Lay Days 1-5 Deltaville, VA (Days 47-51)

The boat is currently in Deltaville, VA at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay.  The owners (Pieter and Ansie Diedericks) will winter the boat here and I will be heading home in a couple days.  

The owners will keep it in the water until at least late-October and  then come down to sail a little before they winterize it.  They may hold off lifting it out right away. Boats do winter here in the water year round without the need for bubblers.

THE WEATHER FOR 4 DAYS!
STORMY WITH LOTS OF WIND & RAIN!

I had some rough days coming down the Chesapeake and on arrival here had the port engine quit.  Of course, as you know this is a new engine.  

NICE CALM BACK CHANNEL
THE WINTER SLIP IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER

The pitching motion was violent enough the day of arrival that I think it shook up debris from the bottom of the fuel tank and clogged the low speed jet. At any rate, I could not get the port engine to idle and it quit coming into the dock, after a very long hard day.  

Then I got a serious burn on my arm when I backed up against the hot grill being careless while making dinner that eve.

GREAT OVERLOOK FROM THE MAIN BUILDING PORCH

 

BACK SIDE OF SAME BUILDING - NICE FACILITIES!

There were other problems with a serious leak in the water system, as well.  I ordered parts back in Annapolis to be delivered here at the local West Marine, but the parts ended up being wrong and need to be re-ordered.  

If you have been following the blog you are aware there have been persistent problems starting right from Grand Marais, MN. Doing this trip solo has added to the stress without much relief in port due to the need to repair broken items on the boat on a continual basis.  

My original plan favored for this trip was to  break it up in two phases, from Grand Marais, MN to the beginning of the ICW in 2014 and the second phase of the ICW in spring of 2015, avoiding much of the hurricane season.  

The other option was all the way to Florida in one year, which the owner favored.  However, with the latest problems, I suggested the owner reconsider the overall plan.  

Pieter and Ansie will complete the ICW leg in spring of 2015, before June 1, and the start of hurricane season.  The cruising permit does not expire until the end of August 2015 so that gives them time to get out to the Bahamas for a couple weeks to fulfill the permit limitations for renewal. As Canadians, the are required to have the boat out of the country for at least two weeks consecutively, annually. 

The long and the short is, they agreed with this alternative plan, so I will wrap things up here in the next couple days and fly home.  

As a side note, I did finally get the engine fixed, it was debris in the carburetor, so at least that is working!  However, the water system still needs repair and the fridge is in the last throws of death and needs overhaul or better yet replacement with a chest style fridge.  I have been down to using ice to supplement the fridge for these last few days.

STERN SHOT OF BOAT IN THE WINTER SLIP
SQUEEZED BETWEEN A TRIMARAN IN FOREGROUND AND LARGE CAT IN BACKGROUND

WINTER SLIP
1.25'-1.75' TIDE SO LINES HAVE TO ALLOW FOR VERTICAL MOTION.

Another problem arose before I departed. When I moved the boat to its winter berth I tried to power up the primary cockpit navigation display but none of the control buttons would function!  No matter what I did I could not get the unit to operate correctly. Even the power switch would not work!

The weather for the days in Deltaville were generally windy, rainy, and cooler than previously experienced.  There were several boats that stayed put during the time I was there due to weather and rough seas on the Bay.  It was the first time I experienced some of the social interaction I expected to find on this trip.  Too bad it had to be just before I left!

For several nights we all gathered in the lounge and shared food, drink, stories, and listened to some great guitar playing and songs by the crew of one boat that played music at the professional level.  It was really fun!

CAPTAIN PLAYING ON LEFT - EXCELLENT VOCALIST
A GREAT TIME HAD BY ALL FOR TWO NIGHTS!

The primary vocalist was the captain of a larger sail vessel who when he heard I was going home offered me a crew position on his boat which was on its way to Seattle via the Panama Canal over the next six months. Interesting, but not appealing after the past few months I have just gone through!

LEAD GUITAR - VERY GOOD!

Added Note: I flew out of Richmond, VA to the Twin Cities on 9/10. This ends the 2014 blog.  

