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Cat TalesMay 1998 |
Wayne Savage, Commodore
The CCYC 1998 Sailing Season
began with a bang! The Whitbread boats' visit to Baltimore and Annapolis had
everyone in the metro area thinking sailing, and we were right in the middle of
it. I'm sure most of us attended several events over the more than 10 days the
boats were here, with seemingly the entire population of Maryland watching the
start of leg 8 from the shore, the bridge, or from one of over 5000 boats on
the Bay.
We started off the race weekend with our successful IceBreaker
at Cindy's dock on Saturday afternoon. It was well attended; everyone had a
great time - and we had only slight drizzle. On Sunday everyone went in
different directions, with Joan and I accepting Bill Weeks invitation to join
him on Fortnight III to see the racers pass Thomas Point. As we entered the Bay
we joined up with Chantilly Lass and the Davis' who were on the same
trek.
What a great day! The sun was out, there was a 10-12 knot breeze,
and we had a great sail just getting to Thomas Point from Herrington Harbor.
When we arrived about 1:30 PM, boats were anchored everywhere and more were
milling around, waiting for the racers to get there. We spotted another CCYC
crew - Tim and Catherine Porter on Wester Ross. We became part of the milling
crowd, with Bill running zigzags around the anchored and moving boats. What a
sight!
However, in accordance with Bill's plan, we were in just the
right position when the first boats came past the lighthouse, and Bill fell
right in. We shadowed Silk Cut on a port tack for about 20-30 minutes on her
starboard bow with the sun to her back- in perfect position to take pictures
(As we all know from the Flag Raising Brunch) - and we took as many as we
could. Alas, that was only a few, as the film in our camera ran out
quickly.
What a thrill as the other colorful boats came past - sailing
at 7-8 knots in the light breeze, each with several Coast Guard, DNR or other
official boats clearing the way and the thousands of other boats jockeying for
position around them. Just the way to jump-start the 1998 sailing season.
Bill and Sharon Weeks, Fortnight III
We will
be in Dun Cove on Saturday night and Plaindealing Creek on Sunday night.
Fortnight III should have an anchor down by 2:00 PM on Saturday. We will be
standing watch on channel 69, 30 minutes past each hour, 3:30 to 7:30 PM each
evening.
Head for Knapps Narrows and stay in the channel leaving the
Narrows. Remember the marks switch colors on each end of the Narrows. After
leaving Knapps channel, turn left to approximately 020o; you are looking for a
red "4" and flashing green "5". Observe these marks, as it is thin if you miss
the channel. Once past the green "5", head 330o to the entrance to Dun Cove.
The only danger is the shallows off Seth Pt., don't get too close. Fortnight
III will have an anchor down by 2:00 PM Saturday afternoon.
Plaindealing
Creek is opposite Oxford on the Tred Avon. We will leave Dun Cove at about noon
and that will put us in Plaindealing Creek by 4:00 PM. We plan to stop in
Oxford and have an ice cream cone on the way.
See you on the water.
Sue Dennison & Joan Savage
All CCYC women
wanting to learn more about boat handling, this is your chance. Most women find
learning to drive a car or learning to sail with their husband or significant
other as their teacher is learning the hard way. Learning with other women is
fun. You will find you know more than you think, and you are a much better
sailor than you thought.
Learning to trust yourself and your boat will
help you become a more comfortable shipmate. Preparing yourself for any
emergency is important. Safety increases with your knowledge and ability.
Sailing is something women can do and do well. CCYC 's women becoming
experienced, knowledgeable sailors is our 1998 goal.
Please call Joan
Savage (301-762-6752) or Sue Dennison, (301-262-4985) if you are interested in
participating in CCYC's women's sailing weekend. We have knowledgeable women
skippers with years of experience ready and able to help you learn. We have
scheduled a pre-trip meeting May 31st to discuss destinations, logistics and
crews. The meeting will be at Sue Dennison's house at 5:00 PM. Please call Sue
with your plans to attend this meeting and for directions. It's important to
plan this event so everyone will have fun and learn more about sailing.
Michael Davis, Editor
Everyone is encouraged to
submit articles for the newsletter. These can be articles about fixing up your
boat, a general interest sailing "how to" or a recent sailing adventure. You
can send the article to me via email or snail mail or give it to me at the next
CCYC event.
For Raft Captains, it's important for you to send me a
description of your plans before a raft-up and then a narrative of how the
raft-up went.