Tues, June 5, 2012
I woke up to strong northerly winds. Working on my strategy for heading to Norfolk, my feelings at present is that I will head out tonight, before sunset. According to Wx weather we will have NE winds 15 to 20 knots part of the day then changing to the East, and also diminishing. This also should give me a pretty good push going South. During the day I dinghyed over to a fisherman's pier, filled up a 5 gallon Gerry can with diesel fuel, and also grabbed a bite to eat. At a fishing supply store I enquired as to the next best inlet to pull into south of here. The reply was Virginia Beach. Think of that for the next 80 or more miles there are no safe inlets to pull into. There are inlets, but you take your life in your hands trying to pull into them.
I go out the OC inlet at 6 PM. Because of the strong NE winds there were breakers, and white caps everywhere. In order to go out in the safest way, it is advised to head for the OC #1 bouy, about a mile out.
This is positioned so that you stay in the deepest waters while getting away from the inlet. While heading over to this buoy, because of the strong NE winds, the boat would be climbing a hill and then falling into a valley. this went on for about 15 or 20 minutes. Eventually I turned South and the ride started to smooth out, with swells coming at my port side. I adjusted my sails and psyched myself into the long trip ahead. As night was starting to fall I decided to turn on my navigation lights. I turned them on, went to the front of the boat to check them out, and they were not working. My stern light was also out. Great. Down below I have this portable red/green dinghy, battery operated, running light. I grabbed it and tie wrapped it to the front of the boat. for an all around stern light I used a bright solar lawn light. All set, now with the auto pilot doing the steering I can just lay back and enjoy the ride. Winds were dropping to around 6 knots. I am using my engine and my mail sail and sta-sail.
I have often talked about when I get tired at night I would take a 20 minute power nap. Just enough time to get rid of some of that sleepiness without putting you into a deep sleep. So before I left on the trip I stopped at Target and picked up a kitchen timer. This one looked nice, larger then the usual plastic ones and it took an AAA battery. Nice, easy to change. I even tried it out in the store. I broke the packaging and set it for 2 minutes. It worked great. So now on my trip I am feeling sleepy so I set the timer for 20 minutes, and go off to sleep. after 5 minutes this thing lets off two loud beeps and wakes me up. I go what the heck, and I go back to sleep. 5 minutes after that another 2 loud beeps. This continued until the 20 minutes expired, and then it did its alarm. Now realize, this was not relaxing, it was more like Chinese water drop, on the forehead, torture. I gave up trying to get any further rest until the morning when visibility was good and I could be seen by other boats. At that point I used the timer on my IPhone.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
I wake up early, probably around 6AM, and have a good breakfast. BTW I forgot to mention in yesterdays blog that my wireless antenna was not working. I called the outfit where I purchased it from, and as we trouble shoot it we come to the conclusion that when I was running the cable I damaged it somehow. Bummer. At least I still have my IPhone to watch Internet weather. Which means that I will not be able to blog from my boat every evening. I get the boat ready for the next stop which was going to be Ocean City, Maryland,. I setup my navigation program on the laptop, and also on my Garmin GPS display, and take care of a few other chores on the boat. I take off at about 8 AM, The wind is blowing good, about 15 to 22 knots. A lot of times, while I am sailing, I might have the engine running only to top off the batteries and take care of the electronics especially the auto pilot, which if it has to work hard is an energy user. So I figure since the engine is going to be on for a while I might as well run the RO water system and make water. Going down the Maryland coast the wind was strong and gusty. Also about an hour into the trip the water maker choked. I just shut it off, figured I would check it out later.
I pulled into Ocean City, MD, at around 2:30 PM. The inlet is pretty easy to navigate. So I go in and bear to the left behind Assateague Island, following the buoys. In the channel I hit ground. I throw out an anchor, and go down below to feed my cat, who once he hears the anchor lower starts yelling that he wants to eat. That fact that I hit ground didn't bother me because I realized that it was low tide, and as the tide raised I would be free. So I must of been below deck for about 10 maybe 15 minutes of so and when I came up I realized that the wind and waves bobbed me across the bay almost onto the Assateague beach. Now this did bother me because I felt that I might need BoatUS in order to pull me off if I went any further in. I lowered my dinghy, attached my outboard, lowered my Bruce anchor with about a 150 foot of rode attached, connected the bitter end to the sailboat, and motored as far as I could into deep water and dropped the anchor. Now I go back to the boat to start pulling the boat to deeper water.. This was tricky because when I realized that I had been blown over to this spot I immediately put out more rode on my original CQR anchor to hold me from blowing me further on to the beach. So now I had to recover my CQR before I could pull myself over to the Bruce. Anyway after about 15 or 20 minutes or so I was free.
