Sunsets & Anchorages

Northward Bound from Lacaya via Gulf Stream to Nova Scotia

2007-07-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

After waiting out bad weather for over one and a half weeks in Lacaya, Grand Bahama's, finally 31 May 07 we had a green light. The sea's were rolly... but do able...providing you weren't prone to sea-sickness. Fortunately neither Ted, Topaz or myself had any worries there. Within about 80 miles (30 hours later) we were surfing the Gulf Stream with a push of 4-5 knots.

Just off Cape Canaveral, Ted finally got a big catch on the fishing rod. A beautiful 42" Mahi Mahi female, this making our third all total. The first two were caught on hand reels with a fish attracting device (FAD). All those dollars wasted on expensive rod and reels....who knew! We had full intentions of bringing some fillets home for friends to enjoy. However, the one time the freezer froze contents was now. We ended up in Southport, North Carolina, due to auto helm failing after getting wet. The Mahi Mahi ended up thawing and a few new friends were made on the marina, after they feasted. Days later, Ted and I thought we should have canned the fish. Oh well...the memory failed us.

During our stay in Southport, there had been a couple of stormy days which made Cape Fear inlet rather rough on the day of departure. Therefore, we headed towards Masonboro on the ICW, anchored for the night and departed early in the morning. Accompanied shortly after by a barracuda (who played about for a couple of hours). This making fishing impossible. Shortly after a few bottle nosed dolphins swam our bow (they don't stay long).

Cruising along nicely for a couple of days just south of New York when Chris Parker our Caribbean Weatherman, said we need to tuck in somewhere as a nasty front was about to hit. So thirty hours later we grabbed a mooring ball at Block Island, RI. Quaint spot as it reminded me of Scotland with the rock fences around the properties. Not to mention everything was uphill.

The common dolphins often came to visit, you could see them approaching you miles away as they came by the hundreds. Unlike the bottled nosed dolphins, the common dolphins had more energy and enthusiasm, as they played for hours. Topaz was quite entertaining during their stay.

From Nantucket Sound to Shelburne we were entertained by the fishermen. Their radios must have a radius of 200 miles...all they did was fight like small children. So often I wanted to get on the radio and tell them "Time Out...Go to your corners!!".

As usual the winds are on our nose at 30-35 knots as we approach Nova Scotia waters. The seas are sloppy, we have two reefs in the main and a small handkerchief for a jib. Fighting these conditions for approximately thirty six hours...it felt as though we'd take a step forward and ten more back. Finally, 2200 hours (10 p.m.) the 18th June we arrived at Hotel Bravo bouy, approximately 20 miles out of Halifax Harbour. We radioed Halifax Traffic, to see about the commercial traffic situation for the next six hours. Our reliable engine had failed us once again....therefore we would be under sail with no wind. Story of our lives coming into Halifax. Finally, 0630 and we have arrived at Sandwich Point with a large container coming out of the harbour and us trying to get further west out of their way, only to get headed and have to yet tack one more time. The pilot on the container sends the pilot boat over to ask us to move a little faster. The pilot boat explains our situation of no wind...no engine. Pilot expresses his concern by replying "Well, they best get out their oars". It was suggested we might want to go into Herring Cove and tie up there for the day, Only problem there is no way out without an engine. We tacked across the harbour to Majors Beach and laid the anchor at 0730.
Exhausted at this stage of the game. Approximately 1330 (1:30 p.m.) a friend and DYC member came out and towed us the remainder home to DYC. A fitting way to come back home.

I will post pictures just as soon as I am able to download them....keep tuned. There are some awesome photo's but we are without a computer presently. The salt environment finally killed the computer.

The Sharp Teeth of a Barracuda

2007-05-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

Just ask Ted!

The Berrys to Lucaya (Little Florida)

2007-05-24T13:17:00.000-07:00

The solitude of the under populated islands of the Berrys... is this why that area was the best over all for snorkeling? The mass variety of fish life, in shallow waters of six to twelve feet. Ted caught an interesting fish called the Saucyeye Porgy, within seconds after baiting his fishing line with chicken skin

We ventured on Stirrup Island tracking through the bushes and paths; the ground was so dry that the smallest Iguana sounded like it was twenty feet long only to be inches. The Iguana’s here are grey and black in colour, while Allen’s Cay in Exuma’s was greenish/brown.

We discovered the Norwegian Cruise Line’s and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line exotic islands, Stirrup and Coca Cay. Offering diving, sea-doing to the thrill of Parasailing. For the less adventurous, just a relaxing beach with shark nets and tiki bar. We met Morton, the maintenance man, one of three who live on the island for ten weeks at a time, year round.

The next day, the winds were coming up, so we moved around the other side of the islands to Great Harbour Cay. Such a quaint community, of 800 people. Our outboard was in need of carborator repairs, so we we had it repaired by Bennet. Early the next morning Ted lowered his fishing rod and met up with the teeth of a four- foot Barracuda. He bite him while trying to release him....such attitude.

Fifthy-six mile crossing of the Provincial Channel to Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island. We departed Great Harbour Cay at 6 p.m. out of the channel and anchored for an 11 p.m. departure. The forteen hour crossing would place us into Lucaya mid afternoon. We stood two hour watches. It was an exciting channel, with heavy cruise line traffic, as well as, commercial and sport fishermen. Once day light came, the Tuna were jumping by the thousands, in pursuit of the flying fish. We had three fishing lines out on our boat and two on another boat travelling with us. To our disappointment...no takers.

For the first two days in Lucaya, while waiting for our weather window to head north up the Gulf Stream, we treated ourselves to a dockage (first real shower and fresh water swim since January). The resort here has the comforts of everything one needs, even Topaz enjoyed the land life once again. The million dollar(s) boats that are tied up here…it’s breath taking that people have that kind of investment. The home across from our dock, was a house built around a forty to fifthy foot power boat. We could have one too…if only the phamplet published the price….this was our hint that it’s out of our price range. This area is loaded with resorts it reminds me of Florida from West Palm Beach to Mimi.

Nassau

2007-05-05T08:24:00.000-07:00

There's definitely money to be had here... in the big city of the Bahama's.....between cruise boats and Paradise Island. There's massive motor boats as large as 250 feet. It looked like a destroyer.

What's in the Pail?

2007-05-05T08:14:00.000-07:00

Curiosity kills the cat....and Topaz was surprised to find what she did. Tails flopping didn't impress her too much when she jumped back and almost fell into the companion way.

Catch of the Day...but the second one was even better

2007-04-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

Mahi Mahi....long waited for...(for over forty years after a class project Ted did in grade four). This guy measures from nose to tip of tail 32"....and we will feast for four meals. Mahi Mahi are cleaned differently from any fish we have filleted before. You cut along the head up to the top fin and down the bottom to peel the skin off. Once skinned you then cut the fillet as usual. Turn the fish over and repeat for the second fillet.

While the second (bigger of the two) 52" and approximately 50 pounds was a female with the rounded forehead. Good eating!!!

Marinaded with lemon, thyme and cayenne spices.... wrapped in tin foil and placed on the BBQ....can't wait!!! Mahi Mahi was also nice in a Thai sauce.

George Town Family Islands Regatta

2007-04-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

These Bahamain Sloops go like stink.....the "A" class have up to ten guys hiking out on the planks. ...while the smaller boats have anywhere from two to four people. It's the most unique starting line.....every boat is given a start number where they are moored...once the gun goes the race starts by hoisting their main and jib and get underway.

Just think on our Wednesday night and Metro Races....how stress free....less high blood pressured starts would be.

Staniel Cay to George Town, Exumas

2007-04-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

Long: 23° 30.41 Lat: 75° 45.78

While in Staniel Cay, Ted, Bob and Bobbie (Callisto crew) had snorkelled the Thunderball Cave. This cave is where James Bond movie was filmed. According to Ted “After diving Thunderball Cave, even if we don’t go any further south, it just made the trip worth while.” See for yourself as you scroll below for some pictures.

We met part of the Burke family, who race a traditional Bahamian Sloop, Tida Wave. This is the Bahamian “A” fleet (28 ft. on deck, full keel, wooden hull with a mainsail that is to big for the Bluenose and a hankie for a jib). They carry four or five 2 X 12 planks and stick them under the lee Gunwhale, and the whole crew hangs out on the end as far as they dare. There was a few class 3 boats practicing on the weekend. These are only 16 feet, their mast is 40 ft tall and 25 foot boom. This is boat for boat racing with no handicaps. The George Town Family Island Regatta, 23rd of April, is like Metro Area Race Week with 20 to 30 islands participating. Apparently, the odds for Tida Wave to win are 7 to 1. If I were a beating person…I’d say The Burke family would be a good investment. This is not because it’s the fastest boat. These boats are all the same length and beam and are allowed as much sail as they want. It’s a matter of who will dare to carry more sail, for the conditions or the crew that is more crazy and chance capsizing to win at all cost.

A few days later, we ventured further south to a small island with a community of 55 people, Little Farmers Cay. These family members all originated from a lady name Christiana and her two sons, who settled there after being freed by slavery. Family names there are Smith, Rolle and Bain. Little Farmers, was by far an extremely hospitable island. They took us in, as if we were family.

On the west side of the island where we anchored, was a Haitian sailboat which had entered at night and hit hard aground. It was said that there were 165 illegal Haitian’s on board, who were picked up by immigration and sent home. It’s believed that a few may have drowned. Scroll down to see photo below.

Galliott Cut, entrance from the Exuma Sound to the Atlantic Ocean, had a very strong current. Callisto had gone through, during a following tide (the tide was coming back in). Their motor could handle the strength of the current, although they said they’d never want to do that again. Our engine would not have had enough power to go through. So we anchored for the night to cross at morning slack tide. Cuts should be crossed with a slack tide or low tide. Therefore, Callisto went on ahead of us, but not without difficulty. Unfortunately, they got as far as Adderly Cut and had to go in and anchor as they caught a fishing net wrapped around their prop.

