NY Skyline Click to see a video of the NY skyline
This was a long, long day. We cleared the Abescon Inlet (Atlantic City) around 7:30 a.m and didn't get situated in a slip until around 8 p.m.
This is all new stuff for both of us, and I like that. Joining the sailing life relatively late I was always way behind my partner's 40-year learning curve and so I was constantly feeling like a dummy. RWG still knows a whole lot more about this stuff than I do but there's still a lot we are learning together.
Example, we interviewed trawler folks about whether they prefer heading into the wind or have it behind you? The advantage of having the wind behind is that it pushes you forward and saves fuel. The downside is the seas are a bit rougher. And now we know first-hand how true that is. I described the confused rocking motion when Bel Sito entered the Atlantic for the first time but today, heading into the north wind, it was much smoother.
We also need to get into a pattern of who does what...I'm gong to take over researching marinas now that I have a better sense of what to look for. Floaitng docks, pump out, water, trash, and laundry. Or better yet most days: a nice, free anchorage.
Richard does all mechanical stuff...you should see the engine room! Talk about intimidating!
Today's numbers report: 72 mile run in 9 hours...averaging 8 kts
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Safely in Sandy Hook after a very long day
More to come. It's 8:15 and we just got the boat in a slip. More to come, including video approach with NY skyline in the back ground. Learning a lot about this cruising thing.
Very tired. See below.
Very tired. See below.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
In The Shadow of The Golden Nugget
We are hiding out in the aft cabin with the air conditioning on trying to avoid the loud music coming from the outdoor bar of The Golden Nugget Casino alongside the Farley Marina. As Richard says: If Politicians succeed in getting rid of Social Security who is going to keep these places going?
The AIS is working (helps if we turn it on both topside and below) but we (make that Richard and Andy) remain stumped about the engine alternators....although RWG discovered a blown fuse in the engine room. Andy will be shipping replacements to NYC for us. Richard is learning a lot more about Caterpillar engines than he ever thought he'd need to know.
Cruising is not like a leisurely car trip where you simply turn the key in the ignition and go. And it truly does not matter if you spend $45,000 for a boat or $450,000. Something always needs fixing.
So here are some numbers for today.
We went 40% faster in in the ocean to get here before the storm and burned twice as much fuel.
As speed increases arithmetically, fuel consumption goes up exponentially. So unless you have a need for speed, going slow is a LOT cheaper.
Thanks to those who have sent supportive emails.
Leo retired from full-time work in 1994 but kept his cruising kitty replenished by continuing as a senior judge working three months a year in Iowa. He worked eight years as a district (circuit) court trial judge, 17 as an appellate judge (15 yrs as Chief Judge) and 16 as a senior judge for a total of 41 years.
The AIS is working (helps if we turn it on both topside and below) but we (make that Richard and Andy) remain stumped about the engine alternators....although RWG discovered a blown fuse in the engine room. Andy will be shipping replacements to NYC for us. Richard is learning a lot more about Caterpillar engines than he ever thought he'd need to know.
Cruising is not like a leisurely car trip where you simply turn the key in the ignition and go. And it truly does not matter if you spend $45,000 for a boat or $450,000. Something always needs fixing.
So here are some numbers for today.
We went 40% faster in in the ocean to get here before the storm and burned twice as much fuel.
As speed increases arithmetically, fuel consumption goes up exponentially. So unless you have a need for speed, going slow is a LOT cheaper.
It took 45 gallons of diesel fuel to go 40 miles.
Tomorrow we head north, perhaps the Manasquan Inlet or if we make good time and the weather cooperates we might make it to Sandy Hook.
Judge Leo Oxberger is a daily blog reader who offered a good tip about the $9.99 weekend Enterprise car rental rates.
Leo and his wife, Mona, lived aboard their boat for 10 years! The first five on a 40' Pacemaker from November to May returning to Iowa where he did senior judge work. The next 5 years they lived aboard Snug, a 36 ft Kadey Krogan Manatee. They cruised the Abacos Nov. to May then Florida up the ICW to various places such as Erie Canal, Rideau Canal to Quebec, Canada, the Champlain canal, Lake Champlain, St Lawrence Seaway and 1000 Islands.
Since 2004, they have lived in The Villages, Fl and left the driving to Holland America, cruising the world three times and are going again in January. Bet Leo doesn't miss crawling around a hot engine room!
BTW, Richard says 'Snug' is one of the all-time best boat names. Ever.
It's a lot more wobbly in a trawler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s1ptObOQSs
We have our life jackets on, motion-eze dabbed behind the ears, and everything breakable stowed.
Here we go!!!
We have our life jackets on, motion-eze dabbed behind the ears, and everything breakable stowed.
