Thursday, April 09, 2009
At the home dock in Virginia
Well, 46 degrees is better than the 33 degrees we had the night before. For the second night and evening we used the generator and turned on the heat. My generator is not starting well if cold, but once warmed up runs very well - I'll have to look into it.
It was raining as we left the anchorage in Portsmouth, VA, but winds were light and by the time we turned into the Chesapeake Bay from Hampton Roads about 1 3/4 hours later the sun was starting to show. It turned into a very nice day with plenty of sun and light winds. The bay in places had a 1 foot swell, but into other places was near flat. We had the tide pushing us almost all the way home making for a fast trip. Now the fun comes - taking all the stuff off the boat, cleaning everything, oil changes etc. Even more fun - opening up the house in Virginia. It is always strange going back to land - I find the boat's daily rhythm clears the mind.
Today Stats: Location, Home Dock, Lancaster, Virgina, distance traveled 62.85 nautical miles, average speed 7.86 knots, 9.03 mph
Well, 46 degrees is better than the 33 degrees we had the night before. For the second night and evening we used the generator and turned on the heat. My generator is not starting well if cold, but once warmed up runs very well - I'll have to look into it.
It was raining as we left the anchorage in Portsmouth, VA, but winds were light and by the time we turned into the Chesapeake Bay from Hampton Roads about 1 3/4 hours later the sun was starting to show. It turned into a very nice day with plenty of sun and light winds. The bay in places had a 1 foot swell, but into other places was near flat. We had the tide pushing us almost all the way home making for a fast trip. Now the fun comes - taking all the stuff off the boat, cleaning everything, oil changes etc. Even more fun - opening up the house in Virginia. It is always strange going back to land - I find the boat's daily rhythm clears the mind.
Today Stats: Location, Home Dock, Lancaster, Virgina, distance traveled 62.85 nautical miles, average speed 7.86 knots, 9.03 mph
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Mile Marker Zero Today
We enjoyed our day off yesterday in Great Bridge, VA. The morning was not too cold at the 50's but the temperature then started to fall. A co-worker from Philip Morris, Jim Royall dropped by for lunch and we enjoyed a local Mexican restaurant. The food was much better than we expected - tasty and well prepared. The only other boat on the dock with us, a catamaran from New York called "Hairball" - yes that's right Hairball, left in the morning heading north leaving us with the whole dock. One large motor yacht docked behind us for an hour because they did not want to lock with a tug and barge.
This morning it was sunny, but 33 degrees with frost on the front deck of the boat. We left at 9 am, cleared the Great Bridge lock and then has to crawl 2.5 miles to the restricted Steel bridge that only opens on the hour. Follow that bridge we had only one more bridge to open. There is one less bridge to open now, as Norfolk has taken the Jordon Lift Bridge out of service. We saw workers welding on the Norfolk Southern Bridge - this Sunday is will be down for the whole day and boaters will be surprised if the are now aware of the ICW closing.
We are the only boat anchored at Hospital Point and will head up the bay tomorrow. I checked the bouy reports and on the bay the winds are around 20 knots today. Temperatures should moderate into the 60's by tomorrow with lighter winds forecast.
Today's Stats: Location Hospital Point, Portsmouth, VA ICW MM 0, distance traveled 12.35 miles, average speed 5.74 mph, 4.99 knots.
We enjoyed our day off yesterday in Great Bridge, VA. The morning was not too cold at the 50's but the temperature then started to fall. A co-worker from Philip Morris, Jim Royall dropped by for lunch and we enjoyed a local Mexican restaurant. The food was much better than we expected - tasty and well prepared. The only other boat on the dock with us, a catamaran from New York called "Hairball" - yes that's right Hairball, left in the morning heading north leaving us with the whole dock. One large motor yacht docked behind us for an hour because they did not want to lock with a tug and barge.
This morning it was sunny, but 33 degrees with frost on the front deck of the boat. We left at 9 am, cleared the Great Bridge lock and then has to crawl 2.5 miles to the restricted Steel bridge that only opens on the hour. Follow that bridge we had only one more bridge to open. There is one less bridge to open now, as Norfolk has taken the Jordon Lift Bridge out of service. We saw workers welding on the Norfolk Southern Bridge - this Sunday is will be down for the whole day and boaters will be surprised if the are now aware of the ICW closing.
We are the only boat anchored at Hospital Point and will head up the bay tomorrow. I checked the bouy reports and on the bay the winds are around 20 knots today. Temperatures should moderate into the 60's by tomorrow with lighter winds forecast.
