the bridge and the wind started to develop again. OK, The fun begins.

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At the bridge, we started our tack from the east. We approached a large block of concrete that supports the main structure of the bridge. I noticed that the water was smooth behind it, a sure sign of no wind. As we got closer, I felt that I was about receive an unrequested sailing lesson. When wind goes around a large object, the back side will be calm; but, the wind will whip around its sides to relieve the pressure on the windward side. OK, back on the boat. we got behind the block of concrete and the sails started to flag. Just as quickly, we were hit with a quick gust of wind. It filled our jib quickly and spun us around. As gracefully as possible, we sailed with the wind and away from the bridge. On our next approach, we started the motor just in case. Of course, we avoided the concrete block all together.

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Now, we are south of the bridge. The bridge marks a point that's about one fifth of our total trip. We had the feeling that we would never get there. Originally, I thought that we would get to Tilghman Island at the end of the first day; but, now, It was 5:00 PM and we had to decide where the day would end. I had no interest being on the bay at night.

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After studying the map, it was evident that Queen Anne Marina was the place to put-in for the night. This marina was the last refuge on Kent Island. I checked the GPS only to discover that we were only one mile away. We radioed to the Marina with no response. We tied-on to the end of the dock and discovered that the marina office was closed but so was everything else within walking distance.

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After a dose of bug repellent, and an apple for dinner, sleeping on the boat proved to be a new adventure. It was really easy to get up at 6 AM to set sail. Oh, yes, we escaped before the marina opened so, we evaded the dock fee.

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On Sunday, the wind was steady the waves were variable as we cut across the bay. We covered the width of the bay twice on our four tacks. I was glad to have figured out the proper way to rig the jib sheets. It made our day much easier. Our last tack took us directly into Knapp's Narrows. I was thankful that our three foot draft would not be an issue.

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Memorial Day weekend at Knapp's Narrows was busy. We were happy to find a spot to tie-off at the restaurant to get a good lunch. Fish and chips tasted super after an apple for dinner and a granola bar for breakfast.

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We motored out to the channel only to find two motor yachts and a 45 foot sailboat in line for the bridge to open. When the bridge opened, we motored out in a hurry to get a lead on the large boats immediately behind us.

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Out on the Choptank, we stayed close to the channel. I was surprised to see some larger boats breaking out of the channel before us. I guess that they don't have any special memories of the shoals that lurk below and out of sight. With sails up, we continued east on the Choptank. The wind was a little stronger than it was in the morning on the bay. I was also surprised at the rough water. This area is reasonably sheltered. On previous trips, we always had smoother water with good wind.

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The wind on the Choptank was from SSW. That put us on a broad reach, starboard tack all the way. It was great to making good speed and on a rhumb line course. Tacking just eats too much time. We now had 16 nautical miles to Cambridge.

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The beam to broad reach, that we held, gave us a chance to see what this Tanzer 22 can do. While tacking on a close reach, we saw speeds of 4-5.5 knots with 15 knots winds.. On the broad reach we enjoyed 6-7 knots. Hull speed computes to 6.0 knots. Despite the physics, we saw 7.5 on the GPS once or twice when gusts caught us. The boat was riding waves and in transition to plane. Pretty cool.

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We sailed right to Cambridge Creek Channel before going to motor. I always enjoy requesting a bridge opening. How many times have you had to stop for a draw bridge? It is fun to be on the other side on the event.

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Continuing down the creek and into the marina slip concluded our adventure. John had to be relieved. He started with no sailing knowledge and became much more comfortable as the weekend progressed. We had a few back-winded jibs which forced us into a 360. Everybody seems to get screwed around with a tiller in the beginning. Push left. The boat goes right. It just ain't natural.

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Our trip had us sailing for two days, approximately 26 hours of travel time. We sailed 73 nautical miles even though the plan was 53 NM. All that tacking added 20 nm. What surprised us was how dry the boat was. Despite some good wave action, we never had any spray. Also we had no surprise blow downs with the gusts.

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If you got this far, you've earned a boat ride with Captain Stuckie, himself. I'm looking for crew. There are some weekend racing events that should be fun.

Come on down!

Captain Stuckie

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THE BIG SAIL: Some more photos

The Crew clears the bar at Solomons.
Yes, Joel did finish that tankard of Ale.
Snappers Restaurant. A party every Friday night.

Sailing is easy! Ask John. "Where's my sun screen?"

"Is this the weekend? When you're retired it's hard to tell."

"BEER -HO! "

The galley crew samples the beverages before serving.

Joe: "This lager will compliment the Gateau de crepes au fromage well."

Paul also known as the sailing duck.

"Give me wind, big wind. Give me rain and mist. Give me waves, large waves.

I'm in my element. Aaaaarrggh! Life is good!"


