Chesapeake Bay - Little Wicomico to Annapolis

[Bearkeley]

Thought we'd share the video we created highlighting our maiden voyage on MaryJo (27 FC - modified). We spent 2 nites on the hook to get to Annapolis (2 hour by car normally), 7 nites at a marina while attending the boat shows and Cruisers University (highly recommend it) and two more beautiful nights on the hook back home.

We found Mary Jo thru this group...thanks to this group, DCatSea (who took us on our first Albin ride when we were shopping around) and especially CapVic (who spent soundless hours to 'make' Mary Jo such an amazing boat and entrusting her to us!), we had our first, of hopefully many, amazing cruising experiences. We have the bug! Thank you all!

https://youtu.be/s4_7eizdnBQ

[Jeremyvmd]

Looks like you guys had a great time! We were planning on a making a similar trip but an unplanned deposed and full mech overhaul put the breaks on that this year!

[Bearkeley]

Looks like you guys had a great time! We were planning on a making a similar trip but an unplanned deposed and full mech overhaul put the breaks on that this year!

At least you'll be in great shape next year! PM us when you are in the area. Great fishing spots around here as well!

[WillieC]

Bearkley, that is a great video! THAT is what dinking around in our Albins is all about. I keep telling myself that I need to listen to more U2 and this is why.
Thank you!

[DesertAlbin736]

Nice video! Always glad to hear stories of Chesapeake cruising. A suggestion for a future trip if I may (might be too late for this fall season, but perhaps next spring?). How about a 35 mile run up the Nanticoke River to Blades, DE with a stop in Vienna, MD or overnight at Bivalve? Visit the fine folks at the Nanticoke River Yacht Club in Blades. Happy hour on Wednesdays & dinners on Friday night at the yacht club at the marina in Blades. Overnight guest slips available. Tell them Lee's son Steve sent you.

Brings back memories of our own 2015 Chesapeake Cruise.

Fast forward this video to the 13 minute mark for the Chesapeake portion of our East coast cruise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67QqvVgwgz8

[Sprig1]

Great vidio! Gives me incentive to get my 27fc in the water. I'm up in the northern part of the bay on the Easternshore

[Bearkeley]

Great vidio! Gives me incentive to get my 27fc in the water. I'm up in the northern part of the bay on the Easternshore

Same here! Let us know if you are ever by Smith Point....hope to meet you at the Rendezvous, if not sooner!

[Marcy K]

Great video, can't wait to get back on the water- if only the weather will cooperate up here in the NE! Did notice that "Mary Jo" doesn't seem to have a bow rail - did you remove it? If so why?

[Bearkeley]

Great video, can't wait to get back on the water- if only the weather will cooperate up here in the NE! Did notice that "Mary Jo" doesn't seem to have a bow rail - did you remove it? If so why?

Thanks! It was a great first trip...I guess not bad for a first video too . Yes, Mary Jo doesn't have the bow rail. We bought her after reading about all the great work done on her from this forum. CapVic, who did all the work on her felt that bow rails give boaters a false sense of security (low profile and weight), not to mention that she looks better without it. At 6.5 knots, we love sitting up front when it's not too choppy and have learned to hang on to ropes that we tie off to the side railings as we travel forward when the boat is running....

[Marcy K]

Bearkeley,

"Mary Jo" does look sleek and beautiful, but let me share a story for food for thought about not having a bow rail.

We were on our A 27 and traveling to Block Island from Long Island Sound and had to transit "The Race" where seas are often confused and big. There was a big standing wave that ripped our anchor off the pulpit, leaving it dangling down just a bit. The seas were rough and I had to go out to secure that anchor. Made it out to the bow holding on to the hand rails, then sitting down and moving the rest of the way to the pulpit on my bottom, holding on to the stanchions. I made it to the anchor and pulled it back up, tying it to the sampson post and the stanchions. We made it to BI, but it was a stressful 5 hour trip! I felt very glad to have that bow rail.

[Bearkeley]

Marcy K - thanks for sharing....sounds scary! Always one hand on the boat right? Perfect example! Yeah, if we had higher rails that are strong, that would be preferred. Without it though, the ropes we put along the side and the bow have come in handy....but fortunately, nothing like your rails did for you!

[Marcy K]

The railing helped with an emergency release of the anchor when the engine overheated as we approached Plum Gut in Long Island Sound too. I can't really picture your ropes but if you can use them in adverse conditions and feel safe, then that's what counts. Good luck and enjoy her, the 2017 boating season is finally upon us!