Today's Stats: Location Hospital Point, Portsmouth, VA ICW MM 0, distance traveled 12.35 miles, average speed 5.74 mph, 4.99 knots.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Great Bridge is Great!!
We made our way from Coinjock, NC this morning. It was very mild in the high 60's, but cloudly and looking like rain. After about an hour all of the fast boats came by us, but at least they all gave us a decent slow pass without too much wake. The first 20 or so miles of the day were in the open waters of Currituck Sound and we saw 2 foot swell with the wind from behind. Then we entered protected waters and needed to time two bridges that only open every 30 minutes. We reached Great Bridge, VA at about 11:20 am and tied up to one of the free docks in the town. Due to the south wind the water level was very high and the bot was over the top of the pilings on the dock. I decided to move to the dock on the other side of the drawbridge, so we had to wait about 30 minutes for an opening. Just before the opening a thunderstorm let loose and we were both outside in the driving rain. Going into the dock I had a major senior moment and decided to spin the boat around, thinking I was on the side that is harder to use for docking ( a single screw trawler like mine backs to the port side - left ). Instead I was on my starboard side and Sandra was not as prepared with the lines since she correctly had expected a port side tie for the dock. Still all ended well and we are snug on the free dock until the winds die down and we can run up the Chesapeake Bay to home. Right now ( 8 pm ) the winds are calm but the forecast still calls for cold weather and winds later tonight - we will see.
Today's Stats: :Location, Great Bridge, VA ICW MM 11.9, distance traveled 38.5 miles, average speed 8.88 mph, 7.73 knots
We made our way from Coinjock, NC this morning. It was very mild in the high 60's, but cloudly and looking like rain. After about an hour all of the fast boats came by us, but at least they all gave us a decent slow pass without too much wake. The first 20 or so miles of the day were in the open waters of Currituck Sound and we saw 2 foot swell with the wind from behind. Then we entered protected waters and needed to time two bridges that only open every 30 minutes. We reached Great Bridge, VA at about 11:20 am and tied up to one of the free docks in the town. Due to the south wind the water level was very high and the bot was over the top of the pilings on the dock. I decided to move to the dock on the other side of the drawbridge, so we had to wait about 30 minutes for an opening. Just before the opening a thunderstorm let loose and we were both outside in the driving rain. Going into the dock I had a major senior moment and decided to spin the boat around, thinking I was on the side that is harder to use for docking ( a single screw trawler like mine backs to the port side - left ). Instead I was on my starboard side and Sandra was not as prepared with the lines since she correctly had expected a port side tie for the dock. Still all ended well and we are snug on the free dock until the winds die down and we can run up the Chesapeake Bay to home. Right now ( 8 pm ) the winds are calm but the forecast still calls for cold weather and winds later tonight - we will see.
Today's Stats: :Location, Great Bridge, VA ICW MM 11.9, distance traveled 38.5 miles, average speed 8.88 mph, 7.73 knots
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Albermarle Sound Behind Us!!
We awoke to another spectacular clear day with light winds. Just as yesterday we started out bundled up in about 50 degrees but by mid-morning we were in T shirts & shorts. Today's run took us through the upper Pungo River, then a 20 mile canal, then the long and very wide Alligator River and finally across Albermarle Sound. We had near flat conditions until the upper reaches of the Alligator River. In Albermarle Sound we had a 1-2 foot swell, but given some of our previous crossing in nasty conditions we would rate this crossing a 7 out of 10.
Today for the fist time in the entire trip we were passed by many fast boats going north. Almost all of them are with us at Coinjock Marina in NC. In fact, we are the smallest boat at the marina and the average boat is about 45-40 feet long! We arrived at about 4:45 pm and bought fuel for $1.85 a gallon - the best price I have paid in quite a few years. The boat was caked with salt and pine pollen so it got a wash while Sandra did our laundry.
We expect high winds for the next few days and will try to make it north to Great Bridge Virginia to wait out the winds.
Today Stats: Location, Coinjock Marina, NC, ICW MM 50, distance traveled 93 miles, average speed 9.15 mph, 7.95 knots
We awoke to another spectacular clear day with light winds. Just as yesterday we started out bundled up in about 50 degrees but by mid-morning we were in T shirts & shorts. Today's run took us through the upper Pungo River, then a 20 mile canal, then the long and very wide Alligator River and finally across Albermarle Sound. We had near flat conditions until the upper reaches of the Alligator River. In Albermarle Sound we had a 1-2 foot swell, but given some of our previous crossing in nasty conditions we would rate this crossing a 7 out of 10.