Stats: Total Distance Traveled in 2014 - 1613.1 NM; Total Grand Marais, MN to Deltaville, VA - 1544.7 NM; Total Great Lakes Legs - 813.1 NM; Total Erie Canal/Hudson River - 400.7 NM; Total NYC to Deltaville, VA - 330.9 NM. Total for me 2014-1212.4 NM; Total for new owners - 400.7 NM.

EAST COAST LEG FROM NYC TO DELTAVILLE, VA (330.9 NM)

 

Leg 28-Solomon's Island, MD to Deltaville, VA (Day 46)

The leg today is 53 NM which is 13 NM longer than expected. Must have been a mistake in my records? The extra distance means about 2.5 hours, in good conditions, so finishing the day legally could be a problem.

I got up early with the intention of leaving the dock before sunrise. I needed every minute of the day to do it, especially since later in the day I expected less favorable wind conditions.

The wind was brisk to start and I got all sail up and got a nice stretch in before I turned out of the Patuxent River down the Bay and had the wind more on the bow. I left the main up but the genny had to be rolled up. 

THIS MYSTERY BOAT WAS ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY AND MOVING VERY FAST!

I was pushing more wind and waves but the motion was still reasonable. Decided I better have lunch before it got worse.  So I had my leftover pizza and a beer for lunch at about same time the wind and seas began to build even more.  The usual, forecast 5-10 and the winds are actually 10-15 on the bow. 

Conditions got worse and worse and every time I turned to a new course I would think I could squeak out the Genny, but no, it would follow me around! Just could never get an angle. I was squeaking what I could out of the main, but it was not much.  

I ACTUALLY PASSED INSIDE OF THIS LIGHT STANDING BY ITSELF OFF SHORE

The wind and current by mid-afternoon had me down to as low as 2.5 kts when a wave would knock me back. I seriously thought about tacking so I could get some foresail up to help stabilize the boat but the distance was so long I just did not think it would help with the velocity made good (VMG).

THE VARIETY OF SHIPS YOU SEE:
HERE A CONTAINER SHIP LOADED TO THE GILLS

WHO KNOWS? LOTS OF PIPES, SO MAYBE IT'S HEADED TO THE GAS TERMINAL I SHOT YESTERDAY?

MORE STANDARD FARE

The afternoon was painfully slow and the pitching got very uncomfortable. I always say, don't power upwind in this cat, and I was doing it!  

It was getting late so I tried to call the marina but no cell signal!  So I pushed on just wishing the next turn to come. The port engine was cavitating in waves but for some reason the starboard engine was not. That is not good for the engines since the RPM can build too high, in this case up to 5000 RPM! The dinghy was also occasionally being caught by waves on its bottom due to steep pitch angle.   

LOOKS LIKE AN A-BOMB WENT OFF!

SAME CLOUD STRUCTURE BUT NOW BUILDING AGAIN
DIFFERENT SHIP

There was not much that could be done but slog on. Finally I got to the final turn to the marina and was able to get them on the phone only to be told they would be closed on arrival.  I told the harbor master that I was solo and with the wind would need assistance at the dock. He agreed to alert some of the live aboard sailors in the marina and they would assist me.

Just outside the marina I decided to round up at idle and lower the main sail and ensure I was ready for docking. The entrance channel was extremely narrow so I did not want to try and do that inside.

I got the sail stowed and checked all the lines and fenders were set, but I went back to power up and the port engine was dead! I thought, oh no! The fuel is low and I ran out of gas!  So I'm drifting around in some waves trying to put fuel in the tank which is a bit of a balancing act hanging off the stern steps.  I just put a couple gallons in and tried to start, nothing!  It was not fuel, nevertheless, to be sure I added fuel to the other engine just in case.  

Finally I got the engine going by pushing it forward into gear at a higher RPM setting. It started and ran but would not idle. Now I have double trouble, no dock hands for certain and an engine that may quit at any moment. 

Fortunately, the live aboard sailors were ready and waiting so that was good! Especially since the port engine quit on approach. I got docked okay but I was wiped!

The long hard day, the heat, and added stress of trouble shooting on the fly, and then docking with an engine out just takes it over the top.

I got careless while I was hurrying to cook something to eat before it got dark and ended up adding to my problems by getting a severe burn on my arm by inadvertently backing into the hot grill. 

