Friday, August 14, 2009
The Crosby
Prison Beaurivage
Friday?
I ended Thursday evening with a Dark and Stormy, twice. One was a drink, very good, and the other was weather, very bad. Shortly after sunset we got a good blow come through the anchorage. The wind gusted up pretty good, and the rain came down hard. Deb and I sat in the cockpit and stood anchor watch. We referenced points on shore, and lined them up with something on the boat. If we don’t see them lined up just right, then we know the anchor is dragging. The squall passed, and the weather got pretty mild after. Very good sleeping weather. In the morning we decided to pull up anchor, and head over to Camelot, or Stave island. Little did we know that we were not meant to leave prison Beaurivage just yet.
Beaurivage
Writers Interlude
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Island Time
Wednesday?
With the help of my cat friends, we are off the wall, and on our way to the
One of the "cottages" along the Bateau channel
All in all it's just a, 'nother day on the wall
Monday, August 10, 2009
Shit Happens
Monday
We woke up early for crossing the lake, and the waves were kicked up about three feet, and the wind was less than what we were motoring at, so we did not raise the sails. I hate it when the waves are up and the wind is not. We got to about Psyche shoals and had to make a little detour. For those of you that like to set the auto pilot, and take a nap, or read a book while crossing, just remember there are really big freighters out there. This is the second time we had to wait and let a big ship cross our bow, as we were on a collision course.
After the detour, we were about to turn toward nine mile point light, when the engine RPM dropped off a bit. When you’ve been listening to an engine run steady for 8 hrs, you notice any change immediately, Deb and I glanced at each other, with that uh oh look. Maybe it will pass. Just a fluke. Minutes later it did it again. It gradually got worse until the engine just stopped! Crap, now what? We re-started, and it came back to life, but we thought sailing would be our best option at this point. We thought we could save whatever the engine had left for docking maneuvers.
We were pretty nervous about this, and I went down below to the engine room to try to sort things out. I was having fan belt issues, they were smoking on occasion, and so I loosened the alternator, checked the belt, and it looked fine. I tightened it back up, and just one more turn on the wrench....Shit! The friggin bolt stripped the alternator threads!
This is one of those moments where you stare at the damage, and wonder to yourself why this shit has to happen now, and if this might be the time where you really cooked your goose. I was so mad at myself, but then I quickly snapped out of it and had to figure out a way to get that alternator locked down. I carry a lot of loose nuts and bolts on board, and I found one I could slip through the alternator and get a nut on it. Phew. Now I don’t have to tell Deb we were screwed. Well, we will be if the engine won’t run.
We had planned on anchoring in Prinyers cove, but Deb had a change of plans. To
No problem my ass! We called when we were about a mile out, and were told “no slips available, but we’ll put you on a waiting list, and in the meantime you can tie up at the day docks or on the wall.”
The day docks are only 19 feet long. Hello, I’m 44 feet dude. Hmm, he said the wall. We’ve done that before. Been tied up to the Radison wall many years ago with the kids. Hated it, but had no other choice. We sailed up the entrance of confederation basin, furled up the headsail, and with the motor at low RPM, we crept in. She just kept purring the whole time, and I counted my lucky stars that we made it this far. Just a little more to go.
We docked on the hotel wall, where we read the sign that said “NO Docking by the order of the City of
“Just go over there”, like I was driving a car for Christ sake. I ran back to the boat, yelling for Deb to prepare to cast off. I explained it all as we were getting ready to go. There was not much room left on the wall, and I wanted to get there before all the other idiots came barreling in here. Getting off the hotel wall was no easy feat, but we managed, and then bopped over to “the wall”. How much water, I ask over the radio. “about 9 feet, you should be fine”. Yea, and I should have no problem getting a slip either. If I run aground, I’m going to strangle the guy on the radio. There were two spots on the wall, and I was going for farthest, as it had more room. The other spot was between a catamaran and a trawler. Tight fit. As I was heading for the spot, the cat guy came out and said it was too shallow. Radio dude said 9 feet, so maybe…” Looks too shallow for you”, said the cat guy. Just then the depth read 5 feet. We draw five and a half. Full reverse! I’m going back to the first spot.
I wish I could remember cat guys name (CRS), but he was a great guy, and helped us in. His lady friend (hot), also was a great help. I thanked them with an ice cold Canadian lager. Turns out they’re heading to Trinidad, and
So, “The Wall” cost $65. No cleats. No power. No water. Plenty of tourists walking by, and of course the dogs taking a crap on the sidewalk where you have to climb up and over a rusted chain rail. Living it up in
Dinghy Day
We woke up alone in the anchorage, and I thought it was time for Deb to learn about starting and using the dinghy. I think she liked it!
Thank you Barb, for calling us about the storm heading our way. We just made it back to the mother ship before the rain started falling.
Gone With the Wind
The following is a re-cap of our cruise. We were without internet, and most other stuff for about a week. As the internet pops in and out I will post.
Saturday
We left Sodus bay on Saturday bound for Little Sodus bay/ Fair Haven NY with sunny skies and a light breeze. After refueling at Katlynn marine, and the longest pumpout ever (boat had a lot of crap, like the owner) we set out for points east.
It wasn’t long before my nice relaxing sail turned into a race, as Rick and Karin on No More Dancing were on our tail. I’m sure they were thinking that the big old tub was going to be an easy game in light air. They were right, but it took them a while to catch us. We dropped anchor among many boats, who were just there for the day, forcing us to the outside. No More Dancing dropped next to us, and Jim and Barb in Reach, got the sweet spot. Well, it was a sweet spot after the party power boats left.
We had a nice dinner aboard No More Dancing, and had some laughs. Our friends were leaving in the morning, and we were going to stay another day.