SHIP'S LOG:
It started raining about 3am and has kept up all day. It was cold and grey and clammy and a good day to stay in bed curled up with a good book . . . . which was exactly what I did. I also rearranged a few things, discovered a few more leaks to plug and generally was indolent and lazy. I deserved it.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, it is off to the Potomac River and possibly ol' Virginny!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Herring Bay - A Learning Experience
SHIP'S LOG:
After I dropped the anchor in Herring Bay and had supper, it seemed the end of a very fine day. Two other sailboats were anchor near by, not close but near by, and we were a cosy- wave-at-a-distance community of sailors. I did all my normal checks and went to bed and slept the sleep of the just . . . . until about 1:30AM when "the wind shes astarted to blow!" I don't think the gusts got to be more than 30 knots but it was the fact that NOAA had forgotten to mention the possibility that was most irksome. Herring Bay is on the western shore of the Bay and the wind was coming out of East/Northeast with nothing to impede its progress. I was in 15 feet of water with 110 feet of rope rhode, 12 feet of chain, a 35lbs CQR Plow anchor, and 30 lbs of additional anchor weights on the rode. The boat wasn't going anywhere, not in that amount of wind, but that didn't stop me from worrying about it. I got up twice to check and left the GPS on all night. The GPS plotted the movement of the boat and gave the depth of the water under the keel. ABISHAG didn't move out of a fifty foot circle and never seriously approached single digit depths. Of course, at night everything seems magnified, all the noises, all the movements, and when you are rocking up and down, sometimes not too gently, it can work on your mind. I know that I must have gotten some sleep but it sure didn't seem like it. I kept waiting for the anchor to pull out, the rode to part or something else to go wrong . . . . but nothing did. I had set everything up well, as I do every night, for just such an unexpected event. Through truth be told, I did ask God several times to get me through the night!
The morning didn't look to hot and the weather was iffy to say the best, but since I had the course already laid in, I took off for Patuxent River and the Solomon Islands. It was a trip of about 31 miles, the longest trip alone on this particular journey. The wind was out of the east but light so I motor-sailed and made really great time. Along the way I was passed by the US Navy Hospital Ship COMFORT. It has the nicest captain I have yet heard. When he contacted a ship in front of him and asked him to maneuver, he would take the time to explain why he want the other ship to move and seemed to suggest the what was to their best advantage. A far cry from" I am passing you to starboard!" with no ifs, ands or buts.
Anchoring in the Solomon Islands, an area just inside the mouth of the Patuxent River, is really something. all the homes are magnificent. If they aren't receive mansions, they are old homesteads with the look and panache of ages. When I dropped my hook out in front of this one house and set about making the boat ready for the night. The owner came out with a friend and I could hear them and see them talking and pointing to my boat. I kind of felt for them. If I lived there, having me park my boat "in their front yard" would irritate me some too.
So far, there hasn't been a lot of sailing on this trip, but tomorrow, weather permitting , will be a sailing day. I will head out of the Patuxent and turn right and either anchor somewhere in St. Mary River, at the mouth of the Potomac or continue south and anchor somewhere in the Great Wicomico River. I wonder what's so great about it?
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
Strangely, even though I haven't really gone all that far since losing Bob & Fred, it seems almost as though I am really pushing it. Today was the farthest trip yet and it was only 31 miles! I don't know why I feel it but it seems like I am rushing and pushing. True, I do want to get back to wearing shorts and tee-shirts, but it is more the attitude. I want to get somewhere. Where I am not quite sure but somewhere. I am really struggling to enjoy each day where I am. It is getting a little easier, but I am still looking too much ahead instead of living in the moment. After all, what's the rush?
