Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Big Apple #2 Close Call

Had a very close call with a boat dragging through the anchorage last night with 25knt winds.  I got up about 3am, not sure why, and went about double checking our drag alarm, chafe protection, and the like.  Not sure why I stayed up, but I poked my head out the companion way one last time before turning in and had a serious OMG moment.  There was a 45' sailboat bearing down on us fast.  The dodger was fogged up and I was not wearing my glasses so it just look terrifying.  I thought for sure they were going to t-bone right on our bow.  I quick got the engine started, then panic steered to port which swung the bow out of the way, but now the stern was the target and the boat was accelerating.  I then panic steered to starboard and gunned it which swung the stern out of the way to port just missing the stern of the dragging boat by inches.  The dragging boat was now traveling at least 6-7 knots as it blew by us heading for the rocks.

I grabbed the air horn and did a continuous blast into their cockpits as they went by.  With all the fog in our cockpit glass I could not tell if there was anyone at the helm in the dragging boat.  No lights were on.  I blasted until the air ran out.

By this time our anchor alarm was going off and I couldn't tell if we were tangled or if my panic steering had broken us loose.  The wind was gusting to 25 and the rain was coming in sheets.  I put the engine in neutral, and let Gypsy Queen settle back down on her anchor and she held.  So the alarm was from my panic steering which had set us quite a ways sideways.

So, now I began to breathe normally.. Sheesh that was a close one.  I got the radio on to call for help if the boat ended up fetching up on the rocks.  I got my glasses on (finally) and checked on the dragging boat and there were lights and she was underway.  WHewww.

In all that excitement I had called down to Christine who was asleep in the forward berth, so now with the situation under control I go below to check on what became of my first mate.  There she was snoozing away peacefully.  Pure envy on my part.  Holy smokes!  the air horn has got to be about 150db and the anchor alarm was clanging away and there she is peacefully SLEEPING!  Clearly I have my work cut out for me.

Oh, and about this time I realize that I have not a stitch of clothing on. Such is the life at anchor.

Monday, September 28, 2015

The BIG Apple #1

Last night we spent at Little Hook harbor near the Throgs Point bridge awaiting the tide at Hell Gate in NYC (sounds pleasant right).  We had the hardest time getting the delta plow to set and failed 3 times.  I guess the bottom here is just too hard.  It is the first time the plow had consistently failed to set even with the proper technique.  So, the solution was to switch our main rode with 120' of chain over to the Bruce.  Yea, it worked on the first try.  In the morning had some of the ugliest mud I have ever seen on an anchor...  Just one of the NYC welcome things.

Last night (9/27) the clouds cleared long enough to get a good look at the lunar eclipse.  Very cool.

Today, we set off at 9:30 timing our approach to Hell Gate to match the slack high tide.  My VHF radio was set to the wrong channel set (International), so when the USCG came on and announced a 'Security' call, I heard nothing on channel 22.  Dumb mistake.  It turns out the WHOLE East River was closed for the big UN meeting in NYC.  So, now we had to find a place to hang out AT Hell Gate for 6+ hours.  Sheesh.

So, we squeeked under the Harlem walking bridge (55' MHW) and up the Harlem River a mile or so to escape the 5+ knot tidal rip near the Gate.  The River should open up later today at 18:30 and we should be on our way to Liberty landing.  I had hoped not to do this at night, but looks like UN security trumps mine.. Oh well.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Submarine Museum

Groton CT is home of General Dynamics Electric Boat, makers of all the nations nuclear powered submarines.  It is also home to submarine fleet operations and the navel submarine museum.  So, you know us, we simply can't pass up free museums and this was no exception.

There are just amazing displays there including the USS Nautilus, the first submarine to traverse the North Pole under the ice.  All that in the age before GPS and computers.

The public can tour the boat which was simply fascinating.  The crew quarters make the berths on Gypsy Queen look palatial.  Only the captain of the boat had his own space and that was no bigger than David's quarter berth aft.


