Waterford

Today we had an easy one. We travelled 35 nautical miles and arrived in Waterford at 3:00. We then went shopping by walking over the bridge, shop and with the stores permission wheel the cart back to the boat.

It has rained off and on all day. To prove, engine problems aside, how blessed the trip has been it did not rain at the lock, our landing nor the walk to and from the store. Well I exaggerate a little we were actually about 50 yards from the boat when it started to rain.

Tomorrow we will stay here and relax. First on the agenda is breakfast. We like having breakfast at a restaurant. But have not done it much during this whole adventure.

By the way there is a web cam pointing towards the Hudson. If you look closely you will see Irish Mist's cockpit and dingy. I will leave you with some pictures from today.

The Hudson

Now called The Federal Lock this use to be Lock Number 1

This is why we take the mast down

Hiding behind the covered bridge is Lock Number 2

Waterford Visitors Center

Catskills New York and Hop-O-Nose Marina

It's Monday morning and we are just about ready to take the mast down. Yesterday was not much of a day. It rained very hard all night the rained a little all day. 

First we got the sails off. This is not as easy as it sounds. Folding them on the deck is not easy and did try our patience. When it came to the jib we gave up and put it on the dock. This was still no good so we got it up the ramp to the shore. The shore is about 10 feet up. We got it folded and in the bag. Now we had to get it back down the ramp and on the boat. We rolled it down the ramp but did not get it on the boat.

Then we had to get the frames up. After a little struggle we got the forward frame up and secured. Then the Bimini had to come down. This in itself is not so bad with two helpers, Trish and I. But and it seems we always have a but. One of the two solar panel connectors would not un plug. We worked on it for about an hour then gave up ad disconnected all the other connectors.

We got the aft frame up. We could not tie it off at the aft end because we use the same pin as the back stay. The center frame is ready to go up, but first the boom vang has to come off. Trish and I tried but could not get it loose. Then we got most of the lines through to the mast. We were wet at the end of the day. We were as ready as we could be.

This morning I disconnected all the wires going up the mast except for the TV. As we wait for the crane operators to come we are watching Kelly and Michael. Once the mast is down we have to secure the mast to the frame then tie it fore and aft so as it stays in place. We are pretty sure we will be here tonight. Tomorrow we will go the 35 nautical miles to Waterford.

The Catskills

The Hudson River

The On the way down when we reached the Hudson and West Point it seemed as if we had gone a long way. We were really on our way. Well we were on our way but did not fully realize how far we were going. This is no mean to be negative but rather a comment on the magnitude of the venture. The sites we were to see the people we would meet were all ahead of us. Now as we near home we will remember and relive the adventure for ever. 

Tonight we may be in tThe Catskills at Hop-O-Nose Marina. We are not sure because the current is with us now but very weak. If it turns against us with any strength we will not make it. It is now 2:51 and we have made steady progress. Tonight we will be at The Catskills and Hop-O-Nose.

West Point from the South and then the North

The Hudson

The Esopus Meadows Light

Saturday June 27, 2015

Yesterday we had a slow trip up to Haverstraw, the current was against us all the way. We did get in by 4:00 PM making it the easiest day in some time. We went to the restaurant and everything went well until a waiter mistakenly brought us an order of calamari. It smelt so good both Trish and I had to have some. It came with our meal and was delicious.

We have had continuing problems with our auto pilot. It appeared that the flux gate compass was not working. Just before we entered the marina we tried once more to set the compass to no avail. Raymarine make their connections very easy to install. If there is a red and blue wire the connection is one red and one blue. I was pretty sure I could connect a new compass if I could find one.

You would not think a flux gate compass would be stock item, but let's try. Before I called West Marine I went to the office to pay then to the restaurant to see if they had anything for Kelly to eat. On the way I passed the little marine store I had forgotten was there. I went in and asked if they had one and sure enough they did. There tech guy was standing right there and told me that all flux gate compasses where the same. It was dusty but I bought it for $190.

I did not want to destroy the old compass since I was not 100% it was the problem. Trish and I set out to tread the new wire through the boat. We got about half way and ran out of wire. I went back to the store but they did not have extra wire. They did have a connection bar perfect for connecting small wires. Our only option was to cut the old wire. Since the old wire was already threaded and connected to the computer all we had to do was connect the two wires.

We cut the wire and found that the old wire had red, green, black, brown and white. The new wire was red, green, blue, yellow and silver. Oh no! What could we do. At the other end the wires connected to the computer were the same as the new wire. There was a simple solution. Get the multi meter out and check for continuity. First check the red and green they matched. Once we knew which wire was which we uses the connector bar and we're done,maybe.

