The Log of Dan & Pat aboard the S/V Weal Sea

The adventures of

Dan & Pat Harrington aboard the S/V Weal Sea

DAN & PAT HARRINGTON 

 The adventures of the S/V Weal Sea with Dan & Pat Harrington - July 2005

  • May 2006

     

    The adventures of the S/V Weal Sea with Dan & Pat Harrington

    May 2006

     

     

    05-01-06

    (Mon), slip #12, Spanish Wells Yacht Haven, St. Georges Cay (Eleuthra Island) (25.32.45 N, 76.45.38 W): 0630 - Up, BP 30.05, T 75, Clear, NE wind @ 12-15.

    0900 - George, Dorine, Pat & I go to the small local museum in a restored house. 1015 - George, Dorine & Pat head to local supermarket for some finally groceries. I go to the local marine store to pick up an extra gallon of engine oil.

    1300 - leave slip and motor up the channel to another marina, which has diesel.  Depth sonar is acting up. I ask s/v Island Star to lead way thru the narrow channel. Clear Spanish Wells channel & head for Royal Island following Island Star. Motor sail Waypoints: Spanish Wells (25.32.21 N, 76.45.26 W) => Meeks Patch (25.31.50 N, 76.47.00 W) => Royal Island (25.30.62 N, 76.50.65 W) => Royal Island Harbour (25.30.90 N, 76.50.75 W). The last waypoint is visual- VRP (VRP = "Visual Piloting Rules" apply!) because of the narrow channel entry. It is a beautiful sail. This harbour is exceptionally well-protected 360 degrees. There are 10 other boats already anchored here including s/v Delphinus who we sail with from Georgetown to Lee Stocking Island.

    1430 - Drop anchor in 15 ft water (25.30.912 N, 76.50.788 W).

    George (s/v Island Star) comes over in his dinghy & helps figure out what is wrong with my depth sonar... bad electrical connection.  Fix it and it works great.

    Relax and enjoy the peace & quiet with clear skies in this lovely harbour. While the weather here great, winds on the channel between here and Great Abacos are reported to be out of N & seas are up.  Looks like we are going to be here until Thursday or Friday.

     

    05-02-06

    (Tue), anchorage, harbor, Royal Island, west side of north end of Eleuthra Island (25.30.912 N, 76.50.788 W): 0830 - Up, Clear, BP 30.05, and T 75.  Four more boats came into the harbour yesterday evening. This afternoon s/v's Non-Linear (John & Marci), Cheeta II (Dick & Jane), Barefooten (Gary & Francine), & Kumbya (Jerry & Barbara) arrived.  They are also headed for the Abacos. Not much to do here... No beaches on this side of the island.

     

    HISTORY:

    This is a private island but no one currently lives on it.  The previous owner had a huge estate here in the 1950s - 1060s with citrus groves, a small airfield, a railroad, & a windmill, as well as stone docks on the harbour (south) and north side of the island. There are small one-lane paved roads, now partially overgrown by jungle vegetation, connecting the ruins of the mansion with the airfield and the boat dock on the north side of the island.  The mansion itself, which is in ruins along with several guest & servants homes, was built with stone from a quarry on Eleuthera, which were brought over by boats.

     

    We have been told a developer (Paradise Island Casino?) has purchased the island for development. We have see 5-8 Haitian workers being dropped off at the mansion from a small boat from Eleuthera each morning. They spend the day clearing brush around the mansion and roads, and plant flowers on the terraces in front of the old mansion ruins on the shore facing the harbour.  I suspect if you come back here in a year or two, the area will be developed.... Hope you can still use this lovely harbor.  

     

    Although the island is private, we've notice a number of cruisers going ashore at the dock in front of the ruins. Dorine, Pat, George & I decide we will dinghy ashore tomorrow.... the ladies are getting anxious to do some shelling and there is suppose to be a beach on the north side of the island.

     

    05-03-06

    (Wed), anchorage, harbour, Royal Island, west side of north end of Eleuthra Island (25.30.912 N, 76.50.788 W): 0800 - Up, Clear, BP 30.00, and T 75. 1100 hr - Pat & I dingy ashore with George & Dorine (s/v Island Star) to explore north side of the island. I take my snorkel; fins and mask as there is suppose to be a place where you can also snorkel.  We do a bit of exploring around the ruins. The Haitian works do not seem to mind and keep working... most speak Creole or French. The paved road is about 20 ft wide but only a path in some places because jungle overgrowth has creped in along its sides.  The Haitian are clearing this as well.  It is about 1/8 - 1/4 mile from the ruins to the north beach dock. There are a few other cruisers already there when we arrive. While there is a small beach, there is no real place "to shell".  However, I do a bit of snorkeling ... waters are only fair; Not as nice as in the Exumas. We have a picnic lunch on the stone dock then return to the boats.

     

    Looks like our weather window is now Friday.  A few of the other boaters are going to try to cross tomorrow.

     

     

    05-04-06

    (Thur), anchorage, harbour, Royal Island, west side of north end of Eleuthra Island (25.30.912 N, 76.50.788 W): 0600 - Up, Clear, BP 30.05, T 75, Wind W @ 10 kt. Several other boats including Kumbya have decide to cross the Northeast Providence Channel for Little Harbour on Great Abacos Island today and weighed anchor about 0800. Several others and we have decided to wait until tomorrow. 1000 - Ladies from Non-Linear (Marci), Barefooten (Francine), Cheeta II (Barbara), Island Star (Dorine) & Weal Sea (Pat) have decided to try shelling again today. Charts indicate there are some beaches on the S-W side of the island outside the harbor. They have room for only four ladies on a dinghy so I agreed to come along and bring Pat in our dinghy. Turned out there are 2 small beaches: one at 25.34.50 N, 76.51.45 W, and the other around a small point at 25.34.50 N, 76.51.57 W. Did not find much at the first but the ladies spent about 1.5 hr at the second. Local boaters apparently use this beach, as there is a fire pit, and an old table and benches here.  Found a large number of conch shells by the beach from which the conch had been harvested. Returned to boats about 1330. (Still not sure where we will store all these shells!). 1800 - We are invited over to s/v Persuasion (Jane & Bob) along with George & Dorine (Island Star) & Nauti-Girl (Bonnie & Bob) for Happy Hour. It’s a lovely evening.

     

    05-05-06

    (Fri.), anchorage, harbour, Royal Island, west side of north end of Eleuthra Island (25.30.912 N, 76.50.788 W): 0450 - Up, Clear, BP 30.00, T 75, Wind NW @ 10 kt. Seas 1-2 ft. 0530 - weigh anchor. Lots of sparkling bioluminescence on rope segment of the rode as I pull up the anchor. This is the result of small organisms in the water that emit light when disturbed. Waypoints (WP) to Little Harbour: Royal Island (25.30.62 N, 76.47.00 W => Little Egg Island (25.29.10 N, 76.53.00 W => Egg Island (25.30.00 N, 76. 54.50 W) => Little Harbour Abacos (25.19.30 N, 76.58.80 W) => Tom Curry Point (26.20.22 N, 76.59.64 W) => Little Harbour 1 (26.19.90 N, 76.59.95 W) => Follow Buoyed Channel Markers in to Little Harbour.) 0550 - Exit the narrow inlet to Royal Island Harbour to WP Royal Island then turn W toward WP Little Egg Island. Here we turn NNW to WP Egg Island to pass thru the channel between Little Egg & Egg Island, & then NNE toward WP Little Harbour Abacos across the Northeast Providence Channel. This channel is a "ditch" in the Atlantic Ocean 3727 meters deep at the center where we are crossing... that’s 12,225 ft or about 2.3 mile straight down! Awesome when you think about it. The total distance from Royal Island Harbour in the central Bahamas to Little Harbour, Abacos in the "near" (north) Bahamas is 55.23 nm (63.5 statute miles). It is an absolutely beautiful day. The wind is mainly out of the NNW to NW so we use both our sails and motor. There are at least 10 boats crossing with us including Island Star, Non-Linear, Barefooten, Nauti-Girl, Persuasion, and Jassemen. We also pick up three other boats along the way coming from other locations.  The boats are spread out over a 1 to 3 mile distance. We are buddy boating with Island Star and stay in VHF contact with them during the crossing. George has been dragging a fishing line on a Yo-Yo with an artificial squid and catches a 37-inch Mia-Mia! We spot Abacos about 12 miles out. The channel between WP Little Harbour Abacos and Tom Curry Point is not particularly

    narrow.  However, the are shoals and coral on both sides and we decide to let one of the other boats lead the way; we have no macho hang-up! You must carefully follow the Red & Green buoys when entering Little Harbour as the MLW (mean low water) is listed as 1 meter (3.3 ft) in the center of the channel on the Explorer Charts. However, we draw about 4.7 ft and the tide is coming in when we enter. Island Star draws 5 ft and decided to lead the way.  He radios his depth reading as we move thru the channel with us following.  This is a common practice among boats traveling together. We see nothing less then 8 ft. in the channel. Immediately on clearing the channel the harbour deepens to 4 meters. The harbor is very crowded... must be 30 boats here. 1535 - We elect to take a mooring ball.  Its still early and some of the ladies (Pat, Dorine, Marci & Francine) decide to go shelling)..... IT’S ADDICTIVE!  The guys, George (Island Star), Tom (Barefooten), John (Non-Linear) and myself (Weal Sea) decide to dinghy ashore to Little Harbors famous Pete's Pub for their Happy Hour. We have a great time, especially after a couple of Hawaiian Punches with Meyer’s floaters. WOW! The ladies join us after about an hour of shelling.  Head back to the boats about 1830 for dinner.

     

     

    05-06-06

    (Sat), Mooring ball, Little Harbour, Abacos (26.20.078 N, 77.00.174 W): 0740 - Up. BP 30.05, T 75, clear, Wind S-SE @ 5-10 kt. Believe it or not.... Pat, Dorine, & Marci decide to go shelling AGAIN this morning.  I decide to hang around on the boat, enjoy the sun and do some reading.  We have decided to head north tomorrow to Elbow Cay. Because of the tide and shallowness of the Little Harbour channel, our group is moving our boats out of Little Harbour and around the Tom Curry Point just outside and west of the harbor where we can anchor.  s/v Persuasion (a 47 ft sailboat with a 6 ft draft) cuts short the 1st channel buoy and runs aground. Fortunately the tide is rising & a small flotilla of dinghies with outboards go over and help push her off the sand bar.... very typically of sailors helping one another out.  1430 - We drop our mooring ball and exit the harbor following our harbour entry "bread crumb" trail on our chart plotter in reverse. We drop anchor among 10 other boats in sand in about 12 ft of water (26.20.80 N, 76.00.12 W).

    1830 - Several of the group including s/v Nauti-Girl (Bob & Bonnie), s/v Persuasion (Jane & Bob) and ourselves have been invited over to Island Star for Mia-Mia dinner, the fish that George caught during our Northeast Providence Channel passage. We all bring another dish to share. Fantastic feed and another great evening talking about our various sailing adventures.

     

    05-07-06

    (Sun), anchorage off Tom Curry Point, Little Harbour, Abacos (26.20.80 N, 76.00.12 W): 0800 - Up. BP 30.05, T 75, clear, Wind S-SE @ 5-15 kt. It’s a beautiful day and a relatively short sail to Elbow Cay. We hope to sail most of the way. Island Star and Weal Sea continue to buddy boat. 1155 - weigh anchor. Waypoints to Elbow Cay are: Tom Curry Point (26.20.22 N, 76.59.64 W) => Lyanyard Cay (26.22.65 N, 76.59.64 W) => North Bar Range (26.23.62 N, 76.59.19 W) => Pelican Cays (26.25.00 N, 76.59.19 W) => Pelican Harbour (26.25.44 N, 77.00.21 W) => Iron Cay (26.25.05 N, 77.01.40 W) => Tilloo Bank (26.25.84 N, 77.01.17 W) => Tavern Cay (26.29.04 N, 76.59.70 W) => Lubbers Quarters (26.29.95 n, 76.59.48 W) => Bakers Rock (26.30.36 N, 76.59.07 W). It’s another beautiful and short sail, about 12.8 nm, and you are never out of sight of the islands. The only segment that you need to watch because of the narrowness of the channel is between WP Tavern Cay and Lubbers Quarters. 151!

     5 - arrive and drop anchor between Lubbers Quarters (Cay) and Elbow Cay in about 12 ft of crystal clear aqua green water in white sand (26.30.548 N, 76.58.938 W). George, Dorine, Pat & I dingy to "Cracker P's" pub & grill on Lubber's Quarters. This is a well know cruisers hangout with great food. Pat & I both had STEAK! It was excellent!  Got back to boat about 1830.

     

     

    05-08-06

    (Mon): Anchorage between Lubbers Quarters (Cay) and Elbow Cay (26.30.548 N, 76.58.938 W), Abacos, Bahamas. 0800 - Up. BP 30.05, T 75 F, Clear. 1000 - Pat & Dorine want to go shelling so I dinghy them ashore and return to the boat to do some work.  We have decided to go to Hope town on Elbown Cay.  Its short sail of about two nm N. 1230 - I pick up the "shelling" ladies from the beach. It is a beautiful beach but almost no shells. Pat lost her wooden digging spoon somewhere on the beach. 1330 - raise anchor and head north. Waypoints: White Sound (26.31.51 N, 76.58.93 W) => "hug the shore of Elbow Cay" to => Hope Town (26.32.68 N, 76.57.76 W) => Follow channel buoys into Hope Town Harbour. You need to carefully watch the entry buoys & other boats (!) going into Hope Town. The channel is narrow and VERY BUSY with speedboats and trawlers. Entering the harbour you need to pick-up a mooring ball... it is an extremely crowded harbour with boats on mooring balls sometime with-in 20-30 ft of one another! However, it is a very beautiful spot with the famous red & white Hope Town lighthouse over looking the harbour. 1500 - pick up mooring ball. Cost $20/day. Dinghy ashore & do a bit of exploring of the town. This is a popular destination with lots of tourists and hotels / condos. s/v Persuasion is already here and s/v Non-Linear arrive in the late afternoon. Pat, Dorine & I dinghy ashore and visit the Hope Town lighthouse.  Fantastic view of the Hope Town harbour from the top and you can even see the town of Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island about 7 nm away to the NE.

     

    05-09-06

    (Tues) - Mooring ball, Hope Town Harbour, Elbow Cay, Abacos, Bahamas (26.32.257 N, 76.57.655 W): 0700 - up, BP 29.95, T 75, Partly Cloudy. 1000 - Pat, Dorine, George and I walk to the beach on the Atlantic ocean side of the Elbow Cay (only about 2 blocks away) where there is a huge reef popular with snorklers. Pat & Dorine try their hand a shelling while I do some snorkeling on the reef. George decides to explore the beach. Marci & John (Non-Linear) are already here snorkeling. 1300 - Group heads up to one of the hotels on the beach to use their shower and pool. Its seems there is a regulation here in the near Bahamas that hotels must allow people to use pool even if they are not guest at the hotel! We take advantage of it and then relax with refreshments at the poolside bar. 1830 - s/v Persuasion invites Island Star and us over for Happy Hour. Return to boat about 2100 hr.

     

    05-10-06

    (Wed) - Mooring ball, Hope town Harbour, Elbow Cay, Abacos, Bahamas (26.32.257 N, 76.57.655 W): 0600 - up, BP 30.00, T 75, and Clear. 0900 - We drop the mooring ball and head for Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island, ~ 7 nm west of Elbow Cay. Island Star follows us. Waypoints: Hope Town (26.32.68 N, 76.57.76 W) => Point Set (26.34.65 N, 77.00.90 W) => Marsh Harbour (26.33.40 N, 77.04.50 W) => Follow Red-Green channel buoys into Marsh Harbour. Its a beautiful day and we are able to sail most of the way. 1130 - We arrive in Marsh Harbour and take on water at Conch Inn Marina (they are out of diesel until tomorrow) then drop anchor off Marsh Harbour Marina in about 7 ft water (26.32.595 N, 77.03.350 W). Several of our past sailing companions are here including Scandia, Cheeta II, Non-Linear and Pepa II. We met Pepa II on the ICW and have not seen them since we crossed the Gulf stream in January. Bev & Arnie (Scandia) dinghy by and say hello.  Their daughter flew in from the states and is spending a few weeks with them on their boat. We need to do laundry and stop by to say hello to Gordon and Jay on Peppa II when we dinghy into town. Doing laundry here is expensive: 25 cents for 2 minutes! Wow.  Everyone decides to have dinner at the "Jib Room" at Marsh Harbour Marina this evening. For $25.00 each, we receive chicken and rib dinner then dancing with live Island Music as well as limbo.  We have a great time and return to the boat at 2200 hr.

     

    05-11-06

    (Thur)- Anchorage, Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island, the Bahamas (26.32.595 N, 77.03.350 W).

    0630 - Up, BP 29.95, T 75, Partly Cloudy. Listened to Chris Parker's weather yesterday AM. He is predicating a front moving in from Florida with high winds which will hit West End (a town), Grand Bahama Island today then continue east toward Great Abaco tomorrow. We decide to stay put and do some shopping.  Two great grocery stores here. much cheaper than Georgetown in the Exumas. Pat has her hair done and I get a haircut. Spend rest of day sight seeing.... not much here.

     

    05-12-06

    (Fri)- Anchorage, Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island, the Bahamas (26.32.595 N, 77.03.350 W). 0630 - Up, BP 29.95, T 75, partly cloudy. 0830 - really clouding up to the NW... looks ugly. Apparently, the front Chris Parker predicted yesterday is on its way. 0930 - A storm is definitely headed this way. Most everyone is checking his or her boats in preparation. 1000 - A SQUALL comes down the channel as a wall of rain... nearly a "white-out". Boats are bouncing everywhere. We have out 80 feet of anchor rode & Weal Sea's is staying put. However, there are several boats starting to drag anchor on both sides of us... Scary! I have the engine running (just in case) and am watching out the cockpit. Suddenly I saw a 47 ft sailboat moving toward our bow sideways! Whenever you see an anchored boat moving sideways to the wind, you know she is probably dragging her anchor. It is clear she is going to hit our bow with her port side! I grab a fender & rush forward (I should have put on my life vest & put out the fenders BEFORE the squall hit at the same time that I started the engine. Several other boats had already done so... Live and Learn.) I am huddled down on the foredeck with the fender over the side when the other boat slams into our bow. She appears huge & there is NO ONE ONBOARD! She starts to slide by along our starboard side but her bow hits our stainless steel anchor roller bar that tears into her rail.  Her bow is pushing against our anchor roller and I am worried she is going to tear off our roller & maybe even our head stay. Weal Sea's anchor holds but the other boat continues to push. Weal Sea starts to tip sideway to port so that our port rail begins to dip into the water, our anchor is holding BOTH Weal Sea & the other boat which continues to push against us. The wind is really howling, I can barely see, and the rain, which is pounding, feels like needles. I don’t know what has happened to Pat who is still down below but I am now worried the other boat is going to TIP US OVER! This is unbelievable! I cannot stand on the deck & have to kneel down & hang on to the lifelines. The forward hatch opens & Pat tries to hand me a life vest.  I am too busy hanging on & can't take it from her. (She informed me later that most every thing below was falling off shelves & scattered over the deck.) SUDDENLY our nylon anchor rode BREAKS from the pressure of the other boat & Weal Sea comes UPRIGHT! This actually saves us from capsizing! The other boat slides by & continues to move sideways toward the docks at Marsh Harbour Marina nearly hitting a 78 ft steel ketch off our port. With our anchor gone, the wind is now pushing us toward other boats downwind.  I manage to open the anchor locker & push over our 35 lb Danforth anchor that has 50 ft of 5/16 inch High Tensile G4 chain (I purchased in Ft. Lauderdale... Thank God) with 200 ft of nylon rode. The chain & rode feed out rapidly & I actually get rope burns trying to chinch the rode to the cleat. However, I manage to do so & suddenly the anchor GRABS; we come to a SUDDEN STOP with our bow facing into the wind.... what a relief! We are holding! Suddenly another boat appears off our starboard heading toward our bow & anchor. I can not believe this! It’s a steel sloop flying a Quebec Flag. She is under power but also dragging an anchor.  There is a lady at the helm trying to control the boat with her husband running around the foredeck screaming something at her in FRENCH. I yell over the howling wind that their bow is going into my anchor rode, may cut it and I do not have a 3rd anchor available! (NOTE: I do carry a magnesium alloy Fortress backup anchor in the lazerette, but it is unassembled & does not have ground tackle attached). I signal to the lady at the helm that she should turn to her starboard to avoid cutting my anchor. Her husband continues to run around the deck repeating in broken English, "Accidents happen, accidents happen, accidents happen, accidents happen....". I cannot believe this guy! Finally, the lady at the helm understands my instructions & turns sharply to starboard "just before" their boat hits and cuts our rode! Wow, another close call! The squall last about 30 minutes. Suddenly the wind drops, the sky clears & the sun comes out... its over! When we survey the harbour, we see cushions, oars, fenders, gasoline tanks & miscellaneous debris floating everywhere. Pat told me she saw our dinghy flip completely over twice during the squall. In deed, our dinghy's oars & life vests were gone, the dinghy's gasoline tank was floating upside down still attached to the motor by its hose, & the dinghy’s anchor was hanging over the side. Others cruisers are going out in their dinghies to visit other boaters & collecting the life vests, oars, etc floating in the harbor. I tried to start the dinghy engine but it coughed a few times then refused to fire. George from Island Star, John from Non-Linear & Arnie from Scandia came over to help.  They suggested I take off the engine cover & pour a bucket of "fresh" water over the engine to remove the salt & prevent corrosion. I do so. The engine sputtered when I pulled the starter cord but still would not run. I had a spare spark plug & George suggested we try changing it. It started immediately & ran like a charm... good old Nissan! Everyone was so helpful following the squall. People were on the VHF calling one another with information on equipment they had found floating in the harbor.  We recovered our life vest as well as our oars, both of which had Weal Sea's name on them. I spoke to the fellow in the 78 ft ketch next to us. He said they watched the 47 ft boat drag down on us and thought we were in fact going to be pushed over by them. They also saw me on the foredeck & thought I had gone overboard since they estimated we were leaned over nearly 50 DEGREES & thought our port spreader was going into the water.  When our anchor rode broke & we came upright, they saw, I was still on the deck. They had started their engine & managed to move out of the way of the 47 ft boat which had broken our anchor rode. I decided to track down the boat that had hit us. There was no one on board & they were responsible for the loss of my Bruce anchor, 50 ft of 5/16 inch G4 chain & nylon rode ~ $900!

    A few minutes later Pat draws my attention to a boat coming out of the marina heading slowly out of the harbor...  It’s the boat that had dragged down on us. I immediately jump into the dinghy and head toward them. There is a woman in the cockpit and a man at the helm. I come along side as they continue to head out & explain to the woman what had happened. She said she was just a guest on board & that I would need to talk to the "captain" at the helm. He explains they are leaving the harbor while the tide is favorable & that I need to talk to the lady "owner" of the boat who is back at the marina "paying her bill" (I assume for the "unscheduled" anchoring at the marina during the squall!). I immediately turn around & head back to the marine ~1/4 mile away. By the time I get there, she has left.  I head back to our boat & discover the owner of the yacht is at our boat in her rented run-about. Apparently, her captain had radioed her & informed her of the situation. She was very pleasant & explained that she had told the captain that she was concerned about the scope of the anchor he had originally set it (about 4 to 1). He told her it was OK since they were just going ashore to get their dinghy's battery recharged & would be right back. However, the squall hit while they were ashore. They saw their boat dragging but could not get back. She agreed with us that they were responsible & would have a new replacement anchor & rode flown in from Florida. I explained that I had the GPS coordinates of where we were anchored & that the water was only 12-15 ft deep.  Thus, it might be cheaper to hire a diver to recover our ground tackle (anchor and chain). She was pleased with the idea & contacted a local diver who cleans boat bottoms using a mask & "hookah" (air compressor on a boat with an air hose attached). He came out in his boat and spent three hours looking before he recovered the ground tackle. (Since I was driving his boat during the search, I found out he had actually found the anchor & chain & had tied a fender-float to them after 1.5 - 2 hours. However, continued to "pretend to search" so he could pad the bill for another hour!). She went ashore with him & paid him $300 ($100 / hr) before I could alert her to what had happened.  When she returned, I told her I discovered he had actually found the anchor earlier in his search & that he over-charged her at least an hour. She shrugged & said that was not unusual here... there are those in the Bahamas who try to take the tourist for whatever they can. "LIVE & LEARN". 

     

    Pat & I spent the rest of the day cleaning up and reorganizing. I had lost about 30 ft of rope rode. I cut back the rope rode to an undamaged segment & splice the Bruce and anchor chain back onto the remaining rope rode.

     

    05-13-06

    (Sat) - Anchorage, Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island, the Bahamas (26.32.595 N, 77.03.350 W).

    0630 - Up. BP 30.00, T 75 F, Clear. We are heading north tomorrow to Great Guana Cay. Pat & I dingy ashore to do some grocery shopping. The internet cafe is closed so we can't take advantage of Skype VOI (Voice Over Internet) to telephone home (Only 2.5 cents/minute!). Instead, we use our phone card and get hold of Darla, our daughter-in-law, in Remington, Indiana... Mike and the boys (Ryan, Sean & Matthew) are out so we do not get a chance to talk to them. We also tried to telephone Brian & Jennifer, our son & daughter-in-law in Colorado, but there is no one home. Same applied to Susan & Eric, our daughter and her husband in Pittsburgh, PA. Oh well.... we tried.

    Returned to boat after shopping and prepared for departure for tomorrow.

     

    05-14-06

    (Sun) - Anchorage, Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island, the Bahamas (26.32.595 N, 77.03.350 W).

    0700 - Up. BP 30.00, T 80 F, Clear. No wind... sea is FLAT & mirror-like. 1000 - George & Dorine on Island Star, our buddy boat, go to airport to pick up their sailing friends Chris & Debbie from Ohio. They are flying in and will be helping them sail Island Star across the Gulf Stream from the Bahamas up to the Carolinas & then on to the Chesapeake Bay where George & Dorine plan to leave the boat until next year. 1330 - George, Dorine & their friend’s return from the airport. 1430 - Island Star departs for Great Guana Cay, our next anchorage. 1500 - We weigh anchor then fuel up, take on water and finally depart Marsh Harbour for Great Guana at 1545. It’s a beautiful day and we sail most of the way. 1815 - Drop anchor in a cove off Great Guana Cay (26.40.10 N, 77.07.00 W).  Island Star is already here & their group has gone ashore to see Nipper's Beach Bar & Grill, a cruisers hangout. We dinghy ashore & meet them at the pool. The group decides to return to Island Star for Happy hour. We discuss plans for the next few days. Chris Parker's weather report indicates that there is another front moving in 48-72 hrs with the possibility of squalls. After their experience at Marsh Harbour, everyone we talk to is looking for a safe harbor on a mooring ball. The weather looks good tomorrow and we agree to try to for Green Turtle Cay. We telephone Green Turtle Marina and they have two slips still available, which we reserve (cost $1.75/ft/day).

     

    05-15-06

    (Mon), Anchorage, Great Guana Cay, Abacos, The Bahamas (26.40.10 N, 77.07.00 W): 0730 - Up. BP 30.05, T 75 F, Partly cloudy, Wind 10-15 kts out of E. 0945 - Weigh anchor with Island Star and head north to Green Turtle Cay via the "Whale Cay" route. Waypoints: Guana Cay anchorage (26.40.10 N, 77.07.00 W) => Guana Cay 1 (26.40.22 N, 77.08.70 W) => Guana Cay 1 (26.41.44 N, 77.10.56 W) => Whale Cay 1 (26.42.01 N, 77.12.30 W) => Whale Cay 2 (26.42.89 N, 77.12.63 W) => Whale Cay 3 (26.43.44 N, 77.14.26 W) => Whale Cay 4 (26.42.81 W, 77.15.73 W) => Green Turtle 1 (26.45.40 N, 77.19.81 W) => Green Turtle 2 (26.46.04 N, 77.20.02 W) => Follow buoyed channel into Green Turtle Marina slip. This route is relatively simple. The only concern is passage out of the sound between Great Abacos Island and the cays east of the Island into the Atlantic Ocean around Whale Cay and then back into sound. If there are significant winds from the N or NE, waves can build and a dangerous "Rage" develops on the Atlantic side of Whale Cay. No sane sailor would attempt the passage "Around The Whale" under these conditions.  We luck out and conditions are excellent with only a 1-2 ft chop on the outside. Winds are also favorably and we sail 90% of the time. 1300 - Arrive at the marina & get our slip (26.46.904 N, 77.20.202 W).  Lots of other boaters are on the radio looking for either a mooring ball or slip because of the predication of a possible squall on Wednesday. This is really a first class marina with a pool, beautiful restaurant, etc.  We invite George, Dorine, Chris & Debbie over to Weal Sea for Happy Hour. It’s been another great day in paradise.

     

    05-16-06

    (Tue). Slip, Green Turtle Marina, Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, The Bahamas (26.46.904 N, 77.20.202 W). 0800 - Up. BP 30.00, T 75 F, Partly cloudy. 1000 - I take advantage of the pool.  1400 - Our group decides to do a bit of exploring & rent two golf carts. We drive into New Plymouth, the main town on the island about 2 miles away. It’s a historic town settled by British "Loyalist" fleeing the colonies after the American Revolution. We visit museum and a garden laid out in the shape of the British Union Jack. Returning we stop by an ice cream store then get off the beaten path where we find an outdoor pub. Naturally, we have to investigate it. Continuing our return trip, we get side tracked again and end up at the Bluff House, a first class resort a mile or so from our marina. 1800 - Invited over to Island Star for refreshment and sweets. Heavy RAIN has started and it continues to rain throughout the night... the front is moving through.

     

    05-17-06

    (Wed). Slip, Green Turtle Marina, Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, The Bahamas (26.46.904 N, 77.20.202 W). 0700 - Up. BP 28.80, T 75 F, Windy with occasional showers. 0900 - We have to return the golf carts by 1300 hr.  The ladies decide to take one of the golf carts into New Plymouth to do some last minute shopping since we plan to set sail tomorrow for Great Sale Cay on the north side of Grand Bahama Island. 1845 - Our group has made dinner reservations at the Green Turtle Marina & Club Restaurant for 1930 hr. We head over early for refreshments. Great meal but not cheap ($34/person). 2300 - head back to our boats... we plan to leave for Great Sale Cay at first light tomorrow morning.

     

     

     

    05-18-06

    (Thur). Slip, Green Turtle Marina, Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, The Bahamas (26.46.904 N, 77.20.202 W). 0445 - Up. BP 29.90, T 78 F, No wind... dead calm. 0610 - First light; the sun is just coming up & we depart the slip with Island Star following us. We follow channel markers out to our entry waypoint at Green Turtle 2 (26.46.04 N, 77.20.02 W) then turn north for Great Sale Cay. Waypoints from Green Turtle 2: Great Sale 1 (26.46.04 N, 77.20.02 W) => Great Sale 2 (26.56.09 N, 77.36.44 W) => Great Sale 3 (27.03.24 N, 78.10.39 W) => Great Sale 4 (26.59.00 N, 78.15.50 W) => Great Sale 5 (26.58.68 N, 78.13.62 N, 78.13.62 W) => Great Sale 6 (26.59.00 N, 78.13.06 W). It’s a beautiful warm, clear, sunny day. However, there is almost no wind on the sound and we motor most of the time. 1520 - Arrive at the anchorage in a cove on the SW side of Great Sale Cay (26.59.00 N, 78.13.06 W). It has been a long day. There are at least 10 other boats already here. Great Sale Cay is a common stop-over anchorage for boats leaving as well as coming to the Bahamas. Since hurricane season is approaching, all of the boats here are returning to the States. We raft up with Island Star to spend our last evening dinner together. George & Dorine with their crew (Chris & Debbie) depart tomorrow morning for the Gulf Stream which they will follow N to North Carolina and then on to the Chesapeake Bay. They intend on doing at least two overnights offshore. We have been on the VHF and discover that another couple, Pat & Diane on s/v "Youwarkee" (a 30 catamaran), are leaving tomorrow West End (Grand Bahama) and then plan to cross the Gulf Stream the next day for Ft. Pierce, Florida where they live. They tell us they would be happy to have a buddy boat; we decide to team-up with them. Pat & I spend our last evening with Island Star. 2100 - Its time to return to Weal Sea. We have really enjoyed our times together with George and Dorine & we promise each other to stay in contact after we return to the States.  We separate our raft-up with Island Star and move off about 20 yd where we anchor for the night.

      

     

    05-19-06

    (Fri), Anchorage, Great Sale Cay, Near Bahamas (26.59.00 N, 78.13.06 W): 0515 - Up & breakfast (cheese, bagel & coffee), BP 29.98, T 78 F, Clear, wind NW @ 8 kt. Looks like it will be a motor-sail day. Check in with s/v Youwarkee. We plan to depart @ first light. Also, check in with Island Star. We will be together at least for the 1st few miles. Their course from Great Sale Cay is WWN, 291 deg True for 52.8 nm to Mantinilla Shoal (27.18.00 N, 79.09.00 W) where they will enter the Gulf Stream & turn N. They have hooked up with 2 other boats. 0545 - Up anchor and head 251 deg True toward Mangrove Cay, 23.3 nm WWS. Way points from Great Sale Cay to West End harbour on Grand Bahama Island (total dist - 49.5 nm): Great Sale (25.58.60 N 78.13.80 N) => Mangrove Cay (26.56.25 N, 78.37.75 W) => Barracuda Shoal (26.45.94 N, 78.57.90 W) => Church Bank (26.44.80 N, 78.57.90 W) => Goodwill (26.43.80 N, 78.59.80 W) => Indian Rock (26.43.17 N, 79.00.24 W) => West End (26.42.25 N, 79.00.20 W) => West End harbor entrance (26.42.25 N, 25.78.34 W). s/v Youwarkee starts a bit later & is about 3 miles behind but we stay in contact via VHF. s/v (catamaran) Nauti Girl (Bob & Bonnie), who we had met earlier in the Exumas and in Little Harbour, were also head for West End & sailed with us. It was a beautiful day. The most trying portion of the route is the segment between waypoints Barracuda Shoal & Indian Rock where the channel is narrow with "thin" (shallow) water on both sides. You must watch your cross-track error (side drift off course). Nauti Girl is concerned about her draft & elects to detour N to Memory Rock (26.55.00 N, 79.03.00 W) then turn S to West End. We have decided to follow another boat through the channel. All goes well and we enter West End Harbour @ 1530 hr. We had radioed ahead & arrange for a slip with Nauti Girl. The marina (26.42.09 N, 78.59.09 N) at West End is new & very nice. However, its NOT cheap - $100/night for a 34 ft boat - includes water & electricity. s/v Youwarkee arrives about 1615 & decides to anchor in the shallow just N of the marina harbor. We have dinner with Bob & Bonnie at the marina restaurant. They are headed home for Miami & plan on staying here another day. Weather forecast for tomorrow is good with S-SW winds at 8-10 kts and 2-4 ft seas. Hit the sac about 2000 hr. We will be up at 0300 tomorrow morning & plan to depart before sunrise with s/v Youwarkee @ 0400.

     

     

    05-20-06

    (Sat), Slip, West End Marina, West End, Grand Bahama Island (26.42.09 N, 78.59.09 W). 0300 - Up, breakfast (cheese, bagel, coffee), BP 30.00, T 75, clear, W-WNW @ 5 kt. 0345 - Contact s/v Youwarkee (Pat & Diane) via VHF to verify departure. 0400 - exit slip into harbor. Its dark with no moon and we as well as several other boats including trawlers leaving to cross the Gulf Stream have our running lights on.  Although our destination is Ft. Pierce (82 nm from West End), Pat & Diane (s/v Youwarkee) live just N of Stuart, Florida. Therefore, we will be heading Stuart via Florida's St. Lucie Inlet where Pat & I will continue N on the ICW to Ft. Pierce, FL. Waypoints: West End Harbour (26.42.25 N, 78.59.34 W) => West End (26.42.25 N, 78.00.34 W) => St. Lucie Inlet (27.10.00 N, 79.00.34 W). Total distance: 66 nm. Seas are not bad, 2-4 ft, but winds are mainly W. We want to cross the Gulf Stream ASAP so we decide to motor-sail. The sun comes up & its a beautiful day. We enter St. Lucie Inlet at 1445 hr. Travel time 12 hr 45 min; Ave. speed ~5.2 kts. The inlet is VERY busy. We are told you do not want to enter the inlet at night if you are unfamiliar with it. Its day light but we follow s/v Youwarkee. After entering the inlet Pat & Diane follow the channel up the St. Lucie River to their home on. We need to check-in at US Customs & Immigration within 24 hrs of arrival. Since we are continuing up the ICW to Ft. Pierce, Pat & Diane who also have to check-in, have volunteered to pick us up in their auto and take us to US Customs-Immigration @ the Ft. Pierce Airport tomorrow. Pat & I continue N on the ICW 21 miles to Ft. Pierce. 1630 - Anchor in Faber Cove, a small very quiet cul-sac off the E side of the ICW (mile marker 966) surrounded by older homes and new condominiums under construction (27.27.952 N, 80.17.739 W).  There are 2 other sailboats already here when we arrive. This is an excellent and very protected anchorage (we highly recommend it). We   telephone Pat & Diane and tell them where we are anchored so they know where to pick us up tomorrow.

     

    05-21-06

    (Sun), Anchorage, Faber Cove, Ft. Pierce, FL, ICW mile 966 (27.27.952 N, 80.17.739 W). 0800 - Up, breakfast (cheese, bagel, coffee). BP 30.01, T 80 F (HOT & Humid), clear.

     

    1130 - Pat & Diane arrive and we drive to the Ft. Pierce Municipal Airport. Checking in at US customs & immigration is speedy & efficient. We have lunch with Pat & Diane at the municipal marina then go back to the boat.... make LOTS of phone calls touching base with family & friends. We will be heading north tomorrow.

     

     

    We will continue to update this site as long as Dan gets us the information.  Below is a quick update of what is going on with them and where they are.

     

    07-22-06

    (Sat),Slip,  Dozier's Regatta Point Marina, Broad Creek, (off Rappahannock River), Chesapeake Bay, Deltaville, VA.

    QUICK UPDATE---  Detailed Journal later. Yes... we are still sailing north! However, we've been very busy the last several weeks & so exhausted at the end of each day that I've been too tired to write up the email journal. Reason: our autohelm stopped working and I have had to stand at the helm for 8-12 hr straight moving up the "BIG DITCH" (ICW). It’s very tense & nerve racking because of the narrowness of the ICW in many places, shoaling, and inaccurate charts! (We have run aground 2x and had to use our tow insurance... more on that in later journal entries).  We also got caught in  2  bad storms.  Now for some more bad news. We have been in slip in Deltaville, VA off the Rappahannock River since July 8. Reason: We have had to "repower" (i.e. replace our engine) because a piston bearing went out and damaged the crank shaft (details later). Finally fixed on Friday & getting ready to move on!

     

    Now for the trip: Here is where we been since crossing back to Florida: Last emailed journal entry you received was Ft. Pierce, FL, 05-21-06.

    05-22-06: Ft. Pierce, FL to Vero Beach, FL (ICW 952) - took mooring ball - very nice, stayed 2 days

    05-24-06: Vero Beach, FL to Melborne, FL (Indian Hbr., Dragon Point, ICW 914) - nice spot

    05-25-06: Melborne, FL to New Smyrna, FL (ICW 849) - ran aground, needed tow

    05-26-06: New Smyrna, FL to ICW Mile Maker 809 (FL) - anchored ICW in channel near a cement plant - narrow & deep, use 2 anchors.

    05-27-06: ICW Mile 809 to St. Agustine, FL (ICW 77) - anchored off Castillo (Fort) de San Marcos in same spot as when going S. Crowded

    05-28-06: St. Augustine, FL to Fernadia Beach , FL (Alligator Creek, ICW 725) - ok

    05-29-06: Fernandia Beach (Alligator Creek) to Jeckyll Island, GA (ICW 685) - Anchor right off side of ICW within sight of amusement park. Nice spot & can dinghy to dock.

    05-30-06: Jeckyll Island, GA to Brunswick, GA (ICW 579)- 2 days took slip, nice marina

    06-01-06: Brunswick, GA to ICW mile 646 (New Kettle Creek, GA) - very good anchorage

    06-02-06: ICW 646, GA to ICW mile 586 (Herb River, GA) - anchored here on way S

    06-03-06: ICW 646, GA to Port Royal Landing, SC / Beaufort, SC (ICW 541) - took slip, nice marina

    06-04-06: Port Royal Landing / Beaufort, GA to ICW 487 (Church Creek, SC) - very nice spot

    Note - 2 boats, including us  ran aground at S entrance to the Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff @ ICW 517.5.  Channel is narrow & shallow with shoaling; use caution. We lucked out - a passing motor boat towed us off.

    06-05-06: ICW 487, SC to ICW 439, SC (Graham Creek) - nice spot

    06-06-06: ICW 439, SC to Georgetown, SC (ICW 402.5) - got bad diesel

    06-07-06: Georgetown, SC to ICW 383 (Cow House Island, SC) - nice spot

    06-08-06: ICW 383, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC (ICW 354) - took slip dock along ICW @ Barefoor Landing Marina next to Barefoot Landing Outlet Mall - very nice dock but not free any more.

    06-09-06: ICW 354 to Carolina Beach, SC (ICW 295.5) - very nice spot

    06-10-09: ICW 295.5 to ICW Mile 244.5 Hammock Bay, Camp Lajune, SC) - very good spot, same as on trip S

    06-11-06: ICW 244.5 to Beaufort, NC (ICW 204) - in town; NOT a good anchorage; crowded, narrow & only fair holding, several boats dragged; would NOT use again.

    06-12-06: ICW 204 to New Bern, NC- off ICW up Neuse River from ICW mile 185. Took slip at Sheraton Hotel Marina. VERY nice & cheap; spent 4 days here. Coming in had plugged fuel line, then got caught in a  squall with lightning & hail on Neuse River. Dropped anchored & HELD ON to ride it out ~ 20 min.

    06-16-06: New Bern, NC to ICW 161.5 (Long Creek off Bonner Bay, NC) - open but good anchorage

    06-17-06: ICW 161.5 to ICW 100, NC (S end of Alligator River) - anchored same spot as on trip S. Very nice

    06-18-06: ICW 100 to ICW 61, NC (Broad Creek off North River) - good.

    Ran aground again at ICW 81 just N of Alligator River Bridge at the "kink" in the dredged channel & had use Towboat US. Warning: Chart & Chart Plotter data are WRONG! They indicated I was in 7-9 ft water when infact there is shoaling with only 3 ft! Crab pots place right at the "kink" in the channel confuse everyone. Two other sailboats ran aground after us the same day! Towboat US said they call the place "The Honey Pot" since they make all kinds of $$$ towing boats off the shoals. Avoid the Red & favor the Green day marks.

    06-19-06: ICW 61 to Norfolk / Portmouth, VA - "ICW Mile #0", Hospital Point anchorage, Elizabeth River. - Very nice. Dinghy to city dock and use ferry to Norfolk on other side of river.

    06-22-06: ICW 0 (Norfolk) to Ft. Monroe, Hampton, VA - very nice anchorage

    06-23-06: Hampton, VA to Shara Creek, VA BACK to Hamptom, VA - Attempted to go to Sarah Creek off York River but got caught in a STORM - 50-60+ Mph winds! Frightening. Worse than Marsh Harbor. Turned around and ran with wind back to Hampton.

    06-24-06: Hampton, VA to Sarah Creek, VA (off York River) - Slip in marina - decide to leave boat here while we visited Susan, Erice & the triplets in Pittsburg over the 4th of July Holidays. Rented auto toured area then went to Pittsburg. Can believe how big the triplets are! Exciting. Returned to Sarah Creek, VA 07-05-06

    07-07-06: Sarah Creek,VA to Fleet Bay, VA. - Pat noticed "clicking" sound in motor.  Got to Fleet Bay & anchored in same spot where we anchored on the trip S - very nice spot.

    07-08-06: Fleet Bay, VA to Broad Creek of Rappahannock River, VA. Stared N but motor really began to make noise. Decided to turn around & go to Doizer's Regatta Point Marina on Broad Creek, Deltaville, VA off the Rappahannock River. Sailed all the & used motor just to get into the harbor. - VERY nice marina. Spent weekend & next few days locating a diesel mechanic, everyone said best one in the area is Henry Lackey, Deltaville Diesel.

    07-12-06: Slip, Broad Creek, Deltaville, VA. Got Henry Lackey - He's great "country boy" type, but very professional. Diagnosis: VERY BAD NEWS - burned out bearing on piston rod with damaged to crank shaft. Cost nearly as much to over- haul as a new engine. Decide to "bite the bullet" & repower.

    07-21-06: Slip, marina, Deltaville, VA - Finished  engine installation & runs great! - ready to move on!

     

    Pat & Dan Harrington

    s/v Weal Sea

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • April 2006

    The adventures of the S/V Weal Sea with Dan & Pat Harrington

    April 2006

     

     

    04-10-06

     (Mon) - RETURN to Bahamas. 1030 hr - Depart Grenada airport for return flight: Grenada => San Juan => Miami (=> George Town, Exuma, Bahamas). Delayed flights due to weather in Miami. We take a volunteer "bump" to stay overnight in Miami (receive $700 airline voucher).

     

    04-11-04

     (Tue) - Fly Miami => George Town, Great Exuma, Bahamas. Arrive1930hrs & take taxi back to George Town Marina & stay on boat, on the hard.

     

    04-12-06 & 04-13-06

     (Wed & Thur) - Work on boat bottom & relaunch. Anchor out overnight in Master's Harbour (23.28.25 N, 75.43.70 W) just off the marina.

     

    04-14-06

     (Fri) - Move ~ 1.5 nm back to Red Shank anchorage behind Crab Cay  (23.28.90 N, 75.44.12 W). Great spot. Met some great fellow sailors here: Rainer & Renata on s/v Laloubi, a 45 ft steel ketch. He owned an advertising agency in Germany, sold it and retired. Now live in Florida but spend several months each yr in the Bahamas anchored near George Town. Also met Claudia & Marcel, s/v Elf, a 34 ft Nonsuch. Marcel (about 67 yr old) is originally from France & lived in Canada. Picked up a small wooden 30 sloop in Montreal & sailed it to NYC. He knew nothing about sailing before the trip & "learned" along the way. Met Claudia (late 50s), who lived on a boat in NYC harbour & they teamed up. Bought on a 34 ft Nonsuch on Ebay, which had hit a reef in the Bahamas & was being auctioned off by the insurance company? They won the bid and came to the Bahamas to repair the boat (sight UNSEEN!). They are still working on it and fly back and forth to the States to get parts.

     

     

    04-15-06

    (Sat) - Red Shank anchorage behind Crab Cay about 1.5 miles SW of George Town (23.28.90 N, 75.44.12 W). Raised anchor and sailed back to George Town to pick up water and re-supply. Temporarily anchor in Kidd Cove (pirate Captain Kidd's hangout) then move to anchorage on east side of Elizabeth Harbour off Stocking Island (23.31.60 N, 75.45.90 W). Met Fred & Diane on s/v Delphinus here. Like ourselves, they are headed north for Lee Stocking tomorrow. Decide to sail together.

     

    04-16-06

    (Sun) - Sail with s/v Dephinus from George Town north to Lee Stocking Island. Waypoints (in Exuma Sound) after exiting Elizabeth Harbour: Conch Cay Cut (23.34.30 N, 75.48.50 W) => Square Rock Cut (23.43.35 N, 76.01.00 W) => Adderly Cut (23.47.50 N, 76.06.30 W) and Lee Stocking Island (Caribbean Marine Research Station run by Bahamian Government and US Universities). Anchor in the bight between Leaf Cay, Normans Pond Cay & Lee Stocking Island (23.47.05 N, 76.70.70 W). Absolutely beautiful anchorage with clear blue-green water. So clean its difficult to judge depth. Can see Sting Rays and Barracuda on the bottom. Went ashore to get a tour of the Research Station but discovered they had just closed down the facility the previous week because they lost their funding. They hope to get new funding later.

     

    04-17-06

    (Mon)- Sail to Big Major / Staniel Cay anchorage (on the Exuma Banks): waypoints - Adderly Cut (23.47.50 N, 76.06.30 W) => Galloit Cut (23.55.60 N, 76.16.60 N) => Galloit Cut-1 (23.55.10 N, 76.17.05 W) => Galloit Cay (23.55.55 N, 76.17.80 W) => Big Farmers (23.55.30 N, 76.19.60 W) => Harvey Cay (24.09.15 N, 76.29.40 W) => Big Major anchorage (24.11.20 N, 76.27.45 W) just N of Staniel Cay. Dinghy into Staniel Cay ~1.5 nm to pick-up diesel in jerry cans. We stopped here on the way down and therefore decided to move on.

     

    04-18-06

    (Tue) - Sail to Exuma Land & Sea Park. Waypoints from Big Major anchorage => Sandy Cay (24.11.00 N, &6.29.50 W) => Rocky Dunda Bore (24.15.00 N, 76.35.00 W) => Bell Island Bore (24.17.75 N, 76.37.50 W) => Emerald Rock 1 (24.19.50 N, 76.38.55 N) = Emerald Rock 2 (24.21.80 N, 76.38.50 W) => Emerald Rock 3 (24.22.70 N, 76.38.10 W) = Emerald Rock 4 (anchor) (24.23.00 N, 76.37.00 W). This is free anchorage for Exuma Land & Sea Park on west side of Warderick Wells Cay with excellent holding in sand in 6 ft water. However, we radio Exuma Park & ask to be put on list for a mooring ball in the north anchorage tomorrow.

     

    04-19-06

    (Wed)- Warderick Wells, Emerald Rock anchorage (24.23.00 N, 76.37.00 W). 1000 hr - Radio Exuma Park on Warderick Wells Cay. We luck out and get a mooring ball. Move to mooring ball #14 near park HQ just off the beach (24.23.67 N, 76.37.97 W). Happy hr with other cruisers at 1830 hr on the beach.  This is a GREAT PLACE to visit.  Its a MUST on every Exuma cruisers itinerary.

     

    04-20-06 thru 04-22-06

    (Thur through Sat) - Plan to sail across Exuma Sound to Eleuthra Island on our way north to the Abacos. However, weather not favorable & we stayed in Warderick Wells until Sunday when have good weather window. Spent time volunteering work in the Park on footpaths and wardens' apartments with other volunteer cruisers (Ken & Kathy, and 3 single-handers: Bruce, Andre & Howard). The Park compensates you for work with free mooring ball. Met up with Dennis & Pat (s/v Air Born, Island Packet 44) from Manhattan, NY. They are also crossing to Rock Sound on Eleuthera Island tomorrow. We decide to buddy-boat & cross together.

