CDSOA--Chesapeake Fleet Spring Cruise--WOW!!!

[M. R. Bober]

If you missed it, you MISSED IT. No daytime rain, good sleeping weather, great people (as usual), good destinations, smooth sailing, and a great time for all (except for a few minutes for Ray on a chartered Island Packet).

David Hepting prepared a fine cruise and a good time was had by all. Consider joining us for the next event.

Best wishes,
Mitchell Bober
Sunny Annapolis (where it's sunny even during the hurricane season), MD

[Ray Garcia]

Mitchell is not kidding when he states "If you missed it, you MISSED IT." For my vacation this year I chartered an Island Packet out of Rock Hall, MD. I have our CD27 home for a total refit this season. I had written the Chesapeake Fleet asking if I could join them on their Spring Cruise. It just so happened that their cruise was coinciding on the same dates of my charter. Since this was my first time sailing on the Chesapeake what a great way to learn about "the bay". A four hour drive later from Long Island, NY to Rock Hall, MD we were all set. Our original plans were for a day or two getting together with the fleet. We met the first day of their cruise on Friday. Saturday we sailed alone to see Annapolis and overnight on a mooring. We caught up again with the fleet on Sunday. After the quick side trip to Annapolis we were welcomed to join the fleet for the remainder of the cruise. Everyone was so inviting and accommodating. The weather, sailing, and friendship were beyond description. For a week our time was spent sailing to our next destination, chatting on the VHF of our progress, anchoring/rafting, and enjoying conversation as a group over a sunset dinner. It really could not have gotten any better than that. The Chesapeake Fleet is made up of the most interesting and nicest group of people you could ever know.

I think every CDSOA member can gloat over his or her own cruising grounds. I must say our Chesapeake CDSOA members have the most beautiful area I have ever seen. Not only on the water but the Maryland area as a whole.

If you ever have the opportunity, definitely sail the Chesapeake. You will not be disappointed!

There is a moment on the Island Packet I would rather not re-live. Since I am sure someone will ask, and this is a sharing board, I will share my experience. With great disdain.

Note to self. While at a pump-out at a marina, if you should see ANY waste leaking as you unscrew the waste cap, put the cap back and make sure your holding tank is venting properly. Ever been to Yellowstone National Park and seen Old Faithful? Enough said.

Thank You to all the nice people of the Chesapeake CDSOA Fleet for a memorable and great vacation!

Ray Garcia

[img]http://www.cd27spirit.us/Maryland/images/P10100041.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.cd27spirit.us/Maryland/images/P1010003.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.cd27spirit.us/Maryland/images/P10100091.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.cd27spirit.us/Maryland/images/P10100111.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.cd27spirit.us/Maryland/images/P10100121.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.cd27spirit.us/Maryland/images/P1010019.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.cd27spirit.us/Maryland/images/P10100171.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.cd27spirit.us/Maryland/images/P1010033.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.cd27spirit.us/Maryland/images/P1010035.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.cd27spirit.us/Maryland/images/P1010037.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.cd27spirit.us/Maryland/images/P1010039.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.cd27spirit.us/Maryland/images/P1010083.jpg[/img]

[M. R. Bober]

Beautiful pix, Ray.
Thanks for posting them.

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Annapolis (home of the Sunny Annapolitans), MD

[Harry Green]

Solitude was sorry to miss the cruse but Joyce and I enjoyed meeting "The Fleet" at dinner in Chestertown, MD. Thanks for posting the pixs. We are finally sailing and the boat is, at last, on her lift behind the house.