A natural at the helm
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Brother aboard
We met my brother Bob in Baltimore and we spent a week together cruising the Chesapeake Bay. Wonder time had by all.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Big Apple #5 Great Kills
Kind of a strange name for a very nice harbor.. Great Kills.
Yesterday we saw the NE wind forecast from the NE, and the coastal flooding translating into greater than usual flood tides up the Hudson. That spelled only one thing to us after several nights of severe rolls on the 79th street moorings when the winds ran counter to tide.. we had to get out of there. The night before the mooring ball was bumping into the hull keeping us up and worried about damage. So, in the morning we started looking for a better solution and found Great Kills harbor on Statten Island.
We left in pretty iffy conditions and managed to loose a winch handle I had left (I thought locked) to the winch on the mast. Oh well, another expensive PLUNK. Fortunately we had more than one handle on board. After a wild ride abeam of the 25knt winds and waves we made it through the narrow pass into the harbor and were rewarded with dead calm conditions. Ahhh.. nice.
The plan now is hang out here until the gale conditions abate on the coastal waters of NJ so we can make our way south. No rain and moderate winds predicted today (Sunday), so I think we will go ashore, take the train to the ferry and go into Manhattan for some exploring. We have yet to see the Freedom tower and memorial and hope to get to that today.
"New York, New York, it's a wonderful town, the Bronx is up and the Battery down, the people all go in a hole in the ground. New York, New York... it's a won-der-ful TOWN!"
Yesterday we saw the NE wind forecast from the NE, and the coastal flooding translating into greater than usual flood tides up the Hudson. That spelled only one thing to us after several nights of severe rolls on the 79th street moorings when the winds ran counter to tide.. we had to get out of there. The night before the mooring ball was bumping into the hull keeping us up and worried about damage. So, in the morning we started looking for a better solution and found Great Kills harbor on Statten Island.
We left in pretty iffy conditions and managed to loose a winch handle I had left (I thought locked) to the winch on the mast. Oh well, another expensive PLUNK. Fortunately we had more than one handle on board. After a wild ride abeam of the 25knt winds and waves we made it through the narrow pass into the harbor and were rewarded with dead calm conditions. Ahhh.. nice.
The plan now is hang out here until the gale conditions abate on the coastal waters of NJ so we can make our way south. No rain and moderate winds predicted today (Sunday), so I think we will go ashore, take the train to the ferry and go into Manhattan for some exploring. We have yet to see the Freedom tower and memorial and hope to get to that today.
"New York, New York, it's a wonderful town, the Bronx is up and the Battery down, the people all go in a hole in the ground. New York, New York... it's a won-der-ful TOWN!"
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Big Apple #4 Provisioning ON BROADWAY
The 79th street boat basin is just two blocks from Broadway. So we went in the dingy on a wet ride with the Hudson River running at what must have been 3-4 knots of current. It is a little exciting to get on and off the boat in those kinds of currents.
So we walked up and found the local grocery. Imagine ALL of the products in a full sized Safeway on the West Coast crammed into a space 1/3 the size. Almost claustrophobic!
We continue to keep an eye on the progress of Hurricane Joaquin. If she heads toward NYC, we will retreat up the Hudson.
So we walked up and found the local grocery. Imagine ALL of the products in a full sized Safeway on the West Coast crammed into a space 1/3 the size. Almost claustrophobic!
Big Apple #3 Mooring in the Heart of NYC
While at anchor near the Statue of Liberty, another boat came in, ParPar with Henry as captain. With the dragging excitement the night before, I decided to take the dinghy over and introduce myself and compare ground tackle.
Turns out that ParPar is a veteran traveler with thousands of miles under her keel. They had been in Guatemala, and were heading back south from a visit to Nova Scotia. It is alway nice to compare notes with other live aboard captains.
So Henry and I got to talking and he mentioned a mooring field at 79th street on the Hudson just 3 blocks from Broadway, another two blocks to Central Park etc... all for $30/night! How's that for cheap NYC accommodations.. you just need to bring your own floating house! Wait. We have one of those!
We couldn't pass that up, so followed ParPar up the Hudson with the tide. Only the tide did not exist! There had been a bit of rain, so the tide tables were completely off and what was scheduled to be a flood tide turned out to be pretty serious ebb given the flood waters coming down the river.
Now the odd part. We got to the 79th street boat basin and took one of the yellow transient mooring balls. We arrived ahead of ParPar because we were larger/faster and it turns out that I took the LAST transient ball. Not good. Here I just made a new friend in Henry and I end up taking the last ball!
Major credit to Henry though. We contacted each other on the radio and he was remarkably good natured about the whole thing. I offered to raft up, but the marina/conditions really didn't allow that. So they anchored just north of the mooring field and we exchanged cell numbers and I promised to call him when one the transient mooring balls came free (first come first serve only).
Anyway, last night was serious rolls. Finally the flood tide got going (North set) with 20kn winds from the North. Bad things happen when the wind blows one way, and the water is moving the opposite way. It would appear that on the Hudson the result is about 4ft standing waves. Gypsy Queen with her full keel wants to set to the current flow, but the wind blew her sideways to the standing waves.
So, our usual sleep pattern emerged again. Christine sleeps like a rock and Mark gets up repeatedly to check on the boat and store items that had become airborne and banging back and forth. She owes me a nice nap today!
Turns out that ParPar is a veteran traveler with thousands of miles under her keel. They had been in Guatemala, and were heading back south from a visit to Nova Scotia. It is alway nice to compare notes with other live aboard captains.
So Henry and I got to talking and he mentioned a mooring field at 79th street on the Hudson just 3 blocks from Broadway, another two blocks to Central Park etc... all for $30/night! How's that for cheap NYC accommodations.. you just need to bring your own floating house! Wait. We have one of those!
We couldn't pass that up, so followed ParPar up the Hudson with the tide. Only the tide did not exist! There had been a bit of rain, so the tide tables were completely off and what was scheduled to be a flood tide turned out to be pretty serious ebb given the flood waters coming down the river.
Now the odd part. We got to the 79th street boat basin and took one of the yellow transient mooring balls. We arrived ahead of ParPar because we were larger/faster and it turns out that I took the LAST transient ball. Not good. Here I just made a new friend in Henry and I end up taking the last ball!
Major credit to Henry though. We contacted each other on the radio and he was remarkably good natured about the whole thing. I offered to raft up, but the marina/conditions really didn't allow that. So they anchored just north of the mooring field and we exchanged cell numbers and I promised to call him when one the transient mooring balls came free (first come first serve only).
Anyway, last night was serious rolls. Finally the flood tide got going (North set) with 20kn winds from the North. Bad things happen when the wind blows one way, and the water is moving the opposite way. It would appear that on the Hudson the result is about 4ft standing waves. Gypsy Queen with her full keel wants to set to the current flow, but the wind blew her sideways to the standing waves.
So, our usual sleep pattern emerged again. Christine sleeps like a rock and Mark gets up repeatedly to check on the boat and store items that had become airborne and banging back and forth. She owes me a nice nap today!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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