I'll be driving up to Regent Point Marina in Topping, VA next week to sail our new to us, Seidlemann 295 home. I just insured it and all the paper work except the CG documentation is finished. I found the cheapest way to get up there is to rent a U-Haul truck. This will allow me to bring my gear and bicycle. After unloading my gear and provisions onto the boat, I'll drop off the truck and ride the bike back to the marina.
I'll most likely take the Dismal Swamp route as it has less bridges to contend with and besides, with a name like that, it has to be a great place to boat. :o
make sure you post some pics as soon as you can
Quote from: kickingbug1 on September 13, 2021, 04:31:44 PM
make sure you post some pics as soon as you can
I've been having trouble posting pics. Do we need to use a 3rd party site to host the pics and then load them with a link?
No third party required, although any reason for a party must be considered, just be sure the size requirements are met.
TG
I just tried to post a pic that was 638 x 1032 198.76 kbs.
Didn't work. I get "this page isn't working". I
I try removing the pic and hit post and it tells me I've already posted.
Maybe I'll have better luck on the computer
How exciting! Hope I can meet up at Regent but depends on your ETA. Sent ya a PM.
Never been on the Dismal Swamp Canal but have heard reports about much Duckweed. Also believe it is only 5 feet in many sections which doesn't leave much under most keels. Still sounds fascinating to transit the Nations oldest canal.
I have been unable to post any pics since the forum switched to the simple machines platform.
Mas, I've been studying the canal on Google Earth, but still need to read up on it. 5 feet isn't much depth, the Seidlemann draws 3' with the board up. It would be a bummer to get 3/4 of the way through only to find it silted in. ???? I chose the "ditch" because the rivers will have commercial traffic I'd like to avoid.
Wow. Just read how in the fall the duckweed can be so bad it clogs up the cool water intakes and the engines overheat. I may have to rethink my route and deal with the Elizabeth River and her tides. Back to researching!
That duckweed is bad stuff, we had it once a while back in the marinas at Carlyle. The efforts started by using a copper sulfate I think along with pulling it all up onto the shore and letting it die off.
I don't believe I ever saw it again oddly enough but man did it grow fast, and built my arm muscles up pretty decently with all that pulling LOL
Mac
It looks like it's a go for next week. The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center said there are no reports of duckweed from boaters. The Deep Creek lock tender sent me pictures from this morning with no duckweed present on the north end either. I reserved a 10' box truck from U-haul and will bring my bicycle with so I can ride it back to the marina after dropping the truck off. (10 miles) Thursday we meet in New Bern with the contractor and we'll stop at Food Lion for provisions. That is the worst part. I don't particularly care to cook aboard so I'll be eating very dull meals.
When I have cell service I'll post updates in the Journeys, Anchorage, and Destinations thread.
With 3 boats now I'll be selling one. I decided to keep the Compac 19 and sell the 15' daysailer.
Good luck on the pick-up! Sounds like it'll be a good adventure.
Thanks Reighnman!
Went to the Inland Waterway Provision Company in town and picked up some charts and a North Carolina Flag for the boat. While living in IL, I had to purchase everything online and before that, from catalogs. Riding a bike to the store is so much nicer. I get to hold the item and make sure it's exactly what I need. Sure some of the items cost more than online, but other items are the same or cheaper and there's no shipping, easy returns, and I'm supporting local businesses. There is also a West Marine Express in town and if they don't have it, they can get it that day or the next.
Now I need to secure a slip. The marina yesterday was full, but stated if I don't have a slip by the time I'm half way home with the boat, to call and the owner will move his boat and give me that slip. I'm going to call the gentleman across the street from our property. He owns 2 association slips and uses neither. I would keep the boat at our dock, but there is a large tree branch hanging over the water that could land on the boat if it broke off in a storm, do until that is removed...
I've been following this crazy adventure of yours and I must say I'm thrilled for you and Joannie! The boat looks great and you'll have her at your own private dock at your new home! Just wonderful! Now to get you up to NJ for a bit or maybe a halfway meetup at Peter G's place in Wake, VA which is only a stones throw from where you're picking up the boat!!
Bob23
Congrats on the new boat and safe travels bringing her home. Hopefully you'll have much better luck than I did the one time I bought a boat a long way from home.
Long story but it involved a rapidly formed DENSE fog, hand held GPS and paper charts but no chart plotter and 2 new props and prop shafts after shaking hands with 5' rocks in 6' of water. That was the only time I've encountered thunder and lightning with fog.
