2020-2021 Cruise Week 1 ~ Home to Great Bridge, VA

HOW WE SPENT OUR SUMMER ~

     Summer was busy and very hot. Lots of sewing projects, including sunshade for cabin, cloth door for the cabin, (so that Bailey could go above when she wishes. Unfortunately, she still dances while whimpering, during the 7+ attempts to climb the 4 stairs, while we are calling out encouragements to her!) repair of the enclosure zipper, the dodger front panel zipper, the Velcro replacement for the interior window shades to mention a few. We did find the enclosure sustained some damage due to heat. The canvas bled onto the upper Isinglass, thankfully, not bad enough to replace at this time. In between babysitting the girls every Monday, other projects were completed, and the boat interior thoroughly cleaned, reorganized, and inventoried, while "stuff" that wasn't necessary, removed.

     We were also able to do a few other things. Enjoying sunsets, spending time with the girls at home and in St. Michael’s, getting to Annapolis for the first time in 2 years and of course snapping a photo or two of flowers.

Fun with our girls! ~
 

Sunsets ~

Pennsylvania

At our marina

Orange glow from Sahara sand
 that blew across the Atlantic!

 

Annapolis

 
Unusual and curious blooms found this summer ~

Dinner with some of our Kids!

     Pete still had a lot on his “to do” list. We still had issues with the regulator, the dinghy engine and a substantial leak from the area of the PSS bearing. When Pete could not resolve the issues, the challenge continued with attempting to get people to do the service. Number of voice mails to a tech for the regulator - unreturned; 4 calls and 2 week wait for diver to clean the bottom; our mechanics, who we have used for 16+ years, stalled us all summer but promised they "would come in July", "in 3-weeks", "in September", "definitely before you leave", "next week", and after numerous emails to them, they informed us the "3rd week in Sept". Then came the email: "Sorry, we do not come across the bridge anymore." So much for our plans to leave by September 30th! Thankfully, Haven Harbor was able to schedule us in on 10/3 and Dan & Martha offered us a place to hang while the mechanics were aboard.
     Previously, the bilge pump usually only came on maybe once a day. Since the PSS bearing was replaced last year, the pump activity has been increasing until it was running every 30 seconds. We even burned out a pump. the mechanics at Haven Harbor secured the regulator, made adjustments and it appears to be running fine. The hose & pencil zinc were replaced, but finding the leak was the most challenging. After 2 days, the leak couldn't be found internally. The decision was made to pull the boat. Once pulled, they found that the shaft log seal and the void fund within the log were the culprits. Once PEKABU was pulled, we headed up to Chris & Kell's for a few days. The repairs took a week.

Fog over the farms of Rock Hall while heading to Pennsylvania during repairs.

Fall is arriving

     Sunday, Pete dropped me off at the boat in Haven Harbor so I could bring it back to Safe Harbor Narrows Point (Mears' new name) . Martha happened to look out of the window and saw PEKABU departing the marina. She called to wish me good luck. Though drizzle, winds were calm. I made it back just as the winds began to pick up. Late Sunday and all day Monday, the winds ranged in intensity from 10-35 mph. Definitely not a good day to travel. 

The engine hour count changed

 as I head back to our marina 

     Monday was spent returning to PA as I forgot frozen goods in their freezer as well as the dog's meds. On our return, we were able to pick up the dinghy engine. Carlisle Marine had it for 5 weeks. The Mercury plant closed due to a Covid outbreak and no parts could not be had. The part came in that morning. Talk about getting lucky!!! Pete. mounted the engine on the dinghy as I did the last of the shopping. After dinner, we just chilled and reassured each other that the major items have all been checked off. The only thing we didn’t do was top off the fuel. We will take care off that once we arrive in Solomons.

