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The CruiserApril/May 2008
From the Helm . . . The season got off to its official start with our Spring Meeting/Luncheon on April 5, at The Yacht Club Restaurant in Chesapeake City. It is a great little “historic storefront” restaurant in the middle of town that we had all to ourselves. The food and service were excellent. For those that didn’t make it I am curious about the reasons. Of course we all have conflicts with social event scheduling but, if the reason had anything to do with the geographic location, type of event, time of day, etc., I would be happy to hear from you. We seem to get the same group of people at our events and would like to hear suggestions that would get some of our lesser-seen membership involved. We were pretty well able to firm up our raft schedule for the season with the exception of a couple of undecided dates. If anyone has something they would like to see on our schedule, it isn’t too late. As always, keep an eye on our website for up to date info. We are currently exploring the possibility of an extended venture for August that would take us through the C&D Canal, down the Delaware Bay to Cape May, up to Somers Point/Ocean City and end up in Atlantic City. The return trip would be the reverse. Expected time would be 8+/- days. Watch for more details on our website (www.C36Fleet3.com). Please feel free to contact Ann and Bob or me if you have any interest in joining us for the trip North, have any suggestions for additional Summer events, or would like to volunteer to host a Fleet function. Since Bonnie Dew stayed in the water in Rock Hall this winter we were able to get a head start on the season. Merlin with Tom and Wanda Vail, and Bonnie Dew actually rafted in Swan Creek with near 80 degree weather on the 18th of April! It was downright hot during the day but it did chill off over night. We took Bonnie Dew to Annapolis on another beautiful day April 26, but had rain that night and a chilly, cloudy ride back the next day. Oh well, that’s how it works I guess. We did have a bit of decent sailing though. We will look forward to seeing the Fleet on Memorial Day at the West River wine tasting. Hope you can make it.
Mike Harrison, Captain Bonnie Dew
From the Office of our Vice Fleet Captains, Ann Miller and Bob Halter
Anita Goes to the Doctor Upon returning from our Bahamas trip last year and spending quite a bit of time aboard ANITA during the ’07 season, it seemed prudent, after 1600 hours on the engine, to send her for a check-up and maintenance appointment. So, while sanding and painting and waxing at Tidewater Marina this spring, we gave our gal a new lease on life. Read’em and weep. Oil change & filter (by the
Capt.) $12.00 Diesel tune-up, parts and labor $446.00 Change impeller every 300-400 hrs if you use the engine every three or four days; if not, change every 200 hrs or every other year; Retorque head bolts, adjust valves, realign engine; Change freshwater coolant and transmission fluid; Check all shift and throttle linkages; check alternator output; Replace all fuel filters, parts and labor $124.00 Inspect exhaust elbow $165.00 (was removed and inspected but not replaced) Remove, clean, and inspect heat exchanger $190.00 Replace zinc and gasket; Remove starter and lube pinion drive $80.00 Remove, inspect, and replace cutlass bearing $298.00 (Also, I checked the sea water pump for leaks. If it needs to be replaced, the pump cost is $345.00.) We had our sails
repaired $315.00 (topstitching at stress pts)
Repairs to our canvas and salon cushions $45.00 New lettering for boat name/home port $56.00 Two gallons of Interlux Act @ $149 each $325.00 We sanded and repainted the bottom. After 1600 miles over the bottom, most of the ablative bottom paint was worn off (that’s what it’s supposed to do). Labor not included. (Can you say “back massage”?) TOTAL $2,360.00 With the above work performed, we look forward to many hours of trouble-free boating; that is, until the next thing goes “clunk”. Now, about those leaking hatches… Ann and Bob, Anita
For the 2008 Event and Raftup Calendar see our Events Page
EVENT DETAILS: Memorial Day It’s time again for our annual Memorial Day Raft Up, hosted by Bill and Sally Jack aboard the Sally J Please join the Jacks and other Fleet 3 members for the Annual Memorial Day Raft Up and Wine Tasting. Bring an appetizer and a bottle or two of wine and head to the West River. The Sally J will be anchored off Galesville in the West River on Saturday, May 24th by 2 PM. If the weather cooperates and there is interest, we will hook up at a mutually agreed upon site for a second night on Sunday. As per Fleet 3 protocol, we will be monitoring Channel 72 on the VHF or can be reached by cell phone (412-719-9430). This is always a great time to catch up with friends and kick off a new boating season. Hope to see you there! Sally and Bill, Sally J