While we were there, a Virgina class Nuclear power sub came into port escorted by at least 4 police boats and two big tugs, and I thought docking our boat was tricky!  I checked the tide charts and sure enough they were only trying to park that sub at slack tide.
Saturday we plan to head down Long Island sound toward NYC.  Hopefully the crowds following the Pope will be cleared out by the time we get there.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

New London, CT

We sailed from Block Island MA to New London CT with the tide and without the benefit of much wind.  Fortunately the seas were very flat so out came the spinnaker.  We were lucky to reach 4 knots in about 7-9 knots true downwind.  So, mostly we bobbed around until we ran out of daylight hours and down came the spinnaker and on went the iron jib.  Now were were making hull speed!

When we got to the anchorage at New London, we thought maybe something was wrong.  There were NO other boats in the harbor or on the mooring balls.  Turns out that it was just out of season and we really did have the place to ourselves.

Today we took an Uber to THE defender.com warehouse and picked up some much needed parts. That included a new galley sink hand pump, new cheek blocks for the lazy jacks and cleats for the reef lines.

Tomorrow is a trip to the submarine museum in Groton, home of the US nuclear submarine force and the Nautilus, the worlds first nuclear powered submarine.  My father was in the nuclear business so this is kind of a touchstone for me.

Here is David thinking twice about taking a run though the fountain in the middle of town.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

What does a vegan eat for breakfast you ask?

Christine is a shining example of good food choices.  Here is her bowl of breakfast 'cereal' minus the cleavage...


I had coffee with too much flavored creamer and a bowl of standard 'cereal'.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Turning the Corner

Well, it looks like Cuttyhunk will have been our furthest point north this season.  The fall weather has finally arrived ushering the first full day in jeans and sweatshirts.

Or original plans were to make for Groton CT today, but our late start and the larger than expected sea state had us running to Block Island instead.  A bit shorter ride abeam the 4-6ft seas with some interesting snap rolls to >40 degrees heel.

We continue to get better acquainted with Gypsy Queen and after a few sea miles have come to understand her motion.  I can safely say that every time she has heeled violently, she has landed back on her feet and we have survived.

Now that we have a working water maker, Christine has embarked on several more water intensive projects like 1) laundry in the 5g bucket and 2) complete cockpit scrub down.  I sure appreciate how much effort she puts out keeping things organized and clean.

For my part, I was going to finish the life-raft lash down project this morning before leaving, but my first attempt was not inspiring.  Fortunately, I did not make any holes, just marks.  My thought is that the optimal position for the raft partially blocks Christine's view over the bow, so she favors a starboard position near the deck top grab rail.  I am concerned that position exposes the raft to more salt spray and I have never seen an IP38 with a raft there.  The deck lashings need more thought. You definitely do not want the raft washed overboard with a boarding wave, so the lashing hard points need to be strong enough to hold the raft even with a boarding wave.  More thought required and through-deck-with-backing-plate style mountings.

Another beautiful sunset from Block Island harbor.  God sure has blessed us to be able to live this way.

Goodbye Newport RI

Well it has been a full two weeks.  We know it has been two weeks because the harbor master stopped by the boat and reminded us that our 14 days were up on Tuesday.  That is a pretty sharp harbor master who can keep track of boats even if they move position in the anchorage, which we did after dragging, then going to fill up our water tanks.

We got several projects completed during our stay here both of which set us back about a BOAT each.  First was the re-certification of our emergency life raft, a Given Buoy 4-6 person Cadillac of a raft that I pick up for a song in Florida for $150 on the chance it COULD be re-certified.  Looks like we got lucky and now have a very nice raft to match our very nice boat.  Before we pull up anchor this morning, I need to finish the deck lashing with 2" nylon straps and quick releases and that project will be truly done.

