Well, sorta. Luke has checked our instruments before and they have worked fine. The trip to the marina from the boatyard was great. But today he deleted all our southern waypoints and routes from our chart plotter, and "restored"" all our saved northern waypoints and routes from our previous trips to Maine to the chartplotter. That worked fine, but then the chartplotter refused to read the CF cards that contained our charts! Much messing about with factory resets, reloading software, etc -- all for naught. We have decided to mail the thing back to the manufacturer for repair. Should take "about 2 weeks"... Our plan is to go ahead and leave Deltaville (hopefully on Friday) and use the navigation programs in our tablets and phones. It's good info and sort of a mini-chart plotter. We will be fine. We'll have the chart plotter mailed to a marina further north in the Chesapeake. We won't go out of the Chesapeake without it!
Otherwise, things are moving along nicely. Even the weather was great today!
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Another work day
Today was sunny but cool and windy. Better than rain!
Luke started the day with electrical stuff. He is putting in a remote microphone for the VHF. This will allow us to use the long range radio from the cockpit rather than having to go below to use it. We have a handheld VHF now, but the range is limited to 5 or 6 miles. The long range radio is about 25 miles. Very handy if you are in trouble or trying to contact friends. So, he has to run wire so we can use the wireless long range VHF... running wire in a boat is a mess. All wires are behind the walls, so openings of any sort have to be used to run wire from place to place until there is the proper spot for the connection. Sometimes that takes a lot of places... note the open spot in the upper right...
The last place to run the wire has been a bit uncooperative, so this project is still in the works.
The lamination on one of our cockpit steps was coming loose, that that got fixed also.
Smokey was most helpful by staying out of the way, snuggled in one of her favorite cozy spots.
Of course, what she really wanted was out. OUT. O-U-T. out, out, out! Ears turned backwards to hear if we were on our way to let her out, she stared diligently at the screens keeping her from her destination.
That screen is there because The Princess loves to go on walk-abouts on the docks, given a moment of our not watching. And, no, she doesn't come back when called or even answer. She took off at an opportune moment a couple of days ago. We searched the entire marina only to have her reappear on the boat directly across from us. She had hidden on the other side of the boat as we searched for her.
More chores after lunch (I spent the morning doing laundry). The chain on our back-up anchor was rusted, so we replaced the leading 20 feet of chain. Our usual anchor is entirely chain, which is better. However, at almost $6/ft, we are reluctant to put 200 feet of chain on an anchor we have never used in 10 years, leaving the balance rope. Luke lowered the anchor and chain onto the dock so he could measure the length of chain and the size of the chain.
New chain purchased, the next item is attaching the rope to the chain. This project involves a rope splice. Luke set to work, carefully following the directions in the Chapman book. He looks like a sailor, doesn't he! Sitting on the dock in his sailing cap, work clothes, socks under his boating sandals, surrounded by ropes and chain, and the afore mentioned, much explored, boat across from us.
The splice is done with the help of a fid, a tool used to separate strands of rope and insert other strands through them. Here is what the process looks like (Ok, a video would have really been better here!)
Check out this video - you'll see why Luke chose to follow the directions in the book!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UracDq6QAz4
I did help Luke out a little, did my own chores, and best of all, made cookies!
Luke started the day with electrical stuff. He is putting in a remote microphone for the VHF. This will allow us to use the long range radio from the cockpit rather than having to go below to use it. We have a handheld VHF now, but the range is limited to 5 or 6 miles. The long range radio is about 25 miles. Very handy if you are in trouble or trying to contact friends. So, he has to run wire so we can use the wireless long range VHF... running wire in a boat is a mess. All wires are behind the walls, so openings of any sort have to be used to run wire from place to place until there is the proper spot for the connection. Sometimes that takes a lot of places... note the open spot in the upper right...
The last place to run the wire has been a bit uncooperative, so this project is still in the works.
The lamination on one of our cockpit steps was coming loose, that that got fixed also.
Smokey was most helpful by staying out of the way, snuggled in one of her favorite cozy spots.