After I dropped the anchor in Herring Bay and had supper, it seemed the end of a very fine day. Two other sailboats were anchor near by, not close but near by, and we were a cosy- wave-at-a-distance community of sailors. I did all my normal checks and went to bed and slept the sleep of the just . . . . until about 1:30AM when "the wind shes astarted to blow!" I don't think the gusts got to be more than 30 knots but it was the fact that NOAA had forgotten to mention the possibility that was most irksome. Herring Bay is on the western shore of the Bay and the wind was coming out of East/Northeast with nothing to impede its progress. I was in 15 feet of water with 110 feet of rope rhode, 12 feet of chain, a 35lbs CQR Plow anchor, and 30 lbs of additional anchor weights on the rode. The boat wasn't going anywhere, not in that amount of wind, but that didn't stop me from worrying about it. I got up twice to check and left the GPS on all night. The GPS plotted the movement of the boat and gave the depth of the water under the keel. ABISHAG didn't move out of a fifty foot circle and never seriously approached single digit depths. Of course, at night everything seems magnified, all the noises, all the movements, and when you are rocking up and down, sometimes not too gently, it can work on your mind. I know that I must have gotten some sleep but it sure didn't seem like it. I kept waiting for the anchor to pull out, the rode to part or something else to go wrong . . . . but nothing did. I had set everything up well, as I do every night, for just such an unexpected event. Through truth be told, I did ask God several times to get me through the night!
The morning didn't look to hot and the weather was iffy to say the best, but since I had the course already laid in, I took off for Patuxent River and the Solomon Islands. It was a trip of about 31 miles, the longest trip alone on this particular journey. The wind was out of the east but light so I motor-sailed and made really great time. Along the way I was passed by the US Navy Hospital Ship COMFORT. It has the nicest captain I have yet heard. When he contacted a ship in front of him and asked him to maneuver, he would take the time to explain why he want the other ship to move and seemed to suggest the what was to their best advantage. A far cry from" I am passing you to starboard!" with no ifs, ands or buts.
Anchoring in the Solomon Islands, an area just inside the mouth of the Patuxent River, is really something. all the homes are magnificent. If they aren't receive mansions, they are old homesteads with the look and panache of ages. When I dropped my hook out in front of this one house and set about making the boat ready for the night. The owner came out with a friend and I could hear them and see them talking and pointing to my boat. I kind of felt for them. If I lived there, having me park my boat "in their front yard" would irritate me some too.
So far, there hasn't been a lot of sailing on this trip, but tomorrow, weather permitting , will be a sailing day. I will head out of the Patuxent and turn right and either anchor somewhere in St. Mary River, at the mouth of the Potomac or continue south and anchor somewhere in the Great Wicomico River. I wonder what's so great about it?
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
Strangely, even though I haven't really gone all that far since losing Bob & Fred, it seems almost as though I am really pushing it. Today was the farthest trip yet and it was only 31 miles! I don't know why I feel it but it seems like I am rushing and pushing. True, I do want to get back to wearing shorts and tee-shirts, but it is more the attitude. I want to get somewhere. Where I am not quite sure but somewhere. I am really struggling to enjoy each day where I am. It is getting a little easier, but I am still looking too much ahead instead of living in the moment. After all, what's the rush?
Monday, October 18, 2010
It Wasn't the Chesapeake Bay Bridge!
SHIP'S LOG:
A couple of days ago, as I was heading toward Bodkin Creek, off in the distance I saw this large bridge that stretched across the Bay and naturally I assumed that it was the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. I learned absolutely for sure that it wasn't. The bridge in question is just south of the Magothy River and is, in fact, the William Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridges. Passing under them was impressive none the less.
On the Magothy River, I was surprised to fine that they removed the speed limit buoys they put up everywhere evidently on weekends when traffic is heavy. I know of lots of places where they put them up but I have never heard of anyplace that removes them after the weekend is over.
No wind from beginning to end. NOAA lied again. The 5-10 knots from the NE never showed. In fact, the Bay was like glass and I had to motor the whole way to Herring Bay. Lots of crabpot buoys in this stretch. What makes it even crazier is that some of the local water fowl are the same shape and seize as the most commonly used buoys and sometimes you'll come upon a field of them and they all fly away and other times they don't. One never knows until one is almost right upon them. So far I have been lucky and have not snagged a pot, and so I have kept out of the water.