     

     

    04-21-06 thru 04-22-06

    (Fri - Sat)- Mooring Field, Warderick Wells Cay, Exuma Lans & Sea Park, Bahamas (24.23.67 N, 76.37.97 W): Appears to be no weather window to cross over to Eleuthra until Sunday. We decide to stay and Dan continues to do volunteer work at the park. If we are going to have to wait, this is a good place.

     

    04-23-06

    (Sun) - Mooring Field, Warderick Wells Cay, Exuma Lans & Sea Park, Bahamas (24.23.67 N, 76.37.97 W): 0630 - Up. BP 30.05, Temp 75, clear. Wind E @ 8-15 kts. It is a go. 0715 - release mooring ball. We head out to channel leading to Exuma sound with s/v Air Born following. Way points: Exuma Park (24.24.10 N, 76.38.30 W) => Warderick Cut (24.24.70 N, 76.38.30 W) => Powell Point, Eleuthra (24.50.25 N, 76.21.10 W) => Davis Channel (24.51.60 N, 76.20.50 W) => Kemps Point (24.52.80 N, 76.16.00 W) => Sound Point (24.51.30 N, 76.11.50 W => Rock Sound (24.51.30 N, 76.09.90 W) => Rock Sound Anchorage (24.51.80 N, 76.09.70 W). Total distance ~ 45 nm. Exiting Warderick Cut was rough due to current. However, 0.5 nm out current was nil and we raised sails, s/v Air Born was faster than us & move out.  Motor-sailed for about 5 nm then sailed only. Great! Arrive 1515 and drop anchor in sand in 12 ft water, s/v Non-Linear (John & Marci) are here. Have not see them since George Town before we went to Grenada. We Dinghy ashore to Rock Sound Settlement. This is a VERY clean town and people here clearly take great pride in it. Pat and I walk to small local restaurant, Sammy's. Very clean, well kept-up with excellent food at very reasonable prices. We highly recommend it. Pat has shrimp & I have grouper (fish). We could use some water but local water is very brackish. We'll wait.

     

    04-24-06

    (Mon) - Anchorage, Rock Sound Harbour, Eleuthra (24.51.80 N, 76.09.70 W):  0630 - up, 30.05, clear, T 75. I dinghy ashore to pick up some diesel & gasoline. 1015 - weigh anchor. We have decided to head for Governors Harbour, ~25 nm directly north, s/v Air Born is going further on to Pelican Bay. Our waypoints: Rock Sound (24.50.40 N, 76.11.50 W) => Sound Point (24.50.40 N, 76.09.90W ) => Kemps Point (24.52.80 N, 76.16.00 W)  => Governors Harbour (25.11.90 N, 76.15.70 W) => Governors Harbour-1 (25.11.90 N, 76.14.90 W) => mooring ball (25.11.70 N, 76.15.70 W). Wind out of N-NE and we are forced to motor sail much of the way.  However, it a beautiful clear day but very hot in the sun. Arrive 1415 and pick a mooring ball. Charts and books warn cruisers that the mooring balls here are poorly maintained & should not be used. However, they have recently been up-graded by the government and are now usable. We dingy ashore into the Town of Colebrooke to check out grocery stores & to find a laundry for tomorrow. Two good grocery stores. This town was the first capitol of the Bahamas. Very clean and well maintained. A lot of pride here as well.

     

    04-25-06

    (Tue) - Mooring field, Colebrooke Town, Governors Harbour, Eleuthra Island, Bahamas (25.11.70 N, 76.15.70 W): 0600 - up, BP 30.05, T 75, Clear. 0800 Dinghy into town. Pat plans to do laundry. I need to pick up water and dinghy it back to the boat in jerry cans. Bottle water at grocery store cost $1.10 / gal. I buy 25 gal. 1045 s/v Non-Linear & s/v Bare Footen (from George Town, Exumas) arrive.  They are also headed toward the Abacos. 1100 - pick up Pat and dinghy back to boat. We were going to head north for Spanish Wells today but decide to wait until tomorrow. We spend afternoon exploring the Cupid Cay and the beaches. 1800 - return to boat & dinner.

     

    04-26-06

    (Wed): Mooring field, Colebrooke Town, Governors Harbour, Eleuthra Island, Bahamas (25.11.70 N, 76.15.70 W): 0530 - up; Our destination today is the town of Spanish Well on St. Georges Cay just off the north end of Ekeuthra Island. We need to get started early in order to get to Current Cut while the tide is ebbing since current runs 5-6 kts.  We want it with us and need to arrive at Current Island at the north end of Eleuthera before 1300 hr.  Looks like another beautiful day in paradise: BP 30.05, T 75, Clear. 0620 - Release mooring ball and head out.

    Waypoints: Governors Harbor (25.11.90 N, 76.15.70 W) => Current Island (25.23.00 N, 76.47.40 W) => Current Isl 1 (25.23.50 N, 76.47.20 W) => Current Isl 2 (25.23.80 N, 76.47.35 W) => Current Isl 3 (25.24.00 N, 76.47.20 W) => Current Isl 4 (25.24.15 N, 76.47.10 W) => Current Isl 5 (25.24.175 N, 76.47.50 W) => Current Cut (25.24.30 N 76.47.80 N) => Meeks Patch 1 (25.27.50 N, 76.49.00 W) => Meeks Patch (25.31.50 N, 76.47.00 W) => Spanish Wells (25.32.21 N, 76.45.26 W).

    It is an absolutely beautiful day in paradise. Winds are light out of the W and seas nearly flat with bight hot sun. Could sail only but need to make Current Cut in time for the ebbing tides. (Note: "Cuts" refers to passages between the cays / keys. Strong currants may develop in the passages especially when the tide is ebbing (going out) or flowing (coming in). The ideal time to pass thru is during a "slack" tide, the period when the tide is changing between ebbing or flowing or vice versa.  However, this is not always possible so you try to time your passage thru a cut with the tide in your favor, NOT against you). The cut is between Current Island on the west and Eleuthra Island on the east. This can be a dangerous cut if the tides are against you.. usually 5-6 but sometimes-greater knots! We motor-sail. 1135 - arrive Current Island waypoint. Drop our sail & motor CAREFULLY thru the cut following our preset waypoints on the chart plotter. The current is moderate & ebbing (with us! Great). However there are still lots of whorl pools as we move thru the narrowest portion of the cut (only 75-100 yds across at one point). We actually have to speed up our engine to exceed the current so as to maintain steerage. I am a bit apprehensive at first but we clear the cut @ 1205. Entering the Sound north of the cut, the water is nearly flat and we continue to motor NNW then NNE to Meeks Patch, an island just south of St. Georges Cay. We decided to take a slip in Spanish Wells on St. Georges Cay & radio ahead to Spanish Wells Yacht Haven / marina located in the narrow channel between St. Georges Cay on the North and Russell Island on the South. You enter a VERY narrow channel from the S @ waypoint 25.32.21 N, 76.45.26 W for about 0.45 nm then make a sharp port / W turn to follow the channel 0.25 nm to the marina. 1330 - Arrive and tie up @ slip #12 (25.32.45 N, 76.45.38 W). Disembark & check-in. Two other sail boaters are already here; John & Betty from s/v Jasseman, a old 47 ft Gulf Star, and George & Dorine on s/v Island Star, a 35 ft Island Packet. Spend rest of day organizing boat and checking out the locations of re-supply stores. It has been GREAT DAY! 

     

     

    04-27-06

    (Sat) slip #12, Spanish Wells Yacht Haven, St. Georges Cay (Eleuthra Island)(25.32.45 N, 76.45.38 W): 0830 - Up, BP 30.05, T 75,

     

    HISTORY & BACKGROUND:

    Spanish Wells was once called "Sigatoo" when the region was occupied by the Lucayan Indians in pre-Columbian times. The Spanish slavers named it Spanish Wells because of its abundance of good water.

     

    The island is unique in the Bahamas. Of the total population of about 1500, about 1480 are white vs. black, the opposite of most of the Bahamas. Also, most of the settlements in the Bahamas are Anglican, but Spanish Wells is mainly Methodist. This is because John & Charles Wesley, founders of Methodism, stopped here for several months on their way to Georgia in the American colonies. 

     

    Most of the whites can trace their ancestry to the "Eleutheran Adventures", Puritans, who left England for religious reasons & arrived off the northern coast of Eleuthra in 1648. Here about 150 came ashore after piling-up their boat on the "Devil's Backbone", a coral reef just off the north tip of Eleuthra (location: 25.34.00 N lat., & extends E-W 76.38.50 to 76.42.50 W long.). Here they lived in caves. Two years later, 57 went to Spanish Wells on St Georges Cay, about one mile to the west. The remainder went to Harbour Island, about two miles to the east. Evidence of the ancestry of the island residents is seen in their names.  About five names dominate the island.  Many individuals also seem to have a resemblance; lots of "inbreeding" here? I also saw several cases of a number of chondrodystrophic dwarf siblings belonging to normal parents.  However, there were some additional settlers who provided new blood. These English Loyalist who left colonies after the American Revolution and immigrated to Spanish Wells as well as other islands of the Bahamas. The book "Winds of Carolina" is a fictional book about one such family.  It provides great insight into the Loyalist who immigrated here is popular recommended reading for cruisers considering a trip to the Bahamas. Another is "Out Island Doctor", an autobiography of a teacher from Indiana who came to the Bahamas in the 1930s and became an "unlicensed" doctor for the islanders. Both books are great readings.

     

    Spanish Wells, like other places, does have a checkered history. At one time, many of the settlers were ship-wreckers. Eventually they became fishermen and boat builders. However, the island has another dark side. Keep in mind that most of the population here is black. Except for the recent influx of "illegal" Haitians, the majority of these individuals trace their ancestry to slaves brought here by the English Loyalist from plantations in the colonies. Spanish Wells, at one time, required all black workers on the island to leave before sundown under pain of SERIOUS injury, even death! In deed, one of the cruisers we met here, who had lived on Harbour Island as a youth, told us that there are stories of blacks who were caught on the island at night being found decapitated in the channel the next morning. This is now changed & we did see a few blacks in small homes on the island.  However, most black Bahamian & Haitian workers still live on Eluthera and commute to the island by ferry each day.

     

    Despite the above comments, Spanish Wells is a very well worth visit. Its is very safe, as are most of the Bahamian island we visited. You get the impression is that this is a "well-off" or even "wealthy" island, & it is when compared to the other "out islands" we visited. There are electric golf carts and numerous automobiles everywhere (speed limit is 25 mph!). The homes remind me of England or Ireland. Many are very colorfully painted. All are well kept up & many have beautiful walled gardens typical of England. The people are very proud of their island and resent being considered part of Eleuthra. In deed, other Bahamians say they are self-centered: "Spanish Wells people care about & think only of Spanish Wells". The people here speak with an unusual accent, a mixture of English, Bahamian & American. Interestingly, although the island has excellent schools, 90% of the boys leave school at 14 to become fishermen or boat builders. Those that earn enough will eventually purchase their own lobster boat and can become wealthy. In deed, Spanish Wells supplies over 50% of the Bahamas commercial lobster, conch and fish. Another interesting fact is that women outnumber men on the island & tend to marry young, between 15 and 20 yrs of age. You are an old maid if you are not married by the time you are 25. Weddings are big here & tradition dictates that you invite the entire island.

     

    BACK TO THE CRUISERS:

    Pat & Dorine (s/v Island Star) have discovered they have a common interest... collecting seashells. They spent the entire morning roaming the beach on the north side of the island looking for shells.  I checked out the local marine stores, filled the propane tank & water tank.

    1800 - George & Dorine (s/v Island Star) invited ourselves & John & Betty (s/v Jasseman) over for a Happy Hour. A great evening and we learned a lot about the history of Spanish Wells from John who had lived on Harbour Island as a youth.

     

    04-28-06

    (Fri), slip #12, Spanish Wells Yacht Haven, St. Georges Cay (Eleuthra Island) (25.32.45 N, 76.45.38 W): 0830 - Up, BP 30.00, T 75, Clear, NE wind. Lightning last night but no rain.  We are anxious to move over to the Royal Island anchorage in preparation for our crossing of the Northeast Providence Channel separating Great Abacos Island (to the north) from Eleuthera Island, a distance of about 55 nm. George & Dorine (s/v Island Star) are also heading north and we have agreed to buddy boat (Pat & Dorine and their common interest in shelling may have had something to do with this decision?).   However, we've listened to Chris Parker's weather on single side band & it looks like winds will be out of the north until next week: waves on ocean are currently 9-12 ft. There will be no weather window until next Tue, Wed. or Thur. Although Royal Island has a 360-degree protect harbour, its isolated & there is not much to do there. Thus, we have decided to stay here in a slip until at least Sunday.

     

    Met new arrivals Gill & Carol (s/v Koyukon, a old 44 ft Gulf Star). They are live-aboards.

    1800 - Island Star invited the group over for Happy Hour again. Everyone brings a dish to pass at these get-togethers.  Another great evening.

     

    04-29-06

    (Sat), slip #12, Spanish Wells Yacht Haven, St. Georges Cay (Eleuthra Island) (25.32.45 N, 76.45.38 W): 0830 - Up, BP 30.00, T 75, partly cloudy.

     

    Pat & Dorine do more shelling... WHERE are we going to keep all these shells! George is having the same questions. We will have to use them as ballast. Oh well... the ladies enjoy it, it keeps them both out trouble & the "shops" (most of the time anyway), & it could be worse (I am rationalizing).

     

    I spent the afternoon working on the boat and changing the engine oil... I HATE THAT JOB!.. MESSY, MESSY, MESSY!

    1800 - We invite the group over to Weal Sea for Happy Hour.... Again, a great evening.

     

    04-30-06

    (Sun), slip #12, Spanish Wells Yacht Haven, St. Georges Cay (Eleuthra Island) (25.32.45 N, 76.45.38 W): 0830 - Up, BP 30.00, T 75, partly cloudy.

     

    We have definitely decided to go to Royal Island tomorrow. s/v Jasseman was planning to stay in Spanish Wells to have some work done on their rudder, which allows water to leak into the bilge in rough seas.  However, the marine here cannot get to their boat for several days & they have decided to take it to the Abacos for the work. They will be joining s/v Island Star and us crossing to the Abacos.

     

    I decide to walk the beach with Pat shelling.... actually its great fun! We find a number of "Sea Eggs" (sea urchin skeletons) as well as some "Sea Biskets" (another type of sea urchin?). Dorine shows up shelling. She, Pat and I shell together for a while before returning to our boats.

    We are all tired and decide to hit the sac early. Our group plans to visit a local museum tomorrow before sailing over to Royal Island.

     

     

  • March 2006

    The adventures of the S/V Weal Sea with Dan & Pat Harrington

    March 2006

     

    March 26

    We finally heard from Dan.  They are in Grenada again for two weeks will Dan is teaching.  They have left the boat in George Town, Great Exumas, The Bahamas.

    So I expect to start receiving emails to up date us soon.

     

    04/10/06

    Emails have come in from Dan & Pat today.

     

    We have updated the last 2 days of Januaray,  we are also updating Feburary.

     

    As of May 24th we have added a little update to February and have some for this month.

     

     

    03-15-06

     (Tue) - Moved to Red Shank anchorage behind Crab Cay about 1.5 miles SW of George Town. Very nice quiet anchorage (23.28.90 N, 75.44.12 W). (Met several cruisers here; SEE 4-14-06 below)

     

    03-23-06

     (Thur)- Will be flying to Grenada on Saturday for 2 wks teaching at St. Georges University & decide to have Weal pulled & put "on the hard" at George Town Marina while we are gone. Plan to clean & check bottom paint, etc.

     

    03-25-06

     (Sat.) - 0530 hr - up & get taxi to airport (about 15 miles north of George Town) for our 0730 flight: George Town, Great Exuma => Miami, FL => San Juan, PR => St. Georges, Grenada. Arrive Grenada @ 2230 hr.

     

    03-26-06

     (Sun) - 04-09-06, St. Georges University, St. Georges, Grenada: Spend 2 wks teaching pathology @ Univ. Staying at the University Club overlooking Prickly Bay. Beautiful accommodations & fantastic food. Dr. John Van Vleet (Purdue University) & his wife Nancy were also here thru Tuesday. He brought some items for us from the States. (Thanks again John)

  • February 2006

     

    The adventures of the S/V Weal Sea with Dan & Pat Harrington

    February 2006

     

     

    02-01-06

    (Wed.), Anchorage, Allens Cay, Exumas, The Bahamas (N24.44.890, W76.50.320): 0600 - Up, usual breakfast (Pat managed to find more bagels before we left Nassau!). BP 30.01, Temp 78, partly cloudy.  It was very windy last night in the anchorage. I got up twice to check the ketch anchored behind us. He was 30 ft off my stern. I decided to take in 10 ft of anchor line about 0100 hr giving us 80 ft and a scope of 6 to 1; a bit less than I normally like but I'd rather not "kiss" his bow during the night. Found out later that both Tranquility and Scandia were up most of the night because of the closeness of the boats. Arne (Scandia) said he was "rafted up" with the boat beside him that came in late.  I wonder if they "had words" during the night? 0930 - added 6 gal diesel to the tank. 0945 - weigh anchor. Destination: Warderick Wells Cay (Exuma Land & Sea Park).  This is supposed to be one of the most beautiful cays in the Exuma chain. Bev (Scandia) had radioed ahead yesterday to see if they had room in the mooring field for us. You must have reservations for a mooring ball; no "anchoring" is allowed to prevent damage to the coral.  Each boat is assigned a ball based on its length and draft. We were very lucky. They radioed back and they could handle us. We heard many boats on the radio this morning trying unsuccessfully to get reservations. Once you are given a mooring, it’s yours as long as you want to stay. Because a cold front is suppose to be moving through the area this weekend, most boats will stay through Sunday. Waypoints we will follow from Allens Cay to Warderick Wells are as follows: Allens Cay (N24.44.80, W76.51.00) => Allens Bank (N24.44.00, W76.52.00) => Normans Strake (N24.35.70, W76.52.00) => Elbow Cay (N24.30.90, W76.49.30) => Cistern Bore (N24.25.40, W76.47.00) => Lightning Bore (N24.22.50, W76.44.00) => Long Rock Bore (N24.21.30, W76.42.10) => Alligator Cay (N24.23.30, W76.38.80) => Warderick Wells / Exuma Park turn point (N24.24.10, W76.38.30).  Great sailing with wind out of the SW. We have both our main and 150 % genoa out but keep our engine running as well. 1145 - Tranquility radios group that they have serious engine over-heating and their engine has seized! The group all turns off their engines and will sail only. Tranquility's engine is so hot Lee can't investigate possible problems. Jim, s/v Chapulin, suggests they put up their cruising spinnaker. They do and make 6.5-7 knots! 1300 - Lee radios that his engine has cooled down and found he is out of fresh water coolant. Not sure, what happened. Tried engine again. It started! Ran for 20 minutes and it gauge read 190 F; it’s running hot. He has infrared sensor on board and checks various part of engine. Highest reading is 180 F. Decides to turn off engine and continue under sail. Will save engine to get into harbour at Warderick Wells. 1545 - Arrive at Long Rock Bore waypoint. We've been sailing S up to this point. This is the waypoint where we turn NE about 3.6 nm going to the Alligator Cay waypoint just off Warderick Wells Cay. Its decide that Scandia and Non-Linear will motor ahead and get their moorings, then launch their dinghies and be prepared to come out and help Tranquility into the harbour if her engine shuts down again. The channel from Long Rock Bore waypoint to Alligator Cay Waypoint is narrow and has at least one shallow area (its also low tide). Weal Sea and Chapulin will hang back with Tranquility. Chapulin draws ~6.5 ft and will go first. Weal Sea follows about 0.25 nm behind with Tranquility directly behind her about 50 yards. If Chapulin has problems, Weal Sea will take the lead and find another channel. All goes well. Lowest spot is 10 ft. Approach harbour entrance waypoint where Scandia's dinghy is waiting to guide us to our mooring balls. The channel is narrow and curved like a "C" with all the boats lined up bow- to-stern about 50 yards from one another.  Chapulin takes lead with Tranquility directly behind with Weal Sea following her. Chapulin is moving very slowly and has trouble with steerage. She goes off to port side of the channel because of very swift currant and runs aground! Tranquility, who is right on her stern, veers sharply to starboard and stays in deep water followed by Weal Sea. We all know our mooring ball assignments and make for our moorings. Scandia's dinghy acts like a tug and pushes bow of Chapulin back toward center of channel and she manages to motor off the sand. Scandia then come to us and helps Weal Sea pick up her mooring ball, #6. (Note - Pat's right hand is extremely painful so we try to have her minimize using it; thus Scandia gave us some assistance.) 1715 - We are on our mooring ball (N24.23.89, W76.38.99). There are about 21 mooring balls here in the North Anchorage with an additional 10 or so in the South Anchorage about two nm away. 1800 - eat dinner. 1845 - put air in dinghy and row to Park HQ (about 0.5 nm away) to attend the boaters BYO Happy Hour. Current is so strong we must be making 3 knots rowing. Meet many of the other boaters in the anchorage at the Happy Hour including the veterinarian, Keith (s/v "After You") who we met in Nassau. We had heard the Park HQ talking to him on the VHF earlier in the day. It appears a boater had fallen off his boat's swim ladder and severely cut his leg exposing the muscle. There was no physician in the area and they asked Keith to come in and help. He had his surgical equipment and medicine on board. He took care of the fellow N/C.  2030 - Scandia's dinghy gives us a tow back to Weal Sea after the Happy Hour. 2130 - Hit the sack. This is truly a beautiful spot! Can't wait to explore it tomorrow.

     

     

    02-02-06

    (Thur), Anchorage, Warderick Wells Cay, Exuma Land & Sea Park, The Bahamas (N24.23.89, W76.38.99): 0600 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.05, Temp 72 F, partly cloudy, wind 5-15 out of N-NW. 0915 - add air to dinghy and motor ashore to see if I can find the leak. Pats stays onboard to clean boat. On shore, take off motor and turn dinghy over. Find leak on bottom near bow. It’s a "worn spot" corresponding to where the swim ladder hinge is on the swim platform. I now know the cause of the leak. It resulted from constant rubbing during the night in Nassau Harbour when I tied the dinghy on the swim platform to prevent it being stolen during the night. Since we need the dinghy while we are here, I will wait until we are ready to sail again and patch it the night before we leave on the bow of the boat. The patches require at least 24 hr to cure. One of the other sailors at Allens Cay told me he and others use 3M 5200 to patch their dinghies. John on Non-Linear said the same thing. I have two tubes on board. Walk up to Park HQ and sign in. There are Mocking birds as well as numerous small yellow and black birds about the size of a canary around the porch called "Banana quits" (AKA - Bahama Honey Creeper). Banaquits love sugar and the park keeps a bag on the porch so visiting sailors can place some in the palm of their hand. The birds will land on your hand and eat the sugar. I feed several. 1200 - return to boat. 1330 - Our group has decided to hike some of the trails on the Cay and visit Boo Boo Hill, the highest point on the cay above the anchorage, 120 ft above sea level. It’s a tradition for visiting boaters to leave a small piece of drift wood, stone, etc on the hill with their boat's name on it and the date they visited. The view is spectacular. We all have a great time and take lots of pictures. 1500 - return to boat and eat. 1700 - Happy Hour for the boaters again. I return to boat early. I need to check the zincs on the propeller shaft. Pat stays and will come back with Scandia or Tranquility. 1800 - go for a swim. Zincs (3) are still there but starting to pit. I'll need to recheck them in George Town. 1730 - Pat returns. 2030 - Hit the sack.

     

     

    02-03-06

    (Fri.), Anchorage, Warderick Wells Cay, Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, The Bahamas (N24.23.89, W76.38.99): 0600 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.00, Temp 75 F, partly cloudy, wind 5-15 out of S-SW. 0845 - Pat and I dinghy into Park HQ to volunteer to work in the park. Boaters traditionally spend several mornings (0900-1200 hr) working around the park & its HQ. They give you a free days mooring for each morning you work. (Note - cost for mooring is normally $15/day). You save $ but actually its fun to work here. Also you get to know and strike up friendships with the other boaters. At least 90% participate. Everyone does whatever they feel they can do best - painting, carpentry, running electrical wire, doing plumbing, planting flowers, working on trails, painting signs, repairing park boats, etc. Its great fun. Pat worked with a group of ladies planting palm trees, cacti and ground cover that grows in sand. I worked with some other fellows on one of the Parks boats, help on a trail and then did some work on a sign on the Park HQ's porch listing the names of some of the Park's "Special Friends", e.g. Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Jimmy Buffet, etc. 1230 - hung around Park HQ porch with other sailors and talked. 1330 - Return to boat. 1530 - ate late lunch. 1700 - another Happy Hour at Park HQ! 1830 - return to boat for late dinner. 2245 - hit the sack.

     

     02-04-06

    (Sat.), Anchorage, Warderick Wells Cay, Exuma Land & Sea Park, The Bahamas (N24.23.89, W76.38.99): 0615 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.00, Temp 72, Clear & calm. 0730 - Tried to listen to Chris Parker (Bahamas WX guru) on short wave (SW) freq. 4045 @0730 using the

    Yacht Boy 400PE Worldband radio that Lee (Tranquility) loaned us. However, having trouble using his radio. I have ordered one for ourselves to be delivered by a friend of John (s/v Non-Linear) who is to arrive in George Town in a week or two. I really need a reliable SW receiver for WX  (weather) reports. 0845 - dinghy to park HQ to work. Larry, a park volunteer, asked me to paint some signs including a "lizard" on one of the buildings. Also, help with various other projects. 1700 - group had Happy Hr. on Tranquility then returned to our individual boats. 2100 - hit the sack.

     

    02-05-06

    (Sun), Anchorage, Warderick Wells Cay, Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, The Bahamas (N24.23.89, W76.38.99): 0630 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.05, Temp 70, Clear & calm. Spent most of day relaxing on the boat. 1700 - Had discussed patching dinghy with other boaters at Allans Cay and here. It still has a slow leak and we need to re-inflate it each day before we can use it. I tried patching the original leak with poor success and had to pay $150 to have it patched at a Zodiac dealer (Airflow) in Annapolis; pretty stiff. Several boaters showed me their dinghies which they patched using 3M 5200! Cheap and it really works. I decided to give it a try, so spent about an hour patching it. Got some acetone from the Park HQ to clean the PVC. Put on the 5200 and patch, then placed a piece of wood over it with Seran Wrap between the wood and patch. (Don't want to glue the wood to the dinghy!)  The put a 5 Gal water Jerry can on top for pressure. Should be tacky by tomorrow AM or PM and step-up in 48 hr. "Full" cure requires 5-7 days. While working on the foredeck, we saw a huge barracuda about 4 ft long and 6-8 inches wide under the bow of the boat just hanging around. This is "Bubba", a well know barracuda in the harbour at Warderick Wells who hangs around the moorings looking for morsels of food tossed overboard by the boaters. There were also a couple of other barracuda with Bubba, including Boo Boo and his brother The Harbormaster. They stayed under our boat for at least 45 minutes then moved off. Got a few pictures of Bubba before he left.  2130 - Hit the sack. 

     

    02-5-06 

    We received a phone call from Dan stating all is well

     

     

    02-06-06

    (Mon.), Anchorage, Warderick Wells Cay, Exuma Land & Sea Park, The Bahamas (N24.23.89, W76.38.99): 0600 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.00, Temp 70 F, partly cloudy. 0730 - Checked patch on the dinghy, still soft. 0830 - Radioed Scandia and asked if Pat & I could hitch a dinghy ride to Park HQ to work. 0930 - Park warden assigned jobs. Another boater and I spent morning assembling an engine hoist, which the park intends to use to move heavy equipment, e.g. the water-maker pump. 1245 - Hitch ride to return to boat. Eat dinner then spend rest of day reorganizing the boats food storage containers. Group has decided to head south to Big Major Spot Cay tomorrow. 1800 - Dinner then relax reading the "Wind from the Carolinas", by Robert Wilder. It’s a book about a "loyalist"  ("Tory") plantation family from South Carolina, which moves to the Bahamas (Exuma) after the American Revolution to escape the "rebels" displeasure. Actually gives you a real insight into the mind-set of the people of the Bahamas and the Southern slave origins of many of its people. Pat is reading "Out-Island-Doctor", a biographically account of Evans W. Cottman, a school teacher from Madison, Indiana who settles in the Bahamas in the after WW II where he becomes a "Unqualified" Medical Practitioner (obviously a "British" title!). Because of the shortage of trained medical doctors, the Bahamian government developed a policy of granting a limited license to persons having certain scientific educational qualification. These were known as "Unqualified Medical Practitioners" who were allowed to engage in general practice except for major surgery.  It’s very interesting, especially since he talks about many of the placed we have visited or plan to visit. In addition, it gives you another insight into the Bahamas and its people. (NOTE: The cays / island outside of New Providence where Nassau is located are referred to as the "Out-Islands", thus the name of the book.) 1945 - hit the sack.

     

    02-07-06

    (Tues.), Anchorage, Warderick Wells Cay, Exuma Land & Sea Park, The Bahamas (N24.23.89, W76.38.99): 0630 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.15, Temp 70 F, partly cloudy, wind 10-15 out of north. 0700 - Check dinghy. Patch is now tacky, but decide to not inflate the dinghy until tonight when we get to Big Major Spot. 0730 - Try to listen to Chris Parker's WX report on SW but no luck again. 0900 - hitch a ride to Park HQ to checkout. We had worked 3 days and joined the Exuma Land & Sea Park Association ($50 donation), which includes 2 days free anchoring. Paid only $15 for one additional day. 1000 - Group weighs anchor and departs. It’s all down wind and great sailing (wing-on-wing). We use the motor for an hour only just to leave and enter the harbour at Big Major Spot cay that is immediately adjacent to Staniel Cay. 1300 - arrive at Big Major Spot Cay and drop anchor in white sand in 10 ft of clear water! (N 24.11.35, W 76.27.45). I have never seen water like this.  The colors and shades of blue and green are unbelievable. You soon become accustom to reading the water depths based on their color. 1500 - inflate dinghy. NO LEAK! The 3M 5200 really works. Dinghy to Staniel Cay about 1.5 miles away around the point on Big Major Spot where we tie up to the dock.  There is a nurse shark in the shallow water next to our dinghy and there are swimmers only 15 ft away.  The swimmers & shark ignore each other... unbelievable.  Meet Casey & Edyth Kerkstra (s/v Bookworm) from Muskegon, MI. They know Paul & Mary Slotegraaf (s/v Cool Change), our sailing friends who had to return to Michigan because of illness. Casey had wondered what had happened to them. We visited Staniel Cay Yacht Club. This is NOT a "real" yacht club in the traditional sense. Its actually a bar, restaurant and very small marina where boaters gather.  No membership fee but you can buy a burgee with an SC on it for $35. We pass on joining! Walk around the village. There are several very small brightly painted one and two bedroom cottages  (some on stilts) next to the beach for rent. This is really a tiny place and it is "island time" here; pretty laid back. Return to boat but cruised by "Thunder Ball Cave" cay about 1/4 mile from the dock in the harbour.  This is where the James Bond movie "Thunderball" was made.  Its slack tide and there are a number of dinghies on the 3 free mooring balls next to the cave entrance just below the water line. Several people with snorkels are going in and out of the cave, which has numerous fish inside. We did not bring our snorkel gear and didn't go in. I didn’t bring my gear and will try to come back tomorrow if we get a chance to check it out. 1830 - return to boat. Dinner. 2000 - Decide to take a swim off the swim platform, then a freshwater shower in the cockpit. Do a bit of reading. 2145 - Hit the sack.

     

     

    02-08-06

    (Wed.), Anchorage, Big Major Spot / Staniel Cay (N 24.11.35, W 76.27.45); 0600 - Up & Breakfast. BP 30.05, temp 70, partly cloudy (PC), windy 5-10 N. 1000 - Pat & I dingy to Staniel Cay to shop. Visit both the "Blue" & the "Pink" (so-called "super market") grocery stores. The Blue store had a nice selection of fresh vegetable, which had just arrived on the Mail Boat, which was still at the dock (the "mail boats" run supplies between the islands). However, no fresh red meats, just frozen. Pat was able to buy some great POTATOS 1300 - Walked around the village and along the "beach front". This is NOT Miami Beach folks! (This is really a second world country; we are NOT being disrespectful - The people here are wonderful and friendly.) Pat had brought some candy along and we decided to visit the local one-room school. The school had a total of 15 children ranging in age from kindergarden through high school. They had two young teachers, a husband & wife team from Guana. He was the "principal" and taught the older children. His wife taught the younger ones. The teachers invited us in to meet the children were so excited to see us. They were all dressed neatly in very clean uniforms: white shirts or blouses and black pants or skirts. I spoke to the class briefly and told them where we were from and what our backgrounds were. The principal told us in confidence that he some trouble getting the parents excited about the need for educating their children. Therefore, when we spoke to them we emphasized the importance of their education. Pat gave the candy to the teacher who planned to use it as a reward for good behavior and special accomplishments.  It’s the "islands" here and people have a different mind-set. We saw the same thing among the locals in Grenada. In many cases, the women run the household. 1430 - Returned to dock to dinghy back to anchorage. A fisherman was cleaning fish at the dock and tossing the viscera into the water (2 ft deep) next to the dock and our dinghy. There were numerous 4-5 ft long nurse sharks and small 2-4 ft rays (stingrays / devil fish) swarming around eating the viscera. At the 1600 - The boaters in the Big Major Spot Cay anchorage organized a Happy Hour on the beach that we attended. 1830 - Head back to Weal Sea. Chris Parker (Bahamas WX expert) has predicted a cold front with heavy winds moving in next weekend.  Therefore, group has decided to start south toward George Town tomorrow and get to Galliot Cay where we will leave the shallow Exuma Bank and enter the deeper Exuma Sound the next day. 1900 -

     Hit the sack.

     

    02-09-06

    (Thur), Anchorage, Big Major Spot / Staniel Cay (N 24.11.35, W 76.27.45). 0700 - Up. BP 30.10, temp 70, clear, winds N @ 10-15 kts. Group will be leaving about 1100. I want to check out Thunderball Cave before we leave. Pat and I dingy over to the cave. It is much too windy and the tide is in. I do not want to dive by myself and we decide to return to Weal Sea. 1100 - Group pulls anchor and heads out - Waypoints: Harvey Cay (N 24.09.15, W 76.29.40) => Big Farmers Cay (N 23.55.30, W 76.19.60) => Galliot Cay (N 23.55.55, W76.17.80). We have a great "Wing & Wing" sail with winds from N-NE 10-15 kts in clear skies and bright warm. The water is so clear you watch the bottom move by. 1530 - Arrive at Big Galliot Cay and drop anchor in 9 ft of water just off the beach on the west side of the cay (N 23.55.45, W 76.17.35). This is a great little anchorage. 1645 - Group has Happy Hour on Scandia. Since its about 40 miles to George Town, the group decides to weigh anchor at 0600 tomorrow. 2000 - Hit the sack.

     

     

    02-10-06

    (Fri.), Anchorage, Big Galliot Cay (N 23.55.45, W 76.17.35): 0545 - Up & Breakfast. BP 30.20, Temp 70, clear. Add 5 gal diesel to tank from Jerry Can (EHR 1921.12). 0630 - Weigh anchor and head for Galliot Cut ("Cuts" in the Bahamas are channels between the cays. This cut allows passage between the shallow Exuma Bank on the west side of the Exuma chain of cays and very deep Exuma Sound on the east side of the chain. Our waypoints to Elizabeth Harbour entrance are: west side Galliot Cut (N 25.55.10, W 76.17.10) => east side Galliot Cut (N 23.55.60, W 76.16.60) => Conch Cay Cut (N 23.34.30, W75.48.50) (entrance to Elizabeth Harbour) at the north end of Stocking Island (forms the east side of Elizabeth Harbour) across from George Town on Great Exuma Island (west side of Elizabeth Harbour). The tide is coming in from Great Exuma sound as we go through the Galliot Cut single file under power.  We elect to bring up the tail end. The winds are out of the N-Ne at 12 knots with white caps. It gets pretty rough going through the cut with 3-5 ft waves. Anything not secured below is on the deck in the cabin! We clear the west side Galliot Cay waypoint about 0845 and turn south toward Conch Cay Cut waypoint nearly 40 miles SSE. Once clearing the cut, and with the wind off our stern port quarter, it smoothes out a bit. Everyone puts out their head sail and most keep their engine going at low RPM. Tranquility, however, puts up her main as well and turns off her engine (still has a problem with over heating). We are all doing 5-6 knots with occasional burst to 7 knots. Tranquility, a 50 footer, has no trouble keeping up. Scandia has decide to go ahead and goes for deeper water about five miles out. Weal Sea and Non-Linear, both shallow drafted vessels (~4.5 ft), stay closer to shore in 70 to 120 ft of water. Non-Linear has two lines out trolling for fish (didn't catch any). 1015 - Scandia is out of sight and Tranquility and Chapuline fall behind. They are out in deep water following the same route as Scandia. We past Non-Linear about 1145 and arrive at Conch Cay Cut waypoint at 1225 ready to enter Elizabeth Harbour. Scandia radios the group that she is already anchored off Hamburger Beach north of Monument Beach on the west side of Stocking Island (east side of Elizabeth Harbour). The entrance to Elizabeth Harbour and the approach to the anchorage along the west side of Stocking Island can be tricky and you must follow the waypoints carefully because of shallow bores (shifting sand bars) and coral reefs. The waypoints we followed were: Conch Cay Cut (N 23.34.30, W 75.48.50) => Smith Cays (N 23.33.65, W 75.48.65) => Conch Cay (N 23.33.27, N 75.48.17) => Simons Point (N 23.32.75, N 75.48.10) => Goat Cay (N 23.32.20, W 75.47.50) => Monument (N 23.31.96, W 75.46.54) waypoint adjacent to the beach on the east side of Stocking Island. From here you simply parallel the beach dodging the 200 or so boats anchored along the several beaches on the island's west side: Hamburger, Monument, Volley Ball / Black Rock, Rocky Point and Sand Dollar Beach. 1330 - We drop anchor in about 13 ft absolutely clear water over white sand about 100 yds off Hamburger Beach at the edge of the Mail Boat channel (N 23.55.45, W 75.46.05). Scandia is anchored about 1/4 miles SE of us. About 2.5 miles SW of us across Elizabeth Harbour, we can see George Town. We will dinghy there tomorrow. Today we just decide to relax and straighten up the boat after our rough initial start through Galliot Cut. The rest of our group arrives over the next 2 hours. 2000 - Hit the sack.

     

    02-15-06

    (WED), George Town, Great Exumas, The Bahamas - Short Update - Assume all received short update from Warderick Wells, Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. Departed there Feb 7 and went to Staniel Cay / Big Major Spot Cay, then to Galliot Cay on Feb 9 and finally George Town, Great Exuma Cay on Feb 10. Must be 200 boats here anchored off Stocking Cay. Will be here for at least another week.  Will send full detailed update ASAP.

     

    We are adding some updates we received today May 24th 2006

     

     

    02-11-06 thru 03-14-06

    Stocking Island Anchorage, Elizabeth Harbour, George Town, Great Exuma Island, Bahamas (23.31.00 N, 75.45.50 W). We have spent 4 weeks here in George Town for the cruising regatta. 400-500 boats (its like a trailer park!). Must admit, we remained here WAY TOO LONG. However, our airline flight to Grenada was scheduled out of George Town so we have no choice stay here. However, have moved up & down Shore of Stocking Island to different anchorages just for a change in scenery.

     

    Cruisers: Lots of "networking" going on here between cruisers with numerous organized activities. You tune in to VHF channel 68 each morning to find out what is on. You can call in to make your own announcements or ask questions. Everyone is very helpful. We meet many cruisers here, mainly from the States & Canada but also from elsewhere in the world. Its also interesting that you keep meeting many of the same cruisers you met coming down the ICW and well as sailing between the cays (islands / keys). We all exchange boat cards with our names, phone numbers, etc.

    Many boats return year after year. In deed, some people love it and stay here for MONTHS. However, others hate it because of the crowds and stay for only a few days or 1-2 weeks then move on. For yet others, this is simply a waypoint on their way south to Grenada & Trinidad via P. Rico, the leeward & the Windward Islands. Some cruisers pickup buddy boats here for their trip south. It is amazing how many people we have met who are on a 2-3 year cruises. Some are retired but others are young (as well as older couples!) who have quit outright or put their jobs on hold & decided to sail for a few years, a real adventure. Many have no children. However, we are constantly meeting couples that have sold their homes, bought a large boat & become ”live aboards".  Some have children who are home schooled and do very well... they are all very mature. I have been very impressed.

    Area: The Exuma chains of cays are very beautiful, the waters here are unbelievably clear, and the colors so varied. Snorkeling on reefs, spear & line fishing are fun.

     

    Supplies: You can get most everything in terms of food in George Town but it is more expensive than in the States. Everything is shipped in via boat.

     

    People and safety: We have been impressed with the Bahamian people who are very friendly. Nassau is a bit like large cities in the States, but the "out islands" are very safe.

     

    Activities: Pat and I participated in many of the organized cruiser actives but it got a bit boring. We preferred to explore and walked the entire length of Stocking Island (across Elizabeth Harbour from George Town) where 90% of the cruisers are anchored. We also rented a motor scooter one weekend and went to the southeast end of Great Exuma Island where we visited a beach on the Tropic of Cancer (~23 degrees N Latitude).

     

  • January 2006

    The adventures of the S/V Weal Sea with Dan & Pat Harrington

    January 2006

     

    01/01/06 through 01/04/06

     

    Home in Indiana yet enjoying Friends and Family and getting ready to start a new adventure.

     

    01-05-06

     (Thur), West Lafayette, IN: 0730 hr.- Up, Coffee, cheese & bagel. Temp. 45 F.  Didn’t get to bed until 0230 this morning packing and sending out emails containing the www.earth.goggle.com  satellite photo file I created showing all places we stopped at during our trip from Hammond, IN (7-10-05) to Melbourne, FL (12-12-05). 

    (NOTE: If you didn't receive a copy of this Earth Goggle file, you can download it from the CLR Marine website which is also posting Weal Sea's Log.  Their web address is:  www.clrmarine.com/

    0845 - Completed final packing and loaded luggage into the Jeep Cherokee. 0900 - Mike, our son, arrived to take us to the Indianapolis Airport. Road (I-65) somewhat congested at spots north of Indy and on I-465 on east side of the city to the airport. 1045 - Arrive airport. Mike drops us off at the Delta entrance and we check luggage at the door... very fast. Our plane departs at 1200 so we still had time to grab a sandwich at the food court. 1145 - Board plane and we depart at 1200, right on time. Fly to Atlanta where we change planes. Arrive Melbourne at 1730 hr. on time. Temp. ~73 F & clear! What a change. Take shuttle back to Weal Sea (~ 20 minute ride). She is intact and looks good.  However, discovered I had left the holding tank thru-hull OPEN when we had our holding tank pumped out at the marina before we left.  The tank was full of seawater! Thank goodness, our tank hoses were in excellent condition and double clamped. Tired but still did a small amount of unpacking!

     . 2100 - hit the sack.

     

    01-06-06

     (Fri.), slip, Telemar Bay Marina, Melbourne, FL: 0730 - Up, coffee, cheese & bagel (same routine!). Clear but cool, Temp 45 F. BP 30.10. Removed Bimini window covers & removed fuel & water storage Jerry containers from cockpit back on to the deck. Unpacked luggage. 1130 - Walked 1.5 mi. to grocery store. While walking back received cell phone call from Evelyn & Kevin Kazacos. They were in Melbourne, FL and decided to stop in to see us. Met them at our boat in Telemar Bay Marina ~1330. We had a great visit.  Kevin gave us some frozen fish he had caught earlier in the week. 1630 - Kevin & Evelyn had to leave to head back to Orlando where Kevin was giving a scientific paper at a veterinary conference. It was really great seeing them both. 2200 - Hit the sack.

     

     

    01-07-06

    (Sat.), Slip, Telemar Bay Marina, Melbourne, FL: 0830 - Up, BP 30.20, Temp 60. Overcast - Spent day organizing boat. Water valve handle for stern water tank broke.  Will have to repair when we get to Vero Beach. Transferred 10 gal diesel from on deck storage Jerry cans to fuel tank in preparation for tomorrows departure for Vero Beach. Checked with Dockmaster and informed them we would be departing tomorrow.

    2130 - hit the sack.

     

    01-08-06

    (Sun.), Slip, Telemar Bay Marina, Melbourne, FL: 0800 - Up, BP 30.35, Temp 50 F, Clear. 1000 - Departed. Very smooth trip. We are seeing more and more dolphins along the way.  Also, saw our first manatee (a pair) today. 1500 - Arrive at Vero Beach fixed bridge at ICW M 951.8. You must make 90 degree turn to port between bridge and channel makers to enter the Vero Beach Municipal Marina anchorage behind a small island.  This is a very protected area and POPULAR anchorage. (Boaters nicknamed "Velcro Beach" since people who come here often "stick" / remain here.) They have slips but most boats are on mooring balls. This time of year boats, have to raft-up with maximum of three boats per mooring ball. You check-in at Dockmasters office where you are assigned a mooring ball. They normally raft sailboats with sailboats and powerboats / trawlers with powerboats / trawlers. The cost is $10.75 per night regardless of boat size. Use of toilets & showers is $1.25/day/person. 1515 - Pulled up to dock, filled diesel tank and was assigned mooring ball 48 (N 27.39.751, W 80.22.350) directly across from Bev & Arne (s/v Scandia) on mooring 49. We are sharing a mooring ball with a 50 ft schooner s/v Tranquility owned by Lee and Cindy Smith; very nice people. 1800 - Bev and Arne dinghy over and we a great evening. 2150 - hit the sack. 

     

     

    01-09-06

    (Mon.), Mooring, Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Vero Beach, FL (N 27.39.751, W 80.22.350), ICW M 951.8  0600 - Up, Coffee, cheese (Cobot Seriously Sharp Cheddar) & coffee. BP 30.35, clear, Temp 50 F. 0900 - dinghy to shore and take bus to town.

    Municipal bus service into the city from the marina, which runs on the hour, is free and stops at all the popular places - Wal-Mart, Publix and WinDixe (groceries), Lowe's, Home Depot, Apple Bees etc., etc... almost anything you need. Lee & Cindy (s/v Tranquility), our mooring neighbor's, had rented a car and volunteered to take our spare propane tank to town for a refill while we took the bus (not allowed to take propane tanks on the bus). 1600 - return from shopping. 1700 - dinner on the boat. 1830 - Arne & Bev have invited us over. Met Jerry & Barbara (s/v Kumbaya) who are sharing a mooring ball with s/v Scandia. Bev and Arne knew them from their previous sail to the Bahamas.  Bev and Arne have been in Vero Beach since before Christmas. Bev has been waiting for her Canadian passport to be renewed and she has learned that she may not get it back until the middle of February! She and Arne suggested we continue without them and they will meet us in Georgetown in the Exumas. We would prefer to cross with them. However, many boats cross the Gulf Stream together and it’s not difficult to join one of the groups. It's a matter of waiting for the right "weather window". However, boats have been known to have to wait a month for the correct weather conditions.  2130 - return to Weal Sea and hit the sack.

     

    01-10-06

    (Tue.), Mooring, Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Vero Beach, FL (N 27.39.751, W 80.22.350), ICW M 951.8: 0730 - Up, coffee, cheese and 1/2 bagel. 1000 - Took bus into town again for more shopping. We are stocking up for the trip. Pat heads for Publix (more groceries) while I check out  a Diver Shop.  Purchase a new facemask and a set of diving fins. Return to Publix and help Pat with the groceries. Return to marina and spend rest of day working around the boat and socializing with our neighbors. 2100 - Hit the sack.

     

     

    01-11-06

    (Wed.), Mooring, Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Vero Beach, FL (N 27.39.751, W 80.22.350), ICW M 951.8:

    0700 - Up - Coffee ONLY! BP 30.30, Temp 68, Clear. Many of the boaters here have a tradition of having breakfast together at the "2002 Restaurant". We all gather at the marina office and "pack" the small bus. The restaurant reserves a room just for the boaters. Meals are very reasonably priced (we sail boaters are know to be cheap!) and good. 1000 - The restaurant is "conveniently located" just across the road from WEST MARINE! Naturally, many of us head there after breakfast. Pat went grocery shopping again with some of the ladies and will take the bus back to the marina with them. I visited "WM" to order some charts from the Bahamas. Also went to Home Depot and Lowe's to pick some hardware for the boat as well as a plastic bucket, silicone sealer and plexiglass to make a "underwater viewer" which allows you to check the anchor from the dinghy to see if it is "set". 1600 - Return to boat. Pat and ladies went walking on the beach. I try to fix broken water valve handle. No luck. Fortunately, it is the stern tank. I am able to get it turn to the open position with a wrench.  This will allow us to continue to use the tank until I replace  valve. 2100 - Hit the sack

     

    01-12-06

    (Thru.), Mooring, Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Vero Beach, FL (N 27.39.751, W 80.22.350), ICW M 951.8: 0700 - Up - Coffee, cheese and bagel. BP 30.10, Temp 65 F, clear. 1000 - Pat did laundry at marina office while I work on boat. 1200 - I need to go up the mast to check the anchor light and  straighten the Windex (Wind direction indicator) that was bent when I hit a tree in the Dismal Swap before Thanksgiving! Lee (s/v Tranquility) operate our electric anchor winch to hoist me up the mast using a head sail halyard while the 2 "wenches", Pat and Cindy, operate a manual "winch" controlling the main sail halyard which I use as a safety line. It was an experience! I not had to go up the mast before. The anchor light was undamaged and I was able to straighten the Windex. !400 - We have been invited over for coffee and tea by Goran and Gee (s/v Pepa II), the Croatian couple (now from Canada) who we met on the ICW before Christmas. 1630 - Returned to Weal Sea. 2200 - Hit the sack.

     

     

    01-13-06

    (Sat.), Mooring ball, Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Vero Beach, FL, (N 27.39.751, W 80.22.350), ICW M 951.8: 0730 - Up, coffee & bagel. BP 30.03, temp 65, clear.  1000 - Pat took bus to Publix to purchase groceries and pick up the Monty & Sara Lewis "Explore Charts & Cruising Guide" of the Exumas. I also need the Explore "Near" and "Far" Bahamas charts but they don't have them at the Vero Beach West Marine.  Will need to get them in Ft. Lauderdale if possible. 1130 - continue to work on the alternator but still cannot get the "new" one to work with the new external regulator. Old one still works so will use it until I can get new one checked somewhere along the way. 2100 - Weather forecast call for a cold front to move through tonight with winds of 30-40 knots. Hit the sack.

