The Cobbs were surprised and happy to see us. Everything's the same as it was last spring.
What a lovely, WARM day! It's 72! We shed about six layers of clothes. Roy put his bike together and went for a ride. I trundled fifty pounds of dirty clothes to the laundromat and washed them.
We were hauled out between three and four in the afternoon. First time I've been around for a haulout here. When we hauled out last spring, I was fast asleep, and when we went back in the water, I was at the doctor's with a fractured elbow. As it turned out, I didn't do anything anyway, so it didn't matter if I was here or not.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 1994 - Norfolk, VA
What a beautiful day! The wind died down, so we had to motor, but the sun was warm and the air clear. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather. Reached Norfolk's outer buoy at sunset, and what a glorious sunset! The water was lavender, and the sky was a thousand shades of gold and red and orange and purple. Beautiful!
But it quickly became dark, so it was rather nerve-wracking going up the channel with freighters going in and out and tiny motorboats zooming around in every direction. We proceeded slowly and carefully. I was at the wheel until we were nearly at the bridge, and then Roy took over, to my great relief, since it's hard for me to see at night.
If we hadn't been familiar with the harbor, we would have anchored outside, but we know our way around Little Creek and there are lots of bright lights, so we came on in and tied to the end dock at Cobb's Marina. Home again!
We'd no sooner gotten tied up than we heard a guy on the VHF calling a Mayday. It turned out his powerboat had been rammed by another powerboat -- not surprising, considering the way the little beasts were zooming around. However, his boat wasn't sinking and no one was injured, so he really shouldn't have called a Mayday. Anyway, the Coast Guard went out and escorted him to the ramp here at Cobb's Marina, and the Harbor Police located the other boat and brought it here to the ramp at Cobb's Marina. One boat had a big hole near the bow but above the waterline. The other boat had a big hole in its stern, also above the waterline. Both operators were hopping mad. The one that did the ramming claimed the other boat didn't have any lights on. The other guy insisted he had all his lights on. So the insurance companies will fight it out.
But it quickly became dark, so it was rather nerve-wracking going up the channel with freighters going in and out and tiny motorboats zooming around in every direction. We proceeded slowly and carefully. I was at the wheel until we were nearly at the bridge, and then Roy took over, to my great relief, since it's hard for me to see at night.
If we hadn't been familiar with the harbor, we would have anchored outside, but we know our way around Little Creek and there are lots of bright lights, so we came on in and tied to the end dock at Cobb's Marina. Home again!
We'd no sooner gotten tied up than we heard a guy on the VHF calling a Mayday. It turned out his powerboat had been rammed by another powerboat -- not surprising, considering the way the little beasts were zooming around. However, his boat wasn't sinking and no one was injured, so he really shouldn't have called a Mayday. Anyway, the Coast Guard went out and escorted him to the ramp here at Cobb's Marina, and the Harbor Police located the other boat and brought it here to the ramp at Cobb's Marina. One boat had a big hole near the bow but above the waterline. The other boat had a big hole in its stern, also above the waterline. Both operators were hopping mad. The one that did the ramming claimed the other boat didn't have any lights on. The other guy insisted he had all his lights on. So the insurance companies will fight it out.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 1994 - On Way, Norfolk, VA
Reached the entrance to Atlantic City about six a.m. It would have been pointless to go in at that hour. The weather was still ideal, and we had the whole day ahead of us, so we kept going. Stopped briefly at Cape May for fuel. Other than that, we just kept going.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday, November 11, 1994 - On way, Atlantic City
This turned out to be a perfect day. Everything went right today. We left early and got through Hell Gate on a favorable tide. The wind was still blowing hard, but it was in our favor. We zoomed across New York Harbor and through the Verrazano Narrows. We decided to head for the protected marina at Atlantic Highlands and wait for calmer wind before heading out to sea.
When we got behind the breakwater, we dropped anchor and watched carefully. Even though the breakwater protected us from the waves, the wind was still blowing like crazy. Jofian began dragging! Then we understood what happened at Throg Neck. The bottom there was soft, as it is here, so even though we thought we'd set the anchor securely, it didn't hold in the strong wind.
We upped anchor and motored to a mooring buoy. I radioed the marina to find out which buoy we should tie to. I was told that all the mooring buoys were privately owned and we couldn't use any of them. The woman at the marina was very nice. She let us tie to an end dock for a few hours for free. Roy walked to town and bought a few things, while I took a nap.
