I’ve been trying to get Dennis to share his technical expertise on the blog, so here’s the first installment.  I will continue to update on our location/status, so on some days, like today, there may actually be two posts.   

If I Wrote a Book

The thought crossed my mind in the hours out on the water about a book for first time cruisers.  Yes there are probably plenty already out there but my perspective would be things we learned on this trip that are not exactly what you read about.  I will think about it but in the mean time I thought I might write a special blog now and then that would touch on what chapters in the book might address.

One chapter might be on boat data.  Here is some information that we have been questioned about.

Cruising Speed:  Aurora’s 50 HP Yanmar is rated at 3600 RPM max and continuous running rating at 3400 RPM.  Therefore, we should be able to run 3400 RPM all the time.  However, I changed the original 2-blade prop with a folding 3-blade prop.  The result is our maximum RPM is now 3200.  We usually run between 2600 – 2800 rpm which results in a cruising speed between 6.5 – 7.5 knots.  Of course wind and current have a drastic effect on this.

Fuel usage:  I wish they would put flow meters on these engines so you would know exactly your hourly usage.  I figure we burn around 1.25 – 1.5 gals per hour or around 5-6 miles/gal.  This of course assumes running the 2600-2800 RPMs.  If we are motor sailing and reduce RPMS the fuel consumption is different.

Ideal boat size:  I really think a 40’ boat is about right for coastal cruising.  It is not the interior room that is the most important but the water line length that provides the boat speed.  We met a couple sailing a 25 footer from the Bahamas up the east coast.  Each day to go the same amount of miles they are on the water hours longer than us.  That means they are exposed to all the things that can happen for longer periods of time.  I would not venture out on a long cruise in anything less than 37 feet.  Larger is okay to a point.  If you get much bigger than 40 feet the mast starts getting close to the magic 65 foot bridge clearance height which is now standard by the Corp of Engineers.  I was next to a new 49’ Hunter in Jersey City for the week and his mast was right at 65’.  The captain told me his antenna touches the bottom of many bridges.  That is just too close for me.

Important boat features:  This is very subjective but I have my list and it goes hand in hand with what you would normally find on a 40’ sailboat.

a.       Separate shower in the head:  With a shower/head combination the whole compartment gets wet when you shower.  I love our shower and rarely use a marinas shower when we are docked.

b.      In-mast furling:  Either an in-mast or in-boom furling systems is highly desirable.  We take the sails out, in and reef without leaving the cockpit.  This is very important in pitching and rolling seas.

c.       Good chart plotter and autopilot:  I put these two together because they work together.  I could not imagine a trip like this with the original 2000 vintage chart plotter that came with this boat.  The $900 we spent on a new chart plotter with all coastal US waters preloaded was the best investment we made on the boat.  The autopilot I installed cost a lot more than the chart plotter but it is essential as well.

d.      Dingy davit:  It is so nice to be able to carry the dingy high on the back of the boat.  I see guys dragging their dingy behind and can’t imagine doing that for anything more than a weekend cruise.  Further I don’t see how you could pull a dingy in heavy seas.

e.       Air Conditioning and Generator:  I couple these two together because if you don’t have air conditioning you really don’t need a generator.  With the heat in the mid to upper nineties we would not be out here without the air conditioning, period.  You could manage without the generator if you stayed at marinas every night.  But for me, I am glad we installed both.

f.       Inverter:  It is nice to flip the inverter on and have A/C power for small appliances and the microwave.

g.      Freezer and refrigerator:  It is really great to have a decent size freezer where you can keep items frozen and a separate refrigerator for everything else.  Our freezer happens to be water cooled and the refrigerator is air cooled.  The water cooled may be more efficient but we have to watch the strainer on it because it can clog from sea grass and it will shut down.

(to be continued on a later post)

The volley of honking and tooting between yachts of all sizes docked, anchored and moored in the Annapolis Harbor last night began shortly before 9:00, and continued until show time.  Everywhere we looked there were sweltering spectators; lining the docks, on sailboats, power boats, kayaks, paddleboards, yachts, runabouts, pirate ships, excursion boats, at water-side restaurants, in the stands at the US Naval Academy stadium, even on condominium balconies in anticipation of a dazzling display.  The heat did not deter them from talking, eating, drinking, swimming, lounging, taking pictures, laughing, and then doing it all over again.  It began like a slow symphony then built to its final crescendo, the amazing display illuminated skies and bejeweled water with blazing colors for twenty minutes.  Then came another round of honking and tooting and clapping and cheering from the crowds.  When it was over Dennis commented, “That was the best fireworks I’ve ever seen in my life,” and I had to agree. While maybe just a little hot, but no one went home from Annapolis Harbor 4^th of July celebration disappointed.         