Of course, what she really wanted was out. OUT. O-U-T. out, out, out! Ears turned backwards to hear if we were on our way to let her out, she stared diligently at the screens keeping her from her destination.
That screen is there because The Princess loves to go on walk-abouts on the docks, given a moment of our not watching. And, no, she doesn't come back when called or even answer. She took off at an opportune moment a couple of days ago. We searched the entire marina only to have her reappear on the boat directly across from us. She had hidden on the other side of the boat as we searched for her.
More chores after lunch (I spent the morning doing laundry). The chain on our back-up anchor was rusted, so we replaced the leading 20 feet of chain. Our usual anchor is entirely chain, which is better. However, at almost $6/ft, we are reluctant to put 200 feet of chain on an anchor we have never used in 10 years, leaving the balance rope. Luke lowered the anchor and chain onto the dock so he could measure the length of chain and the size of the chain.
New chain purchased, the next item is attaching the rope to the chain. This project involves a rope splice. Luke set to work, carefully following the directions in the Chapman book. He looks like a sailor, doesn't he! Sitting on the dock in his sailing cap, work clothes, socks under his boating sandals, surrounded by ropes and chain, and the afore mentioned, much explored, boat across from us.
The splice is done with the help of a fid, a tool used to separate strands of rope and insert other strands through them. Here is what the process looks like (Ok, a video would have really been better here!)
Check out this video - you'll see why Luke chose to follow the directions in the book!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UracDq6QAz4
I did help Luke out a little, did my own chores, and best of all, made cookies!
Saturday, May 14, 2016
A beautiful day, getting stuff done, and a little fun
FINALLY! A sunny day! What a welcome sight as we awoke this morning to sunshine (it gets light here about 5:45...we did NOT get up then!)
It was a very successful day, boat wise. We installed both sails, not a trivial task. I should have taken pictures...It isn't really hard, but certainly time consuming and detailed. But it's done! That is an important part of sailing, you know!
More odd bits and pieces of boat work, such as a simple task of changing the tie-down straps on the batteries. Nothing is easy. First, all power must be turned off (duh) so you can work with the batteries. Then, of course, the obstacles. A bit of leakage here and there. The new straps don't fit the old clamps. and so on. But it did get done! Luke with one of his favorite toys - a head lamp.
And some fun - the Deltaville Seafood Festival! and yes, we ate seafood. What do you think you eat in the oyster capital of VA? Well, fresh oysters, of course! and fried shrimp, too. YUM. oh, yes, let's not forget the monster size lemonades.
Deltaville is also home of a crab packing plant. Soft shell crabs, crab cakes, and racing crabs. Not quite as much fun as watching the racing pigs at the Roanoke Co. Fair (they race for oreos....) these guys just flop down the ramp. Water spray bottles are there to keep the crabs wet until the race is over and they go back into the bushel basket. Not the best picture, but you get the idea...
Then, Luke's favorite part (other than the food) - the local model train club maintains a complete floor of a train layout, with different gauges of trains (don't ask - I don't know). The club has over 35 members who maintain the layout and can bring their own trains to run there. This is about 1/4 of the layout.
You Roanokers of my generation will certainly appreciate this one
And a steam train! I loved this one!
More projects tomorrow. We are working slowly but surely towards leaving for Maine.
It was a very successful day, boat wise. We installed both sails, not a trivial task. I should have taken pictures...It isn't really hard, but certainly time consuming and detailed. But it's done! That is an important part of sailing, you know!
More odd bits and pieces of boat work, such as a simple task of changing the tie-down straps on the batteries. Nothing is easy. First, all power must be turned off (duh) so you can work with the batteries. Then, of course, the obstacles. A bit of leakage here and there. The new straps don't fit the old clamps. and so on. But it did get done! Luke with one of his favorite toys - a head lamp.
And some fun - the Deltaville Seafood Festival! and yes, we ate seafood. What do you think you eat in the oyster capital of VA? Well, fresh oysters, of course! and fried shrimp, too. YUM. oh, yes, let's not forget the monster size lemonades.
