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.
Breakfast. Round-Table Conversations. Lunch.
Talked about tools and saw the coolest device for accurately measuring specific gravity optically. But a drop of battery acid onto the glass and look through the eyepiece and get a precise measurement of specific gravity. Very cool.
Talked about electronics and electronic charting. I …
Breakfast. Presentations. Lunch. Presentations. Dinner.
ICW Overview. Budgeting (and prioritizing). Cheap Docks. Free Anchorages. Radio and Communications. Weather.
Plus.
Conversations with other boaters about their ICW experience and their plans. Perhaps more valuable than some of the scheduled speakers.
We ran into Utopia again. We met them in St. Augustine …
Started: Poquoson River 37°09.51′N 076°24.60′W
Docked: Hampton City Marina 37°01.48′N 076°20.44′W
Distance Run: 35.5 nm. Time 6¼ hr. Engine Hours 3.
Great sail down the bay. Until 13:00 when the wind died. We were just 2 …
Started: Dymer Creek 37°40.30′N 076°21.20′W
Anchored: Poquoson River 37°09.51′N 076°24.60′W
Distance Run: 48.0 nm. Time 7½ hr.
Today actually became a relatively flat motor-sail down the bay. Unlike yesterday where there were surprises. Today there were no …
Started: Mill Creek (Solomon's Island) 38°19.71′N 076°27.07′W
Anchored: Dymer Creek 37°40.30′N 076°21.20′W
Distance Run: 53.6 nm. Time 7½ hr.
Almost a flat, calm motor down the bay to a totally new anchorage. Almost a quiet night an …
Started: Annapolis. 38°58.53′N 076°28.43′W
Anchored: Mill Creek (Solomon's Island) 38°19.71′N 076°27.07′W
Distance Run: 45.2 nm. Time 9 hr. Engine Hours: 4.
A pretty good sail down the bay in 10-12 kt of N breeze.
We did tolerably …
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 …