Fred and JoeJoe at their best

On Sunday, our friend Susan, armed with her killer camera, captured Fred and JoeJoe aboard j-bird as we've never seen them before. Exquisite and perfect is all we can say. What do you think?

Day 16 - one last sail

Sunday brought fair winds (translate 10-15 knots and no more), partially sunny skies and cool air. My former business partner, Susan, joined us for a day sail. She kept JoeJoe from shivering as we headed out across the Bay toward Tilghman Island. It was chilly, but delightful. Not a dog threw-up and the seas were quite bearable. Our j-bird isn't a fast boat (top speed is 4-5 knots), but she's reliable and easy to handle. What more could a sailor ask for?

This ends our two week shakedown cruise. As the sun set over the harbour, a crescent moon and Venus blessed our experience. We've learned a lot and experienced enough to know we work well together and can handle whatever the Bay and j-bird bring us. As John surmised, "This sailing stuff isn't easy, but it's a whole different world that is wonderfully seductive."

We'll be on the water for many years to come. The only question is whether we do with our little 33 feet or go for something more substantial is several years. Who knows? It's what keeps life interesting.

Rough seas

On Saturday morning, John and I were ready once again to test our sailing skills. We left our home dock to venture out into the Bay with 20 knot winds and "small craft warning" seas of 2-3 feet with white caps. I was confident. John was nervous. We reefed to main and put out the jib. We banged against the waves. The dogs threw up. Luckily is was not projectile vomiting.

After an hour, we agreed that it was time to head back to dock. John was less nervous and I was proud that my instincts were still good. By the time we settled into the dock, John and I were too tired to make lunch. We piled the pups into the back seat of the car and made the short trip down the road and over the first bridge into Deale for crab cakes at the "Happy Harbour" cafe, sitting amidst the charter fishing boats. (I think I have John's birthday present in mind!)

In our home slip safe, warm and dry!

John returned to j-bird sans pain and $25 in taxi fare this morning. He didn't see a doctor, but walking around seemed to cure his aches (at least temporarily). At 10:57am we caste off from Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard for the last time. It was chilly, but the rain held off and so did the winds. I put on two pair of socks, double pants and a sweat shirt under my jacket. John seemed fine without all the layers, but JoeJoe and Fred needed covers to keep the shivers away. Luckily, our friend J supplied us with several loaner doggy towels and I dug up an extra pillow sham to wrap around the little guy. Problem was is that he kept getting up when he spied a bird sweep across the water and we had to wrap him up all over again.

With no wind, we were forced to motor south for three hours. It was pleasant enough. We captured a great shot of Thomas Point Light and practiced setting and sailing to waypoints. We lunched on a bit of salad and roasted potatoes (left overs!)

The channel into Herrington Harbour North is very narrow so we carefully navigated it with great success. I backed j-bird stern first into the slip. We then spent over an hour figuring out how to do the dock lines -- the slip is almost twice as wide as j-bird. I walked the dock to see what other boats had done and then we tugged and rearranged the dock lines 3 or 4 times to get them right. We're still not sure they are right, but by Sunday when we leave, we will know more (crossing fingers).

This home slip is the top bar of a T shaped dock so most of the other boats in the marina are behind us. There is a boat on each side of j-bird, but our view is the break water and surrounding shore. It's like being at anchor with no one around. No one is blocking our view of the Herrington Harbour. We've settled in to our new "home".

Days 10-13 Rain, rain and more cold rain

The weather gods have not been kind to us. This second week of the shakedown cruise is pretty much a sailing bust--since Monday its been wet and rainy. There were enough breaks in the rain to deflate the dinghy and put it away at the bow in its tidy bag, but beyond that it's nothing but gray skies. Lucky for us we have a well-functioning heating-air conditioning system, so we are dry and warm below decks.

Our plans were to sail to St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore today (Thursday), then head over to Herrington Habour North on Friday to get settled into our new slip. We shopped for provisions one last time, then yesterday drove the car to Herrington Harbour North (Deal, MD). We were able to set up our dock lines on the slip before the Tidewater shuttle brought us back to Bert Jabins Yacht Yard here in Annapolis so we are now carless.

Last night, John's left leg/hip area ached so much that he spent most of the night groaning. This morning he ordered and taxi and is off in search of an urgent care center to get some inkling as to what is going on with it. He's done more climbing and stretching in the past week than he's done in months. I canceled St. Michaels. Once he gets back, we're heading south to Herrington Harbour North so we'll have our car and beat out tomorrow's weather which is predicted to be rainy, wet and cold with thunderstorms.

