So while I had fair winds, I took advantage of them to sail as many miles as possible, each and every day. And I do mean sail. With the wind behind the Blue Moon's big gaff mainsail, she makes hull speed (about 5.6 knots) with about a 10 knot wind. We were able to make 40-50 miles every day, with just one off day to let a bad line of thunderstorms pass through.
What really made the Chesapeake special for me was the emergence of wooden sailboats, and boats with character. I guess wooden sailboats don't do very well in the South, because I'd seen very few, except at the boat show in Southport, NC. I don't remember seeing any wooden boats actually sailing, south of Norfolk.
But suddenly, in the Chesapeake, they were there. I could feel the Blue Moon getting excited. She was coming into her country.
One of the first wooden boats we saw was a powerboat. But not just any powerboat!
Pirate Ship photo jalmberg |
The boat is a converted commercial fishing boat, and has a galley in the little house on deck behind the pilot house, and pretty nice accommodations forward, under the doghouse under the mast. If I ever get a powerboat, it would be one like this one!
The next remarkable boat we saw was this enormous schooner. 200 foot long? I don't know, but I think her bowsprit was longer than the Blue Moon. An absolutely impressive boat.
Stunning Schooner photo jalmberg |
If I ever bought a powerboat, it would be one like this!
Gentleman's Motor Yacht photo jalmberg |
Classic New England-style Schooner photo jalmberg |
Update: a reader informs me that this is the Pride of Baltimore II, "the Goodwill Ambassador of the State of Maryland and the Port of Baltimore." More importantly, she is the Blue Moon's big sister! Both were designed by the great Tom Gilmer. She's a transatlantic tall ship race winner, so it's no wonder she sailed circles around us!
The Pride of Baltimore II photo jalmberg |
I guess that's why they paint them grey!
USN Patrol Boat photo jalmberg |
Cabin Boy now has over 1500 miles on his flat bottom, and he has enjoyed every minute of it.
From skimming along over flat morning seas, to surfing down the monsters in Albemarle Sound, to dancing over the happy chop in the Chesapeake, Cabin Boy has never shipped more than a light spray over his bow.
If anyone ever designed the perfect tow-behind dingy, it must have been John Atkin.
My favorite classic gem photo jalmberg |
>>> Next Episode: Down the Delaware
Once again, an enjoyable read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
Your Pirate boat is a buy boat that bought the catch from the fishing/oystering boats and sped it to market overnight. The fighting ship is the Pride of Baltimore II, a classic Baltimore clipper and one of only two (replicas) of the type in existence. The naval vessel is one of the Naval Academy training boats. But you missed the best sailing ship conclave of all, Schooner Sultana's Downrigging weekend in Chestertown, MD: http://www.sultanaprojects.org/downrigging/index.htm.
ReplyDeleteBghio, thanks for the local knowledge! I'm going to update my post.
ReplyDelete... since the Pride of Baltimore is the Blue Moon's big sister. Both designed by Tom Gilmer.
ReplyDeleteJohn, you are even more astute than you realize... The naval vessel is a Yard Patrol craft (YP) used primarily to train midshipmen in seamanship and navigation. They are wooden ships built withstand the rigors of so many inexperienced conning officers and helmsmen when they learn ship handling / mooring procedures. They can also serve as mine sweepers (secondary mission) given their and low magnetic signature.
ReplyDelete-Current Naval Officer and former Midshipmen
Wow... I would never have guessed it was made out of wood. Very interesting. And I certainly understand the need for training in ship handling. Sailing is the easy part. Handling a boat in restricted waters, docking, anchoring, etc., in all sorts of different conditions, that's the hard part.
ReplyDeleteJohn:
ReplyDeleteThank you for your wonderful comments about CABIN BOY. I know John has been watching over you with great joy.
Best wishes,
Hi Pat, Can't wait to get started on Vintage!
ReplyDeleteWonderful stuff John. Thanks again.
ReplyDelete