A Nod to Neil

This blog would be incomplete if I did not spend a moment to thank Neil.  As you have read during this blog we faced many challenges and let me say some of them were very significant and daunting.  (read Barnegate Inlet)

Throughout the trip Neil was a rock!  He demonstrated a vast array of excellent character traits that made this trip a success.  In short he is:

• unflappable,
• capable,
• reassuring,
• good humoured,
• considerate,
• polite,
• tireless,
• positive,
• patient and
• kind.

He is also exceedingly modest so he is going to hate reading this - but it needs to be said:

Neil, you are a star - THANK YOU!

Down the Chesapeake

It seems a shame to have to make such a quick run down the bay, but we only had two days left to get to our final destination at the Atlantic Yacht Basin on the inter coastal waterway (ICW) South of Norfolk.  So we set out to put in a couple of long days to close out the run and finish up on Friday night.

The West end of the C&D Canal

Dredging Operations

The Willian P Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge

We stopped in Solomons MD for the night - late once again and navigating by markers in unfamiliar waters.  However, the anchorage was very calm and we enjoyed a nice steak and chicken dinner that evening with all the trimmings - a la Lawrence.

Solomons MD Anchorage

Home in Solomons - Nice!

A Fleming 55 passes a nice Nordhavn 62`

We were back at it the following day going down the bay to Norfolk.

Barges on the go all the time

Captain not always on the go at all times!

Nice Light houses - all Business!

The entrance near Norfolk and the ICW

A European Auto Carrier

I expect to get some additional pictures from Neil of the Norfolk area - it is a major US Naval base and the shipping industry in the area is unreal.  When all was said and done we covered over 800KM in 67 hours of run time over a 6 day period.  When you figure that we had two short days of 6 hours in the mix we also had some 12 - 14 hour days to make up for it.

Over all, despite all the little gaffs along the way - we really did well!  We overcame each challenge (I did not include them all by a long shot) with calm, patience and persistence.  We experienced all kinds of weather, sea states, navigation, night time, traffic, radio operations and mechanical issues and delivered safely in good humour.

Without wishing to break my arm patting ourselves on the back - we did an outstanding job!

Atlantic City to the Cheasapeake

With the longest single stretch of our run behind us we hoped for some more relaxing days with better weather and sea conditions.  That said we did have to head back out into the Atlantic again to Cape May and then cross the length of Delaware Bay to get to the C&D canal the following day.  Fortunately, the forecast called for lighter winds and 3-5 foot waves on the ocean and one foot waves in the bay - so off we set first thing in the morning towards our first interim stop - Cape May.

Thankfully, while still wrong, the Atlantic was a damn sight more friendly than the day before and the 5 - 8 foot waves seemed like a gift next to our previous experience and we cruised to Cape May without incident.  A quick stop for fuel and lunch and we were off down the Cape May Canal to Delaware Bay.

Eastern approach to the Cape May Canal

Cape May - Lewes Ferry

Now as we left the canal we noted a number of interesting items.  First the wind was running 20knots down the length of the bay in a direct line to shore right at the West end of the Canal.  Second that there was a 9 foot shoal 2 miles off shore.  Now the combination of strong winds and a shoal are - you guessed it - steep waves.  There were I'm sure one foot waves in the bay, but once again, no where near where we were.  We found ourselves in steep, short period 6-8 foot waves right on the nose - some real "Bell Ringers".

By the evening the winds had died down and we really did have only a foot or two of waves and we cruised out the day to the top of the bay enjoying the setting sun and the passage of the big shipping boats.

The sun on the waves made it look like sand

Major shipping lane to the north of Delaware Bay



Sunset on Delaware Bay



We had planned to stop at the top of the bay at a little anchorage, but when we got there it was not well marked and it was pitch black with container ships passing by in close proximity.  We decided to push on into the C&D canal and stop in the bay at Chesapeake City.  Needless to say, the combination of being new to the area and the dark made finding the entrance to the canal a challenge, but we figured it out and off we went.

The Eastern approach to the C&D Canal at night

It was a long day when we finally docked at around 10:00PM that night, but we had made excellent time and were again on track to complete our journey as scheduled.

Chesapeake City Bay Marina

The next day promised more one foot waves and light winds on the Chesapeake - right we didn't believe the forecast either!

Sandy Hook to Atlantic City

This was the big one - for all the marbles - a run down the coast on the Atlantic.  We had to cover 200KM at ~15km/h.  This promised to be one long day with the best of conditions.  We did NOThave the best conditions.

The forecast was for 4-6 foot waves, winds in the 15-20 knot range from the north west diminishing into the evening.  I guess there were some 4-6 foot waves out there, they were however hard to see in amongst the 10-15 foot waves.  After about 4 hours of running up and down some large waves we got into a rhythm and only called out for the "big waves" that we could not see over from the fly bridge - we call those 15-20 footers "bell ringers" as my bell would swing enough to sound riding up or down!  I would like to show you a picture or two, but frankly, we were rather busy and needed all hands to keep on track so no photographic evidence can be provided.

