A great little marina (Bridgepointe Hotel & Marina)
As we say farewell and see you next spring to a great little marina, it feels good getting underway once again. A bit windy today, but we are only just heading down the ditch to Beaufort, NC to get ready for a weekend sail down the coast hopefully making it as far as Charleston.
...Laptop battery is dying, more to come later...
So, now is later.
Our stay in New Bern was prompted by an ever too common occurrence of that little nuisance commonly known as "WORK". I shouldn't complain, it had been quite a few weeks since my last steady contract, and we certainly could use the money. More on the contract later, in a post concerning the "Joys and hassles of trying to work while cruising." For now, I'll mention that the Bridgepointe Hotel & Marina was a very welcoming respite while we spent a month in Annapolis. As a side bonus, it was the cheapest place we've stayed since our couple of months at Scuttlebutt's Marina on Cobb Island.
Thankfully we were not there the whole time; Bridgepointe Hotel & Marina is not very conveniently located to downtown New Bern. The marina has just finished it's rebuild since being dessimated by hurricane Isabel. The facilities are GREAT, the tiki bar...not so much. Occasionally you'll see weddings and parties associated with the Hotel, they can be fun if you don't mind crashing the party. Otherwise you're basically stuck with Outback, unless you talk the dock master into giving you a ride. So, bicycles are a must here.
We'll be back!
With decent WiFi all around, and the best rates between Beaufort, NC and Cobb Island, MD you bet we're putting this place on the waypoint list on the way back north. If you happen to read this and stop by yourself, let Jessie know that Ralph and Stacie sent you. Maybe we'll get an even bigger discount, if we do we'll be sure buy you a drink.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
Herding cats, and nailing jello to the wall, and moving a boat.
Time to get going again...?
Well, for anyone paying attention I've not been on for a few weeks. We were well within the rough schedule I posted a few weeks ago. However, plans change; as Stacie's mother has taken to call me "reroute it Ralph". Though not entirely accurate, I get the gist.
The route is the same, only the time frame has changed. We're heading back to the boat in New Bern, North Carolina after taking a few weeks for me to start a new contract, and for Stacie to take care of some family business. Some of our friends have gotten ahead of us, and some who were lagging behind are likely going to be intercepting us in the next few days.
With the weather in Annapolis getting cooler, it's not a moment to soon. We're quite ready to get to points southward and take in the warmer breezes. Looking at the forecast for Beaufort, NC; winds are expected to be 6 to 13 kts mostly from the east Saturday through Monday (Nov 09, 2013 through Nov 11, 2013). We're looking forward to a nice run to South Carolina.
Our updated itinerary;
The nice thing about this delay, was that I've had some time to do some additional planning and obsessing over our offshore legs. After more study, and continual dropouts from people expressing interest yet not following through with crewing, I've resigned myself to limiting offshore time to no more than 40 hour increments. With this we should be able to do 150 to 200 nautical miles per leg as follows:
Plan A:
11/9 - 11/11
Beaufort, NC to Charleston, SC - 200 nm (40 hours @ 5 kts). ** Lv Sat. @ 4pm for am arrival Mon **
11/16 - 11/17
Charleston, SC to Jacksonville, FL - 160 nm (32 hours @ 5 kts).
11/30 - 12/02
Jacksonville, FL to Stuart, FL - 200 nm (40 hours @ 5 kts). ** Lv Sat. @ 4pm for am arrival Mon**
12/07 - 12/08
Stuart, FL to Ft Lauderdale, FL - 100 nm (20 hours @ 5 kts).
Plan B:
11/9 - 11/ 10
Beaufort, NC to Wilmington, NC - 100 nm (24 hours @ 5 kts). ** Lv Sat. @ 8am for am arrival Sun**
11/16 - 11/17
Wilmington, NC to Charleston, SC - 110 nm (28 hours @ 5 kts). ** Lv Sat. @ 8am for am arrival Sun**
11/23 - 11/ 24
Charleston, SC to Jacksonville, FL - 160 nm (32 hours @ 5 kts).
