Odyssey 2022 Day 4 March 23


Last night at anchor was peaceful. I woke up at dawn and got underway. My intent was to have a short day and put in at Deltaville to ride out a nasty line of thunderstorms predicted for that evening and early the next day. I had two worries: staying ahead of the thunderstorm and running out of gasoline. The Atomic 4 burns about a gallon per hour. I had about 14 gallons in the tank and no reserve which should be plenty unless I was forced off course by the weather. 
I stayed as close to shore as I thought I could, keeping to areas charted at 6 feet deep or more. Even so, Chugging along at 5 knots, I ran aground  on a sandy point off of Bethany Beach. Nothing I could do would get her to budge. Eventually I decided to launch the dingy with the anchor inside it with the other end of the anchor line firmly attached to the bow of the Scarlott Waters(SW). I paddled out exactly 120 feet and dropped the anchor, paddled back and began the match my tugs on the anchor rope with the 2 foot swells. Eventually this tactic worked along with using one of the halyard lines to lean the boat over sideways. After about 20 minutes of struggle she was free! 
I now made sure to keep to water charted at 10 feet deep or more just in case! 
SW and I made it to Deltaville around 2 p.m. and I had the gear stowed just as the first drops of rain began to fall. I napped that evening, slept all night and most of the next morning. Before rousting about to fill up the fuel tanks. It is now March 24 at 3pm and still raining and now thundering!  I am snug as a bug in a rug. Tomorrow I sail on, and hopefully cross the Potomac river. 
Update:
My tiller minder broke on day 3 during a scuffle with the sails. I kept it in use by lashing it back together.
Today I had it repaired by a local machinist/welder. It should work good as new now!
I have plotted out my course for the next two days. Tomorrow should take me to smiths point and the next day across the Potomac to Tanners Creek or somewhere nearby. Then, after another rest, on to Annapolis and beyond!

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