At one point I got quite comfortable and as Neil was at the helm thought I would take a little nap - not such a good idea.  When I woke up 15 minutes later I was a little disoriented and the sudden view was a bit more than I could adapt to quickly - so breakfast made a return visit and I was feeling much better!

So you might be thinking the worst was over and you would be wrong.   Two words - Barnegate Inlet!  The chart indicated that it was a challenging approach and should be approached with caution.  This did however, represent an opportunity to get in out of building waves and wind and run down the inside passage to Atlantic City (AC).  I was not quire sure if we should take a run at it and then I saw a small fishing boat leave the harbour followed by a sail boat.  Well if they can make the run - clearly it was OK. 

As we approached the break water we were sawing back and forth between building waves as the 15 footers from the North West were being piled up by the outgoing tide and wind - steep!  I was managing the waves "well" working the rudder to counteract the impact of each wave and then we crossed "The Bar".  As we did we were hit from the aft quarter by a very steep 20 foot breaking wave that picked up the boat and threw it over 45 degrees to port and then slew the back end out 180 degrees.  I don't recall precisely what I said, but it went something like - "Come on you son of a bitch - climb that fucking wave!"  I have to say I was very pleased to end up back on my bottom with the canvas up top when the wave had past.

The aftermath looked like this (after we did some clean up to get into the boat).

Kitchen Upside Down.

"Scott's Decorating in the Salon"

The Aft Deck

Despite it all - we got away with a few scratches and dings to the poorer and a great deal to the wiser.

But wait there's more!

We thought we would take a moment to settle ourselves and went into the harbour to refocus - and ran her aground on another shoal!  I pointed Neil down a "channel" and went below to hit the head.  Suddenly I heard the motors rev up followed by Neil calling out for me.  I dashed up and drove my head through the hatch leading to the fly - breaking the running strips and splitting my head.  So with blood running down my forehead and wearing a wet rag, we pulled her off the bar and got back into the channel and over to the fuel docks in the local fishing harbour.

We met a local half blind fisherman and his young son who asked if we had recently arrived - we confirmed we had.  He then followed up with a comment Neil and I are not likely to forget for a long time to come - "Came in over the bar did you?  Care to do that again?"  We do not!

You just can't have more fun in a day - or can you?

We still had 60KM to go to AC and so we set off again - slowly!  We saw some nice homes down the NJ shore line with easy calm water.

But you are not there until you arrive - and by the time we got to Little Egg Bay, 15KM from AC, it had gotten dark and the anchorage was too shallow so we had to go for it.  Narrow channels, pitch black with no moon, shallow waters and did I mention that my chart plotter was out of the mapped area so I was working off manual charts?  An hour and a half later we arrived in AC and dropped the hook for the evening!

Atlantic City at Night

Man what a day 6:00AM to 10:00PM and only day three at that!

More to come!

NY NY The Update!

The big advantage to the Shipyard Marina was a quick ferry ride to NY NY.  While there we did get to have a nice dinner and sight see a little.  This was the first time Niel had been to Time Square and it left an impression.  Neil was most impressed by the quality and quantity of Police.  Bright neon signs in multiple colours in contrast to beat up old cars!  We had a good walk and took it all in.



Neil in Time Square

 The view from the shore was great too.  We got some classic shots and a few novel ones too.

Verrazano Narrows Bridge

Manhattan from the water



Constant Helicopter taxi service



The Brooklyn Bridge

Long Island Ferry

Classic Chrysler Vista from the East River

Hudson View of Aircraft Carrier

Well I just had to....

And now on with the adventure!

The Big Apple!

We made it -NY NY!

To bring everyone up to speed, I am now traveling with my brother in law Neil Garrett - an incredible sport to take this on with me. My lovely bride is holding down the home front and getting Ready for our grand adventure in January 2011.

Neil and I made the trip from Verplank NY to the Big city today. We timed the tides and had a fast run down the Hudson at about 20KM/hour. I know that does not seem very fast
But it is about 33% faster than normal. We did a run by the Statue of Liberty and then on around Manhattan and Roosevelt Islands. Yes we took about 2468 pictures, but I have not downloaded them yet (currently sitting in Starbucks near Time Square).

We are staying at the Shipyard Marina on the New Jersey side across from 42nd st. It's a simple place right beside the water taxi - convenient but wide open to wind and waves. We had one hell of a blow right when we were getting in this afternoon. Very close quarters in a marina that was designed for boats up to 42 feet. With a little help on shore we managed to get her in and secured for the evening.

With dinner in us we will do a little walk about and shopping - then it's back to the boat for an early night to get ready for tomorrow AM when we tackle the Atlantic. Keep a good thought for light winds and smooth seas - for the moment it looks like it may be a little "lumpy".

We will update next we find a wifi connection.

Cheers!!

Neil & Scott