We are hunkered down in Deltaville, VA for the weekend. We sailed here Wednesday with 20 knots on the nose and a lumpy sea. The worst we have seen the Chesapeake. A little pounding and spray, but only a short 15 mile sail. On Thursday the wind was the same, so we decided to ride out the upcoming cold front here. We are about 35 miles north of Norfolk and the start of the ICW.
AC has the anchorage and marina a 5 star. The holding and protection are very good. After an 80 degree day on Friday, at 11pm the wind shifted 180 degrees and gusted into the 30's with rain. The temperature dropped about 25 degrees. Our fireplace has been our best friend lately. It keeps the cabin toasty warm.
We reserved a slip for Friday through Monday morning. This way we could reprovision and leave our little ceramic heaters running 24 hours. The marina provides a loaner car for free and the local grocery store was well stocked.
We plan to leave on Monday to continue working south.
Tech note: I know some of you like to hear about our electric motor. We went 4 days without plugging in and sailed/motored for 5 days straight. Our house bank stayed charged from our wind and solar. For the engine bank, the regen on this new controller works well enough to recoup whatever we used to motor up and down creeks for our anchorages/marinas. At 4 knots sailing we get about 1.8 amps going into our batteries. At 5 knots it jumps to 3 amps. We have seen as high as 10 amps, but a normal 6.5 knot sailing speed gives 4.5-5 amps. We are now torn as to whether to add a generator or a lithium phosphate battery bank. We figured we would wait to see how the rest of our trip to Myrtle Beach goes to make a decision.
Looking forward to getting the Nexus parts back next week. We have no instruments except our chart plotter. We have confirmation on shipment, so they will be waiting for us in Norfolk.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Cruising
Feels good to be sailing again, Especially when you are not in a hurry.
Sunday we went for a jog before leaving Herrington Harbor around noon. Winds were light and on the nose, but we managed another 15 miles today. We spent the night at Flag Harbor marina. The next day we left around 11:30 to a light breeze on the nose again. Winds stayed around 8-10 and with some tweaking, I was able to get 4-5 knots and tacking through 85 degrees. Higher winds we can get 80 degrees, but normally wider than the 85 in these light breezes. I was very pleased with the results. Makes me think we have at least a few more years in the sail. We made it another 10 miles down and had our first anchorage in the Solomons at Mill Creek. Beautiful area and look forward to spending some quality time there next summer.
The days have been in the mid 60's, but nights in the mid 40's. So, as usual, we are chasing the warm weather south. That is why we are sailing during the warmest hours of 11-4. The sun is always shining, so the cockpit is nice and warm.
Tuesday brought our first tail winds of 15-20 knots from the NW. We sailed out of the anchorage and made 45 miles today. Absolutely gorgeous day. We saw our first pelican, so we know we are heading in the right direction. We have also crossed over to VA. We are in another Mill Creek in the Wicomico River.
We have expedited our plans to work towards Norfolk on every day the sun is shining. We may be there for this weekend now. All about staying warm. Strange to think Yumsuch would be put to bed for weeks in NY.
A lot of air traffic near the Navy Test Center!
Point No Point Lighthouse! Obvious name when we can sail between it and the shoreline.
Great way to end a perfect day!
Sunday we went for a jog before leaving Herrington Harbor around noon. Winds were light and on the nose, but we managed another 15 miles today. We spent the night at Flag Harbor marina. The next day we left around 11:30 to a light breeze on the nose again. Winds stayed around 8-10 and with some tweaking, I was able to get 4-5 knots and tacking through 85 degrees. Higher winds we can get 80 degrees, but normally wider than the 85 in these light breezes. I was very pleased with the results. Makes me think we have at least a few more years in the sail. We made it another 10 miles down and had our first anchorage in the Solomons at Mill Creek. Beautiful area and look forward to spending some quality time there next summer.
The days have been in the mid 60's, but nights in the mid 40's. So, as usual, we are chasing the warm weather south. That is why we are sailing during the warmest hours of 11-4. The sun is always shining, so the cockpit is nice and warm.
