Remote Posting: Cruise has started

[tmw]

It doesn't look like fun.  The NOAA buoys showed Stingray max wave heights over 5 feet yesterday.
http://buoybay.noaa.gov/locations/stingray-point

If you do make it up to Annapolis, the highway signs on Rt. 50 said the Blue Angels were Tuesday 11-2 and Wednesday 2-4.  That seems to coincide with the Navy Academy commissioning week schedule:  http://www.usna.edu/CommissioningWeek/Schedule/

It could be fun to see them if the weather clears up and you make it up north [the aircraft carrier air shows were impressive, although quite different].  Sadly, family won't allow me to escape, but I'll be following your adventures here.  Hope the trip improves.

[HeaveToo]

At one point Annapolis was a goal. I am not sure where I am going to get to on this trip. I have to admit that I am missing my wife quite a bit. This incessant rainy weather doesn't help. Currently it is raining and cold. It rained all last night. I could really go for some warmer, sunny weather. Everything feels damp in the cabin although it is just me and it isn't really damp.

Urbanna is a nice town. If it wasn't for the weather being outright nasty yesterday, wind clocking around when I was 5 miles out and blowing 20+knots, and my outboard issue I would probably like this place more. It has a lot of good things within walking distance. I was able to get some Seafoam at a NAPA that was close by and I picked up some minor grocery items at the grocery store. All walking distance from the free dingy dock at the Town Marina. The dingy dock is free too and there is ice on site. Like I said, this is a nice place with friendly people but tomorrow, when I leave here, I will put my rudder to it and probably never return. This is quite a haul up the Rappahannock River.

Wish me luck with the outboard. I am hoping the problem is solved. My spark plugs looked fine, fuel was going through the fuel filter fine, and I did get to idle yesterday. I swear that my ideal is a little low on the engine. Hopefully the Seafoam will clean it out the rest of the way and I will have no more issues with it. Guys, I could use a few prayers on that one. Nothing stresses me out more than issues like that!

[HeaveToo]

One quick apology. I am typing these posts on an iPhone so I can see what is being typed and autocorrected until I post. My small inverter for my laptop eats up battery power and there has t been much sun so I am Leary of depleting my battery bank. I am sorry for typos and odd words, I promise that my writing is much better than this.

[tmw]

If this forecast is to be believed, tonight should be the last of it, and then you'll have the rest of the week of beautiful sunshine and pleasant temperatures.  Don't apologize for the iPhone, but enjoy it, and best of luck with the outboard.

[Bob23]

Matt:
  The spelling police are on their way and you'll be promptly arrested and tried. Need a lawyer? My cousin Rocko is your man.
I'm toying with a remote spin on filter for the boat. It can't hurt and there's room on our 23's. Keep up the good journalistic work...it's encouraging to see someone is out there doing it.
Bob23

[Mas]

Hey Heave,

So sorry we could not be down when you headed up the "Rivah" to Urbanna. We missed you by a day. You passed across the entrance to Locklies where No Mas lives. Maybe next time. Just up stream from Urbanna is the Carrotoman where there is an absolutely perfect sandy beach anchorage with anchoring depths just feet off the beach. It is a fav for us.

Your weather may not be prefect but you are out there and I am looking at fields that need cutting once this rain stops. Will miss the boat this week but at least the weather is due to break. Happy sailing to ya!

[HeaveToo]

Thanks Rick.

The place you mentioned is a fall back place if we don't get wind tomorrow. If I get wind then I will head towards Indian Creek.

[HeaveToo]

This morning started well.   The engine started ok and I ran it to just outside the harbor. The winds were light and I set the main and then the spinnaker. I shut the engine down and it seemed okay. I then started a 18 mile spinnaker run where the winds built to -0-15 knots. I flew out of the Rappahannock like my head was on fire and my butt was catching.

I got out in the bay and turned hard to the wind. Again I took off like a gunshot. I was fi I g to set some serious personal distance records and the. The Chesapeake said NO!  I was in the middle of an 8 boat manhaden fishing fleet and the winds crapped out to nothing. I tried to fire up the outboard and she would t run!  Oh no!  I am in a bad spot with all kinds of things going on with no engine and no wind.

