Shear Madness

May 7-8, 2011

Our friend Susan (who is an old high school friend of Bradley’s) joined us for a weekend on the Bay.

Bradley and Susan stow docking lines

FINALLY we have some decent weather to take Shear Madness out for some fun! After arriving at the boat and going through some checks and preparations (including a small software problem with our electronic charting system), we departed Solomon’s Island in the early afternoon. This was Susan’s first time out and she did a great job as crew trainee, helping us to get away from the dock easily and get all the lines and fenders stowed. Sun, flat water, and no problems made for a smooth cruise to Point Lookout at the mouth of the Potomac River, a trip of about 30 miles. We anchored near Point Lookout Marina where our friend Martin had just arrived with his boat from Occoquan, VA. Since we had not yet launched our tender since winterizing it back in November, Martin launched his and came over for a Shear Madness drink and a steak dinner.

Sunrise at Point Lookout

The next morning’s project was to launch our tender (the “small” boat that sits on deck and is dropped over the side by crane to allow us to get around once the “mother ship” is anchored). First step – put the batteries back in. After cleaning terminals and other minor maintenance, they were installed. Next step – use the crane to launch. After undoing all the cables and making sure everything was secure the tender was hoisted up and over the railing and down into the water. So far, so good. Next step – start the engines. Uh oh! Plenty of power from the batteries but neither of the two outboards would start. Martin arrived in his tender and we began diagnosing the problem. The fuel looked OK and it seemed that fuel was getting to the engines OK (this after 30 minutes of diagnostics). Thinking through the problem, we finally remembered! The outboards have a safety feature called a “kill switch” that is designed to shut them off when disengaged. The “kill switch” ring has to be attached before the engines will start. Oops – kill switch attached and engines started like they were new! Since Martin was docked at the nearby marina, we took our tender over there for a much needed bath and fuel-up. Then we explored the local waters for a while – a gorgeous, calm, sunny day! Saw many beautiful houses and just enjoyed being on the water.

Soon it was time to pull the anchor and head back to Solomon’s. No problems, and we docked without any incidents or raised voices. We had a chance to test all our systems, run the engines at high RPM’s, achieving a top speed of 11 knots, and even test the horn! A great trip for all!

April 17, 2011

On April 3, our friends Erwin and Uli arrived from Germany for a two week visit. We had a full schedule filled with hiking, sightseeing, shopping, visiting friends and family, eating, and just a few drinks. Erwin and Uli displayed their culinary skills, cooking some marvelous dinners. We also had lobsters flown in from Maine for a wonderful dinner at home. We visited Bradley’s daughter Margy, husband Bryant, and son Tyler and Grandpa successfully fed Tyler for the first time.

Kathy, Erwin, and Uli - Shear Madness Crew

The trip was capped off with a visit to Shear Madness, where we were able to take her out for her first trip of the year. The weather wasn’t perfect and we left the dock with gray skies, fog, and intermittent drizzle. Uli and Erwin were crew-in-training and assisted with all aspects of the trip – coiling dock lines, doing engine room checks, watching for boats and marks, photographing our journey, and giving the boat a good washdown on our return.

We left the dock at Solomon’s Island without incident and headed north up the Chesapeake Bay for a couple hours. Due to the chilly and rainy weather we stayed inside the pilot house, happy that we were on a trawler and not a sailboat! After a good run north we headed back south to the Patuxent River where we anchored for the night in St. Leonard’s creek and enjoyed a fabulous dinner of lamb chops on the grill with asparagus and mint sauce (cooked by Erwin and Uli). The weather cleared up nicely and we enjoyed a clear, calm night.

Kathy and Erwin stow docking lines on a gray day

In the morning we had beautiful weather so we  headed north up the Patuxent for a ways, exploring along the way and enjoying the welcome sunshine! Then we headed back to Solomon’s Yachting Center where Captain Bradley brought us right alongside the dock smoothly and safely. In short order we had the boat secure and breathed a huge sigh of relief that our first outing of the year had been so smooth. We ordered some fresh local oysters and enjoyed lunch on the flybridge before manning the hoses, sponges, and chamois to wash down the boat. Erwin and Uli did a great job in crew training and passed with flying colors! We hope to see them on board again soon – maybe this winter in the Caribbean!

After enjoying a final “Shear Madness” drink (a special recipe known only to us), we headed back to our house and bid our friends a fond farewell – till next time!

For more photos of Erwin and Uli’s visit, click here or go to Photo Gallery.

November 2010

Bradley’s daughter Margy along with husband Bryant and son Tyler came to Shear Madness for a visit in November. Grandpa Bradley got to give Tyler his first boat tour. He’ll be starting crew training soon! We had a nice lunch on board followed by a walking tour of Solomon’s Island.

AUGUST 31^st 2010

Here’s a brief update on our trip so far.

Shear Madness departed from Palm Beach on Aug 23^rd with Bradley and our friends/partners John and Leanne on board. They arrived in Cape Canaveral that evening where I met them. On the 24^th, we had a happy hour for our friends in that area, then departed on Aug 25^thfor St. Mary’s GA. Had a great trip with ideal conditions. Found a lovely anchorage in St Mary’s but only stayed one night as Hurricane Danielle was on her way and we wanted to avoid her effects.

Shear Madness anchored in St. Marys, GA

Next stop Charleston, SC. Again, a smooth trip in ideal conditions.  After exploring the Ashley River, we decided to anchor in the Wando River, which has been great – comfortable and private. Visited Ft. Sumter in our tender, then visited the city and cruised 15 miles up the Ashley River (in the tender).

Today we had planned to depart for Southport, NC but Hurricane Earle has altered that plan! We are staying put in Charleston for a few days and will do some projects on the boat and play a little.

SEPT 3rd

It’s Friday and we are still in Charleston. We are planning to depart tomorrow to head north to the Chesapeake Bay – that trip will take about 50 hours, so we should arrive in the Bay sometime on Monday. Then we will make our way slowly to Solomon’s Island, another 20 hours or so.

We’ve been safe and comfortable here in Charleston as Earl has now made his way north. Seas out there are still a bit rough but by tomorrow should have settled enough for us to have a comfortable trip. This has been a great place to be “stuck”! 

Kathy and Bradley in the tender

SEPT 6^th

We have safely arrived in the Chesapeake Bay and are now anchored near Virginia Beach. It was an incredible trip!  Although we were anxious to get here, we knew that we needed to wait in Charleston until Earl was past. What a great decision! Not only is Charleston a GREAT place to be “stuck”, we had ideal conditions for the 50+ hour trip. Seas were calm and weather was perfect! We had several dolphins shows with dolphins coming to play on our bow.

Click to play the video below.

Sept 9^th

On arrival in the Chesapeake Bay, we anchored overnight near Virginia Beach. On Tuesday we traveled to Onancock, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, anchored Shear Madness, and launched the tender for a trip up Onancock Creek to the small town. After some exploration, swimming, and a great dinner, we hit the sack, only to be awoken around midnight in a rocking boat with 30 knots of wind howling outside. Our anchorage was not well sheltered and not comfortable, so we decided to move. This sometimes happens – you always need to be prepared to move in the middle of the night! At 2am, we pulled our anchor and headed across the Bay to Reedville, a 3-hour trip. Winds continued to build, reaching more than 35 knots and it was the roughest seas we encountered during the entire trip! But it was a short journey and we anchored in Reedville, well sheltered and comfortable. From there it was a short journey to Solomon’s Island where Shear Madness is now docked and ready for more adventures on the Bay!

Here are some more photos from the trip: