Summer in Chesapeake Bay

Wed Jun 22nd 2022 - After a couple of weeks at home we returned to Muti docked in Hampton VA with renewed energy to tackle the long list of boat chores. Does the list ever get shorter? We drove back to have a car on hand. Nothing worse than being in the US without a car! It’s a 1500 mile drive in 24hrs, a bit different to Muti boat speed! 

Living in a boating community has taken some adjustment, everyone is super friendly, helpful and always interested in what chores are taking place on surrounding vessels. It is very easy to spend a morning on the dock debating the merits of lithium over AGM batteries, cost of solar versus diesel, what cleaning products are less harmful to the planet (lively conversations without adult beverage fuel)…  it starts with a few folks but could swell to many depending on who is out and about. Gerda just rolls her eyes and excuses herself when the topic is ‘boring’ boat maintenance talk. I don’t blame her! 

Being of French origin, maintenance of Muti can be challenging at times. For instance - we had a failure of a critical but inexpensive (I suppose this is relative!) rigging part which we had to order from France. It took 5 weeks to arrive with the comment that fortunately we ordered before the European holidays kicked in. Google search is definitely the first offensive play and substitution is the name of the game.

Sat Jul 16th 2022 - Start of our first excursion in Chesapeake Bay, headed up to Mobjack Bay and anchored for the night. Beware the crab pots, they are everywhere! We have heard about these navigational hazards (dock talk?) but this was our first real encounter. And yes they are indeed on every shoal. As we only draw 4 feet of water we normally don’t stick to deep water and cut off an angle or 2. It can be done but pay attention…Had cocktails with some newfound friends on their 48’ Leopard catamaran. It’s a great comfortable vessel.

Sun Jul 17th 2022 - Fired up the dinghy and took a drive along the shoreline. This must be where the DC wealthy have their weekend homes, as some of them are really nice. Motor sailed with our buddy boat Reunited south to Yorktown. Anchored up the creek just off YORC marina between the crab pots. There were 2 of us in a very tight anchorage. Fortunately no wind to speak of so no threat of banging into each other. Dinghy’ed over for crab cakes and fries (spot the theme?) at YORC Coastal Bar & Grill with David and Laura. 

Mon Jul 18th 2022 - After going for a long walk to stretch our legs in the quaint town, we sailed back to Salt Ponds for another round of boat chores.  Raced Reunited back although they weren’t aware of the competition; tore our big sail during the ‘race’. (FYI, there is always a race when there is another sailboat around, it’s just a given). 

It was hot as hell in the marina for the summer months. The air conditioner in the state cabin died; not very good timing. After diagnosing the issue with the manufacturer we ordered the appropriate part and waited , sweating (and swearing) for 3 days for it to arrive. While defrosting the freezer Rob busted the thermostat; we ate a lot of defrosted chicken, & turkey chili over the next 2 days. Rob replaced the thermostat with an updated digital version from China, amazing what you can buy on eBay (bypassed the French route). 

Mon Aug 1st 2022 - Sailed north up Chesapeake Bay for another excursion with our friends Laura and David on their boat Reunited. Had to go under a bridge which was quite harrowing, but we made it! (plenty of wiggle room, not sure harrowing is appropriate). Spent a few days going out for early dinner and having dinner on each other’s vessels. 

Fri Aug 5th 2022 - Returned to Salt Ponds. 

Industrious Gerda hauled out the sewing machine and made our fitted sheets. Muti has tinted windows on the helm cabin roof to allow viewing the sails underway. When the sun is overhead it can get extremely annoying trying to duck for cover. Gerda sewed a couple of sunshades to cover these. Oh they are so sweet, no more ducking and diving from the sun.

Spent some time hanging out with our new boating friends. We have explored the surrounding watering holes in Hampton; our favorite is a microbrewery on the bay overlooking a couple of marinas. The food is mediocre (though the crab cakes are great!) but the location and beer is fantastic (according to Rob).

We purchased folding bicycles, very exciting. They provide a new dimension to our exercise regiment. And they will be our land transport while traveling south and in the islands. They are pretty compact and light; no problem transporting them in the dinghy. 

Mon Aug 22nd 2022 - Rob motor sailed Muti to Severn Yatching Center, a 4 hour trip. Muti was hauled out for a bottom paint job. We had to move into a hotel for the week, but Rob managed to do some polishing while the boat was on the hard. What a crappy job that is in summer heat. 🫠

Sun Sept 4th 2022 - Leaving Muti back at Salt Ponds, we went to Austin for a few weeks to check on the house. Took advantage of the air-conditioning and  space to tackle more boat chores. Our fenders are weathered. Rob whipped out the sewing machine and attempted to construct fender ‘blankets’. Fortunately Gerda commandeered the construction after patiently observing for as long as she could stand it. These will hide the fenders, protect Muti’s hulls, and stop fender squeak - super. 

Sun Sept 25th 2022 - Headed back to Virginia. 

We have a new freezer, it keeps ice cream solid! How can anyone survive without ice cream? 

We had our ‘glass’ enclosure  repaired. Very cool, as the vinyl is thicker and stronger. Hopefully it will last a couple of seasons.

Friday Sept 30th 2022 - Hurricane  Ian hooked back into South Carolina this morning. Although we are 500 miles (800 km) away we are experiencing severe weather: 50+ knot gusts, heavy rain, tornado warnings and some coastal flooding. Our thoughts go out to the folks in Florida and South Carolina who took direct hits from Ian, experiencing catastrophic conditions. On a day like today we are grateful to be tied up at a marina on a floating dock out of catastrophic conditions. As we are stuck indoors Gerda explored her culinary skills. I know to some this may sound scary but Gerda has become quite the cook.  Muti’s oven is suspect and it’s always a guess what the temperature is. However the baked pasta casserole we had for lunch was delicious, who knew? (Gerda: I’m as surprised as anyone! 😁)