actually, it slammed shut. We left Chesapeake City on Monday (after waiting out : 1- a canal CLOSED because of fog and 2- gale force winds) and traveled to Tolchester, Maryland and the Tolchester Marina, where we stopped for fuel. We didn't have enough sun left to make it to Annapolis , so we decided to stay for the night. The next morning, the weather forecast was for two days of winds to 30 knots, gusting to 35/40 and a week of temperatures in the low 40's in the daytime and 20's at night. At this rate it would take a week or more to get to Norfolk, and temperatures there were similar. No warming trend in the near future. Our friends on the Corbin 39 were in Oriental NC and also complaining of cold conditions. This was not any fun and beginning to seem futile. It is one thing to deliver a boat in fair weather, quite another in miserable weather. So......rather than learn to HATE sailing the Tartan south, we decided to "pull the plug" and look forward to another sailing season with anticipation of challenge, beauty and joy!
Tolchester Marina is a great facility, with a big yard, 4 travel lifts, and friendly, helpful people. They were able to accommodate us. The boat was hauled yesterday, in a snowstorm. The last two days we were there, the temperatures didn't climb out of the 30's, even when the sun came out. We are home now, with a fire in the wood stove. We return after Thanksgiving to finish cleaning out the boat.
Plans are to bring the boat back to Lake Champlain for the summer, then to leave for the south MUCH EARLIER next fall!
Travels aboard Trefoil to continue....
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Weathering the weather
Our progress is very slow, as we keep getting caught in bad weather--rain, high winds, fog. After 4 days in Atlantic City, we had a break and moved to Cape May. We had hoped to sail that day, but once again we were headed directly into the wind. Actually, it ended up being a fairly calm day, and we arrived at Utsche's Marina in Cape May after a good day. Colby traveled that day with his buddy Roscoe on Triton's Trumpet.
Then high winds again, so we were 3 nights, two days at Cape May. We knew that the trip up the Delaware Bay would be a long one, and didn't know how it would work out. Our friend Carol Clarke, who lives on the eastern shore of Maryland, had offered to come get any or all of us at Cape May for a break. We decided to ask her to take Colby for a few days, to give us one less thing to have to consider as we made our way up the Delaware Bay. So Carol drove over 3 hours each way to pick Colby up! He has visited her and Rick several times with us on trips back from North Carolina, so he is apparently very comfortable there and having a good time. We think he is secretly relieved to be off the boat for a while! Running and retrieving are his favorite activities, and he doesn't get much of that on a 34 foot boat.
John and Linda ventured out the first day and called us to say "Don't go out! We're coming back!" Waves were up to 5 feet and very confused. The next day, we were able to move. We left at 5:50 AM, first making 6 knots under power, but by 3:00 we were down to 3 knots. The tides on the Delaware Bay and river can be very strong. So we anchored for the night near the entrance to the C & D Canal, and in the morning, the tides were with us. We were in Chesapeake City, only two miles from the Chesapeake Bay, by 10:00 AM. It started to pour, so we went to the town dock, and rafted up with Triton's Trumpet. The next day, the C & D Canal was closed to all boat traffic due to fog, and foggy it was. Today, there is a gale warning on the Chesapeake Bay, so we stay put again. We plan to pick Colby up when we get to St. Michael's, but not sure when we will be able to get there.
We have been staying in marinas much more than anticipated, so being at the free town dock ($15 per day for electric) is a good break. Chesapeake City has a beautiful old downtown area, with lots of shops, restaurants, and B & B's. We had a great Chesapeake crab dinner at the "Tap Room" after we arrived. (There are some benefits to being "stuck"!) Right now we are at the public library, to get Wifi. Internet access has been spotty along our route. We are used to being able to communicate so the internet situation leaves us somewhat isolated. (Karen's phone does receive Email daily, however, and we really like hearing from you all.)
Our plan all along has been to leave the boat somewhere by mid-December, and drive home for Christmas. Don't know far we will get at this rate. The weather will dictate!
Then high winds again, so we were 3 nights, two days at Cape May. We knew that the trip up the Delaware Bay would be a long one, and didn't know how it would work out. Our friend Carol Clarke, who lives on the eastern shore of Maryland, had offered to come get any or all of us at Cape May for a break. We decided to ask her to take Colby for a few days, to give us one less thing to have to consider as we made our way up the Delaware Bay. So Carol drove over 3 hours each way to pick Colby up! He has visited her and Rick several times with us on trips back from North Carolina, so he is apparently very comfortable there and having a good time. We think he is secretly relieved to be off the boat for a while! Running and retrieving are his favorite activities, and he doesn't get much of that on a 34 foot boat.