As soon as it was over we retreated and turned on the generator to cool down the cabin.  It had cut out yesterday after getting too hot, which is frustrating, because of course, when it’s hot is when we need it most.  Our engineer decided to place a small portable fan we had brought from home in the lazarette above it to see if circulating air would keep it from shutting down.  He was right on, and it continued to run and cool down the cabin for a couple of hours.  Our problem solving and trial and error skills have definitely been fine tuned on this cruise.

It was a quiet morning in the harbor when we took our leave today and made for St. Michaels on the opposite shore of the Chesapeake.  There was some wind, but did not lessen the intensity of the 95 degree heat.  It was good therefore to dock at noon, get the air conditioning going with time to cool down with a shower before meeting Dennis’ Aunt Helen and Uncle Dan for lunch at 1:30.  After they left for home we strolled down the streets and into the shops of the quaint downtown only two blocks from the marina, making our last stop the grocery store.

An interesting note on St. Michaels history: During the War of 1812 the English planned an attack on the town.  The people hoisted up their lanterns to the top of the ships masts, and into the tops of the trees causing them to fire above the houses.  Their trick worked and only one house was harmed.

Yes, it’s another hot day tomorrow, and yes we will be heading south 75 miles to Reedville Marina.  Our water tanks are full so if need be on the way, we’ll use it to keep cool, and be praying for a break in the heat for everyone real soon.   

July 3-4, 2012

How would I describe Warton Creek: Plenty of peace, crowded with crab pots, sizzling sunset, and mesmerizing moon.  Such a place is hard to find, but just across the bay is a city steeped in year-round patriotism, so what better place to find an amazing 4^th of July celebration than Annapolis, MD, home of the US Naval Academy. 

After calling on Monday afternoon and hearing from the harbor master that there weren’t many moorings left we decided to make the thirty mile run across the Chesapeake from Warton early in the morning to have a better chance of catching one.  We were lucky and caught one of three remaining at 10:30.  The other two were gone before the hour was out and there hasn’t been another available since.  What there here has been is a continuous stream of boats in “ego alley,” parading with their “bikini –clad beauties,” both young and old adorning their bows.    

It was in low nineties again yesterday. ninety-five today and ninety-eight tomorrow.  Silly us, we thought we would cruise north and stay away from the Florida heat!  Not happening!  Many here along the coast are still without power after the storm last Friday, so this may be an uncomfortable 4^th even for people in their homes.  Dennis put a tarp up over the back third of the boat, and a wind scoop to help funnel the breeze into the front berth.  Wouldn’t want to get into the harbor water, but showering off with cool water from our tanks a couple of times a day helps.  Even Fritz likes it.  Multiple cold drinks are consumed on these unbearable hot days.  Cranberry juice with fresh lemon juice is one of my favorites for quenching thirst in this heat, and of course tons of water helps too.  

Our generator is used for charging the batteries and running the air conditioning to cool us down when needed.  Last night it shut off after about forty-five minutes, getting overheated.  Now our engineer is trying to figure out a way to put a fan in the lazarette above it to help cool it down.  There have been good breezes both days so that has kept us from cooking.

One of the “cool” things about where we are is a web camera showing the harbor.  The link is below so if you look today or tonight.  There are two rows of power boats facing the camera, we in the center 3 rows back from the power boats.  Our friends Tom and Sandy just called and said it is hard to see us, but at least you can have a look at the harbor.          

          

Like most everywhere in the US there will be fireworks here to celebrate our country’s independence.  This cruise has convinced us that we take many freedoms for granite that others fought and gave their lives to secure.  So on this day and every day we want to give thanks for this great country, for those who made it possible and for those who continue to serve that we might live free. 