I turned on the auto pilot and at least the power was correct. The final test would come in the morning.

As always Trish and I were up at 6:30. By 7:30 we decided to get moving. Later in the day it is suppose to rain, we are not use to rain. We also wanted to test the new flux gate compass. Off we went to do our circles. It took three turns which got me a little nervous, but finally it flashed deviation 1.

We may be in business. As we headed north I turned on the Auto Pilot and IT WORKED!!!!!!!!

Some minor changes to our plan

JXYToday was another flat day on the Atlantic. We did not get to sail or where we battered by waves. For maybe the first time since our arrival in Florida almost two months ago the sun is not out. It is no where near as hot but as we go under The Verrazano Narrows Bridge it feels a little muggy.

We were going to go to Great Kills this evening. We changed our minds for two reasons. First we got off early and second The 79th Street Yacht Basin can only take us tonight. We will dine in New York and Heath for Haverstraw tomorrow.

The Verrazano Narrows Bridge

New York

The Stanton Island Ferry

The Statue of Liberty 

Carnival Splendor the boat we had a cruise on last year with our good friends Roger and Lynda

Almost in The Big Apple

We are not ocean sailors so the trips in the Atlantic make for a nervous time. This is mostly irrational fear of the unknown, but it is still there. It turns out that 10 to 15 knots on the Atlantic is pretty much the same as 10 to 15 on Lake Ontario. 

 We have made it to  Barneget Bay and tomorrow we will see the Manhattan skyline and most likely stay at Great Kills. It will be a relief when we sail into New York Harbour and start up the Hudson. I would like to stay Saturday in Manhattan and go to St. Patrick's for mass. 

For now we are enjoying the hospitality of The Barneget Inlet Yacht Club. When we were here in September a nice gentleman came up to us in a little boat to say he liked our boat. It turned out he had just bought a Passport 47 which we went on at The Annapolis Boat Show. He said we were welcome to use his Yacht Club's mooring balls anytime we wished to do so. Tonight we wish to do so.

As one of you who have been reading our blog know we have had our challenges. Nothing compares with Trish's broken ankle. We have all said but not believed that you have nothing if you loose your health. Trish will not tell you but she still has pain most days. Without her this trip would have been impossible. Now that we are getting really close to home I must say the trip has been marvelous. We have enjoyed every minute. The people you meet are all kind, friendly and most important helpfull.

The hardest place to leave by far is Annapolis. They make it so easy for you. They are so helpful and when you get to shore it is one of the nicest towns you will ever be in. If you have not gone go. If you have not been to the Boat Show go. You will not regret a moment or a penny of the cost. 

Barneget Bay

A quick trip to Cape May

Yesterday we got into Cape May, literally Cape May at 5:00 PM. We headed for the anchorage and found it very busy. We did find a place and put the anchor down only to be told by the boat behind us that they had 100 feet of rode out and when they swing the would hit us. They also told us a big thunderstorm on it's way.

We decided to Utschs Marina. We called on the phone and on Chantal 16, but no answer. Trish and I decided that it was 6:30 and if they were closed wecouldgo to the fuel dock. Luckily I remembered how to get in. First at red buoy 14 you make a sharpe 90 degree turn th starboard then at red bout 16 you mark just as sharpe a 90 degree turn to port. The nex stepis to head for their outside corner and go along their wall which protects the boats in the marina from waves. At the little light house you turnin once again a sharpe turn. Once there we tied up at one of the fuel docks. 

We ate on board and got into bed early having completed another 13 hour day. The payback for a few long days is calm waters on the Atlantic today and tomorrow. Currently there is a small swell coming from the south east and a north wind of 7 knots. We are motor sailing at 6.6 knots and should get to Barneget Basin at 7:30. Once there we will take the mooring ball we had last fall. God willing tomorrow we will be out side New York City.

Cape May Inlet

Jersey Shore just north of Cape May

The Chesapeake Delaware Canal

Yesterday Gordon's fixed our stuffing box. All three of the bolts were loose. We will have to keep an eye on it to make sure it is not the nut gone bad like the center board. The also fixed the alternator control, so now not only does the engine charge the batteries, but we have a tack.

At 4:00 PM we left Annapolis and headed north. We would have loved to stay longer, but the north country is calling our names. At 8:20 PM we dropped the anchor in Worton Creek. This morning we had the anchor up by 6:00 and were on our way to Cape May a distance of some 80 nautical miles. The 80 miles is not so much of a problem it is the current. We had to get up early to catch the current going through the canal. It is currently, no pun intended, 10:25, we are half way through and doing 8.8 kn.  we will be in The Deleware River just after 11:00.