John and Linda ventured out the first day and called us to say "Don't go out! We're coming back!" Waves were up to 5 feet and very confused. The next day, we were able to move. We left at 5:50 AM, first making 6 knots under power, but by 3:00 we were down to 3 knots. The tides on the Delaware Bay and river can be very strong. So we anchored for the night near the entrance to the C & D Canal, and in the morning, the tides were with us. We were in Chesapeake City, only two miles from the Chesapeake Bay, by 10:00 AM. It started to pour, so we went to the town dock, and rafted up with Triton's Trumpet. The next day, the C & D Canal was closed to all boat traffic due to fog, and foggy it was. Today, there is a gale warning on the Chesapeake Bay, so we stay put again. We plan to pick Colby up when we get to St. Michael's, but not sure when we will be able to get there.
We have been staying in marinas much more than anticipated, so being at the free town dock ($15 per day for electric) is a good break. Chesapeake City has a beautiful old downtown area, with lots of shops, restaurants, and B & B's. We had a great Chesapeake crab dinner at the "Tap Room" after we arrived. (There are some benefits to being "stuck"!) Right now we are at the public library, to get Wifi. Internet access has been spotty along our route. We are used to being able to communicate so the internet situation leaves us somewhat isolated. (Karen's phone does receive Email daily, however, and we really like hearing from you all.)
Our plan all along has been to leave the boat somewhere by mid-December, and drive home for Christmas. Don't know far we will get at this rate. The weather will dictate!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Adventures in Atlantic City
After 2 nights in Jersey City, it was time to move. The first day to Manasquan, NY, a small fishing port. Following the compass course so as to reach Manasquan, we were headed directly into the South wind, so we motored all day. Our first experience with fixed docks, rather than floating docks. So getting Colby off the boat at low tide was a real challenge!
Then the next day on to Atlantic City. This day we put up the main, and still motored. Having some sail up made the motion easier, but it was a long day, over 50 miles. We got to Atlantic City just at dusk, as the wind was picking up, and we became disoriented in the heavy surf going into the harbor. All of a sudden we realized we were headed directly at a beach! We quickly turned around and headed back out, and called the Coast Guard. They very kindly sent out a boat and guided us in. Thank you US Coast Guard!!! We had made an incorrect assumption, that the harbour would be well marked.
Our friends John and Linda, on Triton's Trumpet, a 41 foot trawler, who have done this several times before, said they also had a tough time getting in. But they have a chartplotter, and followed their previous route in. Soooo.......you guessed it, yesterday we went to West Marine and bought a chartplotter. We have along way to go, and we were really lucky this time. We will, of course, continue to use our paper charts, but having backup makes a ton of sense. We have a computer program, but the nav station is below, and it would be difficult to try to work with a computer in our open cockpit boat.
Anyway, a big nor'easter came through, with winds gusting to 50 knots and seas 9 to 14 feet. All day Wednesday it blew hard; Wednesday night we had lots of extra line out. We are at a small marina, Gardiner's Boat Basin, next to the Aquarium. We are on an outer dock, so we had protection, but it was minimal. Even last night when we went to bed it was gusting to 30, but today it has calmed down quite a bit. Today we wait for the seas to calm down, and will likely head for Cape May tomorrw, Sunday at the latest. Today Dick is installing the chartplotter. We also need to repair our inflatable, which was damaged on Wednesday night in the storm.
A positive note! Karen's brand new Helly Hansen jacket has already ripped on one sleeve. A contact with Helly Hansen today, and they have a new one waiting at the Helly Hansen store in Annapolis!
Then the next day on to Atlantic City. This day we put up the main, and still motored. Having some sail up made the motion easier, but it was a long day, over 50 miles. We got to Atlantic City just at dusk, as the wind was picking up, and we became disoriented in the heavy surf going into the harbor. All of a sudden we realized we were headed directly at a beach! We quickly turned around and headed back out, and called the Coast Guard. They very kindly sent out a boat and guided us in. Thank you US Coast Guard!!! We had made an incorrect assumption, that the harbour would be well marked.
Our friends John and Linda, on Triton's Trumpet, a 41 foot trawler, who have done this several times before, said they also had a tough time getting in. But they have a chartplotter, and followed their previous route in. Soooo.......you guessed it, yesterday we went to West Marine and bought a chartplotter. We have along way to go, and we were really lucky this time. We will, of course, continue to use our paper charts, but having backup makes a ton of sense. We have a computer program, but the nav station is below, and it would be difficult to try to work with a computer in our open cockpit boat.