Fred
Hey best of luck on the trip back. You are in my world now, so every morning you should go to the NOAA NHC and read the chart during the season. D2 does not look favorable for your plans unless you are talking about late in the week.
Brackish,
Thanks for the heads up. I checked out the site and I think I'll be okay. I'm arriving next Wed, but won't be leaving until Thurs or Fri.
Arrived Wednesday and got the U-Haul emptied into the boat before the rain. Drove to get ice and the rain came and soaked me through and through. After showering I began that horrible task of putting things away. After putting 24 bottles of water, 12 bottles of Gatorade, 12 bottles of Corona, fruit, 5 cans of V8, eggs, bacon, other perishables, and 40lbs. of ice, there still 8" of clearance below the built in cooler's lid.
Watched a couple shows on Netflix and turned in.
Thursday I drove to Deltaville to pickup new flares and some cleaning supplies. Then I drove to U-Haul where Peter met me and treated me to a most delicious lunch. This area is filled with history the scenery alone is worth a trip here.
Rick (Mas) arrived and chatted and ate pizza in the gazebo. Rick's also gave me a tour of his Pacific Seacraft 31 which sits on the same docks as a PS Dana and Flicka.
Friday I awoke early and showed before the liveaboards crawled out of their boats. While boiling water for coffee the camp stove malfunctioned and turned around just in time to see the knob catch fire. That scrambled my plans for a hot breakfast so cheerios where poured out. Rick drove me to another marina to fill the spare 5 gallon fuel can and pick up some milk and breakfast sausage. Afterwards we ate at a waterfront restaurant that obviously is paying protection to Bob22 as pbr was served and they even advertise it! Although the sign is in the mens bathroom out back.
All the final preparations have been made and spare parts placed with tools in their respective places. Very light wind is forecast for the next 2 days, but it beats the water funnels reported yesterday.
it all sounds great Carl and I wish you Godspeed on your journey. Sounds like a party with you, Rick and Pedro and yes: I am everywhere! I toast my glass of PBR to you in this new adventure!!
Bob23
Hey Carl, How's progress?
I arrived home yesterday about 5pm. Out of the 6 days on the water, I was only able to sail 3 of them. I left last Saturday out of Topping, VA. "Mas" helped me get her out of the slip and with light winds on my stern I wing & winged it down the Rappahannock. After ghosting down the river I entered the Chesapeake Bay and thought I would gain speed, but it wasn't to be. After only 20 miles I stopped outside of Winter Haven Harbor, but not before running aground. After walking the deck stern to bow and back again, she slid off the mud and I dropped anchor in 12' of water. Saturday night was nice and cool with a good wind that gently rocked me to sleep and kept fresh air flowing through the cabin. Sunday morning started with the stove catching fire and me disassembling it to clean out the venturi. The day was quite windy and I sailed under full genoa down the Chesapeake with waves approaching 3'. Late afternoon I cruised into Norfolk and furled the genny as I approached the downtown area. Now motoring along, I spotted another sailboat in a small basin and pulled in and set the anchor in 10'. 4 small sailboats came out to race and I ate dinner while sitting topside and watching the show. Night brought glass smooth water and I slept easily. Monday I motored through the Naval Ship Yards and felt dwarfed not only by the great ships, but the cranes as well. As I proceeded down the Elizabeth River a large merchant ship sounded it's horn and the Coast Guard responded with an all clear to launch their life boats in a practice session. I wanted to see this, but the boat traffic was building and I didn't want to deal with the large wakes. I continued south along the river until I reached the Great Bridge Lock. I was 2nd in line out of 5 sailboats waiting for it to open, and I had read the best place to tie up is the southwest end. A large sailboat decided he was going to enter 1st and passed all of us. It didn't matter as we all easily fit against the west wall. (the west wall has a tender that secures your lines and the east does not) I asked how much we would be lowering and he said only 2" today. s/v Maya's transom indicated it was out of Cape Fear, NC so a conversation ensued. Andre and his wife had been living aboard their sailboat for years and were headed for Bayboro, a small town just 10 miles from Oriental. Andre had advised me anchorages would be scarce ahead and invited me follow them. After waiting for the Great Bridge to open, I stopped at Atlanta Yacht Basin to top off my fuel tank and purchase more ice. Continuing on I found s/v Maya anchor just off the channel in a very small cove. Andre, with beers aboard, piloted their dingy over and we chatted or awhile. I explained my phone wasn't taking a charge so Navionics was useless and he said to just follow him, although his boat could only do 4 knots and mine will do 6 when