The Salt Pondians

A wonderful excursion from Salt Ponds to home plate.  Northeast wind tailed us all the way home.  Cruised across the channel and then west over the tunnel.  Sustained by intense pretzel nuggets filled with peanut butter.  New functionality discovered on GPS to provide direct steerage to destination, however, care required to ensure no portage across land is required.  Deep discussion of the potential for future medical R&B captains ensued.

The Matador's Cape

Again encountered one of the Yang Ming fleet, this time outbound.  These folks are everywhere.  Nice reach back into the marina.  Knee-padded Doc at the helm executed some wonderful matadorial curves around the six million crab pots to resounding "ole's". Defly executed 360 during sail take-down as Doc guided us smoothly into our home slip.

Smooth first sail of the season riding a tailwind up to Salt Ponds. Lots of jibe practice. Warm sunny Spring wowser. Doc v. Doc on tiller.  An unplanned jibe caught the attention and cheek of the she-Salt Pondian who demonstrated calm bravado and aplomb in response. Kept an eagle eye on one of the Yang Ming fleet ("Teamwork, Innovation, Honesty, and Pragmatism.") probably with a Dollar Tree load inbound to NIT. Cruised into Marina at high tide.   S.Ponds itself was NORDO due to previous night lightning strike.  Earlysville crew got the full experience and celebrated later at the Surfrider on Hampton Creek.

The tillerman bears close watching

A robust and energized 5-person boarding party joined the Blue Captain for a warm, overcast afternoon on the lower Bay.  Riding a rising tide and 10 kt winds from the NE, the R&B was underway before 1400.  We quickly raised sail (working jib) with the youngest crew member at the helm and enjoyed a brisk 2.5 hour tour of Willoughby Bay and Thimble Shoals Channel (vicinity of bell buoy No. 3).  

Many rapid fire orders were issued by the youthful helmsman in Nederlands language. Each was matched with quick action by the responsive although somewhat outspoken crew.  Doubts were frequently voiced about the tillerman's stability and judgment.  Controversial events from family history were revisited. There were periodic threats to throw selected members of the crew overboard.  However, it was clear this was a team, bonded together by humor and affection.  A joy to watch and hear.  

Points of sail were translated from one language to another. A possible NKor spy ship disguised as the Judith Ann head boat was observed. The crew saluted the 94K ton bulk-carrier MS Nymphe (Athens) inbound to Lambert's Point.  Rations of tasty sandwiches, small tomatoes and vino blanco were issued by the Cook to wide acclaim.  At last, the R&B cruised home to an uneventful return to port.

Kicked off the 2013 season as Met Man Mike's Sibling and BIL joined the Salt Ponds crowd for a fine morning sail in Willoughby Bay.  Underway around 9:30 with a fair SSW breeze.  The usual first day hijinks ensued - gas tank relief valve too tight, port jibsheet took wings (poor bowline), bonk on noggin from unplanned jibe, spilt brewski, lost hat, pressurized bladders.  Eventually things settled down to a demonstration of excellent helmsman awareness by BIL-Tim and Doc, neatly skirting through the crab pot obstacle course at speeds just short of R&B warp.  The day was saved by positive attitudes, chips and creamy dips from the Peninsula, and good humor all round.  Capped off by a visit to Sunset Grille.  We're ready for summer.  It started yesterday.

Tarheels in the Cockpit

Smashing afternoon sail with North Carolina crew including first timer.  Fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner and break in the cold weather emboldened the out of towners to put to sea.  Underway from NS Norfolk Marina at about 1440 into a 5 kt WSW wind  Cruised up to TS channel with a few other sailors in view and then back as the wind steadily increased.  Enjoyed the setting sun and brisk breeze in low traffic conditions.  Nattily dressed Dr at the helm from start to finish with The Rev handling the sheets.  Smoot RTB at around 5.  Christened the head with first lady customer.

Blue and Gold Captains bid farewell to Salt Ponds with a view of Doc on the Dock waving godspeed. Underway at 1045 we motored ahead of a 3 foot swell and 20 knot NE wind  Enjoyed some spread eagle time on the foredeck wrestling with  the jib  Arrived at home base around 1330 just as the rain started to fall..  Lunch at Chili's.

