When we talked about buying a sailboat, I thought of warm, clear, blue water and swimming after sailing easily to our next anchorage. Who knew that a boat had so much canvas on board or that the constant motion of the ocean (or Bay) would create chafe or that the sun is fabric’s worst enemy. I had no idea I’d be sewing again. Some of you know that I was a Virginia Tech home economics major who ended up in business operations for a telecom carrier. The five-hour garment construction course in college will now be put back to use (who sews their clothes anymore?) creating and re-creating boat canvas items. Enter my Sailrite sewing machine in August 2010. I think we have now paid for it in saved labor costs which of course translates to me at the sewing machine and Anthony engineering “critical design elements”.

So far my projects have ranged from a 10 ft dinghy cover, winch covers (that’s why I learned pi = 3.14 in high school), repairs to the binnacle cover, redesign of the swim platform cover, fender covers, chafe guards out of Shelter Rite for lines, wind scoop, LifeSling cover, life ring cover, a cockpit organizer, “A2” burgee, Galaxy tablet cover (it has boat apps on it so it counts), and pillow covers.

This winter’s boat projects have been prioritized by the Captain to include: outboard engine cover, second wind scoop of a newly engineered design (read: Anthony didn’t like the wind cooling power of the first design), beginning the 15 port light curtain replacements, and the swim platform cover needs an adjustment.  The future also holds for me dinghy chaps, handhold covers, hatch covers, duvets…the list goes on…

In between priority boat projects, I’ve taken up a fun sewing project. I’m making tote bags out of recycled sails. These are very functional, lightweight, fold-able, and water-resistant. The handles are made of soft line and are attached using a sailor’s bowline knot through a grommet — hence their name — Bowline Bags.

I’ve added some pictures of my projects. I’d love to hear from other sewing sailors.

Annette

Jack, Kathy, the girls joined Annette and I for a sail on Saturday. We had lets describe them as “spirited” conditions which allowed our girl (Magnolia) to really stretch her legs for a gallop across the Chesapeake Bay. We sailed along on a broad reach well into 7knt territory. We even touched 8knts once which is the fastest we have seen in the Bay. The Tennar girls were not enjoying the boat motion nearly as much as the adults so we made a quick beeline back to the dock. We managed to to get Magnolia back in here slip safely even with the aforementioned “spirited” wind conditions. I even found out why we have the big 52 winches on the back deck…to crank the boat up to the pier when the wind is blowing you off!

As indicated in the title, there is always a wound. I managed to slip in the companionway and face dive the hatch cover. As you can see there is a band-aid across my nose.

Once back at the slip we made a nice dinner and watched a a movie, “Captain Ron” of course! To add just one more thing, Verizon went on strike Saturday night so Annette and to be up off the boat at 5 to work. She will be working 12 on 12 off for the duration of the strike, well at least until day 10 when they give her a day off. I told her to quit whenever she wants, I am thinking we need a union! I better shut up and go to bed, be safe and fair winds and following seas to you all!

Holy Mollie! Is time getting past us! To catch up on the happenings around Magnolia, we have had a GREAT season so far and the best is yet to come! We had excellent wind right through early June right up to Magnolia’s christening which we performed on 25 June but I am getting ahead on myself.

Saturday June 4^th found us hosting Tony & Carol Haagar with Sr. Crewman Dan McAndrews aboard. As had been our luck Aelous the wind god sent a fine south wind which made for a nice sail across the bay. On our return back across the bay we did hold a small memorial service for Carols Father who had also been a Navy man. In honor of the occasion the Captain granted one serving of “Grog” for the crew.

The weekend of 11 June had been intended as an weekend anchorage for the crews of Capriccio and Magnolia. As it turned out the weatherman just did not cooperate but we were able to get a day sail and lunch in on each of the vessels. Not what we had planned but a good time none the less.

Saturday June 18^th was dedicated to getting Magnolia prepped for her big day the next weekend but we did hold a special meeting of the “Boys Night Out” (BNO) society aboard on the 19^th. In honor of auspicious occasion (and Annette would not give me the keys to Magnolia) spouses were invited to participate. It was again a great sailing day and the company better!