Rememberances by Captain Stuckie.

The BIG SAIL May 1-4

Some photos of the Big Sail of 2009. Selene embarked from Annapolis on Friday Morning around 8:00 AM. Tacking on the close reach until the turn at Tilghman Island , the crew made good speed. After rounding Tilghman Island, the steady wind allowed us to sail on a broad reach until the entrance of Cambridge Creek. We arrived around 7:30 PM. The drawbridge welcomed our passage. We slipped past Snapper's and Portside restaurants and tied off at Deep Harbour Condos Marina.
Diane joined us at Portside for a fine but slow dinner. It was a long day filled with fine sailing and camaraderie. It was good to see the crew back together again.

The Crew at Cambridge

The long view of the Maryland Ave -Cambridge Creek Bridge

The view from #408, 900 Marshy Cove

The Drawbridge opens on demand.

Selene at Annapolis Landing Marina.

Joel advises Jeff on the proper preparation of Lox. Jeff explains beam reach.

Selene, bow first. Our biggest Yacht to date: 45 feet of sailing pleasure.

Frank checks the windex.

Joe C. acclimates to the 70 degree weather. brrrr!

More to follow.. ~~~~~/)~~~~~

Captain Stuckie

Sailing the Chesapeake

Tomorrow is the day. The crew of eight meet dockside and board Selene. The weather looks glum, but we care more about the wind in the forecast than the rain. All and all the forecast predicts showers and thunderstorms which means much of the day it will just be cloudy.
Here's the marine forecast for the weekend. Sandy Point is near Annapolis, North Beach is about forty miles south of Sandy Point.

THU NIGHT S WIND S 10 TO 15 KT. WAVES 2 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

FRI S WINDS 10 TO 15 KT WITH GUSTS TO 25 KT. WAVES 2 TO 3 FT. ACHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS.
FRI NIGHT S WIND S 15 TO 20 KT WITH GUSTS TO 25 KT. WAVES 3 FT. ACHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS.

SAT SW WINDS 10 TO 15 KT WITH GUSTS TO 20 KT... BECOMING NW IN THE AFTERNOON. WAVES 3 FT...SUBSIDING TO 1 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. SHOWERS LIKELY WITH A CHANCE OF TSTMS.
SAT NIGHT W WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES 1 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS.

SUN NW WINDS AROUND 5 KT. WAVES 1 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS. MONSE WINDS 10 TO 15 KT. WAVES 1 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS. WINDS AND WAVES HIGHER IN AND NEAR TSTMS.

Tanzer 22 Update

The boat went into the water last Saturday. No leaks.
The two batteries that came with the boat were dead. Another $60 purchase.

Of all the worries, the outboard motor was highest on the list. It's been in a garage for two years without running. At first, it was resisting my attempts to pull start. After some finagling, it started. You gotta believe. It ran very smoothly in forward, reverse and neutral. A 1975 two-cycle Evinrudes are collector items. After running for several minutes, I let it cool down twice and each time it started on the second pull. OTAY!
More running time is needed to convince me to trust this 34 year old.

I set the main sail which was in good condition. T22 - 125 is the ID. It has a nice sail cover. looking good so far.

Another trip to West Marine is in order to buy PFD's, Seat cushions, flares, A VHF radio, dock lines, spot light, etc.

The maiden voyage is still scheduled for May 9, 10. My son John will be the first mate.
It's about 45 miles to Cambridge. The safety valve destination will be Knapp's Narrows. it's about two thirds to Cambridge.

We think that we have a name for this fine vessel: "Recess" What do you think?
More pictures will be coming soon.

Ready to sail?

After spending two days working on the Tanzer, it's almost ready for the water.
The bottom paint is on and the gunwales are polished.
Next weekend, I hope to launch, check the outboard motor, and rigging.
Cross your fingers.

The maiden voyage will most likely be on Saturday, or Sunday, May 9 or 10.

John, Are you ready?

Oh Happy Day?

They say that there are two happy days in every boat owners life:


The day he buys the boat and the day he sells it.
Day one approaches: I've included some photographs of this fine craft.
I call them "before" pictures. If you squint your eyes, and imagine, you may have the same vision that I have. Free boat rides to all who don't laugh.


The boat is a Tanzer 22. It's a sailboat design that has a strong history as a racer/cruiser.
As long as it doesn't sink on the maiden voyage, I'll be happy.
Zoe thinks that I should paint it pink. Any other ideas?

As you can see the boat needs a name. Send your suggestions to George.
How's "Pinky" sound?
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SPECIFICATIONS http://www.tanzer22.com/tpage.htm
L 0.A 22' 6"
L W.L19' 9"
Beam 7' 10"
SAIL AREAS

Main

• 112 sq. ft. Working jib 110 sq. ft.