Tuesday brought our first tail winds of 15-20 knots from the NW. We sailed out of the anchorage and made 45 miles today. Absolutely gorgeous day. We saw our first pelican, so we know we are heading in the right direction. We have also crossed over to VA. We are in another Mill Creek in the Wicomico River.
We have expedited our plans to work towards Norfolk on every day the sun is shining. We may be there for this weekend now. All about staying warm. Strange to think Yumsuch would be put to bed for weeks in NY.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
We are looking forward to sailing South
We will miss Annapolis and the people we have meant, but we will be back next year.
Found a few favorite restaurants like the Chart House which we had a great dinner with Ashley and Tom. Sofia's Crepe's, we ate lunch there every day during the boat show. (Ashley and Tom enjoyed crepe's with us), Davis, a local pub and Mike's Crab House.
Chart House!
If you have attended the Boat Show, this is a view looking at Puesser's Bar.
Goodbye Annapolis, Saturday morning!
Didn't expect to see a Sub this far up the Chesapeake Bay!
We sailed 12 miles yesterday to Herrington Harbour Marina Resort. The winds were light and we are in no hurry. We met a couple from Nashville on their Jeanneau DS 45. It was nicely customized. We always liked that boat among the production builders.
We are shooting for 2 weeks to be in Norfolk. Nexus has agreed to replace the wind instrument and its wireless box for no charge. I ran into the president at the boat show and he had heard about my problems. They have had problems with ESD and have redesigned both boards with a higher output as well. It is being shipped to a marina in Norfolk where our new friends Rob, Emily and Teak kept their PacketCat 35. Hoping things work out this time.
We will miss Annapolis and the people we have meant, but we will be back next year.
Found a few favorite restaurants like the Chart House which we had a great dinner with Ashley and Tom. Sofia's Crepe's, we ate lunch there every day during the boat show. (Ashley and Tom enjoyed crepe's with us), Davis, a local pub and Mike's Crab House.
We sailed 12 miles yesterday to Herrington Harbour Marina Resort. The winds were light and we are in no hurry. We met a couple from Nashville on their Jeanneau DS 45. It was nicely customized. We always liked that boat among the production builders.
We are shooting for 2 weeks to be in Norfolk. Nexus has agreed to replace the wind instrument and its wireless box for no charge. I ran into the president at the boat show and he had heard about my problems. They have had problems with ESD and have redesigned both boards with a higher output as well. It is being shipped to a marina in Norfolk where our new friends Rob, Emily and Teak kept their PacketCat 35. Hoping things work out this time.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Fun Week with the Grandkids!
What fun week with the Grandkids! Mommy let Jacob play hooky from preschool on Thursday, so we went to Pump It Up for 3 hours. We had a BLAST! When I awoke on Friday, I was supposed to have only Nathaniel, but Tara surprised me and let Jacob stay home. Saturday was fun filled day at the Pumpkin Farm. We first took a long hay ride to the corn maze. At the end of the corn maze we found the pumpkin patch for everyone to pick out the perfect pumpkin. Then off to the slides and petting farm. We all had a great family day! We ended the evening with Jacob helping me make a apple fruit pizza to go along with flank steak, asparagus, grilled vegetables and potatoes. Jacob loves making desserts pizzas! My little Nathaniel loves playing with my zoom! Sunday we went to Homestead for an early dinner, the drive was absolutely beautiful with leaves just in peak.
It was great to see Tara, Mike, Jacob and Nathaniel!
We are back in Annapolis, we will be back cruising Thursday. we have been very fortunate that the weather has been gorgeous!
Mike, Jacob & Roy
Jacob & Roy enjoying the tractor ride!
Jacob and Nathaniel can't wait to run thru the corn maze!
Roy, Me, Jacob, Nathaniel and Tara.
Nathaniel running thru the corn maze!
Nathaniel and Jacob leading the way thru the corn maze!
Roy & Me!
Jacob feeding a rabbit!