Tuesday, 10/13/20 ~
Kent Narrows to Solomons, MD
Today:   52 miles     7.4 hours       ICW ST Mile: --
Total:     52 miles     7.4 hours

     We departed at 7:50 and made 8 am Kent Narrows Bridge opening. The weather was not the best; 60 degrees, showers, fog, and winds NNW at 10 mph. We were able to put out the jib and motor sail from Parsons Island. We spent the day cruising at 7.8-8 mph due to the currents and the winds. We did see about 10 “snowbirds” in their boats heading south. As the day progressed, the skies cleared and we entered the Patuxent River in bright sunshine and temps in the 70’s. Thanks to those winds and currents, we dropped 90 minutes from our usual travel time to Solomons!
 

Wednesday, 10/14/20 ~
Solomons to Deltaville, VA
Today:     66 miles      9.7 hours      ICW ST Mile: --
Total:     108 miles     17.1 hours
     

Anchored boat
as we departed

     Lines were cast off at 7:45 am. It was a beautiful morning, clear and 60 degrees. With a NNW breeze at 10-15, we were able to motor sail for about 4 hours until the breeze died. We averaged 7.8 mph for most of the day. We saw our first pelican of our cruise.
     

Home on the channel

The curvy, narrow,
close-to-shore channel into Deltaville

     Originally, we planned to drop anchor in Antipoison Creek, one of our favorite anchorages. After checking tomorrow's forecast, we decided to add the 2 hours to Deltaville today since we had the current with us almost all day. Tomorrow we will be against the current all day along with 10-15 on our nose.

Deltaville Marina

 

Deltaville Sunset

     When we lowered the dinghy to take Bailey to shore, the engine was running rich and idling too low. They made it the short distance to shore and back. Unfortunately, when it was time to take the dog at 9 pm, it took numerous pulls to get it running. It died at the dock. Pete had 40+ pulls in attempting to start, but with no luck. He had to row the 70 yards or so back to the boat. Needless to say, he wasn't a happy camper! It is leaking gasoline all over and the few times it ran, it smoked. We picked it up from the repair shop 3 days ago!

Thursday, 10/15/20 ~
Deltaville to Salt Pond, Hampton, VA
Today:      40 miles      7.9 hours      ICW ST Mile: --
Total:     148 miles    25.0 hours

     We were up, dinghy hoisted, and anchor pulled by 7:30. We docked at the fuel dock so that Bailey could be walked and headed out by 7:45. Between the 3 boats anchored in Deltaville and the 7 who exited Fishing Creek, it was a decent flotilla heading south.
     As predicted, the skies clear, temperatures in the 60s, winds were light, but built to the forecasted 10-15 from the SSW; “noserlies” again! Bucking the incoming current, we spent most of the day doing about 5+ mph. Only after passing the York River did we make up some time. 8.2 mph is great providing you can maintain it for more than 45 minutes!

Sandy entry on the North of the channel

     We entered Salt Pond, Hampton, VA at dead low. At one point we only had 6 inches below the keel. This is a really beautiful and very protected spot. We will be reevaluation tomorrow's travel based on the winds that may come with the rains. We have also reserved dock space by Great Bridge lock and Coinjock, again with the winds in mind.

Water's Edge Restaurant

    

 Private dock across from Marina

         We'll see. . . .


Friday, 10/16/20 ~ (2 Days)
Salt Pond to Atlantic Yacht Basin, Chesapeake, VA
Today:    30 miles       5.6 hours            ICW ST Mile: 12
Total:   178 miles     30.6 hours


  
    

  After looking at the radar, we felt that we could make it to our next stop before the rains come. The rains are currently training to the west of us. Prepping to leave in the morning, we had mild temps (70 degrees) with calm winds, the outgoing current, sun on the horizon, but clouds and rain to the west. I even saw a partial rainbow just before we departed.

As we headed south, the current had us cruising at 7.9. We did hit 9.7mph entering the Elizabeth River!. We saw our 1st pod of dolphins. One even jumped about 6-8 feet out of the water. We came across 3 other pods, but no other show offs!

