1. Jeff & Fran Kirk - Connecticut - newcomers who own a CL-16.
2. André Girard - Ottawa (solo)
3. Gary Hirsch & Steve Roney - Michigan & Toronto, respectively - Steve sails a CL-16 but is leaving it home.
4. Kit & Mark Wallace - Toronto & CA - Kit is an old-timer but new to this cruise; Mark is a newcomer.
5. Rick Nelson - Indiana (solo?) - a newcomer.

I haven't heard from Bob Mosher and assume that he's not attending.

To summarize: The R&I group looks to be 8 people, including one female; sailing 5 boats.

Islands group participants:

1. Al Schonborn & Hans Gottschling - Oakville & Mississauga, ON, respectively.
2. Tony & Mary Krauss - Walled Lake, Michigan
3. Jim & Maribeth Fletcher - Lansing, Michigan - newcomers. 
4. Chuck & Cathy Smith - Tulsa, Oklahoma - newcomers.
5. Jason Whitlow & Stephanie Corbet - Sperry, Oklahoma - newcomers.
6. Dick Harrington & Jane Korver - Geneva, OH
7. Richard Watterson - PA & Wes Gabriel - (?)

Summary:  The total number of participants (both groups) is 22, six being female; sailing 12 boats.

 
Jim Fletcher asks about Charts.
The waters to be sailed by the I&R group are covered by NOAA charts: 12228; 12231; 12261.  For the Islands group they are: 12228; 12231; 12233.  You can down load from the Internet 8-1/2 X 11 chart segments free.  These are okay for planning purposes but not suitable for navigation, in my opinion.  I have a very nice, sturdy and waterproof, chart book made by ADC Maps - www.adcmap.com - 1-800-ADC-MAPS.  Bt the time you buy NOAA charts and waterproof cases the cost differential isn't that great.

Planned itinerary: 

Sunday.  Crisfield. Pass the sign to the Small Boat Harbor, on the right, and continue in town to the left turn to Somers Cove Marina.  As I've suggested, one of the 'old hands' should to stop by the marina office before launching.  To get to the launch ramps, continue around the marina (bearing right).  It is just past the Coast Guard Station.  The old hands are Al/Hans, Tony/Mary, Gary/Steve, Richard W. and André.  They will be planning a dinner get-together at a restaurant (probably within walking distance of the marina).  If one of the old hands thinks of it, please let the marina office know that I'll be arriving Monday morning.  I'll be glad to pay for a slip even though I won't be using it.

Monday - 5/31.  Make sure you've got all the beer, wine and booze you'll need for the week on board.  The I&R group should try to get going by 10:00 AM if possible.  I also suggest the others go ahead and start for Smith Is.  Don't wait for Jane and me.  We'll play catch up.  We are expecting see the I&R group at Pauli's on Smith Is. some time Wednesday.  (I have sent an email to Pauli and am waiting for a response.)  If for some reason you are held up, the rest of us may go on to Tangier and you can meet us there.  (I don't expect there will be normal cell phone coverage once we have left  Crisfield.)

Tuesday - 6/1.  Weather permitting, the six Island group boats will depart Pauli's for Smith Point on the west shore and overnight at Smith Point Marina.  This crossing is about 12 NM.  I haven't been there before, but the facilities sound okay from the web site.  I have sent them an email and am awaiting a response.  We will return to Pauli's Wednesday.

Wednesday - 6/2.  Everyone (12 Wayfarers) will arrive at Pauli's.  Docking will be crowded.  We'll work things out as long as everyone is considerate and cooperative.  So far only one person has expressed an interest in steamed crabs.  If more are interested, I will see if Pauli can do something for us.  We can depend upon only one small restaurant being available on Smith.  The second caters to tour boats and doesn't open if things are slow.  Last year Pauli made us breakfast, but with this size group that may be iffy.  Bring some breakfast items with you on board, just in case.  The R&I folks should be able to boil some water for those w/o stoves.

Thursday - 6/3.  We all depart for Tangier - distance of 10/12 NM from Ewell.  We have the choice of sailing via the outside or Tangier Sound.  Because we will be returning north to Crisfield by way of Tangier Sound sailing south on the outside is preferable provided the weather is suitable.  In Tangier we will tie up at Parks Marina.  Both Milton Parks and Pauli are very laid back about requiring registering and in collecting the fees.  Just go ahead and do your thing....we'll work out the fee when it's time to depart.
Tangier is a bigger, more organized town, and extremely fascinating.  There are a handful of restaurants that cater to the tour boats and there's a food store.  The seafood is the best on the Bay, but the restaurants run on the tour-boat schedule and close up by 4:00 PM when the last boat departs.  We usually arrange to eat dinner and have breakfast at the Chesapeake House B&B, which stays open for us.  You'll fully enjoy this experience. 

Friday 6/4.  We will depart Tangier for a beach day at the marvelous Watts Is., wildlife sanctuary.  The array of unique wetlands birds will blow your mind.  We always see bald eagles there.  After a swim and picnic lunch we'll return to Tangier for dinner and overnight.  (At one time a couple of boats were talking about extending the cruise and going to Onancock - I'm not sure if this is still on the agenda.) 

Saturday - 6/5.  Return to Crisfield via Tangier Sound.  Expected arrival would be early afternoon.  Retrieve the cars and trailer and pull the boats at the launch site.  By mid to late afternoon most everyone can be on the road home if they wish.
 

General information. 

• Waters in close to shore are extremely shallow - don't try to land on a lee shore in rough conditions.  Stay well out.
• This is a very large group and it will be hard to keep track of all the boats.  Please keep in close proximity to one another.
• In windy conditions we will set up an hourly - on the hour - radio check (usually channel 68).  Please have your radios fully charged and be ready to respond.
• Don't turn back from the group w/o notifying the leaders.  If we lose you, we'll be looking for you and so will the Coast Guard.  It could ruin a fine day.
• Both Smith Is. and Tangier are bisected by thorofares.  The channels are very narrow and the entrances are heavily barred.  If you stray outside the channel markers you are going to bury the CB in the mud, which in windy conditions can result in a capsize.  Especially with regard to Smith, we try to plan the sailing route such that we don't have to beat up the thorofare - which may mean sailing outside and over the top of the island.  The Tangier thorofare typically has a strong tidal current flowing which can make it tricky landing at Parks Marina.
• Dick's rules:  1) Keep the painter/towline tied to the bow eye at all times.  2) Flake the anchor rode down in a bucket with the anchor on top and ready to go at all times.  3) Stow the foulweather gear, extra fleece, and one set each of warm clothing in a readily assessable waterproof cockpit stowage bag.  4) Have the VHF readily assessable and connected by a tag line to the boat.  5) Tie all important items, bags, buckets, etc., to the boat with tag lines.  6) Have water shoes for wading.

Please let me know if any of you have any further question.

• I will volunteer Hans and me (who will be sailing W3854 SHADES, freshly painted and varnished courtesy of Hans G and Tom Wharton) to check in with the Marina office before we launch at which time we will also inform them that you and Jane will arrive Monday morning.
• Hans and I are still committed to going from Tangier to Onancock on the Friday - we'll see you Saturday back at Crisfield where we have reserved one more night at Captain Tyler's motel!! On Sunday, we will head home via Chesterton where we will leave SHADES for Friday's River Race
• should we set up a buddy system, i.e. two boats responsible for each other while on the water??
• will it be enough to have a flashlight to shine on the sails on the off chance that we get stuck out on the water after dark??