• No. 1 Genoa 200 sq.ft.


• No. 2 genoa 162 sq.ft.


• Spinnaker (approx)375 sq. ft.
  

Draft

• Fin keel 3' 5"

Displacement

• Fin keel 2,900 lbs

Ballast

• Fin keel 1,250 lbs.

DESIGNER: Johann Tanzer

• Vertical clearance 31' 0"
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
• Review:

Anyone looking at boats in the 20 to 24 foot range should take a close look at the Tanzer 22. Over 2200 of these boats were built, and this boat is supported by a very active class association. In fact, anyone buying a Tanzer 22 will quickly discover that they are part of a network of owners who take a great deal of pride in their boats. All this means that many Tanzer 22s are being actively raced as a one-design or under PHRF. But this is also a boat that can take a small family out for a short cruise. It has a big cockpit and a flush deck which provides for lots of sunbathing space. Below there is more room than first meets the eye, despite the fact that the bulkhead which divides the v-berth from the main cabin gives the appearance of cramped quarters. On top of all this, the Tanzer 22 has gained a considerable reputation for seagoing capabilities. While this boat was available with a swing keel, most were built with the fin keel.

by Michael McGoldrick.

Bowling made easy

Bowling verses Golf:
Bowling's gotta be easier than golf. No weather, wind, water, rough, trees, or sand.
Every hole is different in golf. Long shots, shot shots, very short shots.
In bowling, there are always ten pins. The alleys are dead level. The distance is always the same.
Even pool requires more shot making and combinations. With the exception of making a wide split, it's a knock-'em down game.

OK, A hole-in-one verses a 300 game:
Hole-in-one's are made by golfers that get lucky.
It's a good shot that got lucky. The greenskeeper just happened to cut the hole in the right place. Tommorow, the same shot yields no celebration. Now, two hole-in-one's on the same day that's something special; but, it always a case of a very good golfer getting close and lucky. It's happened several times.

A 300 game requires luck and skill. There is always a strike in any good game that is a gift, just as many good pocket hits result in stingers. Ask my friend Steve. However, a 300 game requires the bowler to roll three consecutive strikes in the tenth frame. It doesn't just happen like a hole-in-one. You must make it happen. Scary stuff! Despite the tension, there are quite a few bowlers that have bowled 3- 300 games in a row. WOW!

In conclusion, making a putt on the 18th hole to win the match comes much closer to a 300 game as a personal challenge, just because 'you must make it happen.'

The following movie clip demonstrates the classic four-step approach.

It was a great season. One that I do not expect to repeat.

The float plan

Sailors,
Many thanks to all that have settled their debt.
This year plan will cruise the central and southern Chesapeake.
Baltimore has requested that we not return for another year.
They refer to it as a cool down period.

The crew assembles at Annapolis.

George, John, and Frank will pick-up Joe C & Jeff at BWI.

Paul, Joel, & Joe N will be traveling down US 301.

We first meet with Scott of Annapolis Bay Charters around 4:00 PM for pre-board briefing.The crew will roll dice to select their hammocks on Thursday evening.
'tis then the shenanigans will commence.

Friday AM, Stuckie will roust the crew to set sail for Cambridge.
In light wind , this can be a reach. It can be a fifty mile trip if we need to tack.
We will tie off at the Condo Marina and carouse the old town.

Saturday, we will run the Choptank River to Solomons.
This is another long reach at 40 nm. It also one of those places that has a long approach.
More grubbing and drinking will be on the agenda that evening.

Sunday, We depart the Solomons for Herrington Harbor South. a new port-o-call for this crew. this will be a shorter run, at 35 nm, except that we will be fighting the normal current of the Chesapeake. the harbor entrance is subject to shoaling; however, the tidal charts indicate the will will be entering and leaving at high tide. Our draft is 5' 4".

Monday, it's back to Annapolis, this is the shortest leg of the trip, 20 nm. It will put us in Annapolis early enough to make all travel connections.

Marina Information:


Cambridge: Marshy Cove Condo dock - free
Solomons: http://www.harborislandmarina.biz/Default.htm
Herrington Harbor: http://www.herringtonharbour.com/sslipsd.htm
Annapolis Bay Charters: http://www.annapolisbaycharters.net/ourfleet.php

More Salty Dogs

Joel in full motion: trimming the main sheet, navigating a new course, and analyzing cloud formations to forecast the weather. Couldn't sail without him....... No stinking lite-beer here!

John: "You see this, George? They call this a depth gauge. Yes, it's rocket science."

Aaaarggh! Where's the booty? "We could take that freighter."

Jeff, aka Ancient Mariner, has a premonition while in Knapp's Narrows. Why was he the only one wearing a life-vest?

Paul, the fisherman from Gloucester, mans the helm. "What Gale?"