We departed Galliott Cut at the wee hours of 0600 the following morning (slack tide) and about 0930 we received a call on the VHF from Callisto about their location and situation. We were only one half hour away, from Adderly Cut, to assist (although none was required). There’s a Research Centre on this island and we had teased that they must be researching as to “where did all this water come from?”. We found ourselves in thirty feet plus of water…trust me that is very unusual for the Bahama’s. Ninety-nine percent of the time, we are lucky to find six feet of water max.

George Town, seems to be the town like Marsh Harbour, Abacos. A number of cruisers come down and don’t venture on. They spend anywhere from six weeks to six months here. We expect to be here for at least a week to catch up on some maintenance. Stocking Island, just across the harbour has a number of paths to explore. The view from the top is breath taking.

Haitian Boat Sunk off Little Farmers Cay

2007-04-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

Thunderball Cave

2007-04-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Thunderball Cave is where the James Bond Movie back in 1964 was filmed. "What a thrill"

Northern Exuma's

2007-03-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning we aweigh anchor at Royal Island, to do a twelve hour crossing of the Exumas Sound. For approximately ten miles of this crossing you had to keep a close eye out for coral head’s. At low tide the coral would be above the water surface, while high tide all you could see were black patches ranging in size. It was like dodging a mine field.

Once arriving to Allan’s Cay the surge was strong and quite a bouncing night. The wind and current were in opposite directions, causing the variation in all the boats swing. Allan’s Cay is noted for a large population of rock iguanas. These are a protected wildlife. Over the year’s people have been feeding the iguanas, making them not afraid of human’s. A dinghy comes along side the beach and they are greeted by a herd of iguanas, expecting to be fed. As of yet we have not been ashore, but the boat is anchored approximately 500 feet off the beach and we could see this happen, as a young couple went ashore. Greeted by eight large iguanas (as big as four feet long and knee high in height).

The next four days was bringing a front of strong winds and squalls. Allan’s Cay was not giving us the protection we needed. Therefore, we moved over three miles and anchored at Highbourne Cay (private marina and island). We struggled to find an anchorage that wasn’t sand covering rock, as the Bruce would not dig in. Changing over to the Danforth we succeeded once again. Motored into the marina to dispose of garbage at $5 a bag and pick up a few groceries. Prices on items were extremely inflated i.e $6.95 for small bag of nachos. Just took a short jot down to the beach when Bobby spotted a shark. At the end of the dock were fourteen nurse sharks. This area is where “the catch of the day” are cleaned. They are creatures of habit and waiting for their free handout. You could pick out the dominating shark, as he would come to surface and do a swim about. Massive head and cold eyes. They looked black under the water but were actually brown in color.

Moved onto Shroud Cay, where they we a number of creeks and mangroves to dinghy through. We are now in the area of the Exuma National Park, every night the Park Warden comes by in his boat to check out for poachers etc. We ventured a path that lead us to a natural fresh water well, with a number of volcano vents. Found Camp Driftwood, where a hermit in 1960 had created a home similar to Robinson Crusoe. During the '90's the drug police had used this camp as it had a great view for Norman Cays planes flying in for drug dealers.

My first boat ride!!!

2007-03-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

Spanish Wells

2007-03-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

Lat: 25° 32 Minutes North Long: 76° 44 Minutes West

Early Monday morning, Xcelsior and Callisto departed for an eleven hour crossing, from Cherokee Sound to Royal Island. Averaging 5.5 knots with rolling six to eight foot swells on our beam. A good sail over-all, our auto-helm struggled, as there was a lot of torque on the helm. Often, Ted and I had to take the rudder by hand. By 6 p.m. we were anchored, in Royal Island, with approximately a dozen other boats. Four had departed by morning and six waiting for their window (Thursday) to cross the Atlantic to Abaco’s (the opposite direction in which we had just arrived). One of these boats was CS27 “Forbidden Planet”, website Sailorgirl.

Tuesday afternoon, at slack tide we moored in Spanish Wells. A quaint little village of well maintained cement block homes. We toured the island by golf cart with Bob and Bobby from Callisto. There was a young lad, peddling his little heart out. He had his little sister (who couldn’t have been 5 years old) sitting on the back of his three wheel tricycle. At one time we couldn’t keep up to him. In another community, we were chased by four youngster’s remote control cars. “Pinder” seems to be the family name here, where Abacos was Albury and Roberts.
Due to the wind direction and strength, we won’t be able to tour Eleuthera. Instead maybe Thursday, do an early morning and full days run, through the Current Cut and south to Allan's Cay the start of the Exuma’s

Surfer's dream in Cherokee Sound

2007-03-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Xcelsior Bares Her Bottom...

2007-02-19T17:04:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when you have a new moon and an extreme low tide. Not what you expect when you invite guests for a drink. Doesn't look right when there no rags up!

Man-O-War Cay (Lat: 26 35.50° Long.: 77 00.50°)

2007-02-19T16:39:00.000-08:00

Just a short journey across the bay from Marsh Harbour lays a small island called Man-O-War Cay. We arrived here for two reasons: Saturday, a fundraising flea market and auction for the local school; and secondly on Sunday, a major cold front coming in with blows North West clocking northward up to 45 knots. This harbour is classified as a hurricane hole.

Saturday (17th Feb), we went ashore early for the flea market with a couple of purchases in mind, if available. I wanted to head to the Pantry, where the local ladies made homemade breads, cookies, pies and preservatives. While, Ted, had boat parts in mind. When we took our goodies back to the boat, the waters were calm. Ideal time, to test Topaz, by taking her for a dinghy ride. Keep in mind our dinghy is rubber/inflated and she is fully equipped with claws….sharp claws. I sat her on the two lifejackets that lay on the floor, Ted proceeds very slowly. All seems well, she’s calm, so he gradually increases the speed. She meows a little, but in most case’s, appears to be relaxed. Every once in awhile, she’ll go up to the bow, allowing the wind to blow in her face.

Once around the mooring field, we take Topaz back to Xcelsior. We head back ashore for some lunch at the big tent. After a couple of hours, we return with friends Bob and Linda for afternoon cocktails…or so we thought. What appears to be a extreme low tide, Xcelsior is laying on her side, baring more bottom than we like to see, unless under sail. Tide still going out, more bottom to be viewed. Once we found a vacant ball, we placed a reserve float on it with assistance from Bob and Linda. Three hours later we were upright and able to move to our new location. Tomorrow’s tide will even be lower (as it’s a new moon tide) and with the strong winds expected, the last thing we wish to happen, is to be hard aground as well.

Later that evening, we got bad news from home that a good friend had past away. Our condolences to his family and friends. Our heart and thoughts are with you.

Here it is Sunday, and the weather forecast was extremely accurate as the winds blow we have a lazy day on the boat. Soon to get an update of the weather at 1930. Our plans for the week (weather permitting) is to go back to Marsh Harbour for one night and than Tuesday off to Treasure Cay and over within the next couple of day to Little Harbour, before departing for Eleuthera Island. At this stage, we will have to say farewell to four new friends, that we have travel with since Florida.

Fowl Reef with it's wildlife and beauty

2007-02-10T10:45:00.000-08:00

Fowl Reef, stretches quite far and ranges from twenty feet to forty. On the edge, is the depth of sixty feet where the Nurse Shark hangs about. Once the tide is low, than the reef becomes one large sand bed, to tourists known as the Jacuzzi Reef. You’ll have the breath taking experience of being surrounded by yellow tail fish, groupers, angelfish, parrot fish, green turtles (video) barracuda and Reef and Nurse Shark’s, amongst the coral and many more.

On Thursday, we had gone out with a dive company called Above and Below Abaco. The water temperature was 74.5 degree’s, which was considered cold to Bahamian’s. The depth of the water, the chop and surf, intimidated me. I did get in the water, but it wasn't long before I was back in the boat. This left Ted without a buddy. Kay, owner of the dive shop was testing a young man for his first of four open water dives. Kristen, employee of Above and Below (also Bahamian) wasn't equiped with a suit to go snorkelling with Ted. Therefore, he was invited to swim above Kay and James the student being tested.

It killed Ted not to be able to dive to the depths of the divers. More than once he took a deep breath and dove to twenty feet and surprised Kay with pictures etc. This was when he was greeted by the Nurse Shark. Keep scrolling down the pages and we will try to post as many photo's as possible. Tried to post the turtles video but unfortunately not supported with this blog software.

Snorkelling in the Abaco at Mermaid's Reef

2007-02-10T08:10:00.000-08:00

The water wasn't very clear at Mermaid's Reef as we had three days of heavy winds and sea's. It takes about four days to clear and settle. This reef is just off the beach from across where we anchored in Marsh Harbour. We took the dinghy over and tied to a mooring ball.

Nurse Sharks verses Reef Sharks

2007-02-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

Can you tell the difference from these two sharks?
The Nurse Shark has two dorsal fins fairly close together. Equal in size and situated near the rear of the body. They are faound in and around reefs from shallow water to approximately 115 feet. Nurse sharks are not known to attack divers unless provoked.
Reef Sharks, on the other hand have a sleek body with two dorsal fins, the one forward is larger than the one closer to the tail. It is also found in and around reefs from shallow water to approximately 215 feet deep. They are often cruising alone or in groups. Although appears to be shy is considered dangerous.
The Reef Shark is the picture out of focus. He was swimming in sixty feet of water, although Ted at the time of the picture was down 20 feet. Remember, Ted was snorkelling and most snorkellers wouldn't dive to twenty feet.....but we are talking Ted here.

