Blue Marsh Sailing Association

This vagabond was not the quiet, sedate trip I had expected.  I don’t want to give the impression that we didn’t have a good time because we did.  This one overnight trip was expected to be a piece of cake.  Caravan to Sandy Point, sail to Annapolis, take a slip overnight, sail back, caravan home- couldn’t be easier we’ve done it many times.  Joe Rutolo and Ray Hemphill on Allegro, and Henry Borneman and myself on Babe vagabonded.  Donna Ferron and John Pittman with Tony and Mary Statjowski on board sailed over from Rock Hall.  Conrad and Barb Vanino with grandson Joey drove down to join us Saturday night. 

Mother Nature started the turmoil by bringing in a weekend of off again, on again showers.  This actually added to the interest because we scratched Sandy Point electing to put in at Truxton Park boat ramp on Spa Creek in Eastport.  This would eliminate the longer sail to Sandy Point in the event of really bad weather.  This added to the adventure as we had never used the Truxton facility and we had to raise the Spa Creek bridge to get to the marina on the lower side of Eastport.  The two ramps were excellent but parking is 100 yards away and the road to it is covered with low hanging branches.  We had to setup next to the ramp.  Otherwise we would recommend it.

The trip down was delayed a little when Joe did his thing- blowing a trailer tire on 695 around Baltimore.  He was prepared since he was carrying two spares!  Four guys made quick work of the tire change finishing the trip uneventfully.  We sailed out on the Bay under threatening clouds.  The sky opened up thoroughly drenching us from the waist down- no time for the bottom slickers.  We sailed into our slips at Eastport Yacht Center just off the Bay under clouds but no rain.  A picnic area with tables, chairs, and umbrellas was located adjacent to our slips making a handy cocktail hour venue.  The next rain shower held off until after we had finished, stowed our gear, and put up our rain canopy.  A half hour later we walked two blocks to have dinner outside at Davis’ Pub.  Good food, good drinks, and friendly folks socializing outside.  We then walked into Annapolis to lounge on the wall along Ego Alley to people and boat watch and, of course, to eat ice cream!  Ask Barb how it feels to have a double dip melt away in your hand!

Our walk back to the slips in the dark led by Ray was a hoot.  We knew we were by the water on Second Street but a “short cut” suggested by a passerby resulted in an obstacle course.  Climbing over a seawall we had to cross the extensive lawn of a seaside mansion brightly lit with people inside, cut through their landscaping and drop over a wall onto the street.  It’s a wonder they didn’t sic the dogs on these “intruders”!  We actually thumbed a ride back to the marina.  After more seaside chat we retired for the night.  The next downpour started at 1:30 but we were able to enjoy it from the comfort of our sleeping bags.  Sunday dawned with more clouds but no rain.  We walked to a nearby restaurant for a leisurely breakfast.  We bid the folks on Halcyon a fair sail back to Rock Hall and headed out to the Bay.  Our sail was again shortened by threatening clouds converging on us so we hustled back in to catch the next bridge opening.  Mother Nature was just toying with us as her rain held off until we were at the ramp, knocked down, in ready to drive home condition, and having our lunch under the pavilion at the park.

In thinking back about the many vagabonds I have participated in, I can truly say I have enjoyed them all.  Each have had a little twist to them, the weather not always perfect, meeting new people, an obstacle now and then, but feeling good that the experience gained on each trip stands us in good stead on the next adventure.

Tom Stoner

On Saturday, July 9, four sailboats and two kayaks from our club made their way to Lake Nockamixon in Bucks County, near Quakertown.  Most of us arrived at the lake about 10:00 AM, rigged and got on the water by 11:00.  It was a beautiful sunny day……hot, but the perfect 10-13 knot wind made it very bearable.  We sailed up the lake, trying to see if we could make it all the way to the end.   It was a good four mile trip and as we neared the end, the lake narrowed.   We were on an easy broad reach most of the way up, but as soon as we came about we began to realize the tight quarters were about to make for some repetitious tacking.  It took about 20 minutes to clear the narrow end of the lake, but once we were in more open water the close reach on the way back was awesome!   In our little 17 foot O’Day Daysailer Michele and I felt like we were flying over the water.  A huge wake followed us all the way back to the marina.   The ride was exhilarating!  

The other boats consisted of Babe, a Mariner 19 skippered by Tom Stoner who was accompanied by his wife Jan and two of our new members, Justin and Pauline March.   Tony and Mary Stajkowski sailed their Precision 18, Coventina, and Marty Katzen sailed his Hunter 23, Maggie B, with Isabel.   Mike and Kristel Adair brought their kayaks, but we missed them by minutes.   We started to head for the marina around 2:30 or 3 PM and were all de-rigged by about 4:00 o’clock.   Some friendly sailors told us that a good place to eat was Becker’s, just a few miles down the road from the lake.   It turned out to be the perfect spot for a few beers and a relaxing dinner for some scruffy sailors who desperately needed to get refreshed from the heat and excitement of the day.   While de-rigging Michele and I discovered that one of our spreaders broke while we were putting the mast on its supports.   Had it broken while sailing we might have de-masted.   You can never check your rigging too often.  