The second project was the Spectra water maker.  Again, a very nice unit, but not functioning.  In this case it was pretty basic concepts and plumbing, so I took on the project myself and it paid dividends. The first dividend is that I now understand the system whereas before is was a mystery.  Second, I was able to simplify (think KISS) the plumbing removing several redundant valves and fittings. Third was cost.  We now have an 8gph water maker for the cost of the replacement parts.  The only thing remaining is to replace the accumulator which I think is broken because every time the Clark pump shifts it bangs a little.  The accumulator tank is supposed to soften the shifting which happens every 7 seconds when the pump is running.

We also went to all three days of the Newport Boat Show.  What we most enjoyed was the free seminars from Pam Hall (she is a kick) and Lee Cheasneau (THE original marine weather guru).  Just like in Oakland CA two years ago (our first boat show) we found ourselves drinking from the fire hose for a couple of days.  The cool thing is I think Christine has become a weather avoidance disciple after listening to Lee and seeing some of his slides of sailboats in F10 conditions.  The next project is to get our SSB radio recommissioned so we have a reliable source of weather fax charts.  I am almost tempted to spring for the price of an Irridium GO device just so we can have two sources for this critical information.  I have already tried a stand alone shortwave radio and iPad WeatherFax software, but no joy, just static even with the aerial antenna.  Oh well.

I will leave you with one last picture from Newport.  David and I were walking up to the Radio Shack for a cooling fan, when we found a family playing with a parachute in the park.  Just had to stop and play awhile.  It took some convincing from his new friend that is was actually OK to run under this thing!

Friday, September 18, 2015

Family and Mansions

We had visitors yesterday!  My cousin Mike Smith from Minnesota was in Boston visiting family and I saw a Facebook posting from them.  Hey, they were a short drive away, so we got in touch and serendipity strikes!  They had no plans for the following day, so drove down to Newport.

We spent a very pleasant afternoon and evening enjoying some restaurant food (thanks for lunch Mike and Jeanie) spent some time aboard Gypsy Queen, then went on the Cliff Walk.  Perfect weather, wonderful company, who could ask for more.



All the opulence of the Cliff Walk mansions reminded me of one of my favorite scriptures.

Proverbs 30

7“Two things I ask of you, Lord;
do not refuse me before I die:
8Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Water makers and Chocolate

Well, we almost have a water maker now.  One more part from the boat show this weekend and we should be up and running.  In the meantime, we have what looks like an out of control high school science project in our saloon.

Fortunately the galley is unaffected. Christine made hot chocolate and someone I know loved it!

Monday, September 14, 2015

Anchorage Adventures in Newport

So we had a bit of adventure at anchor yesterday.  The winds have been  clocking around several times which means the anchor has to reset.  So, yesterday afternoon Christine decided it was time for showers, so the only way to make hot water right now (since our AC water heater element is shorted) is to run the main engine.  Like a good first mate she knows the engine likes to work against a load even at idle, so she starts the engine and throws it into reverse.  Normally, it should just come to the end of the anchor rode and hold there, but surprise, we start dragging anchor into the mooring field.

So, we count our blessings that we were both on deck when we dragged.  We needed to take on some water anyway, so, we pull up anchor and off to the water dock.

On return it is just about sunset.  Another boat has taken our previous spot so we go hunting for another position.  We think we are getting pretty good at this anchoring thing now, so we find what looks like a good position in about 20' of water and I put out 90' of rode and we back down hard to set the hook.

A little while later the wind shift 90 degrees and I have this ESP that something is wrong.  I poke my head out the companion way, and low and behold, the boat that was 100' away is now right next to our port side.  Yikes!

I jump out on deck with a bumper and try to fend off, but my bow sprit is just crossing his lifelines. So I give a shout since I see their cabin lights on and the couple springs to action in their underwear.. He fends off while I attend to the rode.  Neither of us is dragging.  It is case of different scope.  He had over 130' out while I had only 90', so when the wind shifted 90 degrees he swung right over to me. The solution was for me to let out more scope and confirm that we were set by backing down on the rode again.

