Norfolk, VA
To see as much of the world as we can,
Using the smallest carbon footprint we can,
Spending the least amount of money we can,
Making as many friends we can.
The BIG rendezvous has traditionally been in October in the Chesapeake.
However, since CA is now the president of the rendezvous for this year, she'd like to see more rendezvous in more places.
What are the key ingredients? Whitby/Brewer …
Here are the symptoms: full pressure and no flow.
Pressure gauge reads 80 psi just like normal.
Propane solenoid clicks just like normal.
And.
No gas. Zero. Nothing flowing.
Here's the secret: turn the gas off at the cylinder. Disconnect it. Wait for the gas to hiss out. Reconnect it …
New Years Eve: Red Ranger, Creola, Joie de Vivre and Voyager II. Pizza, a little champagne. Whitby 42 talk. I waved the camera around, but didn't even get half the group. Rick got some better pictures, I'll try to post them.
CA has washed just about the entire deck …
The Commodore has two safety items for Red Ranger.
Class B AIS Transponder.
Radar.
We've got a good AIS receiver in our Standard Horizon GX2150 radio connected to our Standard Horizon CP300 chart plotter.
But that's not a transponder. We're only visible to big ships as a radar blip, not …
Not related to safety or sailing, but still a priority for Red Ranger. Also, it's something we'd like to do while we've got a few weeks with West Marine and Radio Shack less than ½ mile away.
We have a doddering old marine cassette player. Cassette. It has an auxiliary …
Christmas Day 2013 on Red Ranger.
The iTunes Christmas Mix in on shuffle.
It should warm up from …
Our friend Chris — from way back in the hazy past of high school — stopped by for the day. He was in Florida for a bunch of family-related things (weddings and some vacation and stuff.)
Nothing more helpful than a steady, extra pair of hands to work on a fiddly …
Started: 2 miles from ICW Mile 740, Marsh Island, 30°23.74′N 081°30.43′W
Docked: The Marina at Ortega Landing, 30°16.61′N 081°42.79′W
Log: 19.4 nm. Time 4 hr. Engine 4 hr.
What a hair-raising, sphincter clenching morning here in Jacksonville …
Started: ICW Mile 710, Cumberland Island, 30°45.943′N 081°28.329′W
Anchored: 2 miles from ICW Mile 740, Marsh Island, 30°23.74′N 081°30.43′W
Log: 31.2 nm. Time 5¼ hr. Engine 5¼ hr.
Yesterday we hiked Cumberland Island. I think we put …
Started: 31°21.414′N 80°55.513′W
Anchored: ICW Mile 710, Cumberland Island, 30°45.943′N 081°28.329′W
Log: 58 nm. Time 9½ hr. Engine 9½ hr.
We spent the night under a full moon, lighting the ocean all around us. Full main and stays'l …
Started: ICW Mile 464, Cooper River Marina, 32°49.94′N 079°56.02′W
Anchored: 10 miles from ICW Mile 505, Big Bay Creek, 39°29.790′N 80°19.523′W
Log: 56.5 nm. Time 10 hr. Engine 10 hr. Fuel 35 gal.
Sunday's weather promised to …
Started: Big Bay Creek, 39°29.790′N 80°19.523′W
Midnight: 31°21.414′N 80°55.513′W
Log: 83 nm. Time 16 ¾ hr. Engine 14 ¾ hr.
After getting a thorough ass-whooping yesterday, today's weather promises to be the polar opposite. Seas 2-3' Winds 10-15 …
There are three kinds of wind: too little, too much, and in the wrong direction.
Last Thursday was too much wind. We waited. Friday to Saturday was forecast to be the wrong direction. We're waiting.
We decided to walk the 2+ miles to the bus stop and take the #11 …
Yesterday's forecasts looked good for a run down the coast. We took on water, cleaned up, did laundry showered. We had a final checklist for this morning's departure.
Today…
Well. It was a difficult decision to make. And there's always the regrets after making the decision.
Did I do …
Condensation was everywhere. Everywhere. Cold days and colder nights means water running down the inside of the boat. Running. Rivulets. The bilge pump had to run. Amazing amounts of condensation.
CA took the entire aft cabin apart.
She wiped down everything with vinegar water to reduce the mildew growth …
Since we're looking at a series of day trips from here to Jacksonville, we're not looking for big weather windows. We think we can deal with some sail-and-then-wait cycles.
We can't really dawdle too much longer. We had a great time with Venerable Great Aunt Diane. We need to move …
Two very odd failure modes this week.
The freshwater pump corked off. While we have a guest aboard. Venerable Great Aunt Diane was perfectly happy using the hand pump until we could sort out the pressure water system.
The backbone of the freshwater system is a Jabsco diaphragm pump …
Enjoying Charleston.
Enjoying warmer weather. The heaters aren't running. Hatches are open.
We could go sailing and see the Charleston Waterfront.
Wind out of the N meant a great beam reach across the harbor. We motored up the Ashley to see the mega-dock; we didn't think we could short …
Hung around with the crew of Baccalieu yesterday. They got beat up heading south from Beaufort and decided to stop in to Charleston and wait for the bad weather to pass.
They've been following some other boats south — boats which have started into the South Carolina and Georgia part …
Family visit in Charleston. The Venerable Great Aunt has taken up residence in the V-berth.
We're already running low on martini olives, red wine, bourbon, the good coffee and really good cheese.
Besides having good taste in food and drink, she has a car. We can restock all the …