     We did need to slow down to let a Navy Reserve Ship meet up with the tugs and dock at the base. The River had a lot of traffic. The ferry coming out of the Portsmouth public dock had to slow their exit so we could pass. Do you think that the Coast Guard would approve my suggestion of turn signals on boats? We had a dredge barge as well as another barge and a single tug turn right in front of us. Another tug was maintaining station in the middle of the river with one of the naval housing barges attached while waiting for access into the naval shipyard. When we began to do a 1-whistle pass as directed by the tug, we didn't realize there was a larger tug approaching on our port. Thankfully, he announced himself! Blinking hazard lights would have been great upgrade here! Needless to say, PEKABU had a numerous conversations with other workboats this morning.
We had to wait at the Glimerton Bridge as trains were going in BOTH directions on the RR bridge. Then we had to wait another 5 minutes for to north bound tugs to clear the bridge before we could pass.
     The delay made our lock experience more interesting. We just missed the 11:30 am opening for southbound by 3 minutes. While we waited the hour, there was additional communication from a large tug with a barge coming up on our aft. The breeze and showers also decided to make their appearances. The drizzle was on and off, while the winds blew from the NNW, dropping the temperatures substantially into the high 50’s. The barge loaded first, then we were invited to follow and come all the way up on his starboard side. We had plenty of room, but the wash from the engines made approaching the side of the lock more challenging. The 2 other boats, 35-40 foot trawlers, weren't as confident and secured at the north end of the lock. The water differential was a whole 12-14 inches today.
     Once through the Great Bridge Bridge, we docked at the Atlantic Yacht Basin. That's when things got really exciting! Pete asked for his phone & wallet so he could take care of the bill. We spent the next 30 minutes pulling things apart both inside and out in search of his wallet. He finally remembered lying on the sofa yesterday, and the wallet was uncomfortable. So, he removed it from his pocket, laid it next to him and forgot about it. We found it under the back cushion. PHEW!!!
Bailey was so excited; every office desk she approached, she received a treat! Almost as good as Halloween for her! Once the bill was paid, we read up in the enclosed cockpit until dinner.
After dinner, Pete checked the tracking of the mail package that was supposed to be sent overnight to Coinjock for us to retrieve. The new girl sent it 1-Business day, so it won’t arrive until Monday. That means we have to be at Coinjock all day Monday. We decided to stay here tomorrow and head to Coinjock on Sunday. This way we should miss the winds that will make crossing Albemarle Sound a challenge. Been there. Done that. Don’t wish to repeat it again!

Saturday, 10/17/20 ~ Knowing we were not traveling today, we slept a bit later. Pete called the office while walking Bailey and we are welcome to stay the extra day. He was also able to push back the two-day stay at Coinjock.
     While I did some chores aboard, he worked on the dinghy engine. He was able to fix the loose hose. While he was in clean-up mode, he called me up. I was in the middle of hot ironing my hair. I wasn’t going to delay as he usually only banged on the hull when it was important. I popped into the cockpit with a top-knot, a pony tail, and the layer in between hanging loose and chaotic. Great way to meet fellow dock mates, Jim and Sue of MV BLACKTHORN, and make plans to meet for drink later!

A beautiful 
Coastal Cruiser

 

      After lunch Pete headed out to try fishing, but as usual, he was not successful catching! The engine worked perfectly the whole time he was casting from the dinghy. Once back, he read while I worked on the blog.
     We spent the greater part of 3 hours with Jim and Sue aboard MV BLACKTHORN for appetizers, conversation and new friendships. They have made this trip many more times than we have. Unfortunately, this spring, after returning from The Bahamas, as they prepped their Benateau 339 for summer storage, it had a fire that totaled the boat and very little was able to be saved. They are now on a trawler making their eleventh trip to The Bahamas. We look forward to meeting up with them as we travel.
     Once back onboard PEKABU, I was able to post most of this week’s blog. I just have to process the photos to attach to it. I hope to be more timely on my posts. Time will see. . . .


~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P