First Trip Potomac River

[ROAD Soldier]

Mount Vernon


First sailing trip out in my new sailing grounds was scenic, fun, and tragic. Scenery included viewing George Washington Mount Vernon Home from the water. Later the scenery included taking a slow relaxing sail with just the headsail from the middle of Washington DC down to just beyond the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on my way back to the house. The fun was consisted on sailing in a fresh breeze that would hit guts speeds of 28MPH, and just being able to sail after a long wait. The tragic portion consisted of one broken Ida Rudder after years of use and abuse. Will call on Monday to see if they hold up to their lifetime guarantee. However the real tragic part of this is that there will be no sailing on Easter when the forecast was going to be even better.

Well in the mean time here is a video of the early part of the trip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQaq0c6Bvoc

[gabid]

Thanks for sharing the video. I really enjoy it. I will have mine on the water 4 weeks from now.

[phoenixtoohot]

Good video. Are you loacated in Poquoson or DC area? I checked Windfinder.com and winds on the Eastern Potomac yesterday were 15 with gusts to 28mph ... just like you said.

Regards, Larry

[vkmaynard]

Great video, thanks.

Victor

[zoneboy]

Looks like a blast, thanks for sharing the video.

[c130king]

Ron,

Those were also my sailing ground back in 2010. I was at Ft. Belvoir about 3 miles or so from Mt. Vernon from Aug - Nov 2010.

I was out on the Chesapeake yesterday...winds gusting over 20 frequently. I got tired of fighting them and around 1:30 I dropped anchor for about 5.5 hours. Started sailing around 7:30 again to do my first ever night sail. Quickly found out that my bow light wasn't working...stern light was working fine. I quit about 9:00.

It was great and I can't wait to do it again.

If you want to get out on this part of the Chesapeake let me know. I know you have lots of Chesapeake time but down at the bottom end.

Cheers,
Jim

[ROAD Soldier]

Jim

There isn't any better sailing then a full moonlight sail with clear skies and stiff breeze coming from the western shore on the Chesapeake.

[Catigale]

Hoping I can get down to for a sail with my favorite Colonel before he splits for retirement

[c130king]

Hoping I can get down to for a sail with my favorite Colonel before he splits for retirement

Hey Doc, I don't know if your favorite Colonel is available but I should be...so come on down. I just finished a FANTASTIC 2-night jaunt on König. Other than the bow light wasn't working and the steaming light wire corroded out of the plug the boat worked flawlessly and the trip was great. Even did a little (and probably slightly illegal since my bow light wasn't working) night sailing Saturday night...my first ever night sail on König. Videos and pictures (aka evidence of my night sailing without the proper illumination) will be on my website by tomorrow noon.

Departing for a weeklong trip to visit my wife and new house down in Mississippi...flying out of DCA just after lunch today. Might just go check out future Gulf Coast marinas while I am down there.

T-minus 4 months, 21 days, 2 hours, 24 minutes and counting.

Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König Website
Sailing on König YouTube Channel

[ROAD Soldier]

Follow up on my busted Ida Rudder. The Ida company is no longer in business it has been bought out by Rudder Craft who uses a stronger material yet on the Ida rudder design. So I didn't get a free replacement but the only charged me the cost of materials $125.
Now considering the following experiences I have had with that rudder I think I been fairly treated:
. How hard I have sailed my boat since owning it
. That particular rudder was always the one I would put down when slow motoring sometimes forgetting to bring it back up at the slip that wasn't deep enough at low tide
. Banged it numerous times on hidden objects troll fishing in shallow water
I am grateful for the treatment overall . However the only complaint I have is they don't have material in stock right now to make one so they will not ship one out until the 16th of April at the earliest . So for now I will have to reef alot and sail like 95% of you out there, darn slow .

[Jason Carrier]

Great video, once I make some repair Mount Vernon is on my to go list, only about 25 miles from where I keep my Mac.