Chesapeake Bay 'mini cruisers'

[frank durant]

Just back from hooking up with a bunch of trailer-sailors on the Chesapeake. I trailered my suncat 807 miles one way.....yes it WAS worth it !! SUPER friendly people in S Virginia !! Very welcoming !! We met up at westpoint marina and took off exploring from there...each night rafting up for a cook out ,drinks and 'boat talk'.These were Monty sailors with 4 -15's and 3 -17's showing up.Nice boats and real great owners.I had a hoot.This was small boat sailing/racing/gunkholing at it's best.

[frank durant]

1st raft-up

[frank durant]

my lil catboat

[frank durant]

Meal time on small boats

[frank durant]

Under way on the bay

[frank durant]

small IS fun

[frank durant]

You're not as nervous sailing thru a swing bridge on a small boat.

[xroyal]

Frank, that's just terrific! Sounds like boating at it's best.

Thanks so much for posting the pics! You don't sound too tickled.  

[Mike Goodwin]

Frank , did you guys sail all the way down to Yorktown?
I was hanging out on a Canadian boat all weekend , Bluenose II was in town.
She was berthed right beside the schooner I worked on building , Virginia.
Here is the Capt and 1st Mate , Phil and I have sailed together since 1987 , his rookie year on Bluenose.
You should have come a few miles further south .

[frank durant]

I would have tried had I known...I haven't been on the Bluenose since 89. I really can't say enough about 'southern hospitality' !!! People came out from their homes to welcome us !! People came out on their boats to say' if you all need anything,just come right up my dock over there and get it'....OFTEN !!  Another thing I can't say enough about is how the little catboat sailed!! Montgomery's are known to be fast lil boats and my fat lil cat boat kept up to weather and pulled ahead down wind ...to my surprise AND theirs !!

[commanderpete]

That Frank. Travels around picking up sweet boats. Fixes them up nice with little fuss. Then goes exploring. My hero.