May 1

Rock Hall to Chesapeake City 43.5


Well we survived the Chesapeake Bay.  Dodging Crab pots, fishing net, Navy vessel and lots of big ships.  Not sure I could say it was completely relaxing but it beautiful.  I have never been so far on own that you can not see land in all directions.  That is a new experience for me, and I did not die.  The water was rough at times but it all worked out.  


Saw another looper boat yesterday and went over to visit with Rick and Theresa.  What a nice couple.  We discussed their experience or buying a boat and running a boat.  They have been out about 2.5 years having taken time off because of Covid.  One thing we found we had in. common was being terrified during the first couple of running the boat.  I am finding that I am more relaxed than I have been but I still worry.  Little stuff like oil levels, engine noises and radio protocol.  But not one has yelled at me or called me stupid so I must be doing OK and do follow advice when ever I get it.  


We got off to an early start this morning hoping to beat the rain and take advantage of favorable currents.  It worked well made more than 5.9 miles per gallon as an average which is great for us.  The trip took up Chesapeake on the west shore and into the C&D  (stands for Chesapeake and Delaware) canal.  This Canal carries more shipping than another another canal in the USA.  It also is one of only two sea level canals in the USA. Arrived at Sheafer’s canal house and Marina at 1:00 as the place was busy we decided the food must be good and sat down for a snack.  Then went for a walk as it looked like it would rain.


Radio Talk Yesterday

-Someone was testing or conducting Training with a flare gun and passing vessel phoned it into the Coast guard.  I could not believe all the question the coast guard asked the guy: -Name 

  • Name of his vessel
  • Color of flare
  • Did remain lit all the way down
  • Did it arch up and arch down
  • His GPS location
  • His map identification point (not sure what is)
  • His direction of travel
  • Exact time he saw the flare
  • How long did they last
  • Any witnesses
  • Could he see a vessel 


Any about 30 minutes they announced that it was just a training class at some park.  Passing boats did not have to call them in.  


Counts today

  • 27 boats fishing (heard yesterday some season started today)]
  • 19 boats moving around us
  • 4 sail boats
  • rain
  • 3 rude passes
  • 2 ships
  • 2 barges 
  • 1 empty tow boating moving down canal
  • 9 big fishing nets (asked a local fisher man it could run over the nets?  His answer was not if you want to keep you prop)








Comments

  1. JohnMay 2, 2022 at 4:42 AM

    It sounds like you guys are getting into a comfortable routine now. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Allan and DianneMay 4, 2022 at 3:27 PM

    Yes just remember the learning from "Hitch Hikers Guide to the Universe". and don't Panic!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
More Practice and Still Living Aboard March 14 to March 20   Monday March 14 2020 Had a lot of fun today.   The morning was dead calm and had good coffee then Dianne started driving.   The goal was to travel to a new marina about 30 miles out and stay for a night.   The marina we selected was Harbor Village Marina 25 miles north. We plotted the route on two   different GPS systems and checked them against each other to make sure it was safe.     Jay the boat dealer said he would drop by and see the boat so I texted him our plan.   Jay texted back it was a good practice ride and very nice marina.   After we passed a south bound Barge Dianne said she was done driving.   I though she did a great job and even used the autopilot.   I took over and everything worked.   Even fired up the generator and had a hot cup of coffee during the ride.   The scenery was great. From the boat underway Picture of us in the docked   And me...
Read more
  Nov 1 A short trip to have the wasted pumped out and back but no mileage. We were up late as it was all scheduled as a cleaning day and packing. So we have eaten most choices for breakfast so today we just had cereal.   Then the waste pump out that was bust due to broken stations.   Back to the dock.   At the dock we started cleaning.   -Shook out the rugs -Oiled all the teak -washed the floors -cleaned the bathroom -emptied the closets and washed them -Put away equipment that I used   -packed my personal tools for home Then had the boat salesman in and discussed the trip with him and the cost of storage.   Turns out it will be about 550 per month or 450 her with added cost.   In the end dry storage might be cheaper but what if we sell.   Now he agreed that the boat might be worth $110,000 but that is tough price point and makes searches hard.   He feels $1 less than 100,000 would be a good price.   we agreed so now the boat is be...
Read more
Image
July 7 Mackinac Island to Petoskey MI 49 Miles Woke early to a calm day so we were eager to get a good start as we knew it would be a long day.   On mornings like this Dianne is always eager to start so it is only a granola bar breakfast the second day in a roll for such a treat.   Off before 7:15.   Bumped the a post on the way out which turned me backwards to I had to a 360 degree turn, I accomplished this without using the bow thrusters a great feat is a small channel.   The day was calm but misty so I fired up the radar and ran all three screens.   Lots of chatter on the radio as we left harbor this boat ferry boat leaving harbor that tug coming up.   Of interest to me was the Arthur Murrey a laker approaching the same bridge as I was.   Lakers are even bigger than the freighter on the Chesapeake.   I could see her but did not believe how far away she was as looked huge to me.   The Marine Control that hailed her only wanted to know her a...
Read more