Deltaville is also home of a crab packing plant. Soft shell crabs, crab cakes, and racing crabs. Not quite as much fun as watching the racing pigs at the Roanoke Co. Fair (they race for oreos....) these guys just flop down the ramp. Water spray bottles are there to keep the crabs wet until the race is over and they go back into the bushel basket. Not the best picture, but you get the idea...
Then, Luke's favorite part (other than the food) - the local model train club maintains a complete floor of a train layout, with different gauges of trains (don't ask - I don't know). The club has over 35 members who maintain the layout and can bring their own trains to run there. This is about 1/4 of the layout.
You Roanokers of my generation will certainly appreciate this one
And a steam train! I loved this one!
More projects tomorrow. We are working slowly but surely towards leaving for Maine.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Back in the water!
Where a boat belongs ---- back in the water!
Just as soon as the boat yard crew arrived on Thursday morning, the travel lift moved Latitudes back through the boatyard and lowered her gently back into the waters of Broad Creek.
An hour or so to be sure nothing was leaking and everything else was working, and we once more entered the waters of the Chesapeake.
It was a gray, overcast day, but no rain, so Captain Luke was happy. Heck, he was happy just to be sailing Latitudes again. Well, we didn't exactly sail. She is still in need of some things before we can leave for Maine. Like putting the sails back on. And our enclosure - we were REALLY glad it didn't rain!
I am not sure I would call Skipper Smokey "happy" but she resigned herself to her favorite spot behind a chair, snuggled down in her favorite bed, made especially for her by Auntie Phyllis.
It was a calm, uneventful motor to Fishing Bay, about 3 hours just to go around Stingray Point, the end of the peninsula of Deltaville. We are now also snuggled down in a favorite spot, enjoying living in the boat in the water rather than on the hard, and working to finish our prep work so we can leave for Maine in a week or so. We did get the enclosure up - good thing, as a fast moving rain storm passed through late this afternoon.
Another great thing about yesterday was that boating buddies Mimi and Otto, also traveling northward, arrived in Deltaville. We had a great dinner and even better time together. Unfortunately, they left this morning, but we will catch up with them within a few days of leaving for Maine.
Tomorrow is the annual Deltaville Seafood Festival! Hope to have some great, local seafood!
Just as soon as the boat yard crew arrived on Thursday morning, the travel lift moved Latitudes back through the boatyard and lowered her gently back into the waters of Broad Creek.
An hour or so to be sure nothing was leaking and everything else was working, and we once more entered the waters of the Chesapeake.
It was a gray, overcast day, but no rain, so Captain Luke was happy. Heck, he was happy just to be sailing Latitudes again. Well, we didn't exactly sail. She is still in need of some things before we can leave for Maine. Like putting the sails back on. And our enclosure - we were REALLY glad it didn't rain!
I am not sure I would call Skipper Smokey "happy" but she resigned herself to her favorite spot behind a chair, snuggled down in her favorite bed, made especially for her by Auntie Phyllis.
It was a calm, uneventful motor to Fishing Bay, about 3 hours just to go around Stingray Point, the end of the peninsula of Deltaville. We are now also snuggled down in a favorite spot, enjoying living in the boat in the water rather than on the hard, and working to finish our prep work so we can leave for Maine in a week or so. We did get the enclosure up - good thing, as a fast moving rain storm passed through late this afternoon.
Another great thing about yesterday was that boating buddies Mimi and Otto, also traveling northward, arrived in Deltaville. We had a great dinner and even better time together. Unfortunately, they left this morning, but we will catch up with them within a few days of leaving for Maine.
Tomorrow is the annual Deltaville Seafood Festival! Hope to have some great, local seafood!
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Moving in...
With Smoky howling in protest, we loaded her into the car, and left for the boat. She settled down into a very cat-like sulk on the back floorboard, and mostly ignored us. But we are here - all 3 of us. It's a good thing she is small - there wasn't much room left! Here is the cockpit with over half of our bags to stash. The rest are in the car, awaiting transfer to the boat. It is all IN the boat now, but definitely not all put away.