11/30 - 12/02
Jacksonville, FL to Stuart, FL - 200 nm (40 hours @ 5 kts). ** Lv Sat. @ 4pm for am arrival Mon**
12/07 - 12/08
Stuart, FL to Ft Lauderdale, FL - 100 nm (20 hours @ 5 kts).
Well, for anyone paying attention I've not been on for a few weeks. We were well within the rough schedule I posted a few weeks ago. However, plans change; as Stacie's mother has taken to call me "reroute it Ralph". Though not entirely accurate, I get the gist.
The route is the same, only the time frame has changed. We're heading back to the boat in New Bern, North Carolina after taking a few weeks for me to start a new contract, and for Stacie to take care of some family business. Some of our friends have gotten ahead of us, and some who were lagging behind are likely going to be intercepting us in the next few days.
With the weather in Annapolis getting cooler, it's not a moment to soon. We're quite ready to get to points southward and take in the warmer breezes. Looking at the forecast for Beaufort, NC; winds are expected to be 6 to 13 kts mostly from the east Saturday through Monday (Nov 09, 2013 through Nov 11, 2013). We're looking forward to a nice run to South Carolina.
Our updated itinerary;
The nice thing about this delay, was that I've had some time to do some additional planning and obsessing over our offshore legs. After more study, and continual dropouts from people expressing interest yet not following through with crewing, I've resigned myself to limiting offshore time to no more than 40 hour increments. With this we should be able to do 150 to 200 nautical miles per leg as follows:
Plan A:
11/9 - 11/11
Beaufort, NC to Charleston, SC - 200 nm (40 hours @ 5 kts). ** Lv Sat. @ 4pm for am arrival Mon **
11/16 - 11/17
Charleston, SC to Jacksonville, FL - 160 nm (32 hours @ 5 kts).
11/30 - 12/02
Jacksonville, FL to Stuart, FL - 200 nm (40 hours @ 5 kts). ** Lv Sat. @ 4pm for am arrival Mon**
12/07 - 12/08
Stuart, FL to Ft Lauderdale, FL - 100 nm (20 hours @ 5 kts).
Plan B:
11/9 - 11/ 10
Beaufort, NC to Wilmington, NC - 100 nm (24 hours @ 5 kts). ** Lv Sat. @ 8am for am arrival Sun**
11/16 - 11/17
Wilmington, NC to Charleston, SC - 110 nm (28 hours @ 5 kts). ** Lv Sat. @ 8am for am arrival Sun**
11/23 - 11/ 24
Charleston, SC to Jacksonville, FL - 160 nm (32 hours @ 5 kts).
11/30 - 12/02
Jacksonville, FL to Stuart, FL - 200 nm (40 hours @ 5 kts). ** Lv Sat. @ 4pm for am arrival Mon**
12/07 - 12/08
Stuart, FL to Ft Lauderdale, FL - 100 nm (20 hours @ 5 kts).
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Ready To Go
After a good time at the SSCA (Seven Seas Cruisers Association) Annapolis Gam Weekend, it's time to go. We met a few friends, and made some new ones. We found a good deal on some used stuff at the SSCA flea market and learned a few things at the mini-sessions. Stacie got a few good shots and they've been shared on the Lasata Facebook page.
I've plotted the first few hours of our trip for tomorrow, and am looking forward to making Norfolk VA as soon as possible. The weather forecast is favorable, and we have new sails and plenty of fuel. The only decision at this hour is whether to go straight to Norfolk / Hampton VA or make our way into the small anchorage at Solomons to meat up with a few cruisers we met today.
We'll be turning the Spot Tracker on in the morning, so stay tuned, we'll be updating soon.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Almost ready again
We had such a great time of it last year, we're doing it again.
The time spent going south last year was a comprehensive mix of many emotions and experiences. Slightly bored at times, slightly lost at times, completely tired at times, miserably cold at times, completely content many times, awestruck by the sights (both good and bad) at other times, and all the time learning. The experience was wonderful, and we're doing it again this year; differently!