Anyway, a big nor'easter came through, with winds gusting to 50 knots and seas 9 to 14 feet. All day Wednesday it blew hard; Wednesday night we had lots of extra line out. We are at a small marina, Gardiner's Boat Basin, next to the Aquarium. We are on an outer dock, so we had protection, but it was minimal. Even last night when we went to bed it was gusting to 30, but today it has calmed down quite a bit. Today we wait for the seas to calm down, and will likely head for Cape May tomorrw, Sunday at the latest. Today Dick is installing the chartplotter. We also need to repair our inflatable, which was damaged on Wednesday night in the storm.
A positive note! Karen's brand new Helly Hansen jacket has already ripped on one sleeve. A contact with Helly Hansen today, and they have a new one waiting at the Helly Hansen store in Annapolis!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Colby views Manhattan!
We are now at Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, right across from Lower Manhattan. We had intended to leave this morning to start down the Jersey Coast, but winds for today were predicted to be gusting to 30, with seas 5 to 7 feet. We decided to stay put for today, as did the folks we met at Haverstraw, who have done this trip several times before. This gave us a chance to do some provisioning and go for a long walk in Liberty Park, in view of the Statue of Liberty.
Colby stayed here at the marina with dockmaster Michelle and her dog, Shasta, while we were shopping. We hear that Colby was greeting boats at the gas dock this afternoon! The staff here have been great; this is a very friendly place. Over 500 slips at the marina, average boat size is about 48 feet!!
The next two days are predicted to be fairly mild, with winds 10 to 15. If predictions are correct, we may end up in Atlantic City for a couple of days, as it is forecast to get a bit nasty for Wed and Thurs. Perhaps we'll learn to gamble!
We are so out of touch, we didn't realize daylight savings time started today, until we turned on the phone this AM. This will have an impact on our schedule; earlier to bed and earlier to rise, so we can get to our next destination before sunset! Colby does need those trips ashore.
Colby stayed here at the marina with dockmaster Michelle and her dog, Shasta, while we were shopping. We hear that Colby was greeting boats at the gas dock this afternoon! The staff here have been great; this is a very friendly place. Over 500 slips at the marina, average boat size is about 48 feet!!
The next two days are predicted to be fairly mild, with winds 10 to 15. If predictions are correct, we may end up in Atlantic City for a couple of days, as it is forecast to get a bit nasty for Wed and Thurs. Perhaps we'll learn to gamble!
We are so out of touch, we didn't realize daylight savings time started today, until we turned on the phone this AM. This will have an impact on our schedule; earlier to bed and earlier to rise, so we can get to our next destination before sunset! Colby does need those trips ashore.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Reversal and Re-reversal
1) The REVERSAL
We filled Trefoil up with diesel earlier this week and discovered that the moronic mechanic that installed the tank had made a small but important mistake! WHAT? A LEAK! OH NO!!!!
We had this discovery in Haverstraw while the wind was blowing at 40 gusting to 50 or more. What a joy.
We left Haverstraw for Kingston with the sad thought that we would have to pull the boat, probably for the Winter. We were cold, wet and discouraged. (Oh, I forgot to tell you that our nav computer would not find our GPS).
2)RE- REVERSAL
After reaching Kingston and resting for a day, we took a look at our tank situation and discovered that the problem could be corrected! We can not fill the tank to capacity or we will re-institute the damage but....it'll be all right.
Navigation - Karen called the Garmin Corp. (maker of most of our GPS equipment ) and apparently found the absolutely SMARTEST tech they have. After SEVERAL HOURS he had created a digital miracle which allows a match between components that CAN'T MATCH! So, we are able to return to a southerly course with adequate fuel and our nav system (backed by paper charts) functioning. We three will rest well this night.
Dick, Karen & Colby
We filled Trefoil up with diesel earlier this week and discovered that the moronic mechanic that installed the tank had made a small but important mistake! WHAT? A LEAK! OH NO!!!!
We had this discovery in Haverstraw while the wind was blowing at 40 gusting to 50 or more. What a joy.
We left Haverstraw for Kingston with the sad thought that we would have to pull the boat, probably for the Winter. We were cold, wet and discouraged. (Oh, I forgot to tell you that our nav computer would not find our GPS).
