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.
That was fun. Perhaps too much of the wrong kind of fun.
Today is Hollywood Shower at the dock master building and grocery shopping day.
It was also Hose Clamp Day. That's the day CA inspects all hose clamps and lifeline stanchions.
The big discovery?
The Prop-Lok brake was disassembled …
Clods at Starbucks are sitting at the table with good outlets not using a computer. Just having thoughtful cups of coffee while tying up some of the few seats that have access to power.
We're waiting to pounce on their seats. Trying not to look like we're waiting to …
Five people we know at Starbucks this morning.
At the boat show, we ran into at least six people we know. Maybe more; it's easy to lose count. Some Whitby folks. Many vendors we've worked with. Many cruisers.
One benefit of being a cruiser: a tightly-knit community. Sprawling all …
Started: Tenthouse Creek. 38°50.862′N 076°32.403′W
Anchored: Annapolis. 38°58.53′N 076°28.43′W
Distance Run: 12.6 nm. Time 1½ hr.
A short, wet slog from West River directly into 20 kt winds with 3′ seas splashing over the bow and onto …
Anchored: Tenthouse Creek. 38°50.862′N 076°32.403′W
Cleanup the clubhouse. Say goodbye. Wait around for the weather, using the Wi-Fi here.
Our host kept the sailing club open for us to wait out the wind and rain. We could take showers. It was delightful to hang …
Started: West River Sailing Club. 38°50.74′N 076°32.33′W
Anchored: Tenthouse Creek. 38°50.862′N 076°32.403′W
Distance: 272 yards.
Today's Topics: Pets and Bermuda, Software, Marathon and Boot Key Harbor, Maine, Lessons Learned.
I spoke randomly on blogging.
More importantly, was …
Energizing discussions. Refit. Repair. Traveling in the Caribbean. A great morning.
Dodgers, Galley the Downeast Loop. A great afternoon.
Boat visiting. Now we can see other solutions to common problems. A delight.
Here, for example, is the "Poor Man's Traveler" from Allegria. They use three pad-eyes and two 3-part block-and-tackle …
While the meetings officially open at 3:00-ish, the activities start early.
Summer Wind found a raccoon on their boat. Really. Noxious animal. Hidden in a galley cupboard.
Ouch.
Quite a bit of cleanup required after this.
After this we had a meeting and a pot-luck dinner. Seemed …
The Whitby Rendezvous starts tomorrow, but some boats have arrived early. Joie de Vivre, Puffin, Red Ranger, Wild Oats, Tribute and crew from Indefatigable are all here this morning.
Today, the arrivals included Allegria, Northern Phoenix, Summer Wind, Natalie M., and Rosa dos Ventos, plus crew from The Incredible Hull …
Started: Mill Creek. 38°19.79′N 076°27.06′W
Docked: West River Sailing Club. 38°50.74′N 076°32.33′W
Distance: 47.8 nm; Time 7 hrs
Diesel: 56.5 gal.
This morning there were four (Four!) buy-boats in Solomon's. I guess it was the buy-boat …
Started: Mill Creek. 37°47.58′N 076°19.19′W
Anchored: Mill Creek. 38°19.79′N 076°27.06′W
Distance: 45.1 nm; Time 6.5 hrs
Yes. They have the same name. They're in different states, however.
Things are still working! We have a new fruit-fly …
Started: Deltaville Marina, D-Dock. 37°32.94′N 076°19.79′W
Anchored: Mill Creek. 37°47.58′N 076°19.19′W
Distance: 25.1 nm; Time: 5.3 hrs
Wow! Wow! Wow!
So far—touch wood for luck—nothing more has broken. Today was a very short trip …
Guests over the weekend. Took Red Ranger out into the Bay and bashed around a bit to be sure things are working. So far, so good. Rigging all stood up. Sails worked.
Since we're leaving soon, I can't start anything big, which is a good …
Looking almost good. Almost.
✔ We're afloat. ✔ New paint. ✔ New chainplates. ✔ Fixed up woodwork. ✔ New Solar Panels. ✔ New Anchor Snubber. ✔ New bilge pump plumbing. ✔ Restitched Yankee.
And.
About that drip. And the Propane.
At some point last year, CA noticed that our bilge pump had run.
On some boats the bilge …
Monday (Year 2, Week 2: Finishing Up) I was having a sphincter-clenching moment because things were not done and time was running out. Quickly.
Then, yesterday, Wes showed up with the last of the chainplates. I still have to install them, but they're here.
Grayson showed up with the last …
We're ready to paint. That should only take about a day.
We're ready for the last six of our chainplates to be made. The mainmast is complete. All ten of those chainplates rebuilt, the rig tensioned as best I could reset it. The six mizzen chainplates are still pending.
We …
There are two schools of thought on sanding the bottom.
Do.
Don't.
We've read a bunch of material on the "do" approach. The paint itself says this.
"PREVIOUSLY PAINTED SURFACES: In Good Condition: Remove loose paint by sanding with 80 grade (grit) paper, wipe with Special Thinner 216."
We've talked …
I think we've got an acceptable coat of polish on Red Ranger's hull. It's not really great. The boatyard folks can lay on a great finish. But. It's better than the finish has been in a long time.
You might be able to see the line in this picture …
The ICW ‘stash is a common problem.
In this picture, you can see that brown wave-shaped area in the bow.
There are lots of suggested remedies for the ‘stash. Here are a few.
Oxalic Acid, also known as Wood Bleach. For example, this: http://www.acehardware …
Started our second year living about Red Ranger by hauling her out of Jackson Creek.
And washing her for the first time in—at least—two years, maybe closer to 30 months.
Of course, we had barnacles everywhere. And "soft growth" (algae) that was right thick.
So far …