Trawler Punches on the IntraCoastal Waterway

Boatless for the First Time in 25 years

Yes, for the first time in 25 years we do not own any boats; not
a sailboat, small powerboat or trawler.  At this point we are not sure if we will
get another boat – waiting to see what happens to the election, geopolitics and
fuel prices…..stay tuned.

PUNCHES is SOLD!!!!!!!

An 8 year run is over. Sandra & I have sold our 1985 Monk 36 trawler Punches.

The new owner lives in Calgary Canada but will keep the boat in New Brunswick.
They left this morning to take the boat north and we wish them a good voyage and
fair winds wherever she goes.

Windy 6 days in a Row

We have been boating on the Chesapeake Bay for over 30 years but never
were stuck in port almost a week due to high winds and seas.  Our Monk Trawler
Rendezvous in Portsmouth, VA ended on Friday, but we did not get up the Bay until Monday due to
a persistent squeeze between High pressure and an offshore low that kept waves over
3 feet and winds from 17-20 plus knots.

We did get to see all the sailboat racers show up for the Cock Island Race, often billed as “a party
interrupted by a race”

Front Row Seat for OpSail 2012

We ran down the Chesapeake Bay yesterday to Portsmouth Virginia for a rendezvous of
owners of our boat, the Monk 36.  Luck was with us with fair winds and just as we turned into
Hampton Roads Harbor we passed one of the tall ships leaving.  This morning it was cloudy but
we had a front row seat for the ships with the crews on the rigging all the way to the top of the mast.

Punches hit the water

You have to love messing with boats…. 12 days count them to get my trawler Punches back in the water after
winter storage.  Work included new bottom paint, a new winch motor for the dinghy davit, new batteries ( wiring is
like a jigsaw puzzle!!!!!) and a new customer rudder to improve steering. Now its time for cleaning and getting the canvas back on…
fun…fun….

Punches put to bed for the winter

The winter cover is on and in spite of the rain I found a two day window to get the work completed.

Temperature only in the 50’s in the morning now – Florida calls in a few weeks

Irene has exhausted me!!!

Five more hours sealing windows and now the boat is ready.
Not so sure about the house – too many trees – will sharpen chain saw – generator ready.
I will think about installing storm shutters like we use in Florida.  I would rather close up the house and stay in
Charlottesville and avoid listening to the “freight train” for 10-20 hours!!!!