The good part was I still had a great grilled steak dinner and hit the sack knowing I was not going anywhere tomorrow!

Stats:  53.29 NM Charted, 50.9 Logged, WT 88.7 F, Total Log 8348.7 NM, Max speed 6.79 kts, Max wind 18.2 kts.

Leg 27-Annapolis to Solomon's Island, MD (Day 45)

The morning started early and quiet except for the Navy cadets doing their morning exercise.  A few fishing boats moving around. 

CHESAPEAKE CHANNEL BRIDGE
EARLY MORNING

I headed down the harbor to a nice sunrise. Winds were favorable for a tack to the first turn so I put up sail. Winds were not strong to start and I had a current in my favor so was doing fine making about 6 kts. Had to keep a close eye on crab pot markers and came close to a couple that were poorly marked.

THOMAS POINT SHOAL LIGHT

Unfortunately, the wind picked up and was above forecast and with the current running opposite it made for a miserable chop. The boat began to pitch making it for a rough and uncomfortable day. 

NO, I DID NOT ACTUALLY SEE IT FALL!

COVE POINT LIGHT

Took some shots of sites along the way. On arrival I called ahead and the dock master was there to catch my lines.  It went smoothly but I was bushed with the ride, heat, and humidity.

APPEARS TO BE A GAS LOADING DOCK
BIG INVESTMENT!

THIS SHOWS THE OVERALL SIZE OF THE FACILITY

 I got ice, topped fuel and water, and then got cleaned up to take a walk for dinner. However, I got only as far as the pool side bar in the marina which had cold, cold, $1 draft beer, and a hot dog for another $1 during happy hour. I sat in a seat with the cold air blowing right on me and decided to stay right there.  

FISH NETS THAT GO OUT A HALF MILE OR MORE AND ARE UNLIGHTED, NOT SURE WHO IS TRAPPING WHO?

NOT THE BEST PICTURE BUT THE LIGHT SHOWS THE CRAB POT MARKERS WELL AND AS YOU CAN SEE THE POOR SUCKER COMING BEHIND ME IS HEADED RIGHT FOR THEM!

Steak (tube steak) and beer was fine with me!  I ended up topping it off with some pizza which I only ate half of so I could have some for lunch the next day.With tip my evening cost $15! Can't beat that.  

OSPREY ON THE NEST

I always plot the next day's course after I get settled and discovered my next leg was 13 NM than I had planned!  It would be a 53 NM leg down to Deltaville, VA which I am not looking forward to!  Just too long a leg. 

Hit the sack since the day must start as early as possible.

Stats: Charted 42.22 NM, Logged 43.34 NM, WT 86.3F, Total Log 8298.7 NM, Max Speed 6.92 kts., Max wind 17.7 kts.

Lay Day 1, Annapolis, MD (Day 44)

Got up late since it is a lay day (yes, I do get some rest!).  It seems less humid today. 

EARLY MORNING ANNAPOLIS HARBOR, MD

I made coffee and did my morning reading. Afterward I put some of the stuff in the fridge but noticed the meat had all thawed! I will have to refreeze it, not the best but I have no choice. 

Watched students at the Academy doing the morning workouts with the standard cadence sound off of the military. I don't miss it at all!

EARLY MORNING WORKOUT NAVAL ACADEMY STUDENTS

Had some breakfast, washed the dishes, and then took another look at the head faucet. Unfortunately, someone had previously serviced it and stripped the threads and I could not get the valve apart. I gave up on that project and put it together so it can at least be used until I find parts. 

CLASSIC KETCH RIGGED SAILBOAT

I called West Marine and ordered the whole assembly to be delivered to Deltaville, MD on Friday. I will be in Solomon Island tomorrow eve and Deltaville on Friday, weather permitting?  

I then got a cleaning kit together and decided to go wash the outside hulls since they were becoming embarrassingly filthy. A lot of dirt is picked up in these harbors. A couple hours later I was done and the boat looked much better. 