motoring. Another calm night and Maya was off a 1/2 hour before me. 2 hours after pulling up the anchor I was right behind Maya and at 230pm we pulled into a large bay with 3 other sailboats. Before the sun set, a catamaran anchored making it 6. Once again no wind and the next morning I awoke to find the outside of the boat covered in small bugs that resembled mosquitoes. I started out just after the cat and now we were in the North Landing River. Exiting the river into Albemarle Sound I again attempted to sail but the wind too light and with the 1st tack was right on our nose. From the sound into the Alligator River. What a scam! I looked all day and didn't see a single gator! From the river it was down the Alligator/Pungo River Canal. Very straight and not much to see. I entered the Pungo canal about 5pm and dropped anchor along with 5 other sailboats. Another dead calm night so I ran the cabin fans all night as it was getting warm again. I left that anchorage at 730 and headed west, then north to Downey Creek Marina. Again I topped off the tank, bought more ice, and a new charging cord for my phone. I hadn't seen s'v Maya the previous day, but with my phone now working, I could use the Navionics app. I traveled south down the Pungo, across the Pamlico River, down Goose creek, east on the Bay River and finally into Pamlico Sound. However, while traversing the Bay River a large north bound cutter about 1/2 mile away started spewing thick black smoke. I hailed them on 16 and let them know I was coming to aid them. Arriving alongside, it's port was blackened by the exhaust. The couple aboard hadn't seen the smoke and were very thankful. The captain decided to turn around and head to Oriental. The smoking stopped when he decreased speed, so I did the same and radioed that I would be following close behind to make sure they make it in. Once back underway, I phoned Joanie and told her I'd be home around 440pm. She was happy as I wasn't expecting to arrive until Friday. After s/v Serenity entered Oriental harbor, I headed under the bridge and to the dock. It was great seeing my babydoll standing there waving me in.
This wasn't my longest solo trip, nor my farthest, but it was the most tiring. I'm not sure if that's age or the stress of sailing a large boat I wasn't familiar with. I've been home over 24 hours now and as I type this, the floor is still swaying up and down, back and forth.
I'm sure I left a lot of the trip out, but I didn't keep a log on this trip.
Sailing solo, anytime I needed to go below was a challenge. I would lock the wheel and hope the boat didn't steer into a crab pot. While motoring, I would put it in neutral and she would make tight counter clockwise circles. Something s/v Maya witnessed several times and even radioed to make sure everything was good. I even had a CG helicopter hover above me once as I went below to get lunch.
Along the 280+ miles the CG made several announcements of boats in distress. Including a boat on fire, at least 3 groundings, and a 30' sailboat in distress possibly with crew in the water at the mouth of the Alligator River. I heard that for 2 days. When I made it to the river, there was indeed a 30' hunter very close to shore with a fishing skiff along side it.
I had charts, a handheld GPS, and Navionics on my phone. The GPS was too small to see without my reading glasses. I used the charts to plot my courses, but most of the rivers and canals day markers are miles apart and the subtle splits and turns make it easy to get lost. The Navionics app had an automated routing feature where you make your start and end points and it draws your route. Very handy when out after dark. Charts are a great back up, but I was amazed how many crab pots are placed along side the channel and sometimes in the channel. Not being able to see the next day marker and my phone dead, I almost ran aground a second time. The channel is 12-15' deep, but immediately outside it can be as shallow as 2'. Many times I found myself thinking "If I was in my 19, I could cut across this bay and save hours". A small boat allows that. Run aground and it is easy to kedge off or jump in and be pushed off. Grab a pot on the rudder and it's as easy as lifting the rudder and watching the line slip off. Get one wrapped around your prop? Raise the motor and get to work. Get a pot caught on a large boat and you diving down to untangle it. Another advantage to a small boat is there are many more anchorages to slip into.
Carl,
Glad you made it back. Thanks for the descriptive narrative. Enjoy!
sounds like a successful trip! Glad you made it back ok, and enjoyed reading of your adventure.
I put some of the pictures in video form...
https://youtu.be/AyegA86qZk4 (https://youtu.be/AyegA86qZk4)
Thanks, Carl, fun to see. Patreon and t-shirts to follow!
Great report! I'm encouraged by not seeing any folding lawn chairs in the bow pulpit.
Quote from: brackish on October 08, 2021, 06:42:53 PM
Great report! I'm encouraged by not seeing any folding lawn chairs in the bow pulpit.
I probably should check the bow, there could be something there.
Nice video Carl! Thanks for posting it.
