As we stayed clear of the ships at the naval yard, we were greeted by dolphins. Seems like everyone starts to see them here. We took it as a sign of good luck. Plan to get up early and make tomorrow a 25 mile day to Swansboro.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Finally on our way!
We started the final leg of journey today and made it to Moorhead City. This was our destination went our mast snapped 2 weeks ago.
As we stayed clear of the ships at the naval yard, we were greeted by dolphins. Seems like everyone starts to see them here. We took it as a sign of good luck. Plan to get up early and make tomorrow a 25 mile day to Swansboro.
Navel Boat with security boat to make sure you stay 500 ft from the Navy Vessel.
As we stayed clear of the ships at the naval yard, we were greeted by dolphins. Seems like everyone starts to see them here. We took it as a sign of good luck. Plan to get up early and make tomorrow a 25 mile day to Swansboro.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Roy and I will be leaving Deaton Marina Wednesday. Deaton Marina has been incredible to work with! We are still waiting on quotes for repair of the mast, sail and wishbone boom. Hopefully we will have them by the end of the week. We plan on motoring down to Myrtle Beach to Ospry Marina to keep the boat until the mast is completed. In the meantime we will be remodeling our condo down there.
We ended up going down to Myrtle Beach to check on the condo before heading up to have Thanksgiving with my daughter, son-in-law and grandkids. Then we heading back to the condo until Monday. We had absolutely perfect weather mid seventies and crystal blue skies. I love waking up to the sound of the ocean.
Our morning view from our condo!
Our evening view!
Nathaniel and Jacob at Pump It up! They sure know how to wear out their grandparents!
We ended up going down to Myrtle Beach to check on the condo before heading up to have Thanksgiving with my daughter, son-in-law and grandkids. Then we heading back to the condo until Monday. We had absolutely perfect weather mid seventies and crystal blue skies. I love waking up to the sound of the ocean.
Nathaniel and Jacob at Pump It up! They sure know how to wear out their grandparents!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Boat US Insurance
Just heard back from the insurance company. They wanted us to have a good holiday and said the mast will be fully covered.
We have an estimate from Mike Quill for an all new aluminum mast and we are waiting on a quote for the carbon mast.
We'll update once we have final approval and delivery estimates. We were given the Ok to move on, so we are going to motor the rest of the way to Myrtle Beach. We picked up a 4KW generator so we can run our 30 Amp/72VDC charger. That will allow us to go 4 knots without drawing battery power.
Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!
We have an estimate from Mike Quill for an all new aluminum mast and we are waiting on a quote for the carbon mast.
We'll update once we have final approval and delivery estimates. We were given the Ok to move on, so we are going to motor the rest of the way to Myrtle Beach. We picked up a 4KW generator so we can run our 30 Amp/72VDC charger. That will allow us to go 4 knots without drawing battery power.
Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Roy and I are still in shock and disbelieve of the mast snapping in half. Roy was up on the mast last Wednesday, to even think it could of snapped with him 60 ft up runs chills through me! Not even a safety line would of helped! I'm very thankful! Boat Us insurance company will be here tomorrow. We are in Oriental, NC a very small town, if you have cruised the ICW you know how small it really is.
Pictures taken from Dave & Jessica boat!
We had dinner with Dave and Jessica and they had some interesting boating stories to tell as you can see from the pictures.
Sailing down the Alligator Pungo River.
A black bear coming towards the boat!
Did you ever think he had to come to a complete stop for two deer crossing your bow! You can see one of them swimming so fast to get out of their way.
Pictures taken from Dave & Jessica boat!
We had dinner with Dave and Jessica and they had some interesting boating stories to tell as you can see from the pictures.
Sailing down the Alligator Pungo River.
Did you ever think he had to come to a complete stop for two deer crossing your bow! You can see one of them swimming so fast to get out of their way.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Very, very sad day for the Yumsuch!
