Lifeline failure

Lifelines sometimes function as intended to keep one from falling overboard. There are also times where lifelines only serve to cartwheel you overboard as the top line is about knee high. Once in a while, a lifeline fails as was the case for me last weekend.  As I was leaning over the port rail to hang the spring line on the piling, the upper lifeline gave way.  Fortunately, I stayed dry!

 The piece pictured above is a swage stud.  It connects the 1/8" stainless steel cable to the pelican hook. The cracks on each side should NOT be there!

My new buddy Mike, the rigger at West Marine using the swaging machine to build a new lifeline for me. I guess he is swaging the swage stud! 

Here you can see the new swage stud and pelican hook.  The white cable is actually the nylon coated stainless steel cable. Another job done! 





HMS Bounty Tragedy

On October 29, 2012 the HMS Bounty met her fate off the coast of North Carolina.  The US Coast Guard braved the conditions being dealt by Hurricane Sandy to rescue fourteen of the 16-member crew. The captain remains missing and one crew member is confirmed dead as of this post. 

HMS Bounty Sinking - Photo credit to US Coast Guard

Eileen and I went to visit the HMS Bounty when it was here at City Dock in Annapolis. It truly was a magnificent ship and it is so hard to believe that she is on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. Here are a couple of the photos that I took on June 17, 2012 in Annapolis Harbor...

Stern of HMS Bounty

Bow of HMS Bounty

Port side view of HMS Bounty

The Tide is High!

This morning, I was whistling along to Blondie's "The Tide is High!" (click to listen!) This is one and a half hours after high tide on the morning of October 30th. I have never seen the water so high. The current water level is impacted by several factors; crazy amounts of rain from Hurricane Sandy, a full moon causing a spring tide, and sustained 25kt winds out of the south, which blows water into and up the bay.  I checked the boat at Noon (low tide) and the water receded only six inches.  I am thinking that tonight's high tide at 18:40 will be one to watch.  I am prepared to bring my hip boots and a step ladder! Chances are that the water will be up to the brick walkway.

In other "Sandy" news, we never lost power at home during the hurricane. The lights flickered a couple of dozen times, but I think it was the insurance policy I bought for the storm that kept us from losing power!!!...a Honda EU2000i...

This is the generator that I have had my eye on for quite a while and"Sandy" talked me into buying it...finally!  This generator has enough power to keep our sump pumps in operation as well as running the refrigerator.  It is quite small and very quiet and I plan to use it on the sailboat.  It has a 30 amp port which will provide power for the boat while anchored out. How cool is that?  Well, I think it is cool.

Here Comes Sandy

Sandy is a hurricane, currently north of the Bahamas, on the way to the Mid-Atlantic Region! I spent the morning getting Domingoman ready to weather whatever Sandy has to throw at her! I am not concerned about the wind or the rain, but I am however, concerned about storm surge.  We are on the bulkhead and have only about 4 feet from sea level to the top of the pilings.   

 Here is Sandy's projected path (five-day cone). We are hoping that it takes a more northerly path.  If the eye passes to the south of Annapolis, Sandy will be blowing water into and up the Bay.  If it passes to the north, it will blow the water out of the Bay and Domingoman will be sitting on her keel in the slip. 



 Double dock lines are in order to prepare for a storm of this magnitude



Bimini is off, headsail is off, everything battened down.  I am hoping for the best, but expecting the worst!

Weekend at Deep Creek

Eileen and I, along with two other couples were invited to share last weekend with our friends Dave and Carol Leach at their place in Deep Creek, MD.  It is absolutely God's country, about a four hour drive west. 

 Dave and Carol

We went to Swallow Falls State Park and hiked the 5.5 mile loop. Eileen and Cooper in the park office/store 

This place so reminded me of Robert Treman State Park in NY 

One of the several falls we saw during our hike 

A natural picture frame!

Not much holding this up!

Rick and Sue (front), Carol and Karin (goes with Cooper) in the kitchen.

 This place was amazing and we are thankful for the time away, for time with old and new friends.  Thanks Dave and Carol for your generosity.

Kaia's first sail

On Sunday, we took the opportunity to enjoy a 70 degree October day out on the bay with our neighbor Elise and her daughter Kaia.  At 10 months, Kaia enjoyed the first sail of her life! The conditions were a little challenging with 20 kt winds and 3-5 foot rollers coming in from the South.  We reached across the bay and back and then motored around Annapolis harbor

Kaia trying out her sea legs 

Three lovely ladies 

This was the coolest thing ever! I have seen this on video before but never live.  This guy was wearing a jet pack and blasting up into the air.  You can see a marketing video here.

The Trifecta

This weekend, I sailed three days in a row. To me, that is like hitting the trifecta!

On Friday, I spent the day with four of my colleagues out on the bay.  We sailed over to the Eastern Shore and had lunch at Hemmingway's.  We had fabulous conditions on our 17 NM sail and it was a great way to spend a Friday outside the office.

Tom (fore) Andy (starboard side) Greg (helm) Amit (port side)

On Saturday, Eileen, Jamie and I sailed back to Hemmingway's and had lunch.  The wind was a stiff 18 knots out of the South and it was a screaming reach from Annapolis to Hemmingway's and back.  We hit a top speed of 7.8 kts over water and 7.3 kts over ground.

On Sunday, we took Cory and Danielle out for a sunset sail.   