     

    01-14-06

    (Fri.), mooring ball, Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Vero Beach FL. (N 27.39.751, W 80.22.350), ICW M 951.8: 0300 - Up. Winds are VERY heavy and I check to lines. OK. 0400 - Winds continue to blow. Check the line again. OK. 0630 - Up, coffee, cheese and bagel. BP 29.90, temp 50 F, clear. Still windy. 1000 - took bus to town to pick mushroom anchors for the dinghy and for making a "kellet" (a weight use to hold down the rope rode at the end of the anchor chain rode so the chain does not lift up and free itself from the bottom.) 1300 - return to boat. Talked to Arne & Bev.  Bev has still not received her passport and it looks like they are going to be here another week or so. 2130 - Wind has started to die down.  Hit the sack.

     

    01-15-06

    (Sun.), Mooring ball, Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Vero Beach FL. (N 27.39.751, W 80.22.350), ICW M 951.8: 0730 - Up, the usual breakfast. BP 30.05, Temp 50, clear, near calm. 1000 - Laundry. Work around boat. It’s a very nice place here BUT we really want to get going. They have reported that 30 or more boats have gathered at Miami Beach ICW getting ready to cross when a weather window opens, possible then end of next week! Spoke to Jerry & Barbara (s/v Kumbaya) today and they are leaving for Hobe Harbor tomorrow. They have crossed the Gulf stream to the Bahamas several times and said we can follow them if we like. 1730 - Bev and Arne invite us over to visit them with Jerry & Barbara who are rafted up with them. We dinghy over and discuss the situation. Bev is not sure when her passport will arrive. She and Arne urge us to continue south with Jerry & Barbara. They will see us later in the Bahamas. We decide to go for it. 2100 - return to boat and hit the sack.

     

     

    01-16-06

    (Mon.), Mooring ball, Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Vero Beach, FL, (N 27.39.751, W 80.22.350), ICW M 951.8: 0600 - Up, "spiced tea" (out of coffee!), cheese & bagel. BP 30.05, temp 60, clear. Cleared deck and got outboard motor off dinghy and onto the stern pulpit motor mount. 0800 - weigh anchor and go to fuel dock to take on water and diesel and to fill gasoline Jerry storage containers on deck (we use gasoline for the outboard motor and Honda 2000 Generator). Jerry & Barbara also left mooring at 0800. We radio them to go on and we will catch them later. 0830 - depart fuel dock and head down ICW. We have a 5-15 kts head wind out of the S.  We can see Jerry & Barbara 2-3 miles ahead of us. Very nice day; Temp gets up to 70. Catch up to s/v Kumbaya about three miles before reaching Hobe Sound, a wide area in the ICW. 1345 - drop anchor in 8 feet water (N27.01.986, W80.06.448), ICW M 998. (We would have gone further but Kumbaya draws 6 feet and there were no anchorages where she could anchor before Lake Worth. Telephoned Bev & Arne and told them of our progress. 2030 - Hit the sack.

     

    01-17-06

    (Tue.), Anchorage, Hobe Sound, Jupiter Island, ICW M 998: 0600 - Up, breakfast. BP 30.05, Temp 65, partly cloudy, S wind 20-25 knots with white caps. Wind on the nose again today! 0800 - Radio Kumbaya. They plan to depart ~45 minutes. 0845 - Weigh anchor. Difficult to do because of winds but we use the motor to break it free. LOTS of Bridges today... 19!  First 3 on request, remainder are "restricted" (open at specific times, e.g. on the hour and half hour, or quarter after and quarter to the hour. You need to time yourself between them. Usually need to do 6 knots SOG ("Speed Over Ground") to make the openings.  However, it will be tough today because of the S wind on the nose and the currents are against us. 1215 - We make it through the bridges and anchor at the north end of Lake Worth, North Palm Beach, FL among 30 other boats in 16 ft of water (N26.50.355, W80.03.355), ICW M 1014. 

     

    (NOTE: Lake Worth is a common anchorage for boats waiting for a weather window to cross the Gulf Stream to West End or Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. Grand Bahama is in the "Near (Northern) Bahamas" which include Abacos Island where Marsh Harbour is located; we plan to visit this group of islands on our return trip north.)

     

    It’s still windy with low white caps on the lake because of the open water to the south; this long  "reach" allows the wave to build. We put out 150 ft of rode: 50 ft chain and 100 ft rope. It’s going to be a rough night. 2030 - Hit the sack.

     

    01-18-06 (Wed.), Anchorage, Lake Worth, North Palm Beach, FL. (N26.50.355, W80.03.355), ICW M 1014.: 0700 - Up and breakfast. Radio Kumbaya. They have decided to stay here for another day or so. However, they have been listening to Chris Parker's Bahamian weather forecast and it appears there will be a narrow window for crossing the Gulf Stream Monday or Tuesday of next week (Jan. 23-24)! Pat & I decide to go on south. We will meet up with Kumbaya later. 0930 - weigh anchor. Lots of bridges again today. Slow progress but we want to make Ft. Lauderdale this evening. 1400 - We telephone Las Olas Municipal Marina (Ft. Lauderdale) for reservations only to discover that all their mooring balls are taken.  We will have to continue down the ICW another mile to Lake Sylvia. 1815 - Arrive Lake Sylvia. Its getting dark but we are able to anchor in 8 ft water (N26.06.214, W80.06.688), ICW M 1065).  This is a very popular and protected anchorage right down town in Ft. Lauderdale near "The Beaches".  There are already 15 boats anchored when we arrive. 2200 - hit the sack.

     

     

    01-19-06

    (Thru.), Anchorage, Lake Sylvia, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (N26.06.214, W80.06.688), ICW M 1065: 0700 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.01, temp 70, clear. 0800 - Telephone Las Olas Municipal Marina. They have two mooring balls available. However, since its first come-first serve, they cannot hold one for us. 0825 - We decide to weigh anchor and head back up the ICW 1 mile to the mooring field. The municipal marina has 10 mooring balls on the west side of the ICW just south and immediately adjacent to the Las Olas Blvd. bridge. The marina itself, which also has slips, is on the opposite side of the ICW at the base of the Las Olas Blvd. bridge. There are still two mooring balls available when we arrive and we take one (N26.07.171, W80.06.615).

     

    Cost of a mooring ball is $30/day regardless of the size of your boat. This fee includes free use of the dinghy dock, showers and toilets. Very nice pay washers & dryers  the marina is exceptionally clean and modern. 

     

    (Note: The marina is located just 2 blocks from the Ft. Lauderdale beach and the "Elbow Room" bar, both made famous by the 60's movie "Where the Boys Are". This brings back memories; I and three other buddies were here during Spring Break from Michigan State University in 1960 (2nd year, veterinary medical school)! I remember walking down to the ICW and looking at the "yachts". If someone had said I would be here on a sailboat 46 years later, I would have said they were out of their mind. I only wish my buddies were here to share this moment with me).

     

    There is excellent bus service from the marina to the stores; $0.50/trip or $1.25 for an "all-day" pass. Ft. Lauderdale has the largest West Marine store in the US.  Also a new Boaters World, Blue Water Charts & Books Store, Sailorman’s Store (new and used boating equipment), Sailors Warehouse, and much more.

     

    1000 - We  register at the Marina and take the bus into Publix for groceries and to check out Blue Water Charts. However, Blue Water Charts has had "a run on" the Near & Far Bahamas Explorer Charts (all those Bahamas-bound sailors got here before us).  However, they have copies in their warehouse and will have a set put aside for us to pick up tomorrow! Eat lunch at a small restaurant then take bus back to marina. 1400 - telephone Bev and Arne. Good News! Bev's Passport has arrived! They are planning on heading south tomorrow and will see us on Saturday! Because we still have a lot to do, we decide to rent a car for shopping. We telephone Enterprise and get one of their 3-day Weekend Specials for $51! They will deliver it tomorrow. 2200 - hit the sack.

     

    01-20-06

    (Fri.), Mooring, Las Olas Municipal Marina, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (N26.07.171, W80.06.615), ICW M 1064: 0700 - Up & breakfast. 1000 - Take Pat to Marina laundry. Enterprise picks me up and takes me to office to pick up rental car. Go to Blue Water Charts and pick up our Bahamas Explore Charts. Check out Sailorman’s and buy another 50 ft of Ancor 5/16" High-Test (G-4) chain for our other anchor. Return to boats and pick up Pat to do grocery shopping. Receive telephone call from VISA fraud department. Appears our VISA card number has been used by someone else and they have to block further usage!  PANIC... We now we are suppose to leave for the Bahamas on Tuesday. VISA promises to send us an emergency replacement card overnight special delivery to arrive tomorrow morning. Fortunately, we have a back-up card which we can use to purchase groceries and other supplies today. 2200 - hit the sack.

     

     

     

     

    01-21-06

    (Sat.), Mooring, Las Olas Municipal Marina, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (N26.07.171, W80.06.615), ICW M 1064: 0600 - Up and breakfast. VISA card is to be delivered between 0800 and 1000. Dinghy to marina office. No delivery by 0900 but marina manager agrees to sign for the UPS package containing the card and hold it for us. I have brought the "new" (external regulated) alternator ashore with me and take it to a local alternator shop where they test it. It is bad. Telephone DB Electric in Tennessee where we purchased it. They say they will replace it but cannot get a replacement to us until Thursday. That's too late; we now know we will be crossing to the Bahamas from Ft. Lauderdale on Tuesday! We decide to have replacement alternator shipped to our daughter in Pittsburg. She will hold it for us. I must have a back-up and decide to bit the bullet and purchase a new one with an internal regulator ($175).  Back on boat, install it; it works.

     

    New VISA card also arrived while I was alternator shopping so we are back in business. 2100 - hit the sack.

     

    01-22-06

    (Sun.), Mooring, Las Olas Municipal Marina, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (N26.07.171, W80.06.615), ICW 1064: 0700 - Up and breakfast. Spend day picking up provisions and preparing boat for the crossing. Bev and Arne arrive but can't get a mooring ball at Las Olas Municipal Marina. They anchor at Lake Sylvia with another boat they have been traveling with; Jim (s/v Blossom II). We also hear that Lee and Cindy Smith (s/v Tranquility), with whom we shared a mooring ball in Vero Breach, are also planning to cross from Ft. Lauderdale with us.

    (NOTE: The group has decided to cross to Nassau directly from Ft. Lauderdale rather than travel south to Miami.  Its a bit longer distance wise but its saves us traveling further south on the ICW.) 2100 - Hit the sack.

     

    01-23-06

    (Mon.), Mooring, Las Olas Municipal Marina, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (N26.07.171, W80.06.615), ICW M 1064: 0600 - Up &  breakfast. BP 30.10, Temp 68, clear. 0900 - Telephone Jerry & Barbara (s/v Kumbaya). Explain that we are going to cross with Arne & Bev (s/v Scandia), Lee & Cindy (s/v Tranquility) & Jim (s/v Blossom II) directly from Ft. Lauderdale to the Bahamian Banks leaving at 0500 tomorrow morning (Tuesday, Jan. 24). Jerry wishes us good luck. (Jim & Barbara are crossing from Miami out of Government Cut. There are 48 sailboats in Miami waiting to go! Some have been waiting for 3 or 4 weeks for a weather window.  Everyone there is "excited" and zipping back & forth between boats & making last-minute arrangements. For most (~60%), this will be the first crossing... "newbie’s" like our selves. They will depart about 0800 hr & head east across the Gulf Stream for North Rock (N25.48.20, W79.15.50) 44.7 nm from Miami and just north of Bimini. We will head east for the Hen & Chickens islands (N26.00.60, W79.06.50) 52.7 nm from Ft. Lauderdale / Port Everglades cut. The Hen & Chickens are about 12 nm north of North Rock and is on the eastern edge of the Great Bahama Bank.)

     

    I send the old alternator back to DB Electric via UPS at an Office Max. Pat & I do last minute grocery shopping. It seems like we never stop shopping. However, we will be gone for over 4 months & know that meats, etc can be expensive in the Bahamas.  Not sure where we will store everything yet! The dinghy is really LOADED when we return from shopping at 1900. Pat stays on Weal Sea to put supplies away while I dinghy back to shore. I need to return the rental car and get a taxi back to the marina.  (I must admit I am getting a bit nervous... I can't believe we are really going to be crossing the Gulf Steam in just 11 hours! Second thought? Not.)  2100 - drop off car & return to marina via taxi. Pat helps me get outboard motor off dinghy and we use the extra jib halyard to lift dinghy out of water and on to the foredeck. Continue to pack. Pat hits the sack about 2400 but I stay up working another hour... not sure I can sleep I am so excited and nervous. Set two alarms for 0400; will meet Scandia, Tranquility and Blossom II at 0520. (Actually could not sleep and got up and sent an Weal Sea's Log email out at 1:52 AM... you all should have gotten this before now).

     

     

    01-24-06

    (Tue.), Anchorage-mooring ball, Las Olas Municipal Marina, Ft. Lauderdale, FL: 0400 hr - Up & LOTS of coffee. BP 30.15, Temp 70 F, clear... beautiful morning! I slept very little last night. Just too excited. 0430 - Telephone Arne & Bev.  It’s a GO! They are only 1 mile downstream on the ICW at Lake Sylvia anchored with Blossom II. We will pick up Tranquility about two miles further south at the Port Everglades bridge cut where we exit into the Gulf Stream.  However, Blossom II is having running light problems. Thus, Scandia will lead down the ICW to the Port Everglades cut bridge with Blossom II following them. Weal Sea will follow Blossom II and act as her stern light.  We will pick up Tranquility at the bridge. 0445 - Let go mooring ball lines and head down ICW. Pick up Scandia & Blossom II & meet Tranquility at the Port Everglades Bridge about 0545. Head out into the Ocean. Wind is out of SE at 10 kts. Lots of swells in the cut but almost no waves.  0706 - Sunrise.  Swells down to 1-2 ft, warm, clear. Looking behind we can still see Ft. Lauderdale. We are the only 4 sailboats in sight but there are a few freighters off in the distance. GREAT day! Could not be a better Destination and waypoints: (1) Depart Port Everglades (N26.05.50, W80.04.80), cross Gulf Stream (depth 450-800 meters), 52.7 nm to => (2) Hen & Chickens (N26.00.60, W79.06.50), enter Great Bahama Bank (depth ONLY 7-8 meters), 31.6 nm to => (3) Mackie Shoal (N25.41.00, W78.39.00), 25.2 nm to => (4) NW Shoal (N25.30.00, W78.13.95), 4.2 nm to => (5) NW Channel Light (N25.28.20, W78.09.60), LEAVE Great Bahama Banks and enter "Tongue of the Ocean" /  "NW Providence Channel", 49.3 nm to => (6) Nassau, New Providence Island (N25.05.35, W77.21.34)

     

    1440 - Sight "Great Isaac Island Light" north of the Hen & Chickens Islands! - We did it. We are in the BAHAMAS! Our depth meter has not been able to read depth for the last 45 miles. Suddenly the water depth decreases, changes color and we read 56 ft!  1500 - All 4 boats raise their yellow "Q" (Quarantine) flags as we cross south of the light house between Great Isaac Island & the smaller Hen & Chickens. Blossom II radios Tranquility and Weal Sea and congratulates us on our "First Crossing." It absolutely clear and sunny, 75 F and the winds are WARM and out of the S. The water on the bank is so clear you can see starfish on the bottom. All the boats raise their main sails & we continue to motor sail @ ~ 6 kts. 1560 - add 6 gal diesel from Jerry can. Water is now like glass but we still have a nice S-SW breeze & make 5.5-7 kts. Sunset is fantastic on the banks. Pat & I trade off sleeping and taking the helm. Pat had done fantastic!  She is such a trooper. All kind of sailboats lights in distance now.  Lots of radio chatter between the boats in the group that left Miami earlier today. We have actually caught and past them. They know our boat names and we check in them giving them our position every hour.  They also warm the Bahama fleet of freighters that might be in the channels. 2255 - Add 5 more gal diesel. 2345 - Make NW Shoal waypoint (N25.30.00, W78.13.95). We've done 110 nm since we left. Keep in mind that we had a 2-3 knot Gulf Steam current pushing us N or we would have made better time. 2400 - enter channel between NW Shoal and NW Channel Light.  We travel single file through this narrow channel.  Blossom has done this trip about 7 times & leads the way. (Note - Jim on Blossom is Single-handing the boat! His wife will meet him later in the Bahamas)

     

    06:45  CELL PHONE REPORT, DAN & PAT ARE ABOUT 10 MILES OUT, WITH SWELLS OF ABOUT 3 FEET.  SUNRISE AT 0705,  WE WISH YOUR FRIENDS GOOD LUCK, FAIR WINDS, AND CALM SEAS.

     

     

    01-25-06

    (Wed.), under sail, "Tongue of the Ocean" / NW Providence Channel, The Bahamas! (N25.28.20, W78.09.06): 0030 - Pass NW Channel Light and enter Tongue of the Ocean. Channel depth was about 11.5 feet (3-4 meters) much of the way. All the other boats in our group draw more than 6 ft and had to stay in the middle of the channel. We draw about 4.5 ft and were comfortable but NOT careless!.. Single file: Blossom II, Tranquility, Weal Sea, and Scandia. Scandia has had some problems with her oil pressure gauge. Arne is not too concerned and believes it’s the sending unit. Will continue on the Nassau motor sailing.  Depth of water begins to increase very rapidly as we leave the Great Bahama Bank and enter the NW Providence Cannel and "Tongue of the Ocean" itself: 324 meters (m) @ 2 nm off the Bank => 850 m meters @ 9 nm => 1650 m @ 11 nm => 3018 m @ 25 nm off the Bank -- That's 9,960 feet.. pretty deep!  Pat & I have been trading off turns at the helm. I sleep in the cockpit when she is on watch to be available if she feels she needs help. She sleeps in the V-berth when off watch. When at the helm, she uses the autohelm and follows Tranquility (a 50 ft sailboat) which has a very distinctive stern light profile; Very easy to spot and follow. 0500 - I am really getting tired and ask Pat up to take over. I usually take the helm for 2-3 hours, sleep for 1-2 hr. Pat takes over, and I am OUT! 0800 - I wake up. I have been asleep for three hrs. Pat knew I was exhausted and decided to let me sleep. The sky is clear and sun is bright as we head east. I look forward and DON'T SEE ANY BOATS in front of us! "Where are all the other boats," I ask. "They are right behind us,” Pat answers. She had past them all during the early morning hours and she was now leading the entire pack of about 10 sailboats to Nassau! WHAT A WOMAN! I am so proud of her, and I know she feels a sense of accomplishment as well. 0900 - approach Nassau Harbour. We ask Scandia to lead the way since they have been here before and know the Harbour. We had telephoned the Nassau Yacht Haven yesterday morning when we were just off Ft. Lauderdale & made reservations. As you approach the Harbour, you MUST radio in to Nassau Harbour Control on VHF 16 and get permission to enter the Harbour. They want to know the name of your boat, its documentation number, and where you will be staying. They were very courteous and gave us permission to enter. 0915 - Drop main sail and motor into Nassau Harbour under the fixed bridge between Nassau itself and Paradise Island. It’s about 2 nm from the east entrance of the Harbour to Nassau Yacht Haven. Radio into Nassau Yacht Haven and tell them we have arrived, need fuel and require a slip assignment. They are very efficient and courteous. 0930 - Tie up at fuel dock and take on a total of 23.7 gal diesel: 12.7 gal in Weal Sea's onboard tank and 11 gal in the 2 Jerry cans we had used along the way. (Distance traveled was 164 miles from Las Olas Marina to Nassau Yacht Haven: That's about 6.9 nm/gal or 7.95  (statue mile)/gal.)  We are assigned slip E10 and motor in where a dock man is standing by to help us tie up. Pat stays on board while I go to the office and pick up the Customs and Immigration forms. 1100 - Fill out customs form in the "laundry room" where the lady customs officer (Petula Black) has set up an office; She does not like to go on boats! She is very pleasant and helpful and even shares one of her lunch cookies with me!) I pay the $150 Bahamas cruising fee for our boat (cash only!, $150 for boats 35 ft and less in length, $300 for boats over 35 ft). The fee included a 6-month cruising permit and fishing license. 1330 - Immigration officer arrives at marina and walks around the docks asking all the Q-flag boaters to come up to the marina office with their forms. It’s a formality... I am done in 2 minutes.. he is in a real hurry to get to the next marina. He stamps and gives Pat & I Passports back, welcomes us to The Bahamas, and tells us we can take down our Q flag and put up our Bahamian Courtesy Flag. IT’S OFFICAL! Not only have we arrived, but also we have our cruising permit for up to 6 months. WOW! Pat is exhausted and goes back to the boat to sleep while I check out the marina then wash down the boat with "fresh water" (You pay $10/day for water even if you use none) and fill the water tanks.  1530 - Pat, Bev and Cindy decide to checkout the local market. Prices are higher but not that bad. The Bahamian Dollar and US Dollar are interchangeable here. 1600 - meet a fellow on the dock who is using Skype VOI (Voice Over Internet) software on his laptop to telephone the States. Cost - 2 cents a minute! I had seen  students in Grenada using this software to call home to England, the States and elsewhere in the world. It’s easy to setup. I go back to the boat, pick up my laptop and go back to the marina office where I logon to the WiFi system ($10/24 hr) then download and install the software. Make my first Skype telephone call to the diagnostic laboratory at Purdue and talk to Linda Hendrickson. The reception is remarkable! Make few other calls then return to the boat. 2230 - Hit the sack.

     

     

    01-26-06

    (Thru.), Slip, Nassau Yacht Haven, Nassau, Bahamas (N25.04.514, W77.19.004): 0630 - Up, coffee, cheese & half bagel. BP 30.08, Temp 70, partly cloudy. Spend much of morning cleaning up and organizing boat. 1130 - Sail boaters who have just crossed over are gathering at the Nassau Harbour Yacht Club for lunch. Its a great get-together and we meet many of the boaters whose boat's names we had heard of on the VHF during the crossing. 1245 - Our group decides to walk "downtown" to the Harbour where the cruise ships anchor. The ladies want to see the tourist's stores. Pat buys a silver bracelet with an anchor, ships wheel, and other nautical items on it. 1700 - Return to boat. 1730 - Pat and I walk up to the marina office where we get good WiFi (wireless internet) service. Since I have Skype VOI (Voice Over Internet) on my laptop working, Pat telephones Ireland and talks to Ena, her sister. Ena is shocked to hear Pat's voice since she did not expect to hear from her by phone for months. It was like talking to someone next door. Pat talked to her for 20 minutes - cost: 40 CENTS! The cost of WiFi service at the marina is separate. Pat heads back to the boat. I use the Skype VOI to telephone several people then head back to the boat. 2230 - hit the sack.

     

     

     

    01-27-06

    (Fri.), Slip, Nassau Yacht Haven, Nassau, Bahamas (N25.04.514, W77.19.004): 0730 - Up, coffee & 1/2 bagel. (What am I going to do when I run out of Bagels!). BP 30.40, temp 72, partly cloudy, windy. Cold front is moving in and everyone is staying here until Monday before heading south to the Exumas. Sailing group ladies have arranged a bus tour of the island and the Bacardi Rum factory! 0930 - Take bus tour of the island and rum factory. Lots of free samples and everyone is feeling "pretty good" on the return trip. 1330 - Pat has discovered that she has a loose filling and needs to have it fixed. Its Friday and many dentists are closed in the afternoon. However, marine office manages to find one that will take Pat on short notice. 1430 - Catch a taxi to the dentist. He was trained at Howard University in Washington. Does an excellent job.  1630 - Return to marina.  1645 - There is a sailors' "Happy Hour" scheduled for 1600 to 1900 hr at the Nassau Harbour Yacht Club and the group is invited. Its about 4 blocks down from the marina and we walk. Groups are starting to arrive. Bev & Arne, Cindy & Lee, and Jim from our group are already there: Free chicken strips, wings and legs (Excellent) as well a chips and cheese dip. Beers are $3/bottle... very cheap for Nassau! 1930 - Pat and I are tired and return to the boat. 2030 - hit the sack.

     

     

    01-28-06

    (Sat.), Slip, Nassau Yacht Haven, Nassau, The Bahamas (N25.04.514, W77.19.004): 0600 - Up & Breakfast. BP 30.04, Temp 75, clear, windy. Fair amount of wind last night with some bouncing in the harbour. Its pleasant here, however, we are anxious to get underway to visit the "real" Bahama Islands. Looks like we will not get out until Monday or Tuesday. 0930 - Ladies decide to take a bus tour to Paradise Island and the famous Atlantis Resort Casino.  I stayed onboard to change the engine antigalvanic corrosion "zinc" (anode) and the diesel filter. I was surprised to find that the engine zinc was completely gone! I had it replaced last July before we left. However, they seem to last years in fresh water; need to check them more frequently in salt water. Fortunately, I had picked up extras for the Weal Sea's diesel engine and our dinghy's outboard.  Diesel fuel filter looked fine.  However, it has clogged unexpectedly in the past and I want to change it now before we get into the "out islands". Fuel there can be dirty.

    2015 - Hit the sack.

     

    01-29-06

    (Sun.), Slip, Nassau Yacht Haven, Nassau, The Bahamas (N25.04.514, W77.19.004): 0630 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.02, Temp 75, partly cloudy. 1000 - Walked to shopping mall to check for free WiFi Hotspots. Someone said the UPS store has one. No luck... they are closed, but market is open.  1300 - Pat was doing the laundry and met a lady from Ireland.  They have a 48 ft sailboat and have been doing the islands before returning to Ireland. 1430 - We walk back to mall with Cindy & Lee Smith (s/v Tranquility to get groceries. No luck, they just closed! We'll have to return tomorrow morning early. They group is leaving before noon for Rose Cay to anchor out before departing for the Exumas on Tuesday, assuming the weather holds. Return to marina where Pat and I visit a "diving shop" where we purchase a set of swim fins and floatation vest for Pat. She already has a mask and snorkel. I also pick up a setup for spear fishing and lobstering. 1700 - Robert & Michael (s/v Sunshire Express) arrive at dinghy dock! We had originally met them on the Chesapeake & Deleware Canal last October.  They were well ahead of us in getting to Florida and had crossed over to Freeport on Grand Bahama Island on New Years Eve. They had sailed down to Nassau last Tuesday and are now anchored out in the harbor. They have come into the marina to shop and checkout the WiFi system. We spend a couple of hours with them at the marina restaurant where I show Robert how to use Skype VOI on his laptop. He then telephoned his daughter in Montreal, Canada. 1800 - Return to boat. The group has been invited over to Tranquility for a BYO Happy Hour to discuss tomorrow's sailing schedule. Looks like we will leave before noon and sail to Rose Cay, about 5-6 miles east to Nassau Harbour. 2100 - Return to boat. I make a few Skype VOI phone calls then hit the sack.

     

    NOTE: Since we are leaving Nassau tomorrow, we will not have access to the Internet for some time. Thus, this will likely be the last Weal Sea's Log email I am able to send until we reach Georgetown in the Exumas. We will try to send email updates of the log at that time.

     

      

    01-30-06

    (Mon), Slip, Nassau Yacht Haven, Nassau, the Bahamas (N25.04.514, W77.19.004): 0600 - Up & Breakfast. BP 30.06, Temp 75, Clear. 0900 - Chris Parker, Bahama Weather Guru, is predicting heavy N-NE winds tonight, then shift to S-SW tomorrow AM. Thus, group has decided not to go to Rose Island because of exposed N-NE anchorage. Will anchor at east end of Nassau Harbour instead and be ready to leave tomorrow morning for Allens Cay at the N end of the Exumas. 1000 - Pat and I do last minute grocery shopping; last chance before George Town. Oh Boy - Problem! Pat trips on pavement outside grocery store and sprains her right wrist - very painful. We use my "carpal tunnel' wrist brace to make a splint. We will see how things go. 1320 - Boats depart slips and anchor in harbour 200 yds off south shore among six other boats (N25.04.55, W77.18.65).  Rough because of boat traffic. I take dingy off foredeck and put in water - will pull behind Weal Sea. 1700 - decide to pull dinghy's bow up on swim platform and secure with cable. Heard stories of dinghy's being stolen at night in Nassau harbour. 2000 - hit sack.

     

    01-31-06

    (Tues), Anchorage, Nassau Harbour, Nassau, Bahamas (N25.04.55, W77.18.65): 0600 - Up & Breakfast. BP 30.20, Temp 75, Clear, Winds SW 10-15. 0715 - Our five boats weigh anchor and head east out of harbour: Weal Sea (Dan & Pat), Scandia (Arne & Bev), Tranquility (Lee & Cindy), Non-Linear (John & Marcia) & Chapulin (Jim & Nancy). We'll use the following Explore Chart book (THE BEST & most reliable charts for the Bahamas) waypoints to Allens Cay: start Nassau Harbour anchorage (N25.04.55, W77.18.65) => Athol Island (N25.04.40, W77.17.20) => Porgee Rock (N25.03.70, W77.14.70) => west end of Yellow Bank (N24.52.50, W77.10.00) => Allens Cay (N24.44.80, W76.51.00). Total distance ~ 36 nm. Because of her shallow draft (~ 4.5 ft), Weal Sea could cut directly across the Yellow Bank (a shallow region on the Great Bahama Banks S of New Providence Island where Nassau is located, depth 2.2 - 4.8 meters MLW [Mean Low Water] in different areas) saving several miles. However, s/v Tranquility and others draw 6-7.5 ft and are concerned about not being able to see "shallower" coral heads in the rough seas. Therefore, they prefer to go to S end of the Yellow Bank. 1305 - Arrive Allens Cay. Weal is the first to enter the anchorage. (NOTE - Our chart plotter’s C-Map of the Bahamas is worthless for entering the anchorage. No details of the Bahamas at all. You MUST USE "Explorer Chartbooks" (paper charts) if you do the Bahamas. They are like the Bible to Bahamas cruisers.

    (NOTE - We purchased all 3 of Monty & Sara Lewis's" Explore Chartbooks": the (1) Near Bahamas, the (2) Far Bahamas and the (3) Exumas & Ragged Islands. We also have Steve Dodge's  "The Cruising Guide to the Abacos" with excellent color photos of the cays and their surrounding waters with anchorage entry data.  In addition, Stephen Pavlidis's three books on the Bahamas are a nice supplement with good charts of approaches to the cays, their anchorages & detailed text including history about the various cays).

    There are 25 boats already anchored here! Very crowded.  This Cay has a V-shaped anchorage running N-S. The east leg, next to Leaf Cay with all the Iguanas, is best holding according to the Explorer and Pavlidis books. However, everyone knows this and the boats are packed very tight here. In addition, the water thins (gets shallow) very fast as you move N up the east leg. I turn around dodging anchored boats and go to the base of the "V" of the west leg where we drop anchor in 13 ft of water (N24.44.890, W76.50.320). We let out 90 ft (50 chain + 40 rope) since there is strong current here. However, at least its not crowded... YET.  Water is incredibly clear! A fellow with 1999 Mark II C-34 s/v "Tickitac" (veterinary anesthesia technician from Univ of Minn) is anchored next to us and volunteers to check our anchor using a viewing bucket. It is well set in sand. The other boats of our group come in 15 minutes later. All, except Chapulin, try to anchor in east leg. Chapulin anchors 30 yds in front of us.  Tranquility tries to go N up the shallower east leg (which we gave up on earlier) and runs aground! However, several other boaters in dinghies make like as "tugs" and help push her bow around while she uses her 65 lb plow anchor as a kedge with her electric winches (Lee & Cindy's Sparkman - Stevenson boat has all the "toys"). We wanted to help but discover our dinghy is leaking air AGAIN and we can not help them. Tranquility finally gets free but anchor in only 8.5 ft with their nose 20 ft from the stern of another boat. Scandia anchors behind us but to the east in another spot I rejected. (Another boat comes in later and anchors next to him!) Non-liner anchors adjacent to Leaf Cay 150 yds to the east of us. Five more boats now come in!  Just as we were feeling secure, a 45 ft ketch comes in behind us and anchors within 20 yds of our stern.  I warn their captain that I have out 90 ft of anchor line and that I need room to swing (General Rule of Anchorages:  Its first come, first serve. If you come into an anchorage, you pick a spot away from those boats already at anchor. Do not expect them to move for you!) He backs off a bit but I am still uncomfortable. I tell him, "If we swing during the night and bump, its your fault for anchoring too close." He says OK. 1630 - We are able to inflate the dinghy (its a slow leak) and use it to row to shore to see the Iguana which crowd the beach.  They have no fear of humans & come out of the underbrush when people approach wanting to be fed. They are harmless but nearsighted and have been know to bite an ankle thinking it’s a morsel of food.  There are about 10-15 women sunbathing on the beach among the iguana, some pretty scantly clad! A "tour" speedboat arrives with 15-20 tourists and beaches the bow on the beach. These boats come all the way from Nassau so the tourists can feed the iguana and sharks (up at the other end of the cays!). Return to boat and relax for rest of day. Group has decided to go to Warderick Wells Cay, the main cay of Exuma Land and Sea  (a "national") Park tomorrow. 2030 - hit the sack.

     

  • December 2005

    The adventures of the S/V Weal Sea with Dan & Pat Harrington

    December 2005

     

     

     

     

    12-01-05

    (Wed.)- Slip, Brunswick Landing Marina, Brunswick, GA (N 31.09.15, W 81.29.97), ICW M 680:  0630 - Up; spiced tea (not coffee), cheese & bagel (We've got bagels again!). BP 30.61, Temp 55, clear & sunny.  (NOTE: We wanted to visit St. Simon & Jekyll Islands. However, these visits will have to wait for our return trip; we are now on a mission to get to Daytona / Port Orange, FL to pull Weal Sea to get her a new coat of bottom paint, and then get to Melbourne, FL in time to catch a flight "home for the holidays". Susan, our daughter, telephoned us & has arranged a flight for us out of Melboure, Fl on Dec. 12.   That's the same day we were scheduled to arrive in Melbourne. However, we telephoned the Telmar Bay Marina and they agreed to allow us to have the slip a day or two earlier. 

     

    0755 - Slip our docking lines and depart. Our Canadian colleagues have decided to stay another day in Brunswick.  We hope to see them down the road. Heading east on St. Simons Sound, we pick-up the ICW again at M 680 and turn starboard (S) to enter Jekyll Creek which separates Jekyll Island from the mainland.

     

    We enter Jekyll Sound, cross it then continue into the Cumberland River.

    Heading south we officially "leave Georgia and enter Florida" at the junction of the Cumberland and St. Mary's Rivers where they both empty into the Cumberland Sound at ICW M 713.  The ramparts of old Fort Clinch are located on the south shore of this intersection of waters. The old fort guarded the entrance to Cumberland Sound about 4 miles north of the city of Fernandina Beach.  Entering the Amelia River, we pass Fernandina Beach, and enter Kingsley Creek (ICW M 720), which we follow to its junction with the South Amelia River, which in turn empties, into Nassau Sound at ICW M 729. Crossing Nassau Sound we continue south into Sawpit Creek to its junction with Ft. George River at ICW M 735 where we have decided to anchor.  1630 hr - Turning to port, we enter and move up Ft. George River looking for an anchorage.  There are two other sailboats already anchored just east of the junction of the Sawpit & Ft. George Rivers.  This is a narrow river with considerable current.  We continue slowly up the river another 0.5 mi to a "wide (sic) spot" where we drop 2 anchors (N 30.26.46, W 81.26.31), as recommended by Skipper Bob's book.  We definitely agree; you will need 2 anchors to feel comfortable in this anchorage! We are in ~ 9 ft of water. However, the river is very shallow along both shores and as you proceeds upstream. Later in the evening a very large powerboat arrives and anchors just downstream of Weal Sea between ourselves and the 2 other sailboats. He only puts out just one anchor... Bad decision.

     

     

     

    12-02-05

    (Fri.), Anchorage, Fort George River, FL (N 30.26.46, W 81.26.31), ICW M 735:  0530 - Up, Coffee, cheese & bagel.  BP 30.70, Temp 40 F. Clear & wind out of NW. NOAA reports wind chill 32 F.  0645 - Lots of "motor throttle activity" coming from the powerboat anchored (single anchor) downstream of us.  His boat has drifted off to one side of the river & he is aground.  There is all kinds of activity on deck as several people keep moving around trying to figure out how to get free. After about 20 minutes, he eventually manages to make it to deeper water.  I check my anchors & they have twisted 180 degrees during the night.  One anchor, the one with 50 ft of chain, is upstream.  The other anchor (mostly rope rode) is downstream & off to the port side of the boat.  Unfortunately, the bitter end of the rode (attached to the cleat in the anchor locker) is on the starboard side of the boat.  Thus, the rode trails from bow anchor locker, down the starboard side of the boat along the (wing) keel, around the back of the keel & off to the port side of the boat where the anchor embedded in the mud.  The current is much too strong for me to swing the boat 180 degrees even using a wench.  I dare not use the engine since the rode would likely become tangled around the prop shaft.  Solution: I am able to pull in the anchor with the chain rode by-hand just enough to put some slack in the rope rode of the other anchor.  I then use the small ("lunch") Danforth (the one I had previously used as a kedge when we went aground), to "hook" the rope rode of the anchor on the port side.  Although under considerable tension, this rode has just enough slack & stretch to allow me to grab it & pull it up level with the deck where I am able to secure it to a lifeline stanchion with a short piece of line. Pat also stood by & held the rode just in case the securing line gave way.  Going forward, I pull on the rode. Pat tells me she can feel the rode tighten as I pull it.  Therefore, I now know it is not tangled completely around the keel!  I untie the anchor's bitter end from its cleat at the bow, unwind it from the chain rode of the other anchor, & dropped it overboard!  Back to the port side, Pat & I simply pull in the bitter end of the rode.  Taking it forward, I reattached it to its cleat in the anchor locker.  We now let out on the chain rode of the other anchor allowing the boat to drift downstream until its bow & the port-side rope rode anchor are 90 degrees from one another.  Even with the current, I am able use the rope rode to pull the boat to port & over the anchor.  Once directly over it, I take in the slack & re-secured the shortened rode.  At this point, it is often possible for the anchor to break loose from the bottom just from the up & down movement of the boat in the waves / swells. This time, however, there is not much wave action.  Therefore, Pat starts the engine & moves Weal Sea very slowly forward to break the anchor loose from the bottom without over running the either anchor.  Once it's free, & we haul in the rope rode anchor.  0755 - The other (chain rode) anchor is easily weighed & we are on our way.

     

    0800 - Continuing south we follow Sisters Creek to the St. Johns River (ICW M 739.5) where the it empties into the Atlantic (St. Johns Inlet).

    The tidal current on the St. Johns River where the ICW crosses the river VERY STRONG; i.e. as high as 4 knots! In deed, we even saw whorl pools vortices where various channels intersect.  Just before we entered the river, another sailboat decided to pass us.  He seemed to have "made this run before" & we

    elect to follow him.  We made the right decision!  The tide was coming in against us from the ocean. By watching him, we were able to avoid many of the more difficult spots... sometimes we were actually moving sideways / dogleg / side drift against the flow tidal current! Skipper Bob's book specifically mentions this problem with the tidal currents that are often encountered when crossing the St. Johns.  If you follow this route, be prepared.

     

    The ICW south from the St. Johns River (ICW M 740) meanders a bit for the next 5 miles to Jacksonville Beach.  1100 hr - We pass through the through the McCormick bascule bridge (M 747.5); opening hours for this bridge are restricted (check Skipper Bob's book for times & dates). South from M 750 to M 760 the waterway is a relatively straight channel (dredged canal) & is lined by the Cabbage Swamp on its west bank & by cottages & homes on its east bank. This straight segment of the ICW is a relatively easy cruise & I was able to use the Autohelm, and even the headsail, for short periods of time.  At M 760, the ICW joins the Tolomato River, which continues to parallel the Atlantic coast to St. Augustine, FL (ICW M 177).  Here the Tolomato meets the Matanzas River at the St. Augustine Inlet. We carefully navigated the St. Augustine Inlet which, because of the mixture of ocean inlet (red-right-return) & ICW Buoys & Day Markers, can be confusing!  You need to pass Red #60 on its ocean side.  "It is easy to cut this turn short & run aground", according to Skipper Bob. 1400 hr - We decide to drop anchor among 20 or so other sailboats in 10 ft of water on the east shore of the Matanzas River just north of the St. Augustine's "Bridge of Lions". This anchorage is immediately in front of the Castillo de San Marcos, the famous Spanish fortress (& National Monument), and a St. Augustine landmark. The city itself was founded in 1565, while the fortress was built in 1679. What a spectacular setting for an anchorage!  It's magnificent.

     

    1430 hr - It's still early & we decide to dinghy to shore & dock at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina (A 24 hr dinghy docking fee is $10.50). It was a warm 70 F, & great afternoon for a stroll down the streets of old St. Augustine. The city was decked out for the Christmas Holiday with lights everywhere. We walked the length of George Street with its restored shops & houses, & then visited the moats & ramparts of Castillo de San Marcos at twilight.  After sunset, we found a Greek restaurant (one of Dan's favorites foods is gyros), & had dinner. They also had non-Greek food (steak) so Pat was happy!  2000 hr - Return to Weal Sea & hit the sack at ~2100 hr.

     

      

    12-03-05

    (Sat.), Anchorage, St. Augustine, FL (ICW M 777): 0545 - Up,

    coffee, cheese & bagel. BP 30.75, Temp 60 F, clear & sunny. Transfer 11 Gal of diesel from decks Jerry cans to fuel tank. Our destination today is Daytona Beach.  0745 - Weighed anchor & departed; we wanted to make the 0800 opening of the Bridge of Lions which has restricted hours: on the hour & half hour weekends & holidays. We follow the Mantazas River south past the Crescent Beach Bridge (opens on request) at ICW M 788.6.  Although not visible, except at some "inlets" from the ocean, the ICW parallels & is often a mile or less from the Atlantic between St. Augustine & Daytona Beach.  In fact, we could often see beach homes "on stilts" off our port side in the distance as we proceeded south down the ICW. 1030 hr. - We pass ICW M 800 at Palm Coast, a community consisting of large (translate "very expensive") homes situated on a network of interconnecting canals with BIG motor yachts "parked" out front. The ICW south of here to its junction with the Tomoka Basin at M 818 consist of relatively straight dredged canals / cuts. At ICW M 810, we pass Flagler Beach.  1320 hr (ICW M 818) - We enter the very shallow Tomoka Basin which is a "wide spot" at the north end of the Halifax River. The ICW now consist of a narrow dredged channel which

    initially hugs the east side of the river then moves to its center.  1345

    hr. - We pass under the fixed bridge at Ormond Beach (ICW M 825). 1500 hr. - Continuing south to Daytona Beach, we pass the bascule Seabreeze Bridge. Upon clearing the bridge we continue down stream ~ 300 yd. then veer off the east side of the river channel where we drop anchor in 7 ft of water near 2 other sailboats.  This small anchorage is directly across from Caribbean Jack's Marina, which occupies the west side of the river at ICW M 829. (We find out later it is also a bar / restaurant & can be a bit noisy at night due to the load music).

    Although we have pushed ourselves, it's been an excellent day; we made 52 miles in a little over 8 hours. We wanted to be close to the "Seven Seas Marina" (ICW M 835) in Port Orange where we have arranged to have Weal Sea hauled out for new bottom paint & zincs the day after tomorrow, viz. Monday, 12-5-05.  However, I still have not purchased bottom paint.  However, I knew there was a West Marine in Daytona (We keep a copy of their catalog on board) & telephoned them.  It turns out they are located at the Daytona Beach Municipal Yacht Basin immediately downstream of our anchorage at ICW M 830.8. They tell me I can dinghy down to their store & tie-up at the dock out front.  I check to see if they have the type ablative bottom paint I want.  They do.  However, they close at 1800 hr & Pat & I still have not eaten dinner. "No problem," they say, "we'll set 3 gallons aside for you to pick up tomorrow." After dinner, I do a bit of exploring in the dinghy.  BOY is it shallow outside the channel!  I hit bottom with the dinghy's motor 3 times while checking out the shore near Manatee Island, a city park at ICW M 829.8.

    Fortunately, I did not shear a prop pin. 2100 - Hit the sack.

     

     

    12-04-05

    (Sun.), Anchorage, Halifax River, Daytona Beach, FL (ICW M 829):

    0800 - Up, coffee, cheese & bagel. BP 30.80, Temp 70 F, clear & sunny. Today is a "relaxation day"! Pat decides she wants to relax on the boat while I go to West Marine (WM) and pick up bottom paint and a few other items. I am also instructed to refill our gallon water jugs with fresh drinking water for her "Tea"! No problem, I can handle this.  1000 - Its getting hot and I dinghy to the WM store downstream at the Daytona Municipal Yacht Basin where I tie up at the dock out front.  Paul, an English fellow and store manager, has my bottom paint set aside as promised ready for pick up. In addition, Pat has wanted a second "reading light" in the salon (I'm always using "her light" when entering my "Weal Sea's Log" updates on my pocket mail composer).  She said I could get her an additional light for "Christmas". I find one the same as the one I had installed "for her" several months ago. We will now have a matched-set of "His & Her" reading lights!  I need to do a bit more shopping in town and ask permission to leave my purchases in the store and the dinghy tie to the WM dock out front for an hour or so.  "No problem," Paul says. It's Sunday and most places are closed. However, I check out a few open stores and call Pat on VHF channel 68 using the hand-held to see if she has thought of anything she needs. She can't think of anything urgent so I head back to the WM store.  Paul helps me load the paint into the dinghy. Before heading back to Weal Sea, I dinghy over to one of the open slips and fill our gallon jugs with fresh drinking water("Tea").  On returning, I telephone Seven Sea's Marina to confirm our haul out scheduled for tomorrow.  They verify our reservation but say they also have one other boat scheduled, and its first-come-first-served. Pat and I decide to leave early tomorrow; we would like an early haul-out so I can get started cleaning and sanding the bottom. (We have been using fresh water VC-17, Teflon based ablative bottom paint, on Weal Sea.  In order for the new salt water ablative anti-fouling paint to stick, I will need to wash then sand off the VC-27 down to the barrier coat - not something I'm looking forward to).  Pat & I spent the rest of the day doing a bit of organizing and enjoying the warm sun in the cockpit.

     

     

    12-05-05

    (Mon.), Anchorage, Halifax River, Daytona Beach, FL (ICW M 829):

    0600 - Up, coffee, cheese & bagel. BP 30.60, Temp 65 F, clear & sunny. 0700 - Weigh anchor and pass through the Main Street and Memorial Bridges, both bascule types that open on request. However, the Memorial also has some restricted hours but we manage to make their deadline. It was a short run to Seven Seas Marina at ICW M 835.2.  We radio the marina and receive instructions on where they want us to dock. Its low tide and they are a bit concerned about our entry. However, we believe we can make it. We approaching Red channel marker #56 (just before the Port Orange Bridge over the Halifax) and make a sharp port turn to follow the very narrow channel into the marina, which is marked by pilings. The tide is just starting to come in and we do in fact "gently" bump bottom as we pass between the two outside pilings. There is plenty of depth at the docks.  However, we discover that the lift is located close to shore and there is no way we can get close enough at low tide for them to haul us out.  Although we are "first in line", we will have to wait until 1300 hr (high tide) to be hauled.  Thus, Pat and I decide to have breakfast at the on-site diner.

    It's not much to look at but it's very crowded with locals and the food and prices are great. (Skipper Bob also makes mention of this diner).  Returning to the boat, I loosen and remove the backstays and take down the bimini so the lift can straddle the boat.  We have also been noting a lot of squealing of the generator belt and I decide to check it.  I discover that the bracket that holds the generator to the engine block is broken!  We are lucky it did not give-way completely while under way.  I remove it and one of the yardmen drives me to a local welder where I have it fixed; $42, but worth it. 1300 - Although we are schedule to be hauled at 1300, there is a powerboat using the lift.  Seems it had some engine problems and the mechanic was late getting to the marine to fix it before it was launched.  Everyone, viz. the entire boatyard crew, lift operator, foreman, the owner and us, are standing around while the mechanic tries to finish up. They are quite irritated since the mechanic simply forgot his appointment and they had to telephone him. 1345 hr. - They finally get the powerboat launched and Weal Sea is hauled and put on jack stands.  It's amazing how clean the bottom is.  The VC-17 we use has done a remarkable job.  However, I do find a few barnacles on the prop shaft and on the underside of our winged keel (I never used VC-17 there).  I pay the yard extra to have the boat power-washed so as to reduce the amount of sanding I'll have to do.  The fresh-water (Mg) "zincs" on the prop shaft are also pitted badly.  I purchase "real" salt-water zincs and a set of disposable paper Cover-Alls at the on-site marine store. I try hand sanding for about an hour... I'm exhausted and it's getting late.

    I need a power sander (I have one at home; a lot of good that does me!).  I talk to Pat.  It's to dark to work so we decide to take a bus into town to K-Mart to purchase a small hand-held vibrating sander. We catch to bus into town (only 50 cents for seniors!) & get a sander. We also decide to eat at a steak house and then catch a taxi back to the marina (the bus stops running at 1900 hr).  2100 hr - Hit the sack.

     

     

    12-06-05

    (Tue.), "On-The-Hard", Seven Seas Marina, Halifax River, Port Orange, FL (ICW M 835): 0600 - Up, coffee, cheese & bagel. BP 30.60, Temp 60, overcast. 0800 - Start sanding. It's still slow. 0830 - One of the owners of the marina approaches me & tells me I cannot use an open type-non-vacuum sander in their boatyard; It's a "dust-free" working yard (It is posted in several places but I did not see the signs). He explained that they are concerned about copper contamination (bottom paint) as well as paint dust drifting on to other boats in the yard that are being waxed or painted. I realized he was correct.  He explained that the marina does rent heavy-duty sanders with special vacuums at a few dollars an hour.  I take him up on the offer.  Great decision!  The sander is, in fact, a heavy-duty job attached to a vacuum, which collects paint dust in a special container. It's much faster & does a much better job than my tiny hand-held sander. 1400 hr. - Finish sanding.  I can't get "all" the Teflon off but I get most of it removed. From the above you may get the impression that I'm doing all the work.  WRONG! While I have been working on the outside, Pat has been busy doing laundry, cooking, as well as washing, waxing and organizing in the cabin. Somehow, she also finds time to help me tape  along the water line.  The marina store has paint shakers, which are free if you purchase your paint at their store.  Otherwise, it cost $2 per can.  I had purchased my paint from West Marine & therefore I decide to have only two cans shaken to start with; (turned out to be a good decision). The paint rolls on easily & I finish at 1700 hr. I shower & we have dinner on board.  2030 - I spend time unwinding by working on Weal Sea's Log while Pat reads.  2230 - Hit the sack.