Cruise on Down to Bodkin Creek! Come join Pete and Susan Econ on Bodkin Creek on June 7th. Bodkin is a quiet creek at the mouth of the Patapsco. Many sailors aren't aware of Bodkin. This is a good opportunity to find out what you've been missing. Let us know if you plan to come. Home number - 410-997-8732 Directions- Bodkin Creek is on the south side of the mouth of the Patapsco. After entering Bodkin Creek, turn to starboard after passing red marker 12 and proceed up Main Creek. We will be 1/2 mile past the fuel dock that you will pass to port. Moonstruck (a Hunter with a Catalina affinity) will be anchored around Jubb Cove. Call us on channel 72 when arriving. See you there! Susan and Pete Econ, Moonstruck
Enjoy a Midsummer Nights Eve with Merlin on the Corsica Since ancient times, the summer solstice has been a time of tribal gathering and celebrating the beginning of summer on the longest day of the year, June 21st. Where better to be than on the Corsica River with our C36 Fleet III friends? Our sun will rise at 5:38 AM that day to insure an early start on this trip. Enjoy a great day of sailing to the Chester River and into the mouth of the Corsica. Activate your radio jammers as you head for red nun “2” that marks Town Point and is just off the Russian Embassy. Then tune to VHF channel 72, giving us a call for final rafting suggestions. Start looking for Merlin off to port in the next bight. If the wind and swinging room is right, we can enjoy a fabulous 8:34 PM sunset from this vantage point. For the night owls amongst us, expect our waning full moon to rise at 10:53 PM. Our anchor will be set by 4:00 PM with plans to gather for sundowners and summer-themed snacks at 6 PM. For those wishing to enjoy a nice evening dinghy ride, the Centerville Landing is easily reached near the head of the Corsica. The landing gets you within an easy walk to the center of this quaint town. Dinner in Centerville is always an option. The crew of Merlin is looking forward to enjoying this beautiful place and the summer solstice with you. Please let us know if you plan to attend at vailte@msn.com or 302-383-4064. As always, last minute decisions are more than welcome. After all, that’s all part of sailing! See you for the “Midsummer’s Nights Eve” on the Corsica River. Wanda and Tom Vail, SV Merlin
4th of July fireworks extravaganza on the water Join us for two spectacular fireworks displays to celebrate our nation’s birth. Two nights on the hook, Friday July 4 and Saturday July 5, with a short jaunt between the Tred Avon and the Choptank and we can enjoy both Oxford’s and Cambridge’s displays. Circle these dates on your calendars. We’ll have more specific details on our website: www.c36fleet3.com as the time approaches and check your mail for the reminder postcard. Barbara and Jeffrey Banks, HMS Fox
Caravan to the casinos Watch for details of our first-ever Fleet cruise to Atlantic City in mid-August. Those joining us will travel north in the Chesapeake, traverse the C&D Canal, and head south via the Delaware Bay to New Jersey and back again. Enjoy raftups and marinas along the way. Start saving your coins now for the slot machines!
SWF (Aquilo) seeks partner for sailing adventures If anyone knows of a responsible sailor without access to a boat, please let me know. My use of Aquilo over the past several years has been sporadic at best, but I'd rather not sell her. An option I'd like to consider is to find someone who would like to sail her half of the time and share the maintenance and docking costs. Aquilo is a 1985 model in good, but not pristine, condition. She is berthed at Georgetown Yacht Basin on the Sassafras River. Call me at home(215-238-9349) or on my cell (215-280-1870). David Pierson
North from New Bern The Gierschs will soon be coming North to the Bay aboard Encore. They would enjoy an opportunity to spend some time with members of Fleet III. If you’re going to be able to catch up with them in their travels feel free to contact them on their cell phone (252-617-2244). Their itinerary is as follows: May 8 depart from North Carolina for journey north to the Chesapeake via the ICW May 14 - 19 north on Chesapeake (Mobjack Bay, Rappahannock, Urbanna) May 20 - To Piankatank River and Stan & Cheryl Coloff's dock May 25 - Depart Piankatank, destination Mill Creek in Reedville May 26 & 27 - Solomons May 28 – West River May 29 - 31, June 1 - Annapolis area June 2 - 4 - Cruise Chester River June 5 - Destination Shaw Bay (Wye River, near St. Michaels) June 6 - St. Michael's June 7 -10 - Cruise Wye River, Knapps Narrows, Oxford and Tred Avon River June 11 - St. Michaels to provision and head south
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