Day 9 - Christening j-bird

After a weekend of ferocious winds that kept us at the dock, Monday brought calmer air and the service guy to correct a few "bugs" on the boat. But, most importantly, our dear friend, J, after whom we named our boat, came to officially christen j-bird to ensure the blessing of the sailing spirits. Even though we bought a "scored" bottle of champagne to make the christening easy, it took us five swats (three by J and two by me) of the bottle against the anchor channel before the bottle finally cracked, spilling champagne on her bow. It was all environmentally safe as the glass bits fell into the protective gold mesh bag surrounding the bottle.

It took some courage for J to do the christening. She gets sea sick just looking a boat. She went above and beyond the "call of duty", but, then not everyone has a boat named after them. We love her for it!

Day 7 - Our first all day cruise

My friend, Paige Ireland, a woman of some experience as foredeck crew on race boats, joined John and me for a full day of cruising. She's also a photographer who captured a some sweet moments during the day. We started out about 10am under sail, but before long had to roll'em up and motor south to get around Thomas Point, then head to our luncheon destination -- the South River. The wind god had decided to stay closed for the morning. She's cranky that way sometimes.

We found what we thought was a nice place for lunch then promptly went aground, not a 100 yards off of a duck blind. We easily got ourselves free, anchored (another first for us) and lunched on tomato and cheese sourdough sandwiches. I had planned to prepare a salmon salad, but there was no can opener aboard and had to improvise. We relaxed for a bit then decided to head home as the wind was picking up and the air was cooling.

For the rest of the day, there was a goodly amount of cooperating wind and we were able to sail all the way home into the harbor under sail. Only after we rounded the last green mark did we roll in the jib and mainsail. John and I, thanks to Paige's help feel very comfortable on the boat, working together. We'll be ready to head for our own slip on Thursday or Friday.

During this day, we had a number of firsts. They included:

• John getting on deck to adjust the clew of the jib and get a few trimming tips from Paige
• Going aground and getting off
• Anchoring
• Sailing all points of sail, including a few jibes as we played around the parked tankers
• Sailing into harbor with both sailing up

We've become a grand sailing family.

Day 6 - Dinghy Day

When you are anchored in a creek instead of resting in a slip at the dock, a dinghy is a life line that gets you to land and back; therefore, for any sail boat necessary accessories inlcude a dinghy and outboard motor.

While John worked at the computer attempting to finish a laste minute work assignment (the ump-teenth one), I spent the morning preparing the dinghy for launch--rolling it out on the dock, blowing it up with 12 volt air pump and finishing with the foot pump, applying the registration numbers, and attaching the lines. All John had to do was launch the little floater and take us for a test run. He launched the dinghy with grace and dignity.

With Fred and JoeJoe zipped into their yellow life jackets, we piled into TTJB (tender to j-bird) and Johon started the engine and took us out into Back Creek. I assumed that he knew how to use an outboard motor since he's always talking about how he worked on cars as a youth. He also dropped quips about parts and necessary liquids as if he were some kind of expert. But, it was an OMG experience when,several times, he unexpectedly down throttled and killed the engine as the wind pushed us into the grassy shore. Fred and JoeJoe started barking, I began coaching and John reached for the oars. That was when I learned he only rowed a boat once in his life.

We avoided disaster when he rowed us far enough away from shore to restart the engine without the prop getting stuck in the mud. As we put-tputted around the creek, he told me he'd never been in such a small boat, nor had he ever operated an outboard motor. I laughed and asked if I might take the helm of TTJB. He readily agreed. As I steered us around, the engine lost power. What had happened? We limped back to the dock speculating on possible causes and cures.

Once back at the dock, a passing sailor saw our deliberations and suggested we check the gas tank. I opened the gas tank. It seems that John didn't fill tank quite full enough. It was dry as a bone. We laughed, we sighed. Another learning experience, but a good one.

Day 5 - Pups and perfect sailing weather

Fred and JoeJoe arrived at the dock full of energy, smartly groomed with summer cuts, ready for their first sailing adventure. For safety, we put the boys in doggy life jackets before we left the dock a bit after 3pm for another practice sail. The sky was an azure clear blue, the temperature a mild 75 degrees and the winds a light 10-15 knots. Just enough to fill the sails, but not enough to put you on guard for a "tip you over" gust.

