Blue Marsh Sailing Association

SOUTH RIVER VAGABOND RECAP- August 11, 2009

Four boats, Lily, Coventina, Allegro, and Babe made the trip. Forgot the names? In order Bob Ciferri with crew John Ward, Tony Stajkowski and crew Mary, Joe Rutolo and crew Ron Bukowski, and myself and crew Henry Borneman. In short it was an almost perfect two days with no rain day or night, and winds gentle but fairly steady on Saturday and an all day wind that increased from 5 knots to 20 knots by the time we got out on Sunday afternoon. Our entourage of three boats (Bob had taken Lily down on Wednesday for some sailing with his son and met up with outside the South River on Saturday) made the trip in good time without problems. We sailed out the South River with the wind on our nose and with the turn into the West River giving us a more favorable wind direction we were able to sail all the way without the motor. After getting settled into our slips at the Pirate’s Cove Marina we enjoyed a cocktail hour aboard Lily recounting the day’s sail. Pirate’s Cove has an excellent restaurant and we enjoyed a variety of entrees from their extensive menu.

Sunday dawned sunny and hot with wind. We had a good breakfast at the marina and headed for home. Headed was the word for the day as we went up the South River in increasing winds. Tack after tack finally got us back to our starting point at the Pier 7 Marina at Route 2. Some of the other boats were not as lucky having to shorten sail or motor to get back. Everyone agreed that the vagabond was a success from the good sailing and camaraderie it provided. Our excitement did not end however until after we had crossed the Susquehanna at Columbia. The high winds of an approaching storm buffeted us just as we started across. That along with the following torrential downpour reminded us that Mother Nature always has the last say!

Tom Stoner 610-223-3593