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.
Here's the key conversation.
CA: "Tell me when we get past Smith Point."
Me: "Why?"
CA: "From the point, the entire rest of the trip is new territory."
Things we did on August 3rd:
Getting past Smith Point. Last time we tried to go that far north ("Gang aft agley …
We're bound for Lewes Delaware, just inside Cape Henlopen, via the C&D canal.
The float plan assumes that (1) wind and weather are with us and (2) we have no mechanical problems along the way. It's about 200nm, which is about 40 hrs of travel time. Life is full …
At some point, we'll need to return to Deltaville. If everything works out, we'll depart Lewes Delaware and return to Deltaville via the C&D canal.
The float plan assumes (1) we get to Lewes, (2) that wind and weather are with us and (3) we have no mechanical problems …
Early last summer it become clear to us that clear hatches and no breeze in Jackson Creek made Red Ranger into a fiberglass oven. We're not replacing the clear hatches with smoked polycarbonate any time soon. What to do?
We want a lot of airflow; this means we have to …
Lon said "I liken sailing to making music on the water. The two for me are inseparable." Lon followed his comment with an invite to hear Dramtreeo in Reedville on July 23rd.
Let's review our tangled social network.
Lon's a very active Whitby owner. We met him at the …
How broken is "broken"?
Clearly, if it doesn't work, that's one thing. But what if it's hardly ever used or you can live without it? What it you have a work-around? What if it's largely cosmetic? What if it's just a lack of confidence?
A very, very important thing on …
Having conversations with folks on the subject of opening new chapters in their lives. Maybe we're just sensitive to the topic. It is wonderful to hear people's reflections on their lives and their directions. Changes, new things, old things. Some folks worry about what they might lose. We found that …
Winds out of the north east (040) at 10 kn. We beat to weather as well as we could making 5-6 kn under single-reefed main, yankee and staysail. A course of 100 magnetic took us 12nm across the bay to where we could see the Eastern Shore. Okay, from this …
It's embarrassing but true: Red Ranger's electrical system has been an opaque mystery. Yes, I have done electrical work (i.e. add battery fuses and rearrange the grounding) but there's a difference between a pile of parts and an integrated whole. I was mired in "crap-load of components" mode …
Minor: Replaced the old Merriman blocks on the mizzen with nice, new Garhauer blocks. They have so little friction that I think I need to add some friction via a ratchet block or cam cleats.
Major: A bunch of Whitby folks had a clinic in diesel engine maintenance. Akula III …
We took Bill, Diane, Sara, Madeline and Ian out for a sail on Red Ranger. Biggest crowd ever; seven folks really packs the cockpit full. But send some of the kids out to be rail meat and there's room in the cockpit. The hard part is reminding them of the …
We took (Father) Bill and (Aunt) Diane out for a sail on Red Ranger.
15-20 kn of wind, 2-3' seas. A bouncy, but enjoyable ride.
When beating or reaching in wind over 15kn, it feels like we need one reef in the main and only the staysail. Running at under …
The picture is the Robert O. Norris Jr. Bridge. it's our first bridge in Red Ranger . It has 110' clearance, so it's not really all that interesting. Built in 1957, it's a classic steel truss bridge.
I blame my father for an interest in maps and charts as well as …
The tribe was scattered. Fawkes is in Chisman Creek. Fortuna is still working; not launched yet. Amazing Grace is in the process of being sold. Liquid Therapy posted status from the Solomons; they'll be away for two weeks. Monday Morning is on the hard, being fixed. Joie de Vivre was …
This is me looking heroic and feeling bitter-sweet. Summer means goodbye hugs all around.
The sweet part was the fuel system. After our various engine travails (Fuel System FAQ), the Cantankerous Mr. Lehman ran flawlessly. It's a real confidence-builder to have him start and run and all the gauges—save …
Here's some epic pictures of Fawkes' exterior paint.
Before — Peeling and looking like an environmental hazard.
After — Spectacular!
The work involved is staggering: sanding, preparing, priming, painting. The results, however, will last for decades.
Just put in a nice, new Dometic/Mach 500GPH pump.
Here's the rusty old pump. This was removed back on Valentine's Day. We haven't really needed the air conditioner yet.
No reason to replace anything that doesn't need replacing. Now that summer's almost here, it finally needs replacing.
Unlike the …
Yes, that's Xander down inside the lazarette. No, we didn't go sailing. We toured the marina and took a trip around Jackson creek in the dinghy.
Kind of disappointing not be able to sail. But the fuel system is in pieces.
So we hung around for a while and visited …
Q: What the heck is that?
A: That's the gunk from the previously inaccessible center fuel tank. It's not fuel. It's water with a little fuel floating on top.
Q: How much was in there?
A: I'd guess that it was about 30-35 gallons of fluid. The picture looks like …
Our first Mother's Day treat was a big breakfast in the picnic porch with the crew of Fawkes and Sea Turtle. Pancakes. Waffles. Syrup. Strawberries. Coffee. And some post-breakfast yarning about boats, sailing and life afloat. Important lesson: it's okay to motor-tack your big old ketch in light airs. Also …