Voyage 2002-2003: Chapter 1

16 May 2002, Trip to Saint Michael's, 38 47.294 N/ 076 13.130 W

Bob's mother wanted to go sailing. She had never gone before and wanted to experience what we saw in it. We scheduled to pick her up the day before Mother's Day (12 May), take her to the boat, and wait for weather. That day, Bob tested the engine, and guess what? Starter problems! What the "you know what!! Ann called Ma, told her we wouldn't be coming down and Bob started tearing the engine apart. Measurements indicated that the voltage drop while starting could be excessive. After much thought and cussing, Bob decided it could be the battery switch. We bought a new switch, replaced the starter with our spare, and the volts looked good. As a result, Mr. Starter delayed our plans for only a day.

We waited on the boat for two days as a major cold front was approaching. We didn't want Ma to get seasick. Finally on Wednesday we left for Saint Michael's (25 nm away). Winds were blowing North 15-25 with 2' to 3' seas. Ah, a broad reach all the way to SM. We sailed jib and jigger (mizzen) going 6 knots. She didn't get sick!

Ann and Ma went shopping the next day. Bob, Levi, Gina, and Samantha Jane checked out the Maritime Museum. Levi had an encounter with a big bronze dog statue. Scared him silly. Later that day, we heard a voice from the sky that said: "I worked on your boat". We looked up in the rigging of the schooner SULTANA. It was Chris (formally from Alpha Rigging) who was now the Mate of SULTANA. We chatted for a while on the boat's history and mission.

17 May 2002, Return from St Michaels, 38 43.583 N/ 076 32.595 W

Weather forecast was calling for severe thunder showers in the afternoon. Consequently, we planned for an early departure (0600). Ma was up and about at 0500 and we left the Museum at 0615. The wind was SW 15-20 knots. We sailed down the Miles under jib but had to motor the rest of the way. We arrived at Herrington Harbor South at 1115.