Cap't Jim's Fairlee Creek Labor Day Rendezvous Adventure Sept., 1995
It was loyalty to CVSA that had A-1 EXPRESS, Cap't Jim's custom MacGregor 26/x punching through 1-2' chop for 30 miles from Cadle Creek to Fairlee Creek Saturday evening. The boat's abilities in calm water had been demonstrated with a 50 mile run from Breton Bay on the Potomac River to Solomon's Island in 2 1/2 hours. How would it do in this chop? Due to time constraints (as usual) my stalwart crew, John Vance, formerly a Catalina 22 and 27 owner, and I departed at 4:15 from Casa Rio. Rounding Beverly Beach at the mouth of the West River a few jarring crashes convinced me that a speed reduction and additional weight may help smooth out the ride. After stopping to flood the water ballast tank we proceeded north at 15 knots quite comfortably with little spray, arriving at 6:45, average speed made good: 13 knots upwind in 10-15 knots. Of course, we dreamed of a spinnaker run down the Bay on Sunday in the same conditions. John, having never been to Fairlee Creek, was surprised by the narrow entrance with fishing line gauntlet, sand bar. It was hard to believe the MacGregor 65 snaked its way in last year. We arrived a bit late for dinner but Mary Moore graciously put a couple of plates together and we enjoyed the Moores and Rudds hospitality and companionship. Rick's friend, Bob, and family were also aboard, having driven over to flag Rick down from pierside. A liberal amount of Cap't Jim's Island Rum Punch was quaffed, mostly by Cap't Jim! Rick reported high wind gusts during the night but it was news to me. Next morning Bill's anchor line was around my centerboard, causing the raft to lie sideways to the wind. Several boats were anchored quite close by and Bill adjusted the rode to fit better.
John and I departed at 8:00 a.m. and motored down to convenient Tolchester Harbor to refuel. Fuel consumption had been high as expected: 2.6 mpg compared to 4 mpg for calm water, no ballast motoring. (omc 60hp) Hopefully hoisting our spinnaker, we sailed for an hour, covering maybe 2 miles thanks to the current, then motored home with a quick detour through the busy Annapolis Harbor's "Ego Alley". Although it was tempting on Saturday to alter course and sail in the brisk north breeze, visiting old friends was worth the struggle (and gas) and a "good time was had by all who attended".
Enjoy the fall sailing.
Cap't Jim