Saturday June 25^th began with a light breeze and partly cloudy, mostly sunny conditions, just perfect to christen Magnolia. With the Admiral & Magnolia’s Sponsors (Orpha – Annette’s Mother, Lavera – My Grandmother) there in spirit we successfully completed the official ceremony asking Aelous to send us kind winds and Neptune to look over us no matter the sea we sail. It was a great day to share with friends and for Annette and I to reflect on how far we have come and yet to learn.

(Annette’s niece drew the Magnolia for us as a gift. I scanned it and you see this very flower on our boat cards and shirts and all matter of Magnolia Swag)

(I told Annette, just make sure the bottle breaks, no worry there, she was SERIOUS)

The July 4th weekend was the first time that Annette and I actually took on crew.  Most people we have on board are friends along for the ride or experienced sailor that know their way around a cruising boat. This weekend was the first time Annette and I were expected to be the experienced ones. We sailed (actually motored – NO WIND) across to St Michaels and watched the fireworks on Saturday and then again motored down to Oxford, MD for the fireworks on Sunday. Everyone had a great time!

No more catching up posts, we will do better promise!

Magnolia and crew had a great sail over the Memorial Day weekend. Our friends Patricia and Brian joined us for the weekend. They previously sailed with us last Labor Day weekend and they STILL had the courage to come join us again! We departed the West River (Galesville, MD) Saturday morning with light south winds forecast. As it turned out we were much closer to a nice easy reach all the way up the bay arriving Little Queenstown Creek (Queenstown, MD). Magnolia sailed in the company of “Capriccio” with our friends Brenda & Wes onboard. As is often the case when two sailboats are near each other a friendly competition broke out as we headed into the Chester River above Kent Narrows. Did I mention that when we purchased Magnolia she had mounted in the saloon a Trophy Plaque indicating she won her class in the 1991 Biloxi, MS Regatta? Let us just say, she has lost nothing in the twenty years since! She averaged well above 5 knots and several times strutted her stuff above 7 knots. Our girl is not just good looking, she is fast too! The wonderful thing is we sailed out of the West River and right to the entrance at Queenstown (28 miles). I have to say, for a guy from Detroit, doing that is pretty darn cool.

Capriccio with her slightly shallower draft scouted the anchorage and found us a great spot to drop the hook (anchor) and then moored a long side. Another group of friends, Peter and Ann and family on Wind Song, sailed in aboard a charter catamaran and joined us in the anchorage. Everyone arrived well in time to enjoy a “sun downer” and a great pot luck aboard Magnolia. After a tour of the area in the dingy, firing of the cannon at sundown, and a cigar it was time to call it an evening.

Sunday morning greeted us with bright sun and a nice cool breeze. The breeze coming through the cabin made for a wonderful wake up call! After a filling breakfast (Did I mention that Patricia is French and learned to cook and bake the most wonderful food?) the “fleet” headed back south towards Annapolis and the Severn River. Sunday offered us a bit more wind (18-25 knots) affording us to really sail Magnolia. As we found coming from Florida, give her 23 knots, a double reefed main, a little jib and she gives you the easiest fast sail you could ask for! We did have a little challenge coming south in there was a fair 3-4 knot current to fight coming under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. We were forced to make a couple tacks right before and under the bridge which the crew executed flawlessly. (There was no way we were going to start the engine to simply sail under a bridge and the crew did not disappoint!) Entering the Severn River, we set the sails to for a wing-on-wing configuration (using a “preventer” line to force the main sail off the port side and sailing the jib on the starboard). Again we had a wonderful anchorage in Chase Creek with a “sun downer” and a wonderful potluck again aboard Capriccio.  We took a swim and dinghy ride.

Monday we awoke to what we knew was going to be a really hot day so the boats wasted no time in getting underway. Again the “Lucky Duck” (that’s me) won again with a great sailing wind out of the south east. We had an easy sail back to the west river with just a couple of tacks to miss ship and barge traffic. It was a great weekend with fun people, what more could you ask for?

Magnolia is under sail headed for the Wye River on the Eastern Bay.

Well ok, maybe only has far as the West & Rhode Rivers but at least we were able to break away from the slip! Its seems longer than it was to have Magnolia stranded on land for the winter. Finally Sunday afternoon Magnolia was ready for quick equipment checkout ride. Unfortunately upon leaving the dock we had everything but wind! Our friends Wes & Brenda decided to take a break from chores on their boat to catch some sun and let someone else do the driving for a while. Of course as soon as we decided to return to the dock the wind started to build out of the SSE which from a docking perspective is the worst direction! (Blows us into the slip and away from the dock) We managed okay (read as not exceptionally pretty) but it was our first underway of the season! 

