On my commute home 3-5 P.M most days I cross over Baltimore outer harbor northbound on the Key Bridge. Today in 100 degree weather, I look to the left,I see a sailboat off of Dundalk Marine Terminal, out bound. Healing slightly, so some wind, but these conditions right now are BRUTAL!
Tough or just plain crazy?
- Thread starter DAVA390
- Start date
Well . . . I would much rather be aboard a boat sailing out of Baltimore than on 695 in rush hour, 100 degree weather or not. 
Yesterday was also ripe for thunderstorms in the afternoon. We had some vicious activity yesterday afternoon, with power out & flash flooding all over the state.
I worked on my new boat plumbing (new plumbing, not new boat) Saturday morning and into the afternoon, only to motor out later in the afternoon. My intention was to sail back. It looked clear going out and I got about 5 miles away when I looked over my shoulder to see some dark, nasty clouds to the west. I thought the clouds were heading in a northeasterly direction, so I figured I would turn around and head back south and raise sails when it looks like the coast is clear. Dang! That cloud just seemed to follow me. I was in sun showers part of the way back, and not wanting to raise sails only to have to douse them again.
I figured that I would drop an anchor and go below when I see a hint of lightening. That never happened but when I got just outside the channel into the marina, the wind started turning up a notch. So now it was decision time ... do I go up the channel and take a chance at having to deal with high winds in a confined space or do I hang-out outside the channel? I was moving, so I just kept moving. Had some trouble docking singlehanded, with the bow driven away from the finger by the increasing wind, but got an assist from a friendly bystander. Cleaning up went pretty quick, but I closed the car door just when the drenching began.
The temperature went from high 90's to low 70's in about 3 minutes. It sure felt nice! But half hour later, traveling up the Parkway, I was back in the sun and the temp peaked at 100 degrees for most of the trip home.
I worked on my new boat plumbing (new plumbing, not new boat
) Saturday morning and into the afternoon, only to motor out later in the afternoon. My intention was to sail back. It looked clear going out and I got about 5 miles away when I looked over my shoulder to see some dark, nasty clouds to the west. I thought the clouds were heading in a northeasterly direction, so I figured I would turn around and head back south and raise sails when it looks like the coast is clear. Dang! That cloud just seemed to follow me. I was in sun showers part of the way back, and not wanting to raise sails only to have to douse them again.I figured that I would drop an anchor and go below when I see a hint of lightening. That never happened but when I got just outside the channel into the marina, the wind started turning up a notch. So now it was decision time ... do I go up the channel and take a chance at having to deal with high winds in a confined space or do I hang-out outside the channel? I was moving, so I just kept moving. Had some trouble docking singlehanded, with the bow driven away from the finger by the increasing wind, but got an assist from a friendly bystander. Cleaning up went pretty quick, but I closed the car door just when the drenching began.
The temperature went from high 90's to low 70's in about 3 minutes. It sure felt nice! But half hour later, traveling up the Parkway, I was back in the sun and the temp peaked at 100 degrees for most of the trip home.
Jersey Shore has been brutal also. I gave up on daytime sailing during this heat. It hasn't been bad for late sailing, 6pm till dark.
That's a typical July, August season here. Regardless, I'd much rather be out on the water than in traffic. Someday.
The heat kept us home last weekend but yesterday had a nice sea breeze so I took the day off and we sailed. Winds were 5 or 6 but enough to keep us going and cool. Even picked up a bit to form some white caps for a while.
Made for a nice relaxing sail.
Made for a nice relaxing sail.