I motored over to a decent spot, relaxed, and watched the Assateague ponies make their way to the bay to get a drink of water. BTW These ponies live on the island all year long and drink the salt water from the bay.
I wake up early, probably around 6AM, and have a good breakfast. BTW I forgot to mention in yesterdays blog that my wireless antenna was not working. I called the outfit where I purchased it from, and as we trouble shoot it we come to the conclusion that when I was running the cable I damaged it somehow. Bummer. At least I still have my IPhone to watch Internet weather. Which means that I will not be able to blog from my boat every evening. I get the boat ready for the next stop which was going to be Ocean City, Maryland,. I setup my navigation program on the laptop, and also on my Garmin GPS display, and take care of a few other chores on the boat. I take off at about 8 AM, The wind is blowing good, about 15 to 22 knots. A lot of times, while I am sailing, I might have the engine running only to top off the batteries and take care of the electronics especially the auto pilot, which if it has to work hard is an energy user. So I figure since the engine is going to be on for a while I might as well run the RO water system and make water. Going down the Maryland coast the wind was strong and gusty. Also about an hour into the trip the water maker choked. I just shut it off, figured I would check it out later.
I pulled into Ocean City, MD, at around 2:30 PM. The inlet is pretty easy to navigate. So I go in and bear to the left behind Assateague Island, following the buoys. In the channel I hit ground. I throw out an anchor, and go down below to feed my cat, who once he hears the anchor lower starts yelling that he wants to eat. That fact that I hit ground didn't bother me because I realized that it was low tide, and as the tide raised I would be free. So I must of been below deck for about 10 maybe 15 minutes of so and when I came up I realized that the wind and waves bobbed me across the bay almost onto the Assateague beach. Now this did bother me because I felt that I might need BoatUS in order to pull me off if I went any further in. I lowered my dinghy, attached my outboard, lowered my Bruce anchor with about a 150 foot of rode attached, connected the bitter end to the sailboat, and motored as far as I could into deep water and dropped the anchor. Now I go back to the boat to start pulling the boat to deeper water.. This was tricky because when I realized that I had been blown over to this spot I immediately put out more rode on my original CQR anchor to hold me from blowing me further on to the beach. So now I had to recover my CQR before I could pull myself over to the Bruce. Anyway after about 15 or 20 minutes or so I was free.
I left AC at 6AM. The winds were westerly, and blowing from 12 to 20 knots. The ride was great. Lots of wind hardly any waves. I passed Cape May inlet around 1 PM. I was going to go into Cape May, but decided that since I was making such good time that I would continue across the Delaware River to Lewes, D.E. At Lewes they have these big stone gettys which they call 'Harbor of Refuge'. Actually they have two of these gettys facing in different positions, so that wherever the wind or waves are coming from, you have protection. I used 3 gallons of diesel fuel from my house to here. Tonight was my first meal of rice and beans. I was so hungry it tasted great.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
I wake up around 5AM. The Cat, wanting to eat, is my alarm clock. The tide was abnormally high. This was good because it gave me more time to leave. I decide to at least set my GPS. I look for it it's not here. I have a mine heart attack. I forgot all of my instruments. I jump in my car, and driving around 90 MPH on the back roads, I get to my house in record time. BTW my house is only 75 miles from the dock. My instruments were pretty close to the front door. I have no idea how I missed them. While at the house I grabbed a few extra items and headed back to the boat. I was back at the boat by 9AM, and the tide was still high enough for me to get out. If I don't have enough water then I can't leave the dock.
I left the dock and in about 3 hours or so arrived in Atlantic City. BTW, The weather was predicted to get cold and windy, lots of storms over the next several days. I saw this coming about 3 days previous, and noticed that the winds were going to blow from the West, Northwest, and Northeast for several days. To me this was great. Exactly what I would need in order to get a good push South. I anchor in this place called the Black Hole in Brigantine. I have not been here for a few years, and as I come in it seems shallower then what I remember, but then again the tide is still dropping. I have dinner, go to sleep, and about 4 AM I wake up to find that I am sleeping on a 45 degree angle. for some reason the boat must of swung on it's anchor and put me on a hill at low tide. I found it difficult to sleep like this, trying to hold onto the bunk so I would not slide off, and try to sleep at the same time. The cat was acting weird also, maybe he realized that this was not normal. Anyway I relocated to the floor, and in the morning the boat was floating.
