The water was like oil rolling around on a sheet of glass.  Watts Island was visible to the east with a line of towering cumulus rising over it and reflecting in the water.  The Wayfarer fleet was adrift, Dick Harrington and Jane Korvac in Blue Mist to the north of us, Tony Krauss and Linda Heffernan in Mary's Bane, (I don't know if that is the official name or the spur of the moment handle Tony used on the radio only) sat idly 100 yards away, the rest of the fleet spread out between Tangier Island and Watts Island.  This became the theme of the cruise, Wayfarers becalmed!
 
It didn't start out that way.  We arrived on Tuesday, May 26th at Crisfield, Maryland, the starting point of the cruise, to find very strong winds that I would estimate were 15-25 knots.  We set the boats up and started launching for the short trip across the way to Somers Cove Marina.  I decided to try out my tri-sail even though I had no previous experience with it.  Brandon McClintock and I had met the previous day at Tony and Mary's place in North East, Maryland.  Brandon had come east from the Sacramento, California area to purchase Wayfarer 3576 from its previous owner in Poughkeepsie, New York.  But he wanted to get some Wayfarer cruising under his belt first and so he joined me for the cruise.  Brandon was to receive a baptism of fire during the short ferry over to Somers Cove from the launch point.  We managed to make it over after figuring out how to make the boat point with the tri-sail and then to get it into the slip, we had to abort and retry our approach numerous times.  This was to be the theme for Brandon and me throughout the cruise.  Andre Girard made it over under "Iron Maiden" (his 2-horse Honda), Dick, alone, under double reefed main, Tony under genny alone.  Steve Roney and Robert Mosher made it over with no problems in Steve's CL-16, as did Gary and Brian Hirsch in Solje.  Already present at the Marina were Jim and Linda Heffernan aboard their 36 foot ketch, Osprey.  They planned to accompany the fleet on the cruise, and serve the function of mothership.  

After getting safely tied up, the group gathered at The Cove restaurant.  Unbeknownst to Dick, this was to be a dinner honoring his contributions to Wayfarer cruising.  Beforehand, Gary Hirsch had distributed to the group hats which he had designed to commemorate the series of Chesapeake cruises.  Each cruiser had a hat complete with a gold star affixed for each Chesapeake cruise they had taken.  Dick’s hat was presented to him at the restaurant along with a present Gary had chosen especially for him, a custom-engraved rigging knife.  André delivered a stirring testimonial to Dick and then Dick reminisced about past cruising.
 
The next morning (Wednesday) met us with a nice easterly breeze that would suit a trip to Smith Island or Tangier Island.  We raised sail, navigated out of the harbor and once in the bay, it was decided that our destination would be Tangier.  The fleet left without OSPREY as they had suffered some sail damage during a wild ride up the bay on the previous day and would need repairs before continuing.  They had the good luck to locate someone who was able to do the work for them on a moment’s notice.  It was a nice reach to Tangier and the crossing was made in good time; all in all, a very enjoyable sail. In our case, Brandon and I re-enacted the multiple approach to dock scenario of the day before, and each time I had terrible visions of head-on collisions with the dock out of control.  Finally, I figured out just how to slalom the pilings at Milton Park's Marina and head up with Brandon on the bow nicely providing a shock absorbing foot.  Gary Hirsch approached me after we tied up and requested that next time we delay our arrival to give him time to get out and get pictures of unorthodox docking. After everyone managed to get settled and get something to eat, it was party time aboard OSPREY. Jim, Linda and their dog, Zoe, greeted the group with Dark and Stormies aboard the mother ship and a great time was had by all.  Jim and Linda proved to be quite able hosts, even supplying bug repellant when the no see ums attacked.

Thursday we were off to Watts Island for bird watching and a picnic on the beach.  Jim and Linda left OSPREY behind - Linda crewing for Tony, and Jim crewing for Andre aboard MAG.  About halfway across, the wind died completely. Those with oars started rowing, while those with paddles started paddling.  Brandon and I took turns rowing and row sailing.  I found that I could sit on the tank, handle the tiller and help the little breeze that we had with an oar on the side on which I was sitting.  I used this technique to chase the little breezes that I could see visually on the water, but to no avail.  We were making zero progress.  As we languished we were pleased to hear in the distance the sound of the Honda 2-horse and before long, André and Jim appeared to tow us to Watts.  Steve and Robert in the CL-16, and Dick and Jane in Blue Mist were able to row until they found wind and managed to complete the trip sans Honda.  Jim and Linda provided a nice surprise for the picnic - steamed crabs for picking!  They had been approached the previous evening by a local young man who had crabs, a hankering for beer, and wanted to make a deal. Milton Parks described the gentleman as "somebody who could be trouble, but wasn't in trouble although he had been to jail".  Regardless, he provided some delicious crabs and everyone feasted, supplemented with such delicacies as anchovy-stuffed olives (don't knock it unless you've tried it!).  After everyone had their fill, we hoisted sail and raced back on the strength of a nice 10-15 knot easterly breeze that popped up with some ominous overcast skies.  Again Brandon and I did the Tangier slalom to a near leg-breaking conclusion which Brandon managed to survive intact.
 

The next day dawned beautifully just like all the others and after another great family style breakfast at Hilda Crockett's ... OK, wait, I must describe this before continuing: Hilda Crockett's Chesapeake House has a large dining room of parallel tables where you sit down and they just start bringing you fresh food. There is no ordering, they just bring food.  First some delicious homemade bread, toasted with cheese and butter and jelly. Then come the eggs, bacon and fried potatoes.  If the food has been sitting too long they come and get it and bring back fresh. Of course they provide fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee as well.  Back to the story, Jim and Linda were setting out for North Carolina and the rest of us were heading out for Smith Island.  It was a nice broad reach/run and we were proceeding nicely.  


So nicely in fact, that I decided it would be fun to go visit one of the strips of sand sticking out of the water.  We proceeded off course to the east and beached on a barren strip of sand, 50 feet long and about 20 feet wide.  I claimed this for the Queen (above) and named it in my honor and we proceeded on.  The wind kept decreasing and then we were becalmed again.  Out came the oars and off we rowed.  Once more we heard the lovely sound of the Honda, and André came to pick us up.  Brandon went over to André's boat to help arrange tow lines and off we went to pick up Tony, Gary and Brian, and Dick and Jane.  Steve and Robert seemed to be enjoying themselves as they ate lunch on the boat and politely declined the tow offer.  After we had arrived at the Smith Island Marina and tied up, we sighted the CL-16 coming down the Big Thoroughfare triumphantly under sail.  

Once again, as happens often in the Islands, finding an open restaurant was hit or miss.  The restaurant next door to the marina was open but just a few minutes longer.  Some went there, and others decided to eat some of their stock.  Some decided to drink their supper.  Some boaters came in to spend the night at the B&B next to the marina and a party was started.  Dark and Stormies were the drink of choice and dark and stormy was the weather as well.  A line of dark clouds rapidly approached and tents were hurriedly erected.  A violent thunderstorm complete with driving rain and hail ensued while the marina party carried on in full swing.  After the rain stopped some went to view the damage in the boats, and some went for an impromptu swim.
 
The next day was bright and sunny without a cloud.   Pauli, the Smith Island Marina and B&B owner, served us a nice breakfast and we were off down the Big Thoroughfare headed for Crisfield.  It was an easy sail back to Crisfield and we loaded up the boats and headed home.  Overall it was a great cruise.  Yes, it was bad when the winds died, but as Steve and Robert proved: with a little patience you can still make it in.

...