Heading into Herring Bay, I found two(2) fish weirs, several poles with nets strung between them to catch, well, herring, of course. They are not marked on the any chart and naturally they were right across the course I had so carefully plotted. Not really a problem, just an annoying course adjustment.
The weather was also cool and hazy. To the west you could see that it wanted to rain but so far no rain has fallen. I actually had to wear a jacket and gloves for most of the day. It must have been the coolness of the water and the wind created by the movement of the boat, but it was chilly and damp.
Passed between a coupe of tankers moored off Annapolis. Who names these things? One was not too bad "CLS ATLAS," but"CENTURY SEYMOUR"?
The weather tomorrow calls for a 50% chance of rain. I am hoping that NOAA is as accurate with tomorrow's weather as it has been over the last few days!
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
It is a strange sensation, a bit unsettling, a bit uneasy, not knowing the places I am going to. Each morning I have no idea where I will be spending the night. True, there is a name on a chart but even if I get there it is still unknown. I plot a position on the GPS to drop the anchor and when I get there it is like nothing I imagine it would be . . .except that it is in the water. There is nothing known, nothing familiar. It feels a bit weird, exciting, strange all at the same time.
A couple of days ago, as I was heading toward Bodkin Creek, off in the distance I saw this large bridge that stretched across the Bay and naturally I assumed that it was the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. I learned absolutely for sure that it wasn't. The bridge in question is just south of the Magothy River and is, in fact, the William Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridges. Passing under them was impressive none the less.
On the Magothy River, I was surprised to fine that they removed the speed limit buoys they put up everywhere evidently on weekends when traffic is heavy. I know of lots of places where they put them up but I have never heard of anyplace that removes them after the weekend is over.
No wind from beginning to end. NOAA lied again. The 5-10 knots from the NE never showed. In fact, the Bay was like glass and I had to motor the whole way to Herring Bay. Lots of crabpot buoys in this stretch. What makes it even crazier is that some of the local water fowl are the same shape and seize as the most commonly used buoys and sometimes you'll come upon a field of them and they all fly away and other times they don't. One never knows until one is almost right upon them. So far I have been lucky and have not snagged a pot, and so I have kept out of the water.
Heading into Herring Bay, I found two(2) fish weirs, several poles with nets strung between them to catch, well, herring, of course. They are not marked on the any chart and naturally they were right across the course I had so carefully plotted. Not really a problem, just an annoying course adjustment.
The weather was also cool and hazy. To the west you could see that it wanted to rain but so far no rain has fallen. I actually had to wear a jacket and gloves for most of the day. It must have been the coolness of the water and the wind created by the movement of the boat, but it was chilly and damp.
Passed between a coupe of tankers moored off Annapolis. Who names these things? One was not too bad "CLS ATLAS," but"CENTURY SEYMOUR"?
The weather tomorrow calls for a 50% chance of rain. I am hoping that NOAA is as accurate with tomorrow's weather as it has been over the last few days!
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
It is a strange sensation, a bit unsettling, a bit uneasy, not knowing the places I am going to. Each morning I have no idea where I will be spending the night. True, there is a name on a chart but even if I get there it is still unknown. I plot a position on the GPS to drop the anchor and when I get there it is like nothing I imagine it would be . . .except that it is in the water. There is nothing known, nothing familiar. It feels a bit weird, exciting, strange all at the same time.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Anyone Ever Heard of SIllery Bay?
SHIP'S LOG:
Me neither! Yet here is where my anchor is tonight. If it helps, Sillery Bay is off the Magothy River on the western shore of the Chesapeake, north of Annapolis. Feel better now?