     

    12-07-05

    (Wed.), "On-The-Hard", Seven Seas Marina, Halifax River, Port Orange, FL (ICW M 835): 0530 - Up, coffee, cheese & bagel. I'm anxious to get started.  If I can get the second coat on by 0900, we can still launch today; you can re-launch 6 hours after the second coat. 0700 - Start the second coat.  0830 - I'm done 30 minute earlier than planned! I contact the marina office & they tell me they can launch us as late as 1630 hr. While waiting, I have time to wash & wax the hull. Weal Sea's hull is really dirty & she has a "brown ICW mustache" on her bow.  1430 - Finished waxing & the boatyard crew moves in the lift &  launches Weal Sea.  1600 hr. - We had planned to depart & anchor downstream as soon as we were launched.  However, it has cooled off & clouded over. It looks like rain & I still have not put up the bimini or reattached the backstays.  We decide to stay at the dock for the night.  Good decision; the wind really came up & "The Rains Came." However, we managed to get the bimini up & stays reattached before the rain. We had met another couple David & Gillium (s/v Gilly-Q) in the marina the previous day.  They own a 38-foot catamaran, which they lived on but were putting up at the marina while the retuned north to visit family.  Since we were staying the night, we invite them over for refreshments & snacks. I was a very enjoyable evening.

     

     

    12-08-05

    (Thur.), Slip, Seven Seas Marina, Halifax River, Port Orange, FL (ICW M 835): 0630 - Up, coffee, cheese & bagel. BP 30.25, Temp 69, Windy (20-30 mph) with overcast skies & "driving rain".  We want to make Melbourne by Friday & decide we need to get to an anchorage listed by Skipper Bob's book south of Titusville, FL at ICW M 885; that's 50 miles south. 0800 hr. -Depart.  The wind-driven rain is really cutting but my rain gear keeps me dry & warm.  Pat also gives me hot cups of spiced tea to keep the chill out. Never thought I would need hot-spiced tea in Florida!  0940 hr. - Pass ICW M 845 at New Smyrna Beach, then Red day marker 20 & Green day marker 35 in Mosquito Lagoon at 1200 hr. & 1230 hr., respectively. This lagoon, which is part of the Canaveral National Seashore, is very shallow off to both sides of the ICW channel & I had to remain alert; this is definitely not a sightseeing day! While the waves were only 3-4 feet, there are white caps. Also, because of the rain, it was sometimes difficult to seen the next day marker in the distance & it would have been easy to drift off to one side & go aground; not a pleasant though under these conditions. However, it's under conditions such as these that having our large-screen daylight color Navman chart plotter really pays off!  I nearly steered off course trying to sight the day markers on several occasions, but caught myself in time using the chart plotter & depth meter. 1245 hr. - The wind is really blowing out of the east over our port beam as we approach the 90 degree starboard turn into the Haulover Canal (a cut) at Red day markers 44 & 46 (ICW M 869). This Canal / Cut, which runs east - west, connects Mosquito Lagoon & Indian River. It is crossed by the Haulover Bridge, which is used by the Kennedy Parkway to connect the mainland, to the north, with the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, to the south.  We are really being pushed by the east wind, which is now astern.  As we approach the bridge, we radio ahead & explain that, under the current conditions, it would be extremely difficult for us to hold up ("tread water" so to speak) in front of the bridge waiting for it to open.  The lady bridge tender understands & the bridge is open by the time we arrive. Exiting the canal / cut we enter the shallow (1 to 6 ft) Indian River at ICW M 860.  We cross this "river" heading SW in a straight line following the day markers carefully for about 4 miles. 1335 hr. - At green day markers 11 & 13 we turn south to the Jay railroad (bascule type) bridge at ICW M 876.6.  This bridge is usually open but closes automatically when a train approaches. No trains; it is open. We continue south through the Titusville swing bridge (ICW M 878.9) & then past the Addison Point fixed bridge  at ICW M 885.  Indian River is 2-3 miles wide here & there are 6-8 ft deep regions on both sides of the ICW channel where you can anchor.  1600- It's been a LONG day & we are both TIRED!  While it's not well protected from the wind, we decide to anchor on the west side of the channel at ICW M 885.5 using 2 "hooks". (Note - Surprisingly, we never saw another boat "on the water" this entire day; they must have listened to NOAA!)

     

     

    12-09-05

    (Fri.), Anchorage, Indian River, Titusville, FL (ICW M 885): 0630 - Up, coffee, cheese & bagel. BP 30.18, Overcast with a thin fog / mist over the river; visibility ~ 1 mile.  However, it's warm again - Temp 70+ F & there is no wind.  Through the mist, we can see several other sailboats already on the ICW heading south.  It's a short run for us today to Melbourne, FL & our final destination, Telemar Bay Marina at ICW M 914 - only 19 miles! 0845 hr. - Weigh our two anchors & head out. The ICW is smooth. The mist lifts by mid-morning & sun breaks through the clouds, which eventually dissipate entirely. Merritt Island is on our port side the entire trip as we past Cocoa (ICW M 897) then Palm Shores (ICW M 910) on the opposite (west) shore of the Indian River. 1230 hr. - As we approach the fixed bridge crossing the river between Melbourne & Merritt Island, we telephone the Telemar Bay Marina to announce our arrival. They are expecting us & give us instructions on how to enter their marina at Indian Harbor Beach. The marina is located on the Banana River which is separated from the Indian River by a thin segment of Merritt Island. We make a 90-degree turn to port just before the fixed Melbourne Bridge & head for green buoy #1 at the tip of Merritt Island's "Dragon Point".  (There was a 100 foot long green concrete statue of a dragon ("Annie") here; a local landmark for 30 years. However, it collapsed in July of 2002 & only a pile of rubble remains to attest to its previous existence.)  The inlet at the dragon point is very narrow & should be approached slowly. Clearing green buoy #1 we again turn 90 degrees to port & make our way slowly up the very narrow Banana River dodging the numerous sailboats anchored or on mooring balls in the channel. Telemar Bay Marina is located on the east shore of the Banana River about 0.25 mile north of Dragon Point & before the Mathers Swing Bridge.  1245 hr. - We pull in & tie up to the fuel dock just off the river. We have arrived! We sign-in & Karen, who is in charge of the marina desk, gives us our slip assignment. This is a large, well-maintained marina. There are about 20 "live-aboards" here, two of which help us tie-up to our slip.  We spend the rest of the day exploring the marina & doing laundry & odd jobs.

     

    12-10-05

    (Sat.), Slip, Telemar Bay Marina, Melbourne, FL (ICW M 914): 0630 hr. - Up, breakfast. BP 30.30, Temp 70 F, Clear & sunny.  Spent the morning washing & waxing the deck then pulled out the dinghy & put it on the fore deck for storage. 1100 hr. - One of the marina live-aboards we met the previous day told us there was a West Marine in a mall about a mile down the road.  Because we had purchased 3 gallons of bottom paint but used only two, we want to return the extra (unshaken) gallon ($89.00!).  Pat & I decide we need the exercise & walked to the mall. While there, we also explore the other shops & have lunch at a Panera Bakery before walking back to the marina.  There is a small vegetable stand near the marina where Pat stops to purchase a few potatoes & other vegetables for dinner. After dinner, we spend the warm evening relaxing in shorts in the cockpit talking to a few friends on the cell phone then hit the sack @ 2200 hr.

     

     

    12-11-05

    (Sun.), Slip, Telemar Bay Marina, Melbourne, FL (ICW M 914): 0600 hr. - Up, breakfast. BP 30.05, Temp 70 F, overcast. Spend most of day making final preparations for our trip home. We telephone the local airport shuttle service & arrange for a 0945 hr. pick-up on Monday for our flight home out of Melbourne Airport. Moved the fuel Jerry cans from the fore deck into the cockpit, put on the dodger window covers, & have the holding tank pumped (Wow - $20; this is the most we have ever had to pay for a pump-out! Pump-out usually cast $5 to $10). Finally, pack all of our luggage for the next day. We are ready to roll.

     

     

     

    12-12-05

    (Mon.), Slip, Telemar Bay Marina, Melbourne, FL (ICW M 914): 0530 hr. - Up, breakfast. BP 30.20, Temp 70 F, clear.  Clean out refrigerator & give perishables to some of our live-aboards we've met during our stay. Move luggage out to the parking lot.  0945 hr. - Airport shuttle arrive right on time. It's a short 15 minute run to the airport. Our plane (United Airlines) is scheduled to depart at 1140 hr. & we are there in plenty of time for check-in. Our itinerary calls for us to fly (1) from Melbourne, FL to Atlanta, GA departing at 1140 hr. & arriving at 1320, then (2)from Atlanta, GA to Indianapolis, IN departing at 1435 & arriving at 1645. Our son Mike is to meet us at the Indianapolis Airport. We depart Melbourne & arrive in Atlanta on time. While waiting in the terminal for our Indianapolis connection, the gate attendant announces that they are looking several individuals who are willing to be "bumped" & place on the next plane which leaves 2 hours later.  They will reimburse each "bumped" individual with a $400 United Airline voucher with no lockout dates. The vouchers are also is also good for overseas flights! Our current round-trip tickets cost us $223 each ($426 for 2). Although Pat & I have never done this before, we decide to volunteer to be bumped. We telephone Mike & he has no problem with picking us up a bit later.1645 hr. - The gate attendant announces that the windshield ("screen" for our European friends) of our plane to Indianapolis was damaged by a bird during landing must be replaced.  Our departure is delayed while they find another plane & we are moved to another terminal. We telephone Mike & explain the delay.  1735 hr. - Our new plane departs. 1945 hr. - We arrive at Indianapolis... lots of SNOW on the ground!  Our luggage had arrived on the earlier (original) flight & is waiting for us at the United Airline luggage-holding office. Mike meets us in our Jeep outside the baggage room. 2250 hr. - Arrive home.  Mike had tuned up the heat in the house & turned on the hot water heater earlier in the day.  He had also picked up milk & a few groceries; He's a thoughtful son! 2345 hr. - It's been a long day.  However, Pat still has her cup of hot tea & we hit the sack.

     

    12/13/05 through 12/31/05

     

    Dan & Pat spent the Holidays with Friends & Family in Indiana. 

  • November 2005

     

    The adventures of the S/V Weal Sea with Dan & Pat Harrington

    November 2005

     

     

    11-1/4-05

    (Tues)-(Fri), St. George, Grenada: Same routine. I have classes at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm each day. Return to the University Club then head for the beach and pool. It's a tough life.

     

     Habor_Bay_Pool 

     The Pool

     

    11-5-05

    (Sat.), St. George, Grenada: Pat and I spend the day at the beach and pool then took the bus to a marina.  I wanted to see if I could find Dr. Tom and Cindy Barkdull’s sailboat, which had been damaged in Grenada during hurricane Ivan.  We found it and Tom appears to be getting her in shape for relaunching this January.

     

    11-6-05

    (Sun.), St. George, Grenada: Our last day here. We leave tomorrow to return to Herrington Harbour in Deale / Tracy’s Landing,  Maryland.  We have packed most of our things. The University has a van picking us up at 6:00 am since we need to check-in at 6:30 am for our 8:30 am flight. However, for our last evening in Grenada Hugh & Pats Larkin have invited us to have dinner with them and some friends at the "Aquarium", a seaside restaurant. We had a lovely evening and returned to our bungalow about 9:00 pm.

     

    11-7-05

    (Mon.), St. George, Grenada: 5:30 am - Up. University van picked us up promptly at 6:00 am and delivered us to the airport at 6:20 am. Check-in went smoothly and our plane departed on time at 8:30 am. Arrived San Juan, Puerto Rico at 11:00 am for our 7 plus-hour layover. Departed San Juan @ 6:40 pm and arrived at BWI at 9:45 pm. Picked up our Hertz rental car and drove to

    Herrington Harbour about 40 miles south. Stopped at a restaurant in Annapolis on the way.  Had not had a good meal all day. Arrived back to Weal Sea (Boy she looked GOOD!) about 12 midnight and hit the sac about 1:00 am.

     

     

    11-8-05

    (Tue.) Herrington Harbour, Deal / Tracy's Landing, MD:  0730 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.40, Temp -60 F, Sunny and clear.  0930 - Drove to Annapolis for Pat's 1040 appointment / post-procedure check-up with Dr. Speciale.  Everything is just fine.  Gave Pat some instructions & wished us luck on our trip.  He also suggested that it might worthwhile for her to stop in for another check-up on our return trip north from the Bahamas next year. She agreed & said she would make an appointment when we were certain of our itinerary.  1130 - Pat is relieved with the check-up and decides to "melt a credit card" ... went shopping at the Mall.  1600 - Picked up our dinghy which

    we had left at "Airworks" for another patching before we went to Grenada.  1630 - Drove the rental car back to Hertz.   The manager drove us the 20 miles back to Herrington Harbour. 1800 - Pat decided that she wanted crab legs for dinner so we walked (!) to Happy Harbour Restaurant, ate and then walked back.  2030 - telephoned the children, Paul & Mary, and Bev & Arne to report the good news regarding Pat's check-up.... then hit the sack.

     

    11-9-05

    (Wed) Herrington Harbour, Deal / Tracy's Landing, MD:  0700 - Up and breakfast. BP 30.20, Temp - 55, rain & drizzle.  Forecast calls for fog.  Decided to stay put for another day and clean up to boat and get organized for our trip south and WARM WEATHER! We are really anxious to get underway.  2045 - hit the sack.

     

    11-10-05

    (Thurs) Herrington Harbour, Deal / Tracy is Landing, MD: 0545 – Up - coffee, cheese & bagel.  BP 30.35, Temp 60, clear.  Winds predicted to be 15-25 kts out of the north.... We are headed south for Solaman's Island  (N 37.40.28, W 76.19.29) and will have a following sea. 0800 - Slip our dock lines and head SE out Hering Bay then south on the Chesapeake.  It clear and sunny and we have our headsail out. Winds are 25 then 30 kts with white caps behind us. Waves start to build 3-4 ft sometimes hitting 5 ft. The weather channel now has "small craft warning" on the Chesapeake.  We find out later from another boat (Gary on s/v "Catspaw", a 38 ft Island Packet)

    following us from Herrington Harbour that they had recorded occasional gusts of 40 to 46 kts! Wow did we move.  Weal Sea handles GREAT and we felt very comfortable.  1330 - Arrive in Solaman's Island.  This anchorage consists of several narrow interconnected channels lined on both side by numerous marinas... very busy.  There were about 5 other boats already anchored when we arrived.  Despite being a "protected" anchorage, the winds were sufficiently high that everyone put out two anchors, including us. It was cool and we had our propane heater going much of the evening. 2030 - hit the sac.

     

    11-11-05

    (Fri.) Anchorage, Solomon's Island, MD (N 37.40.28, W 76.19.29): 0545 - Up. BP 30.07, clear, Temp 40 F! -- COOL Out - dressed WARM!  Talked to Gary on "Catspaw" on VHF 68.  He said he was continuing south and wondered where we were going.  Decided to try for "Fleet Bay".  0700 - Pulled anchor and headed for the fuel dock.  Took on 14 gallons of diesel  @$2.35 a gallon.  0805 - Cleared fuel dock and headed south.  Winds had moderated since yesterday, 15-20 kts and out of the NW. 1200 - crossed Potomac River.  The river is a few miles across where it enters the Chesapeake Bay and the currents are VERY HEAVY.... Rough crossing.... Be prepared if you make this passage. 1530 - Arrive Fleet Bay and anchored with Catspaw in 10-15 ft of water in a small cul-de-sac, "Rowe Bay", behind a tiny island named Grog Island (N 37.40.30, W 76.19.70). The winds had dropped to 5 kts or less and the waters became smooth. This is a quite & lovely place to anchor. 1600 - Dinner.  1800 - Rowed over to Catspaw for snacks and wine with Gary.  1930 - Returned to Weal Sea and hit the sack about 2000.  We want to pull anchor early tomorrow so as to make Norfolk, VA before dark.

     

    11-12-05

    (Sat.) Anchorage, Dymer Creek behind Grog Island, Fleet Bay off Chesapeake Bay, VA (N 37.40.30, W 76.19.70). 0500 - Up. BP 30.90, clear, Temp 48 F, another cool morning - dressed warm. I sure am glad Pat insisted on bringing along a set of warm clothing, jackets, a wool hat, and gloves.

    0700 - Talked to Gary on "Catspaw" on VHF 68.  He said he was continuing south but will be going up the Rappahannock River about 7 miles south of here to store his boat for the winter. 0730 - Weighed anchor and got underway. Cool with bright sun but no wind. Had to motor entire way to Norfolk about 50 miles south along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay passing by the mouths of Rappahannock River (where Catspaw turned off), the Paiankatank River, Mobjack Bay (we had considered anchoring here), and the York River. 1330 - Finally reached Norfolk, Virginia and entered Hampton Roads (HR). We considered anchoring in Willoughby Bay on the Norfolk side of HR but the bay is too open and is right next to the airport. We also considered anchoring at Mill Creek or the Hampton River on the north side of HR.  Both are good anchorages. Another possibility was the very popular Hospital Point anchorage adjacent to the Naval Hospital and immediately after "Mile Zero" of the Intracostal Waterway (ICW).  We turned south out of HR into the Elizabeth River a short distance (~1 mile) and then into the narrower Lafayette River for another 1/2 mile where we motored pass the numerous naval warships at dock on the Norfolk (eastern) side of the river. Finally, we reached ICW "Mile Zero" at Hospital Point.  There were, as expected, 15-20 sailboats at anchor.... too many for us to feel comfortable. We figured we still had about 2.5 hours of light left and decided to try to get to "Deep Creek Lock" at ICW Mile 10.5 (M 10.5)  (Note - from now on I will usually preface the ICW miles with an "M". Thus ICW Mile 10.5 is referred to as M 10.5).  To do so we would have to pass 6 swing or lift /

    bascule bridges.  Three of these are railroad bridges that are open except when in use. The 3 others, the Jordan Lift Bridge at M 2.8 and the Gilmerton Bridge at M 5.8 have restricted hours but are otherwise will open on request (monitor channel VHF 13). Another bridge at M 8.8 opens on request.

     

    WHEN YOU REACH ICW MILE 7.3, YOU MUST MAKE A DECISION: Do you want to follow

    (1) The "Great Dismal Swamp Canal" route or (2) the "Virginia Cut" route.  People in a hurry usually take the more direct Virginia Cut.  We decided to take the slower but more scenic "Great Dismal Swamp Canal" route.  To follow the latter route you must make a SHARP starboard turn immediately after passing under the fixed bridge at M 7.1.  It's VERY easy to miss this turn

    and we nearly did. It was nearing sundown but we continued past the next bascule bridge at M 8.8.  1815 hr - Finally approached the Deep Creek Lock at M 10.5 (N 36.44.89, W 76.20.29) and dropped anchor in the center of the ICW 50 yds in front of the lock.  The ICW directly in front of the lock, which is 75-100 yds wide and 7-10 ft deep, is in a very quiet and wooded rural setting with a few cabins off to one side of the canal. Skipper Bob's book says there are usually 3 or 4 boats anchored here at night waiting for the lock to open the next morning. However, this evening we had the entire ICW to ourselves. It was a great day and we had traveled much further than

    we had expected - 60 miles!  We have dinner and hit the sack about 2030 hr. We need to be up early to get the first lock opening. Southbound (that's us) locking times are 0830, 1100, 1330 & 1530. Northbound locking times are 30 minutes later.

     

    11-13-05

    (Sun) Deep Creek Lock, Great Dismal Swamp Canal, ICW, Mile 10.5 (N 36.44.89, W 76.20.29): 0630 - Up. BP 30.98, Temp 40 F, bright clear day. 0800 - Raise anchor and turn on motor to hold position in channel.  Two other sailboats approach from Norfolk direction (north) and hold position

    behind us waiting for the lock to open.  We recognize them as being from the group that had anchored at Hospital Point (M 0.0) the previous evening. We radio the lockmaster on VHF 13 at 0820 and request an opening.... No response. Radio again at 0825... No response.  Other boats behind us are also radioing in requesting an opening. 0835 - Finally a response!  The lockmaster apologized and said his car had broken down about a mile down the road and he had to walk to the lock. The lock opens at 0845 and we are the first to enter.  The lockmaster is a young friendly fellow and has a collection of conch shells in a garden in front of his office next to the lock. He serenades the boats by blowing a tune on one of the shells as the boaters wait for the lock to fill or empty depending on the direction you are going. The shell collection is a result of gifts given to the lockmaster by the various boaters who have passed through over the years. We promise we will bring him back one from the Bahamas on our return trip.  The lockmaster also operates the Deep Creek Bridge at M 10.9.  Therefore, you motor rather slowly on exiting the lock in order to give him time to get from the lock to the bridge. (Note - There are 2 locks on this segment of

    the ICW. The Deep Creek Lock at M 10.5 and the South Mills Lock at M 33.2)

     

    The trip down the canal is a remarkable experience especially in the fall when the leaves are starting to turn color.  The canal is only 75-100 yds wide in most places and is lined stubs of the old pilings at the water's edge and tall hardwood trees on the shores that form a partial arch over the canal.  You need to be alert and not drift to close to the edges of the canal or you mast is likely to encounter an over hanging branch. I was enjoying the scenery so much that that is exactly what happened to me. I damaged my radar reflector (I have spare) and bent my Windex!

     

    Highway (US 17) parallels the canal much of its distance. However, you generally do not see or hear the autos in most places because of the trees and shrubs.  Nevertheless, there are occasional picnic tables on the banks of the canal where motorist stop and watch the passing boats.  We cross over the Virginia - North Carolina state line just before M 25.  There are several anchorages and free docks (for overnight tie-up) along the canal (see Skipper Bob's book for their locations).  One of the docks is at the North Carolina Auto & Boater Welcome Station on the road next to the canal at M 28.0.  We saw several boats tied up there as well as motorist standing on the dock watching and waving to us as we passed by.

     

    1715 - Arrive at Elizabeth City Municipal Dock (FREE DOCK), ICW M 51.0.  The docks are right downtown at the waterfront park.  A number of boaters are already here and several come out on the dock to take our lines to help us tie up.  There is a tradition here started by Fred Fearing and friends in 1983 to welcome boaters; if there are 4 or more boats, they will host a mini wine and cheese party on the dock.  We arrive at the tail end of the party but did get a small glass of wine but no cheese.... Oh well, maybe next time. We met several boaters here. Karen & Jeff (s/v Sophonese) gave us some Northern Spy Apples which Pats intends to use for an Apple Pie.  We decided to eat out this evening and had an excellent buffet dinner at a local restaurant. 2030 - Hit the sack

     

     

    11-14-05

    (Mon.), City Dock, Elizabeth City, NC, ICW M 51.0: 0500 - Up. BP 30.98, Temp 50 F.  Clear. 0700 - Departed. Several boats have already left ahead of us.  Followed ICW down the North River east past Camden Point & entered Albmarle Sound at M 65.0.  Crossed the sound and entered Alligator River. The river is quite broad here and is 0.75 to1.5 miles across between

    M 82 and M 101. We need diesel and decide to fuel up at Alligator River Marina (M 84.1) on the west side of the river immediately adjacent to the Alligator River Swing Bridge (M84.2).  It's a beautiful sunny day with a temperature of about 75 F.  Fuel up at the dock (21.8 gal @ $2.20 / gal) where we meet Mike Smith and his wife Rana (a TV producer) who sail a beautiful 45 ft back ketch named "Raven".  I have trouble using the fuel hose since the handle is difficult to compress and the automatic shut-off seems to stick.  I try to remove the hose and a bit of fuel spurts into the

    water next to the boat. The dock man had mentioned that they had been having trouble with the hose for some time and that the cut-off was broken.  Nevertheless, he notes the spurt of fuel and tells me that it could cost me $25,000 fine and that I might be getting a post card from the EPA! (I interpret this to mean he is going to report me).  I explain that the hose shut-off valve is sticking (which he already knows!) but he ignores me.  I am very upset and mention the problem to Mike (s/v Raven) who is docked in front of us.  Mike tells me he is an "environmental lawyer" and he will check into it and discuss the situation with the dock man; he and Rana were taking a slip at the marina that night.  We exchanged boat-cards, which have our e-mail addresses and cell phone numbers on them.  He tells me not to worry and that he'll contact me after he talked to the dock man. I did get an e-mail from him until 2 days later. He had talked to the dock man and told him that the marina would likely get into more trouble than I would since they were selling fuel and allowing boat owners using their faulty equipment! They dock man immediately backed off.  However, Mike told me that if I had any future problems with them I should immediately contact him. Never did hear from the "marina" or the EPA, but I did see Mike a week later and thanked him for the assistance). Leaving the marina, we pass through the swing bridge and continue south on the Alligator Rive to M 101 where the river turns sharply west (starboard).  However, we make a sharp turn east (port) at G35 (Green Can 35) and anchor in a small bay next to Swan Creek with two other boats in about 8 ft of water at 1730 hr.  One of the boats is s/v "Sowelu", a 32 ft cutter-rigged wooden sloop built in 1928.  It is owned by a couple (Karen & Stephen).  They invite us over for snacks and wine. Stephen is originally from England and Karen is from New Hampshire. Karen is a licensed captain and they hire themselves and their boat out during the summers in New England to individuals who want to spend a day or two on an old classic wooden boat.  Currently, they are taking a year off to do the Bahamas (their first trip also). 2000 - Return to Weal Sea and hit the sack.

     

    11-15-05

    (Tue.), Anchorage, Alligator River, ICW M 101.0: 0500 - Up. BP 30.95, Temp 60 F.  Overcast with slight drizzle. 0730 - Departed. Follow Alligator River W-SW 4 miles to M 105 where we enter the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal (by-the-way, we never did see any alligators on the

    Alligator River).  This canal meanders SW then W 21 miles where it connects with the Pungo River.  Entering the Pungo, we continue an additional nine miles to Belhaven, NC at ICW M 135.  We consider stopping at Dowry Creek Marina since we need groceries and Skipper Bob's book said the marina there has courtesy cars.  Also, Karen and Stephen (s/v Sowelu) had mentioned that there was a refurbished mansion (Bed & Breakfast) there associated with the marina which is famous for its buffet and fried oysters.  They were planning to stop there to eat.

     

    The marina is actually just up the Pantego Creek off the Pungo River. There are "poles" marking a narrow channel (about 30-40 ft wide) leading up to the marina dock.  We radio a head & ask for directions since others have reported heavy shoaling in this area. It is also very windy & we are having trouble steering when we are motor slowly when entering unfamiliar marinas.  The man on the dock (who we find out later had only been working there about a week!) tries to give us instructions but keeps changing his mind as to which side the dock we should approach!  We slow down even more & the wind pushes us off to the port side and AGROUND!  We are stuck & our rudder is jammed.  This is the first time we have even run aground. We radio the dock

    man & explain our situation.  He tells us he'll contact a towboat.  Within 15 minutes, a red "Towboat US" boat comes out from the marina.  They throw us a line & pull us back out into the main channel. We tell them we have Towboat US Insurance but they just wave us off.  It turns out the marina operates the Towboat US service & we suspect they felt it was their fault we ran aground because of poor instructions from their dock man.  In addition, it's a private marina channel & it's possible they had not had it dredge the channel recently and felt partially responsible.

     

    We dock at the marina & take on additional diesel.  Although we do not plan to take a slip here, we ask the dock man about using one of their courtesy golf carts to get groceries (the supermarket is about 3 miles away).  He said sure & gives us one to use.  However, about 5-6 blocks into town the battery died!  Pat & I start to push the cart off to the side of the street when two fellows painting a house see our problem and gets off their ladder & comes over to help us. About the same time, a lady driving by in a pick-up truck stops & asks if she can help. She said she would be happy to take Pat and I back to the marina to see about getting another golf cart. (It is amazing how friendly people are in the "south"). Back at the marina, they say they are waiting for one of their other carts to return.  In the mean time, the lady in the pick-up said she would drive Pat to the supermarket. I wait about 30 minutes.... still no carts.  The owner of the marina happens to walk by & asked if he can help.  I explain the situation. He immediately takes

    out gives me the keys to his own van to go pick Pat up! (Another friendly gesture!). I pick Pat up & return to the marina.  As we are unloading groceries from the van 2 young dock hands walk up & insist on carrying our groceries out to our boat at the end of the fuel dock. (Another example of

    southern hospitality!).  After loading the boat, we decide to have lunch at the B&B.  It's a great buffet & we would recommend it to anyone passing through Belhaven. Departing Belhaven we continue on to ICW M 140 and anchor at the mouth of Slade Creek on the east side of the Pungo River. It's been an interesting day, especially the grounding!

     

     

     

    11-16-05

    (Wed.), Anchorage, Slade Creek of Pungo River, ICW M 140: 0600 - Up. BP 30.80, Temp 65 F.  Clear and sunny. 0700 - Weigh anchor. Follow Pungo River south to where it empties into the Pamlico River at ICW M 145.  We cross the Pamlico River and enter Goose Creek at M 150. Up ahead we see s/v Raven (Mike & Rana's boat from Alligator River Marina).  She is motoring and

    motor-sailing when she has the opportunity.  0930 - Following the river south about 5 miles, we enter a narrow "cut" (canal) at M 155 which connects Goose Creek with the Bay River at M 160. Enter Bay River at 1015 hr. Bay River itself empties into the much larger Neuse River at ICW M 165. This is almost a bay which runs S-SW past Oriental, NC on its NW shore.  We had been

    planning on stopping at Oriental, a town known for being very helpful to boaters.  However, the winds are starting to build (20-25 kts), there are white caps, and we are motor sailing making 7-8 knots!  Therefore, we decide we can stop here on our return trip north and agree to try to get to

    Beaufort / Morehead City, NC today (at ICW  M 205).  We enter Adams Creek at M 185 and continue south into the Adams Creek  Cut (canal), which connects to the Newport River.  We pass ICW 195 at 1525 hr and arrive at the Newport River ICW M 200 at 1600 hr! We've done 60 miles (they use Statue Miles on the ICW) in 9 hours. That's about 6.7 mph, not bad on the ICW for a

    sailboat. It's an hour or so to sundown and we press on.  We've now caught up with Raven and are following her down the ICW. They are going to try to get into an anchorage in Beaufort or a slip if one is available. The "Gallants Cut" off the ICW in to Beaufort is closed due to shoaling.

    Therefore, we both start down the Russell Slough Channel leading into the Gallants Channel toward Beaufort.  Suddenly, Raven turn around and starts back up the channel. They pull up close to our port side and tell us they have just learned that the Beaufort bascule bridge on the Gallants Channel is closed from 1640 to 1740 on weekdays because of homebound auto traffic

    (Note - there are a number of bridges on the ICW, which remain closed during certain hours the morning and late afternoon for autos going to or from work..  Skipper Bob's book gives the hours.).  We had forgotten to check Skipper Bob. This meant we would have to detour an additional 2-4 miles to get into Beaufort and an anchorage or slip.  It was getting late and there

    was no way we could make it before dark.  NO ONE travels on the ICW at night!   We decide we can make Portside Marina in Morehead City (N 34.43.12, W 76.42.31) across from Beaufort before dark.  It's just 2 miles down stream.  We radio ahead and they have a slip available ($1.25 / ft). We arrive at dusk - 1710 hr. They have an excellent full service marine and ships store as well as free showers and laundry... which we take advantage of!!  We are both exhausted; it's been the longest distance we've traveled on the ICW so far, 65 miles.

     

     

    11-17-05

    (Thurs.), Slip, Portside Marina, Morehead City, NC (N 34.43.12, W 76.42.31), ICW M 205: 0500 - Up BP 30.70, Temp 65, Overcast. 0700 - Cast off and start down ICW... Problem! Alternator is not charging our batteries. Turn around and return to Portside Marina.  Checked alternator and external regulator. I suspect the regulator is not working. We have a "deadline" and need to get to Charleston, SC to meet up with Chris and Ben Holland for Thanksgiving. I could try replacing the external alternator with our old alternator.  However there is no guarantee it will work. We do have our Honda generator on board and we decide to push on.  We can recharge our batteries along the way using our generator at night when we anchor. 1140 - Head west out of Morehead City on ICW and enter Bogue Sound, which is separated, from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow strip of land, the Bogue Banks. 1345 - Reach ICW M 220. Continue past Bogue Inlet (between the

    Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Sound) at ICW M 230. At this point, the ICW passes through a portion of Camp LeJeune, the US Marine Training Base.  There is a Firing Range between ICW M 235 and M 241 that can be closed for hours.   Southbound boaters can call the Swansboro Coast Guard Station at M 229 and check the status of the range. An alternative is to listen to AM 530 for

    military maneuver information. A "sign" at ICW M 235 also indicates the status of the range. We approach the "sign" and it is clear there is no firing range activity.  We continue on.  Our destination today is the Mile Hammock Bay anchorage at M 244.5. This is a popular anchorage between Morehead City (M 205) and Wrightville Beach (M 283). The anchorage is actually a basin dredged out by the military for use by Camp LeJeune.  However, boaters are allowed to use it (anchor light required at night) but you must stay off the shoreline, which is military property. 1700 – Arrived Mile Hammock Bay and anchored (N 34.33.08, W 77.19.43, ICW M 244.5).  It's a

    bit crowded since it is not a large anchorage. There are nine other boats already here and two more arrive after we are anchored.  Although the anchorage is in the "boon-docks" / "swamps", it was a bit noisy until about 2200 hrs due to over-flights by military planes and helicopters. Ran our

    Honda generator to recharge batteries for a couple of hours... one of the best investments we've made!  If you do this trip, buy one!

     

    11-18-05

    (Fri.), Anchorage, Mile Hammock Bay, Camp LeJeune, NC (N 34.33.08, W 77.19.43), ICW M 244.5: 0445 - Up. BP 30.90, Temp 45 F, Clear, windy and cold.   0700 - Weighed anchor & departed. 1000 hr - Passed ICW M 265. 1500 hr - passed Wrightville Bridge at ICW 283.1 and passed ICW 291 at 1400 hr.  Checked our ICW Strip Charts and it appears there is a good anchorage at the North Carolina State Park Marina (N 34.03.04, W 77.55.13) at ICW M 295.5 at

    the south end of the Snow Cut between Myrtle Grove Sound and Cape Fear River at Carolina Beach, NC.  We radio ahead and they have room for us.  However, when they ask us for our draft they indicate we had better move as fast as possible since the tide is falling.  The entrance channel to the marina is only 4 ft at low tide.  We need at least 4.5 and preferably 5.0 ft!  1515 hr

    - We arrive at the entrance to the marina and make a sharp turn to port.  It is a narrow channel and sure enough, we "bump" bottom.  However, I goose the throttle and Weal Sea's 30 hp engine pushes us through.  It's a lovely small marina at a beautiful site.

     

    11-19-05

    (Sat.), Slip, North Carolina State Park Marina (N 34.03.04, W 77.55.13) at Carolina Beach, NC , ICW M 295.5: 0600 - Up. 0815 - Fueled up. 13. 6 gal diesel @ $3.25 /gal.  Wow... this is the most expensive diesel we've purchased so far!  0945 -Departed. ICW 308.6 - Cape Fear River Inlet – The currents can be rough at the inlet and we were fortunate the tide was with us. The ICW along the "Long Beach on Oak Island here is rather straight and almost boring.  There are, however, many beautiful homes is some areas. 1530 - crossed border between North and South Carolina and anchored at Little River at ICW 342 (N33.52.31, W 78.34.21).  This is NOT the best anchorage (we had been warned about it by others).  The day markers are confusing and the channel, which is off to the right here (west side), has a great deal of shoaling.  Despite our best efforts, we ran AGROUND again!  Fortunately the tide was rising. I therefore dropped an anchor to keep us from drifting while the tide rose.  I then used our 15 lb Danforth "Lunch" anchor to

    kedge off as the tide rose. (I never thought I'd use that "tiny anchor" but I recommend every one carry one at least for kedging.  I can stand on the bow or stern and "throw it" 15-20 ft out away from the boat then use the wench to pull the boat off a shoal.).  Finally got free after about 1 hr and moved up the channel 50 yds to anchor in about 6 ft of water.

     

    11-20-05

    (Sun), Anchorage, Little River, SC at ICW 342 (N33.52.31, W 78.34.21): 0530 - Up. BP 30.95, Temp 50 F. Overcast with drizzle. I want to pull anchor while tide is up. 0630 - A catamaran is leaving. They only draw about 3 ft and I ask them if they could give me the depths of the channel as they move out into the main stream.  I watch where they go and they call out the depths along the way. 0700 - Weigh anchor and follow the same rough used by the catamaran.  Depths held to about 6 ft the entire way.

     

    0845 - Passed ICW M 350 at North Myrtle Beach.  Passed ICW M 365 at Myrtle

    Beach at 1045 and ICW M 385 at 1405.

     

    1630 - Arrive at Georgetown, SC and anchored in river. Very crowded anchorage and there was considerable wind throughout the night. Furthermore, the holding is not great and we used two anchors.  Despite this, I didn't sleep well and was up several times checking our situation. Boats are moving every which way around us and we don't have a lot of room to maneuver. I am anxious and will be glad to get out of here ASAP tomorrow!

     

     

    11-21-05

    (Mon.), Anchorage, Sampit River, Georgetown, SC (N 33.21.80, W 71.16.91), ICW M 402.5: 0450 - Had poor night sleeping; heavy winds and rain all night. Bottom here is mud with poor holding.  0630 - Winds worsen; estimate 25-30 knots. Rain is getting heavy with lightning and thunder in

    the distance. 0700 - We decide to pull our two anchors and move on.  Move out of Sampit River and into Winyah Bay. Rain is really intense now with winds increasing to 25 then 30 kts with occasional gust up to 40 kts for the first 3 hours.  However, we feel comfortable with our situation. Having our chart plotter as well as our strip charts assures us that we are on course. Wind

    finally starts to subside. Spot our first dolphins / porpoises near some crab pots at ICW M 414.  It was exciting to see them break the surface and blow their vents right next to our boat.  I've have never been this close to them before and it is something I'll never forget.  They seem so friendly.

    We follow "cuts which allow us to cross the North and South Santee Rivers and pass ICW M 424 at 1015 hr and the town of McClellville (M 430) at about 1050 hr. We make ICW 438 at noon. Pat keeps track of our progress on the strip charts using the day markers along the ICW while I watch the chart plotter and keep an eye on our sonar depth meter. Cruising on ICW is entirely different from cruising on the Great Lakes, Ocean or large rivers. Its essential to be constantly alert watching your charts and chart plotter, as well as your depth meter and the day markers.  However, the day markers can be misleading!  Because of shoaling, we, as well as most individual we spoke with, keep at least 15 to 20 away from them toward the center of the

    channel.  Also, EVERYONE we spoke to said that, despite their best efforts, they had occasionally either "bumped bottom" or "run aground".  (Note - Anyone that says they haven't is, to put it politely, "pulling your leg"!)

    1430 - Passed M 456.  We've been in contact with Chris and Ben Holland via cell phone along the way and hope to be in Charleston (ICW M 469) by 1700. We've now increase our speed to 6.5-7.0 kts so as to make the Ben Sawyer Bridge (at ICW M 464.1) before 1600 hr.  This swing bridge "opens on  request" but does have restricted hours, i.e. it is closed between 1600 and

    1800 hr on weekdays for after-work auto traffic crossing.  We make the bridge at 1515 hr.  Entering the Charleston Harbor Inlet at M 463 the wind seems to build rapidly out of the north with numerous white caps.  We check the WX (weather) channel and they report small craft warning with possible Gale Force winds out side the Inlet!  We cross the bay and enter the

    Ashley

    River passing under the large twin suspension bridge connecting Charleston and Mount Pleasant. We decide to anchor on the east shore between the Charleston City Marina and US Coast Guard Station in 15-20 ft of water.  The wind is REALLY blowing now (estimate 20-30 kts) and the anchorage is crowded.  All the boats have out two anchors!  We drop our 33 lb Bruce anchor

    and are about to set another anchor when a coast guard vessel approaches and tells us we must be at least 100 yards away front their "corner" buoys.

    1830 - We finally manage to pull the Bruce in the heavy wind and move the boat another 50 yds up river where we set the Bruce out on 120 ft of rode (50 ft of chain and 70 ft of rope).  Our 35 lb Danforth out on 100 ft of rode (6 ft of chain and 95 ft of rope).  Despite this, we swing a lot and I

    am still concerned about dragging;  I see another sleepless night ahead of me.  I set the clock and get up every 1.5 hours to check the anchors.

     

     

    11-22-05

    (Tue.), Anchorage, Ashley River, Charleston, SC (N 32.46.58, W

    79.57.68), ICW M 469.3:  I have a poor night sleeping. As in Georgetown the previous night, we had heavy winds all night long. I have my alarm set to wake me up to check anchors at 0130, 0300 and again at 0430. At 0430, it appears we have moved closer to the sailboat on our starboard. The wind does not seem to have subsided during the night and I note a light flashing out of the galley starboard port light of our boat.  I dress quickly and go on deck.

     

    It's still dark but I can see the other boat’s skipper with a flashlight checking his anchors. We are about 25 to 30 yards apart and can talk to each other over the wind.  Jokingly he tells me, "If we get any closer, I take my coffee black"!  Despite using two anchors, I'm sure we have dragged. There is no way I'm going to be able to go back to sleep. 0600 - I talk to Pat and decide we need to move, possibly across the river to another anchorage. 0630 - It's a real struggle in the heavy winds and current but, after about 45 minutes, we finally manage to get both anchors up. 0715 - Pat's at the helm and we head up the river about 1/4 mi. to check out potential anchorage spots among the other boat already at anchor. A few are on mooring balls.  Nothing looks inviting. 0800 - I decide to telephone the Charleston City Marina to see if they might have a slip available. They say they may have one available later in the morning and to telephone back in a couple of hours. We continue to cruise up the river and I spot an opening between two large powerboats tied to a large long dock.  The dock, which belongs to the City Marina, is just outside the breakwater protecting the marina's inner harbor and runs parallel to the river.  With any luck, I think I can slip in between the boats. I telephone the marina again and ask permission to tie up temporarily to the dock while waiting for a slip in the marina's harbor.  The harbor mistress tells me that will not be necessary; they just had a boat depart and they have a slip available for us now. What luck!

     

    Because of the narrow fairways, the entry into the marina is a bit tricky but the marina's personnel give us excellent instructions.  Once inside the marina's protected seawall, the winds disappear and we have absolute calm. Its clear, the sun is bright and it is actually warming up. What a relief to get off the river out of the wind and currents. 0900 - The marina has two dockhands at our slip that help us tie up.  1015 - Telephone Chris and Ben. They arrived last night from Raleigh, NC and are staying in a motel not far from the marina. They will come by and meet us at our boat at 1700.  We eat a late breakfast then Pat does some laundry while I change the engine oil and start to clean up the boat.  1700 - Ben and Chris arrive.  It's great to see them again.  1800 - Bridget, Ben's daughter, and David, her husband, arrive. We all drive downtown and go to dinner at "Justine's", famous for its great southern home style food; if you visit Charleston, you must eat at

    Justine's.  1930 - While at dinner, I receive a cell phone call from Evelyn Kazacos.  She and Kevin are in Hilton Head, SC. They had sent us an e-mail and were going to try to visit with us.  However, it appears now, they will not be able to get to Charleston.  We agree to meet in Lafayette when we return for Christmas. 2030 - Return to boat. 2045 - Exhausted after a busy day and not getting much in the way of sleep last night, we hit the sack.  Ben and Chris are to stop by tomorrow for breakfast and then plan to take us on a tour of the area before going to Bridget and David's home for a Carolina Shrimp Boil!

     

     

    11-23-05

    (Wed.), Slip, City Marina, Ashley River, Charleston, SC, ICW M 469.3: 0630 - Up & coffee. BP 30.55, Temp 45 F. Clear & sunny. We still have a bit more laundry which I promised Pat to do before Chris & Ben arrive.0800 - Put in laundry then went to marina office & asked about getting hold of an electrician to check out the alternator & regulator. They gave me the name & telephone number of a local marine electrician.  I telephoned him & he said he could stop by on Friday about 1300 hr. 0845 - Chris & Ben arrive & we have a great breakfast at the marina restaurant.  Spend rest of morning touring the area including some of the beaches.  Meet up with Bridget who takes us on a tour of The Old Markets on Market St. in downtown Charleston, "The Citadel", & "Battery" with its numerous restored mansions along the waterfront. 1600 - Drive to Bridget & David's home.  David is marine biologists and an avid fishing & hunting sportsman who has just returned from a deer hunt.  He didn't get one but one of his hunting buddies did.  Chris, Ben, Pat & I relax & talk while Bridget & David prepare the Shrimp Boil.  1800 - Meal is ready... what a feast: Shrimp (with HOT sauce), sausage, corn, potatoes & other vegetables plus sweet tea. What hospitality.  David, who netted all the shrimp himself, has to educate me on the technique of removing the shells from the shrimp.... we feel stuffed!  2130 - Return to boat & hit the sack

    (2200 hr).  Tomorrow we go to David's parent's home for Thanksgiving.

     

    11-24-05

    (Thurs. - Thanksgiving), Slip, City Marina, Ashley River,

    Charleston, SC, ICW M 469.3: 0800 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.31, Temp 70 F.

    Beautiful clear, warm & sunny day. 1030 - Chris & Ben arrive & take us on another tour including a beach where surfers are enjoying the waves.  1200 - Meet up with Bridget & drive to David's parent's home. David's parent's, David, Sr. & Shelby Smoak, live in a restored 1800 home in the country on the ICW about 20 miles south of Charleston. It's in a beautiful setting with numerous hundred-year old Live Oak trees with Spanish moss hanging from their branches.  One of the trees next to the house has a huge branch that droops down to the ground & must to be supported by poles.  The grandchildren have a rope swing attached to the branch & giggle & shout excitedly "Higher! Higher! Higher!" as the adults gently push them on the swing.  I stood there wondering how many generations children that ancient tree has had swinging on it branches? There is also a dock extending out from the shore in backyard into the ICW with "Saw Grass" along its banks.  David took me out on to the dock & showed me how he cast a net to catch shrimp and bait fish.  He caught one small fish.  I had no success at all but it was fun trying!  Back on shore, David takes time to show me how to crack open Pecan nuts he takes from a basket drying in the sun. I must have eaten a dozen. Many more family members have now arrived, each bringing a special dish to share. 1330 - Dinner is served! Deep fried & regular roasted turkey with all the fixing... another feast.  There are so many people there they are spread out over several rooms. Chris, Ben, Pat & I decide to eat out on the screened porch in the warm sun gazing out past the Live Oaks & the Saw Grass-lined shore of the ICW.  I remind myself that we will to be cruising down that waterway tomorrow or the next day. 1730 - We thank David Sr. & Shelby for their hospitality, as well as Bridget & David Jr. for inviting us to share in their thanksgiving.  Ben & Chris say their goodbyes to the family & we head back to Charleston. 1900 - Arrive back at the boat. Ben & Chris come aboard to share a glass of wine & spend some time with us reviewing some of the digitized pictures of our trip on our laptop computer. 2100 - Ben & Chris have to leave.  They have a long drive ahead of them & need to rest; they are starting back to Indiana tomorrow afternoon. 2130 - Hit the sack.

     

     

    11-25-05

    (Fri.), Slip, City Marina, Ashley River, Charleston, SC, ICW M 469.3: 0630 - Up & coffee. BP 30.75, Temp 65 F. Clear & sunny.  Clean up and organize the boat while waiting for the electrician. I hope that the electrical problem is nothing serious or we could be here several days for repairs. 1230 - Electrician telephones.  He's in the marina and trying to find our boat.  I give him instructions and he is there within 5 minutes. I explain the history of our electrical system problem.  He looks over the setup, and the electrical diagrams then he pulls out his testing equipment. He first wants to check the regulator and ask me be to go on deck and turn on the ignition key. He checks the regulator and then has me start the motor. He has isolated the problem within 15 minutes!  It appears to be the regulator. It is receiving electricity from the battery but not sending electricity to the alternator via its field wire.  Therefore, the field electromagnets in the alternator are not being magnetized. Thus, no current is produced when the alternator's armature turns.  It appears I am going to have to replace the regulator that is still under warranty.  I asked the electrician how much I owed him. He said, "Nothing"!  I could not believe it. He explained that he was in the marina on another job anyway and the diagnosis on Weal Sea wasn't a big deal.  He wouldn't even accept a beer.  Another example of "southern hospitality".

     

    Pat and I discussed the situation.  It was a nice day and still early. If we left now we could get a few more miles under our belts. Neither of us really wanted to spend another night in a marina. I walked up to the marina office and asked them when checkout time was. They said 1400 hr.  It was only 1330! I told them we would be leaving.  We telephoned Chris and Ben and explained the outcome of the electrician's check of our boat. They were going to try to see us before they left.  However, since we want to get started early, they said "go for it"... we would see each other again at Christmas.

     

    1400 - We took on diesel and departed.  Exiting the marina we head south down the Ashley River, about 1.25 miles to Wappoo Creek then turn west into the creek.  The creek and its associated Elliot Cut are about 2 miles long and connect the Ashley and Stono Rivers.  We enter the Stono River and continue west towards its junction with Church Creek. 1645 - Arrive at mouth of Church Creek (ICW M 488.2) and turn to port (east). Enter the creek and drop anchor at N 32.42.50, W 80.10.35.  We have put on another 18 miles.

    It's still early in Washington on the west coast.  I telephone Xantrex in Washington and talk to the technician (Randy Johnson) whom I had spoken to before about the regulator. I explained the electrician's findings and he gave me a Return Authorization Number.  He would forward me a replacement regulator when we decided where we would be putting up the boat.  In the mean time, I would try to find time to reinstall our old alternator with the internal regulator. I run the Honda genset to recharge the batteries and we relax over a glass of Red Sangria with our dinner before hitting the sack.