The weather forecast indicated this would be an ideal night for sailing south, so we left around four o'clock. Rounded the Hook and headed along the coast towards Atlantic City, pushed by a 15-knot northwest wind.
When we got behind the breakwater, we dropped anchor and watched carefully. Even though the breakwater protected us from the waves, the wind was still blowing like crazy. Jofian began dragging! Then we understood what happened at Throg Neck. The bottom there was soft, as it is here, so even though we thought we'd set the anchor securely, it didn't hold in the strong wind.
We upped anchor and motored to a mooring buoy. I radioed the marina to find out which buoy we should tie to. I was told that all the mooring buoys were privately owned and we couldn't use any of them. The woman at the marina was very nice. She let us tie to an end dock for a few hours for free. Roy walked to town and bought a few things, while I took a nap.
The weather forecast indicated this would be an ideal night for sailing south, so we left around four o'clock. Rounded the Hook and headed along the coast towards Atlantic City, pushed by a 15-knot northwest wind.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 1994 - Throg Neck, NY
What a terrifying experience we had today! And we weren't even under way.
The wind blew like crazy around two or three o'clock in the morning, but our anchor held. By five, the wind had died down, so we thought we might be able to head for Sandy Hook, but when we listened to the weather forecast, we decided we'd better stay put. Then, as the morning progressed, the wind was nearly calm, the sun was shining, it was a clear, brisk, beautiful fall day, so we decided to go a little ways. It was too late by then to go through Hell Gate on a favorable tide, as we would have been able to do by leaving very early. We figured we'd just go under Throg Neck Bridge and drop anchor. Then we'd be in a good position to leave tomorrow morning.
Around noon, we anchored off Throg Neck in eight feet of water. We let out plenty of chain and backed down on the anchor to be sure it was set. Then we paddled ashore to get some groceries. A very nice couple let us leave our Royaks on their private beach and told us how to get to the stores.
We were in a pleasant residential area of well-maintained brick homes and small shops. We walked a few blocks and ate lunch at a McDonald's. On the way back, we stopped at a little produce market and bought some fresh fruits and vegetables. Then we went to the poultry market next door and bought some chicken legs.
We'd been gone about two hours when we got back to the beach where we'd left our Royaks. They were sitting there, waiting patiently. We glanced across the water to Jofian's anchorage -- and saw water! There was nothing but water where the Jofian had been! We could scarcely believe our eyes. Our boat, our home, everything we own was gone! How could she have dragged anchor, when we'd anchored her so securely? Had someone pirated her? Those were probably the worst moments of our entire cruising experience.
We scanned the horizon anxiously. Then we spotted her, drifting aimlessly near the bridge, nearly two miles away. Roy jumped in his Royak and took off in hot pursuit. I followed as soon as I could get ready. Then we saw a small tugboat towing her! Although we were relieved that Jofian was being towed to safety, we were worried that the tug captain might claim rights of salvage. Luckily for us, the tug belonged to the SUNY (State University of New York) Maritime College, which is located at Throg Neck Bridge. The kids who were on her were happy to have a little adventure and to do a good deed. They didn't ask for a nickel. They attached Jofian to a mooring buoy and gave us permission to stay there overnight.
What a relief to be back on our boat, safe and sound. We're still puzzled as to how she managed to drag anchor. The wind has been blowing 25 knots, but she seemed to be securely anchored when we left. Anyway, all's well that ends well.
The wind blew like crazy around two or three o'clock in the morning, but our anchor held. By five, the wind had died down, so we thought we might be able to head for Sandy Hook, but when we listened to the weather forecast, we decided we'd better stay put. Then, as the morning progressed, the wind was nearly calm, the sun was shining, it was a clear, brisk, beautiful fall day, so we decided to go a little ways. It was too late by then to go through Hell Gate on a favorable tide, as we would have been able to do by leaving very early. We figured we'd just go under Throg Neck Bridge and drop anchor. Then we'd be in a good position to leave tomorrow morning.
Around noon, we anchored off Throg Neck in eight feet of water. We let out plenty of chain and backed down on the anchor to be sure it was set. Then we paddled ashore to get some groceries. A very nice couple let us leave our Royaks on their private beach and told us how to get to the stores.
We were in a pleasant residential area of well-maintained brick homes and small shops. We walked a few blocks and ate lunch at a McDonald's. On the way back, we stopped at a little produce market and bought some fresh fruits and vegetables. Then we went to the poultry market next door and bought some chicken legs.
