Orion off Stingray Point After a couple of days on the road from Florida, we parked the RV at our friend Steve’s house, and turned our attention to Orion. It was time to put her in the hands of a broker, and we had decided to move her to Annapolis. Spring cleaning would have to happen on an accelerated schedule, since we had to get underway north as soon as the weather allowed
Cleaning Up
We made our first trip to the dock at Joy’s Marina to check on Orion on Monday the 4th. It was the first of a seemingly endless string of blustery days. But luckily for us, it was a warm one. We scrubbed the deck and checked out the boat inside and out. She looked good, having fared well over the mild winter. But we needed to get her ready for the trip north and to look her best on the brokerage lot. With the weather forecast, we would have time to get her ready. We weren’t going to be able to go anywhere.
We made our first trip to the dock at Joy’s Marina to check on Orion on Monday the 4th. It was the first of a seemingly endless string of blustery days. But luckily for us, it was a warm one. We scrubbed the deck and checked out the boat inside and out. She looked good, having fared well over the mild winter. But we needed to get her ready for the trip north and to look her best on the brokerage lot. With the weather forecast, we would have time to get her ready. We weren’t going to be able to go anywhere.
Over the next few days, Cathy began prepping and re-applying Cetol to the exterior teak. Having scheduled a Coast Guard inspection, our pre-check revealed the light at the top of the mast was out. That meant a trip up to replace it. Luckily it was just a bulb that was out. Cathy used the trip back down to look for any problems and didn’t find any. When the inspector arrived a few days later, Orion passed easily. Meanwhile Dave turned his attention to the engine and batteries. After topping off the water in the batteries, we plugged the boat in and they took a good charge. Before starting the engine for the first time in a while, we had the bottom cleaned. The engine started fine with the freshly charged batteries and the now-clean prop.
But to head up the bay, we would need to live on the boat for a few days. That required more systems be made operational. The fresh water tanks were flushed of antifreeze, wiped down on the inside and sanitized with bleach. Once topped off, the water was drinkable again. Dave plumbed the hot water heater back into line. The fridge was turned on. We tested the stove top and oven. For comfort underway, Cathy hung the bimini, waterproofed it and hung the forward panels of the enclosure. In the process, one of the windows developed a crack in it. So Cathy pulled out the sewing machine to replace the Strataglass. Love that Sailrite. Dave checked the instruments and discovered a loose connection that, once secured, restored the depth and boat speed.
In final preparation, we provisioned with food and supplies, added diesel, and made sure we had enough tools to make any (hopefully unnecessary) repairs. In our spare time, we studied the weather for the trip. The winds just weren’t letting up. Days of NE 15 to 20. When would we be able to leave? While we waited, Cathy continued with the Cetol and waxing the upper deck. Unexpectedly, we woke up Thursday, April 14th and there was a slight break. Yes, it was still NE 15 to 20 in the southern bay, but if we plowed through that, we would be rewarded with light winds for the rest of the trip. If we waited, the weather further north was likely to deteriorate.
We decided this was our window.
But to head up the bay, we would need to live on the boat for a few days. That required more systems be made operational. The fresh water tanks were flushed of antifreeze, wiped down on the inside and sanitized with bleach. Once topped off, the water was drinkable again. Dave plumbed the hot water heater back into line. The fridge was turned on. We tested the stove top and oven. For comfort underway, Cathy hung the bimini, waterproofed it and hung the forward panels of the enclosure. In the process, one of the windows developed a crack in it. So Cathy pulled out the sewing machine to replace the Strataglass. Love that Sailrite. Dave checked the instruments and discovered a loose connection that, once secured, restored the depth and boat speed.
