[C320-list] Knapps Narrows (was Full vs. partial batten mainsails)

[Kevin Rooney]

Re: Knapps Narrows (for Chesapeake Bay sailors) -- this question and the
comments following it were posted on June 21st on the "Chesapeake Bay
Sailing" Facebook group:

"Knapps Narrows. Anyone been through recently? Any markers or shoaling to
avoid?"

"Went through Knapps last weekend with no problems. We draw 6' and didn't
see anything below 7.6. New G daymark on the Bay side replaced the old R
daymark near Tilghman Island marina to keep you in deep water. Shout out to
Capt Adam from TowBoatUS who shared with us his local knowledge about new
nav aids."

>From "TowBoatUS Kent Narrows & Knapps Narrows": "Give our Captain a call!
410-745-3000. Capt. Adam transits there frequently and is happy to give
local knowledge."

"I went through last week. They have changed old red 4 to green 5a and
there is a new floating red nun. Didn't see anything less than 7.3"

"TowBoatUS Kent Narrows & Knapps Narrows should have local knowledge here.
My understanding is there is significant shoaling to the north side of the
channel transiting from the Bay side."

"We draw 5' and had no trouble going through 10 days ago. Only trouble spot
is the west side where there was a temporary new red buoy mark to honor
instead of the old daymark piling. When in doubt, veer south!"

-----

Kevin Rooney
S/V Cecilia Ann
Shipwright Harbor Marina
Deale, MD

On Fri, Jul 7, 2023 at 8:52 AM surprise thompson87.com via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> Troy, so you made it through Knapps Narrows?  My last few tries were
> disasters and I’ve stopped trying.  Severe shoaling on the west entrance is
> the issue.
>
> Scott
>
> > On Jul 6, 2023, at 9:00 PM, Troy Dunn via C320-list <
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >
> > We have an Elvstrom full batten loose footed main.   The sail was made
> in
> > Denmark using a high quality Challenger Dacron Sailcloth.   I want to say
> > it was roughly $2000 five years ago, but I’d have to go sort through my
> > records to get an exact price.  Dacron is not all created equal, we
> > purchased the specific cloth based on our cruising needs, so that’s
> > something important to consider. That price included a local sailmaker
> > coming to the boat measuring for the sail, etc,  as well as some
> finishing
> > touches that were done here stateside and then coming back to the boat to
> > install the sails etc.    We purchased a Genoa, stack pack and new canvas
> > all at the same time so I don’t know if the price reflects any sort of
> > discounts.   We love the stack pack and would never go back to a
> Dutchman.
> >  We are not racers and I could see how the stack pack might be an
> > annoyance for folks that race a lot.  The joy of knowing we can turn head
> > to wind, pop the halyard clutch and have the sail "managed" in less than
> 30
> > seconds is really nice when you have a storm heading your way fast.
>  We've
> > had quite a few opportunities the last couple weeks on the Chesapeake to
> > use that feature….it’s been quite a couple of weeks for summer light
> shows
> > and impromptu ground tackle testing.   A really nasty squall blew through
> > Tilghman Island Monday night about 4 hours after we went through the cut.
> > Gusts of 85 mph were recorded and some boats that were hauled out for
> work
> > were knocked off their stands.
> >
> > Troy Dunn
> > Hull #514
>