Quaint village of New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay

2007-02-04T18:37:00.000-08:00

This small community consisted of approximately 100 families. Transportation was golf carts and/or small cars and trucks.

We toast Wen and Bill from Bahama's - Wish you were all here!!!

2007-02-01T10:49:00.000-08:00

Our first two weeks adventure in Abaco - Bahama

2007-02-01T10:35:00.000-08:00

Finally….crossing the Bluewaters to Bahamas’ on Tuesday, January 22 at 00:22 hour.

It’s hard to believe, after twenty-five years of talking about it, we are finally here. The crossing of the Gulf Stream couldn’t have been planned any better. We timed it so our exit of Lake Worth Inlet, FL was at slack water (high tide). This will assist our boats to get good current out into the Gulf Stream and gain speed. Twelve hours later we entered West End, Bahamas’ – Old Bahama Bay Marina for clearance.

The weather window allowed for two days of good weather with a front coming in on Thursday. We had great seas for the first half of the crossing. With a stern sea for the last half, Ted relieving the auto-helm by taking things in hand. Five boats crossed together, Callisto (Bob and Bobby from Baltimore, Maryland); Syzygy (Bob and Lynda from Troy, NY); Seabird (Bruce and Nancy from Maine); Pilgrim from Toronto and of course Xcelsior. Within the first four hours, we had a visitor on Xcelsior; the flying fish was a blue and black back, silver sides and belly. The nets worked perfect, but we released him as one isn’t enough to feed us both.

Pilgrim is the only boat that continued to Memory Rock, while the rest of us cleared into Customs and Immigration at West End. Bahamas’ cruising/fishing liscence for 35 ft. and under is $150 US, while 36 plus is $300 US. Marina fees were a minimum of 40 feet at $60 and water $10 (whether you took it or not). I was worried all night as to whether Topaz would be allowed in, we had the permit but her Health Certificate was one year old. I worried for nothing.

Heading out the next morning, to our first anchorage at Mangrove Cay (pronounced Key), where we toasted Wendy and Bill in NS, with the port they gave us back in May. This was shared with Callisto crew and Syzygy crew. The wee hours, of Thursday morning, we weighed (raised) anchor, to move onto Great Sale Cay, as a storm was approaching but noon. Like clock work, the squall hit us by noon, with one hour away from anchorage. Thirty-three knot winds and twelve feet of water creating three to six foot swells. Topaz was like a trooper, scared and hiding her head into the blanket under the dodger, she remained still and out of the way. The bimini was taking a beating, as mother- nature was trying to take her down by undoing the zippers. We ended up tying it down so it wouldn’t blow into the wind generator.

It’s mind bogging to look down into clear water and see bottom. Twelve feet of water has been the average dept to date, which is clearer than seven feet. So far Ted has caught two fish, both a Sand Diver, which is related to the Lizard Fish. According to our fish books they have no food value. So it was their lucky day to be released to catch more shrimp and small fish. To satisfy our fish desire, we had Tuna Salad Sandwich for lunch.

After four days since arriving in the Bahamas’, we arrive at a small Island called Green Turtle Cay. This island has protection from most wind directions. It is a small community but very quaint. Automobiles consist of golf carts and/or small cars and trucks. It reminds me of England or Marblehead area, with narrow streets for only one vehicle. In most cases the streets are one way. It’s Saturday and most stores close by six and nothing open on Sunday. I have placed our name on the list for Coconut Bread for Monday morning. Coconut pie was the treat for the day. Conch was tried in two forms, fritters (deep fried) and salad and enjoyed extremely. The homes are small built of concrete or Spanish stucco with bright colours of green, yellow and blue. Each household seemed to have one if not more roosters, in which, we woke to the sound of “Cockle doddle do” this a.m. A lovely sound if I might add.

As I post this story we are in Marsh Harbour, Abaco - Bahamas'.

Anxious, to walk the beach and do some snorkeling. Hopefully, for this section of the blog we will have some underwater pictures.

Ted under heavy supervision

2007-02-01T10:25:00.000-08:00

While at anchorage in Black Sound, Green Turtle Cay, Ted dove to replace the anode (zinc) on the shaft. During the whole time he was supervised by this little fish....no fear of human kind what so ever.

West Palm Beach, Florida

2007-01-12T16:35:00.000-08:00

This location is a fair anchorage, the dinghy landing is tricky. It is a high theft area so you can't have enough locks. The worst part of this area are the bridges. They are on a restricted time frame (swing or lift on the hour or half hour) and about nine in total.

There is about fifty boats anchored here, approximately half are Canadians. Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, St. Andrews, Lunenburg and Dartmouth to name a few locations. Most will cross the Gulf Stream early this week, as there is a one and half day window. While we will wait for a three day window. At this point in time the Gulf Stream is sixty miles wide.

Two out of three of our chart kits arrived today, and we just learned that Bahama's requires a permit for pets, which we will have to apply for. This may or may not require a updated Health Certificate that we have for Topaz. However, once I make the phone inquiry tomorrow, I will learn whether we need to make a vet appointment....Topaz will be impressed. This is a new regulation, as when I was doing our homework, the only country that required advanced permission was Bermuda. The rest only needed Health Certificates....just another unexpected expense.

Bahama's also requires a $150 cruising permanent for our size boat (27 ft.). Thirty-six feet plus is $300. This permanent includes your fishing liciense.

Vero Beach, FL a.k.a Velcro Beach

2007-01-11T17:29:00.000-08:00

Appropriately named Velcro Beach as so many cruisers don't leave....there are a number of them that have been there for a month, five years and more.....It's a lovely spot...feasible and easy access to shopping but most of all..it had the most protection we had seen since Nova Scotia. In fact we had met up with some formilar Dartmouth Yacht Club Members....see if you recognize this couple?

Highlights of 2006

2007-01-10T17:32:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year everyone….our New Year was spent in Halifax Harbour, Daytona, Florida. We had a very nice anchorage where fireworks started at 6:30 p.m.. At 11:30 p.m. we received a lovely phone call with a round table New Years wish from many of our closest friends. Thank you Wendy & Bill, Sue &amp; Patrick and Danny & Debbie; you all started our year off with a big bang.

2006, was a challenging and yet a very exciting and memorable year. The biggest challenge for me (Pat) was the farewell wishes, when we departed Halifax, in May for our first journey.…our first passage to Bermuda. We have traveled a total log of 3,761.4 nautical miles. From the Bras D’Or Lakes in Cape Breton; south to Shelburne, NS; approximately 450 miles across the Gulf Stream and about 600 back; crossed the Gulf of Maine and through 14 states. During this time we had anchored 64 places, 19 Dockages / Marina’s and 640.7 engine hours…..I’m afraid to calculate the dollar value in fuel (almost two litres per hour).

For the first time, in both our lives, we spent our birthday’s in warm climate….sitting in the cockpit with new friends having birthday cheers. Ted spent his in North Carolina (South Harbour Marina, South Port) and I, in West Palm Beach, FL where we sit this evening.

Christmas in Brunswick GA

2006-12-26T04:04:00.000-08:00

This is the Topaz sunrise on 24 Dec 06 making ready to weigh anchor to enter Brunswick GA. The old, to late to enter the unfamiliar harbour in darkness so dropped the hook at Lanier Island about two hours away. Pat called ahead to the Brunswick Landing Marina and made arrangements to secure to a marina for Christmas.

There is a large cruiser community here and we were invited to their Christmas Pot Luck Dinner. What a spread it was, Turkey, Dressing, Ham and all the Fixings. Fine deserts too numerous to mention (no Calories or Cholesterol) There where 30 to 40 cruisers in attendance, a very festive gathering including Guitar and Bag Pipes? Good time had by all.

This Marina is one of the best we have been to on the ICW, friendly and personable Dockmaster, helpful courteous staff, gigantic showers, free laundry. If your are in the area a good place to stop.

Other things you might like to know about Georgia. When we arrived here after living on the hook for the last week, we needed groceries and of course Christmas Cheer. So we headed to the nearest grocery store and stocked up also finding beer and wine and a bottle of port at the same time. After going through the checkouts, we had enough (two carts) so a taxi was in order. Pat took care of asking customer service to call us a taxi and I to the ATM for cash. While I was across the parking lot at the ATM and Pat was waiting for the taxi to arrive, the Store Manager came out and said to Pat that he would refund us for the beer and wine as it was against Georgia State Law to sell beer and wine on SUNDAY and he could not allow us to leave with it. So without a fuss Pat relinquished the beer and box of wine. As I returned and found out I was calm and cool and smiled as the beer and wine was no longer part of our Christmas plans. I believe we forgot to tell him about the Port and left it at that.

So If you ever stop in Georgia and are short of the festive spirit, Just hope its not on Sunday. Or you may be dry.

We toasted the Store Manager for not finding the Port.

Our new adopted pet.....we call him Big Bil

2006-12-25T09:13:00.000-08:00

Big Bil followed us for miles....at one point we thought he was going to hitch a ride in the dink.

Topaz isn't too interested in giving up her spot as the Queen!!!

We were quite surprized that when we threw him some food (weiners) he doesn't catch them while in flight. You should see the "face plant" that they take from mid air...while the bil hits the water wide open, at least 50 miles per hour. Often the fish will be too big and send them head over heels. We have been trying to get a photo of this but they are always to far away.

Christmas is Just Around the Corner

2006-12-19T18:15:00.000-08:00

Ted and I, with our upper decks a shining and stockings hung with care, wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas. It definitely will be a different Christmas as we battle the no-see-ums.

Today, Ted met an old aquaintance. The not so Tall Ship Royaliste (Rosborough 50 Bark) from his last tour on the Terra Nova in '96. New owners are Cathy and Gary, cocker spaniel May and two parrots. This old girl has quite the history behind her.