It is now12:00 we are in The Deleware Bay headed for Cape May. We are motor sailing at 8:1 knots and are less then 5 hours away if we can keep it up. So far it is another beautiful day. The whole area is going to 100 today, we have a little breeze and are hot on the water.

Coming through the canal I was reminded of how wonderful a 133 foot bridge is.

One of several tall bridges on the canal.

The bridge at Annapolis 

Annapolis June 22

UWe have had a very nice stay in Annapolis. Both Saturday and Sunday we went in for lunch. Saturday I went to church at St Mary's. We did not shop there is no shopping in downtown Annapolis. Saturday night we got about 3 or 4 inches of rain judging by the dingy.

Today we hope to go to J Gordon & Company to have them look at the stuffing box. We would like to go to at least Alantic City Wednesday then on to New York Thursday. This is all weather dependent.

The weather continues to be beautiful but warm. Today will be over 90 and Tuesday over 95.

If we can get to New York Thursday then we will be able to start planning our trip HOME.

First we have gone to Gordon's a company the Gordon Crowe found for us at The Annapolis Boat Show. They did not do any work for us in October, but we're very nice and seemed to know what they are doing.

We pumped out on Saturday, got diesel this morning and are filling up with water as I write this. I decided to come to Gordon's because they say right on their web site that they repack stuffing boxes. Hinkley did not give me total confidence that they had ever stuffed a Edson box before.

We are also going to get them to fix our alternator control box. This broke as soon as it got water on it. For the past week or so the alternator has not been charging our batteries. When we go to a dock we get everything total recharged, but though it should be fixed.

The teck person is at another job but will be around by noon. The alternator part will be in by then. We will then go as far as we can in preparation of setting up tomorrow for a trip to Atlantic city or Barneget Basin on Wednesday. This sounds a lot like planning, but it is all dependent upon the weather. It sure would be nice to be in NYC Thursday night.

Back Creek

A very long day

We have made it to Annapolis even caught the 7:30 Spa Creek Drawbridge opening. We are tired and had another problem. In two days we have covered over 140 nautical miles. 

Oh the problem. Since Hinkley fixed the stuffing box Trish and I have been stopping the small leak with cloths. About four times a day we change the cloth. The ones being replaced are soaking wet. Today when Trish changed the cloths I asked her to check under the engine. There was water. I then proceeded to pump out three pails of salt water.

We phoned Hinkley who had their man in Newport phone, but we did not get the call. When we phoned back at 3:45 it was too late to do anything. I talked to the man in Newport and he said he would get back to me. At this point we are not sure what we are going to do. Hinkley do have a repair shop just north of Annapolis. There is also a possibility we will get someone else here to fix it.

We also have to watch the weather off the Jersey coast. Right now it does not look so good for a while   so a couple of days in Annapolis might be perfect.

We do need a rest. By the way while we did not get rained on today we did see rain in the distance.

Spa Creek 

Deltaville June 18, 2015

Today is overcast and humid. It is only 80 but feels hotter. Last night we stayed at Walden's at Deltaville. We had not been to Deltaville before so did not know what to expect. It was a very friendly place with most boats in a large boat house. We moored at the south end of the boat house. The gentleman who registered U.S. said if we had any shopping to do we could take his car, an old but working Mercedes. 

We went shopping at a very nice little supper market. Then ate at Cocomo's next store. In the last two nights we have had a dock, power for the AC, two good dinners and a courtesy car for shopping. The total marina charge for both nights was $38. Also we got diesel at $2.44 a gallon.

A railway bridge. I think it is the only one on our travels which was in use. All the others were in the open position.

U.S.  Naval Yard in Norfolk

Wallen's Marina

We hope to be in Annapolis by sundown

Moving Home Fast

Once again yesterday was a perfect day for boating. We left Manteo about 8:00 and headed for Coinjock. We realized as noon came that we were going to be there by 2:00 also the Great Bridge Lock was under repair. The lock could be closed for up to 4 hours at a time, but only between 9:00 and 5:00.

If we kept going we would arrive after 5:00 and have no problem, we kept going. At 7:00 we went through alone. Now we needed a place to stay. During our trip both in the fall and now our cell phone has been invaluable. We have gotten use to calling ahead and reserving a spot. The cell phone was not working. Just past the lock was a marina which said they had some free docks if you had dinner in their restaurant, but we our not phone to reserve.

