Catalina 25, Fleet 8

On the Chesapeake at Middle River

Cheri Lynn Gets a Tow

Here is the whole picture. Look closely and you may see the tow line between Southern Cross and Cheri Lynn. Read the story below.

It was the second day of our July Week-long Cruise. We left Tillman Cr. on the Sassafras bound for Charlestown Marina on the Northeast River. We motored a good bit of the way as the winds were quite light. Cheri Lynn, a Catalina 27, was reporting an unusual noise while under motor.

Upon arriving at Charlestown, Don and Lynn conferred with the rest of the flotilla as to what might be the cause of the noise. There was much conjecture, but a trained eye was needed for an official diagnosis. Inquiring at the marina office, Don found that a marine mechanic was on-site. Unfortunately, he was tied up on another repair and might not get to look at Cheri Lynn today.

It was one of those very hot and humid days, but to the credit of the mechanic, he sought and found Cheri Lynn. The bad news was that a motor mount had failed, the engine was out of alignment with the shaft and the shaft was chewing up the packing nut and itself as well. More bad news: they couldn't get to the repair for several days (or more>.

A quick call was placed to Capt. Wood for advice as to who might be a good choice in the upper bay area to do the repair. Tidewater Marina at Have de Grace, a Catalina dealer, was called, but couldn't touch it for three weeks. The Worton Cr. Marina was mentioned, and a phone call gave some assurance that they could start the work right away. But, Worton Cr. was a day away and Cheri Lynn would only do more damage by motoring that distance. Without a favorable wind, the only choice was a tow. Thence came Southern Cross to the rescue. Joe offered to tow Cheri Lynn to Worton Creek.

This change of plans meant that we would not be going to Chestertown or to Havre de Grace. Instead, we were heading South to Worton Cr., and to what after that, we didn't know. But off we went.

Worton Cr. Marina was great about getting the job done. They assessed the job Tuesday afternoon as soon as we got there. Wednesday was to haul her out, pull the shaft, and order the parts. Thursday was to make everything right and go back into the water. Friday morn was for final alignment and sea trials. All the while, the rest of us: Lady Glendale, Southern Cross, and Warr de Mar; went sailing until Friday when we left for home.

The point of this story is to consider: 1) if it had been you, 2) if you had been sailing alone, 3) what choices would you have had? Luckily, the Fleet came to the rescue, we had a good time in spite of everything, Cheri Lynn is in a better state of repair than at the start of the cruise, and we stuck together and were all back on Middle River Saturday as planned.

And that, my friends, is the value of group cruising.

So, won't you join us on our next cruise? Click here

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