Crusty Cruise - A Chesapeake Tradition

Sunday, March 24, 2019

50 years of Crusty Cruising

OK Sailors, we are just over a month away from the dates for our Spring Crusty of 2019. That is right, it has been 50 years since Norwood Richardson sent out the first invitation to participate in what became known as the Crusty Cruise.

The dates for our Spring 2019 Crusty are April 24^th thru April 28^th. I am certain we will start with a Wednesday night dinner in Deltaville, Va. And then set sail on Thursday to begin our 50^th Spring Crusty. I feel that we should head “at a hasty pace to a destination on the York River, whereat there is the strong possibility of further reward for plausible seamanship in the form of double rations of beverages” as stated by Norwood 50 years ago.

Please get with me ASAP to inform me of your intentions with regards to making this historic Crusty Cruise upon the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

I leave you respectfully to ponder your decision,

Captain H. Penn Burke

       ComCrusCru-IV

Thursday, March 14, 2019

New Dates for sailing

4th week end of April - 3rd week end of October

2019 Apr 24-28 & Oct 16-20

2020 Apr 22-26 & Oct 14-18
2021 Apr 21-25 & Oct 13-17

2022 Apr 20-24 & Oct 12-16
2023 Apr 19-23 & Oct 18-22

2024 Apr 24-28 & Oct 16-20
2025 Apr 23-27 & Oct 15-19

2026 Apr 22-26 & Oct 14-18
2027 Apr 21-25 & Oct 13-17

2028 Apr 19-23 & Oct 18-22
2029 Apr 25-29 & Oct 17-21

Monday, June 18, 2018

Sad Day for the Crusty Cruise Blog site

From: Captain Penn Burke , ComCrusCru IV

I am saddened to pass along the news about the death of Tom Dreelin. Tom had to give up sailing recently due to a decline in health but he thoroughly enjoyed his many years of sailing on Crusty Cruises.

Crusty History with respect to Skipper Tom Dreelin - Tommy’s oldest brother Donnie Dreelin was a good friend of Norwood Richardson and may have sailed on the first Crusty Cruise but certainly was sailing with Norwood and the gang down in Norfolk in the early 1970’s. As such Tommy was introduced to sailing with his brother and George Snavely (who was a good friend of Donnie). George and Tommy got me to venture out in mono hull sailing as I was hooked on Hobie Cat sailing and the fever took hold and I started sailing the Crusty cruise in the mid 1980’s. At this time period, the Crusty was in March and in November and we were sailing on a 32’ Islander named Summerwind. On every trip, we had 6 crewmen on board with enough clothes for cold weather and occasionally warm days. In addition to all the clothes, food, alcohol and other stuff, Tommy would also have a guitar, a fiddle, and a bag full of kazoos for those of us that could not play music but wanted to join in the noise of a good ol songfest and hootenanny. This of course interrupted a lot of peaceful nights at anchor in a small cove somewhere but everyone had a blast. Often times in a marina, we would have folks from other boats come over to join us and make the evening even more entertaining. The Dreelin Clan could always throw a good party and Tom will be missed.

I attached a few pics from my archives…..

Here are the links to Tom's obituary in the Gordonsville paper and in the RTD:

http://www.dailyprogress.com/obituaries/dreelin-thomas-francis/article_753b73c6-547c-5cb9-ab0d-2f3bdc003110.html

http://www.richmond.com/obituaries/dreelin-thomas/article_477c99ee-bb43-5619-bcb9-2b39e82c9186.html?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=_Obituaries%20Daily%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=_Obituaries%20Daily%20Newsletter

Captain Penn Burke (See you on the Water)

"If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane" J. Buffett

Thursday, November 2, 2017

2017 Fall Crusty – 2 Vessels participating: Cappy-Ta – with crew of 3 Painkiller – with crew of 3

Wednesday – loading of vessels and a fantastic dinner prepared by Crusty Chef Sharon at Chez Chuckie’s in Deltaville. Allison and Charlie Maresh and Tom White joined the sailing crews for dinner.

ComCrusCru IV brought out the new Crusty flag he had made by US Flag on the internet. The crew of Cappy Ta was present for dinner but the new owner Chip Huling could not make dinner but did show up on Thursday to take his vessel out. Bill Vaughn sold Cappy Ta and he and Russell invited the new owner to join us on the Crusty with them as crew. What a great way to get to know your vessel by going out for 4 days with the previous owner and his lead mechanic. I think we may see Chip again on a crusty. Chip did a good job in putting together a video on You Tube of Fall Crusty 2017:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDdYlYIxt6g

Dinner and dessert were great- Thank You Sharon

Thursday – Off to Tangier Island We had very light air and Painkiller did not raise the sails and had an uneventful motor across to the island. We arrived right at peak current flowing through the channel at Parks Marina but Capt. Chuck did a great job at backing Painkiller into the slip. It was so impressive that he got a big at-a-boy from Milton Parks the 86 year old owner and dock master of Parks Marina. Milton is still riding the piers on a moped after breaking a hip two years ago and he spent a great deal of time hanging with us and telling Tales of Tangier. We helped other vessels coming in for the evening as the current was causing quite a bit of excitement. One vessel kept grounding on the mud flat in front of the slips and the captain was afraid to kick it hard to get over the flat and into the deeper water of the slip so Mr. Parks sent them to the Tour Boat dock to tie up for the evening. We did get a group picture of Mr Parks with our new Crusty Cruise flag in the background. We all had dinner at Lorraine’s as the other eateries on Tangier have closed for the season.