     

     

    11-27-05

    (Sun.), Anchorage (N 32.21.97, W 80.38.76), Cowen Creek, SC, ICW M 544.5: 0630 - Up & coffee. BP 30.45, Temp 68 F.  Clear & sunny. 0730 - Weigh anchor & depart. It's another pleasant day.  Leaving Cowen Creek, we re-enter & follow the Beaufort River a short distance to where it empties into Port Royal Sound. The current here is not bad & we cross it easily. We then enter Skull Creek (ICW M 552), which separates Hilton Head Island on it's east bank from Pinckney Island on it's west bank. This is a relatively short creek, which, together with Mackay Creek & the May River merge & empty into Calibogue Sound at M 560. Continuing south 5 miles, we follow a series of short (1-2 mile long) twisting interconnected creeks, rivers & cuts.

    1130 - Because of shoaling, the ICW "channel" narrows to only 20-30 ft at Green Day Marker 39 where Ramshorn Creek joins up with the larger New River (ICW M 570).  Our past experience has taught us not to get too close the Day Markers. So, naturally, we give G 39 wide berth keeping it on our port side - BIG mistake! This rule-of-thumb worked in straight segments of the ICW where there is no "merging of waterways".  However, its low tide & there has been additional shoaling on the starboard side of the channel where Ramshorn Creek joins with New River. I spot the VERY RAPID thinning of water on the depth meter but not soon enough... we run aground (again)!  I try motoring off but to no avail.  I toss out the small ("lunch") Danforth anchor to keep us from going further aground in the current.  Fortunately, it is a bright, sunny & warm day. I check the chart plotter's Tide Tables. Low tide is at 1126.  Good news; we lucked out!  It's now 1130 & the tide will soon start to rise 2-3 feet.  So, I decide to relax on the fore deck with a cup of coffee. Hey, what's the rush!  Two other boats, both Canadian snowbirds, headed south like ourselves, approach us from the north.  I stand on the fore deck & wave directing them to keep to the Green side of the channel. As they pass by, I explain that we are aground.  They ask if they can give assistance.  We thank them but explain we are fine & are waiting for the tide to rise. After finishing my coffee, I decide to try kedging again by tossing the small Danforth off the bow & pulling the bow to face upstream toward the deeper part of the channel.  As a powerboat passes, I use my handheld VHF to ask him to move by FAST hoping his wake will break us free.  He complies but it does no good. I continue kedging and gradually the bow swings from 160 degrees (~ SSE) to about 45 degree from directly up stream (~ north)... & the boat now seems to be swaying a bit... RISING TIDE!  I rush to the cockpit & start the motor.  Pat takes the helm & I explain to her the direction we want to go.  I go to the fore deck & gradually pull in the Danforth so we don't over run its rode then signal Pat to increase the throttle.  Suddenly we are FREE & Pat swings the bow down stream... its 1230 hr.  We have only lost about an hour. 

    Continuing down New River, we enter Wright River then Fields Cut that feeds into the Savannah River (ICW M 576). Crossing the Savannah River, we "officially leave South Carolina & enter Georgia"!  Almost immediately, we leave the Savannah River & enter the narrow Wilmington River, which we follow south to where Herb Creek enters it at ICW M 585.  Its only 1530 hr but we have done about 40 miles today. We figure "we deserve a short day occasionally" & decide to drop anchor in a very nice & protected spot in Herb Creek (N 32.00.82, W 81.02.28).

      

    11-28-05

    (Mon.) Anchorage, Herb Creek, GA (N 32.00.82, W 81.02.28), ICW M 585: 0610 - Up, coffee, bagel & cheese. BP 30.60, Temp 60 F, Clear & calm. 0730 - Weigh anchor. The sky clouds up but then clears again.  It's a pleasant day and Pat decides to bake a pie using the apples she was given by Jerry in Elizabeth City, VA.  What a great day cruising, especially with the smell of pies baking in the galley below (Pat also made a spicy Mince Meat pie!).

    We still have not arranged for storing our boat while we go home for Christmas and New Years. Arne & Bev  (s/v Scandia) are putting their boat on a mooring near Vero Beach, FL. We telephone several marinas and discover most are filled up or charge large fees.  Those near Miami, for example, want as much as $40 / ft for a month's storage!  We continue to check Skipper Bob's book on marinas along the ICW and telephone Telemar Bay Marina in Melbourne, FL.  They have a slip available for $12 / ft (plus tax) per month, plus electricity.  We take it and tell them we plan to be there by December 12th.  We also need to pull Weal Sea to redo her bottom paint (we still have "fresh water" VC-17 on her) and replace the zincs on her propeller shaft. We encounter a problem just finding a "Do-It-Yourself" marina.  There are very few DIY marinas left along the ICW in Florida. One non-DIY marina said they would store our boat and do the bottom while we went home for the Holidays.  However, they wanted $1400 just to paint the bottom! No thanks!  We finally discovered "Seven Sea's Marina" in Port Orange, just south of Daytona.  They charge $6 / ft.  This includes both "In & Out" (hauling & re-launching) and jack stands. On-the-hard storage while working on your boat is 55 cents / ft / day. They do not charge you storage for the days they pull your boat or re-launch it. Not bad.  We take it and tell them we will be there on Monday, December 5th.  That will give us a full week to finish the bottom and get to Melbourne to fly home.  However, we still need to arrange for airline tickets.  Pat has been in contact with Susan, our daughter, who has agreed to check online to see what's available.

     

    Continuing south, we catch up with the Canadians we met earlier at Day Marker 39 where we ran aground.  They are just entering Hell Gate Cut at ICW M 602 between the Little Ogeechee and Ogeechee Rivers. This is a very shallow & narrow cut mentioned in Skipper Bob's book.  One of the Canadian boats owned by a couple from Croatia, a 40-footer, goes aground. We offer advice but really cannot do much for them since we even bumped bottom while entering the cut. After clearing the cut, we offer to standby.  However, Wayne & Gerry (s/v Intuition) from Nova Scotia, tell us they will wait for their buddy boat and for us to go on. 1530 - We arrive at Whoo River (ICW M 630) and move up the river about 2 miles where we drop anchor on the S side of Wahoo Island (N31.36.16, W 81.12.85) in 15 feet of water. 1545 hr  - Coming up the river we see the two Canadian boats.  They anchor near us on the S side of the island.  The wind is out of the west and builds during the night; Weal Sea strains at her anchor but I feel comfortable with 80 feet of rode.  The Croatian couple in the 40-footer spends most of the evening checking their anchor.  They finally move their boat out in the channel further away from the island.

     

     

    11-29-05

    (Tue.) - Anchorage, Wahoo River, GA (N 31.36.16, W 81.12.85), ICW M 630: 0615  Up, coffee & cheese, No Bagel - we're out!  BP 30.50, Temp 68 F, Clear, sunny & calm. It has been windy all night. 0730 - Weigh anchor.  The Canadians weigh anchor & are right behind us. We enter Sapelo Sound at ICW M 631, turn to starboard (W) & follow it "upstream".  Wind has now come up out of N & we pop open our head sail. (The following segment of the ICW had NUMEROUS ranges, which you must use or run the risk of running aground). At M 638 we furl-in the head sail & turn SW to enter the narrow Front River. We continue to follow it to Old Teakettle Creek (M 643) which junctions with Doboy Sound at ICW M 649.  We follow this SE only about a mile then turn to port (SW) to enter the North River for another mile & then the Little Mud River (ICW 651). This is a narrow dredged "river" with a number of 'ranges'. It eventually empties into Altamaha River at ICW M 655 where you turn to port to follow the Little Mud River Range B about a mile, then make an "acute" ~135 degree turn to starboard to follow another range west up the river to enter Buttermilk Sound @ ICW M 660.  The Buttermilk junctions with the Mackay River & there are a few more ranges to watch. The Mackay, which empties into St. Simons Sound at ICW 675, separates the well-known tourists' destinations of St. Simons Island & Jekyll Island.  We enter the Sound & turn starboard at Red 20 & sail up the Sound to the town of Brunswick, GA.

     1530 hr -We considered anchoring out at Jekyll Island but we need to re-supply.  Therefore, we radio Brunswick Landing Marina & arranged to take a slip (N 31.09.15, W 81.29.97).  Good decision; it is a great marina with excellent facilities &, it is run entirely by ladies!  We fuel up then tie-up in our slip. Our Canadian colleagues, who have been with us since we ran aground at Green Day Marker 39, are about an hour behind us.  They have also decided to take slips here.  It's a warm clear afternoon - 75 F!  1800 hr - Wayne & Gerry (s/v Intuition) have decided to eat out at a local "Irish Pub" & asked us to join them.  The Croatian couples has had some mechanical problems with their boat & have decided stay on board & work on them. 2100 hr - Return to boat & hit the sack.

     

     

    11-30-05

    (Wed.) - Slip, Brunswick Landing Marina, Brunswick, GA (N 31.09.15, W 81.29.97), ICW M 680:  0830 - Up & Breakfast. We had previously decided to stay here at least one day to re-supply.  Besides, Chris & Ben Holland, & Sue & Simon Kenyon, who had visited Brunswick in the past, were very impressed with the town & have even talked about moving here after retiring. We do some shopping & laundry.  Pat then does a bit of exploring of the town while I remove the "new" (rebuilt) 100 amp alternator & the new Xantrex external regulator & replaced them with the "old" 50 amp regulator with the internal regulator... IT WORKS!  We now will be able to charge our batteries while underway & will not have to be running the generator while at anchor in the evenings. 2000 - hit the sack.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Dan & Pat Harrington are aboard the S/V Weal Sea

  • October 2005

    The adventures of the S/V Weal Sea with Dan & Pat Harrington

    October 2005

     

     

    We have not received an email from Dan & Pat lately, but we last seen them at the Annapolis Boat show on Oct. 8.  Dan now has a nice looking short cropped beard and Pat has the darkest tan I have ever seen on her.  The weather was not the best and they are now traveling by themselves.  On October 8 when we were having lunch their plans were to leave the Annapolis area on 10/11/05, but like I said the weather was not the best so they my of held up for a few more days to let the front get through.

     

     

    10-1-05

    (Sat), Anchorage, Cape May, NJ: 0600 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.05, Temp 70 F. Clear & Sunny. 0715 - Raise anchor and depart heading west on the Cape May Canal. Weal Sea leads since she has chart plotter chip of this region. ~0900 - Enter Delaware Bay and set course NNW (322 degrees M = magnetic) for the Miah Maull Shoal Light near the junction of the Delaware River & Delaware Bay (~ 15 nm NNW of the west end of the Cape May Canal). We will then follow the Delaware River (which is actually 2-4 nm wide) north to the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal about 50 nm north from Cape May. (Note: George Washington crossed the Delaware River during the American Revolution somewhere along here... I'm not sure where).  Paul believes we can make it all the way to Chesapeake City. I am not so certain since it is an additional 14 nm up the C&D canal. Winds out of S @ 5-15 knots. Nice sailing but only making about 5 kts. 1130 - winds have been dropping, water is smooth & we have turned on our engines. It is now apparent we cannot possibly make the entrance to C&D canal before 1800-1900 hr let alone Chesapeake City before 2100. We decide to head for & anchor in the Cohansey River on the E side of the Delaware River about 10 nm north of the Delaware River-Bay junction. Many of the sailors we have met along the way have used the river in the past and indicated it’s an excellent and very protected anchorage. 1545 hr - Arrive @ buoy off Cohansey River. It's entrance is about 25 yds across with a 6-7 ft low spot immediately at the entrance. Cool Change is ~1 nm behind so we hold station until they catch up. The entrance can be tricky. Weal leads the way. Immediately after entering the river its depth increases to ~30 ft. There are already 3 other boats at anchor at the first kink in the river 300 yds in from the Delaware. However, there is plenty of room. The river twist like a snake here and the shoreline consist of tall salt marsh grass. 1635 hr - Drop anchor (!

     39.20.95 N, 75.21.43 W) letting out ~120 ft of chain-rope rode. Its getting dark. Dinner by candlelight then hit the sac @ ~2100.

     

     

    10-2-05

    (Sun), Anchorage, mouth of Cohansey River, off Delaware River, NJ (39.20.96 N, 75.21.43 W): 0600 - Up & coffee. Sky clear, BP 31.00, Temp 65. Mist on the river but many boats are already making their way out of the Cohansey River into the Delaware River. 0715 - Raise anchor and depart. Paul's chart plotter's chip covers this region and the rest of the Chesapeake. However, Weal Sea leads. No wind and we motor the entire way up the Delaware River to the C&D Canal. We make 8 knots much of the way since the tide is coming in and is assisting us. There is a lot of freighter traffic here heading north up the river to Philadelphia. ~0915 - enter the Chesapeake & Delaware (C^D) Canal. This canal, which is about 15 nm long, connects the Delaware River (Bay) & Chesapeake Bay. It is relatively straight in most places, about 100-200 yds wide, and averages 40 ft in depth. There are lights along the side and I understand you can navigate it at night (?). This is a busy canal with lots of powerboats.  Some are doing 10 plus knots and throwing up a huge wake! Many, but NOT ALL, do not slow down when passing sailboats and smaller vessels causing them to bounce around... very inconsiderate. 1215 hr - Arrive Chesapeake City, Maryland (39.31.57 N, 75.48.46 W) on the C&D Canal. This is village size "city" with a small harbor (more like a pond! 20-30 acres?) on the south side of the canal about 12 nm west of the Delaware River entrance to the canal. The harbor was packed full of weekend powerboats and some sailboats. We found a spot at the east end and dropped anchor in about 10 ft water. Met Ben, a retired banker & his lady friend, Danielle, (s/v Octopus) from Quebec, Canada.  He is recently retired and is headed for the Bahamas the first time. Also met Robert, a retired CPA with a thick French accent, & Michele, his wife (s/v Sunshine Express) from Quebec City, Quebec, Canada as well. They have been sailing to the Bahamas ~ 5 years and are headed south again. Sunshine Express, Cool Change & Weal Sea all decided to go ashore

     and eat outside at dock-side restaurant. Robert, Paul & I have fish & chips. Mary & Michele have crab cakes. Pat has her usual, steak WELL DONE! 1830 - return to our boats.  Most of the weekend powerboaters have pulled anchor and departed... all kinds of room now. Talked to Paul about Mary. She has not been feeling well and we are all concerned. She will probably see a doctor when we get to Annapolis.  2130 - hit the sac.

     

      

    10-3-05

    (M), Anchorage off C&D Canal, Chesapeake City, MD (39.31.57 N, 75. 48.46 W): 0730 hr - Up & breakfast. Clear & sunny, BP 31.00, Temp 60 F. 0900 - Pat, Michele (s/v Sunshire Express) & Paul get a ride to the grocery store from a fellow Paul met the previous day (Paul promised to bring him back 2 Cuban Cigars from the Bahamas!) Mary is staying on the boat; still not feeling well. 1100 hr - Pat & others return from grocery shopping. 1215 hr - weigh anchor and head for the fuel dock. (Sunshine Express & Octopus fueled up the previous day and left ahead of us.) The fuel dock is on the north bank of the C&D Canal immediately across from the entrance to the Chesapeake City harbor. Paul fueled up first while we held station in the canal with our bow facing eastward; The tide was going out toward the Chesapeake Bay and there was a 2-3 knot E to W current. (Took on 7.9 gal diesel, $23.22, Eng hr = 1642.44). Motored east on C&D Canal ~3 nm to Chesapeake Bay. Good winds. Set Genoa. (Note we rarely if ever use our Mainsail.  Almost everyone we met is using their headsail which is almost always a Genoa.  Occasionally will see a cruising spinnaker.) We (Octopus, Sunshine Express, Cool Change & Weal Sea) have all decided to head for the Sassafras River anchorage on the east side of the Chesapeake Bay about 20 nm SW of the west entrance to the C&D Canal. 1530 hr - approach mouth of Sassafras River and turn sharply to port sailing directly east. The river narrows about 2 nm in and veers SW around Ordinary Point. This region of the river is buoyed and you need to follow the Red-Green rule. We dropped our Genoa before the buoyed channel, turned on the motor and contacted Robert (s/v Sunshine Express) on VHF (channel 68). He and several other boats were already anchored on the river on the E side of Ordinary Pt.  Robert told us we should be able to see him as we rounded Ordinary Pt.  Sure enough, there he was with Octopus and 2 other Canadian sailboats: Wizard & a Catamaran. (It seems we are sometimes out-numbered by our

    Canadian friends from the north on this trip... however they are GREAT PEOPLE! (and we really enjoy their company.) The river is about 0.5 nm across at this point and has an excellent  well-protected area to anchor along the north shore in 4 to 10 ft of water. Also, a  great place to swim.... and all the guys took advantage of the chance to cool off. 1930 - Weal Sea invited the crews of Cool Change, Sunshire Express, Octopus & Wizzard over for coffee, sweets and other refreshments. Paul comes over but Mary is still under the weather and stay on Cool Change resting.  2130 - hit the sac.

     

     

    10-4-05

    (Tue), Anchorage, Sassafras River off Chesapeake Bay, MD: 0615 hr - Up & breakfast. Overcast, drizzle & mist. BP 30.95, Temp 65 F. O815 hr - weigh anchor and depart. Sunshire Express and the other boats are still at anchor. We exit the Sassafras River and enter the Chesapeake Bay.  Heavy overcast & considerable drizzle. Not a great day; everything is damp. Set Genoa but only making 4 knots so we decide to turn on engine. Talked to Paul on VHF. Mary is still not feeling well and plans to see a doctor when we get to Annapolis. Otherwise, it is an unremarkable cruise. ~1500 hr - Arrive Annapolis harbor. Filled with sailboats anchored off City Dock right downtown next to the Naval Academy. It’s VERY crowded.  All the municipal mooring balls are taken ($25 / day include showers but not the water taxi. That’s extra). We make our way through the field of anchored boats to the drawbridge leading to SPA Creek, which separates Annapolis on its north shore from East Port on its south shore. The bridge, which opens every 30 minutes, opened on schedule @ 1530 hr.  Speed here is limited to 6 mph. We preceded slowly about 0.5 mi up the "creek" (actually more like a narrow bay 200-400 yds wide) between the anchored boats & those on mooring balls.  There are several spots still available and we drop two anchors off the bow in about 20 ft of water.  We had been previously warned by other boaters and the harbormaster that the bottom here is muck and the holding is considered poor. Thus, using two anchors is advisable. The entire shore around the anchorage is lined by docks, condominiums and private residences.  The Annapolis side of Spa Creek is the historic part of the city.  Streets run right down to the water's edge and there is often a dinghy dock located here. Shortly after arriving, Arne and Bev dinghy by with Mary who is going into town to see a doctor. 1830 - Pat and I dinghy into town do a bit of exploring. There are numerous residences undergoing restoration a long the side streets in this expensive and exclusive part of Annapolis. The harbor at the bottom of Main Street has been completely taken over by vendors and sailboat companies. There must be between 100 and 200 boats tied to the docks and packed-in like sardines. The show opens just 2 days from now, on Thursday, Oct. 6. It runs through Monday, Oct. 10. We are also looking for the Post Office so we can pickup our mail, which has been forwarded to us by Susan our daughter.  We stop a pair of Naval Cadets on the street and asked for directions to the Post Office. They tell us it is at the top of Main Street across from Church Circle near the Governors Residence and the State House.  This is only about five blocks up from the harbor. We locate the PO, as well as a laundry (for later use), and then find a small restaurant where we have coffee and tea. 2030 - dingy back to the boat and hit the sac. We are tired and have a busy day planned for tomorrow. We discovered that Deirdre, Pat's sister-in-law in Ireland was flying into the Washington, DC area

      with Clodagh her sister to visit their other sister, Dervala. They are planning to drive to Annapolis to visit us on the boat tomorrow.

     

    10-5-05

    (W), Spa Creek anchorage, Annapolis, MD: Up 0630 & breakfast. S cloudy, BP 30.90, Temp 70 F. Work around boat cleaning and getting things organized. 1130 - Deirdra telephones and says they will arrive at noon.  We give instructions and tell they to come to the dinghy dock at the bottom Shipwright St on Spa Creek. We explained that they could spot Weal Sea anchored about 50 yds off shore since she was flying the Irish Flag from the port spreader (this is the location you fly the national flag of the guest onboard your boat). 1205 - We spot Deirdra on shore and I dinghy over to pick up her, Clodagh and Dervala. Its warm and sunny, a beautiful day. We spend the afternoon on the boat and have tea and sweets in the cockpit. 1500 hr - We decide to dinghy into town and grab something to eat.  The ladies also want to look around and Pat needs to go to the Post Office to get our mail.  We eat at Phillip's Restaurant over looking the harbor, which is filled with sailboats and vendors tents. What a sight. We all have seafood. I have crab cakes while Pat has Lobster!  Deirdra was kind enough to treat us... thanks Dee! 1730 - Deirdra, Clodagh and Dervala need to get back and depart. It was a lovely warm and sunny day and we really enjoyed their company. 2000 hr - telephoned friends and hit the sac about 2130 hr.

     

     

      

    10/26/05 

    Just a quick update.  The sailing vessel Weal Sea is currently docked about 20 miles south of Annapolis, MD.  While Dan and Pat are riding out the nor-eastern that Wilma created in Grenada.  Yes you read that right Grenada.  Dan is teaching at St. George's University for a few weeks.

     

     

    11/17/05

    Another update from Dan & Pat.  I received a phone call today and they are in Morehead City, North Carolina.  Have a couple of problems but plan on being in Charleston, South Carolina for Thanksgiving.  Dan promises to get us caught up on the emails soon.

     

     

    SPECIAL NOTE, 11-18-05 (F), Carolina Beach State Park Marina, Carolina Beach, NC: Arrive 1530 hr. Note composed 2130 hr. - Despite the rumors, the earth is not flat, and Weal Sea, Admiral Pat and Captain Dan have not fall off the edge... To ease your minds, we are still on Weal Sea heading south. However, a lot has happened since our last communication and I have been so busy that I have gotten behind in my updates. I will try to catch up over the next few days. Hope to be in Charleston, SC for Thanksgiving to celebrate with Chris & Ben Holland at Ben's daughter's.... more later.

    Next communications will pick up where we left off.

     

    Now for some cathing up

     

     

     

    10-6-05

    (Th), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD: 0700 - Up & Breakfast. BP 30.80, Temp 70 F, heavy overcast sky with drizzle. Rain and drizzle all night. Dinghied over to see Paul.  Mary is not feeling well and Paul has managed to get a mooring ball (has been on an anchor since arriving). 1000 - Not really a very pleasant day but drizzle has let up.  Pat and I decide to dinghy ashore to do some laundry.  Pat's back continues to bother her and she has trouble walking long distances. 1230 - Finish laundry and dinghy back to boat. 1300 - Receive telephone call from Chuck & Linda Reed of CLR Marine. They are in town for the Boat Show and want to meet up at some place in Annapolis. However, Pat is resting and not feeling up to another trip into town today. Because we had previously agreed to pick up Boat Show tickets from Chuck, I dinghied in meet him & Linda at a local restaurant for coffee. We had a great time together. They had visited with Pete Duerr (another member of Chicago Catalina Fleet 21) earlier in the day at his booth at the Show.  Also met John & Beverly Moss's (from Chicago) daughter at the restaurant.  Chuck & Linda had previously arranged to meet her there.   She is a graduate of the Annapolis Naval Academy and is a member of their sailing team. The team is departing next week to participate in a sailing competition in Brazil. 1630 - Return to the boat. However, Pat & I would meet up with Chuck & Linda tomorrow (Friday) for lunch. Dinghy back to boat; dinner & hit the sac ~ 2330.

     

    10-7-05

     (Th), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD: 0545 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.60, Temp 70 F. Heavy overcast sky again with drizzle. Rained all night. Boy, this weather is getting depressing. They say its related to the hurricanes in the Caribbean. We had planned to attend to Boat Show today. However, Pat’s back continues to bother her and she is not interested in attending in the drizzle. Told me to go ahead and check it out. She just wants to rest on the boat for now and will go into town in the afternoon to visit Chuck & Linda. 0900 - I dinghy ashore and wander the Boat Show.  There appears to be a good turnout despite the rain and drizzle. I purchased two "dounut" storage containers for our shore power cords, a set of duplex wireless headsets for Pat and I to use while anchoring, and a wind-up / capacitor flashlight.  Also, found Pete Duerr's Tufted Toppers booth... great to see him. His brother David has flown in from Colorado to help him manage the booth for a few days. Madalyn, Pete's wife, is arriving tomorrow to help. 1145 - Head back to boat to pick up Pat and return to shore to meet Chuck & Linda for a late lunch. 1330 - Meet Chuck & Linda at the restaurant.... had a great meal and chatted about our adventures. We plan to visit them on our return trip. 1600 - Return to Weal Sea. 1630 - Dinghy over to Cool Change.  Bad news... Mary is still not feeling well.  Has been to the doctor. He said she needs rest and has recommended that she not continue on the trip at this time. It’s too late in the season to start back to Michigan. Thus, they have decided have Cool Change pulled out and stored on the Chesapeake Bay at Herrington Harbor North Marina about 17 nm south of Annapolis.  They will leave the boat there for the winter and return next spring to spend time sailing on the Chesapeake Bay before sailing back to Michigan. Depending on the weather, they plan to sail Cool Change to the marina Sunday or Monday. They have already scheduled to have her pulled out next Thursday (10-13-05). Pat and I are very disappointed but decided to continue. We discussed the situation with Bev & Arne (Scandia). They were planning to head south next Tuesday, assuming the weather improved. We will head out with them.

     

    10-8-05

    (Sat), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD: 0645 - Up & Breakfast. BP 30.45, Temp 70. Overcast. Rain & heavy winds all night. Got up and put out a second anchor.  Weather is really awful... damp all the time.... sure hope it improves soon. Spent entire day on boat doing odd jobs.  2130 - hit the sac.

     

     

    10-9-05

     (Sun), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD: 0730 - Up - BP 30.20, Temp 70 F. Pat is feeling very uncomfortable; She has both abdominal & back pains. We decide she needs to go to the hospital. 0800 - Dinghy ashore to Harbormaster's dock.  They telephone a taxi to take us to the Ann Arundel Hospital emergency room. This is an excellent relatively new facility about 8 miles from the harbor. They are very efficient and immediately check her in (without even asking if we have insurance!). Pat had brought her medical records from her previous hospital visits with her.  They check them and then start a routine laboratory work-up. The CBC (Complete Blood Count) and blood chemistry reveal no infection. However, she does have a low Hb (hemoglobin) and HCT / PCV (Hemato- crit / Packed Cell Volume) which indicates an anemia. The doctors decide that her abdominal & back pain require a recheck for diverticulitis as well as tests to rule-out a gastric problem (barium series and scoping). In addition, they want to check her spine again (MRI). Pat will need to stay in the hospital at least overnight to allow them to run the tests and get back the interpretations. I spend the rest of the day at the hospital with Pat while they run barium series and scoping of the stomach and lower bowel. They will run MRI tomorrow. 0210 hr - I return to the boat anchored in Spa Creek.

     

    10-10-05

     (M), Spa Creek Anchorage, Annapolis, MD: 0600 - Up and quick breakfast. 0730 - Telephone Pat at hospital.  She had a good night and seems to feel a bit better. 0815 - ask if it would be possible to move Weal Sea to an "Emergency" mooring ball since I need to be at the hospital with Pat, possibly overnight. (Note: Because of poor holding in Spa Creek, the Harbor Master recommends that people not leave their boats anchored in the creek unattended for extended periods, especially overnight.) The Harbor Master is very helpful and tells me there are a few balls available. I head back to the boat and stop by to see Paul and update him on Pat's condition.  He also agrees to help me move Weal Sea to a mooring ball. 0930 - Move Weal Sea

    to a mooring ball and head for the hospital. Spend rest of morning with Pat. Partial results of tests are back: There is no evidence of diverticulitis.  They are running the MRI in the afternoon to check her spine. Pat said there is nothing I can do at there hospital and suggests I go to back to the boat show to see Pete & Madalyn Duerr. 1300 - Take bus back to boat show and see Pete & Madalyn.  1530 - Return to hospital and wait for Pat to return from her MRI tests. 1600 - Pat returns. However, results will not be available until tomorrow morning so she will need to stay in the hospital another night. 1830 - return to boat.

     

    10-11-05

     (Tue), 0530 - Up. Overcast, again.  0730 - Telephoned Pat.  She is feeling better. 0830 - Take dinghy to "Air works" via taxi to have a leak repaired (scraped against a piling in Sandy Hook). 0945 - Go to hospital to see Pat. MRI results are back: They confirmed the presence of the previously diagnosed compression fracture of the body of one vertebrae as well as the presence a second compression fracture.  The doctors attributed these to P-M osteoporosis and feel that they are likely cause of her back pain.  A spinal specialist is called in and discusses Pat's options. He recommended a procedure to stabilize the fractures while they heal. This involves the injection of bone cement into the vertebral bodies via a small needle. This material is a polymer, which sets up almost immediately; it is the same material used in knee & hip replacement surgery. Normally this is an outpatient procedure.  Pat decides she wants the procedure done. May be able to schedule the procedure as early a Thursday, if a surgery suite is available; will be know tomorrow. In the mean time, they decide to give Pat iron dextrin IV for her anemia. 1830 - Pat is discharged and we return to Weal Sea via a water taxi.

     

    10-12-05

     (W), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD: 0730 - Up and breakfast. More rain! Pat rested well. Still a bit sore but feeling better. The spinal surgeon specialist's office (Dr. Alfonson Speciale -- that's his real name!) telephoned. They cannot arrange the procedure until next Monday, October 17. Pat says go for it! We telephone Paul & Mary who had sailed Cool Change south to Herrington Harbor yesterday for storage.  They are having the boat pulled tomorrow. Since Pat & I will be flying to Grenada (St. George's University) on the 21st for 2 weeks, we will need a place to store Weal Sea while we are gone. Paul said they have room at Herrington Harbor. We telephone and arrange to sail there this Friday. Excellent slip storage price - only $125/week! Telephoned Arne & Bev and updated them on Pat's condition and our plans. They are heading south since they have a committed to spend Thanksgiving with their daughter in Florida.  We agree to meet up with them sometime after we return from Grenada.

     

    10-13-05

     (Th), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD: 0700 - Up and breakfast. Still raining! However, Pat is feeling better! Take water taxi to shore to do grocery shopping and pick up dinghy at Airworks. Spend rest of day on boat getting ready to depart Annapolis tomorrow. Telephoned Paul & Mary. Cool Change has been pulled out for storage and they have rented a car to head back to Michigan. We have also arranged to rent a car over the weekend at Herrington Harbor.

     

     

    10-14-05

     (F), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD; 0630 - Up & Breakfast, BP 30.20, Temp 55, Slight overcast. Weather forecast says front moving in with clearing. Small craft warning further south near Norfolk. Winds out of N predicted to be 10-15 with gusts to 20 kn. Herrington Harbor North is 17 mile south. We decide to "go for it".

    0730 - Depart. Good sail. Sky clears & 2-3 ft waves. 1045 - Arrive Herrington Harbor North (N 38.46.34, W 76.33.79). (Note - there is also a Herrington Harbour South which is mainly a resort facility). Herrington Harbour North is a huge operation! Resembles an "industrial park" with separate buildings for sail lofts, fiberglass repairs, engine repairs, etc. each operated by a separate company. It so big they even have their own "West Marine" store! Staff is very friendly & professional. The marina is located in "Tracy Landing" on Tracy's Creek. However, if you try to locate it on a map, its immediately adjacent to the small town / village of Deale, MD. (We are about 20 miles south of Annapolis and 20 miles north of Prince Fredrick, MD by road.) Lots of fishing-crabber boats in the other marina's just up the road about 0.5 miles. We have arranged to leave Weal Sea here in a slip while we are in Grenada.  1200 - the rental car we ordered from Enterprise in Prince Fredrick arrives (they deliver). I drive the driver back to Prince Fredrick and return to Herrington Harbour North. Took car into explore Deale (up the road) to do a bit of shopping for groceries. Pat also located a hairdresser! Spent rest of day cleaning up the boat. 2100 - hit the sac.

     

    10-14-05

    (Sat), Slip, Herrington Harbour North, Tracy's Landing / Deale, MD: 0730 - Up & Breakfast. BP 30.50, Temp 60, clear & sunny. Beautiful day. Many people working on their boats getting them ready to be pulled out for the winter. Marina has already pulled a number of them. Pat & I spent much of morning drying out (after nearly 2 weeks of rain!) and cleaning up the boat. 1330 - Pat has made an appointment at a hairdresser down the road about 0.5 mile in Deale, MD. She wanted to walk but her back is still sore and I drove her there in the rental car. I returned to the marina and checked out the West Marine store and also located "Cool Change" (Paul & Mary’s boat) stored on the hard... looks fine. 1345 - returned to pick up Pat but she is still not done. Walked across the road to checked out the "Happy Harbour Restaurant" next to the harbor and fishing fleet on the docks.  Great quaint little restaurant-bar, which specializes in seafood but also, has steaks, etc. Very relaxed and casual atmosphere. It’s been around for years and is frequented mainly by the locals and fishermen.  However, its reputation has spread and many people now come from miles around for crab cakes, crab legs, etc. Portions are large and the prices are very reasonable! Pat is suppose to come across the road after finishing up to lunch with me. I have coffee and French fries while waiting. Pat arrives about 15 minutes later and has a hamburger, fries, etc. We decide we will return this evening for dinner. 1500 - drive over the Tracy Creek Bridge & down the road a 0.5-mile to Deale to pick up a few more items at the local stores and locate a laundry and hardware (need propane and some other items for Weal Sea). There is a laundry at Marina but Pat has some LARGE loads to do and needs several washers & driers. 1545 - Return to harbor and walk around exploring the facilities before going back to Weal Sea. 1830 - back to Happy Harbour Restaurant for dinner. Place is nearly filled with families and groups of locals. We have crab leg starters and steak. The crab legs are great... Pat & I could be hooked on these! I recommend you check out this restaurant if you visit the area.  2000 - return to boat and hit the sack.

     

     

     

    10-16-05

    (Sun), Slip, Herrington Harbour North, Tracy's Landing / Deale, MD: 0730 - Up and breakfast.  BP 30.50, Temp 65, clear and sunny. 1000 - drove to Prince Fredrick to do some shopping... looking for a large supper market, etc. I am also looking for a Wal Mart to purchase thin "Jerry Can" style containers for storing water, diesel and gasoline on deck during our trip to the Bahamas. No luck in Prince Fredrick and drive to Upper Marlboro and Bowie. Finally locate a Wal Mart with some green 6 gal. water storage containers... $7 each but they only have 2; I'd like 3. None of the stores has the "Jerry Can" style diesel or gasoline containers. May end up having to buy them at West Marine @ $25 each! 1700 - Return to boat. Deflate dinghy in preparation to drop off AGAIN at Airworks in Annapolis tomorrow when I take Pat into the hospital for her back procedure. The dinghy had another leak where I had scraped a piling and Airworks is scheduled to repair it while we are in Grenada. 2000 - Hit the sac. Pat has to be in Annapolis at 0900 tomorrow at the Sajak center for pre-surgical clinical pathology laboratory tests. (Note - the Sajak center is named for Pat Sajak of "Wheel-of-Fortune" fame who donated 3 million dollars for its construction... his wife is from Annapolis and they have a home there).

     

    10-17-05

    (M), Slip, Herrington Harbour North, Tracy's Landing} Deale, MD: 0630 - Up and breakfast. BP 30.40, Temp 60 F, Clear. 0715 - Drive to Sajak Center in Annapolis, MD for Pat pre-surgical check up - screening. All goes well. She is scheduled for her procedure at 1400 hr. at Ann Arundel Hospital right next door to the Sajak Center. However, still have time to run the dinghy over to Airworks and drop it off for repairs before Pat afternoon procedure. In addition, Pat wants to do quick some shopping at the Mall up the street for a few items for our trip to Grenada. 1300 - Return to hospital and Pat is admitted. 1500 - Dr. Speciale come out to see me in waiting room; Pat is in recovery room. He tells me the surgical procedure took about 45 minutes and went great! This is normally an outpatient procedure. However, because of the late hour, Dr. Speciale wants to keep her in the hospital overnight.  The hospital has pullout beds in the rooms for a family members and tell me I can stay with Pat overnight in her room. They will discharge her tomorrow morning about 0830. I decide to stay rather than drive 20 miles back to the boat.

     

    10-18-05

    (Tue), Ann Arundel Hospital, Annapolis, MD; 0600 - Up. Clear & sunny. 0800 - Dr. Speciale, Pat's surgeon, stops by to see how she feels and examines her surgical site: two 0.5 cm incisions along the thorasic column bar spinal with a single suture in each. He says they can be removed in about 10-14 days; we can do it ourselves since we will be in Grenada. He gives her additional instructions and wants to see her the day after we return from Grenada (11-8-05). 0830 - Pat is discharged and we drive back to Prince Fredrick to drop off the rental car. The car rental drives us back to the boat. 

    Pat is a bit sore at the surgical site but is feeling much better. 2000 - hit the sack.

     

    10-19-05

    (W), Slip, Herrington Harbour North, Tracy's Landing / Deale, MD: 0830 - Up & breakfast. Clear and sunny.  Pat slept well and feels good. 1030 - Pat has an appointment at the hairdresser and the Marina provides a driver for her. Cleaned up boat, did laundry and sorted a few things getting ready for trip to Grenada. Telephoned the Airport Shuttle to arrange a pick-up on Friday morning. [We need to be at BWI (Baltimore-Washington International Airport) at 0530 hr for our international flight check-in. Our plane leaves at 0730 and we need to be there 2 hr before departure.] 2100 - hit the sack.

     

    10-20-05

    (Th), Slip, Herrington Harbour North, Tracy's Landing / Deale, MD: 0645 - Up and breakfast. Check out the local West Marine. I have had no luck locating "Jerry Can" style gasoline & diesel storage containers. I may have to spend the $25.00 for the set of 4. I did find 2 Jerry Can style water storage containers at a Wal-Mart. 1300 - Pack cloths, swim suits (!), computer, etc & get ready for trip to Grenada. 2000 - hit the sack... We need to be up at 0330.  The Airport Shuttle is picking us up at 0430. The drive to BWI is about 1 hr.

     

    10-21-05

    (F), Slip, Herrington Harbour North, Tracy's Landing / Deale, MD: 0300 - UP. Clear, Temp 55, bright moon. Gather luggage and took up to the marina office to wait for shuttle. I leave Pat at office and walk the 0.25-mile to the marina entrance to wait for the shuttle. 0430 - shuttle arrives exactly on time. We drive to the marina office, pick up Pat and the luggage and drive to BWI. 0530 - arrive BWI and check in... requires about 1 hr. 0730 - Plane departs on time. 1130 - Arrive San Juan; PR. Have 7 hr lay over to get flight to Grenada. We are both very tired... really did not sleep well last night and neither of us slept on the plane. Pat found a spot to sleep on the floor and catnapped. 1830 - Plane departs for Grenada. It was a rough flight, bouncing, rain and lightning. 2130 - Arrive St. Georges Airport, Grenada. Temp 80 F.  Check-in through customs was very fast. We told them we were visiting faculty at the University and they essentially waved us on through the line. The University had sent a driver (Felix) to pick us up. It’s a 15 minute drive from the airport to the University Club where we are staying. 2200 - Arrive University Club. They provide us with tea, coffee and sweets while we wait for our room. 2330 - HIT THE SACK! What a day!

     

     

      

    10-22-05

     (Tue)- NOT a Regular Log.) Arrived Charleston, South Carolina late Monday afternoon traveling about 60 miles from Georgetown, SC; details later in regular updates. Met Chris & Ben, & Ben's daughter Bridget and her husband David, as well as a friend of Bridget for dinner this evening. Will spend tomorrow seeing Charleston then Thanksgiving (Thursday) at Briget's in-laws (David's Mon & Dad)...

    Happy Thanksgiving!

     

     

    Sunday, 10-23-05

     

    St. George, Grenada, 9:00 a.m.: Pat and I arrived safely Friday evening (10-21-05) about 8:00 p.m. It was a long day. The shuttle picked us up at 3:30 am in Deale, MD, (where we left Weal Sea in a slip at Herrington Harbour) and drove to the Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport about 40 miles north. We arrive at BWI about 4:45 am in time to check-in for an international flight (needed to be there 2 hr ahead of our departure, ~ 7:00 am).  Departed on time and flew to Puerto Rico (arrive ~ 10:00 am), where we lay over until 5:00 p.m., and then flew directly to Grenada. Arrived at here (Grenada) about 8:00 p.m.  The University had our itinerary and had arranged to have one of their vans there waiting to take us to the University Club, about 20 minutes away.

    Spent yesterday (Saturday) recuperating from the trip, as well as getting together with the Pathology Course Coordinator (my first lectures are on Monday, 11-24-05) and check out the lecture facilities and audio-visual equipment (I use Power Point for my lectures).  Thus, today is really the first chance I've had to sit down and do some "serious" writing.

     

     

    Background: Grenada is a small oblong Caribbean island about 21x12 miles in size with a population of ~90,000 (smaller than Lafayette, IN).  St. George, which is the largest city on the Island, is located at its southern tip. It is very safe here. Although English is the official language, the natives speak very fast and have special expressions which make to difficult to understand them. However, when they talk to "foreigners", they speak slowly. The Island is located just east of Trinidad off the coast of South America.  The main export is nutmeg (the trees of which were severely damaged by hurricane Ivan 2 years ago).  However, the presence of the University has really helped the economy; about 40% of the islands income now comes from St. George's University associated people... mainly students.

     

    St. George's University is a private university founded in 1977. Their headquarters are in New York. The two "main" professional schools are the School of Medicine (~ 2000 students) and the School of Veterinary Medicine ( 300-400 students, with plans to expand).  Although they do have some permanent faculty, many of the faculty are visiting professors (VP’s as they call them here) who come from the Europe, England, Ireland, Canada, South African, USA and other countries.

     

    (Sunday, 10-24-05)

    I've just finished breakfast and am writing this on the patio of the dining facility here at the University Club over looking Prickly Bay and all the anchored sailboats. Great WiFi connection here. Bright, sunny day, temp high 70 F with constant gentle breezes. Pat went back to the room to rest. (I am trying to get this note done so I can go for a swim and take one of the kayaks out on the bay to explore the shoreline.... Isn't it terrible the things I have to do to keep busy down here in paradise?

     

    The Patio

     The Patio

     

    We are staying in a bungalow at the University Club in the L'ance Aux Espines section of the city over looking Prickly  Bay.... Gorgeous! The University purchased this facility several years ago. Previously it was a small Spanish / Caribbean  style resort. It has only 12 two-room bungalows (with cooking facilities,,, huh? WHO WANTS TO COOK when you have an English chef!) in 4 building (2 in 2 building and 4 in 2 others) as well as several small apartments above the main build... pretty classy. The main building also houses the offices and dinning room.  The dining room is the typical (Oh-hum) tropical / Caribbean open-style facility (no walls, glass window, or screen with breeze blowing through) and over looks the swimming pool and beach with swaying palm trees below about 50 yd away. We sit eating our meals (tablecloth, silverware, and flowers) and gaze over the bay at the University campus about 1 mile across the water on True Blue Bay (separated from Prickly Bay by a small peninsula). There are numerous sailboats at anchor in Prickly Bay gently rolling in the swells off to our right near the L'ance Aux Espines section of the town of St. George.  I can imagine Weal Sea sitting out there anchored among them right

    now! ... Ooops... my mind in wandering.... what am I thinking about (Note: one of the other veterinarians here is from California and has a Hans Christian 38.  He saw me writing this E-mail and asked me if I could imagine Weal Sea sitting out there in the Bay.  He plans to sail his boat down in a couple of years). I've already been swimming several times; took a final dip just before bed last night by moonlight.  I usually swim out to a float about 20 yd off the beach and swim back again, take a fresh-water shower on the beach next to the pool, then hop into the pool to relax. The saltwater must be in the high 70s, really warm ... Hey... this is the living!

     

    Our Bungalow

     Our Bungalow

     

    (Tuesday, 10-25-05)

     Is a National Holiday, "Thanksgiving". There were no classes and all the businesses were closed. Despite the closed businesses, Pat and I took time to take the bus into town and explore. We saw a number of business building and homes without roofs as a result of hurricane Ivan. We had a few small showers that lasted 15 to 20 minutes; this is the end of the rainy season in Grenada.

     

    By the way, the "Grenadian Thanksgiving" is NOT the same as ours. It is really a day that commemorates the "Intervention" of the US Military 20 years previously to save the Grenadians and rescue the US students at St. George’s University during the attempted military coup. (Note: The University flies both the US and Grenadian flags side-by-side in front of the administration building). During the coup, Maurice Bishop, the very charismatic and popular prime minister of Grenada was killed by the revolting faction. Some Grenadians suspect a conspiracy and believe the US knew about the revolt and planned coup ahead of time and use the need to "rescue" the US students at St. George's University as an excuse to "invade" and install a government

    more to their liking. (Maurice Bishop was not only very charismatic but also very independent-minded. Some say he had leftist leanings. In deed, he was in fact quite friendly with the Cubans and there were a number of them on the island when the US military landed.) These people  refer to refer to the "intervention" as an "invasion".  It seems most, however, agree it was a good thing.

     

    10-26-05 (Wednesday)

    St. George, Grenada: Gave my first lectures on Monday 10/24/05, one at 8:00 am (Term #3 students) and another at 1:00 pm (Term #4 students).  It went great.  The students were very attentive and asked some probing questions. I’ll usually be giving 2 one-hour lectures per day (one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.  Occasionally I will have 2 one-hour lectures back-to-back. I have 2-hour Laboratories, which are given on Thursday or Friday.)

     

    10-27-05 (Thur.) - 10-28-05 (Fri.)

    St. George, Grenada: Completed first week of classes. At the request of Dr. Bhaiyat, I spent part of Friday afternoon reviewing about 30 tumor and skin biopsies Dr. Bhaiyat and his graduate student had received during the past several months. Dr. Bhaiyat and Dr. Sharma also asked me to serve on their graduate student's committee (he is doing a Masters on disease of the skin of Grenadian dogs). 

     

    10-29-05

    (Sat), St. George, Grenada: Saturday - Relaxed at University Club. Swam and did a bit of reading. Dr. Hugh Larkin, clinical pathologist and a permanent faculty member originally from University College of Dublin School of veterinary Medicine, invited Pat and I to his home for late afternoon tea.  His wife, "Pats" is a nurse. She spends several months with Hugh in Grenada and

    returns to Dublin where she still works. Pat really hit it off with "Pats" and they had a great talk. Pat told her about the airport security in BWI confiscating her mini scissors which we were going to use to remove her stitches.  Pats came through and took them out for her,,,, N/C!  The

    "afternoon" with Hugh and Pats was great and we didn't get back to the University Club until 9:30 pm.

     

    University Club Entrance

     University Club Entrance

     

    10-30-05

    (Sun.), St. George, Grenada: The University had arranged to have a tour guide give Pat and me an auto-tour of the island. We circumnavigated the entire island. Spent an hour in St. George city where the driver gave us a brief history of Grenada including the "bit" relayed above concerning the "intervention" and "assignation" / "murder" of Maurice Bishop (one of the driver's heroes). Visited the Concord Falls in the Grand Etang Forest Reserve and a small nutmeg processing facility. We then had lunch near Carib's Leap at the north end of the island.

     

    Returning south, we drove through a rain forest, which is just starting to recover from the damage created by hurricane Ivan.  Many of the trees were still leaning over all in the same direction similar to what one sees in wheat fields on a windy day. We also passed numerous nutmeg trees along the roads of the interior of the island which have still not recovered.  The driver-guide

    told us it will be 10 years before nutmeg production is back to normal. Also visited a "crater lake" park.  I had not realized that Grenada had an active volcano eons ago.  However, I do recall that the sand along one of the beaches on the west side of the island near St. George was black, presumably of volcanic origin.

     

    10-31-05

    (Mon.) – 11-4-05 (Fri.), St. George, Grenada: Completed second and final week of lectures and laboratories.  It went very well and I have been asked to come back in again the last week of March (2006) and first week in April to lecture on Pathology of the Integumentary System. Will over-lap with Dr. John Van Vleet from Purdue who will be there lecturing on the Cardiovascular System.

     

    Pat and I will still be in the Bahamas but will make time to do the trip; will have to fly out of Georgetown in the Exumas or Marsh Harbour in the Abacos. During the week, one of the veterinary medical students had a dog with an interesting skin disease which was stumping the clinicians and pathologists. Dr. Bhaiyat had looked at the biopsy but was uncertain as to the cause of the lesions.  The quality of the biopsy was poor but it looked like a monocytic

    interface type reaction. I suggested a set of new biopsies. The next sets of punch biopsies were excellent. There was in fact a monocytic interface type reaction. The cell type was lymphoid and there appeared to be invasion of the epithelium with formation of intraepithelial "lymphoid pustules" as seen in "Mycosis Fungoids", a form of cutaneous lymphosarcoma. I suggested that a

    set of slides be sent to Purdue for lymphocytes cell typing and a second opinion. I am curious as to what the results were. Have not heard yet.