We had the perfect conditions for a perfect sailing day sailing at 15knots of wind. Sailing close hauled at 5.5 knots. Then we heard a big bang! We both just looked at each other for a split second, the mast slapped into the water, and stuck into the river bed. We were in 12ft of water, we never thought we would run aground due to a mast. We managed to get the mast lifted and tied off to the side of the boat. We are just thankful no one got hurt!
A couple, Dave and Jessie we met early in our travels, were a few days behind us. But they caught up today and witnessed the crash. They saw us sailing one minute and couldn’t find us the next. They took their binoculars and couldn’t believe what they saw! They came over offered to help but rafting with the mast grounded was not a good idea. After a lot of pulling, cutting the sail off the mast we finally got everything tied off and they motored next to us to make sure we made it to port. Dave and Jessica, a huge thank you, you two are awesome!
A couple, Dave and Jessie we met early in our travels, were a few days behind us. But they caught up today and witnessed the crash. They saw us sailing one minute and couldn’t find us the next. They took their binoculars and couldn’t believe what they saw! They came over offered to help but rafting with the mast grounded was not a good idea. After a lot of pulling, cutting the sail off the mast we finally got everything tied off and they motored next to us to make sure we made it to port. Dave and Jessica, a huge thank you, you two are awesome!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Still Sailing
Still sailing in November and in the ICW. Two things I did not think possible. It was encouraging to hear that Jim and Laurie (Kismet), sail over 80% of the time during their north and south travels.
I forgot to mention that we were able to reinstall the Nexus wind instrument and receiver while at Elizabeth City. They work great, so thanks to Nexus for going above and beyond in their service. We now have instruments again and that makes it a lot easier when sailing in the narrow creeks and rivers of the ICW. We don’t have to keep staring up at the wind vane any more.
We left Elizabeth City to try and get to the start of the Alligator river to ride the last day of NW winds on Friday. The winds were NW, but light and shifty, but we managed to get there under sail. We had an Island Packet 35 sailing with us all day. He motorsailed past us to get low enough to sail a broad reach with staysail and yankee flying. We both sailed about the same speed, but he had to stop and fill up his fuel tank when he arrived at the marina. With 20-30 knots of NW predicted for Friday, we elected to stay at the Alligator River Marina for the night. Boy was that an experience. We bumped going in and the mosquitoes were so thick, they covered the boat. They use well water there and it was brown and tasted funny. We knew all this before we went, but there were no other choices. On the plus side, everyone was very friendly and helpful.
Friday brought a cold 25 knots NW. We did not leave until around 11 because we were not sure if we wanted to anchor out with 32 degrees predicted for that night. Our plan was to anchor out at the start of the Alligator-Pungo Canal. After screaming down the 22 miles in 3 hours, and the fact the wind was howling through the anchorage, we decided to keep going the other 25 miles through the canal. We kept the sail up and motorsailed through. We had times of sailing at 5 knots, but mostly the wind was shifty and light. But, we probably averaged 4 knots. We knew we would be exiting at night, and planned to use the anchorage at the exit, but I didn’t like the way it was so open, so we elected to go another 5 miles to Dowry Creek and drop a hook in front of the marina. Much more protected here, but we didn’t get there until 9pm. Very cold, but we learned a trick from Kismet and burn our oil lantern for a few hours before we go to bed and it helps to control the humidity and temperature in the stateroom.
Saturday was one of those picture perfect sailing days. 10-12 knots of breeze, flat water and a perfect blue sky. We sailed right from Dowry creek to our Anchorage in Campbell creek. We even short tacked up Goose creek. Sunday was a mostly a motor day to get us to our current marina the River Dunes just north of Oriental. Beautiful marina that is not very well known but a 5 star on AC. They gave us a loaner car to go into Oriental. It was Monday and the whole town seemed to be shutdown, including the marine consignment shop. I don’t see the attraction to going to Oriental. There is only 1 restaurant there and a small grocery store.
Heading out to Morehead City tomorrow.
I forgot to mention that we were able to reinstall the Nexus wind instrument and receiver while at Elizabeth City. They work great, so thanks to Nexus for going above and beyond in their service. We now have instruments again and that makes it a lot easier when sailing in the narrow creeks and rivers of the ICW. We don’t have to keep staring up at the wind vane any more.