Fascinated with the tree roots and trunks of the river trees

2006-12-16T08:37:00.000-08:00

Bridges and Sunsets

2006-12-16T08:27:00.000-08:00

North to South...Carolina ... That Is!!

2006-12-16T08:18:00.000-08:00

Approaching the Goose Creek Canal, the US Coast Guard had put out a “Pan Pan Pan” call requesting assistance of another sail vessel aground in the canal. A Hans Christian 38, with a 6.7 draft, had gone hard aground, on the right-side middle of the channel. The controlled depth of this canal is supposed to be twelve feet. There was a tug and barge coming north of him; he’d hoped that it would have caused a wave that would have lifted him off. Not so. Xcelsior, had answered the request, as we were approaching the canal and about thirty minutes away. Ironically, the Coast Guard sector was within a quarter of a mile away, as we pasted the base there were at least four RHIB boats as well as Tow Boat US (however, the Hans Christian did not have a membership to Tow Boat US or SeaTow). We managed to get a tow line and haul him out without damage to either boat. The next day we hear a call from another boat to Tow Boat US, who had gone hard aground in the same location. Shortly after, we had past a Coast Guard barge with a dredge…was he heading to that location?

Motoring across the Adam’s Creek (just across the harbour from Oriental, NC), in fourteen feet of water, we came across about a dozen bottlenosed dolphins. These creatures were not shy of boats. They played within feet of the boat from the stern, and weaving back and forth through our bow wave. Some doing the flipper jump. Bluish Grey, so close we could reach out and touch them, when they blew we were very much aware. One had approached the cock-pit area, as it dived, it blew. Topaz was alert with eyes bulging out of her head. At this point, she was sitting under the dodger on the edge of the companion way. She kept looking down below, as if expecting him to pop out of the bilge. Too cute!!

Two hours later, in Morehead City (just across from Beaufort, NC) as we take on fuel and water, at one of the Marina’s, a fisherman had just caught a Blue Fin Tuna and fed the tail and other parts to the Pelicans. As he dumped the remains at the stern of our boat, every Pelican, Seagull’s, White Herrings and any other wild bird in the neighbor had a frenzy feast. Amazed by it all and yet keeping low, Topaz wasn’t sure what to make out of it. As they all flew above and swimming below her, squawking and fighting. Seeing first hand, survival of the fittest gets the better feed.

A couple of days later, we had come across and few more pods of dolphins where the ICW would cross with a stream from the Atlantic Ocean. Quite surprised that in all cases of viewing the dolphins it was always within ten to sixteen feet of water. Usually with a current. When we aren’t chasing bridge lift or swing times, most of these bridges are on restricted openings (hourly or hour and half hours), we find ourselves fighting to find six feet plus of water depth. Two locations within less than five miles apart, we were not able to anchor or go into a channel, as the water would go from ten feet to four feet. As quick of a blink an eye. Fortunately, it’s sand and easy enough to get off the shoal. One really has to play the tide game in these waters.

Myrtle Beach, SC the homes are huge and more dollars than Ted and I could even imagine. It’s also a world of condominiums with either a marina or golf course.
Or for those who enjoy life all round, they get both marina and gold course. As we head further south, the weather is getting warmer. The last two evenings were the first of many that we did not require the heater. Soon hopefully we will be able to work on that tan.

As I write this update, we are anchored in Charleston, SC and plan to lower the dinghy and tour the city all day Saturday (tomorrow). Life is still good and there hasn’t been a dull moment. Evening entertainment has been: watching Ted kill off mosquitoes and laugh at every kill, with our magic wand.

Foggy Intracoastal

2006-12-16T08:13:00.000-08:00

Pasquotank River at the end of Dismal Swamp

2006-11-30T13:16:00.000-08:00

The zoom on the camera wasn't working.....but if you click on the picture and look real close you will see that on the log sits six turtles. This river is on an average about 1/4 mile across....and without a camera handy we passed a small squirrel swimming across (couldn't have been more than 12 inches from head to tip of it's tail). Whatever, was at the other side of the river had to have been something real good!!! If he doesn't die of exhaustion first.

Dismal Swamp Canal

2006-11-30T13:07:00.000-08:00

What can we say about the Dismal Swamp.....it wasn't quite what we expected. However, still over whelming. A number of times the water depth got hairy....the last four miles we ploughed the bottom through the soft mud. Our rudder and prop took some heavy hits. I loved the tree roots the way they spread through the eroding banks.

Foggy mornings between Maryland and Virginia

2006-11-30T12:59:00.000-08:00

Work has been completed and Xcelsior looks like herself again!!! No more bruises.

This picture of the sailboat at anchor in a cove was taken at Sandy Point just outside of Reedville, MD. As it turned out we had meet the young man and his dog on this boat in Atlantic Highlands, NJ. We expect to run into him once again.

The second picture was a full ten hours of thick and dense fog....didn't see the sun until while after 3 p.m. and then this appears as three sun's.

Calvert Marine Museum

2006-11-30T12:36:00.000-08:00

Calvert Marine Museum was much more than I had anticipated. The aquariums of sea rays, incubator of sting rays (three babies that have already hatched within one week apart). Three more to come out of there egg sack, Otters (2), Horseshoe Crabs (2), lots a various fish, Hermit Crabs, Seahorses, Light Emiting Jellyfish and much more. We ventured the Drum Point Lighthouse over the years this house has had a number of lighthouse keepers and their families. Two had a family of seven. The lighthouse isn’t big enough for three.

God Bless Ya'll...Real Good

2006-11-30T12:24:00.000-08:00

Solomon’s, Maryland

During our two week stay at Zahniser’s Yacht Centre (while undergoing repairs to Xcelsior) we took advantage of having land under our feet. Miles and miles we walked the streets of Calvert County. Passing Ted’s favorite sign daily, sometimes up to three times. “God Bless Ya’ll …. Real Good”.

Our first weekend, we met a number of interesting, good people. Zahniser’s had there final event of the year “11th Annual ZYC Chili Cook-Off. There were something like 18 entries; we are got a small sample with numbered cups. Voting four categories: Boater’s Choice: Tastiest Overall, Ken won this category. In the past he’s had the Fishing for Compliments: Needs Help. Therefore when his chili wasn’t chosen for the Needs Help Ken didn’t think he had a chance at any other. So it was quite a surprise. Z’s Legal Lip Remover: Spiciest but Good had a three way tie, and in order to eliminate candidates they looked at who had the most Needs Help and/or Not Your Everyday Chili: Most Unique. Ted took this judging very serious and engineered a judging sheet up. My mistake was tasting the hottest sample first (not knowing I was doing that of course). The tongue burned so bad that I couldn’t taste anything after that one mouthful.

The Calvert Connection bus transit system for 50 cents each took us south over the bridge to St. Leonard’s for shopping. Every shopping outlet you could dream of within a three maybe four block radius. Then return trip was longer as it would take us to California, Hollywood, Oakville and Wildwood before heading back to Solomon’s.

There's no dust on these guys!!

2006-11-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

Repairs are coming along really well. Xcelsior is starting to look more like herself....and it's only day four. The service repair here at Zahniser's Yacht Centre, Solomon's, MD are highly spoken of by local yachters and seem to be quite efficient.

On Monday, everything is striped off the bow of the boat. Tuesday, Glenn has completed the fabrication of the anchor extention, while Dale is doing the first stage of the fibreglass repairs. Wednesday, Sean and Glenn work on the pulpit.

Boy are our faces RED!!!

2006-11-11T07:38:00.000-08:00

So we're motoring along...see!!! And it is all Ron’s fault...Again!!! We knew we were sailing through a Navy weapons range, just around the corner. Ron, telling of his experience transiting this range, and seeing on the chart it says to see note 334.200.
At the same time we are in auto helm making for the green mark about ¾ mile ahead. The next thing we heard very loud jets taking off from Patuxent River Naval Air Station (four F18’s, four A10’s and two Intruders). We were just at the end of the runway. Is this the mornings Combat air group? We will be in the target area in less than an hour. Therefore, we really needed to find out what time the range opens for live or inert firing? Both of us started looking all over the pages of the newest chart book available from Map Tech to find the answer. The last Gunnery area we went through this information was on the same page, giving the range hours and what days they fired. “Forward to this page, no back three pages, check the legend in the back, no back to the other page” when... BANG!! It was too late.
Looking up into the green mark, she’s BIG and tangled up in our bow. Fortunately we were only traveling 4 knots. Topaz, who was curled up under the dodger made a “B” line for below. We couldn’t believe what we just did. Hitting green steel tripod day mark in 25 feet of water, dead in the middle, just under the A frame. It cleaned the pulpit, the forestay (including the furling and disintegrating the drum), totally destroying the anchor and roller extension. Finally, lifting the front half of the anchor windlass and mounting bolts through the deck. No longer having a need to find that note. Repairs were now in order.
Xcelsior, being put into reverse and pushed off from the mark. At this time, as we came unhooked, I realized we had no forestay attached to anything. The baby stay was a blessing, other wise the boat would be in need of a whole new rig. So I quickly attach the Spinnaker halyard and topping lift to the toe rail, to prevent the stick from coming down on our heads. We now sit at Zahniser’s Marina, in the same harbour, we just sailed from less than an hour before.
Boy is our faces red! How all plans change in less than a few minutes.

Why Is It???? You Never Have a Camera When!!!!

2006-11-07T17:17:00.000-08:00

There we were today, taking advantage of the calm before the storm, Ted and I, in the dinghy scrubbing the (scuzzy, slimmy, greasy) waterline of the hull in Solomon’s Island, MD. Within less than a three foot radius, along came two beautiful Swans. I had just made a comment like “why aren’t the ducks feasting off the hull of the boat with all this grass?” and I looked up. I could have reached out and petted them. Two beautiful Swans, just chatting away, as if to ask “What are you doing?” No camera! Go figure! Top it off Topaz, is up forward in the V Berth, sleeping away. If she had of been up on the deck, it would have been a very entertaining moment. Shortly after, satisfying their curiosity, they swam around the boat and came back to the stern of the dinghy. Chatting some more. It was really exciting to see such wild creatures not afraid of humans, what so ever.