     

    Dan & Pat Harrington are aboard the S/V Weal Sea

  • September 2005

    The adventures of the S/V Weal Sea with Dan & Pat Harrington
    September 2005

     

    9-1-05

    (Th), Erie Canal, Sylvan Beach, NY (Eastern end of Oneida Lake): 0600 - Up & breakfast. Overcast, damp & windy with a large of surge off the lake. BP 30.01, temp 65 F. Heavy rains all the night & canal waters are up with a significant current flowing west into the lake. This area of the canal does flood. There is a major river, Fisher Creek, about a qurater mile up stream (east of us), which feeds water into the canal from the north. In deed, trees and debris from this river as well as some buoys!, which broke loose just up stream (due to trees dragging their chains?), are flowing past us into the lake. A canal tug is in the process of collecting the buoys and resetting them. Paul & I walk up the canal & talk to a canal dredge-operator. He said there will likely be a continous rise in the water over the next few hours or even a day or so. Thus, they may be closing the canal locks & opening the flood control gates down stream (east) of Sylvan Beach today. In addition, he suspects our sailboats will have trouble making it eastward to get past the point where Fisher Creek enters the canal because of the heavy current against us and the shoaling it causes. However, he volunteers to telephone the next lock to check its status; Its still open!, at least for now. He says that if we go, we should give wide berth to the red buoys on our port side because of the shoals. (We keep the red buoys on our left, i.e. port side, when heading east toward the ocean: you use the "Red-Right-Return" rule.) Paul & I discuss the stituation and decide to give it a try. If worst comes to worst, we'll turn around and redock at Sylvan Beach. Paul is docked immediately down stream of Weal Sea and suggests we depart first and "play in the current", as he likes to say, until he gets undocked... its Cool Change's turn to play "pathfinder" today and spot the submerged dead-heads and weed patchs. 0840 - Pat & I head out into the canal (its about 50 yds across at this point). The current is heavy but not that bad and Weal Sea!

    seems to handle it easily (she has a 30 hp Universal M-35 engine). Rather than just hold our place in mid-stream ("playing in the current") waiting for Cool Change, I decide to proceed up stream to get past the point where Fisher Creek enters the canal. I keep to the starboard near the shore giving wide berth to the red buoys per the dredger's suggestion. Weals Sea does great. However, when we get to the junction with Fisher Creek, which enters the canal at about 45 degrees from the NE on our port side (north side of channel), the current REALLY picks up and there is a LARGE whorlpool on our starboard side containing trapped tree branches and other debris.... looks scary. Now would be a very inoppropriate time for the fuel line to plug, or the engine stall or overheat! (Is'nt it funny what goes through your mind at moments like this?) We note that Cool Change is playing it smart and is hanging back ~ 75 yds off our stern "watching, studying & learning" how to approach and get past!

    the junction.... Darn It,,, I should have let Cool Change lead today as originally planned!.. Oh well. Since I have been hugging the starboard shore keeping well away from red buoys, I'm relatively close to the whorlpool. I point Weal Sea's nose directly up stream at the point where Fisher Creek enters the channel and gun the engine. She responses immediately and pushs up stream against the current then enters the main branch of the canal as we steer toward our starboard quarter. During all this, a group of workers from the dredging and tug crews are standing on the north shore of the channel watching to see if the "yachty" could make it up stream past the Fisher Creek-Erie Canal junction... I suspect they were problably "laying bets" that we could'nt make it! In addition, there was a fisherman anchored near the junction watching the events. We spoke briefly as I motored past and he congradulated us on our handling of the current. He also told us he had seen numerous trees as well as a picnic table float past earlier in the morning. Once past the junction and into the canal channel per se, I put the engine in neutral and waited for Cool Change to make her run at the crossing. She had learned from watching Weal Sea's effort and stays closer to the middle of the channel away from the starboard shore and whorlpool... Cool Change moves across the junction with relative ease. Pauls pulls up close by and ask why we went "ahead"?... he said he was planning to lead the way and was just kidding about going out and "playing in the current"... NOW HE TELLS ME! Cool Chnage moved out front and led the way the rest of the day. The canal east of Sylvan Beach was quiet, smooth and scenic. The clouds cleared and it became warm and bright. Really a relaxing day cruising the canal. Hey this is really FUN... can hardly believe its happening. Gosh are we lucky, and... we've got 12 months to go! 1750 - Arrv @ Little Falls, NY (43.02.03 N, 74.51.97 W). This is not a free dock. They charge $20 a day for a 34 ft boat, plus $3 for electricity and $2 for water! We pass on the water... besides "Paul" left the hoses back in Bladwinsville! (Please note: this is a running joke... neither of us liked our old hoses anyway & planned on replacing them... no big loss). Very nice new facilities but not much here. The town center is about a mile away. The dockmaster is a pleasant fellow who walked around in a white shirt and tie and collect the trash! Don't see that very often. He said he'd keep the showers open for us until 2200 hr if we wished. Telephone Arne & Bev (Scandia). They are docked in Canajoharie, NY down stream. Its a short run and Bev said they would wait for us there. We look forward to getting together with them again. Pat & I have coffee-tea and sweets with Cool Change and hit the sack about 2230.

     

    9-2-05

    (F), Erie Canal, Little Falls, NY: 0700 - Up, breakfast. Clear, BP 30.15, temp 67 F. 0850 - Cleared dock and head east thru lock #17 just downstream at the outskirts of Little Falls. Lock #17 is remarkable. Not only does it provide the largest single lift on the Erie Canal system, viz. 40.5 feet, but it is also one of the highest "vertical lift locks" in the world: it has a single rather than a double door at its east end which "lifts" vetrically rather than swings horizontally to open. Very impressive! Individuals using the lock often wear rain gear so as to avoid getting soaked as their boat passes out of the lock under the raised door which drips streams of water. Our destination today is Canajoharie, NY about 18 miles east.

    (Side Note: We have been on the Mohawk River section of the canal since we left Oneida Lake. During the 3rd renovation of the canal in the early 1900s the canal was widen deepen to handle larger barges. To shorten travel time, it was also re-routed to straighten it out & to reduce the number of locks. This was acomplished in part by taking advantage of the Mohawk River in the Mohawk Valley. Thus, the river is dredged and its central channel buoyed all the way from Oneida Lake to Waterford, NY on the Hudson River.)

    Its Weal Sea's turn to lead today. Pleasant slow cruise. Very few boats on the canal.

    (Note: We had previously noted a reduction in the number of power boats in marinas on the Great Lakes in July. Paul (Cool Change) said he noted the same thing in North Channel of Canada when he was there in June and early July. The major reason for the lack of traffic is, according to the local dock / harbormasters & marina operators, the cost of fuel. The current price for gasoline at gas stations here is $3.55 - $3.69 / gal. Its more at marinas. We spoke to one power boater on a 2-week vacation on Lake Michgan in July who was "staying put" in a marina for a few days because of gasoline prices. He said he had been out a little over a week and had already spent $2000 on gasoline.)

    1300 - Arrv at Canajoharie, NY (42.54.56 N, 74.34.22 W). Pass under the bridge which joins Canajoharie & Palantine Bridge and turn around to dock with our bow facing upstream (we normally dock this way due to current) on the south Canajoharie-side of the canal. (Canajoharie is a indian word meaning "pot that washes itself".) This village has a "small" free dock which includes electricity & water. Scandia is already here but Arne & Bev must be uptown shopping since they don't appear on the dock when we arrive. There is one other rather old 23 ft sailboat tied to one end of the dock with a "plastic" dinghy attached to its stern & a blue plastic tarp draped over its unstepped mast to shelter the cockpit from the sun. No one is aboard but there is a frayed electric cord leading from a dock post outlet to the cabin and a worn collapsible lawn chair tied to the post. We tied up port side to the dock in front of the old boat & behind Scandia. There is only room for 4-5 boats on this dock depending on their size. However, there is also a small cove with dockage for shallow-drafted vessels about 50 yds away. The cove dockage is used mainly by power boats. The distance between ourselves and the old 23-footer behind us and Scandia on front of us is about 4-5 feet in each case; a confortable ditance. We connected up the electric so we can run the A/C. A few minutes later Arne & Bev arrive suprised to see us so soon. They didn't expect us until late afternoon or would have been at the dock to greet & help us tie up. Ladies went to the store for groceries. I wander the waterfront park and check out the town. The fellow who owned the old 23 footer returned. He's a friendly laid-back hippie-like fellow about 30. He migrated from California several years ago and does odd jobs. Picked up the boat a few months ago "for a song" (and it looks like it) and is trying to outfit it to take it "south". Not sure when he'll be ready. Trying to earn enough money painting houses so he can buy gasoline to get thru the canal. Once past Waterford (last town at the eastern end of the canal), he'll be able to sail. 1700 - a large 40 foot triple-decker power boat pulls up next to our dock and ask if all 4 of the sailboats on the dock could "squeeze" up closer together so they could dock! We explain this would place us to close for confort & saftey & suggest they use the free dockage in the cove around the corner 50 yds away. They decline saying there is no electric hook-ups on the cove-docks & they want to run their A/C and other equipment. They move on upstream to the next lock.

     

    (Note: the locks are open daily from 0700 to 2200 hr.) 1900 - group gathers at the waterfront's park shelter for coffee-tea and freshly baked goddies courtesy of Bev. Hit the sac about 2030 hr.

     LOCK 17 ON THE ERIE CANALINSIDE LOCK 17 ON THE ERIE CANAL

    9-3-05

    (Sat), Erie Canal, Canajoharie, NY: 0800 - up and breakfast. Clear and sunny, BP 30.07, temp 70 F. 0920 - Depart for Lock 11 @ Amsterdam, NY ~ 22 miles east. Scandia leads the way. Pass thru lock 13 & Fonda, NY (actor Herny Fonda's home town), then lock 12. 1430 hr - Arrv lock #11 @ Amsterdam, NY (42.56.89 N, 74.12.73 W) & tie up on the north wall free dock just above the lock. There is free electricity (15 Amp only) & the lockmaster will allow boaters to use his private shower in the office building if they ask. There is a small park right next to the wall with picnic tables & grills. Only one problem with this dockage... its immediately adjacent to the Amtrack and freight train tracks ~ 150 yads from the north canal wall.. & is it busy!; horns blowing all night long. The group takes a walk thru the town, which is also the birth place of the actor Kirk Douglas, and returns to the boats. The Emita II is docked behind us on the wall on our return. She is one of several a commercial tourist boats which cruise the canal. Tourists (mainly older couples) stay on the boat during the day then are taken by bus to a hotel for the night.

    1800 - Group gathers at a picnic table in the park for coffee-tea & sweets. The lockmaster passes by & the group invites him over for coffee & sweets. He's delighted & spends nearly an hr with us. 2200 hr - hit the sack.

     

    9-4-05

    (Sun), Erie Canal, Amsterdam, NY: Up 0730, clear, temp 65 F, BP 30.47. Depart 0900 with Scandia leading. Could try for Waterford at the end of the canal. However, we would have to do the 5-step lock series at the end of a long day when we would all be tired. Thus, the group decides to stop at lock 8 & leave early the next day for Waterford. Its an easy criuse to lock 8 (42.49.85 N, 73.59.57 W). 1250 - Arrv and tie up on the free wall (free electric) just west of the lock ~250 yds. Another 37 ft sailboat named "Lollygag" arrives and ties up behind us. A Canadian couple (mid 30s) from Toronto own the boat. They are also on their way to the Bahamas. Dinner about 1830. Hit the sack about 2200 hr.

     

    9-5-05

    (M), Erie Canal, Lock 8: Up 0645, breakfast, Temp 64 F, BP 31.24, Mist flowing slowly over the canal. Wait for mist to clear & depart for Waterford ~ 0845 hr. S/V Lollygag has already started for the lock (#8) entrance and we are right behind. Another beautiful day as we continue to follow Lollygag moving slowly along the twisting Mohawk River / Erie Canal meandering thru the country side. Its amazingly quiet except for the occasional freight train or ,less commonly, Amtrack passanger train which blow their horn as they rush along the north shore of the canal on our port side. We lock-down thru #7 then head for our final series, the "step locks" (#6, 5, 4 ,3 & 2) immediately above Waterford. Almost exactly at 12 Noon we arrive at Lock #6. Lollygag had radioed ahead on VHF channel 13 as we rounded the bend in the canal above the lock. However, the lockmaster was expecting us & the gate was open with the Green Light on; the lockmaster at lock #7 had telephoned ahead telling them to expect us.

    (Note: this is the usual procedure on the canal. In deed, the lockmasters will usually asked you if you are going thru the next lock when he/she checks & records your boat's name and your boat's canal passage sticker number as you enter the lock. They record this information as well as the time you enter the lock in their log book.)

    Lollygag entered 1st taking the south wall on their starboard side and moving up to within 20 ft of the gate. We followed suite taking the north wall directly across from them. Scandia entered & takes the spot on the south wall behind Lollygag while Cool Change, who was following Scandia, takes the spot on the north wall immdediately behind us. Thus, the boats alternated sides as we entered the lock. This was the same sequence we would follow while locking-down thru the series. It was nothing we discussed ahead of time,,,, it was just intuitive like geese flying in a "V" formation. Pat was handling the ropes on the lock walls quite well but you could tell her back was bothering her. I could see the pain in her face & she sat on the coach roof whenever possible when moving between locks. The most stressful part of locking- down or -up was grabbing the ropes hanging down from the wall as you enter the lock. Despite the fact that I enter a lock VERY SLOWLY & try to bring the boat to a complete stop before grabbing the wall rope with a boat hook, the boat almost always wants to continue forward (13,000 plus pounds of inertial force when moving) slowly because of currents in the lock. In one instance, in a previous lockm I was almost pulled overboard trying to stop the boat by hanging on to one of the ropes. Pat also nearly lost a boat hook which became jammed on a guard rail on the wall as we were entering a lock... can be tricky and stressful.... similar to docking the first time in an unfamilar port. Each lock in the step series was separated from the next by a short stretch of straight canal which varied in length from 50 to 200 yards. In one instance while going between locks 4 and 3, we met 3 "locking-up" trawlers and a houseboat waiting for us to exit the lock #4 when the lower gate opened. The locking-down went smmoothly. Each lock had dropped us between 33 and 35 feet. We really were anticipatng the last lock. "Set the scene": Image floating in a somewhat darkened cold box about 60 feet long with 40-foot tall brown-black, wet and slim-covered walls on each side, a water-filled floor, hudge dark forbidding steel doors at each end, and an open sky above which seems to extend forever. Suddenly, when the lower gate door of Lock #2 opened, there before us, immediately on our port side about 100 yds downstream, was the small Village of Waterford's dock with the Hudson River about 300 yds beyond.... It reminded me of that scene from the movie "The Wizard Oz" when Dorthy (Judy Grland) opens the door of Aunty Em's farm house (which has just been dropped from the sky by the tornado) and see then Munchkin Village in bright, vivid Technicolor! "I don't think we're not in Indiana (Kansas) anymore, Pat (Toto)". Gosh...Wow!...and you simile and feel good inside. We did it. It is amazing and hard to believe Pat and I, with the help of our good frinds, Paul, Mary, Arne and Bev, had just completed 360 plus miles on the Erie Canal from Tonawanda, NY on the Niagra River to Waterfor, NY on the Hudson River! Pat smiled and.... I knew she was releived too. However, we did have one more lock to traverse on the Hudson, Lock #1, the Federal Lock", before we got to NYC. But, I didn't bring it up, not wanting to spoil the moment for her (time ~1345 hr). We cruised down the 100 yds or so to the Waterford dock, turned around in midstream to bringing Weal Sea's bow facing upstream toward the lock we had just exited, then nudged her forward slowly bringing her starboard side upto the dock behind Lollygag. Paul & Arne are already docked and are there to grap our lines (~1400 hr). Although this is a "free" dock with free electricity, water, showers and toilets, the lady dockmaster stops by and reminds us to check-in. We all get off our boats and chat, congradulating each other then visit the welcome center. Later in the day, we wander the village locating a laundry, (and ice cream shop, of course), then walk across the bridge over the Hudson River 150 yds to Troy, NY to a large supermarket. We gather for Coffee-tea and sweets on Cool Change about 1930 hr. Return to Weal Sea's A/C-cooled cabin & hit the sack about 2130.... Its been a great day but we are exhausted..... I really slept sound.

     

     

    9-6-05

    (Tu), Junction Erie Canal & Hudson River, Waterford, NY (42.47.224 N, 73.40.761 W):

    0800 - slept in, breakfast. Clear, sunny, Temp 70 F. Changed oil on Weal Sea and general house keeping. Pat is feeling very weak, wants to sleep all the time & has no interest in eating. She still has some back pain but not as severe as before; Dr Hur said it would take time to heal. We are cncerned but suspect the muscle relaxant she is taking is causing the weakness & drowsiness. Decided to telephone Dr. Hur, the internist she saw in Newark, NY. 1130 - telephoned Dr. Hur's office & explained situation to the receptionist. She immediately put Pat thru to Dr. Hur. Athought he could not be positive, he confirmed that the muscle relaxants could be the cause of her clinical signs and recommended she stop taking the relaxants but finish the pain medication. He would prescribed additional pain medication if necessary. Pat went to bed and slept most of the day. 1700 - Pat up. Not real hungry but said she wants tea & toast. 1930 - Arne, Bev, Pau & Mary show up at Weal Sea carrying sweets, coffee & tea. They knew Pat was "down" & wanted to cheer her up... which they DID! Group discussed tomorrow's agenda.. will depart for Riverview Marine in Catskill, NY @ 0830 since we must now take the "tide" into consideration when planning our daily departures and arrivals. We want to have the tide with us going out to sea (downriver) in order to make the best time. We've never had to take tides into account on the Great Lakes so this is a new experiece for us. Riverview Marina is on the Hudson River @ its junction with the Catskill River, about 40 mi south of Waterford. Our masts are scheduled to be delivered there by truck from Buffalo Friday morning (9-8-05) and we will need part of a day to prepare the boats. 2100 - hit the sack.

     

    9-7-05

    (W), Hudson River, Waterford, NY: Up @ 0645. Temp 66, BP 30.00, Clear but heavy mist on the river. Pat is feeling better. 0830 - Mist has cleared & we depart. We enter the Hudson River 1st but we wait up since its Cool Change's turn to lead. After entering the Hudson & looking back at the mouth of the channel where the Erie Canal enters the river you see a hudge Green & White "road sign" directing boat traffic on the Hudson to turn port (left) to enter the Erie Canal or continue north up the Hudson River / Champlain Canal to Lake Champlain. ~1000 - Passed thru the "Federal Lock #1" (42.44.86 N, 73.41.18 W) about 3 miles south of Waterford, NY; Much larger than those on the Erie Canal. This is the last lock we'll have to deal with until one on the ICW (Intercostal Waterway). The Hudson is a busy river but we enjoyed the criuse. Scandia's engine has been running a little hot so I'm bringing up the rear to be available to provide assistance if required. Arne said the water intake is clear & suspects the cooling water-intake pump's rubber impeller may be the problem. (NOTE: The blades on the impeller will sometimes break-off or become sufficiently worn so as to decrease the flow of water thru the heat exchanger. All cruisers carry at least one extra impeller. Many change the impeller at the beginning of the season and keep the old one as a back-up; we do this). 1530 hr - Arrive the the mouth of the Catskill River ('skill' is Dutch for 'creek') where it junctions with the Hudson River. Arne takes the lead since he's been here before. The marina is also expecting us; Arne had previously made arrangements with them to step our mast when we were in Buffalo. Riverview Marine (42.12.66 N, 73.51.43 W) is immediately around the corner on the north shore as you enter the Catskill River. We have radioed ahead and they have someone on the dock directing us into our slips near the fuel dock & crane they will use to step masts tomorrow. This is a pleasant marine about 1-2 mile from the town of Catskill. It can h

    andle much of the work you might need done on your boat in the way of repairs. The owners (husband & wife) are very friendly and often stopped by to chat while we were here. We spend the rest of the afternoon getting the boats ready for tomorrows mast stepping. They are to arrive in the morning -- We'll be sailboats AGAIN! Hit the sack about 2030.

     

    9-8-05

    (Th), Riverview Marina, Catskill River, Catskill, NY (42.12.66 N, 73.51.43 W): 0630 - Up, breakfast cheese & bagel. BP 30.05, Clear, Temp 70 F. 0715 - Had 2nd coffee with Arne & Paul at picnic table on shore next to our docked boats. Tide is coming in; high vs low tide here ranges from 5 to 6 feet. However, our boats are on floating docks so it doesn't create much of a problem getting on & off. 0730 - fellow walks up to us & asks if we are the individuals waiting for masts to be delivered? We confirm we are but tell him that the fork-lift operator will not be there unload our mast until 0900. He joins us & has a coffee. 0900 - Fork-lift operator arrives and we unload the masts onto blocks of wood adjacent to the dock so we can clean, wax and re-rig them in preparation for stepping. After the driver left, we discovered my mast has 2 gouges on one side. Not sure how they got there but telephoned transport company in Canada and reported it. Stepping the masts went smoot!

    hly. Sequence: Scandia, Weal Sea then Cool Change. Ladies took a taxie into town to shop for groceries. The guys spent rest of day reattaching the stays, wedging the masts, and adjusting their tension. Worked til about 1830 hr then had supper. The boats are beginning to look like sailboats again. We've decided to stay at least another day; need to put on sails, cleanup the boats, etc. Hit the sack about 2200.

     

    9-9-05

    (F), Riverview Marine, Catskill River, Catskill NY: 0600 - Up & breakfast. Clear, BP 30.00, temp 75 F -- predicting 80-90 F! Put up sails, work on various items that had been neglected on the canal. Pat is feeling much better since she's been off the muscle relaxants. She still has some back pain and is continuing on the pain medication. However she has found that Aleve seems to work as well (Dr. Hur had also recommended that she take Aleve as well as the prescription medication). 1830 - Group has coffee-tea and sweets at the picnic table next to the dock. The group has decide to stay here an additional day. We all have small things to work on. 2200 - Hit the sac.

     

    9-10-05

    (Sat), Riverview Marina, Catskill River, Catskill, NY; 0730 - up and breakfast. Clear day. Temp already 75 F... going to be hot. We are using the boats A/C all the time. Although her back still pains her some, Pat is really feeling much better and is cleaning everything in sight! She's even been giving Arne a tough time (they are always joking around good-naturedly). We'll soon have to restrain her! The ladies visited a Farmers Market down the road from the marine and picked up some fresh vegetables. Our group has decided to head downstream tomorrow with the tide @ 0930. Fueled, pumped out our holding tanks and paid our bills. 1900 - group has a carry-in style dinner @ the picnic table with 3 different kinds of wine... what a feed! 2200 - back to the boats. Great day and looking forward to tomorrow's journey down the Hudson.

     

    9-11-05

    (Sun), Riverview Marina, Catskill River, Catskill, NY (41.30.31 N, 74.00.16 W): 0600 - Up & breakfast. Clear, BP 30.00, Temp 70 F. 0730 - Tide is near slack (slack = period between hi & lo tide). Depart dock. Cool Change leads again while Weal Sea follows Scandia who his having some problems with slightly hot engine. River traffic is moderate with a number of barges being pushed up-river by tugs. We've had a lot of discussion on VFH channel 68 (which we are now using) concerning where we want to end up today. There is an anchorage behind an island about 40 mi downstream but its a narrow spot and Arne is concerned about entry because of his boat's draft. Skipper Bob's book mentions a resturant in Newburgh, NY which has on-the-river docks which can be used. Telephoned ahead and they said we could dock overnight but that they were not responsible for any problems we might have. We decide to go for it. Today is "9-11" and flags along the way are at half-mast. We also see a riverside ceremony with fire trucks and fire boats honoring the firemen who lost their lives that day. 1415 hr - Arrv Resturant dock at Newburgh, NY (41.30.31 N, 74.00.16 W) on the west shore of the Hudson. Weal Sea & Scandia take outside spots parallel-to & exposed-to the river boat traffic, waves & surges... we bounce a lot. Cool Change gets a spot at the end of the dock with her bow facing out toward the river and less bounce. (Lots of seagull dung all over dock... have to constantly watch where you walk. There are several resturants here. We walked the docks checking them out. Nothing took our fancy & we decided to eat on the boat. 1930 hr - Group met on Scandia for coffee-tea & sweets to chat about nexts day's schedule. Will depart at 0730 hr and try to make New York City or Sandy Hook, NJ. 2100 - Return to boat and the sack.

     

    9-12-05

    (M): Hudson River, Newburgh, NY (40.24.96 N, 74.01.22 W): Up 0600 - breakfast. Slight bouce last night but resturant let muscic play all night long. 0730 -Departed for New York City. Mist rising over the river with shafts of sunlight streaming between the low rolling tree-covered mountains which line the twisting Hudson. This is a spectacular part of the Hudson sometimes referred to as the Highland Section. Nearby is Storm King Mountain which rises 1355 feet above the western shore. The river from here to NYC twists & turns thru the mountains and a new scene gradually appears as you slowly round each river bend. We have passed several small lighthouses on islands as we've come down the Hudson. However, ahead of us, about 2 miles downstream, we cruise by the ruins of a burned-out replica of a Scottish style medieval castle on Pollepel (AKA: Bannerman's) Island on our port beam (the east side of the rive). The shadows it casts gives it a eerie appearance in the morning mist. The castle was built by a munitions dealer named Bannerman between 1900 & 1918. NY state acquired the property in 1967 & provided tours until the castle burned in 1969. You can still land on the island and visit the ruins at "your own risk". We continue on another few miles downstream and approach a narrow section of the river termed "World's End". Its the deepest section of the entire river & the Americans tried to prevent the British from attacking and burning Kingston by stretching a chain across the river here similar to what they had done downstream earlier... no luck. This section of the river is immediately north of West Point Military Academy on the river's west bank (41.24.02 N, 73.57.53 W). Opened in 1802, its an awesome sight as you pass beneath it's mammoth stone walls which tower over you as you look upward in the bright morning sun. Continuing on we cruise under the Bear Mountain Suspension Bridge built in 1924. This bridge still carries auto traffic but is also the Hudson crossing point for individuals hiking the Appalachain Mountain Trail which extends from Georgia to Maine. (Dan did a Kentucky section of this trail when our boys were in Boy Scouts). On the hillside off our port side, we pass Ossining, home the famous "Sing Sing" prison which is "Up the River" from New York City. In fact, we can now see some of NYC's buildings in the distance. We now pass Tarrytown (AKA: Sleepy Hollow made famous by Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow") on our starboard immediately north of the Tappanzee Bridge stretching across the Hudson. Gradually the mountains began to turn into low hill and laying before us in the haze (smog?) is the skyline of the "Big Apple", New York City. 1215 hr - We go under the George Washington Bridge and the Hudson suddenly widens. Weal Sea is now leading since our chart plotter covers all of this region. We popped our headsail (jib) & were able to sail or motor-sail part of this region. However, river traffic increased significantlly & we decided to motor only. As we move down the river, New York City is on our port side (east side) and New Jersy is on our starboard side (west side). We pass numerous NYC appartment buildings & St Patrick's Cathedral. In the distance among the sky scrappers, we can see the Empire State Building. Nearing the south end of Manhattan Island we approach the area where the "Twin Towers" once stood. Suddenly you have feelings of sadness but also anger & defiance. However, these feeling soon dissipates as you approach "The Battery" at the tip of Manhattan & look off the starboard bow past Govenor's Island into NYC's harbor. There, in the distance, is the enlarging shadow image of a "Lady" standing straight and tall holding up in her right hand for all to see a guiding torch with gold-leafed flames glistening in the aftenoon's sunlight... "Lady Liberty". Off the port bow and up the East River between Governor's Island and The Battery you can see the Brooklyn Bridge connecting Brooklyn & NYC. Adjacent to The Statue of Liberty separated by a narrow piece of water is Ellis Island with its 4 towers with onion-shaped roofs. The Bahama group has been debating on VHF between (1) taking a mooring ball at NYC's 79th Street Basin, (2) anchoring by The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, and (3) continuing on to Sandy Hook, NJ to anchor in the harbor at the base of Atlantic Highlands. Scandia is still running hot & Arne wants to change the impeller. He plans to stay at Sandy Hook a full day regardless of where we go tonight. There is a great deal of surge and difficult currents at the 79th St. Basin. Although there is an designated anchorage between The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, there is also a lot of surge and waves from river traffic. Paul checked Skipper Bob's book and pointed out that there is a protected anchorage immediately behind The Statue of Liberty (40.24.96 N, 74.01.39 W) adjacent to Liberty Park, NJ (40.01.68 N, 74.03.22 W). The entrance is narrow but well-buoyed. Weal Sea agreeds to go in and check it out. We proceed slowly with Pat watching the buoys, some only 20 yds apart. It is low tide but the depth looks fine; no less than 11 ft with 17-20 ft in the very protected anchorage pool. We radio back to Scandia & Cool Change circling off the south side of the "Lady", and they come-in. 1530 - We anchor in 17 ft of water letting out 80 ft of rode (50 ft of Hi-Tensile G4 chain and 30 ft of nylon anchor line.) The pool is very quit with no other boats & the water is flat with no wind. There are a few families fishing on the shore. There are numerous people strolling the park which is "in" New Jersy but stands directly behind Liberty Island. Immediately east of us above the trees of Liberty Park we can see the back of Lady Liberty holding up her torch to guide the way to the immigrants of the past. These included Dan's great grandfather from Cork Ireland and his other grandfather from the Keiv Ukrain. 1800 - We have dinner on the boat then row the dinghy ashore (about 50 yds) to visit Liberty Park. Its dark when we return and we hit the sack @ about 2100 hr. Tomorrow we are heading across the bay to Sandy Hook, NJ.

     

    9-13-05

    (T), Liberty Park anchorage, NJ (behind Statue of Liberty) (40.01.68 N, 74.03.22 W): 0600 - Up, Dan has coffee & cheese for breakfast. Clear with bright sun, BP 30.65, temp 80 F (/w 90 F predicted in afternoon), no wind, water of the lagoon / pool anchorage is like a mirror with a slight mist hovering just above the surface. It soon dissipates as the sun rises higher over the Hudson in the east. Off to the south on the Jersy shore in the distance we can see a hudge complex resembling a fortified medieval city with high walls topped by palisades and round towers with conical roofs. It resembles the scenes ones sees on medieval tapestries. We noted it yesterday when we arrived. One of the local fisherman told us it was new self-contained living condo community. 0800 - Weal pulls anchor first and leads the way thru the narrow buoyed channel past Lady Liberty. We circle off the main Hudson channel as Scandia & Cool Change slowly make their way out into the river. Its VERY busy in the early morning with tugs pushing freighters and barges up and down the river, and orange "Staten Island Ferries" and motorized blue & white "SeaStreak" passenger catamarns from Sandy Hook, and other ports in New Jersy, transporting well-dress commuters to their jobs on Wall Street at the tip of Mahattan (Pier 11 ferry dock) or up the East River under the Brooklyn Bridge to the 34th Street ferry landing. We move out into the main channel periodically having to "head into the wakes" of passing ferries & tugs to avoid excesssive rolling. Before us lies the Verrazano Narrows Suspension Bridge which seperates the NY Harbor from Raritan Bay. Ten miles across the bay is Sandy Hook, NJ, our destination. (Sandy hook is a penninsula which points northward from NJ toward Mathattan.) The waters of the bay run 20-30 deep in most areas but it has deeper buoyed channels used by the ferries going between NYC and the towns of Highland & Atlantic Highland at the base of the Sandy Hook pennisula. The winds are down & on the nose so we motor across the entire bay. 1030 - Arrive @ Atlantic Highland's harbor (40.25.00 N, 74.01.38 W) and head for fuel dock for diesel and a pump-out with Cool Change. We then drop anchor behind the breakwater at the east end of the mooring field (free) putting out about 80 feet of rode in 13 ft of water (hi tide). You can rent a mooring ball from the Yacht Club for $40 / day. This includes water taxie service between 1000-2200 hr, and use of their showers (only fair). There are several other transient sailboats and a trawler already here. Arne (Scandia) came over in his dinghy to barrow our generator. His electrical system is not charging his batteries properly and his refrigerator is not cooling. He carries a spare alternator & will be installing it tomorrow. Bev's left knee has also been bothering her for several days (stained ligament?) and she has had to take it easy. We dinghy into the dock and scout-out the town for grocery stores, laundries, hair dressers, hardwares, NAPAs, etc. which we'll take advantage of over the next few days. 1730 - Return to the boat had dinner & went to bed about 2300.

     

    9-14-05

    (W), Atlantic Highlands harbor, Sandy Hook, NJ (40.25.00 N, 74.01.38 W): 0530 - up & breakfast. Clear, BP 30.00, temp 67 F. Checked weather... Hurricane Ophelia is threatening east coast. This anchorage is a stopping off point for transient southbound sailboats from the US and Canada in the fall (AKA: "snowbirds"). Normally they start arriving @ about 1530 hr and usually pull anchor are gone between 0500 and 0800 hr, often traveling with 1, 2 or more sailboats they've met along the way. However, because of hurricane Ophelia off the Carolina"s" , most are staying put. Like ourselves, many are planning on stopping at the Annapolis Boat Show.

    1000 - I take Mary & Pat into town via dinghy. They have hairdresser appointments and decide to do some grocery shopping as well. Retrun to Scandia to try to help Arne with his electrical problem. He wants to check his batteries and I bring my VOM and hygrometer. Batteries seem fine. Arne had installed his new alternator but had a local fellow also look at the electrical system. He has taken the old alternator to have it checked. In the meantime, Arne discovered a blown fuse and suspected this was the problem. Its not. But we found that the fan on the refrigerator was bad. Thus, the refirgerator is constantly running draining the batteries. Arne contacted the local electrical fellow who he has been working with. He will pick up a new fan from Radio Shack. He's had this happen in the past and he found that the small computer fans from Radio Shack work fine on the "AB Cold Machine"-- much cheaper too! 1600 - Dinghy to shore to pick up Mary and Pat. They are both tired & hot and we stop off at a local resturant for a cold drink before returning to our boats. Dinner on our respective boats. 2130 - Hit the sack.

     

    9-15-05

    (Th), Anchorage, Altlantic Highlands harbor, Sandy Hook, NJ: 0600 - Up - Coffee only - have been switching back & forth between instant and the real thing. Arne & Paul use only the perked brew and are convincing me that's the way to go.. problem is having to perk an entire pot & Pat's a tea only Lass.

    Overcast, drizzling (including all night), BP 30.65, Temp 75 F. We are staying put. Weather to south looks bad. Small craft warning with sea in some places reported to be up to 26 ft! None of the other transients are leaving either. Rains increased and became heavy during the day. Now's a good time soap up, take a fresh water shower and to wash down the boat. The Yacht Club wants $13 for one use of their shower. (One of the local business people told us this is really not a friendly transient boaters marina.. They appear to be more interested in people using their Fishing Charter boats.) Mary and Paul are planning to rent a car for next Monday to travel to south for their son Eric's graduation from "Homeland Security" training at a US facility near Brunswick, Georgia. They would return next Thursday or Friday. 1230 - Bad News: Paul & Mary informed me today that they have really become home sick and are now considering turning back! I was really caught off guard. Hope its just the depressing weather and they will change their mind. Pat & I had only agreed to do this trip if Paul & Mary were going. We said we would stick with them through thick & thin. They told us they did not expect us to turn back but could continue on. I talked it over with Pat & she said she wants to go on. I dinghied over to Arne & Bev and told them what Mary & Paul were thinking about... we were really supprised as well. I told them Pat & I really wanted to continue on but did not want either of them to think they had to "baby sit" us. They said that they would be happy to have us countinue to travel with them as long as we wished. However, they pointed out that they would be leaving next Sunday, weather permitting, for the Cheasapeake Bay; They are scheduled to pick up their daughter who will sail with them for a few days. We already knew about their schedule. However, because we had committed to sail with Paul & Mary, we had planned to stay in Sandy Hook to wait for them to return from Georgia. Now that they were planning to turn back, Pat and I will go on with Arne & Bev. However, despite our decision to continue on, we really felt depressed for the rest of the day, and the rain and reported hurricane to out south did nothing to raise our spirts. Stayed on the boat, cleaned up and read another chapter in Dan Brown's Book "Angels & Demons" which our daughter Susan loaned to me. I plan on reading his other book, "The Da Vinci Code", later. 2000 - hit the sack.

     

    9-16-05

    (F), Anchorage, Altlantic Highlands harbor, Sandy Hook, NJ: 0600 - Up - Coffee only. BP 30.50, Temp 70 F, Overcast. Rained all night. The people here say they need the rain badly... no rain for previous month... Oh well. Rained on and off all day. 0930 - Paul and Arne come over to Weal Sea in Arne's dinghy. Great News... Paul tells me he and Mary have decided to continue on! That means, Pat & I will be staying in Sandy Hook after all to wait for Paul & Mary to return from Georgia. We will then sail south together and meet Arne & Bev, who are still planning to leave Sunday (9-18-05) for the Chesapeake to met their daughter and then on to Annapolis for the boat show. Pat and I both feel great. 1000 - I took Pat and Mary ashore for laundry and grocery shopping; Bev has been laid up with her sore knee for the last several days and is staying on their boat. There is an older Columbia anchored near us on a mooring ball. The boat is operated & maintained by George Morgan, a "ships's pastor" for the Sea Scouts which actually owns the "donated" boat. Paul spoke to George the previous evening and discovered that his wife Judyannah (she is originally from Trinadad) works at the local West Marine (WM) Store. He volunteered to drive us in to WM the next day to pick-up any boat supplies we might need. I spent rest of day working around the boat and preparing a list of items to purchase from the WM store. 1900 - late dinner. 2100 - hit the sack.

     

    9-17-05

    (Sat), Anchorage, Altlantic Highlands harbor, Sandy Hook, NJ: 0800 - Up and breakfast. Clear, BP 30.40, Temp 75 F - going to be hot today. 1000 - dinghy into shore to meet George and Judyannah who are taking, Pual, Arne and me into WM. I purchased several items including a back-up macerator pump and a back-up water pump. Ours are working fine but if either goes out in the Bahamas, we would be hard pressed getting replacements. Some people also carry a spare water pump for their engine (similar to what paul replaced on Cool Change in Presque Isle, OH.) In addition, I also want paper charts of the Chesapeake & Deleware Bays as well as strip charts of the Intercostal Waterway. I have C-Map chips of these regions for our chart plotter but you should always have paper chart back-ups. Paul said he also wants the paper charts. Unfortunately they do not have the charts at WM. There is, however, a Boats US store in another town about 10 miles away and Judyannah volunteers to drive us. Arne wants to return to his boat. George has his car there & agrees to take him back. Surprisingly, Paul also decides to return without buying the charts. Judyannah takes me to Boats US where I purchase the needed charts as well as 3 Hella 12 V fans (2 for the salon and 1 for the v-berth), & an outboard motor lock & bridle for the dinghy. I also have a 10 ft dinghy cable made-up so as to be able to secure the dinghy when we go ashore for long periods. 1430 - Back at the harbor, getting ready to return to boat only to discovered I had scraped the dinghy against one of the pilings when getting gasoline earlier in the day. The tide was out exposing the barnacles which are like razor blades. Several shallow gashes were present on the port side and one was causing a very slow leak... more problems! Checked the repair kit on board and no glue! Judyannah had already left so I telephoned George & asked if he might pick up a tube of Zodiac PVC glue for me when he drops Judyannah off at WM for work tomorrow AM. He says sure, pleased to do it. Return to boat. Pat said Paul came by earlier to tell us he and Mary had changed their mind again & have decided not to continue on! He had dinghied into shore to try to find me and tell me personally. 1530 - Arne came by on his way to the fuel dock & I gave him the news about Paul & Mary. He was surpised & left for shore to find Paul. 1550 - I put more air in our dinghy & headed ashore to find Paul. Arne and Paul were sitting at the dinghy dock talking. Arne left when I arrived (found out later this was so Paul & I could talk in private). Paul explained his heart was really not in the trip... he had actually considered turning around when we were in Buffalo but continued on because of he felt a commitment to Pat & I. He was really feeling bad and felt he had let Pat & I down. I explained that Pat & I understood & that we both felt that if their heart wasn't in it, they should not continue on. Paul said they realized they could not possibly return all the way to Michigan this late in the season. Thus, they were thinking of returning up the Hudson & Erie Canal to Sodus Point, NY where Mary's brother lived. They would leave Cool Change there for the winter and return next spring to possibly do the "The Thousand Islands" then return to the North Channel. We retruned to our respective boats. I told Pat about my talk with Paul & their plans. Arne telephoned & invited us over for coffee-tea and sweets at 1730 to discuss plans for the sail south the next day. Since Paul & Mary were turning around, we would now be leaving with Scandia for the Chesapeake Bay the next day. 1730 hr - Pat & I dinghied over to Scandia. Paul & Mary were also invited but did not arrived until about 1815. It was really a sad occasion & neither Paul or Mary said much initially. Bev was her cheery self and tried to perk us all up. Pat was doing her best as well to keep spirts up. Arne said they planned to leave about 0630 hr tomorrow. Thus, Pat & I would have to get up around 0500 to get Weal Sea ready including bringing our outboard motor & leaking dinghy onboard. Arne asked Paul about his plans. When he discovered he was only planning to return to Sodus Point, NY where they would leave their boat for the winter, he suggested that they might consider continuing on at least to the Chesapeake Bay. They could leave Cool Change there for the winter & return in the Spring to spend time sailing the Chesapeake Bay before returning home. Mary & Paul thought about it & decided it was a good idea.... Ooops OUR plans are changed again. Since we had agreed to stick with Paul & Mary we still felt obligated to wait for them to return from Geogia to sail with them to the Chesapeake Bay. Although they encouraged us to continue on with Scandia, we said we would wait for them at Sandy Hook... we had started out together and we would continue on as long as possible. The mood of the evening immediately changed and everyone felt better. At least we would be together for another couple of weeks. 2100 - Returned to our boats. Pat and I sat up & talked. The weather forcast for tomorrow was good and we really would have liked to have pulled anchor for the Chesapeake tomorrow. However, we both agreed that we had made the correct decision. Paul & Mary are our friends & waiting for them to return was the right thing to do. They had stayed with us when they wanted to return home earlier in the trip & this was our opprotunity to show our graditude & return the favor. 2230 - Hit the sack.

     

    9-18-05

    (Sun), Anchorage, Atlantic Highlands, Sandy Hook, NJ: 0600 - Up & breakfast. Clear & sunny. BP 30.60, Temp 70 F. 0630 - Scandia was suppose to depart at 0630 but is still @ anchor. 0700 - Scandia pulls anchor. She will first head north about 2 mi inside the Sandy Hook Bay then east to round the point of Sandy Hook peninsula into the Alantic and finally south toward Barnegat Bay, NJ. Barnegat Bay is about 42 mi south of Sandy Hook. Depending on conditions, they might consider continuing on to Atlantic City which is another 30 mi south. The next day they would only have to sail another 40 mi south to Cape May at the mouth of the Delaware Bay. 1030 - Pulled dinghy on foredeck to patch it. Don't have any acetone to prepare the surface. Mary (Cool Change) has some finger nail polish remover which contains acetone. Used it but it contains some other material as well.. hope it works. Will need to let it set up for 24 hr. Pittled around the boat the rest of the day. 1630 - Lots of boats "going south" have been arriving and dropping anchor at this end of harbor. A surprising large number are from Canada - 30% to 50%. 1700 - Having real problems using telephone on the boat here at anchor.. bad reception. However, did manage to teleponed some of family members. Spoke to Ryan, Sean & Matthew, 3 of our grand children. Ryan now has his own email address and sent me an email. I now have his return address & will be placing him on our list so he will receive his own copy of Weal Sea's Log. 1930 - Coffee-tea & sweets with Paul & Mary. Mary cleaned out many of the perishables from her refrig & gave them to Pat. She put ice in their refrig to hold the rest. We'll keep an eye on Cool Change while they are gone. 2100 - hit the sac.

     

    9-19-05

    (M), Atlantic Highlands anchorage, Sandy Hook, NJ: 0600 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.75, Temp 75 F, Clear & sunny. No wind... water is a nearly as smooth as a sheet of glass. 0630 - Many of transient boats are starting to pull up anchor and are heading out around the east end of the breakwater. From there they turn north about 5 mi to the end of the Sandy Hook peninsula where they turn east to follow the buoyed channel ~ 0.75 mile out into the Atlantic. They then turn almost directly south for Atlantic City or the Deleware or the Chesapeake Bays. ~ 1100 - Paul & Mary have their rental car delivered & depart for Georgia. 1200 - batteries down, ran generator. Having to use dinghy's gasoline tank since we still haven't been able to locate the type "gerry" cans we want for our trip. 1600 - Inflate dinghy & Pat & I get it in water using extra jib halyard to raise it off foredeck and lower it into the water. 1700 - dinghy into shore to shop for a few grocery items, dump garbage & to pick up drinking water & additional gasoline. Will do major grocery shopping tomorrow. 1830 - decide to eat out @ Harbor Side Resturant & Grill. Very nice. Pat has steak. I have "wrap". So much food we take 1/2 back to the boat for next day. 2030 - return to boat... its dark and we forgot our dinghy light. However, have flashlight in Emergency Kit we carry on dinghy and it does in a pinch. 2130 - hit the sac.

     

    9-20-05

    (Tue), Anchorage, Alantic Highlands harbor, Sandy Hook, NJ: 0600 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.07, Temp 70 F. Partly cloudy & windy. 0730 - Check dinghy. Nuts... !#)@*, the patch leaks! The nail polish removed I use as the source of my acetone apparently had other additives which did in fact interfered with the adhesion of the patch. Its a very slow leak and I can use the dinghy but its a nuisance. Will have to redo the job later. 1200 - Pat & I dinghy into town again to do major grocery shopping. I also need a haircut. On the way in, I remembered I forgot the new outboard motor lock I had just purchased from WM. Turned around & went back & picked it up. OH NO! The outboard motor lock fell overbaord as I was putting it on the dinghy! Nuts again.... leaky dingy & now lost the dinghy outboard motor lock... what else can happen! Continue on and arrive at dock to tie up. NO.. NOT AGAIN.. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! One of our dinghy oars is gone! It must have become fallen off its bracket while we were motoring in. That's 3 things that have happen to the dingy ("Bad Luck comes in 3's")! Nothing we can do about it now. I'll check with George tomorrow and see if I can purchase a replacement oar from WM later. Since Pat & I are going to be here for a few days on our own, we've decided to go into New York City tomorrow via the SeaStreak Ferry from Atlantic Highlands. We therefore stopped off at the ferry offce to buy tickets & at the library to get maps & information on NYC. Round trip tickets after 0900 are $29 per person. Got haircut & groceries. Its been a tough day with the dinghy... decided to treat ourselves & ate lunch out at the Atlantic Dinner. 1830 - returned to Weal Sea. 2000 - will have long day in NYC tomorrow. Went to bed early.

     

     

    9-21-05

    (Tue), Anchorage, Atlantic Highland, Sandy Hook, NJ: 0730 - Up & Breakfast. BP 30.70, Temp 75 F. Clear sunny day. Going to be warm. 0830 - Add more air to our leaky dinghy & head for the ferry dock. Taking camera & backpack. ~0930 - Board SeaStreak ferry m/v "Highlands". [NOTE: SeaStreak, INC operates several ferries between Highlands & Atlantic Highlands (both on Sandy Hook) and NYC in the AM starting a 0600. Cost = $35 for a single round-trip on ferries between 0600 & 0900 (usually regular NYC commuters use these). We are taking the 1000 ferry - $29 round trip] About 50 passangers board. These are motorized catamarans. Can get coffee, donuts, breakfast sandwichs, etc on board if you wish. Takes about 40 minutes to cross the bay to NYC. We'll be going under the Verrazono Narrow Bridge past both Lady Liberty & Ellis Island and getting off at Pier 11. This is @ the south-east tip of Manhattan (actually on East River). Arrive Pier 11, Slip B ("Wall Street Ferry") at the base of Wall Street. (Ferry will continue on up East River to 34th Street. We'll use that pick-up point for our return trip later today). Good cell phone coverage here & Pat telephones childern. Walked up Wall Street toward Trinity Church at the top of the street. Past the NYC Stock Exchange and the Federsl Hall on the opposite side of the street. This is where George Washington took his presidential oath of office on April 30, 1789. Pat talks to one of the ever-presnt mounted policeman ("New York's Finest) standing by his horse to answers questions of passer-bys.

    Continue on up to Trinity Church. There is a large patinated bronze "casting" measuring 12.5 x 20 ft wide of a set of roots from a tree in the garden next to the church. A gift of the artist Steve Tobin. The casting is the roots from a sycamore tree in St. Paul's Chapel @ Broadway & Fulton Streets that was stricken by debris during the 9-11 terrorist attack in 2001. The original roots are preserved in St. Paul's Chapel Courtyard. We turn left (south) on to Broadway. Hundreds of people bustle up & down the street just as you see in pictures & films. Lots of tourist, many from Asia, stop by & posed for a picture in front of the famous Wall Street "Bull" casting (its actually on Broadway not Wall Street). I can't resist; Pat & I have a fellow tourist shoot a picture of us in front of the Bull as well. Continue south past the "Bowling Green" square & "Custom House" to Battery Park. Turn & return north up Broadway. Its about 1145 hr and Pat & I will eat at the Broadway Cafe !

    which we passed earlier. Its food court where you can have various types of food prepared to your individual liking. Very reasonable and good! Head north again to Liberty Street & turn left at Liberty Plaza one block to the World Trade Center site. Its currently a hudge "Hole In The Ground" surrounded by a fence. Lots of earth-moving & other equipment working in the area. Really a sad sight which makes you angry. Hundreds of people are wandering around taking photos & reading the posted signs with information about the attack. We head to the NE corner of the plaza & walk downstairs to the World Trade Center subway terminal. Purchase 2 "all-day" surface-underground tickets for $7 each. Take subway north to 41th St. to visit Greewich Village & Washington Square. Pat & I were here in the early "1960s" during the "Hippie" years. It has'nt changed that much. People still sitting around the fountain, some playing guitars sing folk songs and others just gazing off into the distance (still on "pot"?). There is even a group filming a commercial movie off to one side of the square. Visit the Chapel @ the Catholic Center at New York University adjacent to the square. Back on the subway we head up to 34th & 6th Ave passing the Commedy Village and by a several groups of people playing a game of "pick-up" basketball in one of the ever present fenced-in public B-ball courts along the street. I'm still trying to find some sandles... that's all I have been wearing on the trip & mine are wearing out! Of course this is a bad time of year to try to find summer clothing. Someone suggested we might find some on 8th Ave. Nothing on 5th Ave I can afford!. Head to 8th and found a shoe shop that still had some sandles and purchased a pair. Head south & enter the West 4th Street subway terminal & take the subway to the 34th St - Penn Station exit. Penn Central R.R. Station is very busy. They have numerous underground stores including a small K-Mart which we can't resist visiting. Exit the station, turm east up 34th & head for the Empire State Building. Purchase 2 "senior citizen" tickets for $13 each (save $1) & take the elevator to the observation deck. Seems like hundreds of tourists with cameras are here & 75+% don't speak English. It is a fantastic sight & you can see the all of NYC, the harbor including Lady Liberty & Ellis Island as well as much of NJ & even Sandy Hook in the distance. Took lots of photos. Tried to use cell phone on the observation deck but no towers! Getting late and need to get going. Took elevator down & turned west on 34th and walked by Macy's Department store @ the junction of Broadway, Avnenue of the Americas (6th Ave) & 34th. Walked into Macy's briefly but then continued east on 34th to 8th Ave subway station to catch subway to 50th street (50th & Broadway). Pat stops outside an Applebee's and telephone the kids (lots of towers here). Its dark and the multitude of colors created by the city's lights are cannot be described. Walk past the Time-Life Building, Radio City Music Hall, The NBC Studio (Pat seens Conen O'Brien walk out of the studio) and continue on to the Rockerfeller Center. Its getting late and we need to catch the 2000 hr ferry back to Atlantic Highlands. Take to subway back to 34th St, then catch a 34th St "cross-town" bus (included on our ticket) to the East River ferry dock. Get there about 1930. Ferry arrives on time and we relax on the return trip... its been a "long" but enjoyable day. Arrive back @ ~2045. Dindy is still inflated and we head back to the boat in the dark. Did not need the flash light.. I did remember to bring the dinghy light! 2200 hr - hit the sac.