It is one of the mysteries of anchoring.  How are you supposed to know how much scope the neighboring boat has set out?

Wouldn't it be nice if there were some kind of flag system used in this situation?  Just pull into a crowded anchorage, observe the flags on other boats, then set your scope accordingly.

Sunday, September 13, 2015

New SSCA Members

Well, we finally broke down and joined the Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA).  I am just beginning to dig into all the available resources and now wonder why it took us this long to join. There is just so much good stuff on tap now including electronic copies of Ocean Navigator magazine with stories right down our alley.
We are looking forward to attending our first Gam in October near Annapolis MD.  We hope to find some other full time cruising families!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Track us on Delorme

Don't forget that you can see our current position and track on the Delorme site.

We typically turn on the satellite tracker which posts a position every hour while we are under way.

https://share.delorme.com/fishbaugher

Newport RI Fort Adams

It is hard to get used to just how much sailing is done around here.  On the West coast it is unusual to see a boat under sail.  Here, they are everywhere in every shape and size.  I am especially impressed with the schooners that are sailing with tourists all day long.  Other places, you can see they leave the engine on.  Not here.  The crew sails right off the dock and through the mooring field.

We went to Fort Adams today in the dingy and I managed to take a pretty impressive shot with beautiful boats, sky, bridge, and David in the foreground.  It almost looks like I know something about photography. Which officially I do not.  Click on the photo to get a bigger view.


Later we watched woman's rugby on the Fort Adams rugby pitch (not a typo).  Very odd.  May never see that again in  my LIFE!

Davids new Toy

We are in Newport RI and found this little battery powered train just perfect for David.  I thought this was very clever and small enough to setup on the drop table.

Newport RI Sunset

Yesterday in Newport was a study in contrasts.  We were rudely awoken early AM with the boat bucking and rolling bad enough to disturb sleep.  We forged on and stayed in bed as best we could. Winds were out of the NW which is the worst quadrant for the Newport anchorage. Hence the rocking and rolling.

We were scheduled to pick up a technician to work on the water maker that day, but it would have been a bit of a wet and wild ride, so we called it off.  Probably a God thing, since later in the day I did some disassembly myself and think I found my problem.  It remains to be seen if I can fix it.

Later yesterday, the winds finally died down and we were able to make it into town to do our laundry and some more wandering around.  All of the high price water front restaurants and bars are down on the water and I have to wonder what all the high class folks thought of us hauling laundry in our little dinghy.  Judging from the smiles and waves, I think we were in good company.

When we got back to Gypsy Queen, the wind had completely died but the overcast clouds were still with us at sunset.  It was just so unusual, that I had to go up on the deck and grab a panorama shot.  I remember when collecting a panorama was a serious job involving manually overlapping photos, correctly configuring the stitch software, then praying for a good result.  Now, I just point and sweep with my smart phone.  MUCH has changed.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Back to Newport

We spent Labor Day in Jamestown RI, had lunch at the portside cafe then made our way back to the Dutch Harbor anchorage and hoisted anchor to make way for Newport.


This was the first time I hoisted the main while the anchor was still set, a technique I observed others using in Cuttyhunk MA.  The idea is that the main stabilizes the boat direct downwind and allows you to sail off directly after the anchor comes off the bottom.  It works pretty well.

The wind was blowing about 15-20 knots, so I put a single reef in the main as I raised it at anchor. Christine sailed off and we unfurled the staysail for a nice comfortable ride out of the harbor.  We tacked against both the current (0.5kn) and the wind blowing now with 25kn apparent close hauled. This is the first time we have heel past 20 degrees with a reef and just the staysail.  It was a boisterous ride up the West Channel with about 7-8 tacks before making the marker at Newton head.  The good news is that with just the staysail deployed we are able to self tack , which means no scrambling at the winches to tack, just steer the boat through the wind and you are off.