Eileen and Danielle on the bow at sunset

Sailing to Pirates Cove

On Friday afternoon, we set sail for West River and spent the night at Pirates Cove.  This was Jamie's first trip since his surgery.  We had beautiful weather for our trip south.  We sailed 19 NM in 10 KT winds and an adverse current.  Here we are just NW of Thomas Point Light. 

The crab pots were plentiful and must be avoided.  The last thing I need is my rudder or prop fouled. 

After tying up at Pirates Cove, we tidied up the boat and Jamie ordered food from the restaurant.  We enjoyed a few sundowners while Jamie ate his fried shrimp.  Afterwards, Eileen and I walked to Thursday's, a dock bar/restaurant down the road a bit. 

On Saturday morning, Eileen and I went for a walk around the sleepy little town, Galesville.  We came across this park which was quite nice. This poem was mounted on a boulder at the entrance, but neither of us get it.  So, if someone wants to explain it, the comment section is below!!!

This was a little antique shop in town.  We thought the tea pot totem pole was unique! 

On Saturday, we woke up to a stiff breeze of 20 kts out of the north. I put a reef in the main while in West River, before we hit the open water of the Chesapeake. Eileen said, you should put in a double reef.  While I was considering it, we were hit with a gust which made us heel considerably.  I instantly put in the double reef!  Pictured above is Domingoman's main under double reef.  The head of the main is about 3/4 of the way up the mast. With the proper sail plan, it makes for a much more comfortable sail. 

Eileen took the helm a lot early on.  She typically doesn't like to sail the boat in rough conditions, but she did an amazing job.  I think she almost liked it....almost!

The air temp was on the cool side on Saturday and was the first time I had to wear long sleeves since spring! Eileen found a comfortable spot on the port sole.  The wind dropped to 15 kts and I shook one reef in the main and unfurled the genoa a little more.  Still balanced and sailing at an impressive 6.8 kts.  The main would stay reefed for the entire trip, but we later sailed under full genoa.

At this point, we were heeled at 30 degrees.  Shiloh found her spot on the low side in the sun and had a nice nap.  Jamie was down below for the trip home.

It was a great trip, one I didn't expect.  Eileen had called me at work on Friday and said..."what do you think about going on a family sailing trip this weekend?"  I didn't have to think too long!  Thanks for a great weekend Eileen!

Family Outings

So, we had three family outings in the very recent past with nary a blog post!

We were joined by Kathi and Ed Morrell, my aunt and uncle from Rochester, NY.  Yes, they are NY Yankees fans and we will go to the Orioles/Yankees game on Sunday.  The weather conditions on the bay were a bit on the rough side with 20kt winds out of the south, accompanied by pretty big rollers!  Eileen suggested that we sail up the Severn River and I am glad that we did. Aside from almost running aground, we had a great time together.  I couldn't get the helm back from Uncle Ed and it took a while, but Aunt Kathi mustered up the courage to sit in the stern perch! 

Joel flew into Baltimore and drove up to NY with Eileen.  Prior to their road trip, we had our own full moon party!  We sailed 9 NM around that freighter on a night that was near perfect.  The steady10 kt wind combined with balmy temps, full moon, and having the bay to ourselvs for the most part made for a very enjoyable sail. When we were on the east side of this ship, we encountered another sailing vessel in very close quarters.  It was hysterical as the captain from the other sailboat said "excuse me...do you have any Grey Poupon?" 

My mom and her husband Don Quinn, along with their friends Jack and JoAnn Vienne spent a few days with us on their way to Ireland.  They flew out of Dulles so it was convenient to bake in a few days in Annapolis.

 Don and JoAnn having a chat

 Jack on the perch

Need I say more?  lol.

99 Years Old!

Born on August 4th, 1913, Margaret Helen Dietrich (Eileen's maternal grandmother) turned 99 years old!  We celebrated grandma along with several of her residence friends on Saturday.  Eileen's brother Ron and sister in-law Jane drove here from Buffalo to join in the celebration.  It was a nice gathering and extra special to hear her friends say such nice things about her!  Everyone had a turn to say something to Margaret.  At the end, she stood up and thanked everyone for coming, etc.  We sang happy birthday of course and enjoyed some cake and coffee! Happy Birthday Grandma!!!   

Sailing Mademoiselle

We joined our friends Dave and Carol Leach aboard their Beneteau 44.7 Mademoiselle for a Sunday sail on the Chesapeake.  Mademoiselle is a relatively new Bruce Farr design, insanely cool, beautiful, blue-water equipped sailing vessel.  At almost 45' LOA, she handled like a dream.  Dave gave me the helm for almost the entire time out.  It was very cool to have this level of trust from him and I had a blast finding her groove!

Carol and Eileen having a chat as we just got underway 

I think I smiled the entire time!  Thanks Carol and Dave for the invite and the wonderful afternoon!

Catching up

Various pics from spring/early summer 2012.  So much sailing...so little time to blog!

Sister-in-law Jane and Eileen 

Eileen's brother Ron, visiting from Buffalo 

Dang crab pots! Water was 60 degrees mid-May! 

Solomon's Island

This is just funny ^^^
More pics from our May cruise follow...

Jamie chill'n

 

Impressive speed 7.4 kts

Eileen's version of chill'n errrrrr...chilly!

 

Our dockmate's schooner

Jamie's new hangout