I wake up around 5AM. The Cat, wanting to eat, is my alarm clock. The tide was abnormally high. This was good because it gave me more time to leave. I decide to at least set my GPS. I look for it it's not here. I have a mine heart attack. I forgot all of my instruments. I jump in my car, and driving around 90 MPH on the back roads, I get to my house in record time. BTW my house is only 75 miles from the dock. My instruments were pretty close to the front door. I have no idea how I missed them. While at the house I grabbed a few extra items and headed back to the boat. I was back at the boat by 9AM, and the tide was still high enough for me to get out. If I don't have enough water then I can't leave the dock.
I left the dock and in about 3 hours or so arrived in Atlantic City. BTW, The weather was predicted to get cold and windy, lots of storms over the next several days. I saw this coming about 3 days previous, and noticed that the winds were going to blow from the West, Northwest, and Northeast for several days. To me this was great. Exactly what I would need in order to get a good push South. I anchor in this place called the Black Hole in Brigantine. I have not been here for a few years, and as I come in it seems shallower then what I remember, but then again the tide is still dropping. I have dinner, go to sleep, and about 4 AM I wake up to find that I am sleeping on a 45 degree angle. for some reason the boat must of swung on it's anchor and put me on a hill at low tide. I found it difficult to sleep like this, trying to hold onto the bunk so I would not slide off, and try to sleep at the same time. The cat was acting weird also, maybe he realized that this was not normal. Anyway I relocated to the floor, and in the morning the boat was floating.
Friday, June 1, 2012
I am finally ready to go on my trip. I load up my jeep with all my supplies and equipment, my cat and I am on my way. Now I have been loading provisions on the boat for several days, plus I have been taken care of the surveyors issues. So now I get to the boat, load the remainder of the supplies on it, and I am almost ready to go. I figure that I will set up my instruments once out in the bay. I was going to leave now, but realized if I leave this evening that I would only be able to get out to the bay and anchor. What I really wanted to do is once I left the dock I would head straight for Atlantic City. So with that in mind I decide to sleep on the boat at the dock for tonight.
I am finally ready to go on my trip. I load up my jeep with all my supplies and equipment, my cat and I am on my way. Now I have been loading provisions on the boat for several days, plus I have been taken care of the surveyors issues. So now I get to the boat, load the remainder of the supplies on it, and I am almost ready to go. I figure that I will set up my instruments once out in the bay. I was going to leave now, but realized if I leave this evening that I would only be able to get out to the bay and anchor. What I really wanted to do is once I left the dock I would head straight for Atlantic City. So with that in mind I decide to sleep on the boat at the dock for tonight.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Update 5/28/2012
I should be off by now, but a few things are holding me back. A few weeks ago, before the boat went into the water, I had it surveyed. The reason for the survey is that I myself wanted to know if there were any present or upcoming problems that I should know about, and second the insurance company wants to know what the boat is worth, before they will insure it, for my trip to the Bahamas. A few days ago I got a letter from the insurance company wanting to know when I expect to address the issues noted by the surveyor. There were not many, but one that concerns the cockpit thru-hulls has to be repaired before I leave. I hope to get the part tomorrow and install it on Wednesday. Other then that I have to give them a time table within thirty days. Like I need this.
Other then that I have basically completed my food shopping. Now I am in the process of packing my clothes, and other items that might be needed for the trip. A potential problem ,that I have to avoid, is not to take too much stuff.
If all goes well, in the next couple of days, I should be off by the weekend.
Talk to you soon.
George
I should be off by now, but a few things are holding me back. A few weeks ago, before the boat went into the water, I had it surveyed. The reason for the survey is that I myself wanted to know if there were any present or upcoming problems that I should know about, and second the insurance company wants to know what the boat is worth, before they will insure it, for my trip to the Bahamas. A few days ago I got a letter from the insurance company wanting to know when I expect to address the issues noted by the surveyor. There were not many, but one that concerns the cockpit thru-hulls has to be repaired before I leave. I hope to get the part tomorrow and install it on Wednesday. Other then that I have to give them a time table within thirty days. Like I need this.
Other then that I have basically completed my food shopping. Now I am in the process of packing my clothes, and other items that might be needed for the trip. A potential problem ,that I have to avoid, is not to take too much stuff.
If all goes well, in the next couple of days, I should be off by the weekend.
Talk to you soon.
George
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Saturday, May 5,2012
A few days ago I sailed Sparrow from its Winter home on the Toms River down to Mystic Islands. I did the trip on the inside. I started at 9 AM, and ended at 7 PM. Ten hours. I figure that I gone about 35 or so miles. I followed the markings of the ICW. I was impressed with the condition of the route. there seemed to be plenty of water all the way. At one point though, near the end of Long Beach Island, I hit a sand Bar. I was following close to the red marker side, I spun the wheel and the current rotated me back out into deep water, and then I was on my way again. This I consider was a really good day and also good training for what is to come in another few weeks.