It was great to see Tara, Mike, Jacob and Nathaniel!
We are back in Annapolis, we will be back cruising Thursday. we have been very fortunate that the weather has been gorgeous!
Jacob & Roy enjoying the tractor ride!
Roy, Me, Jacob, Nathaniel and Tara.
Roy & Me!
Jacob feeding a rabbit!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Downtime
It's hard to believe we are already halfway thru the month of October! Roy and I attended the Annapolis Boat Show every day. We now have a little bit of new boat fever, but when you look at the whole picture, we have a great customized boat with everything we want.
We also gave Tom and Ashley new boat fever. We met a great couple in a Island Packer Cat, Rob, Emily and Teak (their 6 Month son who is absolutely adorable. They lived aboard their boat until Sept. When they put it on the market to buy a bigger boat. It put the idea into Tom and Ashley to be liveaboards. They still have a year in a half of pharmacy school before they can seriously consider it, they loved the Leopard 39 cat boat.
We were able to catch up with Jim and Laurie (Kismit), Walt and Pat (Waves of Grace) and Mike (Tayva?).
Roy is off making sales calls and I'm enjoying the grandkids, Tara and Mike.
Tom and Ashley
We also gave Tom and Ashley new boat fever. We met a great couple in a Island Packer Cat, Rob, Emily and Teak (their 6 Month son who is absolutely adorable. They lived aboard their boat until Sept. When they put it on the market to buy a bigger boat. It put the idea into Tom and Ashley to be liveaboards. They still have a year in a half of pharmacy school before they can seriously consider it, they loved the Leopard 39 cat boat.
We were able to catch up with Jim and Laurie (Kismit), Walt and Pat (Waves of Grace) and Mike (Tayva?).
Roy is off making sales calls and I'm enjoying the grandkids, Tara and Mike.
Tom and Ashley
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Enjoying Annapolis
We had a very wet and cold weekend but the sun and warmer weather arrived yesterday. We kayaked around the creek, there must be at 1000 sailboats! Annapolis is the sailing capital of the world!
My nephew Nate is looking at going to Annapolis Navy Academy. He is very smart and an excellent football player. They would be lucky to have him.
The Boat Show is this weekend. The town is busy - busy - busy. To see the transformation is amazing. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Boat Show. Tom and Ashley are coming in on Friday. Roy has been busy looking at what Yumsuch needs and pricing before we attend the show. The list keeps growing. I swear he's worse than a women with shoes but he's looking at me saying look who's talking! I did do a shopping spree last week and this morning at Helly Hansen.
We hope everyone is enjoying nice weather!
My nephew Nate is looking at going to Annapolis Navy Academy. He is very smart and an excellent football player. They would be lucky to have him.
The Boat Show is this weekend. The town is busy - busy - busy. To see the transformation is amazing. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Boat Show. Tom and Ashley are coming in on Friday. Roy has been busy looking at what Yumsuch needs and pricing before we attend the show. The list keeps growing. I swear he's worse than a women with shoes but he's looking at me saying look who's talking! I did do a shopping spree last week and this morning at Helly Hansen.
We hope everyone is enjoying nice weather!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Family Week
Hi All,
Spent about a week in Syracuse area. We were able to visit with Rochelle and Kevin and stayed at their new place. Great place in a very nice area of Rochester. Rochelle and Yammy cooked a delicious lamb tenderloin meal and got caught up on the latest Chopped episodes. Yammy and I are very TV deprived. Kevin is a big Colts fan and we even watched the end of the close game with Yammy's Dad on Sunday night. I thought they were going to pull off the upset. Sorry Kevin.
Rochelle and Kevin outside their townhhouse!
Mayada and her nephew Hani at Beak n Skiff!
Yammy took her step mother Mayada and her nephew to Beak n Skiff on Monday. They are visiting from overseas. This was their first apple picking experience, and sampling apple dumplings, apple donuts and fresh apple cider. They loved the scenic drive on Route 20, the leaves have just started to change colors.
Yammy also had a short visit with all her ex-co-workers. She misses the employees but not the work.