Actually it wasn't much of a trip today, only about 12 miles but except for the first and the last it was all sail! It had been my intention go past Annapolis and anchor in the Rhode River, by NOAA lied again. The 10knots out of the Northwest became 20 and gusty and it kicked up quite a chop in the Bay and since I had a course to Sillery Bay already in the GPS, I made a mid-course correction and dropped in here. It is really quite a beautiful place. The entire shoreline is line with some incredible houses and it seems as though every bit of shoreline is held in place with rip-rap or bulkheads. It all must be privately done as it varies from house to house, but the land appears to be sand cliffs and if they weren't protected, the beautiful houses on the hilltops would end up in the Bay.
I ended up dropping the hook about 2pm and after it was down, I got to watch two different yacht clubs/sailing clubs racing in Sillery Bay. One of the hot classes down here must be Etchells(?) as each club had a group racing. It was an enjoyable way to have lunch, good food and a show. It would have been topped off if i could have gotten a football game, but I have no TV and trying to watch it on the computer is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO expensive.
I had thought that the depth sounder on my GPS had given up the ghost. It would read below 10 feet or so , even when I knew I was in deeper water. Thank goodness it turned out to be my fault. I hit the wrong button when I was "learning" to run the GPS in the Nav Station. A few simple buttons pushed and it is working just fine.
Tomorrow is a choice of locations. For one, I could go to the Rhode River which is south of Annapolis, about 12 miles away from Sillery Bay. I could also go to Herring Bay, a littler farther south on the western shore, about 26 miles away. I could also go to Dun Cove which is on Tilghman Island on the eastern side of the Bay. It is a matter of the weather and the time I get started. The weather Monday night calls for rain and Tuesday may be a washout, so where I drop the hook Monday may be for two days.
I haven't quite gotten into a routine yet. Hopefully it won't take too long. It is a bit unsettling not to have a routine so that I know everything gets done. It makes things comfortable and makes me feel more relaxed. It also provides great peace of mind, a considerable asset when you hanging on anchor rode in some place you've never heard of far from home. Peace of mind is a great thing!
Me neither! Yet here is where my anchor is tonight. If it helps, Sillery Bay is off the Magothy River on the western shore of the Chesapeake, north of Annapolis. Feel better now?
Actually it wasn't much of a trip today, only about 12 miles but except for the first and the last it was all sail! It had been my intention go past Annapolis and anchor in the Rhode River, by NOAA lied again. The 10knots out of the Northwest became 20 and gusty and it kicked up quite a chop in the Bay and since I had a course to Sillery Bay already in the GPS, I made a mid-course correction and dropped in here. It is really quite a beautiful place. The entire shoreline is line with some incredible houses and it seems as though every bit of shoreline is held in place with rip-rap or bulkheads. It all must be privately done as it varies from house to house, but the land appears to be sand cliffs and if they weren't protected, the beautiful houses on the hilltops would end up in the Bay.
I ended up dropping the hook about 2pm and after it was down, I got to watch two different yacht clubs/sailing clubs racing in Sillery Bay. One of the hot classes down here must be Etchells(?) as each club had a group racing. It was an enjoyable way to have lunch, good food and a show. It would have been topped off if i could have gotten a football game, but I have no TV and trying to watch it on the computer is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO expensive.
I had thought that the depth sounder on my GPS had given up the ghost. It would read below 10 feet or so , even when I knew I was in deeper water. Thank goodness it turned out to be my fault. I hit the wrong button when I was "learning" to run the GPS in the Nav Station. A few simple buttons pushed and it is working just fine.
Tomorrow is a choice of locations. For one, I could go to the Rhode River which is south of Annapolis, about 12 miles away from Sillery Bay. I could also go to Herring Bay, a littler farther south on the western shore, about 26 miles away. I could also go to Dun Cove which is on Tilghman Island on the eastern side of the Bay. It is a matter of the weather and the time I get started. The weather Monday night calls for rain and Tuesday may be a washout, so where I drop the hook Monday may be for two days.