They came back the next morning..and I was sure to get a photograph this time around. The local boater's here do not see the cuteness in these creatures as I do. Apparently, they steal tools or anything you might lay down in their reach. Talk was to send them back to the Queen of England. I guess that's where they orginated as a gift.?? I'll have to do some reach on this, as to which Queen gave the gift I'm not sure.

Just a couple of days before hand, we were at a bus stop in Annapolis. As I had approached a lady sitting at the bus stop. I had asked, if one of the buses that stopped here, would take us to a grocery store? She in turn had a budgie bird down the front of her jacket on a harness and tether. She felt that the bird gets bored, in the apartment, and tries to get him out as much as possible. Cute little guy, as he climbs out and onto my hand. However, it was a chilly day and we’d hate to see him get a draft.

Light Houses of Chesapeake Bay

2006-11-07T11:21:00.000-08:00

Annapolis, Maryland

2006-11-07T11:14:00.000-08:00

C & D Canal (between Delaware and Maryland)

2006-11-06T15:08:00.000-08:00

The change of colours were over whelming...As the ducks flew over us, Ted kept visualizing, Bubba Gump and the boys would appear out of the bushes shooting!!!

Views from two states ...Cape May, NJ through the Delaware Bay, DE

2006-11-06T14:42:00.000-08:00

It's over whelming when you have large bodies of water...and yet no depth! Traveling down the coast of New Jersey (on the Atlantic Ocean), across the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay. We were hard to find sixteen feet of water. Every now and then we'd get a welcome sight of sixty feet....much more of a comfort zone! However, with the change of colours the view is breathe taking.

From Atop the Empire State Building

2006-11-03T15:12:00.000-08:00

Crab Fishing...or should I say we feed them well!!!

2006-11-03T13:25:00.000-08:00

We tended to feed, catch and release the Blue Crab as we never caught enough in order to keep and make a feast.

Some views from Atlantic Highlands, NJ

2006-11-03T13:20:00.000-08:00

Engina Saga...continues

2006-10-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

Today, is our 23rd day here at Atlantic Highlands. This injector pump has been in and out and back in more than enough. The Yanmar folks here have been slightly more than useless. Our mechanic has found that the new pump wasn’t new after all. It was actually put back on the shelf after it was returned faulty and working incorrectly, and then forgotten about. Only to end up in our hands as a new pump.

Yes the Linus Cloud is still over us!!

The pump didn’t work last week on Friday; it was back to the shop Monday after being repaired. Unfortunately, not all parts were returned. Therefore, these parts were sent via FedEx overnight and received Tuesday a.m. Once again installed and seemed to have been running quite nicely for over an hour. We have not had our fridge working for the last twenty-two days and have been shopping one day at a time. So, with the engine running, finally we can now turn on the fridge. Hind sight, Pat wanted to clean out the fridge before refilling. So we went to the grocery store to get just enough groceries for our supper. Getting back to the boat, we flashed the engine once again and started to clean the fridge. It was blowing 30-35 knots from the west outside around 40-45 degrees F. Wasn’t long after, all hell broke loose. The engine increases its revs, and then over the top she goes again. In order to get it to stop Ted had to place his hand over the air intake and finally it shuts down.

So here we sit, one more night in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, looking at the Empire State Building across the Hook. Do you remember the movie “Ground Hog Day” and the never ending loop never changing?? This seems to be like that movie only it’s getting colder each day closer to November.

Day 24, a new lift pump (supplies the new injector pump) and oil change all seems to be fine. Are we nervous? You bet, not doing the happy dance until we feel more confident. Perhaps that’s what our jinx yesterday was. This crappy weather haunts us like a Halloween movie…still holds us back…looks like perhaps this weekend we will be up the coast.

Friday, 27th of October and we have lived aboard Xcelsior for 182 days, What an Eventful Six Months.
.

Engine..Engine...Run Away!!

2006-10-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

Our over night stop became a five days of bad weather…in Atlantic Highlands. This is not a friendly harbour bottom for anchorage, what so ever, East or West winds are just plan terror. Besides the heavy winds of 40 to 50 knots, we have found a soft bottom….the first night we were set fine. While the second night there was a thunderstorm and we plowed the harbour bottom from one end to the other. The aquaculture farmers would be proud of us. This all occurred at the wee hours of 0:30 in the morning, once we managed to get the situation under control and reset, all 150 feet of chain rode and plow anchor, in ten feet of water. The next morning we thought we set, a second anchor the Bruce was put out. Doing so the engine ran away….those that don’t know what a diesel run away is, was full speed ahead with no one at the throttle. We allowed the engine to cool down and tried once again to no avail. The second engine run away occurred.

Sunday came about and we took on fuel, water and did a pump out. Heading out the harbour, destination Atlantic City and the engine ran away once again for the third time. Dropped our anchor and called a diesel mechanic. Three days later we are ordering a new injector fuel pump at the cost of $750 (remember the Yanmar is only three years old and has less than 700 hours of running time). Two days later and what was thought to be the problem doesn’t seem to be so. The governor spring and controls does not appear to be doing their job. So we wait. Hopefully Monday, Vince the mechanic, will have a solution.

There we are anchored in the middle of the harbour, we were going to take the ferry into New York City, but the wind comes up and we thought we’d best hang about the boat to make sure she doesn’t drag again. Less than an hour later, and we slide by two mooring balls, “we’d best tie up to one of those mooring balls” as we have no engine to assist us Ted heads out in the dinghy puts on a bridle. I pull the boat over to the mooring (now about two boat lengths away) by a sheet slipped through the eye of the bridle. We are now secured with mooring ball and anchor still down.

Meanwhile, a member last week offered us the use of his mooring ball. Mooring balls here are $40 a night, which includes launch service and showers. Ironically, in order to save dollars, Ted taking the dinghy tried towing us over to the members ball. The wind came up and as we were almost at the ball, pushed us as much as ten boat lengths away. Before we knew it… the dinghy was riding up the bow of the boat and Ted’s in the water and the dinghies upside down. Drop anchor…between attempting to get the boat upright and Ted back on board….So IRONIC in order of saving dollars, we end up with an outboard now needing to be flushed of saltwater. The Suzuki dealer here didn’t have time to look at the outboard so a friend took us to Sea Bright to his Mercury dealer. As long as the outboard turns over he’d be able to flush it for us but…if parts are required we’d have to go back to the Suzuki dealer that had no mechanic to assist. Things were on our side…the outboard after a little priming turned over.

All in all…the people of Atlantic Highlands, NJ have been great and made us feel like family. We have learned to crab fish….Actually we have been feeding the crabs well, catching and releasing. Topaz, was quite intrigued by the intruder.

Started our third week here and had hoped we'd be heading to the Intracoastal Waterway via C & D Canal, however, the engine story continues....we will keep you all updated.

The current at Hell's Gate

2006-10-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

The Big Apple….leads to Hell’s Gate

2006-10-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

Bright and early Tuesday morning at 0430, we raise our bodies out of bed, to start the morning venture from Port Washington, Long Island Sound to New York City. We were told by many to time our tides for the river channels into New York. The currents were strong but in our favour once again.

As we arrived at Rikers Island (the prison island) there was a huge prison barge tied up across the channel. It must have stood six stories, 500 feet long by 100 wide. The top level was the barred fenced exercise courtyard about half the length of a football field. Can’t even begin to think how many prisoners would work on this barge.

Hell’s Gate wasn’t anything we anticipated. Strong currents but nothing we couldn’t handle. The winds were blowing 20 knots at the time and I don’t believe I would have wanted anything stronger.

Another concern was the weekday commuters on the ferries during the morning rush. A few people had told us horror stories about the NY Waterway Ferries fighting the currents and just flying out of their berths at full speed ahead. It wasn’t long before we witnessed the stories ourselves. We were smack in the middle of the 0730 and 0800 rush. The ferries would sooner go through you than around. The worst area was at the joining of the East River and Hudson River known as “The Battery”. Fighting current, ferries and wave wakes.

Over all we traveled under eight bridges and the Big Apple was overwhelming. From ducking airplanes (La Guardia Field), Aerial Sky Cars (Cable Car), trains, heavy bridge commuter traffic and commercial ships and barges, made for one very noisy passage.

Next stop...we are going to skip Atlantic City if the weather is against us and continue around Cape May into Deleware.

Newport, Rhode Island

2006-09-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

Newport, Rhode Island is a very active harbour. From a 12 meter challenge (there must be at least six countries represented), junior sailors out racing in 25 knot winds, along with a Norwegian cruise line anchored about a half mile away from us. The downtown core is hoping with millions of people roaming the streets and attractions.

Our first three days in Newport, we were berthed at the Naval Yachting Centre. A lovely facility with lots of activities. When we first arrived the Special Olympics were just heading out for their weekly sail on Rhode 19’s. Sailing courses consisted of ground school and on the water. Each berth had a dock locker for storage, which I believe is a great idea.

We are in our second day of heavy winds from Helene. To keep costs down we were leaving the Naval Centre to anchor in the downtown core. That way we could take in the water activities and enjoy our next two days on a different scale. Newport has been a rather expensive stop as all the facilities are here. West Marine where we purchased a new solenoid valve for the propane stove, Bluewater Charts picked up the Leeward Island charts and Yanmar dealer. Just a few to mention…I won’t go into all the attractions and shops. We have hoofed a number of miles in the last three days…Last night I treated my feet to a lovely foot bath.