Once we arrived at the boat and put Smoke aboard, she happily went about her business, checking out the premises, checking for any new smells, and reacquainting herself with all of the little hiddie-holes. She doesn't mind the boat at all, actually likes it because she can usually wander freely about the outside of it. That is, she is happy unless the engine is running, or the sails are up, or we have a bit of a rocky ride. Then it's different. She wasn't too pleased at being put aboard today, either. Just like the rest of our goods, she was hoisted up to the cockpit.
With luck and Mother Nature's cooperation, we will go back in the water on Thursday.
Once we arrived at the boat and put Smoke aboard, she happily went about her business, checking out the premises, checking for any new smells, and reacquainting herself with all of the little hiddie-holes. She doesn't mind the boat at all, actually likes it because she can usually wander freely about the outside of it. That is, she is happy unless the engine is running, or the sails are up, or we have a bit of a rocky ride. Then it's different. She wasn't too pleased at being put aboard today, either. Just like the rest of our goods, she was hoisted up to the cockpit.
With luck and Mother Nature's cooperation, we will go back in the water on Thursday.
Sunday, May 8, 2016
To the Sea, She calls us...
Well, she may call Luke and me; I'm not sure Smokey hears her...
We are heading out on Latitudes again, after having her on the hard for almost a full year. This summer, we will be going north to Maine! It's been about 4 years since we've taken Latitudes to Maine, so it will be an adventure to see Maine again from the perspective of the water.
Having Latitudes on the hard has meant getting her ready to go back into the water also. She needed a new paint job on her bottom, waxing the topsides, a new battery (1 of 4), a new holder in the cockpit for the various instruments (the old one was held together with electrical tape - it was time!), and some repairs to the sails and the enclosure pieces. Plus the usual cleaning and multiple "small" projects.
We got smart this time - drove the RV to the Chesapeake to live in while we worked on the boat. What a luxury to have a dry, warm/cool place to retreat to after a long day, running hot water, a frig, the ability to cook, and a toilet. Here is the happy trio of our "vehicles" sitting in the boatyard. Look carefully and you'll see Luke, outfitted in protective tyvek, painting the bow of the boat.
Having Latitudes on the hard has meant getting her ready to go back into the water also. She needed a new paint job on her bottom, waxing the topsides, a new battery (1 of 4), a new holder in the cockpit for the various instruments (the old one was held together with electrical tape - it was time!), and some repairs to the sails and the enclosure pieces. Plus the usual cleaning and multiple "small" projects.
We got smart this time - drove the RV to the Chesapeake to live in while we worked on the boat. What a luxury to have a dry, warm/cool place to retreat to after a long day, running hot water, a frig, the ability to cook, and a toilet. Here is the happy trio of our "vehicles" sitting in the boatyard. Look carefully and you'll see Luke, outfitted in protective tyvek, painting the bow of the boat.
We took a break from boat work to go home for various appointments, etc, leaving the RV in the boatyard for our return trip to finish Latitudes. Back again after a week, finished up, and all we have to do now is put her back in the water, put on the sails, put up the enclosure, pick up our life raft from the shop where it's being refurbished, get water, get diesel, provision groceries....well, ok, there is still a lot to do! LOL
The adventure never ends - we had a visitor here at home in the wee hours a few nights ago. We heard a loud "clunk, clang" on the back porch (under our upstairs bedroom window). The cat jumped to the window and froze. A very large black bear had pulled down the steel pipe from the porch in a effort to get seeds out of the bird feeder - which he demolished, too. We knew the bears were out of hibernation and in the neighborhood and dutifully emptied the feeder. Except for about a dozen seeds...what harm can a dozen seeds do? Well, apparently bears can't discern how full a feeder is, just that it smells like birdseed. The big rascal paced on the porch for a few minutes until we opened a window, yelled at him, and clapped our hands. Scared the crap out of Smokey. The bear finally ambled down the steps and meandered through the back yard into the woods. The feeder in inside now!
With some good packing, good weather, and a little luck, we will leave for Latitudes early this week. Hope to have beautiful sea pictures soon!
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Home!
We made it home, tired after a 23 hour day, but we made it. The trip was a wonderful success and we enjoyed it. But it sure is always good to be home.
Smokey is especially glad - I'm having a bit of trouble using my computer as she thinks she should be in my lap instead!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