ANNAPOLIS HARBOR MOORING FIELD
EARLY MORNING

I have been running the generator since 0800 this morning but the batteries are only showing 12.1 volts, mostly because of the fridge, the PC, and the fan I am running. If solar kicks in it jumps up to 12.7 volts but when the solar outbput drops, the batteries drop. Very difficult in these warm conditions (94 F out, 89 F in) to keep up when on a mooring. I should be at a dock tomorrow and hopefully I can gain back some lost ground!

Made a chicken salad sandwich for lunch with a cold beer and chips. 

Worked on the blogs and am almost caught up now. I am thinking of going ashore for an ice cream and to take some pics.

Got presentable, loaded the dinghy, and headed to shore for a walk around the streets for awhile and have the ice cream I had on my mind.

1500 is maybe a little late to have ice cream but I will just have dinner later. Need to keep using my fresh meat since I'm not sure how long I can keep it with the fridge problem.

Below are some pics from my walk & the eve:

ALEX HALLEY SCULPTURE

MARYLAND STATE HOUSE
ONCE THE CAPITOL OF THE U.S.

THE FACTS

MORE OF THE STATE HOUSE COMPLEX

THE STREETS

LOTS TO SEE AND NOT ENOUGH TIME!

PEACEFUL EVE

Leg 26-Still Pond to Annapolis, MD (Day 43)

0400-Got up to the alarm but I likely set it too early since sunrise is not until 0630 now. I need to adjust my alarms to give me more rest.   

Completed the routine, and was ready way too early. Had the anchor pulled in close so I could just finish the last few feet.  Couldn't go too early because of insurance, but also because I need to be able to see crab pot locations as I go out.

I left promptly at 0630 and not a soul was stirring. Started out quiet but as soon as I got out of the bay and into the ship channel the wind picked up on the bow about 12 knots. The current was in the opposite direction which created a little chop.  The good part was the current was giving me a nice boost to 6 kts.

Not much action all the way to Annapolis. One sea going ship going up to Baltimore but no conflict with me. Another large power boat going southbound, but again, no conflict. I did not power up the PC given the visual conditions and the fact that I would avoid the ship channels. 

CHESAPEAKE CHANNEL BRIDGE

ACTUALLY, TWO BRIDGES!

INTERESTING SUPPORT STRUCTURE
AND WHAT LOOKS LIKE A MAINTENANCE RIG

NOT SURE BUT IT HAS TO COME CLOSE TO CHALLENGING THE MACKINAW BRIDGE FOR LENGTH?

I was texting Bob even before I left the anchorage because he had not received a "safety" message when I anchored the evening before. This is the second time that has happened. I will have to be more careful to ensure the message is actually transmitted.

He gave me numerous tips by text on the entry into Annapolis Harbor and picking up a mooring for the evening. I finally got the phone number for the Harbor Master and called to make arrangements. No problem, plenty of moorings. 

NAVAL ACADEMY

ACADEMY TRAINING VESSELS

I was tied up before 1230 and called for a pump out. They have a vessel that comes around and will pump you out on the mooring which seemed to be a good idea to me.

I am having serious fridge issues! It is so hot the fridge cannot keep up and the freezer food is thawing and butter is melting in the fridge! 

On top of that problem I now have developed an even worse water leak in the head faucet/shower combo unit. I have to turn the water off or it will drain the tank. More of a problem when anchored or on a mooring. I called the West Marine here in Annapolis but they do not have the parts but could get them by Friday. That is unacceptable since I need to be out of here on Thursday. 

I called the Harbor Master on the VHF to find out about getting my propane filled and they sent me to the marina gas dock. When I arrived they said: "Oh no! We don't fill propane and have no idea where to get it filled." Wonderful!  So I topped up two gas cans, got some ice to defrost the fridge, and headed back to the boat. I was one frustrated puppy with all the problems and no solutions!

So what do you do? Put your head in the sand, take a shower, go ashore, have a nice dinner, and worry about it later!  So I did. 

But the problems continued. I get to a recommended restaurant, but afterward thought about the source (holding tank pump out guys) and decided I shouldn't be taking advice from these folks! I had a beer and left, the service was bad and there were only three tables with people seated in a huge place. Bad sign!

I walked up the street and could not find anything, meanwhile T-storms were threatening to the west. I needed to hustle or I would get wet!  I turned back toward the harbor and found a small Italian place and had a nice dinner. 