Underway with a crew of two around 1 p.m. for a lazy sail up to Salt Ponds. Target: the Burwellian Seafood Fest. Wind from SW at 10+ with a following sea. Eased up to TS channel and then over to the fishing fleet east of Ft. Wool. A few inadvertant jibes later and we were skimming north across the channel past Ft. Monroe and Buckroe. Lack of sustenance became of factor so some prostration to the tunes of JT's best helped to ease the quease. Turned into Salt Ponds around 2:45 p.m. arriving to cheers from the triple deck resort crowd on Channel Lane and a welcome Gator Flag. All turned out quite well in the end after a few Horse's Necks, Jack the chompin' cheerleader, some shrimp and fish, and a brilliant victory over the Cajun Tigers.

Marvelous morning on the water with the LaLo. Keeping the tradition of family day underway alive. Left the slip around 10 ish with a very light SW wind. We cruised out to the TS channel and found a few more knots eventually achieving 4+. The crewladies stretched out on the foredeck in alternating sun and shade for an easy few hours. Helmsman was rock solid and the Blue Captain manned the jib sheets. Upon RTB received multiple salutes from the Naval Base shore battery to celebrate a wonderful Fourth of July.

A fine morning on the water for the OpSail 2012 Parade of Sail. Underway just after 0800 in overcast skies and 10 kt winds from south. Cruised the southern edge of Thimble Shoals channel from Ft Wool to the Naval Base for three hours enjoying the outbound Naval vessels and Tall Ships. Action started slow with the "Gloria" from Columbia and the Brazilian "Cisne Branco". Then finally just before turning for the barn, they began to roll up the channel "Pride of Baltimore", "Virginia","Godspeed", "Cuauhtemoc" (complete with singing foredeck crew), "Guayas", "Esmeralda" and finally the "Kalmar Nyckel". Not to mention a slew of US,Canadian warships as well as the RFAS Argosy. All and all a beautiful show that really impressed the mates. Pulled sail back to main only and the R&B stabilized for a smooth ride. Best sailing experience this year.

A wonderful morning spent cruising around Thimble Shoals channel nimbly dodging merchants, tugs, and a frigate. Underway at 7:50, raised sail around 08:00 in westerly 7 kt winds and sunny skies. Watched the brand new Polaris J head outbound for Savannah filled with containers. After morning rations of tea and bacon sandwiches, ended up on north side of channel south of Hampton Bar steering to clear the path on an incoming warship from the east. Discussion among the captains noted a color and configuration that weren't of local origin. The frigate continued and launched a rigid hull which sped right toward the R&B. This prompted recognition of a mooring buoy to the west, and, realizing that our 25 foot sloop stood between the frigate and its destination we briskly headed south. As the security crew on speedboat discharged some anchormen onto the mooring, HMCS Ville de Quebec (FFH 332) breezed past looking somewhat stodgy but workmanlike in the morning sun. Under the NATO ensign, R&B crew felt obliged to provide an assessment of armament (raisonable), sensors (hmmm), air capability (small hanger), and prospects for liberty in OPSAIL 2012 (oh-no) and overall savoir faire (eh?). After a few circumnavigations and a wave to the VDQ crew, drifted homeward with a jibe here and they to avoid traffic (including the Great Navigator-Hong Kong). Gold captain handled most of the sail stowage and we arrived back at the slip around 11:10 just ahead of the VDQ's liberty boat.

A new helmsman joins the R&B crew ala francaise. Underway at 0751, we launched under sunny skies and light, persistent 7 Kt breezes from the ENE. Temps in the low 70s. Passed a turtle on departure and took a quick tack around the western end of Willoughby Bay. Followed Willoughby Channel north reminded by the Gold Captain to hold close to the final red daymark. Reached TS Channel and turned east in the general direction of Thimble Shoals light. Lots of sails on the Chez Bay. On a tack to south received an unwarranted "honking" from the 53,103 ton Ever Refine an Evergreen Container under Panamanian flag last out of Charleston. Unabashed and fortified by hot tea and digestives, we set a broad reach under the Frenchman's steady hand. Enjoyed a good run back to homeport passing many outbound fellow sailors including Ocean Girl and Talisman. Proudly won a short, but intense race past historic Ft. Wool. Arrived at the slip around 1100, mightily refreshed. Joie de vivre.