Ted and I visited the Museum of Yachting, which housed many trophies and treasures from the American Cup and BOC Challenges Hall of Fame.

How to get out of a difficult berth with 35 knot winds. The wind was blowing us into the dock and once we go astern it pushes us into not only the dock but another boat. Therefore, Ted took his fishing rod with a half filled bottle of water. From across the water he casted the bottle towards me at the stern of the boat. I in turn tied a sheet to the fishing line, where Ted than reeled the line into him. This allowed us to self slip from the dock behind us as we winched the line in and pulling the boat out of the berth. The engine is on but not in gear. We didn’t touch the dock, or the boat next to us. The ride to downtown was not as easy with gusts to 35 knots making 2.5 Knots towards the inner harbour. Once inside the wind dropped to a mere 25 knots.

While visiting Newport we took advantage of some views by going to the Internation Yacht Restoration School. The Beetle Cats seems to be the wooden boat of choice for the students training projects. Once restored these boats go for sale as high as $11,500 US. The Seamen Church Institute is mission for sea men and women, where we are at present updating our blog. This is a lovely facility and operates from donations.

The best part of cruising is the number of interesting people you meet along the way.
Next stop....Long Island Sound!

Marblehead (Boston Yacht Club)

2006-09-26T08:37:00.000-07:00

This picture only shows maybe a third of the boats in this cove. Boston Yacht Club is a huge sailing community. Marblehead itself is a small town that reminds me of England with alley ways leading to beautiful heritage homes.

Beverly, MA (Jubilee Yacht Club)

2006-09-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

A beautiful spot and extremely friendly members.

Provincetown

2006-09-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Pilgram Monument

National Guard

2006-09-21T07:25:00.000-07:00

These feathered soldiers stood guard over us for two evenings in a row. Drove Topaz nuts!!

Cape Cod Canal (Current and Whirlpools)

2006-09-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

The boat speed is only 4.5 knots while the strength of the current pushes us through.

Cape Cod Canal (two of three bridges)

2006-09-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

Cuttyhunk (a small island near Martha's Vineyard)

2006-09-21T07:08:00.000-07:00

Enjoying Massachusetts

2006-09-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

It’s been an interesting week since our last entry. First of all it’s a pleasure that Massachusetts obviously have rules for fisherman and where they lay their lobster traps. All channels are trap free….and believe me it’s a blessing (not to mention marriage saver). We spent two days in Marblehead (Boston Yacht Club). It’s a massive harbour with boats out of this world. Marblehead is a quaint town, very much like a small English village. Just around the corner is Salem and Beverly, these two communities often get passed by. However, I urge any one to reconsider. We had spent three evenings moored at the Jubilee Yacht Club and met a number of great people. Bernie, born in PEI has lived in Enjoying Massachusetts…

Beverly for forty-two years. This club is a members club, that each member puts in twenty hours of work (based on a $20 hour salary) or pay the four hundred dollars. The work would range from driving the launch boat (tender), manage the travel lift, gas jetty or any repairs the club may have. It was comical as every where we went we were known as “the Canadian’s”. Not to fear Canada…I made sure Ted behaved himself!!!

Provincetown, Cape Cod Bay, fifty miles across from Marblehead. Unfortunately, we arrived on Sunday evening rather than Friday or Saturday, as the night traffic here is quite entertaining. This community is very artsy, full of galleries from paintings to sculptures. All locals had a dog if not two. One gentleman had a hat and sunglasses on his little terrier. The one store we went into was designed for people like Paris Hilton, who like to dress their dogs up….mostly for dogs but the odd cat stuff. The stock ranged from every piece of clothing one could ask for…rain coats, mittens and booties to match, evening gowns to bikinis with hats of all styles. We could have picked up a lovely diamond or stone collar for Topaz as low as $65…or as high as…well past my bank account. Earlier that morning we came across a traffic sign “Slowly…Cats Crossing” I loved it!!

Today’s Tuesday, 19 September and back across the Cape Cod Bay, thirty miles to the Canal. The current here can be up to six knots; therefore, we want the tide behind us to help move us through, rather than against. When we arrived at 2 p.m. today the current would have been perfect, but it wouldn’t give us enough time to get on the other side before dark. The marina we have rented for the night allows us to wait for the morning tide and give us a better time frame for passage. This area (before someone discovered it to be a gold mine) used to be a popular anchorage called “Refugee Cove”. Now known as Sandwich Harbour at the fee of $1.80 per foot for a slip. Next stop Cuttyhunk and then to Rhode Island.

Biddeford, ME after thunderstorm

2006-09-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

Lobster Trap HELL.....

2006-09-12T14:12:00.000-07:00

September 11th and here we are in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It took two very frustrating days to travel thirty miles. Maine and New Hampshire are two hell states for lobster traps. In less than an eighteen hour time span we got snagged twice.

Saturday afternoon we departed Portland, due to a thunderstorm and heavy winds, we attempted going into a nice little anchorage inside Wood Island (Biddeford) Maine. Just shy of a quarter mile before entering the anchorage we caught our first lobster trap. We took our boat hook and tied my never dull bread knife. This knife was advertised to cut through metal and we have proven it to be a very useful tool. Just as Ted cut us loose the winds come up at first 52 knots but went as high as 72 knots. So as stress plays its game, not only do we have to dodge traps but fight the winds and strong current as well. Once the rain came…it came in buckets..but short lived though. The positive side of this is it left behind a beautiful sunset and two rainbows. Hopefully the pictures will upload.

Next morning, the anchor wasn’t up for five minutes when the second trap snags. This one must have sunk as it was not visible. We ended up lowering the dinghy and Ted putting on his wet suit. One and a half hours later we were cut loose. No strain on our marriage during all this….no sir!!! Much!!! Not even as much as one lobster out of all this!!!

The tides here are ten to twelve feet, therefore, really causes a short travel frame. Very few areas to duck into (unlike Nova Scotia). Every piece of property along the coast there remains a beautiful home. I find the radio etiquette here on channel 16 is worse than our channel 68. Even the US Coast Guard…they must be only allowed a two second time frame to put out a ten minute notice. Security, Security, (Warning, Warning for those none sailors) and then the race begins….all you can pick out are two, or maybe three words. If you’re lucky, after hearing the notice for the tenth time, you might get the drift of the message, but not the whole message yet. Unbelievable!!!

Four monarch butterflies flew over us, they must be heading back to Mexico. As well, the geese are heading south.

Florence is coming up the coast, we will tuck in here for a day or two. Next destination Marblehead (Boston Yacht Club), Massachusetts.

Gulf of Maine Sunset

2006-09-08T15:44:00.000-07:00

Topaz has an unexpected guest

2006-09-08T15:01:00.000-07:00

It's Official...First Courtesy Flag Hoisted

2006-09-08T14:44:00.000-07:00

Xcelsior has crossed the first of seven seas. The Gulf of Maine was quite calm at the best of times. The wind was always on our nose that meant more motor sailing than sailing. We averaged 4.5 knots the whole 260 miles. Ted’s new fuel tank lasted 248 miles. Not bad estimating!! We would have made it on 230 miles but ended up altering course. The last thirty miles, I decided to read the guide book for Rhode Island to Canadian Border (nothing like making these purchases and not utilizing them). Realized at that point, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was not going to work in our favor. Portland, Maine became our new destination, as it is the Port of Entry Customs recognized. If we had of continued on to Portsmouth, we may have been denied entry and told to leave US waters.

Gulf of Maine is known for Right Whales. They are endangered whales, as they seem to get run over by boats. If your engine is running, as a warning signal, most whales will stay out
of the way. Not to mention we make quite the bow wake as we trudge through the waters. Right whales seem to be indulgent to these warnings.

We had a stow away on board at about 100 miles off shore. Or more so Topaz, had an unexpected guess for dinner. The pictures will tell the story.

Portland is a large boating community. Spring Point Marina, is one of ten marina/clubs. It was quite an eye opener as we entered the harbour and sighted, in the distance, millions of masts. Xcelsior, is one of maybe a dozen sail boats at this marina. The smallest power boat here might be thirty-six feet. Mostly Sea Rays and Carvers, and close to 500 boats. In the early hours this morning a large number of the boats departed for a Shark Tournament. The docking fee is $2.50 foot for one night, $67.50 per night (highly recommend anyone stay here as the people and dock masters are great). There goes our budget!! Booze is cheap though!! So that helps ease the pain.

Next port of call…Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We will be able to take a mooring ball at the US Navy Marina, at a more feasible fee. That way, if need be, we can afford a long waiting period as we wait out the next hurricane Florence.

Bird's Eye View

2006-09-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

Bimini Creation and Topaz Indigent after dunk

2006-09-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

Moon at Shelbourne, DYC, Lunenburg Ovens

2006-09-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

Linus’ Black Cloud Continues

2006-09-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

Just as we were doing some final touches on the boat (i.e. bimini, new cable and connectors for VHF) Topaz decided she should go for a dunk in the harbour. Quite indigent…trust me…once wet she still looks like a big girl. Our luck didn’t change. Just off Chebucto Head the auto helm stops and goes foolish. So we are sailing by hand for the next few days. Lunenburg was the closest AEL (Atlantic Electronic Limited), so it made for an unplanned visit. They were kind enough to exchange the system as ours was one year and ten days old. Less than half hour later, Ted was handing it down to me (my back was turned at the time) when the handle fall off. Splash!! Right into Lunenburg Harbour. Surprised it floated! Meanwhile it’s closing time for AEL and Friday evening. We will be back in Lunenburg on Monday. To make up for it we enjoyed a good feast of muscles, that David and Paula from Misty I, had hand picked for us.

Saturday morning we motor sailed off to LaHave to meet Erika and her parents. Diana remembered a story I had told about craving cookies, therefore, she made a batch of delicious chocolate chip cookies. I nurtured them for about three to four days. Enjoyed every bite, even shared with Ted.

