Foreign Affair Sailing

Cecil and Elena of S/V Sophia came by to help us bend on our sails.  We first met them in Nassau, The Bahamas where their boat was docked in the slip next to us.  We became good friends while hole up in the marina waiting out bad weather.  Elena taught Carla how to make cracked conch.  Later, we ran into them at St. Augustine.  We were both heading north and sailed up the Florida coast together.  They ducked in at the St. John's River while we continued on to Georgetown, South Carolina.  It was a fun reunion despite the fact that work was involved.  It is just part of the cruising life-style.  We hope to be able to spend more time together just relaxing rather than working on boats.

Allan and Linda of S/V Sea Shadow dropped by this morning for a quick visit before heading off to the marina restaurant for breakfast.  Allan took us under his wing when we first arrived in Herrington Harbour back in April, 2015.  He was the proud owner of a Catalina 320 at the time and now owns a Catalina 387 which is very similar to our Catalina 380.  Dwayne last saw them when he took a mooring in Annapolis back in June, 2017.  Once again, it was a happy reunion.  They helped us out by giving us a ride to Columbia where we will rent a car to cross over to Rock Hall and recover our car from the Haven Harbour Marina and drive back to Herrington Harbour.  It will be nice to have wheels again.  It really helps to have friends in many places.

We cast off at 1000 on a bright sunny day.  Winds were from the south at 10 knots when we reached the deeper water off Rock Hall.  Dozens of sailboats were already enjoying a wonderful day in ideal sailing conditions.  Winds built to 15 knots by noon.  We estimate there were close to 100 fishing boats anchored or trolling just north of the Bay Bridge and near Sandy Point Light.  There was a lot of boat traffic passing under the Bay Bridge.  It was bitter sweet to think we were going under it for what most likely will be the last time.  Hundreds of sailboats were sighted off Annapolis, "The Sailing Capital of America".  We altered course some to pass close to the Thomas Point Light which is the only Chesapeake Screw Pile lighthouse left on the Bay in it original location.  Finally, we arrived at Herrington Harbour with its huge American flag flying on a tall flagpole at the breakwater entrance.  We took our place at the very end of K Dock which was exactly the perfect place to be showing a boat for sale.  It was a fun day on the water and good to know Foreign Affair was in great shape, ready for more adventures.

Foreign Affair finally returned to the water after being laid up for the winter.  It was a sunny day with moderate temperatures which made it a festive occasion.  The marina was busy with people working and partying on their boats at the start of the Memorial Day weekend.  We were one of the first to launch for the day which was nice as we were able to celebrate by having dinner and drinks at the marina restaurant while we relaxed for the evening.  We will cast off tomorrow for a run down the Bay to Herrington Harbour South where we will take a slip until we have a buyer for Foreign Affair.

We continued to work on our pre-launch checklist.  We lowered the dinghy off Foreign Affair's front deck using a spare halyard.  Carla spent part of the day cleaning the dinghy.  Dwayne continued to compound and wax the hull.  We were lucky to have the use of a tall ladder and a nearby boat to assist with getting high enough to attach the block and tackle to the davit.  Using the ladder, Dwayne was able to climb aboard the yacht behind us and reach over the pulpit far enough to attach the block and tackle to one side of the davit.  For the other side, Dwayne attached himself to the outboard motor hoist by securing the hoist's lifting hook to his belt. He then climbed to the very top of the ladder and by stretching out, he could attach the block and tackle to the davit. Carla used the outboard motor lift to keep him from falling off the ladder.  Where there is a will, there is a way.  Still much to do before the launch.

We stopped at Mount Washington Tavern and Fort Necessity on our way back to Maryland.  The tavern is was a stage stop and inn located on the National Road which was the major highway connecting the western frontier with the east.  The tavern dates back to 1830 and sits on land once owned by George Washington.   http://www.scenicusa.net/071112.html

Dwayne's mother passed away at age 95.  She had a stroke as she was going to bed after watching a Brewer's baseball game.  He spoke to her during the game and she was in good spirits and all seemed normal.  She lived a good life and was independent and mentally alert until her final hours.  We headed to Wisconsin for her funeral and stopped at the Tippecanoe Battlefield in Battle Ground, Indiana on the way.

Carla spent the day refinishing the navigation station desktop.  The finish was wearing thin and it was a project we had put off for a long time since we used the nav station daily.  It was time to restore the desktop.  Dwayne continued to work on the outside while Carla worked on inside projects.  He washed, compounded, polished and waxed Foreign Affair's hull.  This project took two full days to complete - a day for each side.  The stern will take another day since it has so many contours and a smaller buffer will have to be used.  Foreign Affair looks better than the day we bought her.

A major milestone was reached with the completion of repainting Foreign Affair''s bottom. We used Interlux Micron CSC bottom paint again as it performed well during our more than two years of travels.  The boat's bottom was amazingly clean when she was hauled in the fall.  A quick power wash was all that was needed before her lay up for the winter.  Two coats of Micron CSC were applied to the hull.  The propeller was sanded, primed and painted using Interlux Primocon Primer and Interlux Trilux 33 prop paint.  A new Martyr brand anode was installed  Foreign Affair was looking really good at the end of the day.  Doing the bottom is one dirty, tiring task.

It was back to work on Foreign Affair.  Carla refinished the crib boards while Dwayne sanded the bottom in preparation for new bottom paint.  Both projects took most of the day.  Carla put a second coat of waterproofing on the bimini while the wood sealer dried before applying varnish to the crib boards.  It was a long, warm day but much was accomplished.  We were tired but feeling good by sundown.  After taking showers, we relaxed on the marina's captain's lounge deck with our rum and coke.  Much still needs to be done before launching.  We still have a few day to complete the work.

Carla returned from her visit with family in North Carolina and after a day of rest, we headed to Frederick, Maryland to tour the area.  The National Museum of Civil War Medicine was very interesting.  Several battles were fought not far from Frederick and the city became a major clearing station for the wounded and had numerous hospitals caring for soldiers, both Union and Confederate.  The evolution of medical evacuation, care and treatment was presented through exhibits containing artifacts and photos of medical equipment and care facilities.  The museum itself was in a building which served as a hospital during the Civil War.  It was well worth the visit.

Pre-launch work continued with Dwayne dropping the anchors, inspecting and remarking the chain, washing out the chain locker and checking the windlass operation.  It was a very hot day again and dragging chain around the boat yard to lay it out was tiring.  A nap was required to overcome the fatigue and wait for cooler evening temperatures before work continued.  Dwayne headed to his brother's in Columbia after a bit of sorting out of items in the cabin.

Dwayne spent the day washing and waxing the cockpit, cabin top and propane locker.  He went to the hardware store for propane and Bacon's for parts.  It was a very hot day setting a record for hitting above 90 degrees.  A siesta was warranted during the hottest time of the day.  Slowly but surely, Foreign Affair is coming along.  Shes getting the spa treatment she deserves after over two years of cruising without a haul out for a complete work over.  She's starting to really shine again.