It was now dark and I was afraid of getting ticketed for not having lights. Sure enough I get down to the dinghy and there was the harbor police boat parked next to mine, no people, but three life jackets. I decided to get my little behind out of Dodge as fast as possible! I sneaked out close to the sterns of the boats and along the Academy bulkheads as close as possible to mask my location. Another harbor patrol boat was going opposite but did not see me. When I got across from my boat, I made a quick crossing of the channel to the boat. Very shortly after the T-Storm broke loose and I saw the police boat going the other way, likely looking for me!  

ANNAPOLIS CITY MOORING FIELD

Checked email, had some wine and chocolates for desert to celebrate my escape from arrest and jail!  Hit the sack.

Stats:  30.01 NM Charted, 29.62 NM Logged, difference is mostly current.  WT 87.0 F, Total Log 8255.4 NM. Max speed 6.29 kts, Max wind 14.5 kts.

Leg 25, Delaware City to Still Pond (Day 42)

0330 Couldn't sleep so just got up.  I was very ready for Tim the Dock Master as he sleepily walked down the dock toward me. "Are you ready?" he said, the engines were running and the lines rigged for "flipping" the boat around to face the current. He had me off within 5 minutes going out of the harbor. Very professional crew and no expectation of tips, unlike Cape May. They just do it because it is part of their service, and they care.

It took me about 45 minutes to go back out of the harbor, around the point, enter the C&D Canal officially, and come parallel with the old channel. Traffic was slow and didn't see any other boats for miles.

FIRST BRIDGE ON C&D CANAL
EARLY MORNING

SECOND AND THIRD BRIDGES

Approaching the railroad bridge I did see a trawler heading the other way. The clouds were touching the highest bridges as you can see in some of the pictures.  

RAILROAD BRIDGE
NOTE CLOUDS OBSCURING THE TOP OF BRIDGE

They were doing a rail inspection so the bridge dropped just as I approached. No warning but I could see it slowly coming down. I called on VHF 13 to see what was going on. The Bridge Master said it would be about 10 minutes or so. 

BRIDGE ALMOST DOWN

GOING UP!  I AM ON MY WAY

I held in the river slowly edging toward the bridge but had to turn at the final point.  Just as I did the bridge began to go up so I turned around and headed down to the Chesapeake. Still not much traffic even though it was Labor Day!  

CHESAPEAKE CITY
CHESAPEAKE END OF C&D CANAL

POLLUTION CONTROL VESSEL

FINALLY SOME TRAFFIC! A TUG PUSHING A BARGE
NOTE BOW WAVE

Once I got into the upper Chesapeake the traffic started up and then there were fisherman and power boats everywhere.  However they were not too bad.  It was hot and humid like every day has been for the past few days.

THIS LARGE CAT APPROACHED ME AND WENT IN FRONT, THEN HE TOOK A PICTURE OF ME WHILE I TOOK A PICTURE OF HIM!

I followed the ship channel for the most part until I got closer to Still Pond which is just an anchorage. I then cut the corner and immediately started running into markers for crab pots. Took a few pictures of the crabbers at work.  

CHESAPEAKE CRAB BOAT

THE HAZARD
THOUSANDS OF THESE ARE SCATTERED ALL OVER!

As I approached the anchorage I could see it was very crowded but almost right away boats started streaming out (power boats). By the time I anchored at least 10 boats left. I found an easy place to drop the hook in the outer anchorage and as soon as I was settled I put down the swim ladder and took two or three dives in to cool off, even though water temp was 89 F!  It was dead calm all day so the swim felt good even if it was a little salty. 

THE ANCHORAGE AREA

I checked out the motors and found that they both needed to be lowered some.  The starboard motor I thought was kicking water up into the well due to the rubber gasket being tilted down, but that turned out to not be the case.  Instead, it is the prop that was kicking up water into the well because it was not down far enough. The new engines present a problem with this since they can't be lowered as far as the older motors.

PEACEFUL EVENING, BUT HOT!

Had steak, potato, hot bread, and wine for dinner.  Hit the sack early.

Stats for the day:  34.44 NM charted, 39.97 NM logged, difference is mostly due to current.  WT 88.8 F! Total Log 8255.8 NM