On the way South

Helping an Island Packet owner move a 380 to Miami.  Spent 4 days doing cleanup on the boat (what a mess) and went over as much preventive maintenance as possible.  Replaced a badly chafed staysail outhaul.  Left Baltimore on Thursday about noon at the beginning of our trip.  Had 35 knot winds on the stern as we moved down the bay to Hampton, Va.  The owner nearly hit a yellow research buoy while at the helm because he panicked and could not remember how to turn the Autopilot off! 

Early the next morning we entered Old Point Comfort Marina after a trip of 23 hours with some rain and cold temps but nothing of any concern.  The owner ran out of the channel and I took the helm and got us into a slip.  Once in our slip we had time to tour the Casemate Museum here at the soon to be closed Fort Monroe.

Left the next morning headed for Coinjock in blustery conditions with heavy rain and strong currents.  The bimini and dodger on board leaked like a sieve so I used the Autopilot remote and steered the boat from the leeward caprail.  The outside dodger glass panels were so badly worn that visibility was extremely limited.  Only the center panel was reasonably new with good visibility.  The weather cleared some as we approached the Great Bridge lock but due to high tidal water the lock was not opening on schedule.  Once we locked through we had lost about 3 hours so we stopped short at Atlantic Yacht Basin for the evening.

I was at the helm and managed to kiss the dock pretty hard trying to dock in winds and current.  The owner and a helper were on the bow but did not alert me or try to fend off.  Pulpit is badly bent and bow light is pointed down and to port.

Boat Show

We visited the boat show on Thursday and again today courtesy of Island Packet Yachts.  Thursday was great but more crowded that we expected.

We toured the new Island Packet 360 yacht and had a great time exploring and getting new ideas as we continue to upgrade and recondition our boat.  I had a nice talk with Ed of Gratitude Yachting Center and got a chance to poke around a little more on the boat.

We met other IP owners at the Fleet Reserve Club then walked up the hill to the Rams Head Tavern and had a great lunch and some good Fordham Draft Beer.  After Lunch we walked back to the show and I tested my new bladder control!  The beer made it tough but I survived.

Today's visit was with super weather (even better than Thursday) and with what I thought was a somewhat smaller crowd.  Only saw one other IP owner but did see an IP out in the Mooring field.

Will post some photos once I locate a USB cable for my camera.

Headed North!

We are headed North now and plan to visit friends in Rock Hall and St Michaels as well as attend the US Sailboat Show in Annapolis. It is nice to get out and really enjoyed a wonderful dinner in Savannah (The Old Pink House).  Will post a photo once I locate a camera cable (left mine at home).


Winter has arrived (at least when compared to the weather in SW Florida) but I am still wearing shorts and flip-flops.

I ordered the membrane for our newly reconfigured watermaker yesterday and should now be nearly through the acquisition process for our planned return to the boat in Grenada.