More Delaware Ducker

Last week, got the 1/2 hull shellacked.  I decided to add the stems and keel lastly. Stems are cherry. Keel mahogany. Female cardboard station profiles were great for checking for proper lines. Without proper gouges (I've since ordered some), the last sneaking up on the lines took some sanding ... quite a bit. Anyway, now I've a true study model, some inspiration for the real thing and if not, wall art.

Finito! ... or is it? I've another idea ...

  

More on another day.

A Long Winter's Nap

It is official now. Luna is under wraps for the remaining winter. I bought 3 tarps, six 2x3's and one 2x4 and headed to Mobjack with my big ball of string. The temps started in the teens and warmed to the mid 40's. There was a good breeze with sun. Had the canvas not been removed, we would have gone sailing. After removing the booms, forward hatch and companionway doors, a sturdy framework was fashioned to support the tarps. Coverage was good save for the aft tarp which got sort of bunched. I'll rework that one on my next visit.

Here are a couple pics of the cabinets and interior I've been fixing. Galley is to port with a single burner butane stove. Chart table is to starboard. Two drawers for the galley. One for the chart table. 

Both have lift off counters made from a chestnut oak tree we dropped in our yard a couple years ago. The rest is mahogany. This greatly improves the old cabinets for storage and efficiency. I may write up more when that project is complete. Here are the counters tops. Fiddles are on 3 sides. there are storage bins all the way outboard.

With the boat pieces brought home, there will be plenty of varnish work to get a start on before late March for haul out. That will be here before we know it. Good. It is hard to visit Luna and not go. It is going to be a good year.

Swinging Party: the Real Last Sail of 2015

Yesterday I went down to check on Luna and remove her canvass. The temps proved too tempting. T-shirt weather, sun and a stiff breeze. It was awesome. Though now a dream, I hope it sustains until Spring. The scent of water and land, and warmth of the sun are absent here, but you'll get the drift ...

A Thankful Sail

For the two days before Thanksgiving, my daughter and I took what may be the last overnight in Luna as the season is closing. We had intended to start Monday, but weather (freezing temps) and schedules weren't encouraging.

To make the "log" short, we left the slip under sail on a gentle WSW breeze, slipped down River, crossed Mobjack, and nosed into Browns Bay. Our dinghy Gigi was in tow.

crossing Mobjack

Lunch was a good ale and turkey wraps prepped by "Matey".

ale

galley work

wrap

The late Fall sun was low and brilliant, coloring the marsh grasses and evergreen pines. Once in Browns Bay, distracted by the view, we nudged Luna onto a mud bank as the ebb tide was 30 minutes from low. Two sailors on the bow and a winding outboard weren't sufficient to push the long keel towards deeper water. Pulling out the 16# claw, I rowed out 75 yards to set the anchor.

off to kedge an anchor *

laying the rode *

return trip *

Back at the boat, a firm tug on the rode set us free. Shortening the line, we decided to anchor for the evening. We had a good evening listening to music and watching the sun set.

patina

I thought leaving the mizzen would allow Luna to follow Gigi, but the wind dropped to nothing and the dinghy began kissing the bigger boat. Therefore, we arrested the dink against the starboard side where it stayed quietly for the night.

dinghy, be still.

The evening was fine. Dinner with the new galley cabinets worked well. Sleep came around 8:00, way too early, but he freezing temps drive one to the warmth of the sleeping bags.

rising moon

Matey

jet trails

silouhette *

a hat in the making *

The next morning after some hot oatmeal and coffee, we motor back across the still bay to check out Pepper Creek. Loons, scoters and coot make their appearance as we slide along. 

outside Pepper Creek

Once in the creek we are greeted by a setter on a pier. Somewhat confused by our encouraging voices, he barks out warning while wagging his tail. As we turn around in front of him we stick bottom. Should have listened to Rover. This time the dinghy pulls Luna off by the tail.

Pepper Creek entrance

guard dog *

no wind *

The breeze freshens once we leave the creek. We raise all sails and pass a boat "drudging" for oysters as we begin the beat up into the East River home.

"drudging" and cat napping

Here's a short take on the smooth reach home.

Happy Thanksgiving!

* photos by A Girl Named Leney.

A Simple Afternoon

About two weeks ago, my daughter and I finally coordinated schedules to sail Luna together. She was there last spring to help survey and haul Luna home, but hadn't seen her in the water, much less take a sail. Well, with a perfect 8-10 kt breeze, a camera and picnic lunch, we shoved off across Mobjack and into the Severn and back. Simple. Just right. I'll let the photos tell the rest.

a bow

the tack

lazy afternoon

lazy skipper

raising the pennant

a girl

watching the bow wake

All photos but the last 2 are hers.  Lastly, a short video of mine.

Mobjack, Ware, East

Yesterday was fantastic. My oldest boy is just back from working at a dude ranch this summer, and like music to my ears, he asked to go sailing. I couldn't think of a better idea. He got no protest from this old sailor. We went and had one of those rare August days, easy temps, good breeze, and a lunch in the cooler. Darn near perfect.

Cowboy

We're still struggling with getting Luna out of her berth when driving NE winds force her back in. This go-round we used our small 2hp Honda thinking its ability to swivel 180 degrees would provide reversing action and drag us out of the slip. Initially successful, the progress degraded as the wind won by grabbing the stern. We had no real steerage. So, like last outing we docked on the outer berth, but this time with jib and jigger we slipped to weather past a crumbling wharf and into the clear.

"Dory": a Cape Dory 28

Aside from a marina mate, "Dory", there were no boats out there. With winds 12-15 kts we rushed out of East River on a run, jibed and sailed to port out past New Point. There it got windy (18-20 kts) and lumpy quick. The standing NE wind bucked outgoing tide producing short, quick 6' seas. Reefing the main settled things down. Dropping the main altogether may have been a better decision. After 20 minutes of taking our lumps, we turned back into Mobjack and reached far up into the Ware River. Pretty. I look forward to seeing this river in the Fall.

siesta

As we turned, the crew was quick to catch up on shut eye.

The reach was strong across Mobjack into Ware River.

wet decks

sweet rig

slicing through 

colorful

my good buddy

The day ended with a beat back up the East River watching the sunset. As I said, a fantastic day.

no complaints.