I haven't quite gotten into a routine yet. Hopefully it won't take too long. It is a bit unsettling not to have a routine so that I know everything gets done. It makes things comfortable and makes me feel more relaxed. It also provides great peace of mind, a considerable asset when you hanging on anchor rode in some place you've never heard of far from home. Peace of mind is a great thing!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Those Three Little Words "Small Craft Advisory"
SHIP'S LOG:
"Perfect Peter" and "Debbie Diction" - the voices of the NOAA Weather Forecasts, used those three little words last night and again this morning which meant that I wasn't going anywhere. Truth be told, if I was at TYC 20-25 knots and gust to 30 makes for an exciting ride but there would have been no small craft advisory. The shallowness of the Bay allows the winds to whip up some nasty waves that make for hazardous travel by small craft, hence the advisory.
I actually think that gusts were more than 30 because they really got ABISHAG sailing around on her anchor.The rigging sang and everything that could rattle did! But the sun was out and it was in the high 60's so it was a good day.
I got a chance to complete a couple of jobs. I Re-hinged the port side cover for the anchor/ windlass locker that had been torn out by the storm. A little drilling, a little screwing, a little gluing and all is right with the world. I also put a barrel bolt latch on a locker in the forward head which broke during the storm. The banging was enough to drive you crazy when it was really rocking. Fred had literally duct taped it in place. IT was half open/half closed and not really usable, but I only just now got around to it. I also got around to learning the GPS/Chartplotter at the Nav station which is different than the one at the helm in the cockpit. Lots amore buttons to push but I think I have it down . . .sort of.
This morning I was awakened by what I thought was some idiot letting of a string of firecrackers. Then it dawned on me . . .in my paranoia . . .that someone was shooting of a gun to get my attention because I was going aground or something. As it turns out, today must be the first day of the duck hunting season, because Bubba and Cooder and Billy Joe were in a duck blind on the other side of the creek blasting away at anything in the sky, including the low flying aircraft approaching BWI! They kept it up until 10am when they ran out of targets, bullets and/or beer. I expect a reprise on the morrow. I wonder if they would get too upset if I used an air horn on the ducks? Naw, they'd probably shoot me!
"Perfect Peter" and "Debbie Diction" - the voices of the NOAA Weather Forecasts, used those three little words last night and again this morning which meant that I wasn't going anywhere. Truth be told, if I was at TYC 20-25 knots and gust to 30 makes for an exciting ride but there would have been no small craft advisory. The shallowness of the Bay allows the winds to whip up some nasty waves that make for hazardous travel by small craft, hence the advisory.
I actually think that gusts were more than 30 because they really got ABISHAG sailing around on her anchor.The rigging sang and everything that could rattle did! But the sun was out and it was in the high 60's so it was a good day.
I got a chance to complete a couple of jobs. I Re-hinged the port side cover for the anchor/ windlass locker that had been torn out by the storm. A little drilling, a little screwing, a little gluing and all is right with the world. I also put a barrel bolt latch on a locker in the forward head which broke during the storm. The banging was enough to drive you crazy when it was really rocking. Fred had literally duct taped it in place. IT was half open/half closed and not really usable, but I only just now got around to it. I also got around to learning the GPS/Chartplotter at the Nav station which is different than the one at the helm in the cockpit. Lots amore buttons to push but I think I have it down . . .sort of.
This morning I was awakened by what I thought was some idiot letting of a string of firecrackers. Then it dawned on me . . .in my paranoia . . .that someone was shooting of a gun to get my attention because I was going aground or something. As it turns out, today must be the first day of the duck hunting season, because Bubba and Cooder and Billy Joe were in a duck blind on the other side of the creek blasting away at anything in the sky, including the low flying aircraft approaching BWI! They kept it up until 10am when they ran out of targets, bullets and/or beer. I expect a reprise on the morrow. I wonder if they would get too upset if I used an air horn on the ducks? Naw, they'd probably shoot me!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Bodkin Creek at Anchor . . .Again
SHIP'S LOG:
It wasn't a long trip today, a mere 3/4's of a mile, right back to where I was on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.However, it meant that the $68.50 a night charge no longer applied which is good if you don't have $68.50 a night. Total dock bill came to $205.50 but now I am on my own hook and it is free . . . . except for the paranoia.