Luckily my Uncle was close by to bail me out. He towed me into Indian Creek. I contacted Chesapeaky Bay Boat Basin and they said that they can get to my engine tomorrow. So right now I am sitting in Indian Creek rafter up to my Uncle's Catalina 34.

Guys, say some prayers or wish for some luck that my engine is a quick and eay fix. I think it is the carb and it needs to be cleaned. All the symptoms are there. Either way, I could use a little luck that this doesn't break the bank. I have darn near busted the cruising kitty this year.

[tmw]

I'll be wishing you luck on getting your motor fixed quickly.  It looks like a beautiful week, and sounds like it was almost a really fun day.

[HeaveToo]

Today I got my outboard back from Chesapeake Bay Boat Basin. The total pai was $181. The worst part is that I caused this. Apparently I had my mix too rich. I have no idea how I did this because I am careful about mixing. None the less it was the major problem and I have new spark plugs and my carb was cleaned. It was a painful learning experience. Oh well, I am set to go and I will leave Indian Creek tomorrow morning.

Most single handers don't breach this subject but I will tackle it. I am a bit homesick. I have a lot going on back there and I miss it. My wife has been patient and she will have to remain that way for a while. I still have a ways to go to get to home. I will probably cut the cruise short a few days. Oh yeah, my cruising kitty is gasping for breath too!  Either way I am loving this trip despite a few hardships. I have had some lovely spinnaker runs, epic ones. I have also tested the skill of this helmsman and the metal of this boat and both stood tall. My Stingray Point story checked out and I went through five foot waves!  It was t even close either, I never was really concerned or had thoughts of turning back.

The funny part is that I want to go home and as soon as I get there I will be dying to get back out here. Finding the correct balance is tough. I doubt that I will ever totally find it.

[frank]

I think this poem suits many of us....


""By  Don Blanding

How very simple life would be
If only there were two of me
A Restless Me to drift and roam
A Quiet Me to stay at home.
A Searching One to find his fill
Of varied skies and newfound thrill.
While sane and homely things are done
By the domestic Other One.
And that's just where the trouble lies;
There is a Restless Me that cries
For chancy risks and changing scene,
For arctic blue and tropic green,
For mountains with their mystic spell,
For lusty fun and raising hell.

But shackled to that Restless Me
My Other Self rebelliously
Resists the frantic urge to move.
It seeks the old familiar groove
That habits make. It finds content
With hearth and home dear prisonment,
With candlelight and well loved books
And treasured loot in dusty nooks,

With puttering and garden things
And dreaming while a cricket sings
And all the while the Restless One
Insists on more exciting fun,
It wants to go with every tide,
No matter where, just for the ride.
Like yowling cats the two selves brawl
Until I have no peace at all.

One eye turns to the forward track,
The other eye looks sadly back,
I'm getting wall-eyed from the strain,
(It's tough to have an idle brain).
But One says "Stay" and One says "Go"
And One says "Yes," and One says "No,"
And One Self wants a home and wife
And One Self craves the drifter's life.

The Restless Fellow always wins
I wish my folks had made me twins. ""

[TedStrat]

Excellent poem Frank- well suited indeed. Now I know the problem! Thx

[HeaveToo]

Today was an amazing sail!  In total I sailed over 35 miles, all under sail, 28 under spinnaker. Top speed was 6.2 knots on a surf.

I left Indian Creek at 8:00am. I made it to the Coan River in the Potomas by 5:00pm. I managed to run the autopilot with the spinnaker up for a while and I did shoot some video of it.

The only minor issue was that I was defended down upon by a plague of black biting flies. It was too warm to wear a lot but the constant bites was maddening. I guess they jumped on while I was going by Reedsville.

I am back in the Potmoac. I will probably make one more stop and return home on Saturday. This has been a good trip overall.

[Salty19]

Heave, I'm really enjoying your cruising story, bleak rain and all.   Wish you fair winds and water for the rest of your cruise.

[HeaveToo]

Just par for the course on this cruise, my anchor isn't working tonight. I don't have the tools to troubleshoot it now. Ugh, this has had it's share of issues. I hope that it is the mast side of the deck plug. I need a voltmeter to test it but that is not on board.   I am a bit frustrated with stupid stuff like this.