Today for the fist time in the entire trip we were passed by many fast boats going north. Almost all of them are with us at Coinjock Marina in NC. In fact, we are the smallest boat at the marina and the average boat is about 45-40 feet long! We arrived at about 4:45 pm and bought fuel for $1.85 a gallon - the best price I have paid in quite a few years. The boat was caked with salt and pine pollen so it got a wash while Sandra did our laundry.
We expect high winds for the next few days and will try to make it north to Great Bridge Virginia to wait out the winds.
Today Stats: Location, Coinjock Marina, NC, ICW MM 50, distance traveled 93 miles, average speed 9.15 mph, 7.95 knots
Saturday, April 04, 2009
A Really Long Day
After looking at the forecast we decided that there was only a two day weather window to cross the opens waters of the Neuse River, Palmico River and Albermarle Sound in NC. Sadly we gave up our planned stop in Oriental where we had hoped to meet fellow trawler crawlers Frank and Chris Erwin. Instead we plugged along for a full 12 hours!!!!! Winds had settled down and it turned into a warm and sunny day. We lucked-out with the wave direction on the Neuse River and did not see any rolls until we hit the Palmico River going into the Pungo River. We are now in the ICW section with no tides, so there is less worry about losing time due to currents. We made our anchorage at 6:30 pm this evening, just in time for dinner and the NCAA semi-final games.
Today's Stats: Location Slade Creek, near Bellhaven, NC, ICW MM 140, distance traveled 105.7 miles, average speed 8.81 mph, 7.66 knots
After looking at the forecast we decided that there was only a two day weather window to cross the opens waters of the Neuse River, Palmico River and Albermarle Sound in NC. Sadly we gave up our planned stop in Oriental where we had hoped to meet fellow trawler crawlers Frank and Chris Erwin. Instead we plugged along for a full 12 hours!!!!! Winds had settled down and it turned into a warm and sunny day. We lucked-out with the wave direction on the Neuse River and did not see any rolls until we hit the Palmico River going into the Pungo River. We are now in the ICW section with no tides, so there is less worry about losing time due to currents. We made our anchorage at 6:30 pm this evening, just in time for dinner and the NCAA semi-final games.
Today's Stats: Location Slade Creek, near Bellhaven, NC, ICW MM 140, distance traveled 105.7 miles, average speed 8.81 mph, 7.66 knots
Friday, April 03, 2009
Waiting out the Wind ( again!! )
We decided to sit tight at the anchorage near Camp LeJeune, NC. Winds have picked up by mid-afternoon and are 25 mph gusting to 38 mph. Two boats left the anchorage early leaving three of us to ride it out. At mid-day three boat show Davis Sport Fish stayed for a few hours with us. The ICW was closed mid-day while they conducted live fire exercises for the Marines. Tomorrow we will pick-up the anchor and head to Oriental, NC. The forecast for the next week shows another front Monday and then Friday so we will have to pick our spots to get across Albermarle Sound and then later in the week up the Chesapeake Bay.
Today's Stats: At anchor, ICW Camp LeJeune, NC
We decided to sit tight at the anchorage near Camp LeJeune, NC. Winds have picked up by mid-afternoon and are 25 mph gusting to 38 mph. Two boats left the anchorage early leaving three of us to ride it out. At mid-day three boat show Davis Sport Fish stayed for a few hours with us. The ICW was closed mid-day while they conducted live fire exercises for the Marines. Tomorrow we will pick-up the anchor and head to Oriental, NC. The forecast for the next week shows another front Monday and then Friday so we will have to pick our spots to get across Albermarle Sound and then later in the week up the Chesapeake Bay.
Today's Stats: At anchor, ICW Camp LeJeune, NC
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Rain, rain & More rain In North Carolina
It started out calm and with drizzle that became full rain as we left Southport, NC. For the first two hours we ran up the Cape Fear River against the current seeing only about 5.5 knots speed over the ground. To make it even more fun it was very foggy, so navigation was by radar and gps. Once we got into the ICW again the fog lifted a little and we could see enough for visual navigation. We had good push from the current for most of the day. This stretch of the iCW has three bridges on very restrictive schedules, but with the tide down I was able to sneak under two of the bridges and timing the third with the gps we only lost about 15 minutes of time due to the opening at Surf City,NC. The weather forecast is for heavy winds tomorrow so it looks like we will be hunkered down at the anchorage at the marine base at Camp Lejeune, NC. There are a few other boats here with us and we hope everyone has a good anchor!!!!
