The First Day: 40 Fast Miles Ends With Engine Failure

Editor's Note: This entry is part of a series of entries chronicling GolfCourseHome and WaterViewHome Publisher David Lott's cruise from Baltimore to Martha's Vineyard. Look for links to the next entry at the end of each post. You can also find links to other posts at the start of each entry. Day 1: 40 Fast Miles Ends with Engine Failure Day 2 & 3 : Fuel polishing and on to the C&D Canal Day 4: Delaware Bay Day 6: Trump Marina Atlantic City Day 6-7: Confused Seas at Manasquan Inlet Day 7-8: Riding Pea Soup Fog into New York City Day 8-9: Cruising thru New York City & Hell's Gate Day 9-10: eautiful Boats at Milford, CT Day 11: Saybrook & the Schooner Winfield Lash Day 12-13: Martha's Vineyard at Last

Day One. After provisioning, we set off from Baltimore off from Baltimore Harbor around noon. Our trip had been delayed two days because the teak work was not finished and the solenoid switch on the propane tank was not working. Had to have that working. And a quick test of the cigarette lighter socket where we were going to power up our cell phones and computer didn't work either. Finally shoved off under partly sunny skies, 80 degrees and fresh breezes of 15 knots or more.

We wave good by to Elise on the dock.

First major land/watermark we pass is the Key bridge.

Named after Francis Scott Key who wrote the star Spangled Banner nearby from inside a British prison ship.

_ One of several monster tankers we passed._

Winds gusted to 25 knots and we heeled up to 28 degrees. Notice the towel swinging out away from the wall.

The light grew warmer at day's end.

Captain John at the tiller.

Shadows grew long as dark approached. Minutes later we turned on the engine which lasted just 2 minutes. It took another 2 hours to reach anchorage where we eased in the dark into a slip guided by a late night boater who didn't want his first day (and night) on the water to end. Miles Traveled: 40. Day 2 & 3 : Fuel polishing and on to the C&D Canal.