2)RE- REVERSAL
After reaching Kingston and resting for a day, we took a look at our tank situation and discovered that the problem could be corrected! We can not fill the tank to capacity or we will re-institute the damage but....it'll be all right.
Navigation - Karen called the Garmin Corp. (maker of most of our GPS equipment ) and apparently found the absolutely SMARTEST tech they have. After SEVERAL HOURS he had created a digital miracle which allows a match between components that CAN'T MATCH! So, we are able to return to a southerly course with adequate fuel and our nav system (backed by paper charts) functioning. We three will rest well this night.
Dick, Karen & Colby
Thursday, October 23, 2008
It's great to have friends!
We finally received our new furling jib. Fed Ex really dropped the ball on this, but our friends came through, "Pony Express" style! The sail arrived on Tuesday at Jim Morris' business in Queensbury; he drove it to Kathy Burns in Clifton Park that evening, and Kathy drove it to us in Catskill on Wednesday. Thank you both so much!
Our mast went up late yesterday afternoon, and we spent all today today rigging. With a brand new roller furlng system, there was new hardware to install. So tomorrow we will put on the main, re-install the bimini, fuel up with diesel and be on our way. The folks at Riverside Marine Services here in Catskill have been most helpful. They even offered to adopt Colby as a "yard dog."
We have enjoyed the company of new friends, Ingo and Anneliese aboard Strademarius. Ingo gave us a software program with tide tables, which is very useful.
It is supposed to drop into the high 20's tonight. Brrrr! We are glad to have our little heater. Hopefully we'll see some warmer temperatures before much longer.
Our mast went up late yesterday afternoon, and we spent all today today rigging. With a brand new roller furlng system, there was new hardware to install. So tomorrow we will put on the main, re-install the bimini, fuel up with diesel and be on our way. The folks at Riverside Marine Services here in Catskill have been most helpful. They even offered to adopt Colby as a "yard dog."
We have enjoyed the company of new friends, Ingo and Anneliese aboard Strademarius. Ingo gave us a software program with tide tables, which is very useful.
It is supposed to drop into the high 20's tonight. Brrrr! We are glad to have our little heater. Hopefully we'll see some warmer temperatures before much longer.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Waiting in Waterford!
Departure from Port Henry was at 4:00 PM on October 14. W e anchored the first night at Fort Ticonderoga, then on to Whitehall. After going through Lock 12, we tied up at the town dock for overnight. Then two more days in the canal, arriving at Waterford on Friday, October 17. What a nice facility here; walking distance to grocery store, laundromat, and restaurants, and a Farmers' Market on Sunday with lots of fresh produce, so we really stocked up.
We had lots of company here; Kathy Burns stopped by, Sharon Davidson and Mike Nelson also came to visit. Our good friend Larry Ascenzi took us to do errands all Saturday afternoon, and helped us discover that a potential problem wasn't really a problem at all on Sunday. We are waiting for Jim Morris to deliver our new jib which we had ordered from JSI about a month ago. He offered to have it shipped to him, and is planning to bring it to us here. Once we have that, we will be underway again, down the Hudson. We are planning to have the mast stepped at Catskill, where will also be able to get diesel and propane for our stove.
Colby is doing well; he really prefers it when the boat is tied to a dock, so he can play more!
Nights have been chilly, with frost the past two nights, but we have a small ceramic heater when we are plugged in, and an alcohol burning heat pal for nights at anchor.
We had lots of company here; Kathy Burns stopped by, Sharon Davidson and Mike Nelson also came to visit. Our good friend Larry Ascenzi took us to do errands all Saturday afternoon, and helped us discover that a potential problem wasn't really a problem at all on Sunday. We are waiting for Jim Morris to deliver our new jib which we had ordered from JSI about a month ago. He offered to have it shipped to him, and is planning to bring it to us here. Once we have that, we will be underway again, down the Hudson. We are planning to have the mast stepped at Catskill, where will also be able to get diesel and propane for our stove.
Colby is doing well; he really prefers it when the boat is tied to a dock, so he can play more!
Nights have been chilly, with frost the past two nights, but we have a small ceramic heater when we are plugged in, and an alcohol burning heat pal for nights at anchor.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Ready to set sail!
Finally! After 8 years of work on Trefoil, our Tartan 34C, we are almost ready to depart the dock at Van Slooten Harbour Marina in Port Henry, NY. Our anticipated departure date is Tuesday, October 14.
We hope you enjoy following our travels!
Richard, Karen and Colby
We hope you enjoy following our travels!
Richard, Karen and Colby
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