We left Elizabeth City to try and get to the start of the Alligator river to ride the last day of NW winds on Friday. The winds were NW, but light and shifty, but we managed to get there under sail. We had an Island Packet 35 sailing with us all day. He motorsailed past us to get low enough to sail a broad reach with staysail and yankee flying. We both sailed about the same speed, but he had to stop and fill up his fuel tank when he arrived at the marina. With 20-30 knots of NW predicted for Friday, we elected to stay at the Alligator River Marina for the night. Boy was that an experience. We bumped going in and the mosquitoes were so thick, they covered the boat. They use well water there and it was brown and tasted funny. We knew all this before we went, but there were no other choices. On the plus side, everyone was very friendly and helpful.
Friday brought a cold 25 knots NW. We did not leave until around 11 because we were not sure if we wanted to anchor out with 32 degrees predicted for that night. Our plan was to anchor out at the start of the Alligator-Pungo Canal. After screaming down the 22 miles in 3 hours, and the fact the wind was howling through the anchorage, we decided to keep going the other 25 miles through the canal. We kept the sail up and motorsailed through. We had times of sailing at 5 knots, but mostly the wind was shifty and light. But, we probably averaged 4 knots. We knew we would be exiting at night, and planned to use the anchorage at the exit, but I didn’t like the way it was so open, so we elected to go another 5 miles to Dowry Creek and drop a hook in front of the marina. Much more protected here, but we didn’t get there until 9pm. Very cold, but we learned a trick from Kismet and burn our oil lantern for a few hours before we go to bed and it helps to control the humidity and temperature in the stateroom.
Saturday was one of those picture perfect sailing days. 10-12 knots of breeze, flat water and a perfect blue sky. We sailed right from Dowry creek to our Anchorage in Campbell creek. We even short tacked up Goose creek. Sunday was a mostly a motor day to get us to our current marina the River Dunes just north of Oriental. Beautiful marina that is not very well known but a 5 star on AC. They gave us a loaner car to go into Oriental. It was Monday and the whole town seemed to be shutdown, including the marine consignment shop. I don’t see the attraction to going to Oriental. There is only 1 restaurant there and a small grocery store.
Heading out to Morehead City tomorrow.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Not So Dismal, Dismal Swamp.Run
We started the ICW on Sunday. We sailed from Norfolk right up to the Gilmerton Bridge, dropped the sail, under the bridge we go, then raised sail, sailed down to the first section of the Dismal Swamp Canal and right up to the first lock. Beautiful sailing day with a tail wind the whole way. Jim and Laurie were talking about how nice the North wind has been for sailing, so we plan to take full use of it ourselves. We tied up to the Elizabeth dock, right after the Deep Creek Lock. It was close to a town, so we stopped a bought a few things we forgot and had a dinner at the local Mexican restaurant. Nice quiet place to spend the night. We had 5 other boats with us there.
Off we went the next morning to North Carolina Visitor’s Center (18 miles) to dock for the night. The Dismal Swamp Canal was beautiful with the foliage changing and warm temperatures. We had to motor the whole way, but sliding along at 3 knots, on a nice day, isn’t so bad. At 3 knots we are not pulling from our batteries. The little Honda runs a 15 amp charger that gives us that speed. We put it up on the bow, so we barely hear it.
The next day we motored and motor sailed down to Elizabeth City, NC. When we got there, the 6 other boats that had locked through with us at the South Mills Lock, were tied to a wall near the bridge. The bridge wasn’t working and it took to 1:00pm the next day it get it fixed. We wound up rafting off of a Swiss boat and it was an enlightening experience. He had been involved in designing electric power boats in Switzerland. Unfortunately, he could not speak English, but his wife interpreted for us and they gave us some contacts to call on. They said we should be running a special prop for electric drives. It reduces your battery consumption and also gives more regen. Think of the props on the Torqueedo electric outboards. They gave us renewed hope that maybe we could stay electric only.