Top Rack Marina turned out to be one of the marinas we have seen a lot of. They have an enormous building where they stack outboards up to about 35 feet. Beside this building was a smaller one housing offices, a small ships store and the restaurant. Out front there was room for 30 boats. We had our pick of docks, which had signs stating they were free if you ate in the dinning room.

We tied up, plugged in and went to dinner. Before dinner I used the Wifi and Majic Jack to phone Wind Mobile. The dinner was excellent and upon our return the phone was fixed. By the way Top Rack Marina is just outside Norfork.

The last bridge which had caused us any concern.

Trish in The Great Bridge Lock at dusk.

Irish Mist at Top Rack Marina. The bridge in the background is 97 feet high.

By the way for our friends in Toronto all is not sunshine it rained in the middle of the night.

Manteo on Roanoke Island June 17th

Manteo is a cute little town on Roanoke Island. The whole trip has been a page out of one history book or another. Today we are at the site of the first English settlement in North America.

The island was settled in 1587, but it along with all it's occupants disappeared the next year. No trace was found.

Today we are off  to Coinjock. It is known for the best prime rib special on the ICW. On the way down we could not get in so we moored on the other side of the channel.

Some additional information

Today is Tuesday I think. We were suppose to go to Ocracoke but on the way we decided have another long day, 12 hours. We got to Manteo at 7:00 PM registered and went for dinner. Dinner was great but after dinner with it still in the high 80's we, well I decided we needed Ice Cream. Kelly having no sweet tooth at all had nothing. Trish and I had a Hot Chocolate Sunday. We both needed it.

We have covered a lot of ground since Charleston. We have failed to report our grounding on the Way to Wrightsville Beach Sunday. We were in the middle of a very narrow channel we went aground. A very nice Boat Tow US gentleman came and got us off.

While in Charleston we replaced our broken Auto Pilot Computer

Our new Auto Pilot Computer

Ship in Charleston Harbour

 Being pulled off the sand bank

Bella and Lexie Relaxing

Good morning from Oriental and the Neuse River

It is a broken record, but. It is a beautiful morning with lots of sun, a little wind and 78 degrees. Last night we made it in to Whittaker Point Marina about 6:30. We borrowed the curtesy car and went shopping.  The high end grocery shopping is done at Walmart. It was the smallest Walmart I had ever seen yet we got everything.

Trish and Kelly are watching TV. I just heard them say that tropical storm Bill is about to hit landfall. We are hurting North as fast as we can go. Tonight we will be at Ocracoke North Carolina.

Oriental

Ocean Voyage from Wrigthsville Beach to Beaufort

To day we got up at 5:40 and we're off before 6:00. The Atlantic was peaceful so we motored sailed at 7.8 most of the way. Once again it is extremely hot, something around 90, but a beautiful sunny day.

When we reached Beaufort we continued on to Whittaker Creek. This means another long day but we are starting to make progress home.

When we got to the marina we used the courtesy car to go shopping. We have returned and are having dinner on board. 

Wrightsville Beach

Beaufort Inlet

Sunday June 14 about to leave MBYC

We are about to leave The Myrtle Beach Yacht Club. It is around 80 and getting hotter. The sun is shining as we finish our McDonald's Breakfast.

We intend to be in Wrightsville Beach tonight and Beaufort N C tomorrow. This will put us about 4 days from the Chesapeake.

MBYC

Trish preparing to cast off.

Good morning time 9:57 AM

Today is another beautiful one. Sunny, a little wind and hot, about 95. We are headed for Myrtle Beach Yacht Club where Kelly helped with Halloween.

This morning as we were leaving there was a request for assistance from the Coast Guard. A power boat with three people aboard was taking on water in The North Santee River. I called the Coast Guard to offer assistance. They replied that there was now a Coast Guard vessel present and everything was OK. The Coast Guard Officer thank us for the offer and we headed North.

Yesterday we were in a favorable current for a large portion of our trip. This enabled us to go further then we had expected. Today we are fighting the current, so instead of 8.5 we are going 5.5.

I will include a couple of pictures of the river outside of Georgetown.

On our way again

Not exactly as planned but we are on our way. Steve had promised to come at 11:00. Maybe a bit before maybe a bit after. He came just befor 1:00. By 2:00 he had finished and we had landed him on the dock. 

We radioed the marina to say we would be anchoring and would not need a slip. We anchored and as Trish was getting lunch I decided we had to go. This was the best time to get through the shallow spot at McClellandville. Off we went at 2:15.

We have anchored for the night at Minim Creek at mile 415.5 we started at 2:15 and covered 54 statue miles.

Minim Creek (west)