The Carolina Loop

I arrived in Elizabeth City, North Carolina midday to join the fleet, crewing on the F.D. Crockett. Five buyboats and an accompanying classic motor yacht were on the their way south on a two-week cruise. Hailing from different parts of the Chesapeake this group had continued on after rendezvousing with a total of 13 buyboats in Poquoson, Virginia. Through the Elizabeth River to Portsmouth and on down the Dismal Swamp Canal, the group had already seen much when I stepped onboard.

After a steamy day, some fine fried fish at Quality Seafood, and a television shoot we headed south down the Pasquotank River and across the Albermarle Sound. As we approached the northern shore of Roanoke Island the channel turned east and and back south through a narrow channel that led to Manteo. For me it was a homecoming of sorts, having lived in the small town over 35 years before. It was a lot different as one might expect. A new waterfront, shops and restaurants, and lots of tourists milling about. Like St. Augustine it is beautiful and easily draws a crowd.

Leaving Elizabeth City

Shadow Fay

Aboard the F.D. Crockett

Capt. Dave prepares for a blow, Propwash

55th Virginia's '671'

Capt. Bill's berth, 55th Virginia

Rope steering, Thomas J.

Rope locker, Nellie Crockett

Down below, Nellie Crockett

Elizabeth II, a colonial reconstruction, Manteo harbor

Visitors learning about the F. D. Crockett's log construction

Tied up stern to

After a rainy day onshore, the boats headed north back across the sound toward the Albemarle Chesapeake Canal. With strong NE winds the decision to go came at the last hour. Good time was made into the wind and a five hour run found me at the wheel meandering up the North River to Coinjock along the canal. Steve and Spartina had come down to sail in the river and I was fortunate to get a ride with Steve to retrieve my truck in Elizabeth City.

Thanks to John, Vera, Gordon and all those aboard the 'fleet' for a great four days!

Heading north

55th Virginia

Pushing through a NE blow

Coinjock

Manteo NC waiting out a nor'easter

Friends, Framing and Finishing Up

It seems that I could be more timely with my posts. But sometimes life moves right on, leaving ones best intentions unfulfilled.  Sunday before this past one my friends Steve and Barry joined me on Annie for "The Great Circumnavigation of Gwynns Island". It  was to be sure a beautiful, fresh day on the water. More about it from Steve's perspective.... here.

I have been busy building an extension on my studio. A mostly free-standing pavilion will give my an open but covered area to create art pieces and hopefully a boat project space. Just finished laying the deck and hopefully a roof is in the near future. Going to build common rafters with purlans to attach a metal roof. A bit more DIY research on Youtube is needed.

And the painting for my one-person show in Urbanna Harbor Gallery, Urbanna, Virginia is progressing. The opening is September 11 and will be up through the Oyster Festival in November. If your in the area, stop by!

Out The Hole in the Wall

© Curtis Bowman 2015

Acrylic on canvas  18" x 24"

Timing Luck

June 28: Ellie and I loaded up assorted painting and boat equipment and made our way to Mathews County. We rented an apartment over the marina where Annie is kept and had four perfect days just ahead of the Independence Day weekend storms. She's always been the 'good luck girl'.

So, with a plenty of room, a great kitchen, cold AC, Annie on the dock down below, and cheap rent... we were livin' large. Ellie did her first boat painting on Gwynn's Island while I did a few water color sketches on Annie while getting distracted by just being onboard. We slipped in a early breakfast at Linda's Diner and a some tasty seafood at Sea Breeze. And then there was swimming behind and exploring the sand spit at The Hole in the Wall that connect the Milford Haven run to The Chesapeake.

In other words, we had a great time. I'm one lucky guy.

View from our deck

Milford Haven Coast Guard Station

Crab houses

Treasure bucket

Sketching

 

 

 

My Friend

I recently heard that Ted Perry, Annie's builder is retiring after 37 years of boatbuilding. He obtained license to build Drascombes in wood in the early '80s and, to my knowledge, the only one remaining. I commissioned Annie in 2006 and worked with Ted on the design through much correspondence and several working visits to his shop in Elliot, Maine. Haven't met a nicer guy. Good luck Ted and wishing you a long, happy life.