After going under the bridge, we didn’t have time to get to the Alligator River, so we just to the city docks. The town puts on a wine and cheese party for new guests and they told us the hot spots to hit. We did that in a couple of hours. Nice place to stop and shoot the breeze with other boaters and townspeople. One nice guy, Joe, came down and offered to bring us to breakfast and the to the mall to do his walk with him. But, we were leaving. We told him we would see him in the spring. 3 more days of North wind, so we hope to sail most of it before it turns to SW again.
Dismal Swamp Canal!
Leaving Deep Creek Lock.
Welcome to North Carolina!
Off we went the next morning to North Carolina Visitor’s Center (18 miles) to dock for the night. The Dismal Swamp Canal was beautiful with the foliage changing and warm temperatures. We had to motor the whole way, but sliding along at 3 knots, on a nice day, isn’t so bad. At 3 knots we are not pulling from our batteries. The little Honda runs a 15 amp charger that gives us that speed. We put it up on the bow, so we barely hear it.
The next day we motored and motor sailed down to Elizabeth City, NC. When we got there, the 6 other boats that had locked through with us at the South Mills Lock, were tied to a wall near the bridge. The bridge wasn’t working and it took to 1:00pm the next day it get it fixed. We wound up rafting off of a Swiss boat and it was an enlightening experience. He had been involved in designing electric power boats in Switzerland. Unfortunately, he could not speak English, but his wife interpreted for us and they gave us some contacts to call on. They said we should be running a special prop for electric drives. It reduces your battery consumption and also gives more regen. Think of the props on the Torqueedo electric outboards. They gave us renewed hope that maybe we could stay electric only.
After going under the bridge, we didn’t have time to get to the Alligator River, so we just to the city docks. The town puts on a wine and cheese party for new guests and they told us the hot spots to hit. We did that in a couple of hours. Nice place to stop and shoot the breeze with other boaters and townspeople. One nice guy, Joe, came down and offered to bring us to breakfast and the to the mall to do his walk with him. But, we were leaving. We told him we would see him in the spring. 3 more days of North wind, so we hope to sail most of it before it turns to SW again.
Dismal Swamp Canal!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Norfolk Yacht & Counrty Club
We arrived Wednesday at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. We had spent two nights in an anchorage in the Severn River/Mobjack Bay. Then had an easy day sail to here. Very impressive sailing along the Navy yard and the aircraft carriers moored there.
Active Captain rated this a 5 star Marina! It is far more than a five star marina! It's located on the Lafayette River, it offers indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center, 10 tennis courts (all lit up for night tennis), squash courts, Jacuzzi, saunas, steam rooms, massage center, fine dining, casual dining and concrete floating docks. It's absolutely amazing! All this for $1.50 per foot. There is one negative, the part of town this is located at is not the best! To get anywhere decent you have to have a car.
Roy and I swam yesterday, we both swam at least 1/2 mile then sat in the Jacuzzi for a while. we rented a car for a day so we could reprovision and I could get my hair done. We had a nice dinner at Surf Riders in Virginia Beach. Great recommendation from Ernie (Roy's boss)! Then to BJ's, since we are going to start the ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway)on Sunday.
NORFOLK NAVEL BASE from the water!
Active Captain rated this a 5 star Marina! It is far more than a five star marina! It's located on the Lafayette River, it offers indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center, 10 tennis courts (all lit up for night tennis), squash courts, Jacuzzi, saunas, steam rooms, massage center, fine dining, casual dining and concrete floating docks. It's absolutely amazing! All this for $1.50 per foot. There is one negative, the part of town this is located at is not the best! To get anywhere decent you have to have a car.
Roy and I swam yesterday, we both swam at least 1/2 mile then sat in the Jacuzzi for a while. we rented a car for a day so we could reprovision and I could get my hair done. We had a nice dinner at Surf Riders in Virginia Beach. Great recommendation from Ernie (Roy's boss)! Then to BJ's, since we are going to start the ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway)on Sunday.
NORFOLK NAVEL BASE from the water!
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