It took me four, count'em four attempts to get the anchor set and holding. Truth be told, it was probably holding the first three times but I didn't like where it left me hanging so to speak. The winds are 20 -25 with gusts of 30 so I want to be sure that when I wake up in the morning I am in the same place it was the night before when I went to bed! Laying out a 35lbs plow, with 12 feet of chain and 90 feet of rope rode, with 30lbs of anchor weights on their own rode thrown in, then doing it again, and then doing it again and then doing it a fourth time - all by hand - well it is more exercise than I have had in a while. But it is all down now, the bearings check, the GPS checks and I am in for the night.
I almost hated to leave the Yacht Club/Marina. It was comfortable there and there were people all around, then there is the old sailing proverb that says "good harbors rot good men and good ships." It was time to go, not far but go. I am not sure whether or not I will be moving tomorrow. It is supposed to be windy . . .small craft advisory windy. If the winds get too much they may even call it "a gale." One of those a trip is fine thank you! Then again, NOAA doesn't have a sterling track record so far on this trip. I will await the dawn and check the weather again and see what's what.
The weather is changing down here. Days still int eh high 60's/ low to mid 70's but the nights are getting cooler, in fact down right chilly. And the chill comes earlier in the evening and stays later in the morning. I guess fall even comes to Maryland. It was an actual long pants/jacket type of day. I may have to put my shorts and tee-shirts away for awhile, but not too long I hope.
I have 8 stops/anchorages plugged into the GPS. I can adjust them if I want but they are all comfortable day trips. I want to be able to be in and anchor by 4pm every day. It gives me a cushion against the unexpected. . . . . like having to set the anchor four times! If all goes well, I will be anchored in Sillery Bay this time tomorrow, one step closer to the ICW. At this rate I might even get there before November.
It wasn't a long trip today, a mere 3/4's of a mile, right back to where I was on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.However, it meant that the $68.50 a night charge no longer applied which is good if you don't have $68.50 a night. Total dock bill came to $205.50 but now I am on my own hook and it is free . . . . except for the paranoia.
It took me four, count'em four attempts to get the anchor set and holding. Truth be told, it was probably holding the first three times but I didn't like where it left me hanging so to speak. The winds are 20 -25 with gusts of 30 so I want to be sure that when I wake up in the morning I am in the same place it was the night before when I went to bed! Laying out a 35lbs plow, with 12 feet of chain and 90 feet of rope rode, with 30lbs of anchor weights on their own rode thrown in, then doing it again, and then doing it again and then doing it a fourth time - all by hand - well it is more exercise than I have had in a while. But it is all down now, the bearings check, the GPS checks and I am in for the night.
I almost hated to leave the Yacht Club/Marina. It was comfortable there and there were people all around, then there is the old sailing proverb that says "good harbors rot good men and good ships." It was time to go, not far but go. I am not sure whether or not I will be moving tomorrow. It is supposed to be windy . . .small craft advisory windy. If the winds get too much they may even call it "a gale." One of those a trip is fine thank you! Then again, NOAA doesn't have a sterling track record so far on this trip. I will await the dawn and check the weather again and see what's what.
The weather is changing down here. Days still int eh high 60's/ low to mid 70's but the nights are getting cooler, in fact down right chilly. And the chill comes earlier in the evening and stays later in the morning. I guess fall even comes to Maryland. It was an actual long pants/jacket type of day. I may have to put my shorts and tee-shirts away for awhile, but not too long I hope.
I have 8 stops/anchorages plugged into the GPS. I can adjust them if I want but they are all comfortable day trips. I want to be able to be in and anchor by 4pm every day. It gives me a cushion against the unexpected. . . . . like having to set the anchor four times! If all goes well, I will be anchored in Sillery Bay this time tomorrow, one step closer to the ICW. At this rate I might even get there before November.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
All Better! ! ! ! ! !