Here is Ted's photos of the build. I guess Annie will be the only wooden Drascombe Longboat Cruiser built in the US. Time will tell...

The Mobjack Investigation

Temperatures have risen. 90 degrees F + in the afternoons and upper 70s at night are becoming the norm. But with a planned meetup with my friend Doug on the Mobjack Bay this past weekend it didn't much matter. We were going for it.

Doug trailered his fine Cornish Shrimper Tidings down from northern Maryland. I had launched Annie at Town Point ramp below Mathews, Virginia Thursday afternoon ahead of Doug who was scheduled for the next morning. After pottering around in the East River I joined my friend Ben at his nearby boathouse to help with boat repairs and beer drinking. I quite enjoy that kind of late afternoon activity.

Awake early (as usual) I sailed Annie back down the river to Compass Marina to seek out another friend's just acquired Roziante Luna. Eddie, the proud and excited new owner, texted that he was on his way down and wanted to join us. Doug checked in and informed me that, with a blown trailer tire, he would be a bit late. So... what's a guy to do? I went sailing again.

Tidings

Luna

Eventually we joined up and crisscrossed the Mobjack. The wind was fresh. As the temp' rose I began dumping water over my head to stave off the heat. Eddie sailed north into the Ware River, one of four that feed the small bay. Later Doug and I headed up, but I led us up the North River instead of the Ware. Far up I realized my mistake. I felt like I was a quiz show. Is it behind door number two or door number three? We retraced and eventually reached Eddie who was in the water cooling off. A nice swim, a fine dinner by Doug, and a quiet night at anchor.

The next morning we crossed back over the Mobjack to Compass where Eddie took us to get some more supplies. Doug and I set out to explore Pepper Creek and after the thunder heads dissipated, back across to the Severn River. We rafted and I served Cuban black beans and rice. We shared stories and learned a lot about what we have in common.

Crossing the Mobjack

Rafted

Eddie overboard

Sunday morning Doug suggested we slow motor the still reaches of the Severn. He was interested in future anchorages and I got a lot of workboat snaps for my painting 'clip file'. We were hauled and on the road by mid afternoon. It might the last trip of this hot summer on the Chesapeake. But I'm not so sure.

Could be a J Crew ad

Waiting out a storm in Pepper Creek

Large farm on the Severn

River 'Researcher'

Deadrise docks

Becky Thatcher (the first)

I have had two Becky Thatchers. My Drascombe Scaffie brought me back to small craft sailing. But the first was also my first build. She was a 12 ft sailing skiff. Recently uncovered old slides and was happy to find this image... 24 years later. How about that paint job!

Breakin' Out

Traveled to Urbanna last weekend. It had been 'waterless' too long, with our trip to the West Coast and my studio work filling the hours and days. After a bit of maintenance and a slow start I put in at the Town Dock Saturday afternoon and headed for Corratoman River. Once across the Rappahanock I tucked in behind Ball Point and anchored as the sun set. It wasn't the stillest night. A southwest breeze picked up and even with the mizzen sheeted tight, the small waves continued to slap the starboard side pretty much until dawn. I guess I could have moved but didn't seem to care.

Next morning brought a nice sail and even though it was Memorial Day weekend there was surprisingly few boats on the rivers. Back for a big breakfast in town. Sometimes you just need to wash the brushes and lock the studio door.

Lunch on the dock

Looking for an anchorage

Hook down

West Coast

Just back from the Bay Area... California that is. Visiting our daughter who moved there to dance and choreograph. We spent ten days doing as much as we could pack in. Here is a couple of boat shots you might like. The first are the often-snapped-by-every-tourist fishing boats 'parked' along the boardwalk at Fisherman's Wharf where cold seafood and sour dough bread is eaten liberally...

The second is a yacht passing under the Golden Gate Bridge well-reefed in a fresh breeze that just about knocked over the photographer...

Looking forward to the next visit!


PS:  Didn't McGyver live on a houseboat in Sausalito?