First of all, I'll say that everyone going south for the winter by boat should try the ICW at least once in each direction. That said, I'll probably choose to take coastal hops of 24 to 36 hours at a time going forward. Our tentative schedule this year is to meet up at the SSCA Gam near Annapolis the last few days of September, then head off and be in Florida before November 15th.
The following is a rough idea of the days we'll be on the move. Remember we'll be using a Spot Communicator for those of you who have the URL. If interested drop me a note or make a comment here on the blog and I'll get the link out to you.
Schedule:
So what have we been doing since returning from our trip? Well we got back to the Chesapeake Bay and spent July 4th weekend at Lasata's summer home Scuttle Butt marina, Cobb Island.
We had a couple improvement projects in mind for for our trip south this year:
- New Cabin Sole, deck.
- New Remote mic for the VHF (Newer model VHF for better AIS)
- New Para Anchor (WWII style direct from 1943) with cool RIT Deployment bag.
- New 150% Genoa.
- Added ventilation.
The time spent going south last year was a comprehensive mix of many emotions and experiences. Slightly bored at times, slightly lost at times, completely tired at times, miserably cold at times, completely content many times, awestruck by the sights (both good and bad) at other times, and all the time learning. The experience was wonderful, and we're doing it again this year; differently!
First of all, I'll say that everyone going south for the winter by boat should try the ICW at least once in each direction. That said, I'll probably choose to take coastal hops of 24 to 36 hours at a time going forward. Our tentative schedule this year is to meet up at the SSCA Gam near Annapolis the last few days of September, then head off and be in Florida before November 15th.
The following is a rough idea of the days we'll be on the move. Remember we'll be using a Spot Communicator for those of you who have the URL. If interested drop me a note or make a comment here on the blog and I'll get the link out to you.
Schedule:
- Sep 29 - Leave South River for Reedville or Deltaville Virginia.
- Oct 01 - Leave Reedville or Deltaville Virginia for Portsmouth Virginia.
- Oct 04 - Leave Portsmouth Virginia for Grandy North Carolina via the Virginia Cut.
- Oct 05 - Leave Grandy North Carolina for Dowry Creek North Carolina.
- Oct 06 - Leave Dowry Creek North Carolina for Oriental North Carolina.
- Oct 07 - Leave Oriental North Carolina for Beaufort North Carolina (spend the week).
- Oct 19 - Leave Beaufort North Carolina for Charleston South Carolina (anchor a couple days)
- Oct 24 - Leave Charleston South Carolina for Amelia Island Florida (City Marina for a few days)
- Oct 30 - Leave Amelia Island Florida for Lake Worth or Ft Lauderdale (arrive Nov 4th for the season).
** Like I said before, this schedule is subject to change at anytime**
A few new things / boat maintenance
So what have we been doing since returning from our trip? Well we got back to the Chesapeake Bay and spent July 4th weekend at Lasata's summer home Scuttle Butt marina, Cobb Island.
We had a couple improvement projects in mind for for our trip south this year:
- New Cabin Sole, deck.
- Added ventilation.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Back in the Chesapeake Bay
Lots of rain and wind along the way;
So we've made it into the Chesapeake for the 4th of July. Lasata is in her temporary slip in Cobb Island, near a friends boat. It's a bit far from Annapolis for my taste, but it is in an inexpensive place and we have may have access to a good workspace and tools.
Taking 5 days to run up the ICW we encountered lots of rain and wind along the way (every day!).
With stops in Belhaven, Alligator River Marina, Elizabeth City, and on the Dismal Swamp; we can say we did the ditch (mostly) both ways. As for next year, it't going to be mostly coastal. And yes, we are potentially looking for crew and buddy boats.
So we've made it into the Chesapeake for the 4th of July. Lasata is in her temporary slip in Cobb Island, near a friends boat. It's a bit far from Annapolis for my taste, but it is in an inexpensive place and we have may have access to a good workspace and tools.