We made it back home by about 8 PM, greeted by our Border Collie who was very happy to see us.   After parking the boat and unloading our gear we recounted the events of the day, and both agreed…..it was a perfect day of sailing.

Joe Rutolo

Please check this category often to see where BMSA is planning to have Vagabond sailing trips and to read summaries of these events.

Babe was one of four boats signed up for the vagabond. My crew was Henry Borneman and we went down on Friday morning. We had reserved a slip for Friday and Saturday night at Baltimore Marine Center a mega marina if there was ever one. We headed for Canton Waterfront Park which seemed to be the closest to the marina. We had never used this ramp and we found the ramp to be very usable but the parking was rather disorganized. Except for a big cruiser which had just came out there was no other boat traffic. We stepped the mast and otherwise prepared the boat for launching right in front of the ramp. We set out for our ten minute boat ride to the marina. The wind was gusting to 30+ knots so we decided to check out the marina and headed to our assigned slip. After signing in and with the marine forecasts calling for no letup in the wind we opted to not sail. We then heard from Donna that due to the weather she and John would not be sailing over from Rock Hall until Saturday morning. She also had heard from Neil and Judith that they were holed up in the Rhode River waiting for better weather to head north and would not be able to join us before tomorrow if at all. With Marty and Isabel not scheduled to come until Saturday we were to be alone for the day. Henry and I walked the waterfront in Fell’s Point and that evening had a nice meal at Momma’s on the Half Shell in Canton. Despite a continuing wind we slept well in our slip. The next morning we showered, ate, and contacted Donna who said they were a couple miles from the entrance to the Patapsco. So under lighter winds we sailed out to meet them. Despite several calls trying to pinpoint their location and sailing beyond the Key Bridge they managed to get by us without our seeing them! On our way back in we hooked up with Marty and Isabel in the waters off Fort McHenry. With the winds dying we decided to return to the slip and take in the Fell’s Point Festival. So back we went to the waterfront for the festival. The festival was composed of booths of food and crafts. Outdoor bars and bands were scattered throughout. There were thousands of mostly young people milling about. We returned to meet up with Donna, her mother, and John on their boat for cocktail hour. Marty and Isabel came over on their dinghy to join us. That night we returned to Canton to eat dinner at a street side café across from Momma’s. Upon returning to the boat we enjoyed the fireworks over Ft. McHenry. Sunday dawned with strong winds again. Donna and John took off early to make their way back to Rock Hall while Henry and I motored over to find Marty but they had already departed. So we motored into Inner Harbor for a look-see and then back to Canton Park. The Park was overrun with bicyclists but again no ramp traffic except us. It was a nice weekend with no rain but too much wind made sailing hard.

VAGABOND RECAP AUGUST 14-15

Our vagabond to Oxford, Maryland to see the log canoes racing on the Tred Avon came off as planned. However we were able to entice only two boats to make the trip- Tony and Mary Stajkowski on Coventina and Rom Hrabak and myself on Babe. Conrad and Barb Vanino drove down to join us for dinner Saturday night. Our trip down on Saturday morning was uneventful. We made a quick stop in Galena to pick up permits for the ramp at Bellevue. Bellevue is a good ramp although it has limited parking. We got lucky with returning fisherman in late morning. We spent Saturday sailing the Tred Avon taking in the sights of the log canoes and the one design races going on everywhere. We entered Town Creek to find our slips at Hinckley Marina. We were assigned to the floating docks alongside the swimming pool.

Saturday night we went exploring – first the Tred Avon Y.C. who threw open their facility to all comers. It was fun walking the docks to chat with a crew from one of the canoes and to walk the yard checking out all the one designs. Opting to eat at Schooners we headed over to find the waterside bar and restaurant jumping with live music and lots of people enjoying the weekend festivities. After the walk back to the boats it didn’t take long to hit the sack!

Sunday was overcast with strong winds. The one designs were out in force and the log canoes ran a race of attrition. Of the dozen and a half canoes only nine ventured out and one promptly capsized. The eight canoes ventured out of sight onto the Choptank to start and run their race. The finish line was set up on the Tred Avon and when they came back in sight for the run to the finish there was only three still sailing and one of those capsized on the run up the river! After having sailed up and down the Tred Avon about eight or nine times we decided to call it a day and head in. We managed to get the boats knocked down for the trip home before the rains came down while we had lunch under the pavilion. It was a fun weekend and I’m already looking forward to the fall cruise to Fairlee and Rock Hall September 10-12. Start making your plans!
Tom Stoner