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.
In the southern bay, (below the Potomac) winterizing is a good idea. It hasn't frozen hard there in years. The recent polar vortices may change that.
In the northern bay, however, the creeks do freeze.
This year, we did the following.
Six gallons of anti-freeze went into the …
The boat show is down. The hurricane season is starting to wind down. Here's Red Ranger without any sails.
We're almost ready for winter haul-out. We have a dozen important jobs to do, including rearranging drains, replacing hoses, upgrading the electronics.
Still. Sniff. We're happy …
Two winters of sitting — and a summer with only a few trips — has left Red Ranger awfully dirty. Also, some mission-critical things had failed.
Here's CA washing the galley fan. She's scrubbing the power cord with a toothbrush. (Mine, I think.)
If the galley fan is dirty, what …
The problem with being weekenders is access. When we lived in Norfolk, Red Ranger was in Deltaville, just an hour and change away. It was a relaxing drive after work every week. When we moved to Richmond, Red Ranger was back in Deltaville, about two hours away.
Now that we're …
Long, long ago, from a city far, far away…
CA and I enjoyed looking at boats and marinas. In the years BC (Before a Craft), we'd make excuses to visit marinas just because boats were so cool.
There's a basic aesthetic of shape to the hull and topsides. There's the …
We met folks finishing their circumnavigation of the planet.
On Red Ranger, we did some jobs. CA fixed our red sail covers. I played with Epifanes. CA broke a needle. There it is — shattered needle from serious stitching.
Safety note. D-rings must be stainless. The non-stainless D-ring was …
Some things we did during the winter.
That was it.
We didn't …
Took some of the family — Niece Hjördis, CA, Sis Nancy, Mom Judy — to see Red Ranger on the hard at the boat yard.
Not shown in the picture are Bro-in-Law Andy, Nephew Sumner, and Nephew Winsor.
Red Ranger weathered the winter without too many problems.
The bilge froze …
Sigh.
The fun thing (two weeks ago) was ascending the mast to examine someone else's lighting. They had a short. Somewhere. I want aloft to look around. It didn't seem to be up there. The Aqua Signal was clean and tidy. Bulbs looked good.
Sadly, they'd looked at the …
In Deltaville this weekend, we visited with boats heading south: Bellatrix, Joie de Vivre, Island Time and Rovinkind II.
All heading south.
All except Red Ranger.
We'll be traveling with them vicariously.
Joie de Vivre will be heading offshore to make St. Augustine in one …
There's a middle way between cruising — sailing all the time — and living at a marina and moving the boat rarely if ever.
This is Island Time. Just launched after several years on the hard. It's a Brewer; a sister ship to the Whitby. She's quite a bit like Red …
Check out this work of art:
An amazing restoration, lasting several years here at Deltaville Marina.
That's a lot of wood. And a lot of loving care to restore it to sea-worthy condition.
Start with any of these links:
http://oceanresearchproject.org
https://www.facebook.com/OceanResearchProject
http://www.cruisingworld.com/gallery/how-to/green-wakes/matt-rutherfords-ocean-research-project
http://www.allatsea.net/matt-rutherford-launches-ocean-research-project/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lesleyann-coker/matt-rutherford-sailing_b_3306143.html
http://yachtworldheroes.com/?p=1458
Apparently, the transmission died …
We're officially weekenders.
We went down to Red Ranger and sat around doing nothing.
Nothing.
I topped off the water in the batteries. CA did some laundry.
We moved some things off the boat that we want in the apartment.
We visited with other marina folks on the screen …
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 …
The marina had a wedding reception for a local waterman. That means a lot of deadrises tied up to C dock. Plus a tent. Plus a DJ. Plus some music.
There were perhaps five visiting deadrises.
It is the official Viginia state boat.
The good news is that they …
Happy Birthday Marja! Thursday was a big old party out in the parking lot by Motu. We saw Sapphire, Tilt, Baloo, Serenade among others.
Summer Wind was there, too.
We met them last year in Elizabeth City.
See "Week 6: Get Out of Town (Point) for Hurricane Sandy" for …
This was a crazy thing to see (and be a part of).
I would call this one of the most significant benefits of being able to choose a life-style that involves hanging around on docks.
Chardonnay is a double headsail ketch (like Red Ranger) but bigger. Her main mast stands …
This week we're still hanging around in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Commodore's aunt, Venerable Great Aunt (VGA) Diane will be here this week, enjoying the sights (and tastes) of the Low Country with us. Specifically Shrimp and Grits.
Docked at 32°49.93′N 079°56.03′W …
This week we're hanging around in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Commodore Says: "We Can Haz Visitorz?"
The Commodore's aunt, Venerable Great Aunt (VGA) Diane may visit next week. So, for this week, we're just hanging out.
Docked at 32°49.93′N 079°56.03′W
Cleaned out …