A Winter Sailboat Delivery: Maryland to Florida By Arthur Barlow Campbell
Champagne, a Swan 43, at dock.
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n May 2006, I was crew for the delivery of a Swan 43, named Champagne, from Fort Lauderdale, FL, to Chestertown, MD. The boat was owned by a two-time circumnavigator named Jim Huber. (See SOUTHWINDS, February 2007, “Tips from a Circumnavigator.” Available in the Back Issues pages at www.southwindsmagazine.com). Last fall, Jim decided he wanted to move to warmer weather and eventually end up in the British Virgin Islands. He needed crew to move the boat south on the first leg to Fort Lauderdale. I knew that leaving in the middle of November was a little late, but I jumped at the opportunity to sail with him again—and to get away from the office. The delivery crew consisted of Peter Wilde, a retired schoolteacher, Keith Knepp, a USAF loadmaster with over 10,000 flying hours in a C-130, another crewmember (who will remain nameless), and myself. We left Chestertown, MD, on November 14 in cold weather, heavy fog, and no wind and headed down the Chester River for the Chesapeake. As we entered the Chesapeake, the wind picked up to 12-15 knots, and we sailed all night heading for Little Creek, VA. As we approached Little Creek, the wind went from the bow to the stern as a cold front moved in with gusts up to 55 knots. Our topping lift broke, and the boom crashed onto the starboard lifelines as the boat heeled over, and the rail went into the water. The skipper had on his safety vest and was attached to the jack line as he reefed the main. We followed a U.S. Navy destroyer escort into Little
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Creek and had a difficult docking at Bay Point Marina due to the direction of the wind and an outgoing tide. The skipper did an amazing job of getting us into the berth without damaging other vessels and his home of 15 years. We later went ashore and had a needed hot shower, dried out our clothing, and went out for dinner. We left Little Creek the following afternoon bound for Norfolk. We entered the Norfolk harbor at night. The U.S. Navy shipyard lights, city lights, and the heavy tug and barge traffic made it difficult to navigate the harbor. It was a very busy harbor and no place for an amateur. We continued on to Big Bridge, locked through and then tied up to the canal wall for the night, which meant no marina fees, which made my Scottish heart very happy. I went into Chesapeake, VA, with two of the crew for a wee dram to warm us up. We first stopped at El Toro Loco (the crazy bull) and I had three draft beers and a bowl of chips and salsa for the grand sum of $4.50. I thought the bartender was mistaken, and asked him twice if the amount was correct. His reply, “This is Chesapeake, not the big city.” The crew was fortified and anxious to continue to see what a new port had to offer. The crew continued on to another watering hole, and I left to get some sleep. About 2:30 a.m., I heard whispers and a female voice. Our nameless crewmember was giving a tour of the sailboat. After a while, it was quiet, and I awoke to someone having a religious experience. All I heard was Oh, Oh, Oh God, Oh God! The following morning, we had a crewmember missing, www.southwindsmagazine.com