While I was at the Marina I continued to install my electronics, mounting antennas, and running cables. My installation of my SSB radio in finished. Only one problem though. I turned it on, saw the screen, and froze. This is one complicated radio. Nothing like the VHF that we are use too. With the VHF you just choose a channel that you which to call on. Channel 16 for hailing or emergencies. Channel 13 for bridges, and you also have your working channels, 68, 69, 71,72 etc. Actually all you have to do is remember a few channels that you would use for different situations. In no way do you have to know or even care about what frequency you are communicating on. With Single Sideband Radio you have channels like the above, the only thing is you have a set of these for each of several frequency bands. For example you have the 4 MHz band, the 6, 8 , 12, 16, and 18 MHz bands. Why so many Bands? Because depending on the time of day, and the distances involved, and also possibly some Sun spot interference, you may be able to communicate on some frequencies and not others. Now you have this term ITU channels, for example : a working channel in the 6 MHz Band would be in the ITU 601 to 608 group. Now the ITU 601 channel corresponds to a set frequency. I am not sure what that frequency is at this point, but If you want to call on the ITU 602 channel, you would step up in frequency by 3 KHz exactly. And of course if you want to call on the ITU 603 channel you would step up another 3 KHz. Suppose you only step up 2 KHz from one of these ITU channels. Then you will be over- lapping or stepping on two channels and In such case the Coast Guard or FCC will want to have a talk with you. At this point I am just studying this radio, and I feel that it will take a little time before I feel comfortable with it.
Also over the Winter I installed my Navtex Radio alerts receiver. As I described in a previous post this receiver gives me weather, navigation, safety, and pirates alerts in text format.
.JPG)
I am posting two photos one of how my navigation station looked when I first purchased my boat, and the other is how it looks today.
I still have a few items to finish up on, for example my wireless antenna, my HUG security system which also contains a SPOT satellite communicator, and also a trunk or case for the cabin top to store the panels for my enclosure. I need extra storage. I figure in about three weeks, if all goes well, I will be taking off on a trip.
Cheers
George
A few days ago I sailed Sparrow from its Winter home on the Toms River down to Mystic Islands. I did the trip on the inside. I started at 9 AM, and ended at 7 PM. Ten hours. I figure that I gone about 35 or so miles. I followed the markings of the ICW. I was impressed with the condition of the route. there seemed to be plenty of water all the way. At one point though, near the end of Long Beach Island, I hit a sand Bar. I was following close to the red marker side, I spun the wheel and the current rotated me back out into deep water, and then I was on my way again. This I consider was a really good day and also good training for what is to come in another few weeks.
While I was at the Marina I continued to install my electronics, mounting antennas, and running cables. My installation of my SSB radio in finished. Only one problem though. I turned it on, saw the screen, and froze. This is one complicated radio. Nothing like the VHF that we are use too. With the VHF you just choose a channel that you which to call on. Channel 16 for hailing or emergencies. Channel 13 for bridges, and you also have your working channels, 68, 69, 71,72 etc. Actually all you have to do is remember a few channels that you would use for different situations. In no way do you have to know or even care about what frequency you are communicating on. With Single Sideband Radio you have channels like the above, the only thing is you have a set of these for each of several frequency bands. For example you have the 4 MHz band, the 6, 8 , 12, 16, and 18 MHz bands. Why so many Bands? Because depending on the time of day, and the distances involved, and also possibly some Sun spot interference, you may be able to communicate on some frequencies and not others. Now you have this term ITU channels, for example : a working channel in the 6 MHz Band would be in the ITU 601 to 608 group. Now the ITU 601 channel corresponds to a set frequency. I am not sure what that frequency is at this point, but If you want to call on the ITU 602 channel, you would step up in frequency by 3 KHz exactly. And of course if you want to call on the ITU 603 channel you would step up another 3 KHz. Suppose you only step up 2 KHz from one of these ITU channels. Then you will be over- lapping or stepping on two channels and In such case the Coast Guard or FCC will want to have a talk with you. At this point I am just studying this radio, and I feel that it will take a little time before I feel comfortable with it.
Also over the Winter I installed my Navtex Radio alerts receiver. As I described in a previous post this receiver gives me weather, navigation, safety, and pirates alerts in text format.
.JPG)
I still have a few items to finish up on, for example my wireless antenna, my HUG security system which also contains a SPOT satellite communicator, and also a trunk or case for the cabin top to store the panels for my enclosure. I need extra storage. I figure in about three weeks, if all goes well, I will be taking off on a trip.
Cheers
George
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