     

    9-22-05

    (Th), Anchorage, Atlantic Highlands, NJ: 0730 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.50, Temp 70. Overcast and raining. Pat & I are getting tired of Atlantic Highlands! We can only takes so much of this place. 1300 hr. - rain stopped & dinghy into town to do some laundry. 1400 - Pat has her hair done. 1530 - Paul & Mary telephone. They are on their way back & should arrive tomorrow early afternoon. 1730 - return to boat. (Looking forward to heading SOUTH!) 2100 - hit the sac

     

    9-23-05

    (F), Atlantic Highlands anchorage, Sandy Hook, NJ: 0630 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.00, Temp 70 F, clear & sunny. Several transients arrived yesterday and are waiting for good weather to head south. Met 3 of them today: Bob & Sally (s/v Madison, a 50 ft ketch) from Houston, TX; Ben & Marle (m/v Disel Duck, a 40 ft aluminum trawler) from Toronto, CA; and Stan & Judy (s/v Rum Runner, 36 ft cutter-rigged dory) from Salem, MA. 1130 - Dinghy into town to visit library to check email (hotmail acct), visit local hardware to pick up some needed items, and pick up drinking water & gasoline for generator. (Getting BORED here... stuck here almost 2 wks!). 1330 - Paul & Mary return. Great to have them back safely. It was a long trip for them & they are both tired. Son's graduation went fine. Paul & Mary said they had told their childern they were considering putting the boat up in the Chesapeake for the winter & heading home. Their childern told them they need not worry about them but do what they thought best for themselves. 1500 - decide to pull anchor & go to fuel dock for diesel & fill boat's water tanks. Paul mentioned that the Municipal Marine here seems to be using the same water hose to both flush holding tanks & fill drinking boat water tanks! That's a BIG NO, NO. We go to fuel dock and take on diesel. Asked for the the hose to fill our water tanks. Sure enough the attendant, a young fellow about 18 or 20, gave me the hose they use to fush holding tanks. Not being sure he understood me, repeated myself & said I told him again that I wanted the hose to fill my water tanks not flush the holding tanks. He said they use the same hose! I explained that that was illegal and dangerous. He said, "Well, we never touch the edge of the holding tank with the hose." Sure...., I thought. I asked him if he tells people they service that they use the same hose for both purposes. He did not respond. Then he told me that they had been doing it this way for 20 years and that they were not required to give water to anyone. If we did not want water we could do without. Unfortunately, we had no water left. I took the hose and poured pure chlorox over the end then filled the first few feet with chlorox and held it that way for about 5 minutes. I then began to run water through it to flush it out. The older dock man came over and turned off the water. I explained I was flushing the hose and had not yet filled my tanks. He said, in an unpleasant tone, "We have a water shortage here and don't want to waste water". However, he did turn it back on and I filled the tanks. We returned to our original spot in the harbor and reanchored. Many more transient boats were now arriving. One, a small trawler operated by an elderly couple, came in and kept trying anchor about 25-30 yds from us. They were using an anchor ball but seemed uncertain about what they were doing finally setting the anchor not more than 30 or 40 ft from the bow of their boat in 11 ft of water... not nearly enough scope in my experience. Oh well... maybe they know more about this anchorage than me. 2130 - hit the sac. 2200 - Very windy. Weal Sea and other boats are swinging on their anchors. Despite the fact that you have out 80 ft rode including 50 ft of chain, you still worry a bit. 2300 hr - Pat is still up reading. The wind now is really up and fierce. We have our forward hatch awning up so we can keep the hatch open when it rains to allow air to circulate through the cabin. It was thrashing in the wind so much that the noise woke me. Debating wether or not I'll have to go out and take it down. Sit up in v-berth & look out hatch. MY GOSH... that trawler that came in late & anchored near us seems closer... are we moving forward? I immediately check Madison on my port beam. She is still in the same place. Check the trawler again & she is even closer! HOLY BOVINE.. she's dragging anchor & coming down on us. I jump out of bed and race past Pat reading in the salon to the cockpit to check our situation; we are holding firm. I call to Pat to hand me the air horn explaining that the trawler is dragging anchor. Just as she hands me the horn, the starboard side of the trawler hits our our port stern quarter. I am very concerned that the trawler's anchor will hook ours and pull it free then drag us along with them into the shallows. I hold the horn out & give several blasts & yell as loudly as possible, "You're dragging anchor!" I can actually touch the starboard cabin of the trawler with the horn over both our rails. I continue to give multiple blasts trying to raise someone inside. Finally a light comes on & I can see 2 confused people staggering around inside. They struggle & finally come out on deck. By this time the trawler has slid past us & is heading slowly toward the beach 150 yds behind us. They appear not to have hooked our anchor. The couple still seems confused and ask, "Where's our anchor ball?" I try to explain again that they have dragged anchor & are headed for the shore. Finally I go below & grab our rechargable flood light & use it to help them spot their anchor ball. They are lucky... their anchor seemed to reset itself about 20 yds off shore which prevents them from going aground. Eventually they get their motor started & haul in the anchor. However, they move the trawler up-wind in front of us AGAIN & try to reset the anchor in the same spot! I can't believe it! No luck... Thank goodness. They try several times & eventully move further away & off to our starboard. I watch them for the next hour from our v-berth hatch using binoculars. Their cabin lights remained on the entire night with someone wandering around. I set an alarm for 60-90 minutes to remind me to check to see if they have moved. Eventually get to sleep @ 0400.

     

     

    9-24-05

    (Sat), Anchorage, Atlantic Highlands, Sandy Hook, NJ: 0730 - Up & Breakfast. Clear, BP 30.10, Temp 70 F, Windy. NOAA weather says wind out of S and seas up until Tuesday (9-26-05). I'm still tired after our experience with the trawler last night... really did not sleep well. The trawler is gone! No idea where they went. 0900 - took dinghy over to Cool Change. Paul said he was up in the cockpit late because of the winds and concern about the anchor. However, his also held well. He did observe what had occurred and heard our horn trying to alert the trawler. He had not, however, realized it was Weal Sea the trawler was coming down on since it was very dark in the crowded anchorage and we were at least 200 yds away on the opposite side the fairway which runs E-W up the middle of the harbor between the breakwater and the shore. He also saw the trawler re-anchor at least 2-3 times. We discuss itinerary and agreed the weather will not be favorable for sailing south until Tuesday. 1045 - dinghed over to Madison. Bob and Sally also heard the horn last night and got up to watch the events... the trawler passed Madison on her starboard side but missed them. 0100 - took dinghy to shore to visit library. On the way, I stopped by police station, which is in the same building, and asked if there was a local Heath Department. The office I spoke to said no and asked why. I explained our experience with trying to get potable water at the municipal dock only to discover they were using the same hose to fill dinking water tanks and flush toilet-holding tanks on boats. He was not aware of this and expressed concern. He said he would check into it and make a report. Went to library and checked hotmail account then back to boat. Dinner then some reading. 2030 - hit the sac.

     

    9-25-05

    (Sun), Anchorage, Atlantic Highlands, Sandy Hook, NJ: 0730 - Up and breakfast. Clear, BP 30.90, Temp 60 F. No wind - harbor like a mirror. No one departing today. 1000 - Paul dinghied over. We talked and I asked about their plans and where they would be putting their boat up in the Chesapeake Bay. Paul said they had decided to continue. Great, However, they are concerned about their daughter-in-law who is expecting and they plan to take it a day at a time. 0130 - Checked NOAA weather. Still looks like Tuesday is the first real opening for favorable weather (winds and seas) for heading south. We could make Barnegat Bay, about 40 mi south, or possibly Atlantic City, another 20 mi in one day depending on when we left Sandy Hook. The alternative would be an overnighter all the way to Cape May, over 100 miles. Have to think about that one after our experience last year going from Hammond, IN to Muskegon, MI; Gives Pat bad vibes!

    Went ashore for awhile then back to boat... really getting bored; We've been here 12 days now. "Need to go where it’s warm!” as Jimmy B would say. 2030 - Went to bed.

     

    9-26-05

    (M), Anchorage, Atlantic Highlands, Sandy Hook, NJ: 0730 - Up, coffee and cheese. 0900 - dinghied over to Madison. Bob & Sally said there was going to be a potluck get together of the southbound transients at 1800 on shore. Will likely discuss tomorrow’s plans for heading out. Weal Sea & Cool Change both plan to attend. Return to Weal Sea and decide to scrub down her hull; really looking sad. 1400 - Bob Logcher (s/v Cyngnet) dinghied over while I was cleaning the hull and introduced himself. Discovered he attended graduate school at Massachusetts Institute of Technology the same time Pat & I were there in the late 60's. He stayed on as a faculty member in Civil Engineering & knew several of the individuals in my department including a member of my graduate committee, Steve Tannenbaum... small world! 1800 - Transients gathered at the pagoda on shore for potluck. There were at least 10 boats represented. Among the new people we met were Mimi & Sam Cooper (s/v Green Eggs 'n Sam) from Danvers, MA, Jim Noeleen & Nicola Looney, their daughter & dog (s/v SeaLoon) from San Antonio, TX and Ireland, respectively, and Bruce McKenna & Barbara Fagan (s/v Messin About) from Portsmouth, NH. Everyone is departing tomorrow but the groups are leaving at different times with different destinations. Madison is leaving at first light & doing and overnighter for Cape May. Several are leaving a 1000 hr and going for Barnegat Bay or possibly Atlantic City. The latest NOAA weather report for Tuesday predicts NE-N winds @ 10-15 knots with occasional gust to 25 in the AM and seas of 3-4 ft. Winds will gradually shift to E then SE Wednesday PM, and finally S on Friday. They will not swing W or NW until Saturday. That means if we decide to sail to Barnegat Bay or Atlantic City, we will have to wait until Saturday to continue south... we don't want a SE, S or SW wind. Weal Sea & Cool Change decides, with the agreement of the Admirals of course, to do an overnighter and go for Cape May! We'll leave at 0800. Return to boats and hit the sac @~ 2030 hr.

     

    9-27-05

    (Tu), Anchorage, Atlantic Highlands, Sandy Hook, NJ: 0600 - Up, coffee & cheese. Clear, BP 30.05, Temp 60 F, Winds 20-25 knots out of N, seas 3-4 ft with white caps. 0800 - Getting ready to go forward to raise anchor and Pat asked me "What's the elongated object on shore is... could it be an oar?" Get binoculars and check. It is an oar and very possibly ours! My motor is already on the carrying rack on the stern rail. I see Stan (s/v Rum Runner) on deck next to us working. His dinghy is still in the water & with its motor on. I call over and explain my situation concerning our motor and the possibility that our oar has washed ashore. He says he would be happy to give me a ride over. About this time, Paul radios us saying he has pulled anchor and is heading out north into the bay. His chartplotter does not have a chip of this area and he is depending on us to lead the way. I explain that we will raise anchor ASAP but are first going to check out the oar on shore. Stan comes along side, takes me onboard and we head for shore. I wade in so his motor does not hit bottom. SURE ENOUGH, IT IS OUR OAR!... Pat has an unbelievable knack for finding lost items! Stan run me back to the boat and we weigh anchor @ 0845. Rounding the breakwater, we head directly into the wind and waves -- its really pounding with wave coming over our bow. I'm getting drenched and I do not have my foul weather gear on! Pat is sitting in the companionway under the dodger. Although it’s clear, we are having difficulty locating Cool Change. We radio Paul on VHF channel 68. He can see us coming out of the harbor and tells us he is about 1/4 mi ahead of us off our starboard bow. Sure enough, searching the horizon we spot Cool Change being pounded by the waves as she 'holds station' (sailor speak for "staying in one spot") waiting for us. We push the throttle forward and Weal Sea's 30 hp engine responds pushing her forward at about 5.0-5.5 knots north toward the tip of Sandy Hook peninsula 5 miles away. It’s a long hour with waves constantly coming over the bow and drenching me. Cool Change falls behind. She has a 25 hp engine and is having trouble keeping up. We make it to the tip of the peninsula and hold station again waiting for Cool Change. Although the channel between the bay and open sea at the north end of Sandy Hook peninsula is well buoyed, its much easier and reassuring if you have a chartplotter showing you your headings and giving the depths.

    Once we rounded the tip of hook and were headed south, we let out our headsails and gradually pointed Weal Sea's bow slightly SE off shore for about 2-3 miles then almost directly south. It was a great feeling! We were finally sailing and headed south again. Over the next several hours, the seas seem to smooth out. However, the winds were steady and we sometimes hit 8 knots! About 1300 hr we looked back and could see at least 3 other sailboats on the distant horizon following us. We were fairly certain that these were the other members of the southbound transients that planned to depart about 1000 hr. Weal Sea lead since our chartplotter chip covered the entire New Jersey coast, Cape May and all of the Delaware Bay. We set the autopilot and relaxed. Pat and I took turns on watch at the helm during the day and early evening. 2000 hr - Pat goes to bed. She is going to take the 2200-2330 hr watch (I did not want her to do more an 1 1/2 hr per watch). Paul and I had discussed how we would handle the watches on our respective boats. He would always be on watch on Cool Change when Pat was on watch on Weal Sea. I would be on watch on Weal Sea when Mary was on watch on Cool Change. We would also "close up ranks" throughout the night so the boats were usually no more than 75-150 yds apart. In addition, we always radioed each other every 30 minutes or so to the see how the other boat was doing. Weal Sea had her CD or satellite radio (a gift from Mike & Darla) feeding music to the cockpit speakers during much of the night. 2330 - Dan gets up, makes a cup of coffee, and takes over the watch on Weal Sea. It’s an exceptionally clear night with stars filling the sky. It seems like they have multiplied a thousand-fold at sea with the usually faintest star shining brightly and twinkling in the blackness of space. In contrast to our experience at Sandy Hook, cell phone towers along the New Jersey coast are fairly good off shore so we have talked to a number of our family and friends. 1200 - We are passing Atlantic City about 3 miles off shore! Its now Wednesday. (Log cont. on 9-28-05)

     

    9-28-05

    (W), Atlantic Ocean, ~ 3 miles off Atlantic City, NJ: 0005 hr - It’s just after midnight and I'm on watch with Pat sleeping. We are cursing south just a few miles off shore from Atlantic City. The colored lights illuminating the boardwalk, hotels and casinos give the city a carnival midway-like appearance brightening the sky for miles around. Just checked-in with Mary on Cool Change via VHF radio. Paul is down below sleeping. They are just off our starboard quarter about 100 yds... everything is fine. The moon will rise in about an hour. We both agree its been a fantastic night for sailing... couldn't possibly be better. 0100 - Pat is up, has a cup of tea and takes the watch. I hit the sac but wake up a few times to hear Pat and Paul checking-in and chatting. We've discovered our bow running lights are not working. I'll have to check them out when we get to Cape May.

    0230 - I'm up. Pat tells me she is willing to continue her watch for another hour or so but I'm awake and take over. I've decided to take the watch until dawn. I don't want to enter the Cape May breakwater before first light. 0500 - In the distance, we can make out the Cape May breakwater but its faint. Paul has also taken the helm of Cool Change to enter the breakwater. We are now motoring and have cut back our throttle to 4 knots so we do not arrive too early; Chart plotter tide tables indicate that sunrise at Cape May is at 0650. 0640 - Can now make out numerous charter fishing boats exiting the breakwater heading out to sea. The radio towers with their blinking red lights at the Coast Guard Station have been visible for hours. Now we can clearly see the red & white painted towers in the sunlight as it breaks over the eastern horizon. 0700 - About 200 yds off the end of the breakwater we make a hard turn to starboard the enter the Cape May breakwater... it must be 1/4-1/2 mi wide. The seas have been choppy but they smooth out immediately once inside the breakwater's protective walls. We continue in following the buoyed channel but remain off to one side keeping out of the way of large commercial fishing boats returning with their night's catch. They set up quite a wake as they come in with their "net booms" extending out from each side like 60 ft telephone poles. About 1 mi in from the open waters the channel make a sharp, nearly 90 degrees, port turn then straightens out. Ahead of us on our port side is the Cape May Coast Guard Station and Training Facility. There are already several sailboats anchored in front of the station about 50 yds off shore and immediately inside the buoyed channel. Among these is s/v Madison, who we met in Sandy Point. We found out later they had arrived at 2300 hr the previous night. Bob & Sally wave to us as we pass by and drop anchor 200 yd in front of them and about 50 yds off shore (38.57.02 N, 74.53.20 W). The water here is about 10 ft deep; we put out 70 ft of rode. It's now 0735 hr, almost exactly 23 hr since we left Atlantic Highlands, Sandy Hook, NJ. The sky is clear, and the warm sun is bright & rising in the morning sky. Both Pat and I are exhausted but we smile... we made it! Then we HIT THE SAC (0800 hr). 1030 - Up, Coffee. Although I've not gotten much sleep, the biological clock still will not let me sleep. (Note - there is a US Coast Guard training center here. When we arrive Pat had not realized this and saw men in dark uniforms marching around.... she though we had anchored off a prison! The trainees march between buildings in formation chanting. You can hear them respond to commands... "YES SIR!,,, NO SIR!", etc. loudly as a group). Cool Change is anchored about 75 yds further up the channel from us. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and organizing the boat. Talked to Paul via VHF. Mary is feeling a bit under the weather and has been resting. Telephoned Arne & Bev (Scandia) and told them of our arrival in Cape May. They are anchored in Annapolis, MD. Weather forecast for next 2 days is not great for heading north on the Delaware Bay & it looks like we'll stay put. 2030 - Hit the sac.

     

    9-29-05

    (Thur), Anchorage, Cape May Channel, Cape May, NJ: 0630 - Up & coffee. BP 30.50, Temp 65 F. Overcast and rain. It feels cool. Wind is out of north 15-20 knots with gust up to 35 knots. Weal Sea is staining at her anchor but this is good holding and she is doing fine. Several other boats have arrive and are anchored between Cool Change and us as well as between ourselves and the Coast Guard training facility on shore. Madison has departed... they leave at first light. They were not too concerned about the weather and needed to get to Annapolis, MD. We are not going anywhere today. Stayed on the boat and read. 2100 - Hit the sac. Wind continued through the night.

     

    9-30-05

    (F), Anchorage, Cape May Channel, Cape May, NJ: 0730 - Up & coffee. Clear & sunny, BP 30.50, Temp 60 F. Mild breeze. Got down to 55 degrees (F) last night. NOAA weather says winds will shift to east late today. We could go at least part way up the Delaware to Cohenasey River. However, Paul is looking for a favorable tide and wants to go all the way the Chesapeake City on the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. We're in no hurry and agreed to wait another day when the winds are forecast to be out of the SE-S. 0930 - Checkout the bow running light and discover whoever replaced it last time used an incorrect type Series 25 Aqua Signal bulb. Fortunately, I have a spare. Pat stands on the bow and holds the dingy in place with ropes while I stand in the dinghy to change the bulb. 1130 - Pat & I decide to dinghy into Uschts Marina where we tie up and walk the docks. Decide to have lunch at The Lobster House. They had a fire the previous Monday but are still open for eating on their docks. It’s a huge operation. The restaurant is right on the dock with fishing boats tied up next to the restaurant. Pat has shrimp and I had fish. 1300 - It’s getting hot, must be in the 80s. Walked to the village to check out the shops and visit marine stores. I pick up a gallon of oil for Weal Sea and replacement bulbs for the bow running light. Back to Uschts Marina. The lady at the marina allowed me to use her office telephone to send pocketmail. 1400 - Return to boat. Checked out the channel into Uschts where we will fuel up during return trip. The channel is narrow here and it would be easy to run aground, only 2-3 ft in some places. Paul and I are planning to refuel today. 1515 - Pat and Mary want to go back to the Lobster House to pick up some takeout & bread. Since Paul has already fueled up, he and Mary ride into Utrecht’s with us. 1545 - Fuel up (10.87 gal diesel, $28.80, eng. hr = 1627.6). Ladies still have not returned and there is another boat waiting to use the fuel dock. Paul will stay behind with "U'll Sea" (that's the name we've give our dinghy) and bring Mary and Pat back to the anchorage. I head out the channel. A few minutes later, I see Paul and the ladies heading back. I slow down and let Paul drop Mary off at Cool Change. He then brings U'll Sea and Pat back to Weal Sea. He comes aboard and helps me anchor. We discuss tomorrow’s itinerary. We plan to leave between 0700 & 0800. I then run Paul back to Cool Change. 2030 - hit the sac.

     

    Dan & Pat Harrington are aboard the S/V Weal Sea

  • August 2005

     

    The adventures of the S/V Weal Sea with Dan & Pat Harrington

    August 2005

     

    8-1-05
    @ Anchor, Cleveland, OH: Up @ 0740 h. Clear, sunny, T= 75 F, BP= 30.12, winds W @ 4-5 kts. Ran genset all night. Batteries still not fully charged... wow were they low; Pat is a bit discouraged. Shades of lasts year’s problems with the fuel pump; I've got to solve this problem. Lifted anchor 0740 h. Started engine (we have a separate starting battery which we installed 2 years ago.) Turned off all electric equip & used hand-held VHF and my small back-up Gamin GPS. However, we continued to run genset while underway. Have not taken on diesel since Channel Ecarte, Canada. Fuel gauge is not working since we departed Hammond. Have new one but have not had time to install it yet; another project. I carry 5 gal extra diesel on the storage shelf I built to attach to the swim platform ladder. Put in about 4 gal. Engine has been using ~ .75 gal/h.


    Arrive. Ashtabula, OH (41.55.0 N, 80.47.50 W) @1510. You can anchor inside the breakwater but it can get uncomfortable. Telephoned Sutherland's Marina. They could put me up on the fuel dock ($1.50/ft/day). Telephoned Ashtabula Yacht Club (right next door) which has reciprocity with other ILYA affiliated yacht clubs. We belong to the Hammond Yacht Club which is an ILYA member. AYC said they had several slips available: $1/ft for non-ILYA boats. Told them we were on our way in. (As it turned out, our entire flotilla decided to take a slip... they didn't "charge" us anything--Wow!).

    The town & Yacht Club are up river ~1 mi. 1510 h - The river channel is narrow & shallow with shoaling. Also there are freighters moored along the channel wall loading and offloading ore. To get to the Yacht Club you must pass under a fixed bridge as well as a lift bridge which opens on the hr & .5 hr. However, our immediate problem was that a freighter had moored on one side of the river channel and extended its offloading boom across the channel to the opposite side to fill railway cars. The boom appeared very low. There was no work activity on board. We circled in front of the boom & hailed the freighter. Finally a fellow wandered SLOWLY on deck & stared at us. We requested (actually "yelled", since he did not have hand-held VHF) that he raise the boom so we could pass. He wandered some more & finally raised it "a bit" and then stood there & stared at us. A bunch of the crew came on deck & leaned on the rail to watch "to see if the yacht would hit the boom." I refuse to go under & continued to circle because I could not tell how high the boom actually was. (FYI - You cannot judge the height of a bridge or boom from directly underneath.) I need at least 54' to clear comfortable especially with the antenna & Windex at the top of the mast. Also the freighter expected me to approach the boom on opposite wall of the channel (shallow!) to get by. We asked a passing power boat what he estimated my clearance at. He said he thought maybe 15-20' near the shore opposite the freighter but could not be sure... Arne (Scandia, a C-42) was right behind me and requires at least 60'. He was also circling. About this time the Coast Guard arrived. They contacted the freighter and told them to RAISE THE BOOM which they immediately did!!

    Turns out they are not suppose to leave the boom in that position so as to block the channel. Another freighter could not possibly have passed. We headed up stream & had to circle to wait for the lift bridge (opens every 30 min). The river is shoaled along one side and we ran aground. Fortunately we were just creeping & it was a soft grounding, I was able to back off easily but there was lots of mud around in the water around our stern. O530 - Made it past the bridge, fueled up at Sutherland's (20.5 gal diesel + 2 gal gasoline for the genset), then took a slip at the AYC next door. Very nice people.

    Our group had a picnic outside under the shelter attached to the shower building. Paul (Cool Change) had previously contacted a friend ("Doc") he had met in Florida who keeps a fishing boat near-by. Doc is a retired airline mechanic and volunteered to try to help me track down my electrical problem. It was too late to start that evening so we planned to work on it the next morning. He did, however, bring a freshly caught Wall-Eye which we all shared & "consumed with gusto" @ the picnic. Went to bed at 2330.

    8-2-05
    Ashtabula Yacht Club (41.54.0 N, 80.47.7 W), Ashtabula, OH: Up @ 0600. Had coffee & cheese. Turned on the A/C... thank goodness we had brought it with us... Temperature had been 90-95+ in the shade and NO wind the past few days. Paul & Doc arrive ~0800. Doc came below & I briefed him on the problem / symptoms. Doc had told me the previous day to turn off all the electrical system then disconnect a Red / hot (+) wire from the battery terminal & re-touch the pole of the battery with the wire again. If there was a spark, there must be a short. I had done that when I got up this AM. Sure enough there was a big spark! We then checked the voltage drop using a VOM (Volt-Ohm-meter) which I carry on board, had a 4.0-4.5 V draw with everything disconnected. We decided to track down the short by disconnecting the wires on the control one-at-a-time and retesting after each disconnect. NOTHING in the control panel was causing the short; with everything disconnected, something was still drawing 4+ V! Finally decided to disconnect the alternator. It had been acting up the last several days and not charging the batteries. That was IT. Voltage drop was only 0.05 V /w (with) the alternator disconnected. (Assumed the 0.05 V was due to LEDs, the Pathmaker Solenoid, or some thing else). I was going to have to replace the alternator.

    Fortunately, I had purchased a rebuilt 105 AMP Delco Marine alternator /w external 3-stage regulator from D.B. Electric in Gray, TN (recommended by Chuck Reed) & a Xantrex XAR Digital Alternator Regular from CLRMarine.com (Chuck & Linda Reed's new marine equipment supply Co.) before we left. I had tried to install it but since it was larger than my old 51 AMP Motorola (installed by Torrensen Marine in Muskegon just last summer!... more about that some other time), I was going to have to modify the mounting bracket as well as buy a larger "fan" belt. Doc had his truck & took Paul & I around to several auto & marina stores: we also wanted to test the old alternator to verify it was faulty. No luck regarding the latter; we were unable to find a place capable of testing a marine alternator. However, we were able to get a piece of metal welded to the old mounting bracket which would allow us to reuse it. Doc & Paul drilled a slot in the newly attached metal piece on the bracket when we returned to the boat & we mount it successfully. It was getting late & we were all hot, tired & hungry; decided to call it quits for the evening.

    8-3-05
     (W): 0700 - we're up. Coffee (me), tea (Pat) & cereal. Another clear, sunny & expected HOT day. The A/C has run all night & Pat & I slept very comfortably. 0830 - I was ready to attach the external regulator only to discover I couldn’t find the instructions for programming it! Waited until 0910 & called Xantrex on the cell phone; they said they would send an Adobe PDF formatted copy to my Hotmail account (I cannot receive photo or PDF attachments using PocketMail). I spent the rest of the day trying to access the internet only to discover I could not use my Verizon Mobile Office cell phone system with my laptop since the cell phone could not locate a "data" type tower in Ashtabula area. A Canadian fellow in a slip next to us also tried using his laptop and the yacht club's land-phone. (Pat had used the phone earlier telephone her sister Ena in Ireland w/ no problem.) However, he was also unsuccessful. As luck would have it, there was Ashtabula YC member on another dock who had just returned from doing the Port Huron to Mackinaw Race, Bob Andersen (a geologist & one of the co-owners of the Central American Oil Exploration Company). Bob volunteered to drive me to his home, 20 min. away, & allowed me to use his computer to download & print out the instruction manual. (Sailors really help each other in a pinch... Thanks Bob.)

    It was about 2200 when we returned. 2330 - I had to hit the sack; we plan to depart @ 0700 tomorrow for Erie, PA. Our group had decided to head there & stay at Erie's Presque Isle State Park anchorage for a couple of days. My batteries were fully charged now (shore power) & I could start my engine and sail / motor-sail using my backup handheld Garmin GPS & Standard Horizon VHF for communication /w the flotilla.

    8-4-04
    Ashtabula Yacht Club, Ashtabula, OH: 0615 - We're up. Clear, sunny, T=~ 80 F, BP= 30.02 and starting to fall. NOAA predicting possible thunder showers later in the day. 0645 - Cool Change and Concession depart early & head downstream to Sutherland Marina to fuel-up. We all agreed to try making the 0730 bridge opening. All kinds of fishing boats circling in front of the bridge when we arrive. While circling, I nearly hit unmarked partially submerged pipes near the channel wall. Scandia is right behind me but is holding place. Bridge opens exactly at 0730. Concession goes to the eastern side of the channel runs aground just downstream of the bridge where we had run aground on Monday when we arrived. They manage to back-off. However, 5 minutes later Gary radios us that his engine is overheating; he put up his headsail to continue out the channel thru the breakwall opening & into the open lake. He suspects debris had been sucked into his intake when he ran aground. They manage to clear the debris & restart their engine.

    We have 10-15 kts winds out of the SW which will allow us to "run" east to Erie, PA ~ 40 miles away. Arne (Scandia) radios us that he is going to motor-sail ahead since he is having back pains and wants to get to Presque Isle ASAP so he can rest. We relax and cruise under headsail & sometimes main. Great sailing day.

    1505 - Arrive at Presque Isle (42.11.0 N, 80.04.0 W) at Erie, PA, drop our sails & enter the channel into Presque Bay under motor. "It’s been a day's sail" - occasionally hit 7 kts! We contact Arne & Bev (Scandia) on VHF ch 72 (we use ch 72 routinely when we sail for intership communications). They are already anchored in Misery Bay (a small bay off the larger Presque Isle Bay) and give us instructions on approaching the entrance using the "range" marks (sailors sight the range marks [usually 2 vertical signs, towers, or lights] when entering and leaving narrow passages to keep their boats in the center of the channel.) Since we plan to work on our alternator here, we had telephoned ahead & arranged to take a slip. Also, Susan & Eric, our daughter & her husband, & their triplet boys were driving up from Pittsburg to bring us our mail and the new Honda EU2000i generator we had ordered. Pulled into Misery Bay (42.08.8 N, 80.07.2 W) & head for the fuel dock to fuel-up & pump-out. Cool Change & Concession followed & drop anchor ~ 200 yds. out in the bay near Scandia. Cool Change radioed us to say they are having engine problems. We are assigned slip B-20. Cool Change has arranged to tie up on the harbor wall & I head down to the wall to assist. Gary (Concession) uses his dinghy with outboard motor to bring Cool Change to the wall. Paul & Mary are very concerned about how serious the engine problem is but Paul suspects his water pump bearings may have gone bad & caused the engine to seize up. He contacts several marine mechanics by telephone & to arrange for them to check the engine the next day... looks like we are going to be here for a while. Now we have 2 boats with problems.

    0600 - Susan phones - will arrive ~ 0630. We shower & change cloths. Susan, Eric & the triplets arrive. The boys are very excited about seeing all the boats in the harbor & we bring them on board Weal Sea. They play with the wheel and explore the cabin below including the "head". Everyone is hungry so we drive to Applebee's, but not before introducing the family to Cool Change. Had great dinner. ~2100 h - return; Susan, Eric & the boys depart for Pittsburg; Eric's parents, Judy & Charlie, are arriving for the weekend. 2230 - Go to bed... lots of work to do tomorrow on alternator.

    8-5-05
    (F), Presque Isle State Park, Misery Bay, Erie, PA (42.11.0 N, 80.04.0 W): 0630 - up, shower & breakfast. Start working on completion of installation of new alternator. Having trouble with wiring in the new regulator. Instructions sent by alternator company do not match those provided by Xantrex (regulator). Main problem is that tachometer does not work properly. Telephoned alternator company in TN & received additional suggestions. Still no luck. Finally decide to check Xantrex instructions again. Discover possible error in instructions from alternator company having to do with wiring diagram. Decide to do it my way. Jury rigged the system for testing using various pieces of wire I have available. Pat starts engine & reads off the tachometer readings to me (I'm down in cabin next to engine & alternator so she needs to start the engine from the cockpit and adjust the throttle). IT WORKS! figured it out.... (I think/hope). Will have to extend & re-route a 12 gauge wire to the Pathmaker / combiner / isolator separating the starting & house batteries as well as add a tachometer wire to the regulator harness supplied by Xantrex.

    Pat is going to grocery store with the ladies & will also pick up the 12 Ga wire for me. Arne (Scandia) gives me some 18 Ga wire for the harness. Real test of my interpretation of wiring diagrams & wiring skills will come later when we are underway... If you're going to sail, you need to be as self sufficient as possible. Paul stops by. He has removed the fresh water circulating pump from his engine. It is seized due to a bad bearing. He's located several places that can get a new one. Marine supply companies want anywhere from $200 to nearly $300 plus shipping for a "Universal" marine engine pump. These engines are actually tractor engines. Paul contacted a tractor dealer in town... was able to cross-reference the pump numbers... cost... $84.00 plus shipping! BIG difference in $! They will deliver it on Monday, the 8th, to Paul in the marina.

    8-6-05
     (Sat), Presque Isle, Misery Bay, Erie, PA: 0845 - up. Breakfast then washed down boat. The park is located on the "flyway" for migrating swallows which spend part of the early morning and late evening on the tops of the masts and rigging of sailboats in the harbor. They defecate all over the boats and docks. Boaters really complain but there is nothing they can do; the birds are protected. Clear & HOT today... thank goodness for A/C. Pat's back is bothering her. She finally decided to telephone her doctor's office in Lafayette, IN. The doctor telephoned a prescription in to a local/ Erie CVS pharmacy. One of the people at the fuel dock drove us in to pick up her medicine. People here have been very helpful. Other boaters often stop by when they are going into town to shop to ask if we need anything or a ride.

    8-7-08
    (Sun), Presque Isle, Erie, PA. Another HOT day. Relaxed and enjoyed the area. Pat and some of the other ladies went for a walk. Her back is still bothering her. I have been trying to figure out where we will be when its time to fly to Grenada to lecture at St George's University (Oct 24-Nov 4). We'd like to attend the Annapolis Boat Show in early October, spend some time in the Chesapeake Bay, and then head south. Arne (Scandia) said there are some excellent places to leave the boat in North Carolina. Pat & I could fly out of Raleigh, NC. Will have to call New York tomorrow to arrange our flight. St. George's University has a travel agent there.

    8-8-05
    (M) Presque Isle, Ohio: 0630 - up; clear, sunny, BP 30.02, T 75 F. We are staying here waiting for Paul's (Cool Change) water pump to arrive -- schedules to be here @ 1000 hr. 1300 hr - pump finally arrives (must be on "Island Time"). Paul installs it in less than 1 hr. Started engine... no problem. However, it’s too late to start out for Dunkirk, NY, our next destination. We all anchor out in Misery Bay with a planned departure tomorrow @ 0700 h.

    8-9-05
    (T) Presque Isle, OH: 0535 - up, breakfast check batteries - OK. Slightly overcast but mainly sunny. BP 30.07, T 75 F, Winds S-SW @ 5-10 kts. 0700 - hoist anchor and head in to Presque Bay then out channel into Lake Erie. Destination Dunkirk, NY (42.29.5 N, 79.20.5 W). Alternator NOT working AT ALL! Oh Boy, I'm getting discouraged. Fortunately winds pretty good but still have to motor-sail some of the time.

    1500 hr - arrive Dunkirk, NY. This is an old, somewhat depressed, industrial town. No anchorage here. Took slip at Chadwick Marina. Pat's back still not great. Her Dr. had prescription sent to CVS in Tonawanda, NY. Telephoned them and they sent it to the Dunkirk CVS. Harbormaster drove me into town to pick it up. Asked about getting some local individual to look at my electrical problem. He recommended Bill Strong a Jack-Of -All-Trades who also works at the marina. Bill spent about 15 min examining the boat's wiring diagram & another 10 min checking out the alternator. He found the problem! The wire connecting the starter & alternator and burned through (short?) but was hidden under a rubber cover at the alternator terminal. Also found 2 other wires where the insulation was worn thru to expose the underlying wire.. Not sure how that occurred. He spends a total of nearly 2 hr working on the system. I asked him the charge. He paused and asked if $20 was too much I couldn’t believe it. I told him he didn’t charge enough and gave him $35. I'm sure a regular marina would have charged $100 or more. He seemed very pleased.... I wish we had met him earlier... he would have save us a lot of stress. Went bed about 2230 h. We plan to depart for Buffalo, NY @ 0700 tomorrow.

     8-10-05
     (W), Dunkirk, NY: 0545 h - up, coffee, cheddar cheese & bagel; Clear, T 75 F, BP 29.29. 0700 - Depart. Alternator working fine. Set course for Green Can #1 at entrance to Buffalo Harbor (42.51.7 N, 78.54.5 W). Good 10-15 kts S-SW winds most of day but started to die early afternoon; had to motor-sail. Arrive Buffalo Harbor entrance ~1400. Entered Black Rock Channel which parallels east side of Niagara River. Passed under the Peace Bridge connecting Buffalo, NY (E side of river) & Fort Erie, Ontario (W side of river), then the Ferry Street Basque (lift) Bridge about 1 mile north, followed by the Conrail Swing Bridge, immediately before the Black Rock Channel Lock where we will "Lock Down". This is our first lock on this trip. Pat handled the line on the bow while I took the stern. It goes pretty well but we don't leave to wall soon enough when the lower gate opens and get sideway in the lock (we're new at this and just learning... we'll get better). We manage to get straightened out, exit the lock & head for Rich Marine adjacent to the lock's lower gate at the north end of Squaw Island (42.56.00 N, 78.54.25 W).

    Arne (Scandia) had previously made arrangements to have our masts unstepped here. The current is very strong here and we decide not to try to enter the inner harbor of the Marina for fear of hitting the concrete wall or running aground. We decide to tie up to the wall in the channel next to the hoist they will use to unstep our masts tomorrow.

    I forgot to mention that we've decided to "ship" our mast by truck to the other end of the Canal rather than carry it on board. About 80% of the sailboats do this now. Its not cheap but its worth it not having to build a cradle to carry it with you and having to deal with a 50 ft pole hanging off the ends of your 34 ft boat in the canal. We currently plan to take our time & spend 2- 3 weeks traversing & enjoying the Canal. Concession originally was going to ship their mast as well but changed their mind at the last minute & decided to carry theirs... it would have been cheaper for all of us if the trucker had 4 masts to transport rather than just 3. Concession left us at Rich Marine and headed north toward Tonawanda where they plan to unstep their own mast. The marina plans to unstep our mast at 0900 h tomorrow. We all get busy loosing our turnbuckles and preparing out masts for removal. Hit the sack about 2200. Moderately noisy next to the lock during the night & woke up several times.

    8-11-05
    (Th), Rich Marina, Buffalo, NY: 0630 - up & breakfast. Immediately doing additional work getting ready to have mast unstepped at 0900. Crane operator arrives about 0845 & tries to start the ancient gasoline engine on an even older crane! Floods engine and runs the battery down. Plugs in charger & and leaves. Bossman arrives ~0915 and says there will be a delay to about 1000. Finally get started about 1030. Scandia (C-42), then Cool Change (C-34) & last Weal Sea (C-34). Crane operators broken off part of Windex on the top of Scandia's mast as well as the one on Cool Change. I asked them to be more careful with mine. They managed to unstep my mast without damaging the Windex. (They did give Scandia a replacement part & Cool Change was able to fix his). We spent the rest of the afternoon preparing the masts for shipping. Bright sun, humid & temp in the 80s... we were very uncomfortable. Quit about 1730 & went out to eat at an Italian - American Restaurant. Very tired & we all hit the sack about 2130.

    8-12-05
     (F), Rich Marine, Buffalo, NY: 0700 - Up and I get started the finishing touches on the mast. Arne walks down the dock wall towards me about 0800 drinking coffee and singing "Happy Birthday"... I clean forgot! It’s my birthday! Paul also appears and does the same. Later I walk past Scandia & Cool Change and both Bev (Scandia) & Mary (cool Change) pop out their heads wish me the same. It’s overcast and NOAA prediction is for thundershowers. We decide to stay put, work on our boats and visit West Marine. Walk to WM about 1/2 mile away and the clouds open up... Paul walks, but the rest of us get a ride back to marine. Arne gets his Bimini repaired at a local Loft (sail maker / repair facility). Paul buys new hand-held VHF. Since we've taken down our masts, none of us have an antenna to operate our regular VHFs. We will all need to use hand-helds to keep in contact on the Canal and also to communicate with the lock operators.

    0700 - Group has decided to meet at a Gazebo and share coffee and rolls to celebrate my birthday. Scandia & Cool Change gave me birthday cards. Arne & Bev also gave me a disposable plastic rain coat - they caught me walking and getting soaked earlier in the day. Paul & Mary gave me a floatable Key Chain from "Charlie’s" (inside / private joke folks and I can't talk about it!).... What a great group. Pat gave me a big kiss. This will be one of my most memorable birthdays ever. 0745 - Starting to rain again as it has been doing off & on all day. Everyone went back to their boats. Have not heard from Concession in 1-1/2 days & not sure what they are up to. We plan to head for Tonawanda tomorrow. Pat went to bed ~ 2230. I stayed up till 0030 to catch up on my Weal Sea's Log.
     

    8-13-05
    (Sat), Buffalo, NY: 0630 - Up & quick breakfast of coffee & cereal. Clear & sunny; T 75 F, BP 30.01. Depart Rich Marina @ 0730. Heavy current next to the lock adjacent to the marina with lots of weeds and floating debris. I plow thru some and bump a deadhead (submerged log)... lucky no damage to the prop. Cool Change leads the way into the Black Rock Channel north toward Tonawanda followed by ourselves (Weal Sea) then Scandia. Tonawanda is at the entrance to the Erie Canal. We enter the Niagara River Channel... heavy current of about 4-5 knots north toward Niagara Falls. Pat is laying down in the V-berth with severe back pains.

    About 2 mi down stream, our engine began to overheat! I immediately turn the boat around in midstream, call to Pat to come on deck to take the helm, then rush forward and drop the anchor letting out about 150 ft of rode. We are in about 30 feet of water with a terrific current. Scandia went by downstream then turned around & came back followed by Cool Change. They hold course with their engines about 20 yards off our starboard. I explain my engine has overheated again, then go below and check the cooling water intake thru-hull screen... just as I suspected... packed with weeds (does this sound familiar)!... likely that batch I went thru by the lock when leaving the marina. Paul (Cool Change) calls on his hand-held VHF that he's willing to go over the side and clear the in-take. I'm concerned because of the strong current and say no.  We carry Boat US Tow Insurance and try to contact them using our hand-held on Channel 16. No response... not enough range with our hand-helds (we can't use our regular VHFs since we took down our masts which has the antenna on top).  Decide to try to contact them using our Cell Phone.... Works! However, we get a fellow somewhere in CALIFORNIA who want to know were we are! We tell him our situation of holding on an anchor in a 4-5 knot current in the Niagara River (above the FALLS) near red nun  marker #18 approx. 50 yards off the Niagara Mohawk Electric Power Generating Plant. He seems a bit confused (where is the Niagara River?) and ask for Latitude & Longitude which I give him from my charts: 42.50.10 N, 78.57.00 W. He takes my cell phone # & says he'll telephone the Buffalo Towboat US & have them come and give us a tow to shore so we can clear our intake.  They are several miles upstream in the Buffalo Basin above the locks! We wait 15-20 min and decide to telephone them ourselves (the California fellow gave us their local number).  The receptionists tells us the towboat operator is on his way to the harbor and his boat... not sure how long before he can get to us but likely 30 min or more once he gets to his boat.... he also has been given my cell phone number.

    Thirty minutes later & still no towboat... getting concerned in this current. Several power boats zip by between ourselves and our friends! Scandia is holding position using her engine only. Cool Change has dropped anchor about 30 yds off our starboard and Paul has decided to "row over" in this Dinghy (against a 4-5 knot current in the Niagara River!) He climbs aboard in swim suit and has brought his swim mask. He says he wants to go over the side and try to clear the intake. Scandia has taken a position down stream of us to catch him if there is a problem. I finally but reluctantly agree to allow him to try. We drop two line over the side, one with a bowline. Paul goes off the swim platform on our stern. The current is heavy but Paul goes under twice. He come up and ask me to check the intake again.... Great! Water immediately starts to come in when I open the thru hull. I let it run for a few minutes into the bilge then reinsert the screen and close up the system. Paul comes aboard and we test the engine... cools right down and water comes out the exhaust at the stern as it should!... Paul is a great friend and this is the second time he has helped us with a plugged water intake. I manage to get hold of the Buffalo Tow Boat US on the cell phone and cancel our request for a tow... no problem they tell us and wish us a good trip.

    Arrive. Tonawanda / North Tonawanda, NY (43.01.7 N, 78.52.25 W) about 1500 hr.  This is a beautiful, well maintained, city-dockage right downtown: cost for 34 ft boat is $20/day with electricity & water, and $15/day without utilities. Concession is docked here... have not heard from them in few days. They have an engine problem - the exhaust manifold has broken and it will be 8 to 10 days before they can get a new one shipped in.  Not sure what the group is going to do. Gary says the group should continue on and they will catch up later. However, we have another problem... Pat is in SEVERE pain and we decide its best to take her to DeGraff Hospital in North Tonawanda about 1/2 mi away. There is a group of 3 young fellows (20-26 yr olds) in an old "minibus" parked by the dock who come over and ask if they can help! Brad, the fellow in-charge, say he'd be pleased to drive Pat & I to the hospital. We arrive @ the emergency room in about 15 min. Pat spends the next 3 hr having various test run including X-Rays. Admitting doctor thinks she might have muscle spasms. However, she has an elevated WBC with left shift... suggesting an infection. Pat had a previous Dx of diverticulosis & a 2nd Doc suspects this is the problem. She agrees to a barium series which confirms the Dx (D-"itis"). She is admitted for treatment. They think a day or 2 in the hospital with rest, pain  medicine, fluids for re-hydration & antibiotic for the infection could do the job. I walk back to the boat about 2300 hr & get to bed ~ 0100 hr.  I'll see her tomorrow morning.

     

     

    8-14-05
     (Sun), Tonawanda / N. Tonawanda, NY.: Up 0600. Coffee & cheese. Clear, sunny, T 75, BP 30.01. 0730 - Getting ready walk to hospital to visit Pat. Paul & Mary (Cool Change), Arne & Bev (Scandia), & Gary & Mary (Concession) all stop by to ask about Pat's condition. I update them on what transpired the previous evening at the hospital regarding diagnostics and suspected diagnosis, then leave for hospital. Arrive about 0800. Pat is still in some pain but feeling better.  They have her on IV pain medicine, fluids, & antibiotics. She has a nurse practioner (Lori)... very knowledgeable, pleasant & funny (Pat is very relaxed with her).  She said Pat will probably be discharged tomorrow morning!! Great news. She is now on solid food.  Stay with Pat a few additional hrs then return to the boat to get some work done. 1700 - Telephone Pat @ hospital & told her I was going to eat at McDonalds; did she want anything? Yep... Hamburger, French Fries & a Coke-A-Cola. Pick them & decide to take my meal to hospital and eat with Pat in her room. 1830 - Arrive hospital; Pat feeling better but still a bit sore. However, ate her FF with "Gusto".. she loves her potatoes (typical Irish Lass) . Nurse comes in & confirms her discharge for tomorrow AM. I leave and head walk back to the boat ~2100. Stop by our sailing companions and give them the good news then hit the sack.

     

    TIED UP ON THE ERIE CANAL ON THE ERIE CANAL IN TONAWNDA, NY


     

    8-15-05
     Tonawanda, NY. 0600 - Up & fast breakfast of coffee & cereal. 0730 - telephoned Pat; Dr. has not seen her yet but she should be discharged by 1000. I decide to do the laundry then head for the hospital. 1015 - Pat is ready to go; telephone taxi, go to CVS (drug store) to pick up Pat's take-home medicine and return to boat @ ~1145. Everyone is there smiling to greet Pat. 1230 - Depart for Lockport, NY & our first set of 35 locks on the Erie Canal.  Gary & Mary (Concession) are staying behind to wait for the exhaust manifold for their boat; plan to catch up with us later. Speed limit on canal is 10 mph unless otherwise posted. The current runs West to East (Tonawanda => Troy, NY) at 2-4 kts. We motor with a SOG of ~5-7 kts. The canal is very easy to navigate and not that busy... you can travel 2-5 miles or more and not see another boat.

    1430 - Arrive Lockport lock 35 & 34 (Locks are numbered from the East end of the Erie Canal to the West end.) Distance from Tonawanda to Lockport Locks 35 & 34 is 18 miles and requires 1 hr 45 min if you travel at max speed. Locks 35 & 34 are immediately adjacent to one another - the lower door of lock 35 is the upper door of lock 34. We will be "locking down" during most of our East-West journey. The length of the canal from Tonawanda, NY on Lake Erie (564 ft above sea level) to Troy, NY on the Hudson River is 342 miles. There are 34 locks.  There are no Locks #1 or #31.  But, there are 2 lock 28s:  #28A & 28B.

    1445 - Weal Sea is the leader today. The upper door of lock 35 is open and the green light is ON so we enter the lock SLOWLY.  Pat is on the bow. We move forward almost to the door at the other end of the lock keeping to the port side of the lock. There are very helpful attends present who take our lines. Cool Change & Scandia follow us in. The lockmaster asks our destination and takes information on Weal Sea including her length and documentation number. [Note: Weal Sea is US Coast Guard documented vessel. Although she is registered in Indiana, she is not required to show an Indiana Registration Number on her hull.  Also, she is not titled in Indiana, although we could also title her there if we wished.  Her USCG documentation number replaces her title.] The cost of using the canal depends on a vessel's length and the duration of time you intend to take to traverse it. Weal Sea is a 34.5 ft vessel. Cost for a 26-39 ft vessel for a 2-day, 10-day and seasonally pass are $15.00, $37.50 and $75.00, respectively. We buy a seasonal pass since we currently plan to spend 2-4 weeks on the canal including possible side trips to visit the "Finger Lakes". We are issued a sticker which we are to display on the port & starboard windows of the cabin. This is so the Bridge & Lock tenders can see the pass as we pass through.