While in LaHave, we met up with the Great Old Broad (Sally and Ed from Chicago). However, have lost them as they had to go to Yarmouth to get some duty reinburst and expect we will come across them in the U.S.A.

Presently, sitting on a mooring ball in Shelbourne Harbour waiting to see what direction Hurricane Ernesto is going to take. It looks like he is coming out to sea along the eastern coast. So if we were to cross the Gulf of Maine, we could come nose to nose with him and that wouldn’t be pretty. There are five other boats waiting with us. Three from Quebec, Alaska and France. So needless to say we have met lots of interesting people.

We look forward to hoist our first courtesy flag. Might have to wait until Tuesday to do so.

Sure hope the tide comes in to get....someone very special off the Rocks!!

2006-08-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

Some take Liesure Sailing to Extreme

2006-08-15T08:18:00.000-07:00

Liscome Lodge, St. Peter's Canal and some of many cruisers we met along our journey

2006-08-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

Tor Bay Feeding Frenzie

2006-08-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

Just another shakedown cruise….Bras D'or Lakes, Cape Breton

2006-08-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

Mid July, Xcelsior, Pat, Ted and Topaz headed out with six other boats for a leisure trip to Bras D'or Lakes. The fog didn’t fail us…it trailed along all the way to Canso. Radar comes in handy and over worked. In other words, more fog than any of us wished to see. The radar’s would get rested every evening as we are at anchor in a quiet protected cove only to wake up to guess what? More fog.

There was a lot of motoring, as we went through some back routes. The scenery was gorgeous; if it weren’t for the fog, we could have seen more. Amongst all the fog we did find Santa in a row boat, on the rocks in Little Dover Run. He didn’t look to upset as he was waving at us….sure hope he gets off the rocks before they miss the deadline for the toys in the north pole.

Once in Canso most boats had gone there own way, there were four boats entering St. Peter’s Canal. The others departed for Port Hawkesbury and Magdalene’s. This trip to Bras D'or Lakes would have been about our seventh trip. One never tires of this cruise as there’s always a new cove to venture. There were three anchorages we’ve been to before and the rest where all new for us this time. Xcelsior, was in a great location while sitting out tropical storm Beryl. Our best friends Wendy & Bill’s parents, Carm and Frank, have a cottage in Pringles Cove. Which is very well protected by mountains to the South and Pringle Island to the North? One very young eagle had flown inches away from the stern of the boat, being chased by a small black bird. Of course the camera is never handy to get a picture. You had to be there to appreciate the beauty and the irony of it all. Frank (retired navy, sorry Frankie) said he had arranged the fly past for us. We enjoyed a nice day visiting and great food including fresh baked date squares MMMMM good.

We had met some interesting cruisers and saw some wild life. Jellyfish heaven in Port Howe, if you look over the side of the boat you’d see them coming to surface. They started off relatively small and would increase on every movement. When they finally surfaces they’d be 12 plus inches in diameter. Topaz and I were entertained for hours….supper was delayed because of it. Just off Tor Bay, were approximately fifty dolphins and just as many albatrosses. They must have been feeding off of herring; the Albatrosses would dive in the ocean like bombers. Then in the background were three seals looking on or cheering not sure which. There was no shyness of Baldheaded eagles, ospreys, herrings etc.

Xcelsior preformed quite well, sluggish through the waters, as she’s bow heavy. This causing us to lose in most cases about two knots in speed. The weight up forward is two anchors along with 350 feet of chain and the 27 gallon water tank and up on deck is two jerry cans of diesel and one jerry can of gas for the outboard. Apparently rumor has it that we are going to cut back on the chain…not. In each case, neither items can be downsize or dispose of. Solution…add more weight in the stern. Therefore, Ted is going to get a fuel tank custom made to sit upright in the cockpit locker and place a “T” valve on it. This would work the same as a reserve tank in a car or truck. That would eliminate the jerry cans of diesel being stowed on deck. As well, give us the fuel capacity to cross the Gulf of Maine completely by engine. The engine would be required if the wind is not in a favorable direction. Or lack of wind. Experiencing last year’s attempt of the Gulf of Maine, we were becalmed for three days making us divert our plans by going into Yarmouth.

Our target date for departure for New York is August 20th at the latest. We will radio a couple that we had met from Etobicoke, ON, to find out their location. They are heading for New York and going back through the Hudson River and canals to Ontario.

Who said you can’t teach an old cat new trick’s??

2006-06-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

There isn’t a whole lot of space down below in the boat. Oh so often, Ted and I have to do the odd dance or shuffle, just to pass each other. Therefore, a litter box (to constantly trip over) is out of the question!! Only solution, is to toilet train Topaz. I had no doubt that this couldn’t be accomplished.

I’m extremely fortunate, as our feline is very good natured. She’s been tortured with constant change of litter over the years. We tried crystals, various chump types and finally settled for the Swheat Scoop (Wheat). This trailed less, as well, is environmental friendly and healthier for her (when digested while cleaning). Topaz, sat through four fittings, for her custom made life jacket.

The first step: purchased a plastic bowl that would fit inside our bowl. Trim the rim just a touch, to allow the toilet seat to sit right.
Second step: added a small amount of cat litter to the plastic container
Third step: introduced her to the toilet by standing her on the seat at every opportunity
Fourth step: as Topaz had nothing other than the litter in the toilet bowl, she clued in within hours that this was expected of her
Fifth step: slowly decrease litter
Sixth step: eliminate the litter and cut a hole in the bottom of the plastic container

At present we have not gotten to step six. I’m sure it won’t be long. In other words, we will soon run out of litter and I have no intentions of getting anymore.

Yes We Are Back in Dartmouth

2006-06-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

We have slowly and carefully traced and removed and replaced each and every fuel line back to the tank then by passed the tank altogether and the engine ran fine for three hours under load ( meaning prop turning under normal RPM's 2500 ) didn't miss a beat. After diving deep under the cockpit and remove the fuel tank I found that the manufacturer had in fact installed a screen in the fuel pickup tube that was clogged with about two inches of MBG that would not allow fuel to pass through the fuel lines. ( Micro Biological Growth) Un fortunatly I destroyed the tank removing the pickup tube to find out the reason for us being 2000 miles and more than a month behind our planned voyage. We will be heading out in mid August for the Ditch and doing the coastal thing. We will show some pictures soon when we install the new fuel tank and make ready to head south again.

Sunsets and evening moonlight somewhere deep into the Atlantic

2006-05-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

Toasting the entrance of the Gulf Stream....and enjoying the warmth of the sun

2006-05-24T11:41:00.000-07:00

1,000 miles offshore....smarter!!

2006-05-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

Departure Date Sunday, 7 May 06 from Halifax to Bermuda. Approximately five container ships departed and one entered in our time frame. First time sighting a boat was at midnight, large fishing boat in the horizon. Within the next couple of days, the main was reefed and furling shortened. Two hundred miles out and we had dolphins swimming at our bow. Didn’t think our boat would go fast enough to have their company. It’s said dolphins at your bow is good luck. If nothing else they will keep the whales away.

Thursday we have entered the Gulf Stream, our bearings are 39°N 39” and 64°W 25” water temperature at 70.5 degrees and approximately 85 degrees in the cockpit, t-shirt and shorts. We spent the morning squall dodging and sailing around one only to find another behind it. Instant, twenty-five knots or more, and heavy rainfall. Ted while one his watch, said hello to a group of sperm whales and took some pictures. Unfortunately the pictures just look like a bunch of waves in the water.

By late afternoon, the wind dies but the current is strong. The speed through the water is 6.2 knots and the stream is in the wrong direction, causing us to loose 3 to 5 knots. After talking to Herb on the single side band, he informed us of a nasty front coming straight for us. Ideally Herb suggested that we get to 38 degrees and we had eight hours to get into safe waters. Knowing we had engine problems, he indicated that if we can’t make that time frame than our best bet was to head north and go back to Nova Scotia. Prior to this day we have tackled 29 to 38 knot winds and 5 meter swells. Hated to see what this front was going to bring our little twenty-seven foot boat. Ted worked on the engine for about three hours and no go, can’t make the other side in the next 10 hours. For the past few days, there has been no traffic on the water or in the air, not necessary a comfortable feeling. We are well over 400 miles off shore, to be more exact we are directly inline with Philadelphia. Therefore, we followed Herbs advice and pointed the boat north to Nova Scotia. I don’t believe one wish to test our skills on the Gulf Stream to its limits.

The sea conditions remained inconsistent, uncomfortable and beating us to a pulp. Time to rig the Sea Anchor (Parachute), 42°N 31” and 64°W 11” putting our a couple of securitee to all shipping (no response). By this point in time the aft spars for the wind generator and radar rivets pulled out. Ted secured them with any and all extra rope we had on board. We learnt you can never have enough. We read and slept while sitting out the rough weather for the next day and a half. Topaz, was so scared at this point we couldn’t hold her tight enough. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if given the chance if
she’d jump ship at that point.

At this point in time, our batteries are very low so all instruments are turned off to conserve energy. However, we did turn the single side band on to contact Halifax Coast Guard Radio, just to let them know our bearings and that we on sitting on our sea anchor. At this time they asked if we required assistance. “Negative”, we were fine and riding it out. Within half an hour, it’s 12:30 p.m. and the rode parted, we were heading home ready or not. Wondering how long before the parachute sinks to the bottom?

Monday, 15 May our power finally gives up the ghost and no longer is there auto-helm. Steering in hand and by 4 p.m. the wind becalms Xcelsior, we are just about fifteen miles from the mouth of Liverpool and all the fishing boats are returning home from checking there lobster traps. In threat of a rocky shore, Ted lowers the Narwhal (inflatable boat) and fires up the outboard and pushes the boat toward Port Mouton, NS while I steer. Eight miles later we arrive at Carter Island, dodging millions of lobster traps we finally dropped the anchor an hour before sunset. A quaint place!!