SHIP'S LOG:
"Utility Lou" showed up at the crack of dawn . . . .literally!At 07:00 there was a pounding on the hull and it was Lou and the old alternator and the brand spanking new regulator. He went to work and before you could read "War & Peace," everything was installed, tested and worked. And it only cost 1.2 Maine Units. For those of you who don't know or remember what a "Marine Unit" is, it is a designation for an amount of money that lets you spend more than you should while making it seem less. It is far easy to spend "1 Marine Unit" then it is to spend "$500!" So 1.2 Marine Units - you figure it out!
Today the weather turned crappy. It is cold and has been raining all day. It is supposed to rain until midnight and then stop. There are small craft warnings out on Chesapeake Bay, even a warning of possible "waterspouts!", so I decided to bite the financial bullet and stay at the marina one more night. Tomorrow, the rain should be gone and so will I. If the wind is "too much," I will simply move "down creek" to the spot I was Saturday, Sunday & Monday and head of when the weather is good.
I talked with Chuck Estell, the launch drive from TYC, who has made this trip numerous times. He will be my personal guide in addition to all of the books, websites and info from other sailors I have received. He already has given me a few ideas that will be helpful. However, I am still maybe a week away from Hampton Roads/Norfolk/Portsmouth/ Newport News and the beginning of the ICW at Hospital Point.The is no real rush to get there . . yet. Beginning on November 1, everybody with insurance is released to go south of the Chesapeake and the ICW will become a veritable waterborne "I-95." Since I have no intention of pushing to make 50 -70 miles a day, I would like to get some distance before the rush hits, but again it is a question of seeing what each particular day brings about.
If I think of it, I will take a picture of this boat that is being worked on here at Pleasure Cove Yacht Club ( great name but terribly inaccurate as is their ad in the cruising guide). The boat is called "Plenty of Pleasure" and is a powerboat, with four huge props, each of which goes for $16,000 a piece!
It is chilly down here in the rain and near time for supper. Enjoy the storm that is headed your way in Connecticut!
"Utility Lou" showed up at the crack of dawn . . . .literally!At 07:00 there was a pounding on the hull and it was Lou and the old alternator and the brand spanking new regulator. He went to work and before you could read "War & Peace," everything was installed, tested and worked. And it only cost 1.2 Maine Units. For those of you who don't know or remember what a "Marine Unit" is, it is a designation for an amount of money that lets you spend more than you should while making it seem less. It is far easy to spend "1 Marine Unit" then it is to spend "$500!" So 1.2 Marine Units - you figure it out!
Today the weather turned crappy. It is cold and has been raining all day. It is supposed to rain until midnight and then stop. There are small craft warnings out on Chesapeake Bay, even a warning of possible "waterspouts!", so I decided to bite the financial bullet and stay at the marina one more night. Tomorrow, the rain should be gone and so will I. If the wind is "too much," I will simply move "down creek" to the spot I was Saturday, Sunday & Monday and head of when the weather is good.
I talked with Chuck Estell, the launch drive from TYC, who has made this trip numerous times. He will be my personal guide in addition to all of the books, websites and info from other sailors I have received. He already has given me a few ideas that will be helpful. However, I am still maybe a week away from Hampton Roads/Norfolk/Portsmouth/ Newport News and the beginning of the ICW at Hospital Point.The is no real rush to get there . . yet. Beginning on November 1, everybody with insurance is released to go south of the Chesapeake and the ICW will become a veritable waterborne "I-95." Since I have no intention of pushing to make 50 -70 miles a day, I would like to get some distance before the rush hits, but again it is a question of seeing what each particular day brings about.
If I think of it, I will take a picture of this boat that is being worked on here at Pleasure Cove Yacht Club ( great name but terribly inaccurate as is their ad in the cruising guide). The boat is called "Plenty of Pleasure" and is a powerboat, with four huge props, each of which goes for $16,000 a piece!
It is chilly down here in the rain and near time for supper. Enjoy the storm that is headed your way in Connecticut!
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