Weather on my mind

Day #7: Since departing Maryland the weather has been nothing short of perfect. The barometer has been steady and the winds fair. And, since departing Maryland, I've done nothing but worry about the weather. Specifically, when will it change. It's ironic in the midst of a seven day winning streak that all I'd think about is rolling snake-eyes. I've got a feeling I'm not alone among mariners for being caught out is a 'significant emotional event'. So much so that there's a saying aboard Nellie: "I'd rather be on the beach wishing I was out cruising, than be out cruising and wishing I was on the beach." So, with all this in mind, tomorrow we tackle the Cape Fear River knowing the barometer has started dropping. Anyone want to blow on these dice?

Today's picture was taken just after dawn on Adams Creek Canal about 10 miles west of Beaufort, NC. The fog was thick enough at times that we were navigating on instruments alone.

At anchor in Wrightsville Beach, NC. 84nm today and 376nm to date. DBH

There is an App for that

Day #6: The vast expanses of the ICW, which can hold millions of boats without their crews feeling cramped, is in stark contrast to its many narrow channels. In the tightest confines there's often barely enough room for two boats abreast. Proximity like this causes lots of problems and problems like these are fertile ground for the innovative mariner ;-) Case in point, why is it that cars have rearview mirrors but boats don't? Boats could use the mirrors because it's common courtesy to make room when being overtaken. Ok, so how do you put rearview mirrors on a boat without losing cool points? Or better yet, get rearview capability using only those things you have aboard. Apple to the rescue. The iPad in the above picture doubles as a rearview mirror by displaying what an iTouch, duct taped to Nellie's stern, sees! Now if we can only find some way to safely steer the boat while we play with all the toys ...

At anchor 10 miles west of Beaufort, NC. 66nm today and 292nm to date. DBH

Baby it is dark outside!

Day #5: The weather is perfect and there's big water ahead. That's why we've decided to press on well after dark. The photo is pretty accurate as to what we can see. There's no moon so our searchlight, which is focused 100 yards in front of the bow, is our only light. The birds and bugs swirl and dive though the light as though performing for an audience. We can see those darn, green-pooping, midges congregating by the thousands on the bulwarks. Clean-up duty will be arduous tomorrow. There aren't many channel markers in Albermarle Sound so mostly we're hoping to spot crab pots. Our ETA at the Pongo/Alligator River canal is midnight. There we'll drop the hook. We'll be sure to lock all the doors too for it was at this spot, in May, we saw a black bear swimming across the canal.

Our watch schedule after dark is half an hour on and half an hour off. Staring at the limited, illuminated, area ahead, all the while scanning the chart-plotter and instruments, gets tiring. We are, however, rewarded with an incredible view of the stars.

Underway on Albermarle Sound, NC. 67nm so far today and 211nm on the trip. DBH

Old friends

Day #4: The dead calm last night made for great sleeping on the hook. Sunrise came with a stiff breeze. Underway at first light we were amazed to find ourselves in the midst of 11 other cruising boats. We've never been part of the annual migration of cruisers seeking warmer climes--until now.

Norfolk always has a busy waterfront and today was no exception. We danced with loaded tugs, armed navy guard boats, two 1000' cargo ships, and hundreds of littler boats. All the while it felt like we were racing the other cruisers for the limited number of free slips in downtown Portsmouth. Free slips, you see, are like honey to a cruiser. As luck would have it we managed to snag the last available slip.

Returning late to Nellie after dinner at the Bier Garden and a movie at the Commodore, yea, this cruising life is pure hell, we hear our names being called. We'd first met Dave and Nancy Poorvu in 2009 when weather pinned us all down on Grand Bahama Island. Now here Dave was with his crew-mate Billy. They'd departed Ocean City, MD this morning and had just arrived. As luck would have it they spotted Nellie while out on a walk. The picture shows Billy on the left and Dave on the right.

At Portsmouth's northern basin dock. 51nm today and 137nm to date. DBH

A classic plastic boat?

Dawn may come early on a boat but it's not like we noticed. Can't imagine why but Nellie's crew was tired. Rising well after sunrise we topped off the water tanks and began, in earnest, the journey south. The winds, which delayed our departure for three days, had allegedly blown themselves out. Well, almost blown themselves out. We found 20kts on the Bay and a bit of a chop. No problem though as it fell on the stern quarter. After arriving at our Gwynn Island, VA anchorage, we were approached by a classic, gaff-rigged, Hoopers Island sharpie. At the helm was Eric Hedberg. Eric is a wooden boat builder of the old school, but while admiring his beautiful craft he told me he'd made it of PVC. Plastic--no way! He explained that since PVC comes in boards, fabrication isn't all that much different than working with wood. Adhesives like Plexus and epoxy hold everything together. For paint, he used Rust-Oleum. Since the PVC expands much more than wood he'd had problems with buckling metal rub strakes. With PVC Eric can build a 'traditional' boat which doesn't suffer from traditional wooden boat problems. Eric's sharpie is six years old and looks brand new. See some pictures at: http://www.rionholdt.com/Hooper%20Island%20Sharpie.html

At anchor on the west side of Gwynn's Island, VA. 57nm today and 84nm total. DBH

The gale diminishes

Day #2: Fifty percent of the distance covered today was from where Nellie sat on the hard to the water. The tyranny of the yard is over thanks to the completion of the last two jobs, i.e. new bottom paint and a repacked rudder gland. After splashing, Nellie moved a whole 100 yards more. She could have gone farther but her crew is tired. So, this evening will be spent in the comfort of a slip with electricity. Our planned departure was delayed a few days by a gale but all looks good for tomorrow. Miami, here we come. At P. L. Jones' Boat Yard, Hoppers Island, MD. 200 yards today and 25 nm total. DBH

Underway ... sort of.

Day #1: Our journey to Miami begins with a short sea trial of the new fuel tanks and exhaust hose. The 4.5 hour trip to Hoopers Island was easy and enjoyable as all systems operated nominally. Nellie's now on the hard to have her bottom painted and the rudder packing gland renewed. The trip to Miami will continue again in a few weeks. DBH