We decided to head north from Stingray so that we could enjoy the delights offered by Solomon’s Island and Annapolis, and also because of weather: super-good weather for going north on the Bay, but marginal weather predicted late-week (for if we had gone offshore to Block Island, near-gale conditions were predicted at landfall).

We departed at 0530 in order to time Slack-Before-Flood at the Potomac to enjoy a tranquil crossing there. One perk of an early departure is that you get an unparalleled view of the sunrise.

Due to the early start, and the gentle conditions, we had an elaborate breakfast “on the road” of French Toast with fresh-baked Italian bread (from the superb SHYC Italian Dinner – kudos to Celeste and Greg!) and real Maple Syrup!.

Winds were from the south all day, and though initially light, by the time we got to the Potomac river (which we’d timed for a slack-before-flood) they were hitting 15 knots steadily, and we were doing 6.5 knots or better over ground with poled-out jib and prevented mainsail. By the time we got to the Patuxtent, where Solomon’s is, we were enjoying 20-30kts and moving more than 7 knots over ground on a broad reach into Solomon’s.

Some folks have expressed interest in how well the Monitor steers. When the apparent wind was light (less than 3 knots), it wanted to steer higher (unfortunatey, off-course) and we ended up having to use the electronic pilot. However, when the apparent wind climbed above 5 knots, it did marvelously, and as the seas and winds built throughout the trip, it proved itself all over again by staying dead on-course and not weaving at all. I’ll include an image here of our Monitor Windvane steering downwind in about 10-15 knots of wind. (Later, winds increased to 20 with gusts to 27, and it did even better. I do not get a commission. Click here for a short video of the Monitor in action in about 15 knots)

Some other folks wonder about our dinghy stowage. We have an 8 ft Walker Bay which we keep under our boom when making any sort of significant passage. This little boat comes complete with mast, sail, rudder, daggerboard, and one of our favorite activities is to sail it through an anchorage to check out people’s boats!

Definitely a good first day for our trip to Maine!