We made 4-5 knots at 45-50 degrees to the wind which I consider pretty good performance with the 3+ft wind waves on the bow.  Of course, you have to be patient if you want to avoid using the iron jib which we managed to do.  Once around the head it was a downwind gallop at 6-7 knots with just the reefed main  up.

As we were heading into Newport bay, another boat about our size blasted by us with a full spinnaker flying.  Both Christine and I looked at each other and shuddered.  The boat was vastly overpowered and just waiting to round up into a disaster.  Sure enough, when we got into the bay the boat was rounding up and the spinnaker flailing wildly.  It took them a good 20 minutes to get the boat under control and I think they managed to damage the spinnaker getting it furled on a head stay.  Lesson learned, don't let the boat get over powered.

After a long sail, we picked up some water at the floating water dock in Newport (157gal), then made for the anchorage.  The next lesson learned is how to NOT mix rum and your 4 year old's hobby paints.


It's a good thing they are washable!

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Jamestown RI and Dutch Harbor

What a nice passage from Cuttyhunk this afternoon.  We got up in time for church and David enjoyed some personal attention at the Sunday school.  He was one of 4 kids attending, and the only 4 year old.

The service was Catholic,  and it was good to sing some of the hymns from my childhood.  There was no priest, so the homily was the first "communal homily" I have experienced.  There were maybe 30 people and we were invited to share our thoughts about the readings.  It was different and interesting.

After church we said goodbye to Veit and Hansi Mueller from the s/v Atman.  A wonderful couple that we met in Cap May and managed to link up again in Cuttyhunk.  Veit and I also share a professional interest in energy saving.  He runs a company that sells european type LED fixtures in the United States.  Their German accents are wonderful and we wonder what they must think of our Western Oregon DRaawwll.

The passage was mostly up hill with winds from 12-20 knots.  Gypsy Queen really finds her stride when  the winds are at least 12-13 knots.  We ended up on a beam reach into Newport bay area doing about 7 knots and 30 degrees of heel.  This is the first time that we have heeled that far for any length of time.  We stayed on that tack for at least 2 hours and Christine was comfortable resting in the sun on the deck.  Normally that is just too exciting for her, but we are learning to trust the boat even when the rails are getting wet.

This is also the first time that we have broken out the hammock under sail attaching it to the inner forestay and the mast.  I took a turn and my cell phone came out of my pocket.  Miraculously, the phone stayed in the hammock even though it was was whipped around in the wind.

Christine takes the first turn!
There are some incredibly beautiful boats in these waters including fully rigged schooners the the like.
 
We ended up at Dutch Harbor near Jamestown RI (across from Newport) just at sunset.  It is hard to believe that this is just 'life' for us.  Most everyone else around us are on 'vacation' mode and are surprise when we tell them our boat is our only home.  This is Labor Day weekend so by Tuesday I anticipate it will start getting pretty lonely at the anchorage and our thoughts will begin to turn SOUTH.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Cuttyhunk MA

We left Newport on 8/31/15 after we picked up some water, fuel, and a new starter battery.  We also dropped off our life raft which we had pick up in Florida for a bargain $150 without really knowing if it could be certified for off shore use.  It turns out that it can be certified and we have a nice Givens Bouy life raft for the cost of a yearly recertification.  Someone is smiling on use.

Here is a piece of gear we NEVER hope to use:



We had a nice downwind sail to Cuttyhunk MA where we found a community of mostly summer dwelling of the rich while only 35 people stay year around. The one room school house (k-8) has TWO full time students.




We had some nice hikes and discovered a WWII bunker on the West side of the island.  We hiked up there on the evening when the community was going to show an old Buster Keaton silent movie (Cops) accompanied by a live pianist.  It was great fun and everyone showed up and crammed the little town hall to bursting.  We sat on the floor and had a great time.