Great video Carl, thank you. Any truth to the rumor that PBR was involved in this deal?? Curious minds want to know.
Bob23
Quote from: Bob23 on October 09, 2021, 07:34:30 AM
Great video Carl, thank you. Any truth to the rumor that PBR was involved in this deal?? Curious minds want to know.
Bob23
If you're referring to Public Broadcast Radio, yes, I did listen to that local station.
If you're talking about that swill you drink, we'll yes, I used it to remove gum from the bottom of my shoe.
Public radio is really good, I also listen to it. Let me see, I know I can learn how to post photos here.
Bob23
Remember, Bob, no Fiddle Mingers.
Tim, yer just the man I need to see. How do I post photos here? I know we've been through this 10 years ago but I've forgotten. It's really important!
Ahoy, Carl! Just read your post about your journey and sooooo enjoyed it! Looking forward to checking out your YouTube vid! Quick question: are you able to sail year 'round in Oriental? I thought so? (Not sure how cold it gets?) Still hoping, one day soon, to get a trip out there!
~ Chelle
SV Sunflower (Sunny) | 2021 Com-Pac Legacy
https://sailawaywithchelle.wordpress.com/
Hi Chelle!
It does get cold here, but not compared to the Midwest. This will be our 1st winter here so seeing how many boats stay in the water will be interesting. I've been told rarely is there ice on the water, and when it does happen it's over night and gone by noon.
In the Midwest I've sailed as late as the 2nd week in December. In my opinion, there is no better time than autumn to be on the water whether sailing, fishing, or canoeing.
Carl, thanks so much for letting me know — I will be curious to hear what you find out with how many boats stay in the water, too! I've always heard such great things about the coastal Carolinas and it sounds like a fabulous place to plant roots and enjoy a year round boating!
Though not the Carolinas, my grandparents used to have a home on the west coast of Kent Island in Maryland. I used to love to visit them there; the boat traffic on the Chesapeake was always so fun to watch! One summer, while visiting Grandma and Grandpa and I was on my summer college break, my family chartered a 30 ft sailboat out of a marina adjacent to the Kent Narrows Bridge (I think that what it's called). We had a great day sailing on the Chesapeake!
We just watched your video, too, btw — AWESOME!!! Hope you will make more as you make your memories aboard your beautiful new sailboat!!!
Thanks Chelle!
over the winter i will be buying an action camera. i had the 1st version gopro and have many videos of sailing and trail riding. i even made a "documentary" of our week participating in the Florida 120 on our Compac 19. that video is on my old computer still in storage. maybe i'll put a video together from 2018 when Chris, Roger, and i sailed the North Channel for 2 weeks.
Hi Chelle & Carl,
We first moved to central NC about 30 yrs ago. After living above the Mason-Dixon line much of our lives we realized that "snow" is a 4-letter word. A job opened up in central NC over 35 yrs ago and we jumped at it. Then, after a few yrs in CA we came back, to New Bern, to stay in 1998.
We've had boats in the water yr 'round since then and have sailed or motored every month of a yr. Not always every mo. every yr, sometimes Feb. stays cold too long or Aug. stays too hot (and little wind). Recently, while waiting for the dely (took 7 mo.s) of our new Horizon, I sailed a borrowed boat Nov. - Feb. New Horizon was deld mid-Mar. and I've only missed a cupla weeks of sailing at least once per week since.
Carl, I followed your trip here on the forum, good narrative.
Carl - as a longtime NC sailor I can say I've never heard of anyone pulling their boat for the winter. There's no point, when water temps generally stay in the 50s and there is great sailing except on the coldest or rainiest of days. I rarely go out in February, but otherwise am sailing every month of the year. Some of my best sails have been on NewYears Day.
I can tell you unequivocally that the water does not freeze, period!
Wes
Thanks Wes! Good to hear from a native Carolinan.
Carl, Al, and Wes ~ Thanks for all of the info re: the sailing season on the NC coastal waters — sign me up, please! I would love it there! I can't wait to get out that way for a visit! Maybe I could even trailer my Legacy there! Carl, I noticed you mentioned trail riding! We used to ride and had 'big horses,' (we had 2 Quarter horses and a Thoroughbred) but we lost our last big horse in 2015. We've had Mini horses since 2008 and, though we no longer do it hardly ever, our Mini horses are trained to pull carts. It's so much fun and a great alternative to riding! Also, on the action camera thing: I just bought a knockoff GoPro on Amazon — $65 or so. It gets thousands of great reviews. I will send you the link in case you want to check it out! Happy Sails, friends!