Here is a photo of Sandra when we left Stuart, FL taken by our friend Mary Kay:
Today's Stats: Location Mile Hammock, Camp LeJeune, NC ICW MM 244.5, distance traveled 64.75 miles, average speed 7.68 mph, 6.68 knots
It started out calm and with drizzle that became full rain as we left Southport, NC. For the first two hours we ran up the Cape Fear River against the current seeing only about 5.5 knots speed over the ground. To make it even more fun it was very foggy, so navigation was by radar and gps. Once we got into the ICW again the fog lifted a little and we could see enough for visual navigation. We had good push from the current for most of the day. This stretch of the iCW has three bridges on very restrictive schedules, but with the tide down I was able to sneak under two of the bridges and timing the third with the gps we only lost about 15 minutes of time due to the opening at Surf City,NC. The weather forecast is for heavy winds tomorrow so it looks like we will be hunkered down at the anchorage at the marine base at Camp Lejeune, NC. There are a few other boats here with us and we hope everyone has a good anchor!!!!
Here is a photo of Sandra when we left Stuart, FL taken by our friend Mary Kay:
Today's Stats: Location Mile Hammock, Camp LeJeune, NC ICW MM 244.5, distance traveled 64.75 miles, average speed 7.68 mph, 6.68 knots
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Nice Afternoon on Southport
Sandra & I walked into Southport, NC this afternoon. It is a quiet town with nice streets of older homes from the later 1800's to early 1900's. Many have quaint gardens. The "downtown" has the feel of an American town from the 1940's or 1950's with many antique shops, several excellent gift shops and restaurants. We stopped for a late lunch-early dinner at the Provision Company on the waterfront where you order before you enter and pull your own drinks. All-in-all a stop we enjoyed. There was fun at the marina too. A 135 foot Feadship Sea Ghost is docked here. It is for sale at 6.25 million and today they turned it around in the tight space in front of the marina so they could wash both sides of the boat:
Late in the afternoon an 87 foot Coast Guard cutter - Yellowfin stopped to take on 1500 gallons of fuel.
Sandra & I walked into Southport, NC this afternoon. It is a quiet town with nice streets of older homes from the later 1800's to early 1900's. Many have quaint gardens. The "downtown" has the feel of an American town from the 1940's or 1950's with many antique shops, several excellent gift shops and restaurants. We stopped for a late lunch-early dinner at the Provision Company on the waterfront where you order before you enter and pull your own drinks. All-in-all a stop we enjoyed. There was fun at the marina too. A 135 foot Feadship Sea Ghost is docked here. It is for sale at 6.25 million and today they turned it around in the tight space in front of the marina so they could wash both sides of the boat:
Late in the afternoon an 87 foot Coast Guard cutter - Yellowfin stopped to take on 1500 gallons of fuel.
Crossed in North Carolina in the Rain
We left in a warm drizzle from Litttle River, SC and quickly crossed into North Carolina. The first hour was a crawl at slow speed to make the 8 am opening of the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge. A new high rise bridge is under construction and I hope it is gone by my next trip - the bridge is slow and only opens on the hour. After the bridge we came back inside for the rest of the morning until we reached Southport. One of the strange things about this part of the trip is that you are traveling east to southeast all day as you bump out to the Cape Fear Region of NC. This will be our first visit to this small town and we hope it meets the hype in the guidebook. The marina is very nice with wide slips and easy to get in and out of. We are hope we have a break from the rain to go into town. The good news is that it is warm ( 65 degrees ) and there is no wind. The forecast is still iffy for Friday so that could still turn into a lay day.
Today's Stats: Location Southport Marina, SC, ICW MM 309.3, distance traveled 37.16 miles, avg speed 7.69 mph, 6.69 knots
We left in a warm drizzle from Litttle River, SC and quickly crossed into North Carolina. The first hour was a crawl at slow speed to make the 8 am opening of the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge. A new high rise bridge is under construction and I hope it is gone by my next trip - the bridge is slow and only opens on the hour. After the bridge we came back inside for the rest of the morning until we reached Southport. One of the strange things about this part of the trip is that you are traveling east to southeast all day as you bump out to the Cape Fear Region of NC. This will be our first visit to this small town and we hope it meets the hype in the guidebook. The marina is very nice with wide slips and easy to get in and out of. We are hope we have a break from the rain to go into town. The good news is that it is warm ( 65 degrees ) and there is no wind. The forecast is still iffy for Friday so that could still turn into a lay day.
Today's Stats: Location Southport Marina, SC, ICW MM 309.3, distance traveled 37.16 miles, avg speed 7.69 mph, 6.69 knots