We'd been gone about two hours when we got back to the beach where we'd left our Royaks. They were sitting there, waiting patiently. We glanced across the water to Jofian's anchorage -- and saw water! There was nothing but water where the Jofian had been! We could scarcely believe our eyes. Our boat, our home, everything we own was gone! How could she have dragged anchor, when we'd anchored her so securely? Had someone pirated her? Those were probably the worst moments of our entire cruising experience.
We scanned the horizon anxiously. Then we spotted her, drifting aimlessly near the bridge, nearly two miles away. Roy jumped in his Royak and took off in hot pursuit. I followed as soon as I could get ready. Then we saw a small tugboat towing her! Although we were relieved that Jofian was being towed to safety, we were worried that the tug captain might claim rights of salvage. Luckily for us, the tug belonged to the SUNY (State University of New York) Maritime College, which is located at Throg Neck Bridge. The kids who were on her were happy to have a little adventure and to do a good deed. They didn't ask for a nickel. They attached Jofian to a mooring buoy and gave us permission to stay there overnight.
What a relief to be back on our boat, safe and sound. We're still puzzled as to how she managed to drag anchor. The wind has been blowing 25 knots, but she seemed to be securely anchored when we left. Anyway, all's well that ends well.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 1994 - Mamaroneck, NY
Had no problem leaving the dock this morning, but when we got out into the Sound, we had to slog against the wind and waves for several hours. As usual, the wind diminished by noon and then changed to the north, so we were able to sail for a few hours without the engine. That was really neat. But then the wind died to nothing, so we had to start the engine again.
Covered 41 miles. Dropped anchor in Mamaroneck Harbor right at dusk. Gale winds are predicted for tonight and tomorrow, so we might be here a while.
We can see the lights of Throg Neck Bridge from here. Pretty.
Covered 41 miles. Dropped anchor in Mamaroneck Harbor right at dusk. Gale winds are predicted for tonight and tomorrow, so we might be here a while.
We can see the lights of Throg Neck Bridge from here. Pretty.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 1994 - New Haven, CT
Went for another bus ride this morning, while we were waiting for the tide to come in, so we could get out of here. We certainly didn't want to pay for another night at this place. The bus took us all the way to Milford, which is a lovely, rural New England town. We greatly enjoyed looking at the foliage and the white-capped ocean.
Got back to the boat a little after noon. The man who drove us downtown yesterday came by the boat on his lunch hour and chatted for a while. We gave him an old copy of "Latitude 38" as a token of our appreciation.
By then, the tide was high, and we wanted to leave, but first we had to get diesel. There were two other boats at the fuel dock, so we ate lunch while we were waiting. It turned out the boats weren't waiting for fuel; they were waiting to be hauled out. It took the dockmaster about two hours to attach one boat to the Travel Lift and raise it out of the water. That gave us a little room at the fuel dock, so we motored over there and tied up. Eventually, the dockmaster came by to start the pump. By the time we'd filled the tank and eight jerry cans, it was after 3:30 -- too late to go anyplace, so we were just going to motor out into the harbor and drop anchor. To our amazement, the dockmaster apologized for keeping us waiting and offered us a free night at the marina! So he isn't such a bad guy after all.
We tied up again at our old dock and then walked a few blocks to a grocery store for cereal and juice.
The wind has died down considerably, so we should be able to depart in the morning, especially since we've turned the boat around so she's facing out.
Got back to the boat a little after noon. The man who drove us downtown yesterday came by the boat on his lunch hour and chatted for a while. We gave him an old copy of "Latitude 38" as a token of our appreciation.
By then, the tide was high, and we wanted to leave, but first we had to get diesel. There were two other boats at the fuel dock, so we ate lunch while we were waiting. It turned out the boats weren't waiting for fuel; they were waiting to be hauled out. It took the dockmaster about two hours to attach one boat to the Travel Lift and raise it out of the water. That gave us a little room at the fuel dock, so we motored over there and tied up. Eventually, the dockmaster came by to start the pump. By the time we'd filled the tank and eight jerry cans, it was after 3:30 -- too late to go anyplace, so we were just going to motor out into the harbor and drop anchor. To our amazement, the dockmaster apologized for keeping us waiting and offered us a free night at the marina! So he isn't such a bad guy after all.
We tied up again at our old dock and then walked a few blocks to a grocery store for cereal and juice.
The wind has died down considerably, so we should be able to depart in the morning, especially since we've turned the boat around so she's facing out.
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