[Rhodes22-list] Sailing home

Mon Mar 23 10:32:02 EDT 2009

Tom,
I don't think it is foolish or dangerous. I think it's more an issue 
of time and perhaps also an issue of how adventuresome folks are. It 
is a long trip in a small boat but doable with a lot of planning. I 
think it would be a great adventure.

One thing to be aware of as a new sailor is weather. You need good 
forecasts and the ability to know when conditions warrant re-checking 
those forecasts (that's before things turn ugly). Time figures into 
weather watching as well. You may find yourself waiting for weather. 
The worst thing to have is a schedule that says I only have 4 days to 
do this so we have to go now.

Are you leaving from Edenton proper? If so, Elizabeth City may be too 
ambitious. A rough bit of work on my NC chartbook with dividers put 
it at 60 miles. On days we really have to cover ground we figure six 
to eight hours travelling which leaves time for breakfast (or at 
least making tea), anchoring and time for dinner. We generally figure 
35 miles is a really good day in terms of mileage but not necessarily 
in terms of comfort because it will be mostly motoring. On a 
beautiful day, 6 hours of motoring is fun. With a headwind it's not. 
While we can motor at 6 knots we generally motor at 5 and if there is 
current or a headwind you may be down to 4. If you are sailing and 
have to tack into the wind a lot, make sure to account for that in 
your mileage estimates. You may be sailing with 4 to 5 knots of boat 
speed but only making 2 miles an hour (or less) toward your 
destination. You'll be probably be motoring long distances so make 
sure you have identified many possible refueling stops.

The shallow draft of the Rhodes 22 is a real advantage as is time to explore.

I would suggest sailing the boat in the vicinity of Edenton before 
you leave just as a bit of a shakedown. There are often little things 
that can be fixed on the spot by Stan and crew which of course means 
leaving time for repairs. See if you can get Stan to go out with you 
to show you the systems. His knowledge of sailing a Rhodes 22 is 
unsurpassed. We learned a lot from a couple of hours spent on the 
water with him.

Continue to ask questions here. There is lots of good knowledge. 
There is a group of NC Trailer Sailors at http://ncsail.org/  They 
have a forum and may be able to give you some local knowledge. Jim 
Harrison and Don Clarke have done the Chesapeake end of things - 
Norfolk to Elk Neck (at the top of the Bay). Let me know if you want 
email addresses for them. I don't believe they are on the list anymore.

Best of luck. When are you planning to pick up the boat. Keep us informed.

Mary Lou
1991 R22  Fretless
Rock Hall, MD

At 08:51 AM 3/23/2009, you wrote:

>Thanks for the response.  I did check the archives and found Frone's notes,
>but guess he did not have a solution other than an early departure from
>Edenton.  There are some shallow creeks near the mouth of the Pasquotank but
>I can't find any reference to them on the net.  I will trust the charts and
>good judgement and maybe explore a little.  Perhaps the shallow draft of the
>Rhodes will be a real advantage.  It is a long haul to Elizabeth City.
>I am concerned that not more of the group have not taken this trip.  There
>are several Rhodes22 on the Chesapeake and it seems natural.  Is it foolish
>or dangerous?  Or just too much time?  I am a new sailor, but have signed on
>an experienced sailor to join me.  I will arrange for the trailer after I
>arrive home.
>Tom Hogarty
>
>
>
>
>Mary Lou Troy-2 wrote:
> >
> > Tom,
> > I may have suggested this before but if I didn't search the archives
> > for Frone Crawford. He's the only one I know who has done that trip.
> > Any of the guides to the ICW should have info about anchorages.
> > Looking at our (dated) NC charts, I don't see much that looks too
> > promising in the river itself. Only thing that really struck my eye
> > on the charts was Little River off of the sound itself. Sounds like
> > an adventure in the making. Don't forget to take good notes and let
> > us know how it goes.
> >
> > Mary Lou
> > 1991 R22  Fretless
> > Rock Hall, MD
> >
> >
> > At 06:12 PM 3/22/2009, you wrote:
> >
> >>I plan to sail from Edenton to the Rhode River on the Chesapeake.  Does
> >>anyone have experience with anchorage in the lower Pasquotank?  I am not
> >>sure if we get a late start, which is my way, that we can make to
>Elizabeth
> >>City in one day.
> >>Thanks,
> >>Tom Hogarty
> >>--
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