    We are the only 3 boats "locking down". It goes great - Pat does a fantastic job handling the bowline.  Our boats are "center stage" during the locking down... there are probably 30 or more spectators along the sides of the locks watching us and taking photos.  As we exit lock 34, a  Lock Tour Boat enters the lock to "lock up". We travel downstream about 0.2 miles to the Lockport Exchange St. lift bridge. We've decided to stay in Lockport this evening. [Note on lift bridges: As you approach a lift bridges you contact the bridge tender on VHF channel 13 and request a pass thru.  They are extremely polite and respond almost immediately. You very seldom have to wait more than 10 minutes.  Some bridge tenders take care of 2  bridge and must travel between bridges by car, usually 0.25 to 0.75 mi. apart, but occasionally further. They will inform you of this. Bridge tenders also radio ahead to the next bridge to alert them to expect you.] We moor on the dock portside "in" with our bow pointed upstream. The dock is located between the Exchange St & Adams St lift bridges. This is a lovely spot with essentially new docks.

    New York and the towns along the canal are spending a great deal of money improving the canal facilities to encourage tourism. They are doing an excellent job. Everyone we've met has been extremely courteous and helpful. The towns along the way are truly lovely.  Pump-outs (waste) are free, and water & electricity in many locations are also free!. We spend the rest of the day relaxing and watching the passer-bys who walk or bicycle by within 10 ft of our boats. Many stop, talk and ask questions about our trip. 2200 - we hit the sack... its been a great day, especially having Pat back with us!

     

    8-16-05
     (Tue)- Erie Canal, Lockport, NY : 0800 - up & breakfast. Clear, sunny and warm. BP 30.01, Temp 75 F. Used A/C last night.  Depart for Medina, NY at 1000. Passed under lift bridges at Gasport (6 mi downstream), Middleport (11 mi downstream) and Media (16 mi downstream) where we tired up for the evening @ 1515 hr.  It was a very pleasant trip thru the country side passing farms, grazing cattle and corn fields.... its hard to believe the beauty of the country viewed from the canal cruising along at 5 to 10 mph while bicycles and runners pass you by on the tow-paths.  However, everyone smiles and waves as you pass.  It really gives you a hint of what life must been like in the mid- and late- 1800's when the Erie Canal was equivalent to our super highways for travel and transportation of goods between the Midwest and NYC.

    Medina, NY is a lovely town with almost new canal facilities.  You dock right downtown with access to all sorts of shops. On top of that, the docking, water, electricity & pump outs are all FREE! All the ladies decide to have their hair done, and convince Pat to have hers cut SHORT! She looks GREAT! and she LIKES IT! We took pictures and will try to have them posted. Also Arne (Scandia) has his beard trimmed and Paul (Cool Change) got a hair cut at the same salon... now the news... I've been growing a beard for about 3 weeks now and the guys made an appointment for me to have it trimmed.  Pat's beginning to accept it but I don't know if I'll keep it yet.... its really gray!

    I pick up spares fan belts at a NAPA store right next to the dock and had my old alternator tested... its OK.  I'll keep it as a back-up for our trip. Hit the sack about 2200 hr.

    8-17-05
    (W), Erie Canal, Medina, NY:
    0630 - Up & breakfast. Clear & sunny. BP 30.00, Temp 70 F. Approx. 1015 hr - Depart for Holly, NY about 20 miles downstream (DS). We pass under lift bridges at Knowlesville (5 mi DS), Eagle Harbor (8 mi DS), and 2 bridges at Albion (11 mi DS) where we stop for a visit & lunch @ 1200. Another lovely canal town which caters to canalers. Free dockage again. Depart Albion @ 1330, pass under Hulberton's lift bridge (6 mi DS) and finally arriv at Holly, NY @ 1500.  This a beautiful spot in the country along the canal with a quaint village. Again, free dockage, electricity, & water.  The dock master is the friendless fellow... like all the dock masters we've met so far... they must select them for their personalities! He spent 30 minutes with us at a picnic table telling us about the region's history, its sites, waterfalls, where to shop, etc.  Paul & I both need diesel and he loans us is personal auto to go to a gasoline station to pick some up! We walk through the village, visited the waterfall park and return to the dock.  Had supper on the boat and hit the sack about 2030.

    8-18-05
    (Th), Erie Canal, Holly, NY (43.12.95 N, 77.56.20 W): Up 0730 & breakfast. BP 30.01, Temp 75, clear, sunny, warm (Temp 75 F). 1100 - depart for Brockport 10 mi downstream. Another easy uneventful day on the canal. Arrive about 1300 hr.  Free dockage, water, electricity, and pump out. Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the wheat reaper established a factory here in the late 1800's. 
     
    Pat's back is still bothering her some.  Spent day relaxing, ate and went to bed.

    8-19-05
    (F), Erie Canal, Brockport, NY: 0630 - Up & breakfast. Partly cloudy, BP 30.00, Temp 72 F.  A few sprinkles but these don't last and it clears. Arne, Paul & I sit around drinking coffee and discuss the new Link 1000 system I installed on Weal Sea.  Had a few problems with a loose wire but, with the help of Arne & Paul, these have been resolved.  The system is really great and I would say its a must for anyone doing a cruise where you plan on a lot of anchoring out.  We can now monitor both our house bank and starting batteries.  We know the exact charge status of the house bank, real-time amps being used, and approx. length of time batteries will last at current usage.  Also we can determine exactly how many amps each piece of equipment uses! This is really going to help when we anchor out for days-on-end in the Bahamas. 1000 - depart for Spencerport about 8 mi downstream. Pass under lift bridge at Adams Basin and arrive at Spencerport (43.11.62 N, 77.48.08 W) at 1130.  Another lovely canal village with free dockage, electricity & water.

    NOTE: The only problem we have had along the canal has been the lack of places to purchase Diesel. If you need diesel, you have to find a gasoline station and haul it back to the boat. Fortunately I carry a spare 5 gal can.

    8-20-05
    (Sat), Erie Canal, Brockport, NY: Up at 0730, breakfast & coffee. Overcast, BP 30.00, Temp 75 F. 1000 - Depart for Pittsford, NY about 14 mi downstream past the junction of the canal with the  Genesee River.  If you turn north up the Genesee you can motor up to Rochester.  However, the river is shallow in many areas.  Also, you must cross the junction of the Genesee River and Erie Canal with caution: the Genesee dumps a great deal of silt into the canal causing significant shoaling.  Because of this, Cool Change and Weal Sea, both wing-keel C-34s drawing about 4.5 ft in contrast to Scandia (C-42) drawing ~5 ft, led the way from Specerport to Pittsford, NY. Arrive. Pittsford (43.05.4 N, 77.30.6 W) @ 1230 hr. Free dockage, etc again.

     

     

    8-21-05
     (Sun), Erie Canal, Pittsford, NY (We've done about 90 miles on the Erie Canal [Tonawanda to Pittsford] so far): Slept in,,, up @ 0845! Clear & warm, BP 30.00, temp 75 F. Arne, Paul & Dan spent early morning sitting around drinking coffee & discussing our itinerary. Paul & Mary (Cool change Change) need to return to Michigan (Hudsonville - Grand Rapids area) to close on the new condo they purchased and move in their furniture;  Also an opportunity to see their grand children.  They have arranged to pick up a rental car (Enterprise) in Newark, NY next Wednesday (8-24-05). 1130 h - the Bahamas flotilla depart for Fairport, NY ~ 5.5 mi east. Arrive Fairport ~1500 hr.  This is a popular tourist town on the canal sometimes referred to as the "Jewel of the Erie".  The "Admirals" checked the shops while the captains worked on the boats... well pretended to work.


    8-22-05

    (M), Erie Canal, Fairport, NY: 0700 - up, coffee & cheese. Warm & sunny, BP 30.01, Temp ~75. 1200 - Depart for Newark, about 10 miles east. Pleasant slow cruise past Macedon and Palmyra, NY.  Palmyra is the town where Joseph Smith lived and founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints  (AKA Mormons) in 1830. We initially were going to stop in Palmyra but decided to continue on.  Not a lot of traffic on the canal. 1415 - Arrive Newark, NY and tied up on the north wall - free dockage, electricity and water as well as a free laundry & dryer!  The wall on the south side of the channel has signs indicating there is only 4 ft of water.  However, the dock master said this is incorrect - actually has 7 ft. On the other hand, there is currently no electricity or water on that side of the canal and no one uses it unless the is no room on the north side.  This is a essentially a lovely new facility. Dock master said they have spent about $1,500,000 with improvements over last few years. About 1/2 of this was from a grant from the NY Canal System. Mary (Cool Change) was raised just north of Newark, NY. Her brother, Noel, as well as her sister Amy live in the area.  Both are suppose to stop by tomorrow. Gary & Mary (Concession) arrive!  We've not seen them for several days... they've been cruising on their own.  They want to pick up some boat items which they purchased form West Marine & had shipped to Mary's brother's home. He is to drop them off when he visit us tomorrow.


    8-23-05
     (Tue), Erie Canal, Newark, NY: 0630 - up & breakfast. Another warm sunny day. 1300 h - Amy, Mary's sister, stopped by for a few hrs to visit.  Paul & Dan walk to a lumbar yard to  pick up 6 ft lengths of 1x4 lumber to make "Jerry Can" racks for the deck. These will be used to carry extra diesel, gasoline & water when we travel to the Bahamas. Dan brought along an electric saber saw which he used to trim the wood. He also had purchased lumbar and made a frame to elevate the seat at the helm so the new Honda alternator could be stored under the seat. Ian, Noel's son, arrived and surprised Paul (his uncle).  Paul had not seen him in quit sometime. Noel arrived later & delivered mail forwarded to  Paul & Mary as well as several boat related items for Gary (Concession) and Dan (C-Map Hips of the East coast of the United States for our chart plotter). 1030 - Arne, Bev, Noel, Ian, Pat & Dan all gather for coffee-tea and sweets on Paul & Mary's boat, Cool Change. Gary & Mary(Concession) did not show up. Gary did ask me earlier to help him install some computer software tomorrow which Noel had delivered; I said I was no expert but would help if I could.

    8-24-05
    (W), Erie Canal, Newark, NY:
    0630 - Pat has not slept well past several nights and still has some back and stomach pains.  We decide to take her to the local hospital. The lady dock master said she would drive us. 0900 - Newark Hospital Emergency room: Doctor on duty reviews Pat medical records from Tonawanda Hospital (she has copies with her) & gives Pat physical, request a  CBC (blood) workup (SOP), and decides to run another barium (Ba) series to check out the diverticultis. Results of CBC & Ba excellent - no evidence of diverticulitis; antibiotics worked. Decide to run MRI on her lower back. Results of MRI will not be available until Friday. The ER doctor (also a sailor!), however, suspects muscle spasms and writes prescription for pain medicine & muscle relaxants. Pat is released with instructions to see Dr. Hur, a local internists, on Friday.

    We were going to take a taxi back to the boat, but the ER receptionist call the local police station & they sent a police car to take us back to the boat!... now that's small town service.  Kevin, the police officer, apologized for having us ride in the back seat... barred windows between front and back seats, hard fiberglass rear seats & no door or window handles!... now we know what is like for the Bad Guys to ride in the back seat! He was great & pointed out all the local places of interest... excluding the jail! 1400 hr - Paul & Mary depart for Michigan in their rental car. Pat & I are planning on staying at Newark thru the weekend since Pat has a doctor's appointment on Friday to review her MRI results.  We discuss the situation with Arne & Bev (Scandia) & told them there is no reason for them to stay thru the weekend. Besides, they indicated earlier they would like to take a side trip to see Lake Seneca. We will stay with Cool Change until Paul & Mary return on Sunday then catch-up with Scandia later in the week. However, Scandia decides to stay at least through Friday to find out results of Pat's MRI.( Paul, Mary, Pat & I all feel very fortunate to have met up with Arne & Bev. They are truly a caring couple and we all enjoy their company so much.) We have coffee & tea on Scandia about 1900 h then hit the sack about 2130.

    8-25-05
    (Th), Erie Canal, Newark, NY:
    Up @ 0830. Warm (75 F), clear, BP 30.01.  Pat slept fairly well last night but is still sore. Checked dock and discovered Concession had left. They must have taken the 0700 lock opening? They had not talked with us or Scandia and neither of us were aware of their plans. Surprisingly, Gary had not stopped by to ask about help with the computer software... its possible he came by yesterday when I was at the hospital with Pat. Maybe we'll meet up with them later?
    Lazy day... did some laundry then Arne, Bev, Pat & I went for a walk for grocery store and misc. supplies.  Had lunch at "Wendy's" (Arne likes their French Fries). That evening we had Arne & Bev over to Weal Sea for coffee (with a touch of Bailey's Bristol Cream, of course!) - tea & sweets. Hit the sack about 2100 hr.

    8-26-05
     (F), Erie Canal, Newark, NY. Up at 0730. Quick breakfast of cereal and coffee-tea. Pat has doctor's appointment at 0900. We decide not to impose on the dock master and call for a taxi. Dr. Hur is from Korea. Very serious but pleasant.  Results of MRI confirm past Dx of small compression fracture of one of vertebrae (old?), small IVD (inter- vertebaral disc) protrusion and some osteophytes (arthritis). Conclusion: back pain likely due to muscle spasms assoc. with fracture and possibly osteophytes. IVD protrusions probably not a problem. Treatment: rest as much as possible, no heavy lifting, pain medication, and stronger muscle relaxant. Its going to take time to heal.  Dr. Hur gives us a copy of the MRI results to take with us. We also obtain a copy of the Newark Hospital records.  1200 - Ready to return to boat and ask Dr. Hur's receptionist to telephone for a taxi. However she volunteers to drive us back to the boat in her auto BUT insist on 1st stopping by her house to pickup some fresh garden tomatoes for us... more country hospitality! Back at boat Arne & Bev are pleased to hear the results of Pat's MRI, viz. just muscle spasms.. nothing more serious.  1400 - Arne & Bev depart.... we'll see them next week.

    8-27-05
     (Sat), Erie Canal, Newark, NY: 0730 - Coffee & cheese for breakfast. Warm (75 F), sunny, BP 30.00. Lazy day; spent most of it relaxing and cleaning the boat. Walk to gas station about 3 blocks away to pick up some diesel in my spare container. Pat is resting. The new muscle relaxant is causing her to want to sleep all the time... this could be good since it forces her to rest. 1000 - Receive telephone call from Paul & Mary.  They have left Hudsonville, Michigan and are on their way back. 1700 - Arne & Bev telephone. They are in Baldwinsville, NY.  They have decided not to go to Lake Seneca. Discovered anchorage is not great at other end of lake.  Will continue down canal slowly to allow us to catch up next week. 2300 hr - we're still up in the salon with the companion-way open & hear voices outside. Investigate and discover Paul & Mary have returned early! They were not suppose to arrive until tomorrow, Sunday but drove straight through. They are exhausted from the drive but we are so pleased to see them.  They'll  sleep in tomorrow since they cannot return the car until Monday.

    8-28-05
    (Sun), Erie Canal, Newark, NY: 0830 - Coffee & cereal for breakfast. Thunderstorms last night. Currently overcast but its suppose to clear in afternoon. My propane tank needs filling; I am using my spare tank which we purchased last year. 1400 h - Amy, Mary's sister, arrives with Ben, her 15-year old adopted son. Paul & Mary have agreed to allow Ben to cruise with them for the next 2 days as far as Baldwinsville.  Ben was adopted by Amy, who is not married, when he was 2-years old from a Romanian orphanage. He is one of the "Caucheque"(sp. ?) orphans.  Amy  subsequently discovered that he was autistic. He appears bright but seems to lack normal emotions and is difficult to control sometimes. Paul and Mary are very firm with him and he does fairly well on the boat (he's sailed with them before). Pat and I plan to eat out this evening. Paul & Mary decide to have dinner on their boat with Ben.  He has problems eating. Turn in about 2100.

     

     

    8-29-05
     (M), Erie Canal, Newark, NY: 0730 - Up, coffee & breakfast. Overcast with chance of rain. Temp 70 F, BP 29.90.  Today is our 41st wedding anniversary! We were married August 29th, 1964 at St. John's Church, Catholic Student Center at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. (Paul & Mary also remembered it was our anniversary and gave us a card.... Thanks Guys.)

    Discussed day's cruising plan with Paul over coffee.  Will plan on mooring at lock 25, about 20 mi east.  Will have pass thru several locks today. We continuously check "Skipper Bob's" book on the canals for information on where to tie-up, facilities, shopping, etc. The Skipper Bob's series of books (The Great Loop, ICW, Bahamas, NY & Canadian Canal systems, etc.) are almost indispensable for cruisers.  We will tie up on the wall on the west side of lock 25 in a rural setting. Ben is very excited about the locks and has all kinds of questions... never stops talking. Knows an amazing amount about the canal and its locks. 0845 - Depart. Its Weal Sea's turn to lead the way. Pass thru locks 28B, 28A, and 27 west of Lyons, NY.  Ben is  out on deck of Cool Change helping with the lines which hang down the side walls of the locks. You grab hold of these after entering a lock and use them to hold the boat in place while the lockmaster lets-in or lets-out water, as the case maybe, depending on whether you are "locking up" or "locking down", respectively. In either case, you need a pair leather gloves to handle the lines and fend-off because the walls of the locks are rough and covered with slim / algae.... very messy! To protect the hull, you normally leave your fenders out all the time. We put them out in Tonawanda and have not taken them in since. However, you occasionally do  have to move them from one side of the boat to the other depending on which side of the canal you plan on docking.

    [COMMENT: The locks are really remarkable.  NY has done a great deal of work on them in recent years, especially since the NY Thru-Way Authority took over.  Everything is freshly painted (Blue & Yellow is standard for equipment with white buildings), the grass at the locks is a lawn (mown of course), and there are pots of flowers on each side of the locks and around the buildings.  In most places, there are picnic tables and usually a porta-potty. In addition, there is a bicycle-walking-jogging path which parallels the canal along the old mule tow-path almost the entire length of the canal from Tonawanda to Schenectady, NY. This canal system is really a National Treasure available for anyone to use. I wish Indiana would do something similar with the old Wabash-Erie Canal system. We have so few natural outdoor recreational facilities in Indiana, at least in the northern portion of the state.  Spending some money revitalizing the canal system would be worth while as the canal would be a great tourist attraction and provide additional $ to the Indiana economy (canal boats, restaurants, day-trips on the canal, etc.). It would also provide a short-cut from the Toledo, OH to the Mississippi via Wabash and Ohio Rivers for boats doing the Great Loop. This would save them nearly 800 miles in not having to sail over the top of the lower peninsula of Michigan to get to Chicago or Hammond, IN to enter the waterway leading to the Ohio River & then the Mississippi  We saw a similar set-up on the old canals in England when we spent a 6-month sabbatical at the University of Bristol in 1994. A similar system exist in several countries on  the continent. Maybe I'll take this on as a public service project to see if I can stimulate some interest when I return. Anyone else interested?]

    Passed thru lock 26.  A short distance east, the canal passes thru the northern edge of the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge.  This is a large swampy area. 1500 hr - Arrive at lock 25 (43.09.39 N, 76.20.12 W) which is located about half-way thru the refuge where NY Highway 31 passes thru the refuge. All kinds of wild birds nesting along the way with numerous Blue Herons fishing the shore of the canal. The refuge is on the fly-way of migratory birds. Its really a lovely area. We tie up on the south wall immediately adjacent to the west end of the lock.  Ben spends much of the remaining portion of the afternoon exploring the lock and the old buildings containing the ancient equipment used to produce electricity for the locks in the early 1900's. That evening, Karen, the lockmaster, stops by and shares coffee-tea and sweets with us in Cool Change's cockpit. Lots of mosquitoes here (remember, this is a swamp) and we burn our mosquito coils... they work! Hit the sack about 2230.
     

    8-30-05
    (Tu), Erie Canal, Lock 25, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge: 0700 - Up. Breakfast. Overcast, BP 30.01, temp 72 F, humid. Expect showers throughout morning. 0845 - Depart.  Lock-down thru lock 25 and head for Baldwinsville, NY about 30 miles east. Cool Change leads the way (her turn).  We pass the ruins of the old Montezuma Aqueduct System on the south side of the canal, then pass the place where the Seneca River enters the Erie Canal, also on the south side of the canal. The Seneca River forms the eastern edge of the Montezuma Refuge.  If we were going to visit Lake Seneca or Lake Cayuga (which we might do on our return trip), we would turn south here and head for lock 1 on the Seneca River at its junction with Lake Cayuga. (Lake Seneca & Lake Cayuga are 2 of the larger lakes (10 or so) which make up the "finger lakes"). You can follow Lake Cayuga 38 miles south to Ithaca, NY and visit Cornell University (well worth the trip if you have the time... beautiful campus!). If you turn right (west / starboard) after exiting lock 1 at the top of Lake Cayuga, you enter the Seneca Canal. Follow this 4 miles west to Seneca Falls, NY and locks 2 & 3. Continue west 5 miles to lock 4 then another 3-4 mi to  Geneva, NY at the north end of Lake Seneca. From here you can sail / cruise south 33 mi to Watkins Glen, NY, famous for its sports car race, the Grand Pix.  There is also a lovely natural canyon park here which Pat and I visited on our Honeymoon 41 years ago.  However, we continued on past the Seneca River turn-off, past Weedsport and on to Baldwinsville (43.09.39 N, 76.20.12 W). Arrive ~1700 hr. Took a spot on a floating dock immediately next to the Budweiser Amphitheater. Free dockage, electricity & toilets; showers 25 cents. They did not have water at the dock so Paul & I joined our water hoses together & hooked into one of the faucets used to water their flower garden in front of the amphitheater. 1800 hr - Amy came by to pick up Ben and stayed to have dinner on Cool Change with Paul & Mary.  Pat and I went to a local restaurant overlooking the canal. Telephoned Arne & Bev (Scandia).  They are in Utica, NY.  Tell them we plan to cross Oneida Lake (about 20 mi west to east) and stay in Sylvan Beach at its eastern end tomorrow. Went to bed about 2130.  Continuous and VERY heavy rains Tuesday night; consequence of the hurricane in Florida?

    8-31-05
    (W), Erie Canal, Baldwinsville, NY: 0700 - Up & breakfast. BP 29.95, temp 70. Overcast with showers expected off-and-on all day. (Actually it rained most of the day.)  0815 - Depart Baldwinsville thru lock 24 & head for Oneida Lake & Sylvan Beach (total distance ~ 35 mi). Weal Seas takes the lead today. About 1 hr out Paul radios he forgot the water hoses; we keep going. The canal has huge patches of algae & "sea weeds" floating on the surface.  We dodge them as much as possible but both Cool Change & Weal Sea have to stop 3 times because the engines over heats due to clogged water intakes. Both Paul & I put on our swim suits & go over the side.  We dropped an anchor the first time.  However, we discovered the current was not that strong & just let the boats float down stream the next 2 times we went in. However, we do drop lines overboard to hang onto when we are in the water. The water is surprisingly clear & warm; actually its a refreshing swim! We pass the turn off to the Oswego canal a few miles east of lock 24. If we were going to go to Lake Ontario, we would turn north here. Lake Ontario is ~ 25 miles & 8 locks north of the Erie Canal via the Oswego Canal.

    [COMMENT -  We expect to use the Oswego Canal to get to Lake Ontario on our return trip next year. We will then cross Lake Ontario & use Canada's Trent-Severn Canal to go across Ontario to the Georgian Bay on Lake Huron, by-passing Lakes Erie & St. Clair entirely.]

    Stop & talk to the Lockmaster at lock 23.  We wonder about the conditions on Oneida Lake.  The lake, which is oblong running east-west & about 20 miles long, is relatively shallow and can be difficult to cross due to the development of large waves when the winds are up. The lockmaster volunteers to telephone the weather service for us. He tells us they say conditions are changing and could become "chaotic" with shifting winds & the possible development of 4-5 foot waves. Paul & I discuss the situation & decide to take a look at the lake for ourselves before making a decision. 1215 hr -  We follow the channel into the lake... looks relatively smooth. Neither of us likes to take chances but decide to start out. If conditions worsen, we'll turn back.  The lake is actually relatively easy to cross since there are a series of buoys marking the channel almost in a straight line across the lake. Weal Sea leads the way since we have a small chart which shows the numbered buoys crossing the lake. Winds are 10-15 kts from the west & WWN. Waves are 1-3 ft with a few elephants (white caps). The buoys are easy to spot despite the continuing drizzle (all day long) & we feel comfortable... ITS A GO. About 45 min out Paul radios that his engine is over heating again... weeds in the water intake; he said he had gone thru a patch of weeds not long after entering the lake. We are about 100 yds ahead & turn around.  We head somewhat up-wind of Cool Change to try to shelter her as much as possible from the wind & waves while Paul goes over the side. Paul clears the intake in less than 5 minutes and climbs back on board. The rest of the trip across the lake is uneventful... almost BORING! Arrive at Sylvan Beach (43.11.60 N, 75.43.88 W) at 1740 hr.  Tie up at a concrete wall (free dock) on the north side of the channel just off the lake about 300 yd to the west of the channel entrance.  Lots of surge here and we bounce up & down a fair amount. However, we are off the lake & safe.  Rain continues. This is a popular tourist town & there is a restaurant-bar immediately adjacent to the channel wall (100 yds). We decide we deserve a hot meal & a drink in a warm environment.  Turns out to be a great decision. Excellent restaurant with very reasonable prices. Soooo... Pat has LOBSTER! We all return to our boats. Our cloths are damp or wet from the high humidity & rain. Take cloths to a locally laundry. Hit sack ~2330.

     

  • July 2005

    The adventures of the S/V Weal Sea with Dan & Pat Harrington

    July 2005

     

    10 July, 2005 - 1111 hr (11:11 am)  Hammond, IN 41 deg 41.702 N 87 deg 30.080 W
    Hi all... We departed Hammond at 11:11 AM to great send off: Chris & Ben Holland, Marty Barnhart, David Green, Larry & Pat Meekma, Pat Reynolds, Francine Kuenzli, & Mike & Maureen Foos. Simmon & Sue Kenyon came by on Wednesday.
    Heading for St. Joe, MI: 42 deg 06.998 N  86 deg 30.001 W about 50 nm NE (1 nautical mile = 1.115 statute mile)
    Weather: Clear, Warm (70+), wind NE on the Nose! Had to "motor" (5.8 knots: 1 knot = 1 nm per hr)
    Hard to believe its really happening! We'll try to keep you informed of our progress and will send Latitude & Longitude data so you can track our trip (pins on a chart / map?). Mike, our son, found that you can use "mapquest" online to locate us using our latitude and longitude data at the following site:     www.mapquest.com/maps/latlong.adp

    You will need to enter the data using the following format (Hammond, IN as example):
    Latitude: 41 deg 41 Min. 42 Sec. Longitude: -87 deg 30 Min. 5 Sec.
    (West Longitude must be entered as a "-" or else you end up in Asia!)
    Note: Because of the way my chart plotter is set up, I often send Seconds data in decimal format, i.e. "10ths of a Minute". If this occurs, simply convert it by multiplying 60 by the "10ths" since 1 Minute = 60 Seconds. For example, Hammond, IN location is:
    41 Deg. 41.702 Min. North 87 Deg. 30.080 Min. West
    Therefore:
    60 x .702 = ~ 42 Sec. for Latitude. 60 x .080 = ~ 5 Sec for Longitude.
    Thus, to locate Hammond, IN using mapquest,  entered as follows:
    41 Deg. 41 Min. 42 Sec. -87 Deg. 30 Min. 5 Sec.

     

    12 July, 2005 - Departed Muskegon, MI at 0805 hrs today. Overcast but warm with a few sprinkles. However, sailing was for 1st 40 miles: winds about 14 kts out of ENE. Did about 6 kts. Arrived Ludington, MI at 2030 hr. (43 deg 57.22 N, 86 deg 27.316 W). Dr. Bob Claflin, my previous Department Head at Purdue, came down to our boat in the marina and shared a bottle of wire with us as we talked about our trip. Later, went out to Turkey dinner at Favorite's here in Ludington. Plan to head for Frankfort, IN tomorrow.

     

    7-15-05 (aden.): Met Jim & Beth s/v Lucky Dog out of Milwaukee, WI in Leland yesterday. They sailed with us to Charlevoix, MI and anchored in Oyster Bay. I took a swim; really warm clear water. Jim & Beth came over on their dinghy later and we spent evening in the cockpit watching the sunset and talking over a bottle of  wine. Hit the sack about 2230.

     

    10 July, 2005 - 1111 hr (11:11 am)  Hammond, IN 41 deg 41.702 N 87 deg 30.080 W
    Hi all... We departed Hammond at 11:11 AM to great send off: Chris & Ben Holland, Marty Barnhart, David Green, Larry & Pat Meekma, Pat Reynolds, Francine Kuenzli, & Mike & Maureen Foos. Simmon & Sue Kenyon came by on Wednesday.
    Heading for St. Joe, MI: 42 deg 06.998 N  86 deg 30.001 W about 50 nm NE (1 nautical mile = 1.115 statute mile)
    Weather: Clear, Warm (70+), wind NE on the Nose! Had to "motor" (5.8 knots: 1 knot = 1 nm per hr)
    Hard to believe its really happening! We'll try to keep you informed of our progress and will send Latitude & Longitude data so you can track our trip (pins on a chart / map?). Mike, our son, found that you can use "mapquest" online to locate us using our latitude and longitude data at the following site:     www.mapquest.com/maps/latlong.adp

    You will need to enter the data using the following format (Hammond, IN as example):
    Latitude: 41 deg 41 Min. 42 Sec. Longitude: -87 deg 30 Min. 5 Sec.
    (West Longitude must be entered as a "-" or else you end up in Asia!)
    Note: Because of the way my chart plotter is set up, I often send Seconds data in decimal format, i.e. "10ths of a Minute". If this occurs, simply convert it by multiplying 60 by the "10ths" since 1 Minute = 60 Seconds. For example, Hammond, IN location is:
    41 Deg. 41.702 Min. North 87 Deg. 30.080 Min. West
    Therefore:
    60 x .702 = ~ 42 Sec. for Latitude. 60 x .080 = ~ 5 Sec for Longitude.
    Thus, to locate Hammond, IN using mapquest,  entered as follows:
    41 Deg. 41 Min. 42 Sec. -87 Deg. 30 Min. 5 Sec.

     

    12 July, 2005
    Departed Muskegon, MI at 0805 hrs today. Overcast but warm with a few sprinkles. However, sailing was for 1st 40 miles: winds about 14 kts out of ENE. Did about 6 kts. Arrived Ludington, MI at 2030 hr. (43 deg 57.22 N, 86 deg 27.316 W). Dr. Bob Claflin, my previous Department Head at Purdue, came down to our boat in the marina and shared a bottle of wire with us as we talked about our trip. Later, went out to Turkey dinner at Favorite's here in Ludington. Plan to head for Frankfort, IN tomorrow.

     

    7-15-05
    (aden.): Met Jim & Beth s/v Lucky Dog out of Milwaukee, WI in Leland yesterday. They sailed with us to Charlevoix, MI and anchored in Oyster Bay. I took a swim; really warm clear water. Jim & Beth came over on their dinghy later and we spent evening in the cockpit watching the sunset and talking over a bottle of  wine. Hit the sack about 2230.

    7-16-05
    (Sat): Up at 0500 (I'm often up between 0400 & 0600 on the boat). Clear & warm and no wind. B.P. = 29.22 and steady; Weighed anchor & depart Lake Charlevoix (Oyster Bay), MI @ 0805 for the Straits of Mackinac (45.48.9 N, - 84.43.7 W). This are the strait which divides the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan (Are you checking your geography / maps Ryan, Sean, Matthew, Brendan, Shannon, Alex, Sam, & Ben - Grandchildren ?). Very warm (78 F), and clear. Absolutely no wind - seas like a mirror; having to motor. Clear overhead but on Lake Michigan we had moderately heavy fog / sea mist near shore until we reached south side of entrance to Little Traverse Bay (~ 45.22.0 N, 85.18.5 W.) Stayed near shore and depended on our chart plotter to show the way... Fantastic device! However, still kept sharp lookout and watched our compass. Mist / fog lifted about an hr our of port. Heading nearly directly N. Passed through Gray's Reef Passage (45.45.6 N,-85.08.8 W) at 1305. Telephoned Chris & Ben H. (s/v Chrisea) & Simon & Sue K. (s/v Fortuna). Also telephoned St. Ignace Marina for a slip... no good places to anchor in this area. Turned east to toward the Mackinaw Bridge ("Big Mack"); its visible from about 20 nm away! Sailed part of the way but finally had to turn on the Iron Genny. Passed under Big Mack (45.48.9 N, 84.43.7 W) @ 1715. Now officially in Lake Huron! Entered St Ignace Marina (45.51.58 N, 84.43.6 W) in upper peninsula of Michigan @ 1830. Saw the two-masted wooden schooner "Rosemay" {built 1925) anchored at our dock. Lots of people here wanting to see the end of the Chicago-Mackinaw sailboat race which started earlier today in Chicago.

    7-17-05
    (Sun): Slept in, up at 0715. Left dock @ 0815. Moderately foggy again (visibility about 1.5 nm), and I'm using chart plotter to find our way. Warm, clear overhead and B.P. = 29.93. No Wind again!; motoring. Passing between Bois Blanc Island (45.42.0 N, 84.30.0 W) and mainland of lower peninsula of Michigan.. keeping near shore.. must keep alert for freighters! Can hear them blowing their fog-horns every 2 minutes (SOP). 0930 - Received first VHF radio call from Paul &
    Mary Slotegraff (s/v Cool Change)! They had just departed Hammond Bay, MI anchorage about 25 nm south of us. We've been staying in contact by telephone until now. They are headed for Presque Isle with Gary & Mary (s/v Concession) and Arne & Bev (Scandia, a C42). These will be our sailing companions for the next few months. Stopped and took on 23 gal. diesel in Rogers City (45.25.0 N, 83.46.4 W). Arrive. Presque Isle @ anchored (45.20.2 N, 83.28.5 W) with about 10 other boats in 7 ft of clear warm water in Presque Isle Harbor; ~ 1 nm south of the marina. Paul came over in his dinghy and brought us over to Scandia where the group had gathered for coffee & tea. Met Arne and Bev for first time. We had met Gary & Mary a few week previously in Holland, Michigan. Also met another couple, Carl and Linda (s/v Discovery, a 40 ft boat) who were there as well. They are also headed for the Bahamas for a 2-3 year cruise but are sailing by themselves.

     7-18-05
     (Mon): Dan up at 0430, overcast. Had coffee, cereal & cheese in cockpit. NOAA weather channel issued small craft warnings for lower Lake Huron later in day. 0615 thunder storm came through Presque Isle Bay; we sat snug at anchor. NOAA marine weather forecast is for winds out of S and possible thunder storms, small craft warnings for lower Lake Huron. 0815 - our group in contact by VHF. s/v Discovery departed about 0800. Called back by VHF. Said lake had 1-2 ft waves and winds at 200 deg. Not great sailing. Because of forecast of possible TS and less than favorable winds, our group decided to stay put in harbor today. O630 - used dinghy with new Nissan outboard (thanks Lee Kreual - works great) for 1st time. Everyone gathering over at s/v Cool Change (Paul & Mary) for snacks. 0645 - one of groups noticed that Weal Sea was moving sideways away from the group!... DRAGGING ANCHOR! 3 of us jumped in Arne's dinghy & motored over. Discovered anchor was fouled with weeds.! Moved Weal Sea to new location in 10 ft of water and re-anchored with 90 feet of rode (rode = anchor line for the land lubbers among our friends receiving this log). That gave us a scope of 9 to 1 (scope = length of rode vs. depth of water). Normally, 7 to 1 is adequate. Rejoined the party and discussed next day's sail to Harrisville, MI. Decided to hail everyone on VHF channel 16 then switch to CH 72 & weigh anchors at 0700. Returned to Weal Sea ~ 0230 & hit sack at 2200.

    7-19-05
    (Tu): Up at 0545; Hailed group at 0635; Weighed anchor at 0700. Partly cloudy; T=65 F; BP=29.85; Winds = NW @ ~15 kts. Great sailing weather. Next stop Harrisville, MI (44.3.7 N, 83.16.9 W) about 50 miles south. Arrv. Harrisville, MI 1645 - small but protected harbor. Anchorage space limited. Weal Sea & Cool Change anchored out. Scandia & Concession took slips since they had trouble getting their anchors to hold & tight spaces. Pat & Mary (Cool Change) rowed ashore to shop for groceries. Group decided to weigh anchor at 0700 tomorrow for East Tawas, MI.


    7-20-05
    (W)(Harrisville, MI: 44.39.4 N, 83.16.5 W): Dan up @ 0515. T=57, BP=30.02, Clear. No cell phone towers. Refrig. off - low batteries. Put in Ice till recharge. Gary (Concession) found broken wire & nuts under engine. Looked like safety wire from oil changing hose under oil pan to me; sure enough that was it. Gary replace with ss wire. Departed for East Tawas (44.16.4n, 83.29.1 W) @ 0835. Wind from S on the NOSE; motored. Now partly overcast & seas <1ft. Paul & Mary (Cool Change) departed for Port Sanilac, MI to pick up rental auto to attend Paul's mother's 90th birthday in Godreich, Canada; will rejoin us on Sat. or Sun.
    Arrive East Tawas 1505 & took slip @ state dock ($33) so I could check batteries. Fueled up & pumped out.

    7-21-05
    (Th) East Tawas. Dan up @ 0630. Clear, T=70, BP=29.98; Very nice resort area with great beaches. Decided to stay here another day. Ladies shopped & melted the credit cards. Also did laundry. Rerig. now working; apparently shut down because of low batteries. However, suspect will eventually have to replace it. Tried to install new alternator with 3-stage external regulator. Problem: new alternator is slightly larger diameter and belt-adjusting bracket is too small and wrong shape. Will have to have one made / welded somewhere; probably Detroit when we lay-over to visit my cousin Mary Christine & John as well as her brother Jim. Hope to also see Chuck & Linda Reed from the Chicago Catalina Assoc who moved to Detroit area recently.

    7-22-05
    (F): Dan up 0530, BP= 30.00, T=70 F, clear, wind NE~14 knt.
    Depart @ 0705 for Harbor Beach on East side of "thumb" of Mich. Motor-sailed, wave 2-4 ft. Ave SOG (speed over ground) by GPS was 7.4 knots! Hit 8.2 at one point.
    Arrived Harbor Beach (43.50.48 N, 82.37.47 W) @ 1420. Not a great harbor. Anchored 12 ft water about 100 ft from sea wall. However, LOTS of weed and concerned about dragging anchor. Also Hundreds of squawking sea gulls on the wall (squawked all night long)! Pat baked bread again. Heading for Port Sanilac, MI tomorrow about 20 miles South.

     

    7-23-05
    (M) Harbor Beach, MI (43.50.48 N, 82.37.47 W). 0530 Dan up. Clear, T=70 F, BP = 31.01. Weighed anchor and departed for Port Sanilac about 25 nm S (43.25.48 N, 82.32.48 W) @ 0715. Wind out of N @ 4-6 knot. Almost no headway under sail; decided to motor. Arr 1130. Very weedy & small harbor. Decide to take slip. Paul & Mary's boat (Cool Change) was already in a slip. Paul telephoned & said would be turning from Canada between 2400 & 0100 tonight. Ladies went shopping for provisions. 1830 hr - From the sea wall we watched the sailboat fleet in "Port Huron to Mackinaw" sailboat race fleet heading north - 50 to 75 boats were visible 4-7 miles out. Weather forecast indicates rain and possible thundershowers tomorrow. Will likely stay put.

    7-24-05
    (Sun): 0700 - Dan up. Raining off & on and cleared in afternoon. Ladies went shopping. Paul changed oil on his boat.

    7-25-05
    (M): 0530 - Dan up. Breakfast 0615. 0645 - Dan began to experience sudden onset of nausea with vomiting and mild diarrhea followed by increasingly abdominal pain. He thought it would pass... no luck; 0800 Extremely severe abdominal with continued nausea and dry vomiting, almost curled over with pain. Decided to go to hospital. Harbormaster took to Hospital in Sandusky, MI ~15 m East of Port Sanilac. Based on symptoms, hospital immediately suspected renal calculi (kidney stones). X-rays confirmed diagnosis, in fact he had bilateral (both kidneys) calculi! Decided to keep him overnight to see if he flushed the stones. Harbormaster take Mary & Pat back to boats. Scandia & Concession also decided to wait for Dan & hold up in port. Dan on medication for pain & IV fluids to try to flush calculi. No luck.

    7-26-05
    (Tue): 0530 - Dan up in Hospital. Calculi still not flushed. Doctor (Mark English) decided to release Dan on medication with information on how to handle flushing the calculi. Dr. English was returning to his home in Port Sanilac and gave him a ride back to Weal Sea. Great to be back. Pat & ladies had been working on silvered port light (window) inserts to keep sun out & temp down. Group will sail for Port Huron, MI (42.58.22 N, 82.25.07 W) tomorrow if weather improves. (the day Dan returned from hospital).


    7-27-05
    (W), Port Sanilac, MI; 0600 hr Dan up. Temp 59F, BP 29.80. Rained last night with heavy winds; currently overcast and windy. National Weather channel forecast of 15-25 knots winds out of N-NE with gusts to 30 knot, and waves 5-8 feet! I am NOT going out. Suppose to improve by late morning-early afternoon. I told this to G.McD (Concession) who wanted to GO! I said No Way; told him he could go if he wanted but I was stay put. The rest of group subsequently met at the harbormaster's office and all agreed it was a NO GO; they were not ready to risk it either. 1030 hr - weather better and sun breaking thru clouds, winds down but 10-20 knts. Group decided to go. Fueled up and headed out. Our destination is the Channel Ecarte, in Ontario Canada: this is a small protected channel off the east side of the St. Clair River on the north side of Walpole Island. We've picked up another Catalina, a C-36 "Mariposa" (Butterfly), owned by Howard & Kathy Staley from Ohio. Howard is very experienced & familiar with this region & its anchorages as well as those in Lake Erie. Lives on South Bass Island (Put-In-Bay) in winter. He's volunteered to lead us for the next few day & is the one who suggested Chenal Ecarte as anchorage.

    Arrive. Channel Ecarte @ 1905 (42.37.6 N, 82.28.9 W). Put up yellow "Quarantine Flag" and telephoned into Canadian Customs / Immigration (1-888-226-7277 = "CANPASS") to obtain our Canadian Report Number. I gave them our Vessel Documentation number & they already had all our information on hand from our previous visits to Canada (North Channel) in 2003 & 2004... we're in their computer forever! Assigned Report #2080613. Channel Ecarte is beautiful scenic channel anchorage with marsh grass on the Walpole Island side and lovely cottages on the other. Its about 75 yds across where we anchored. The channel, however, is weedy and has current of 3-5 knots going from St. Clair River to Lake St. Clair! After our experiences in Harbor Beach and Presque Isle with weeds, we put out 175 feet of anchor line. (I am still using my rope rode but carry 50 ft of High Test G-4 anchor chain which I will be putting on soon. Purchased it for the coral reef.) A few mosquito’s on the channel but we have screens on the port holes & hatches... no problem.

    7-28-05
    (Th), Channel Ecarte (42.37.6 N, 82.28.9 W): 0615 - Dan up. Clear, sunny, BP 30.09, T = 60F. Fueled up (7.45 liters) at small local marina on the channel and took on water. Diesel $3.75/liter. US dollar 20% higher than Canadian dollar. Very light winds today and we had to motor. St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair & Detroit River are VERY BUSY - freighters, power boats & fishing boats. River current running 3-5 knots with SOG by GPS of 6-10 knots. On entering Detroit River from Lake St. Clair we were overtaken by a Canadian warship.. Very impressive. Needless to say we gave him lots of room. Arrv "Crystal Bay" (an island in the Detroit River), Canada (42.06.86 N, 83.07.17 W) @ 1705 hr. Lots of weeds and rocks. Crowded and could only put out 60 ft of rode (anchor line). Because of the groups schedule, our delay due to my "kidney rocks" and the weather, as well as our having to anchor out in Canada, Pat & I will not be able to meet up with Mary Christine (my cousin) or Chuck & Linda Reed as previously planned. I telephoned them both & explained the situation. We are planning to head for South Bass Island & "Put-In-Bay" tomorrow. 2200 - we hit the sack.

    7-29-05
    (F) Crystal Bay, Canada, east side off the Detroit River: 0715 - We're up. Clear sunny, T 75F, BP 30.10. 0815 - raised anchor. Huge amounts of weeds! Pat's always at helm when I pull in the anchor. Problem! - no headway & we start to drift toward the rocky shore 50 yds to port. Pat keeps increasing the engine throttle but no luck... are we also aground? I take helm and put it in reverse while Pat watches for rocks; we began to move. Cool Change is on our starboard about 100 yds off shore and is also having problems with weeds as well as rocks. Paul (Cool Change) is dead in the water & he goes over the side and clears his prop which is completely fouled with weeds. Scandia, a C-42, is starting to move slowly. Because they draw 5.5 ft, Weal Sea and Cool Change, both C-34 wing keels drawing about 4.5 ft, go first. Both Mariposa and Concession were able to take advantage of a small cove for anchorage the night before. No weeds but there was a current. Concession! Tried to anchor with us the previous night but scraped bottom and retreated to the cove. 0845 - We make it to the main shipping channel just north of the bay and head south for Lake St. Clair.

    0905 - Enter Lake St. Clair. Numerous fishing boats at channel entrance; they are oblivious to sailboats and cut in front of us expecting us to move. We are bigger than them and play "chicken" with a few; they back off. Very shallow; freighters in front & behind us. We stay close to the Green Cans on our starboard side to keep out of their way. Good NW wind and we put up our sails but continue to run engines to be able to get out of the way of freighters which continually overtake us. 0915 - ENGINE ALARM GOES OFF! We are over-heating... Temp reads 200 F! I immediately kill the engine and sail off to our starboard Green Can side of the channel then drop anchor. We all monitor channel 16 and I alert our "Bahamian" flotilla (we are at the tail end) of our situation. Everyone slows down but Cool Change turns around & offers assistance. I suspect I know the problem... plugged engine water intake; hope my impeller is still intact (I shredded one 2 years ago due to a similar occurrence). Open cabinet door in the head to access water-intake strainer and sure enough it's packed with weeds! Pull out as much as possible but cannot clear thru-hull even with a stiff wire. I'll have to swim under boat and pull out the weeds by hand; I've done this before to remove weeds as well as a "bait fish" in the intake. Put on swim suit and pull out face mask ready to go over. However, Paul (Cool Change) has already dropped and anchor along side and volunteers to go in. He clears the intake and also the prop, which like his, was also fouled with weeds. Start engine & am pleased to see engine temperature drop & water coming out the exhaust on the stern; impeller is OK. Pull up anchor & continued.

    Enter the Detroit River & continue on past the downtown waterfront. Enter Lake Erie & head for South Bass Island & its famous resort harbor "Put-In-Bay" (41.39.5 N, 82.49.0 W) & the Commodore Perry Memorial Column. Arrive 1605. Had to cruise in the mooring field about 30 minutes waiting for one of the "day visitors" from the mainland to leave so we could get a mooring. You monitor channel 10. When they announce an open mooring (e.g. "Charlie 1 [i.e. mooring ball C-1] is leaving"), you make a dash for it... its "first come, first serve". Cost $35/day for the mooring which also includes free water taxi service. Went ashore... typical tourist resort town: restaurants with over priced food, bars, and T-shirt stores. Masses of tourists, some driving rented golf carts, as well as lots of "bikini clad babes", many walking down street carrying their drinks. Marina itself was filled with rafted-up power boaters playing loud music and drinking. Went to Harbormaster's office to find out where to check in with US Customs & Immigration. They have a Video phone outside the office specifically for that purpose. Unfortunately, the Harbormaster said, its frequently Out-Of-Order and when it works, no one answers. He said one couple spent 8 hrs trying to check-in. I went out side with the other captains. Finally got the phone to come-on. However, let it ring for 15 minutes and NO ANSWER. Our gov. spends huge $ to install fancy video phone but no one answers them. (Some Home Land Security System we've got. Honest citizens try to follow the law & are frustrated by inefficiency. Contrast this with the Canadian Check-In: immediate, courteous & pleasant response!. There was also an 800 number for check-in posted on the window of the Harbormasters office. Went to public telephone and tried again for 15 minutes. NO ANSWER AGAIN! Harbormaster said this number connects to the Sandusky Office. If no one answers, the call is forwarded to the Cleveland Airport Immigrations & Customs Office. However, they are busy & usually don't answer either! We gave up up: [For the record we arrived at 1605. We bought nothing in Canada except Diesel $6.00 US.] The ladies plan on doing laundry tomorrow & locate one. Ate out at Fish & Chips with the group then return to the boats. Hit sac about 2100 hr.

    7-30-05
    (Sat), Put-In-Bay, Lake Erie, South Bass Island, Ohio: 0615 - up. Group is planning to meet to do laundry at 0800. Pat goes with the group but I stay on board. I am having problems with my alternator; still have old one on engine until I can get to some place where I can get a bracket made for the new one with and external 3-stage regulator. The current one is not charging my house batteries. Paul loans me his Honda EU 1000i gasoline generator. Paul (Cool Change) and Arne (Sacndia) come over in their dinghies and help me checkout the system. Batteries VERY LOW! Repaired an extension cord (thanks Arne & Paul) and got the generator running (These Hondas are very quiet. I ended up running this one all night!). Went ashore and picked up water and gasoline for the generator. Hit sac about 2200 hr. Group agrees to head for Rocky River, Ohio tomorrow (just west of Cleveland). Went to bed about 2300, hr. Let alternator run all night. Got up about 0300 and put in more gasoline!

    7-31-05
     (M) Put-In-Bay, S. Bass Island, Lake Erie, Ohio: 0630 - We're up. T 70 F, BP 30.20, clear, sunny but little or no wind; another motor / motor-sail day. Hoist anchor and depart @ 0735. Concession left early. Traveled around W side of S. Bass Island and saw a home on shore made of the front half of a freighter; must have cost a fortune. Lots of fishing boats at the S end of S. Bass. An uneventful sail. We were initially headed for Fairport, OH but decided to cont. to Cleveland, OH. Arrive. 1808 h & anchored at E. end of waterfront basin in front of Forest City Yacht Club (41.32.5 N, 81.39.25 W). Only problem is that this is at the end of the take-off and landing runway for Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport (similar to Chicago's "past" Meigs Field). Did see a large 2-masted wooden s/v Niagara sailing in the East Basin between the airport & the breakwater on the way out into Lake Erie; beautiful. Fairly poor holding here; weeds and clay. Put out 175' of rode. Started up Paul's (Cool Change) Honda EU1000i generator to charge batteries. Hit sack ~ 2200 h. (One boat dragged anchor during the night with 50' of chain but was OK).

 
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