Tom and Ashley will also be visiting during the boat show. Then Yammy's off to visit the Tara, Mike, Jacob and Nate the following week, while I'm off making sales calls. Then I get to spend sometime with them on the weekend. Then we start heading down to South Carolina.
While Yammy visited with her father and family, I went and had a great meal with my Mom and got caught up. After a couple of days making sales calls in NE area, I also visited with Gary Jordan (Mary Catherine). Visiting with Gary reminded me of another piece of equipment that survived the trip wihout fail.
Superwind wind generator. With all of our toys running, we use between 150 and 200 amp hours per day. One advantage of sailing in all of that wind was the extra power created by the wind generator. My Kyocera panels and the Blue Sky controller also faired well. But, getting 20 amps out of the generator made all the difference. For example, the high wind, on the last night at Block Island, had us leaving with a fully charged house bank. That is after 6 days of not plugging in or using our Honda generator. And, Gary's custom bow mount has showed no signs of trouble. Great design and function. Thanks Gary!!
We are looking forward to the boat show. I already let the cat out of the bag with Skip today. We are looking to add a diesel genset. I have a couple of quotes and plan to do a 72VDC 8-9KW genset. That should allow us to motor around 6 knots with no battery drain. Looks like we will be remodeling the condo in Myrtle Beach this winter and doing some additional Yumsuch remodeling.
We look forward to hooking up with old and new friends at the show. We have talked to a lot of people about the Superwind and solar panels offered by our friends at Starboard Sun. If anyone is interested in a Superwind or SunWare solar panels, let me know. We can setup a meet at the show.
Spent about a week in Syracuse area. We were able to visit with Rochelle and Kevin and stayed at their new place. Great place in a very nice area of Rochester. Rochelle and Yammy cooked a delicious lamb tenderloin meal and got caught up on the latest Chopped episodes. Yammy and I are very TV deprived. Kevin is a big Colts fan and we even watched the end of the close game with Yammy's Dad on Sunday night. I thought they were going to pull off the upset. Sorry Kevin.
Yammy took her step mother Mayada and her nephew to Beak n Skiff on Monday. They are visiting from overseas. This was their first apple picking experience, and sampling apple dumplings, apple donuts and fresh apple cider. They loved the scenic drive on Route 20, the leaves have just started to change colors.
Yammy also had a short visit with all her ex-co-workers. She misses the employees but not the work.
Tom and Ashley will also be visiting during the boat show. Then Yammy's off to visit the Tara, Mike, Jacob and Nate the following week, while I'm off making sales calls. Then I get to spend sometime with them on the weekend. Then we start heading down to South Carolina.
While Yammy visited with her father and family, I went and had a great meal with my Mom and got caught up. After a couple of days making sales calls in NE area, I also visited with Gary Jordan (Mary Catherine). Visiting with Gary reminded me of another piece of equipment that survived the trip wihout fail.
Superwind wind generator. With all of our toys running, we use between 150 and 200 amp hours per day. One advantage of sailing in all of that wind was the extra power created by the wind generator. My Kyocera panels and the Blue Sky controller also faired well. But, getting 20 amps out of the generator made all the difference. For example, the high wind, on the last night at Block Island, had us leaving with a fully charged house bank. That is after 6 days of not plugging in or using our Honda generator. And, Gary's custom bow mount has showed no signs of trouble. Great design and function. Thanks Gary!!
We are looking forward to the boat show. I already let the cat out of the bag with Skip today. We are looking to add a diesel genset. I have a couple of quotes and plan to do a 72VDC 8-9KW genset. That should allow us to motor around 6 knots with no battery drain. Looks like we will be remodeling the condo in Myrtle Beach this winter and doing some additional Yumsuch remodeling.
We look forward to hooking up with old and new friends at the show. We have talked to a lot of people about the Superwind and solar panels offered by our friends at Starboard Sun. If anyone is interested in a Superwind or SunWare solar panels, let me know. We can setup a meet at the show.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)