ep47 - Sailing Chesapeake - Betterton to Edgewater - Hallberg-Rassy 54 Cloudy Bay - Oct 2018

s/v Cloudy Bay (Hallberg-Rassy 54) left the quiet overnight anchorage of Betterton in the northern end of the Chesapeake and had a wonderful sailing trip to Edgewater on South River, just south of Annapolis. At first light wind and current against us, but it soon turned into an exhilarating upwind sailing on flat water.
We arrived at Westbrook’s (OCC port officer) dock late afternoon in the very sheltered Almshouse Creek. The following days were very busy socially as we attended an OCC dinner, a Hallberg-Rassy reception, visited Annapolis with Alex, and then flying to Canada for Thanksgiving with family.
The Annapolis Sailing Boat show was a highlight, except for too many “show offer” temptations, and budget was exceeded! We returned before planned from Canada, due to Hurricane Michael arriving in the Chesapeake Bay. And as we secured s/v Cloudy Bay for the hurricane, we also took the head sails down to prepare her for the yard time in Herrington Harbor North (the yard works will be in the next video). 1-15 October 2018

[@johnburrell1494]

The more i watch your HR the more I think it is the only sailboat worth having. Great videos , keep it up , don't quit. I'm enjoying it immensely👌👌👌👍👍👍👏👏👏

[@SailCloudyBay]

I think it was the same for me John: once I'd seen the build quality on an HR352, then seen her sail like a freight train, I was smitten and wanted nothing else.... it just took me 35 years from that time to actually buy an HR, but the dream was always there. So far, zero disappointment. And if we can give the pleasure of sailing her to others through our videos, that makes it even better experience for us too.

[@gonefishing1939]

i agree, He really is an amazing sailor, i like his thurst for knowledge, always pushing himself to be better, faster. its an attitude of perfection. i think hes ganna go down in the books as one of the greats from this generation. true Bad Ass sailor...on his game 110%!!! lol.

[@mikes2294]

Out standing vids ! ! ! ! ! ! The sails are trimmed perfectly for a tight pinch. Just beautiful, and the boat too !.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thanks again Mike!

[@johnjcoxiii9401]

Of ALL the cruising yacht videos I watch (42...I am a Beached Sailor), Cloudy Bay is the most powerfull and most beautifully sailed. I especially enjoyed the video in, I believe Newport, when you perfomed that series of tacks flawlessely with what appeared to be little effort and NO Drama. And this video showed the great power of your ship. It took me back to October 1955 when I was an18 year old Helmsman on "CURLEW," a 72' Bermuda racer. I must also congratulate your Wife for her excellent background narrations without intrusive background music. In EVERY WAY, YOU and your Crew and your videos are Number One! the Old Coastie

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thanks John, yes we certainly enjoyed that close taking from Bristol to Newport. Yes, Oana does a great job on the videos.

[@lancerobertson103]

Marvellous footage viewing Cloudy sailing with sound of the wind and sea, Glen with your wife your giving us all a very real video with out rambling on. Your camera work is saying a thousand words.Keep it up you two. Thank you, Lance

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thanks Lance for the nice comment. Oana really was getting some great angles on that wonderful upwind sail. We're trying to think how we can make it even more fun to watch. Any and all ideas welcome.

[@PhilDesmond]

Beautiful sail, Annapolis is my home port, we're honored Cloudy was in the vicinity.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thanks for the comment Mark. We really liked the area, especially Annapolis itself. Just wish we'd had more time. Well, we wish that of the entire east coast USA actually.

[@bradlarden]

What a beautiful boat. It's such a pleasure to watch these video's. Thanks for sharing them. I'd love a boat tour video some day.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Due to several requested we have shot (most of) a boat tour. Once we finish the bow section we will collate and upload. Watch this space! And thanks for the nice comment :)

[@gregpowell1962]

Your pole cam was excellent. However the HR54 looks good from any angle.

[@gregpowell1962]

Not in my price range.

[@SailCloudyBay]

But Gregory ... that pole was actually very cheap :) And if you were referring to the HR54, well, yes, expensive if bought new, but the price of an average house second hand. That's what we did: Cloudy Bay is now our house.

[@gregpowell1962]

I did a quick search on Yacht world. I never saw a HR for sale because I had my maximum price. Even a second hand one blows my budget . Its a Jeanneau for me I think. I am very jealous.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Gregory, it depends on what you are using the boat for. If weekend sailing or sailing in a limited season (like summer in northern latitudes, Caribbean etc , then a Jeanneau will be adequate and good value for money (if you get a good one, not an abused ex-charter boat). If you are planning serious Ocean passages, independent of other yachts then you may need something more robust. Me, I've always had "cheaper" yachts until this adventure. I always knew it would have to be an HR for this (for me). Others cross Oceans on all kind of yachts, including many Jeanneaus and do just fine. You would just need to be more prudent about pushing the boat too hard.

[@gregpowell1962]

@@SailCloudyBay I will just have to be very careful. My problem is I like a bit of room to move. I had my heart set on a 50ft catamaran and we almost got one but circumstances prevented us from continuing for several years. The wife got itch feet and took of with half the cash and went sailing with some one else. LOL So I shelved the idea, until I had a long spell recovering after surgery. Watched so much you tube. I just lowered my expectations. At the end of the day sailed within a yachts parameters almost anything will cross an ocean. In your view having sailed the MED and now in USA where would you start a sailing adventure the Med or the USA? I am in Australia and plan on doing a RYA accelerated day skippers course in Gibraltar July Next year. I would start here but yachts seem to be a bit to expensive here and it is a long way from Perth Australia to anywhere of interest to me. I enjoy watching your channel, you are living the life. Good on you.