Link to Annapolis Harbor Web Cam:  http://www.annapolisyc.com/default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=281972&ssid=157917&vnf=1

Wishing you a safe, relaxed and thankful 4^th of July!

Daily Log Entry July 1 2012

Departure: Cape May, NJ  Date:  07-01-12                                  Time:  0800

Arrival:  Delaware City, DE      Time:  1745

Date:  07-01-12

Water Level:  Ebbing

Wind Direction:  S-SW

Wind Speed:  7-10mph

Sea State:  Calm/Light chop

Weather:  Hazzy/Sunny

Air Temp:  95 degrees

Water Temp:  86 degrees

Way Point:  DEL 1

Latitude:  N 39  33.83

Longitude:  W075  32.79

Avg. Speed:  6.7 knots (+-)

Max. Speed:  8.4 knots

Total Engine Hours:  456.8

Fuel:  10 gal    Price: $3.79

Miles Traveled:  62

Total Miles:  2085.1

Logged By:  SGC

Notes:  Expected to have the current with us going on the Delaware River after half way, flooding did not catch us until about 1545.  Winds were 7-10 until about 1200 then calmed and muggy heat took over making it uncomfortable.  Winds picked back up at 1400.  At 2800 rpms we crossed the bay and river in about 10 hours at 6+ knots.  Other than the two hours when it was hot and muggy, it was pleasant trip across.  Saw several large ships, barges plus some sailboats.  Docked at the Delaware City Marina to wait to cross the C & D Canal in the morning.  Took on 10 gal fuel in jerry jugs.  Did laundry.  Air conditioning felt good after the long hot day. Note, Tim at Delaware City Marina takes wonderful care of  cruisers, giving advice on currents and tides, staying up late, even calling the local restaurant to let them know someone is headed over for dinner. 

Having trouble posting tonight.  Please check in again tomorrow.  Thanks so much for following the blog, and have a great 4th of July.

What I’ve written below digresses from our regular stories about our day-by-day cruising life and deals with our survival of the storm on early Friday morning of June 29.  When I wrote in the heading of our blog early this year, little did I know of the many challenges to mind and soul there would be on this trip. 

Storms of Life

When you go through “storms” during your life, those scary, hurtful, sad, deeply depressing difficult times we’ve all experienced, where do you turn?  Many situations come with unexpected ferociousness catching us unprepared and totally unaware.  For me, just one of many over my lifetime was the death of my grandmother at my house when I was in high school.  She had come for a visit and passed away during the night in the bed I shared with her.  During storms like this we are helpless. There is nothing we can do or say to change the situation.  We had no part in bringing it to pass.  Nothing makes it better or bearable or can change it back to the way it was before.  We can’t ever awake from the bad dream and it be OK.  I just remember during this time simply grabbing hold of God and letting him help me see the positive, deal with the negative, walk me through the storm.  Finding the comfort and peace then led to faith to trust in Him again and again over the years. 

Friday morning, June 30 at 1:00 a.m. Dennis and I went through a horrific storm called a durecho while anchored just off the North Atlantic Ocean in Abescon Inlet off Atlantic City shore, NJ.  During that hour with the winds clocked at 70 miles per hour, we really thought we would probably not survive and that the boat might possibly become our tomb.  There is no way to describe the crashing noises and violent motions of the boat during the storm.  There was no way out, absolutely nothing we could do except believe that if it was our time, pray we were ready, and if not, then believe God would protect and shelter us through this storm.  After seeing the devastation and hearing of how 13 people were killed in a lot safer places than we were, we truly believe that God protected and carried us through this storm, just as He has time and time throughout the years.    

As I laid in the dark after the storm trying to think about what had just happened to us, and what to write, I told God that I really had plenty to write about and didn’t need more ideas.  But then the thought came about how important our faith is to Dennis and me, how time and time again God has protected and brought us through difficult and dangerous situations on this cruise.  So yes, maybe we did need this story to share how He’s been aboard all along.       

(See the June 30 blog for details of the storm and the link below for pictures and article)

Remember that calm relaxed evening I was telling you about last night?  Well it turned into one of the scariest nights of our lives, and being “at the mercy of the sea” took on a whole new meaning for us.

