October 28, 2011 Friday
We woke up this morning to a cold from that was moving through the area: overcast skies and cold for this part of the country. Donning foul Wx gear and bundled up, we departed at 0830 hrs for Coinjock, NC which is 38 miles distant (36 deg. 21.1' N x 75 deg. 56.8' W)
The ICW is very scenic and well protected, however, anytime there is an open bay or sound, the wind and fetch can set up a nasty chop. So far it has been well marked with red and green day markers. The controlling depth in the ICW is 12 feet. There is no water outside the designated markers. As were were motoring to our first bridge this morning, another yacht tried to overtake us on our starboard side. Phyllis made the comment that he was very close to the edge of the channel. Just then he grounded and came to an abrupt stop. Fortunately, most of this area has mud and sand so no damage was done. The worst thing that can happen in the ICW is to hit an underwater stump or obstruction. There are plenty of those around and sometimes with the most vigilant navigation you hit something. I have tried to document all recent reports on obstructions and shoaling and mark them on the charts but new ones pop up and are not known until some unfortunate boater nails one. It's what keeps the repair shops thriving in this economic market.
We chose to tie up alongside some pilings at the Mid Way Marina and Hotel in Coinjock, NC. We no longer need shore power since our Solar Panels and Wind Generator are cranking out more than enough amps. This is a strong cold front that is blowing thru the area and there aren't many good places to anchor. Right now as I write this (0830 hrs EDT) it is gusting over 30 kts from the N. This system is going to last through tomorrow and part of the next day : gale warnings are being issued. All those yachts in Portsmouth and Great Bridge stayed put today and we only saw two other yachts and a few power boats navigating with us. Phyllis and I took turns at the helm and kept our home safely in good water despite a strong cross breeze that necessitated crabbing down the channel. She is going to become a good helmswoman and competent navigator.
We'll see what kind of WX greets us in the morning and the options I have for anchoring in the late afternoon. I'd like to make 40 or 50 miles. This would put us almost half way through our ICW journey: Norfolk to Beaufort, NC is 205 miles. Once we're in Beaufort, NC, we'll have to wait on a Wx window and then make a direct sail for Charleston, SC.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
PORTSMOUTH, VA TO GREAT BRIDGE, VA
October 27, 2011
We departed Portsmouth, VA this morning @ 0730 hrs for Great Bridge, VA. It's only 12 miles down the ICW but you have to wait on bridge openings that don't begin until 0930 hrs. Also, there is one lock to negotiate. By the time one has cleared all the bridges and locked-thru, it's 1030 hrs and too late to make the next 40 miles to Coinjock at SM 50. It is imperative to find an anchorage before dock on this ICW. The first available anchorage is at Blackwater Creek @ MM 30. The next one is Buck Is @ MM 60.
Since there were two other Valiants staying in Great Bridge, we decided to have a "gam" with them and ended up spending the evening at a "free dock". One of the Valiant owners has circumnavigated twice! There is a Wx system that will move through early tomorrow morning with winds gusting over 30 kts from the NW-N. I'll have to take a good look at it and decide weather or not to procede to Coinjock which is 40 miles down the ICW. I don't want to do this with howling winds and rain. There is nothing easy about the boating life. We have set up an ambitious goal to reach the South Pacific. There is a lot of joy and misery involved in getting there. The most frustrating for me are the equipment failures. Right now that hot water heater issue needs to addressed. If tomorrow brings bad Wx, I'll get on it.
It was a beautiful fall day with temperatures in the upper 70's. The ICW is quite beautiful and the foliage is starting to change. We have 200 miles of this until we exit at Beaufort, NC and make a run to Charleston, SC in the coastal waters.
We departed Portsmouth, VA this morning @ 0730 hrs for Great Bridge, VA. It's only 12 miles down the ICW but you have to wait on bridge openings that don't begin until 0930 hrs. Also, there is one lock to negotiate. By the time one has cleared all the bridges and locked-thru, it's 1030 hrs and too late to make the next 40 miles to Coinjock at SM 50. It is imperative to find an anchorage before dock on this ICW. The first available anchorage is at Blackwater Creek @ MM 30. The next one is Buck Is @ MM 60.
Since there were two other Valiants staying in Great Bridge, we decided to have a "gam" with them and ended up spending the evening at a "free dock". One of the Valiant owners has circumnavigated twice! There is a Wx system that will move through early tomorrow morning with winds gusting over 30 kts from the NW-N. I'll have to take a good look at it and decide weather or not to procede to Coinjock which is 40 miles down the ICW. I don't want to do this with howling winds and rain. There is nothing easy about the boating life. We have set up an ambitious goal to reach the South Pacific. There is a lot of joy and misery involved in getting there. The most frustrating for me are the equipment failures. Right now that hot water heater issue needs to addressed. If tomorrow brings bad Wx, I'll get on it.