In final preparation, we provisioned with food and supplies, added diesel, and made sure we had enough tools to make any (hopefully unnecessary) repairs. In our spare time, we studied the weather for the trip. The winds just weren’t letting up. Days of NE 15 to 20. When would we be able to leave? While we waited, Cathy continued with the Cetol and waxing the upper deck. Unexpectedly, we woke up Thursday, April 14th and there was a slight break. Yes, it was still NE 15 to 20 in the southern bay, but if we plowed through that, we would be rewarded with light winds for the rest of the trip. If we waited, the weather further north was likely to deteriorate.
We decided this was our window.
Red buoy off Fort Wool Heading North
In record time, we packed up, closed up the RV (which included defrosting the freezer), picked up some last minute groceries and headed to the boat. From the time we first woke up to the time we pulled out of the slip was only 3 hours. We were finally underway.
The forecast was, for once, very accurate. As we rounded Old Point Comfort and turned north, the wind and waves were were working together to take a toll on our speed. Our only company was the cargo ships and tugs working their way north and south. Luckily, the part of the forecast that had the winds diminishing was accurate as well. By mid-afternoon, we had picked up speed and Orion was no longer taking waves over the bow.
We were hoping to make it to Annapolis in 2 days instead of the normal 3. How far could we get this first day? Deltaville? Mill Creek on Great Wicomico? Reedville? What about Indian Creek? We could see Rusty and Joy. A quick exchange with them gave us access to a dock at their yacht club, but unfortunately no facetime. They were busy this evening and we had to leave before dawn. We were tying up to the dock as the sun slipped below the horizon. It quickly started to get cold. Having eaten while underway, we just took showers and crashed.
In record time, we packed up, closed up the RV (which included defrosting the freezer), picked up some last minute groceries and headed to the boat. From the time we first woke up to the time we pulled out of the slip was only 3 hours. We were finally underway.
The forecast was, for once, very accurate. As we rounded Old Point Comfort and turned north, the wind and waves were were working together to take a toll on our speed. Our only company was the cargo ships and tugs working their way north and south. Luckily, the part of the forecast that had the winds diminishing was accurate as well. By mid-afternoon, we had picked up speed and Orion was no longer taking waves over the bow.
We were hoping to make it to Annapolis in 2 days instead of the normal 3. How far could we get this first day? Deltaville? Mill Creek on Great Wicomico? Reedville? What about Indian Creek? We could see Rusty and Joy. A quick exchange with them gave us access to a dock at their yacht club, but unfortunately no facetime. They were busy this evening and we had to leave before dawn. We were tying up to the dock as the sun slipped below the horizon. It quickly started to get cold. Having eaten while underway, we just took showers and crashed.
Sunrise leaving Indian Creek Departing at first light, we were treated to light winds from the west. Although they shifted northeast, there was nothing like Thursday’s bashing. As we passed Smith Point to begin the Potomac crossing, the winds were light and the water like glass. We were making great time. Maybe we could make Annapolis tonight after all. We decided on a go/no-go point just south of the Patuxent NAS targets. It was looking good for an arrival just before sunset.
However, by the time we were at the Navy targets, the engine had stalled and we were adrift. A quick call to our mechanic confirmed what Dave had suspected. Since the Racor filter bowls were clear and changing filters had not had any effect, we assumed the problem was the on-engine filter, which hadn’t been changed before the trip. We took advantage of our BoatUS towing insurance to be towed into Zahniser’s in Solomon’s. Although it was just before closing, their engine mechanic was soon on board changing the filter and confirming that the problem was simply the older fuel that had been in the filter. We were good to go.
Our unexpected arrival in Solomons happened to coincide with the Tiki Bar season opening – a BIG event for the community. The roads were closed and the sidewalks clogged with patrons. The docks just off the bar were also filled with partiers. It was something to see. Not normally our thing, but we did manage to find some amazingly good ribs when we investigated.
However, by the time we were at the Navy targets, the engine had stalled and we were adrift. A quick call to our mechanic confirmed what Dave had suspected. Since the Racor filter bowls were clear and changing filters had not had any effect, we assumed the problem was the on-engine filter, which hadn’t been changed before the trip. We took advantage of our BoatUS towing insurance to be towed into Zahniser’s in Solomon’s. Although it was just before closing, their engine mechanic was soon on board changing the filter and confirming that the problem was simply the older fuel that had been in the filter. We were good to go.