Here’s how Press of Atlantic City described it.  “A rare and extremely intense line of severe thunderstorms packing hurricane force wind gusts barreled its way across the region.”  Another described the storm’s impact as “unexpected ferocity.”  One hundred fifty thousand homes are without electricity.  One man was drowned and his buddy was rescued by the Coast Guard when his boat capsized in the Absecon Inlet where we were anchored.  A dredging barge close to bridge, but across the channel from us broke loose and was pushed underneath the fixed bridge.  Different sources put wind gusts at speeds of 50 to 70 miles per hour.  We have now learned we survived a durecho, a storm with straigtht line winds up to 90 miles/hr.   

So you ask, what were we doing, fast asleep after our 82 mile day?

Because we knew there was slight chance of thunderstorms, we made sure to close down all the hatches.  Dennis had run the air conditioner for a hour or so to cool the cabin at bedtime and we were sleeping comfortably.  I was awakened about 1:00a.m. when I saw flashes in the western sky.  Checking the radar I saw a large band of red and yellow approaching from the west, but still wasn’t overly concerned, especially because nothing had been predicted.  How bad could it be, right?  I worked quickly to remove the screens and batten down the hatches, bring in the cockpit cushions, pull down the front window on the dodger.  

By that time Dennis is awake asking, “What’s going on?” He double checked outside to see if I had missed anything before turning to the weather channel forecast.  They had just issued a severe thunderstorm warning lasting until 1:30 for Atlantic City, and it was already 1:10.  Deducing from their predictions it must be a fast-moving storm, twenty minutes.  Again we thought, how bad could it be?  By this time we were both dressed and ready for anything, or so we thought. 

That’s when being the “at the mercy of the sea” lesson began.  The boat began to pitch and thrash about.  We grabbed life jackets and then sat down to keep from being thrown into something and injured, Dennis and Fritz on the floor, I on the settee, but clinging on for dear life, asking each other and the Man up above, “How long can this go on?”  The winds were howling and ripping relentlessly at Aurora.  Dennis heard my deep breathing, and asked, “Are you having a baby.”  Guess it did sound kind of like practicing for Lamaze.  All kinds of thoughts go through your mind like, “What happens if the anchor gives way, will we run aground, capsize or bash into the bridge a few hundred yards away?”  Then we just pushed those out and prayed.      

About 50 minutes and many prayers later the winds finally died down to 10-20 knots.  Upon opening the cockpit doors Dennis was amazed to see we were in the same place as when we anchored, meaning the 44 pound Delta anchor had passed a hurricane strength wind test. The bimini covers seemed to be shredded, but he was able to unzip the front one and bring it below.  He also retrieved a 18” metal rod from the bimini which had somehow been twisted out of its supports and by chance fallen into the cockpit instead of the water.  With the rain and wind still pelting the boat total damage assessment would have to wait until in the morning.  Dennis was able to go back to bed about 2:30, but I, unable to sleep, lay on the settee and contemplated what had just happened.  I checked on the runaway dredging barge every once in a while, and noted they moved it way up the channel away from the bridge.  There were all kinds of emergency lights in the channel, beyond, on and below the bridge.  Finally able to sleep at 3:30 I moved back into the berth.

Needless to say, we slept in until about 7:30, then began to scour the boat for damage.  The bimini zippers had given way on one side, hanging, but still intact except for one pull and it was easily replaced.  Dennis secured the bimini rod, checked the sails and the dinghy.  The anchor rode had chaffed some where it was on the roller.  Other than that, we only lost one dorade, (not sure if that is how it is spelled) plastic vent cover.  Although we may discover other damage later, we feel very blessed to have gotten off cheaply for the “at the mercy of the sea,” lesson and thank God for another opportunity to cruise yet another day.

Dennis called it the worst storm he’d ever been in, and said again that it would be a bad idea to try and ride out a hurricane in a sailboat.  

Leaving Atlantic City behind was not a problem, as we were glad to be on our way again.  After arriving in Cape May a couple came by in a panic and asked if there were more storms on the way.  Dennis had just checked the radar, and told them none were showing.  They then proceeded to tell us they were anchored here last night with six other sailboats when 40 mph winds came through.  Their boat was the only one not adrift until another smashed into them.  Shook up, but thankfully no one was hurt.  Unbelieveable!  After which we offered up a few more prayers of thanksgiving for our protection from the raging winds.