It was a beautiful fall day with temperatures in the upper 70's. The ICW is quite beautiful and the foliage is starting to change. We have 200 miles of this until we exit at Beaufort, NC and make a run to Charleston, SC in the coastal waters.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
NORTH LANDING DOCK AT PORTSMOUTH, VA
Oct 26, 2011
We decided to spend the day in Portsmouth getting ready to navigate the Intracoastal Waterway. The ICW starts at Norfolk and runs all the way to Florida - over 1200 miles. We plan to give Cape Hatteras a miss and use the ICW as far as Beaufort Inlet, NC. We will wait on a Wx window and exit at Beaufort to continue coastal sailing to Charleston, SC.
The biggest hurdle in sailing outside around Cape Hatteras is fast moving Wx systems and swells from other Wx systems. The Gulf Stream runs very close to Diamond Shoals bringing warm water to cooler air at this time of year. There is a good possibility that we could be caught in heavy Wx conditions. Why risk it? The ICW bypasses the possibility and gives lots of wiggle room. In my 30+ years on tugs, I have been around Hatteras over 40 times. If I was going North and the Wx was fair, coming back South it was foul. I've never made a trip with fair Wx on both ends. Just listening to the Wx reports for that area gives one pause.
The controlling depth in the ICW is 12 feet with at least 90 feet width. Many smaller tugs and barges use it. There are many shoal areas and obstructions. Very careful navigation and watchkeeping is essential. We will do all our navigating during daylight hours and anchor at night.
Tomorrow we start our navigation from "mile marker 0" at Portsmouth and run 205 sm (statute miles) to Beaufort, NC. We won't have phone service or internet in many places along the route. I'll post when I can. Until then, we'll be too busy living life to write about it.
We decided to spend the day in Portsmouth getting ready to navigate the Intracoastal Waterway. The ICW starts at Norfolk and runs all the way to Florida - over 1200 miles. We plan to give Cape Hatteras a miss and use the ICW as far as Beaufort Inlet, NC. We will wait on a Wx window and exit at Beaufort to continue coastal sailing to Charleston, SC.
The biggest hurdle in sailing outside around Cape Hatteras is fast moving Wx systems and swells from other Wx systems. The Gulf Stream runs very close to Diamond Shoals bringing warm water to cooler air at this time of year. There is a good possibility that we could be caught in heavy Wx conditions. Why risk it? The ICW bypasses the possibility and gives lots of wiggle room. In my 30+ years on tugs, I have been around Hatteras over 40 times. If I was going North and the Wx was fair, coming back South it was foul. I've never made a trip with fair Wx on both ends. Just listening to the Wx reports for that area gives one pause.
The controlling depth in the ICW is 12 feet with at least 90 feet width. Many smaller tugs and barges use it. There are many shoal areas and obstructions. Very careful navigation and watchkeeping is essential. We will do all our navigating during daylight hours and anchor at night.
Tomorrow we start our navigation from "mile marker 0" at Portsmouth and run 205 sm (statute miles) to Beaufort, NC. We won't have phone service or internet in many places along the route. I'll post when I can. Until then, we'll be too busy living life to write about it.
FISHING BAY TO NORFOLK, VA
October 25, 2011
Weigh anchor at 0824 and depart Fishing Bay for Norfolk (45 nm). The Valiant has a wash down pump at the bow which allows us to wash down the anchor chain as it comes in. This keeps most of the mud and debris off the deck. Our windlass is manual so I have to crank it up using a lever. Not difficult and I don't mind it at all. At first I thought I wouldn't like it very much and considered an electric windlass but I have become fond of the older method; besides, it doesn't need a battery.
Today produced a fresh North wind and we were able to set the genoa and motor. Since we were heading due South, I didn't want to raise the mainsail and put out preventers. Running with the wind - wing and wing- requires a poled out "jenny" on one side and the mainsail on the other side. Extra precaution has to be taken so that the wind doesn't catch the mainsail from behind and propel it to the other side in what is called a "jibe all standing". This could cause damage to the boom and rigging. So, we used the "jenny" and motored with an ebb tide to boot. We were averaging 7.5 kts.
We found a "free dock" in Portsmouth, Va and @1730 hrs tied up for the night. We have a new problem that needs fixing. It appears that we have a leak in out hot water heater. This is located under our bunk on the port side. I can fix this myself and will have a look at it in the near future. That future is very near as we have to take showers to continue to live together and meet others. In the meantime, from all the marinas we have stayed at, it is very easy to go over to one of them and shower or do laundry. That is what we will do tomorrow since I will be busy changing out the Racor and fuel filters on the engine.