Taking 5 days to run up the ICW we encountered lots of rain and wind along the way (every day!).
With stops in Belhaven, Alligator River Marina, Elizabeth City, and on the Dismal Swamp; we can say we did the ditch (mostly) both ways. As for next year, it't going to be mostly coastal. And yes, we are potentially looking for crew and buddy boats.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Final leg (2012-2013) ICW Trip
We're Back on the boat
After a long month away, we woke up on the boat this morning and bummed a ride to "The Bean" in Oriental, NC. Though, like Stacie, they don't cook much we had a nice cup of coffee and watched as a Shrimp Boat came in to off load it's catch. ...I guess we'll be having shrimp tonight?
Planning & Working
Or as one of our friends we met along the way calls it "...that's logistics..." Any way you slice it, or what ever you call it; doing the ICW and the trip up and down the coast the way we do it requires lots of patience and planning. Neither of which do I have a continual reserve of...
As it turns out one project I am on is winding down the current phase, and another project I am working on will probably not start up again for a couple weeks. This should give us the time to quickly move the boat to Norfolk and the southern Chesapeake Bay. Who knows, maybe we'll do the Fourth of July Fireworks near the Naval Base in Norfolk?
After a long month away, we woke up on the boat this morning and bummed a ride to "The Bean" in Oriental, NC. Though, like Stacie, they don't cook much we had a nice cup of coffee and watched as a Shrimp Boat came in to off load it's catch. ...I guess we'll be having shrimp tonight?
 |
| Off loading the catch |
 |
| The Bean |
Planning & Working
Or as one of our friends we met along the way calls it "...that's logistics..." Any way you slice it, or what ever you call it; doing the ICW and the trip up and down the coast the way we do it requires lots of patience and planning. Neither of which do I have a continual reserve of...
As it turns out one project I am on is winding down the current phase, and another project I am working on will probably not start up again for a couple weeks. This should give us the time to quickly move the boat to Norfolk and the southern Chesapeake Bay. Who knows, maybe we'll do the Fourth of July Fireworks near the Naval Base in Norfolk?
Monday, June 10, 2013
Back; only for the moment.
Well, we're back in body but not in spirit. After 190+ days, we find ourselves in Annapolis, MD. Leaving the boat temporarily in Oriental, NC Stacie and I have some business to attend to. I think Stacie might even miss the simpler "boat life" already.
Our plan is to finish up our obligations ASAP and head back to the boat. We're unsure how we will do this at the moment. We might fly down to Key West and retrieve the car left behind and drive to Oriental, NC. Or we might just go directly to the boat and fly down for the car later? In either case our intention is to run the boat up through the Dismal Swamp route and be back in the Chesapeake by July 4th weekend.
Once in the Chesapeake Bay, we hope to make the best use of our time here and take a few trips around the bay with some friends. With all the updates and repairs made on our trip down the coast, the bay should be a breeze!
Meanwhile, here are a few photos of our trip up from Fernandina Beach, FL:
Amelia Island Light
Our plan is to finish up our obligations ASAP and head back to the boat. We're unsure how we will do this at the moment. We might fly down to Key West and retrieve the car left behind and drive to Oriental, NC. Or we might just go directly to the boat and fly down for the car later? In either case our intention is to run the boat up through the Dismal Swamp route and be back in the Chesapeake by July 4th weekend.
Once in the Chesapeake Bay, we hope to make the best use of our time here and take a few trips around the bay with some friends. With all the updates and repairs made on our trip down the coast, the bay should be a breeze!
Meanwhile, here are a few photos of our trip up from Fernandina Beach, FL:
Amelia Island Light
Stacie and I left from Amelia Island early in the morning, and soon heard from one of our fellow snow birds (Ladd & Denise from Blue), and we went through the night up the coast to Charleston, SC. After a quick dinner in town we retired to Lasata for the night and departed early in the morning heading for Wilmington, NC.
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