Friday – we started out with light winds and headed to Reedville to tie up at the Crazy Crab. Painkiller ended up motor sailing across the bay as the winds never really provided enough force to sail us across. The weather was just great the entire weekend with cool nights and warmer days and no rain. Arrived at Crazy Crab in time for cocktails and horderves in the cockpit of Painkiller. There was a big wedding rehearsal dinner on the outside patio and the inside was loaded as well. We all had a great meal.

Saturday – We left Reedville and went across the creek and up into a small creek where Bill Vaughn’s new house is located and tied up at his dock and did a walk through tour of his place. Nice home with great views and low maintenance yard. On leaving the pier we promptly ran aground but were able to free ourselves without assistance and started our motor down to Little Bay. We were heading into Little Bay and I followed the same route that we had used before but learned that either the pound net was moved or there has been some shifting of the sand bar and I ran aground but once again used the muscle of the engine to get free and after getting tied up, I updated the chart on my GPS and put in a No-Go Waypoint to stop us from doing that again. We enjoyed the scenery and had a wonderful yoga demonstration by a petite young lady on the foredeck of a sailboat anchored nearby. Watched the Va Tech game and then enjoyed Chuck’s famous Crusty Cruise Pot Roast.

Sunday – Back to homeports for both boats. An uneventful motor back to Deltaville as there was no wind for sailing once again.

Note: I am sure that we will have Chip Huling joining us on a Crusty in the future assuming he can find crew as I expect Bill and Russell will go back to sailing on Snack Bar. Be sure to go out and watch the video on Youtube and enjoy the attached pictures.

Note 2: OK Guys, we all say that we need to expand the Crusty fleet but then you come up with lame excuses not to come out and participate. What’s with that?

Spring Crusty 2018 is April 25-29. Write it down, tell your family, and be there – no excuses…..

See you on the water – Capt. Penn

Captain Penn Burke (See you on the Water)

"If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane" J. Buffett

Invitation to the First Crusty Cruise

S. Norwood Richardson
March 25, 1969
Dear Sir:
You are cordially invited to enter your craft in a contest of endurance and perseverance commencing at the hour of 0800 on April 18, 1969, in the vicinity of the Chesapeake Bay, the intention of which is to swiftly proceed to the furthest point northwest in the Bay as of the close of that day’s daylight hours, such point being determined by the blessings of nature, skill of your crew, the whim of the Commodore and performance of your vessel, thereupon to take mooring and, having properly secured all gear, participate in the quenching of the great thirst which results from such strenuous exertions, care being exercised that, while the Captain should be exempt from such restrictions, the crew must not consume more spirits than can be tolerated by and eliminated from their systems prior to casting off on the morrow, for they will need a ready body and clear mind to meet the competition offered by the sea and the other vessels as they proceed southward at a hasty pace to a destination on the York River, whereupon there is the strong possibility of further reward of plausible seamanship in the form of double rations of beverages, with the same admonition to the crew as heretofore expressed, and other delights to the soul of the seafaring man, leaving him in condition, it is prayed, to depart that anchorage on the morning of April 20, 1969, to proceed at leisure, while partaking of proper medication and nourishment so as not to appear too exhausted upon landing, to the respective home ports, thereupon to be greeted with varying degree of hospitality and appreciation by the waiting loved ones, who may express admiration for the daring exhibited by the bold adventurers or who may express other sentiments dependent upon the condition of the participants and the vessels, no heed being taken, however, to the usual wifely complaints which would tend to dull the edge of keen self appreciation which will accrue to all those who participate in this great event, it being remembered that there are few chances left for us to test our manhood against the forces of nature and other less natural challenges.
It is hoped that, after securing your mate’s permission, you will forthwith respond in the affirmative to this invitation so that proper preparations can be made for our welcome and comfort at the ports of call and so that the proper authorities can be alerted to clear the area of our voyage of other vessels which might in some way impede our progress.
Respectfully yours,
S. Norwood Richardson
Head Captain

Crusty Cruise Sailing Schedule

A Letter from Commodore Penn Burke

It was a great weekend with 3 great days of sailing followed by Sunday which was not all that good to go North but CJ and crew must have had a great ride back to little Creek. Speaking of CJ, (Charlie’s son) we talked about the next time he showed up he would receive his own Crusty Burgee as this was his 2nd Crusty and Vickie would make one for him on his third appearance as she has done for others through out the years. This all changed after the ComCrusCru watched CJ and his crew sail into the raft of vessels and pass over their dock lines to tie up. A very Crusty move in front of a large crowd of spectators just waiting for a screw up with crash landing. But noooo, they pulled it off in fine style. I made the decision on the spot that he was getting a burgee as soon as he finished tying up and taking a swim over to his Dad’s boat. Of course Chuck pouted just briefly when I informed him that I was taking his burgee to present to CJ. He agreed that it was the right move and we had the presentation on Gadfly. Of course when I told Vickie that she needed to make Chuck a Burgee, she pouted but just briefly until I explained the situation. Following a great raft up with good music and drinking, CJ and crew broke off the raft under sail of course and looked great, heading out the East River wing on wing. The top down view of the raft was provided by Charlie after going up to measure his rigging for replacement.