Opened the 2012 Season with an easy, uneventful sail round Willoughby Bay under light winds. All hands refreshed helmsman skills. Watched the "red buoy" crab pot boat retrieve a fair number of beautiful swimmers. Plenty of warm tea to keep things lively. Passed the fine "CindeRella" cat outbound. Only sore point: Blue Captain lost the marina on the final inbound leg due to some clever OPDEC by the Naval Base having installed a large number of light poles that closely resembled masts. Reaction was similar to the famous green buoy collision event. Good grief.

Mild steady wind from the west took us on a two-hour cruise around western Willoughby in low 80s temps. Visitors from Alverstoke accompanied the Blue crew for an easy drift up and around to the sounds of classical tunes. Puzzled by a few red flags out of the channel we dodged the end of summer crab pots and enjoyed the usual libations as the thunder clouds eventually gathered and we returned to port.

Big breeze from the south made for a beautiful day of sailing. Underway around 9:30 ish with the premier crew of four. Cruised out to just shy of Thimble Shoals Light at 5 to 7 knots and then tacked back. Foredeck crew very impressed with heel (up to 25 deg) and eventually retired to cockpit. R&B weathered Hurricane Irene, but Blue Captain managed to drop the missing wind vane over the side during manup. Particularly pleased with performance of water gathering system to keep interior dry. Only downside was Sunset Grille closed on labor day. Hmmph.

Fresh day on the water in moderate winds from the east. 1.5 hour sail was enlivened by an initial missing man departure as the Blue Captain was left hugging the concrete piling. Out and over to Fort Monroe at a brisk pace. Stayed clear of the USS John McCain returning to port. Enjoyed watching a Moth sailor buzzing around at lightening speed. Very low tide set off the depth alarm a few times and a gentle nudge of the sand out near the No. 1 green bouy. A good warmup for the Garland Jeffrey's house concert later in the day.

Very warm day with light winds from the northwest did not deter three intrepid sailors from cruising around western Willoughby Bay for a few sunny hours. Multinational duo in from Norway quickly picked up on the R&B routine. Stayed just above the sweltering zone. Enjoyed the afternoon Naval Base Helo Show including dipping, hovering, and generally racing around madly. Even got a boost from a flyby that pushed us along for a few minutes. USS Enterprise provided a convenient marker for tacks and jibes. Ed B proved a solid helmsman and Tonje seemed to enjoy the sun and water, mastering the port side stern line drop off and retrieval.

Stirring Friday afternoon on the water. Mrs. Walters superhuman speed to retrieve overboard fender while motoring out was a positive harbinger of things to come. Good cruising in fine winds from the NE got us up on the rails in no time. Once in Willoughby Bay, Mrs. Walters showed instinctive promise at the helm while simultaneously slicing a lime or two for the Coronas, taking a few shots with her I-Phone 4 and all the while keeping one hand on the tiller and one eye on the crab pots. The Captains were left with nothing else to do but admire the lowering sun.

The Beach Boys on a rampage. Made it up to 7.5 knots on an early day sail.

Underway around 9:45 on a mostly sunny day with increasing wind from the east. Gold captain kindly set up the boat. Enjoyed company of two visitors from Winston with the Dr. at the helm. Weather started out hot and calm, so we motored out to Thimble Shoals Channel where the breeze picked up just enough on a rising tide. Ended up between 2 and 3 knots tacking NE and SE. Good-size pod of dolphins and later a turtle. Got a clear view of the RFS Adm Chabanenko (DD 650) transiting outbound for Exercise FRUKUS 2011. Also passed by a large utility boat the WEXTAP. Enjoyed the cold drinks as we drifted around staying just out above scorching speed. Back to marina at 11:30.

Beachmen on the Water. Morning cruise around Hampton Roads in fine winds and weather. Around Willoughby, TS Channel and up the James a ways.