[@hibbiteejibbitee]

That is one happy boat.

[@zegerwijnands3505]

Another great sail again! Thank you 😀😉👍

[@SailCloudyBay]

It was indeed a great sail. We are in Bermuda now and had more wonderful sailing to here. And soon to Antigua, so should be lots of sailing in our vids going forward.

[@zegerwijnands3505]

That is great news. To be clear: I enjoy the maintenance and the tours around the towns as well, especially when you were in the Boston and New York area, not many vlogs go there and it is a beautiful area. But seeing Cloudy Bay upwind (a little over powered ... the way I would sail as well 😇) without a crew that is nervous / anxious / scared / afraid (which sometimes seems to be the norm hehe 🙄😇) is just fantastic!! Hope you are having a good time in Bermuda, I guess that the North Sea is not on the schedule 😂😂 Looking forward to the next vlog!

[@SailCloudyBay]

Nope ... too many years of sailing in the grey southern north sea I'm afraid! That said, never say never!

[@zegerwijnands3505]

Sail Cloudy Bay Well looking at the weather here in Amsterdam today ... I agree with would completely! 😀👍

[@SailCloudyBay]

Uploading now .... fire up the microwave! Actually, dont ... this one may take all night to upload

[@tww1491]

I sailed the Chesapeake in the mid 1970s in a 28ft centerboard sloop. We were a crew of Army, USAF and Navy officers all assigned to the Pentagon. Some of the most enjoyable weekends ever. A good place to stop and dine is Tangier Island which (at that time) was only accessible by boat. We sailed out of Deale MD.

[@steveholton4130]

Fantastic Sailing Video! Maybe the BEST of All! I love the shots of the rail down. You ain't sailing if the rail is not down. Make her heel! That is what she was designed for. I have always preferred beating INTO the wind over Running with it. It is more challenging and much more exhilarating. An even keel is SO Overrated. OH, Yes, I almost forgot again. Please, Let this 12th generation AMERICAN, WELCOME You and Your Ship to the shores and Waters of what I Believe to be the Greatest and Most Beautiful Country in the World. sdh T.A. '67 in CT

[@SailCloudyBay]

Steve thanks for the comment and thanks for the welcome. We are certainly very glad that we chose to come to USA and cruise the east coast. Its a wonderful sailing ground. We are now re-thinking future plans and considering Panama to Hawaii to Alaska, then cruise south down the west coast to Mexico ... before crossing the Pacific.

[@sailnice]

Awesome sailing action

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thanks Andre. It was indeed a nice sail. So nice to be going upwind on flat water.

[@jwrappuhn71]

Excellent sailing vid ya'll.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Yep, it was indeed a great sail. upwind, flat water, perfect.

[@breathingtube]

Lots of great camera angles whilst sailing..

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thanks, we do enjoy trying to get as many new angles as possible. Gets harder to be innovative time goes on, bit will continue to try.

[@R.E.HILL_]

I really like boatyard videos, hope it will be covered in details...

[@SailCloudyBay]

Hold your breath for one VERY long yard-work video. Oana is editing right now. Prepare your comfy armchair and cinema :)

[@Glubok]

Same here !

[@R.E.HILL_]

@@SailCloudyBay excellent, going to the store and bulking up on popcorn right now... ☺

[@johnshoureas1629]

First to enjoy this video.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Another one uploading NOW. I challenge you to be the first again :)

[@steenkigerrider5340]

Lovely nice long sailing video, Mr. Glenn. Do you ever sit still on board or his being hyperactive part of the enjoyment?

[@SailCloudyBay]

Regarding your comment, Oana says to me: "looks like this person read you perfectly!" :) Yes, I dont really do sitting in one spot for very long, never have. I guess I am a bit hyper! Thanks for the comment, it made us giggle

[@Valden23]

Great footage Glen. That's a hell of a selfie-stick you've got. Nice shots of Oana twerking the fleet from up on the pulpit. How are your nine coats of varnish on the toe-rails holding up? Regards, Rick.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Hi there. our boat selfie stick is actually a 10ft boat hook with a GoPro adapter jammed into the end opposite to the hook :) The "varnish" is not doing so well now. It was put on in Mar17 but not very well applied, even though it was done professionally. Its actually not varnish. Its an industrial product call Colen, from Germany. Crazy expensive and rather tricky to apply (but still applied like varnish). But the beauty of it is that its very flexible, almost like a rubber coating. Infact, where we removed it for the gunwale repairs, it simply pealed off like a sticky label. It had 6 coats but the guys didnt seal properly on the underside and also when reinstalling fittings. So its about to all come off (easily, gladly) and be redone, with varnish next time, because this Colen product is difficult to repair.

[@alymohamed9666]

Nic Video

[@richardwells1017]

I also strive for perfectly trimmed sails.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Before Cloudy Bay we used to race, so sail trimming is kind of in the blood I guess. To me its like being in a manual car: driving in the wrong gear is just not on!

[@steenkigerrider5340]

Is the mast of the yacht next to yours (end the end of the video) realy that thick or is it a lens distortion?

[@SailCloudyBay]

Well spotted! Yes it is pretty thick. Thats because its a Freedom 36 with an un-stayed mast (no shrouds or spreaders), so the base of it is thick then it tapers upwards.

[@yorukkizigeziyor]

very nice 😍💖🔥👙