Here we go!!!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Our Day in Cape May
Richard on the phone with Andy, puzzling through one of the many boat concerns that crop up on any given day. This is part of the cruising life no matter how new or old a boat one has.
Andy Hoyt, owner of Dock Call, is moments away by phone and some how ALWAYS knows the answer we are looking for. Yea Andy!
[click for more]
We are getting into the cruising life...no car, of course, so all explorations are within walking distance. It's a more complete way to see a town and feel the culture. I was hoping to dispel the stereotype New Jersey has, but I'm sorry to say our 24 hours in town simply added to it. Last night we were in a crosswalk off a side street when a pickup came to the intersection and without stopping turned right in front of us. Inches away from hitting us. New Jersey plates. Today, a car stopped in the street in the middle of the bike lane, when there were multiple bonafide parking spaces at the place he was stopping. New Jersey plates.
I need to be careful here because some of our best buddies have New Jersey ties past and present. Eric Rubin, our neighbor, case in point. Richard quotes Eric as saying, "I'm really a nice guy. Just pretend I have a South Carolina accent."
Walking on Beachfront Drive, however, introduced us to some Jersey girls in training. Here we nice Iowans are walking down our half of the sidewalk and approaching head-on was Jersey girl 1. She was walking on our side of the sidewalk knowing full well she was in 'our space'. Even though she made direct eye contact she didn't back down. Knowing what the game was, neither did I.
I was hoping this was a one-time little b**** thing, but alas this aggressive rudeness was repeated three times.
You can tell a lot about a town based on their souvenir T-shirts. In our beloved Iowa they might be something related to cows, sheep, corn...and what people do with all of the above. Here are a couple choice ones from the Cape May boardwalk:
We are however getting into the cruising life and have made our first cruise buddies.
Peter and Cheryl Webb are from Canada and on the last leg of what is called The Great Loop -
The great loop
Peter and Cheryl are known to other cruisers as "Loopers"
This is a whole new world...who would have ever thought one could bond over a conversation about holding tank size?
Peter gave Richard his favorite line of the trip so far:
"Always approach the dock at the speed you intend to hit it."
Posted by Julie Gammack using BlogPress from my iPad
Photos of Cape May beachfront homes
Commentary about NJ to come.
Think: Chris Christie as an 8-year-old.
Think: Chris Christie as an 8-year-old.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Destination: Cape May, NJ (the real Jersey Shore)
Nine hours underway flew by today. Little Bel Sito performed admirably. No major drama, which isn't always the case when going through the C&D Canal because it's a narrow man-made channel that big, honkin', humongous, gargantuan ships traverse right along side us mere passenger craft.
"So it's like going through the Lincoln Tunnel in a sports car surrounded by 18-wheelers?" asked Lad Paul. Yes, indeed.
[click for more]
We covered 73 miles today cruising at about 7.5 kts. That's just under nine miles an hour. Think your suggested speed in the Costco parking lot. If we were to go just one knot faster we'd consume almost twice the fuel, so what's the hurry?
This whole speed thing I find quite fascinating as there are varying cultures around boats which I find almost as curious as our national political divide. My first experience sailing with Richard 12+ years ago was aboard a 41 Bristol and we spent most of the weekend in a storm - sailing. Winds like that can cause a sailboat to heel (TIP) at quite an angle. Novice that I was, I truly loved it, which was a necessary outcome for a second date. And I was fascinated to hear him report to others later about our speed as 'screaming down the Bay'. 'Screaming' in a sailboat is about half the speed the little fishing boat I'd rent at Lake Okoboji would go, but all things are relative.
'Sailboat racing' is an oxymoron, in my view.
Now, I love sailing. The sailing part that is. Those moments when the wind lifts you through the water in sweet quiet and transports you to wherever she blows. It's heaven.
But here's what really happens. No matter what the plan of the day might be, the weather changes. And after the sail covers come off, then the sail ties, then the jib is unfurled and and the main sail is hoisted - all requiring great manual effort - the wind dies. Or shifts.
Our friends Beth Newbold and her husband Pat Winkler took their 56' Tazwell on an extended Caribbean cruise last winter and ended up motoring over 70% of the time.
So even though the Captain of my Heart is a sailor to his core he's no dummy. About the time the first AARP card arrived trawler thoughts started seeping into his consciousness....and here we are.
I'm a little nervous about taking Bel Sito into the ocean...but we'll wait a day or two here at Marina in Cape May until we have a perfectly calm sea.
- Posted by Julie Gammack using BlogPress from my iPad
"So it's like going through the Lincoln Tunnel in a sports car surrounded by 18-wheelers?" asked Lad Paul. Yes, indeed.
[click for more]
We covered 73 miles today cruising at about 7.5 kts. That's just under nine miles an hour. Think your suggested speed in the Costco parking lot. If we were to go just one knot faster we'd consume almost twice the fuel, so what's the hurry?
