Life Aboard 

Weeks of March 5 to March 22

Second Trip Out March 5 to March 22 2022

Drive out March 5 and 6th

After much discussion we agreed try to put the Canoe on top of the boat to act as a tender when we anchor out.  So we mounted the canoe on the car Friday evening before happy hour.  

Left at noon on Saturday March 5 right after we finished the Parkinson Support group that meets  once a month.  Drove to some Hotel in Virginia and called it a day at around 10.  Skipped dinner for Ice Cream, after all why wait life is short eat dessert first.   

We finished the drive on Sunday about 2:30.  Spend some time cleaning the boat and unpacking. Took the boat out on Sunday and had 3 or 4 very good docking experiences.

Then went to the Irish Pub for Shepard’s Pie for me and Fish and Chips for Dianne.  

Our goals for this trip are simple.

1. Improve driving
2. Find better ways to store stuff and practice living on board.
3. Finish all repairs and test boat.
4. Do at least one day trip out and back.  

Monday March 7

As with everything here the boat Detailer that promised to polish the boat on Saturday did not come out Saturday.  He worked a half day on Sunday and did not finish.  Said he would start Monday Morning at 8 am.  Which meant he arrived here at 8:30 worked started and stopped due to weather and the job was finished at 2 in the afternoon.  But he did do a great job.  

So while he and his wife were working Dianne and I went shopping.  Bought another piece for the fuel addition. Then a new GFI 120 outlet for the boat as the old one was popping at low loads meaning the spring was worn.  Then to brighten things up purchased new LED light for inside the boat.  I was not careful enough when I purchased them and ended up with blue lights that have to be returned.

Tuesday March 8 

I had a scheduled conference call so as morning are calm and we wanted some practice time had a quick breakfast of Cereal.  Then we took the boat out and successfully docked about 5 times Dianne drove it some too.

Then I had a conference call which took about 1 hour.  

Came back down did a little more work on the new Hot Spot.  Dianne then suggested another bike ride which was fun. We stopped for Ice Cream and looked at the beach and ocean.   

Came back to the boat and cooked a chicken dinner.  Played some cards, Dianne was on a wining streak I lost at every game we played.  Including 2 person Whist which was fun.

Wed. March 9

Spend time in bed as it rained last night, but we had no leaks.  So things seem to be improving.

Plotted a trip to Southport made it about half way when, fog started to close in and Dianne backed out so we turned around and headed home.  Did a little email work then Dianne suggested we work some more on driving.  It went OK Dianne is very anxious about docking and needs more practice but I pulled off 4 good dock passes today.

Then had the electronics checked today and found a aerial broken another 500 dollars.  It will be fixed this week.  

Played bocci ball and had a pork chop dinner.  Lost at dice and cards but still having fun.

Dianne is having fun and seemed to enjoy the cruise out and acing as Navigator on the way back.  I leaned more about the electronics and they seem to be doing the limit of what can be expected, given their age.  The electrician said he could update the software on the GPS and that might improve other communications as well.  So there is more money spent on updates.   

OFF TO bed it is raining out and still need to run up to the club to wash up for the day. 

Thursday 10

Broke out in a fever last night and felt absolutely in the pits of hell.  Slept late and got up and had coffee and was feeling better.  Did some more email.  Drove back and exchanged blue lights I bought for some white lights at West Marine Supply.  I think the local stores are starting to know me.  I got back and put the new lights in and starting playing more with the electronics.  Somehow locked the mic on channel 16 and a guy told me get off.  I could not figure it out I had to shut off the radio  read more and finally found instructions that explained it.  Then called it a day after working on the trip log and the smart computer for the engine monitor.  Dianne and I then took the boat for a cruise I did three more solid docking and Dianne backed out of the dock.  Had a nap later and cooked a lobster pasta.  

Dianne is still killing me at cards and dice she just smiles at me when I lose.

Friday 11

Started the day with a conference call about the work I am doing for Carmel.  Received 2 emails that will require some work but with the world so messed up I am in no rush.  They cannot pay me.  

While I was gone Dianne charted a course to Wrightsville Beach and we took off for a day afternoon cruise.  It was fun drive and Dianne drove all the way there.  I drove back and had no problems.  Then I tanked up.  The computer said we had only 55 gallons but boat only took 7.7 gallon and was full again.  Gauge now says we have 69.4 gallons.  I need to get a lot better at trimming the boat out but I seem to be improving.  

On leaving the fuel dock saw a dolphin just off the bow it was very close and had to slowed down so not to hit it.  Used the radar today and sonar split screen.  Need to refresh my memory on how to adjust the gain on the radar.  I can see the channel but not other boats.  

Dianne docked the boat at the slip and did a pretty good job.

I guess today was a win on all fronts as we did a fairly long cruise that Dianne charted and drove, docked successfully, figuring out fuel and saw some wild life.  A good day over all.  

Saturday March 12

Friday night started off calm and warm.  Around 11 pm we had Tornado warnings and wind gusts to 50 mph.  The boat was rocking and rolling.  But everything was good.  Then it started to thunderstorm with heavy rain.  That also was interesting, but no major leaks.  A very small drip in one of the top window gaskets but that was all.  Turns out the gasket is pinched and I aligned it in the afternoon between storms.  

With all the gale warning it was clearly a no boating day.  Stuff on the dock moved around and this required checking and  tightened the knots on the dock.

With not a lot to do on the boat we decided to sight see a little bit so we went down to Fort Fisher.  This was a Confederate fort build 1863-65.  It is ofter referred to as a sand castle fort as it was really nothing more than bunch of sand mounds with gun emplacements around them.   The purpose was to keep the port of Wellington open after the union blockade of the southern seaports. The first battle for it took place During Dec of 1864 that failed and then again Jan 12 1865 when it fell.  With the fall port of Wellington also fell 10 days later and that closed all the southern import ports.  Ninety days later  Lee surrendered to Grant.  The guide at the fort claimed this battle really resulted in the ended of the war.  As it made it impossible to resupply Lee’s army. 

Spend the afternoon lazing around the boat and reading.  

This has me a little feeling a little guilty as there is a little work I could do for Russia but just have not found the desire.  With all the mess in the Europe I just can not find motivation to read about the plants problems.  

Sunday March 13

It became cold Saturday night the temperature fell from 70F to 26F.  This required the drastic measure of turning on the heat.  Something as proud capable camper I never did before but it did make sleeping very comfortable.  I guess I can get used to this style of roughing it, with electric heat showers and stoves to cook on.  The wind still rocked us some till around midnight when things calmed down.  

Next morning the wind was mild only 10 mph with gusts to 15 mph.  Dianne backed the boat out of the docks but lost faith driving in the wind.  I put it into autopilot and it handled fine, with the autopilot on there is no need to keep moving the rudder.  We did two more docking and practiced drifting and driving slow into he wind just see what the boat could do.   Really as side finding the thruster will not move into a wind above 10 mph, we had no problems at all.  

The previous owner came over in the afternoon and explained some stuff to us.  It was great we learned a lot and found out that what were doing and experiencing was about right.  

Cleaned the boat a bit and played games the rest of the day.