It was a good winter in that we are chipping away on our overall Magnolia improvement list. This winter was marked primarily by safety improvements. We had an additional bilge overboard discharge installed, a fuel-water separator/filter relocated, and new anchor windlass with 275ft of 5/16 HT chain installed as primary and an upsized the Danforth on the secondary. In addition there were a number of outdated electronic instruments  that we had removed (can you say LORAN?).  Thankfully the stern of Magnolia no longer looks like a communications center that went awry! Annette did get up from her sewing machine once this winter, but she ran a BUNCH of fabric and thread through producing enough canvas covers to cover the USS Enterprise! Between LifeSling Covers, Fender Covers, Swim Platform Covers, Chaff Guards she has nearly worn her fingers to the bone!

Looking forward to seeing you on the water!

To celebrate our anniversary Annette and I planned a weekend trip to St Michaels, MD.  St Michaels is a lovely Eastern Shore town founded in the 1600’s with a history of trapping and tobacco production. During the War of 1812, towns people hoisted lanterns into the surrounding trees and the British Cannon fire landed harmlessly in the woods! In the 20th century, fishing and ship building has dominated the area. Really is a wonderful romantic get away!

Upon arriving St Michael harbor using the VHF Radio Annette requested a slip from the dock master. As luck would have it, the assigned slip was right in front of a restaurant featuring Alfresco dining. We managed, with Magnolia’s help to safely dock without any winds or currents sending us askew! Always the most embarrassing moments. As any boat owner will tell you, most days you watch the entertainment at the dock, but some days you are the entertainment! That day we were not, simply humble and thankful!

We enjoyed a lovely dinner and awoke to a spectacular view to of the harbor. With strong winds forecast it was time to cover the 25 miles and get back on our side of the bay before things got sporty.

The Admiral there looking cute in her Tilly Brimmed hat, the Captain appears to be ready to face the North Atlantic! Below red is the planned return track and the blue is the actual GPS recorded track. All cut corners were done with malice and for thought!

Ok, the Bay, but frequent readers know how much I love that phrase! We had wonderful early fall weather for a sail with two colleagues (retired Navy Captains, no pressure underway!) and their wives Leona and Betty. Bob, below left is the original Missile Monkey and has spent nearly 5 years trying to teach me missiles to some limited avail. Appreciate his dedication to the cause though. Rick like me is more Combat System person than Missile. A discussion of the difference is out of scope, “move it along Bake”.

Once we returned to Slip #66 appetizers were served in the cockpit followed by the “crew” taking us to dinner at the infamous Pirates Cove Restaurant!

What a great day, Betty, Leona, Rick and Bob thanks for joining us!

On Saturday we had the opportunity to have Annette’s brother-in-law (The sisters call all us brothers-in-law, “outlaws”) and her two nephews for an afternoon sail. Bob and the boys, Noah and Jake, seemed to thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  Aeolus (Greek Mythology God of the Winds) brought us a nice breeze so we were able to share the simple pleasure of traveling with the winds.

On Sunday we had the pleasure of Annette’s sister Trish and niece Laura and her “friend” Anthony.  Aeolus was not so kind to us on Sunday. We had “plenty-o” wind to the point where we would be stretching our experience level just a bit too much. None the less we had a nice lunch on board and Magnolia’s enclosure provided a nice respite from the elements.

Before departing for the weekend Annette did the final fitting of her dinghy cover for Blossom. After much work she declared the project complete at which time I mentioned how the binnacle cover needed some work… 🙂

The picture below was taken last evening about 2200 as winds from the west combined with a high tide nearly covers the dock. The dock was eventually covered ut I was back onboard. I wanted to make sure I could jump back up and not fall in. Did have one boat break its mooring ball and end up on the shore. A neighbor and I dropped the “dink” in the water and pulled her off before the tide went back out. Would have ended up laying on her side on shore….not good!

This picture was taken 18 hours after the previous. This is what things “should” look like. Have all the Cleckner Kids coming out for a sail this weekend. Shaping up to the a great weekend! Be Safe, all is well aboard Magnolia!