Fred has turned out to be the super water dog -- able to take one look at what is happening and then lie down to enjoy the ride. In the mean time his hyper active brother paced the cockpit to find the perfect spot for "nose into the wind". It was better than any car with an open back window could provide. He split his time with that and hanging his head out the stern to watch water bubble out from under the boat as we sliced through the water. All the sail went out today. John took the helm. I relaxed and all is well with the world.

On our return we gave j-bird her first wash down. It made us both proud to see her in Bristol condition at our own hands. Tomorrow we begin waxing the deck--a labor of love -- at least for this first time.

We were too tired to inflate the dinghy as planned so it goes on tomorrow's list of things to do. Fred and JoeJoe need to get used to getting in and out of the dinghy. Enjoying the "putt-putt" ride in the little craft will be a breeze for them.

It's late, almost 11pm. It's a cool and windy night. The boys are asleep on the settees in the salon while John and I diddle at our computers. Living in fresh air before the heat of the summer is heavenly. It's a lifesyle that just calms me down.

Day 4 - We keep on practicing

Morning brought sunshine and fresh breeze. I took action on several items that only a sailor could appreciate so I won't go into the details. John worked through the morning (as only the Internet and broadband can allow).

Our sail this day was focused on learning how to reef the main (aka learn how to adjust the sails so you can sail more upright in strong winds) and learning how to dock using this really great technique of driving backwards. Both were successful. John was much more comfortable. He even took the helm to motor us home into Back Creek. He's smiling!!! Both of us are happy.

We also installed our outboard engine (aka dinghy engine) holder. Next is inflating the dinghy so we can take the dog boys for a cruise tomorrow night.

Dinner was scallops in butter, shallots and lemon with a bit of Old Bay with steamed garlic and toasted walnut broccoli. Cooking simple does not mean cooking dull! It was fabulous.

Day 3 - Our first sail

The sky was cloudy, but the air was warm and the winds moderate (10-15 knots with gusts to 20). Our boat broker, Bob, walked us through all the on deck systems, then directed us away from the dock and took us out for our maiden voyage.

This picture says it all! I'm enthralled and my husband is trying with all his might to enjoy the ride. John is new to sailing and his one boating experience as a teenager was trying to swim around an anchored power boat with other kids when he couldn't swim and they could. So, we're talking about it. He's working through the panic many people feel when a sail boat heels 10-15 degrees in a burst of wind-- which j-bird did on Monday as we took a beam reach (wind across our middle) out to some tankers parked in the bay, awaiting orders to steam into Baltimore harbor.

j-bird is a swift little 33' wonder. She's stable, well equipped and easy to maneuver. We go out again tomorrow. The sun is supposed to shine!

Day1 and 2 - Systems and Stowing Stuff

We arrived at Bert Jabin's Boat Yard on the backside of Annapolis in Eastport Saturday at 10am sans dogs. They are in camp (aka kennel) until Wednesday as we thought it wise to learn the boat without them scampering and whining about. In two short hours we toured j-bird's innards -- the engine, pumps, water and fuel systems, head and holding tanks and the finish flurish -- a quick overview of electrical systems. I know more about innards of a sailboat then I ever really wanted to know. And, I really don't "know" anything. Only after reading the manuals and trying to change one of the several filters will I actually know something.

today, Sunday, Day 2, was organization day. As the saying goes, we've stowed 10 pounds of stuff in a 5 pound box. Galley (aka kitchen) is now fully stocked and organized. Our clothes are still in duffel bags, but head (aka bathroom) has all the basic health and beauty aids and fully operational. Cockpit and deck stuff is stowed in bins in the cockpit and I'm writing from the cockpit as the rain drizzles all around (it's Monday morning). Luckily we have a great Bimini and dodger (aka porch) to keep us dry.

After our second trip to West Marine (aka hardware store for boats), lunch and grocery store run, we relaxed, sipped wine at the bow (aka pointy end) looked west across Back Creek with its many boats nestled in slips lined around its edges. The setting sun made the creek sparkle on the rivulets made by a light breeze blowing across the water.

John cooked up some steam shrimp. I mixed some cocktail sauce. Our first meal on j-bird in the cockpit under a starless but pleasant sky. We turned off the dockside air conditioning, and opened the hatches to sleep in the open air. As we climbed into the V-birth (aka pointy end master cabin) we discovered we'd forgotten to buy sleeping pillows. Guess it's time for a new shopping list!