Our unexpected arrival in Solomons happened to coincide with the Tiki Bar season opening – a BIG event for the community. The roads were closed and the sidewalks clogged with patrons. The docks just off the bar were also filled with partiers. It was something to see. Not normally our thing, but we did manage to find some amazingly good ribs when we investigated.
Rockfish fisherman leaving Solomons On Saturday morning, as we made ready for another pre-dawn departure to Annapolis, we found we were not alone. Leaving Solomons was a steady stream of fishing boats – all sizes and speeds. It was all we could do to get a space to get off the dock. By the time we reached the bay, it was apparent there were hundreds. It was the first day of Rockfish trophy season. What we didn’t know, but quickly learned was that you fish for Rockfish by trolling. So these myriad boats were all in motion at about sailboat speed, with 2 floats drifting anywhere from 30 to 300 feet behind them on either side. It was like maneuvering north through a slow motion video game. And despite seeing an endless stream of these guys on the water, we never saw anyone pull a fish in.
Navy sailors racing off the Naval Academy By early afternoon, we were dodging sailboat racers instead of fisherman as we made our way to the mooring field off the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Cathy had used the calm conditions on the trip north and our stay on the mooring to finish the Cetol on the caprails that were (mostly) free of lines. We hailed the water taxi and made our way to shore amid another throng of tourists and locals enjoying a beautiful spring day on Market St off Ego Alley. We discovered Sophia’s Crepes just behind the harbormaster’s office that had an amazing nutella crepe. And for the first time, we tried Chick N Ruth’s crab cakes. We had to wedge ourselves into the restaurant to place our order, but the results were worth it.
Sunset over Annapolis Sunday morning early, we moved the boat over to Back Creek and pulled on to the Annapolis Yacht Sales dock so we could meet with Tim Wilbright and our new broker, Keith Mayes. After meeting with them, we took advantage of the floating dock to wax Orion’s hull. We had one more day to finish up on, more waxing and cleaning before signing the contract with Keith Tuesday morning. Orion was on the dock at Bert Jabin’s and would soon be hauled to “brokerage row”. She is now in good company with other Beneteau’s for sale and hopefully, the traffic generated will find the right buyer. Having done all we could to make her look her best, we headed south for Hampton.
Only this time, we were traveling by car.
Only this time, we were traveling by car.
Jason with GG Family Time in NC
We managed to have a couple of visits with Cathy’s sister Grace and her husband John who moved to Raleigh last year. We stopped while passing through on our way north and, taking a break from all the boat work, made a quick trip to celebrate our great-nephews’ birthdays. Grace’s youngest daughter, Ann, was visiting from South Korea with her little ones. Her visit was timed perfectly to celebrate the first birthday for the 2 youngest grandsons born with a couple of weeks of each other. And much of Cathy’s family from NC came for the celebration. It was good to see everyone, especially since we would have little time together this summer.
We squeezed in a brief visit with our daughter’s family and with our son’s family as well. It’s hard to get a summer’s worth of togetherness into a few days.
We managed to have a couple of visits with Cathy’s sister Grace and her husband John who moved to Raleigh last year. We stopped while passing through on our way north and, taking a break from all the boat work, made a quick trip to celebrate our great-nephews’ birthdays. Grace’s youngest daughter, Ann, was visiting from South Korea with her little ones. Her visit was timed perfectly to celebrate the first birthday for the 2 youngest grandsons born with a couple of weeks of each other. And much of Cathy’s family from NC came for the celebration. It was good to see everyone, especially since we would have little time together this summer.
We squeezed in a brief visit with our daughter’s family and with our son’s family as well. It’s hard to get a summer’s worth of togetherness into a few days.