Weigh anchor at 0824 and depart Fishing Bay for Norfolk (45 nm). The Valiant has a wash down pump at the bow which allows us to wash down the anchor chain as it comes in. This keeps most of the mud and debris off the deck. Our windlass is manual so I have to crank it up using a lever. Not difficult and I don't mind it at all. At first I thought I wouldn't like it very much and considered an electric windlass but I have become fond of the older method; besides, it doesn't need a battery.
Today produced a fresh North wind and we were able to set the genoa and motor. Since we were heading due South, I didn't want to raise the mainsail and put out preventers. Running with the wind - wing and wing- requires a poled out "jenny" on one side and the mainsail on the other side. Extra precaution has to be taken so that the wind doesn't catch the mainsail from behind and propel it to the other side in what is called a "jibe all standing". This could cause damage to the boom and rigging. So, we used the "jenny" and motored with an ebb tide to boot. We were averaging 7.5 kts.
We found a "free dock" in Portsmouth, Va and @1730 hrs tied up for the night. We have a new problem that needs fixing. It appears that we have a leak in out hot water heater. This is located under our bunk on the port side. I can fix this myself and will have a look at it in the near future. That future is very near as we have to take showers to continue to live together and meet others. In the meantime, from all the marinas we have stayed at, it is very easy to go over to one of them and shower or do laundry. That is what we will do tomorrow since I will be busy changing out the Racor and fuel filters on the engine.
SOLOMON ISLAND TO FISHING BAY
October 24, 2011
Weighed anchor @ 0800 hrs this morning and worked out way out of the basin. Today we plan to make Fishing Bay (37 deg. 32.3' N x 76 deg. 20.2' W) which is about 60 nm distant.
There was very little to no wind so we motored yet once again. This was a beautiful fall day with lots of sunshine. Once again, we made Fishing Bay just as the sun was setting. The entrance to the Bay is a long convoluted affair but worth it for the protection afforded. The Wx forecast was for a NW'ly wind 15-20 kts so I was happy to set anchor in this lovely secure spot. There were several other yachts anchored in the same area.
The Wx forecast was correct and around 0200 hrs on Oct 25th it started to blow from the NW. We could hear our new wind generator cranking out the amps in a quiet purring fashion. This wind generator is very quiet and one hardly notices it working its magic. With the Solar Panel and Wind Generator, we are getting so many amps put into the battery bank that the units have to start dumping some of the energy. When this happens it means that we can invert AC to DC and charge whatever we need. How wonderful is that!!
Weighed anchor @ 0800 hrs this morning and worked out way out of the basin. Today we plan to make Fishing Bay (37 deg. 32.3' N x 76 deg. 20.2' W) which is about 60 nm distant.
There was very little to no wind so we motored yet once again. This was a beautiful fall day with lots of sunshine. Once again, we made Fishing Bay just as the sun was setting. The entrance to the Bay is a long convoluted affair but worth it for the protection afforded. The Wx forecast was for a NW'ly wind 15-20 kts so I was happy to set anchor in this lovely secure spot. There were several other yachts anchored in the same area.
The Wx forecast was correct and around 0200 hrs on Oct 25th it started to blow from the NW. We could hear our new wind generator cranking out the amps in a quiet purring fashion. This wind generator is very quiet and one hardly notices it working its magic. With the Solar Panel and Wind Generator, we are getting so many amps put into the battery bank that the units have to start dumping some of the energy. When this happens it means that we can invert AC to DC and charge whatever we need. How wonderful is that!!
ANNAPOLIS TO SOLOMON ISLAND ANCHORAGE
October 23, 2011
We departed the inner Annapolis harbor mooring buoy at 0954 hrs this morning. Our plan is to run South about 40 nm to Solomon Is (38 deg 19.9' N x 76 deg 27.6' W) and anchor for the night. The wind was light and on the nose so, once again, we motored. The day started off with a chill in the air but warmed up as the day progressed.
We dropped anchor in a charming little basin just as the sun was setting in 17' of water. It was a quiet night and we enjoyed the rest. The Chesapeake is a great place to find anchorages. Even the small creeks have enough water depth to accommodate a 6' draft. The area is a yachting paradise except for the cold winters.
We departed the inner Annapolis harbor mooring buoy at 0954 hrs this morning. Our plan is to run South about 40 nm to Solomon Is (38 deg 19.9' N x 76 deg 27.6' W) and anchor for the night. The wind was light and on the nose so, once again, we motored. The day started off with a chill in the air but warmed up as the day progressed.