This whole speed thing I find quite fascinating as there are varying cultures around boats which I find almost as curious as our national political divide. My first experience sailing with Richard 12+ years ago was aboard a 41 Bristol and we spent most of the weekend in a storm - sailing. Winds like that can cause a sailboat to heel (TIP) at quite an angle. Novice that I was, I truly loved it, which was a necessary outcome for a second date. And I was fascinated to hear him report to others later about our speed as 'screaming down the Bay'. 'Screaming' in a sailboat is about half the speed the little fishing boat I'd rent at Lake Okoboji would go, but all things are relative.
'Sailboat racing' is an oxymoron, in my view.
Now, I love sailing. The sailing part that is. Those moments when the wind lifts you through the water in sweet quiet and transports you to wherever she blows. It's heaven.
But here's what really happens. No matter what the plan of the day might be, the weather changes. And after the sail covers come off, then the sail ties, then the jib is unfurled and and the main sail is hoisted - all requiring great manual effort - the wind dies. Or shifts.
Our friends Beth Newbold and her husband Pat Winkler took their 56' Tazwell on an extended Caribbean cruise last winter and ended up motoring over 70% of the time.
So even though the Captain of my Heart is a sailor to his core he's no dummy. About the time the first AARP card arrived trawler thoughts started seeping into his consciousness....and here we are.
I'm a little nervous about taking Bel Sito into the ocean...but we'll wait a day or two here at Marina in Cape May until we have a perfectly calm sea.
Location:Cape May
The C&D Canal, Delaware Bay
The first picture in this stream is of the place near Turkey Point where we anchored last night. As I write this we are a few hours from today's destination; Cape May.
Check out the history of the C&D canal on Wiki then imagine what it took to dig this waterway by hand. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_and_Delaware_Canal
Also pictured here is a shot of the Raymarine GPS. That's us in the ship icon.
I'll post more tonight when we are tucked into a marina. Can you see the video? It's of the Ship John Shoal lighthouse on the Delaware Bay.
- Posted by Julie Gammack using BlogPress from my iPad
Check out the history of the C&D canal on Wiki then imagine what it took to dig this waterway by hand. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_and_Delaware_Canal
Also pictured here is a shot of the Raymarine GPS. That's us in the ship icon.
I'll post more tonight when we are tucked into a marina. Can you see the video? It's of the Ship John Shoal lighthouse on the Delaware Bay.
- Posted by Julie Gammack using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Delaware Bay
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Anchored Off Turkey Point
We are just west of the shipping channel near Turkey Point in the north end of the Chesapeake.
We were underway about five hours, covering 40 nautical miles. Skipper G calls this our shake-down day. Everything seems to be working so far.
Richard spotted a Venture Newport 23 at anchor nearby, reminding him of his first sailboat 'Rainbow'. He figured he's sailed 20,000 miles since then, including a personal milestone that began 20 years ago when he and a group of 5 guys took off from Huelba, Spain celebrating the quincentennial of Columbus' discovery of America.
Being at the helm of a powerboat like Bel Sito is a whole new way of viewing the waterways. Plus, there is a bit of satisfaction chugging up the Bay while our sailor buddies are becalmed.
Tomorrow we'll go through the Chesapeake/Delaware canal - a 20 mile stretch that takes us to the Delaware Bay...that's the plan, anyway.
It appears as though the 'comments' feature of the blog isn't working, darn it! I know some of you have tried to post a comment and it didn't work.
We've had 436 unique page views already! Richard and I figured some of you might roll your eyes about blogging - you know who you are - and yet others will say it's fun to follow as our digital crew. This is for you!
We were underway about five hours, covering 40 nautical miles. Skipper G calls this our shake-down day. Everything seems to be working so far.
Richard spotted a Venture Newport 23 at anchor nearby, reminding him of his first sailboat 'Rainbow'. He figured he's sailed 20,000 miles since then, including a personal milestone that began 20 years ago when he and a group of 5 guys took off from Huelba, Spain celebrating the quincentennial of Columbus' discovery of America.
Being at the helm of a powerboat like Bel Sito is a whole new way of viewing the waterways. Plus, there is a bit of satisfaction chugging up the Bay while our sailor buddies are becalmed.
Tomorrow we'll go through the Chesapeake/Delaware canal - a 20 mile stretch that takes us to the Delaware Bay...that's the plan, anyway.
It appears as though the 'comments' feature of the blog isn't working, darn it! I know some of you have tried to post a comment and it didn't work.
We've had 436 unique page views already! Richard and I figured some of you might roll your eyes about blogging - you know who you are - and yet others will say it's fun to follow as our digital crew. This is for you!
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