We dropped anchor in a charming little basin just as the sun was setting in 17' of water. It was a quiet night and we enjoyed the rest. The Chesapeake is a great place to find anchorages. Even the small creeks have enough water depth to accommodate a 6' draft. The area is a yachting paradise except for the cold winters.
REPAIRS COMPLETE
October 13, 2011
Phyllis and I are back in Annapolis after spending time with friends and family in Ocean Springs, MS and Shreveport, La
The haul out has been a long costly event but was necessary for us to continue to the South Pacific without pulling into marinas. We now have adequate electricity coming into our battery bank from a Solar Panel and Wind Generator. Additionally, the mast and rigging have been checked and "tuned" for optimum performance. One repair that we hadn't counted on was the DC refrigeration system that shut down and called it quits. This delayed us for a few days and many dollars but it is back up and running with a new compressor and other parts.
Our last big expense, we hope, will be a new Icom 802 SSB with a Pactor Modem that will allow us to send and receive Email when we are at sea. This will be installed in Ft. Lauderdale, FL sometime in November. Once we leave Florida the plan is to head to the North of Cuba and then take the Windward Passage to Jamaica. A brief stop in Jamaica for provisions and then onto the Panama Canal. There might be other options but that's what I am considering for now.
While we were in Annapolis, one of the former owners of "Solstice" and yacht broker/owner for Rogue Wave Yacht Sales, had his annual Valiant Owners "Love Fest" at his home on Luce Creek. This was a very special event for us since it gave us the opportunity to see other Valiants and get ideas on what we can do with ours. There were eight Valiants that showed up at the gala event. One had completed a seven year circumnavigation. Traditionally, after the Annapolis Boat Show in mid-October, the boats start heading South. This is what we are seeing and will be doing ourselves.
Here is a list of what we have had done at the shipyard or various repair facilities:
BP 220W Solar Panel installed over the Bimini
D400 Wind Generator installed
Keel faired and repaired for damage sustained after hitting an underwater obstruction in Port Austin, MI
Sea Strainer installed over the Raw Water Intake
Rigging and mast inspected and "tuned" at Port Annapolis Marina by Southbound Rigging
Sails inspected and repaired by Quantum Sails. Sunbrella was added to the genoa for protection against the tropical sun
New DC compressor for refrigeration system
Volvo Penta Engine needed a new oil cooler core to stop oil coming out of the raw water exhaust
Two new rubber engine mounts were installed and engine aligned
Now we sail once again!
Phyllis and I are back in Annapolis after spending time with friends and family in Ocean Springs, MS and Shreveport, La
The haul out has been a long costly event but was necessary for us to continue to the South Pacific without pulling into marinas. We now have adequate electricity coming into our battery bank from a Solar Panel and Wind Generator. Additionally, the mast and rigging have been checked and "tuned" for optimum performance. One repair that we hadn't counted on was the DC refrigeration system that shut down and called it quits. This delayed us for a few days and many dollars but it is back up and running with a new compressor and other parts.
Our last big expense, we hope, will be a new Icom 802 SSB with a Pactor Modem that will allow us to send and receive Email when we are at sea. This will be installed in Ft. Lauderdale, FL sometime in November. Once we leave Florida the plan is to head to the North of Cuba and then take the Windward Passage to Jamaica. A brief stop in Jamaica for provisions and then onto the Panama Canal. There might be other options but that's what I am considering for now.
While we were in Annapolis, one of the former owners of "Solstice" and yacht broker/owner for Rogue Wave Yacht Sales, had his annual Valiant Owners "Love Fest" at his home on Luce Creek. This was a very special event for us since it gave us the opportunity to see other Valiants and get ideas on what we can do with ours. There were eight Valiants that showed up at the gala event. One had completed a seven year circumnavigation. Traditionally, after the Annapolis Boat Show in mid-October, the boats start heading South. This is what we are seeing and will be doing ourselves.
Here is a list of what we have had done at the shipyard or various repair facilities:
BP 220W Solar Panel installed over the Bimini
D400 Wind Generator installed
Keel faired and repaired for damage sustained after hitting an underwater obstruction in Port Austin, MI
Sea Strainer installed over the Raw Water Intake
Rigging and mast inspected and "tuned" at Port Annapolis Marina by Southbound Rigging
Sails inspected and repaired by Quantum Sails. Sunbrella was added to the genoa for protection against the tropical sun
New DC compressor for refrigeration system
Volvo Penta Engine needed a new oil cooler core to stop oil coming out of the raw water exhaust
Two new rubber engine mounts were installed and engine aligned
Now we sail once again!
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