The next morning between rain and fog, we flashed up the Narwhal and headed into Port Mouton. Dodging lobster traps we found the channel that leads us to the local fish plant. We asked if anyone could recommend a diesel mechanic, and we were given Walter MacDonald’s number. Walter had suggested two fishing vessels that may or may not tow us into the channel to the government wharf. There was no ATM or Bank Machine available in this area; we decided that Brooklyn Boat Club would be a better location. Showers, dock, phone plus a shorter distance to Liverpool for banking and groceries. Next morning conditions were favorable, so hauled up the anchor and sailed to Brooklyn, again dodging more lobster traps and fishing boats. Three hours later, we docked, just in time before a major wind increase.

Soon we had the docks lined up with interior cushions drying out along with bedding hanging from the sheets. During the last ten days, the wind, sea and weather had tested every seam of the boat. We found many small leaks that never before developed until going through the Gulf Stream and back have tested this old boat. She handled well and gave us more faith in her abilities. The railings were under water 90% of the time, water coming in by the buckets through the bow. Windows leaking, deck fittings from the installation of dodger and other deck equipment such as the anchor windlass and chain haws pipe (the hole the chain passes through the upper deck). The rain and sea soaked us and everything else. Each locker had about six inches of water in the bottom soaking the can goods. A local member, Louie was kind enough to lend us a heater to assist in the drying out.

Walter came on board and we bleed the fuel system. Then we fired up the engine, it ran flawlessly for about six hours charging the dead batteries. It seemed, the procedure I was using for bleeding the engine fuel system, was incorrect. I learned a new trick, to decompress the engine and turn it till the hp fuel pump was able to be moved manually and bleed the air from the fuel system. It was all to simple for us to return 400 miles to find out that was all there was to this job and we would be on our way. Frustrating!!

After almost two days of dry sunny weather the cushions and boat were reasonably dry. The weather forecast seemed favorable (Southerly 10-15 knots increasing to 20 late in the evening). It was time to head seventy-five miles to Dartmouth Yacht Club. So far, all was going well, this should only take 12-14 hours. So we fired up the diesel and untied the lines and headed out from Brooklyn. Forty five minutes later in the mouth of Liverpool Harbor the engine coughs and spits then quits. Yet once again she dies and there we bounce about in light winds, so light that you couldn’t sail in any one direction. Adrift again!!! After two hours of drifting and dodging lobster pots and fishing boats, the wind started to fill in from the south and we were making 1-2 knots. We started to make some speed, however, still to slow to make Halifax by dark.

Tried the engine one more time, and it started. This is becoming a haunting experience, as it only runs when it wants to. Is it possessed by demons or what? After motoring one half hour through the maze of lobster pots, the inevitable happened and one of the pot lines got wrapped around the prop, shut down the engine right away. Approximately forty-five minutes, of hanging over the stern of the boat with the boat hook, the rope was finally cleared. No trap was attached to the end of the line. But some fisherman will be looking for this trap for along time. We tired the engine again and it would not go. The wind however started to increase and soon we where going six knots towards home. It is now 2 p.m. and the wind is decreasing, so it looks like it will be a longer run to Halifax.

An hour later the wind started to increase again as the forecast predicted 20 knots from the south and we are now flying towards home once again. The sea has picked up to about 3 – 4 meters and the wind is backing to the south east, this is making this small trip a hard ole passage. With the wind on the nose and having to reef the main, shorten the jib. The wind now has increased to 25 and gusting to 33 knots. Now we were only making four knots or less and being pushed into Sambro ledges and some very unfriendly water. In normal conditions we would sail through here and not give it another thought. But in these conditions if we had some break down of our rigging, we would be in serious trouble as a million rocks the size of apartment buildings. Three to four meter’s of seas and a very unfriendly rocky shore. We tacked out to sea to go around Sambro. The wind changed direction and came right on our nose again and we were not making any head way in the direction that we needed to go. We stayed on this course for an hour hoping to be able to tack back towards Halifax Charlie (the buoy we were headed for to enter the harbour. After heading to sea for an hour the wind seemed to change to a more easterly direction and increase to 30 knots gusting to 38 and 40. We tack back towards the harbour mouth and can almost hold the course we need to make the mark to turn down wind for the entry. HAVE WE MENTIONED THAT BY NOW IT IS PAST MIDNIGHT and it is so dark all we can see is the Sambro Lighthouse, we can not see the mark we are headed for and it is less than two miles away. There is so much cloud cover we can’t see the lights of Halifax which we can normally see 20 miles or more in fact it is so dark we can’t tell were the ocean stops and sky begins. It seemed like hours before we finally got a visual on the mark and the wind was pushing us down below it, I had to make a decision head out to sea again or chance the entry by going inside by a hundred yards. At this time we’ve been on our feet for 18 hours. We head in anyway and yes we are cutting the buoy short (We’re here to write this story so we must have made it without hitting anything.)

We are cold, wet, tired and hungry at this point. There was one container schedule to depart within the next half hour, which should give us lots of time to get out of the traffic lane. We are cold, wet, tired and hungry at this point. Its well after midnight, Pat radio’s Halifax Traffic to be advised of any Harbour traffic. There was one container schedule to depart within the next half hour, which should give us lots of time to get out of the traffic lane. About forty-five minutes later we are on the radio telling Atlantic Express we will be crossing her stern. Just shortly after the harbour was so dark that at one point we littery didn’t know where we were. Finally, Major’s Beach Lighthouse, and we closed our sailing plan with Halifax Coast Guard Radio.
Six a.m. we finally approached Dartmouth Yacht Club, grabbed a mooring ball and called it a night. By noon Saturday, we were towed into the marina and along side to complete repairs.

Para Anchor with 300 feet of rhode...sitting out some rough weather...38 knot winds and 25 foot swells

2006-05-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

Drying the boat out in Brooklyn, NS...we took on lots of water through the bow and railings were under water constantly

2006-05-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

We are off to Bermuda again. Under the cover of darkness.

2006-05-06T16:39:00.000-07:00

Baths Are no Fun

2006-05-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

Topaz is not Happy about the Bath

2006-05-06T16:24:00.000-07:00

See the top right corner. That soot covered the entire ceiling and the fall out all over the Upholstery and clothing.

2006-05-06T16:13:00.000-07:00

Pat's Offshore Fashions

2006-05-06T16:07:00.000-07:00

See You Later

2006-05-06T15:57:00.000-07:00

Headed for Bermuda

2006-05-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 3 May at 1:35 Xcelsior throws it's dock lines on the boat…stowed them away with intentions of not being required for at least ten day, when we arrive in St. George Harbour…Bermuda. Horn’s were honking, Wendy and Bill (adopted Sister and Brother for 30 years) along with a large number of fellow sailor’s from Dartmouth Yacht Club, were waving at the end of F dock. We motor off, secure the boat for sea and raise our jib pointing towards the Atlantic.

As always the wind shifted going through the narrows, which meant we’d be tacking all the way up…therefore we hauled the jib in and motored to the mouth of Halifax Harbour. The local weather report was not entirely correct as the winds were blowing at Chebucto Head 35 knots with sea conditions 8 to 12 feet. This meant pushing us back into Halifax Harbour and gaining nothing. We both agreed that it’s foolish to go into those conditions (different if we were already out 100 miles and had to where to duck). One of our favourite places to anchor is up the North West Arm at Dingle Towers…so there we settled down for the night with intentions of getting a fresh start early morning.

For the past twenty years, Xcelsior has had oil lanterns as a source of heat. Never had a problem with them until…..sometime through the night while we were all tucked away and sleeping like babies, one had began to give off black soot. I can’t stress how much and how far this soot covered the entire interior of the boat. Topaz, was a brilliant white and gold tabby….soon became a dull gold and dark grey cat. Her paw marks were everywhere! She doesn't care for a bath and I soon learned that her claws dig into fibreglass and wood, strong as anything to get away from me. We should count our blessings that we even woke up to tell this story. I need not say that our boat no longer has oil lanterns on board.

While at anchor, after two hours of cleaning, we decided that we’d may as well turn back and dock at Dartmouth Yacht Club. There was a minimum of two days clean up ahead of us. The ceiling took four scrubbings, the floor three, all setee (seat) covers and drapes had to come off and get dry cleaned, four bags of laundry came off. There wasn’t an item or spot on the boat that didn’t get covered with soot.

Saturday, and the boat is starting to get back together….most of the soot came out of the setee’s, however, there are a few spots that tell the tales. We went through seventy-five gallons of water, $75 dry cleaning, $27 laundry, $25 miscellaneous cleaning supplies and about twenty hours of labour each. WHAT A !!!##!!! MESS!

Now that that’s behind us…we hope to try again tomorrow. Everyone keeps asking when and what time…we’re just saying “next time we will go for a trail sail…if we come back that’s the way it is…or if we continue to sail south…we’ll let you all know when we arrive and update the adventures’.

As soon as we get this squared away we will be on our way????

2006-04-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

Fully Custom Lifejacket

2006-04-16T10:08:00.000-07:00

The building of the ladder

2006-04-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

The ladder is complete and wind vane installed.

2006-04-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

Finally Happening...

2006-04-15T04:17:00.000-07:00

Three years planning and it’s finally happening
Final touches are now being done on the boat, for us to be able to call it HOME. We have given up all of our possessions from clothing, furniture and the apartment. The weather hasn’t quite given us our ten day comfort zone just yet. It’s 14th of April, 2006 and a mild winter in Nova Scotia (snowed only twice so far this winter).

Xcelsior doesn’t look like the same boat at all. I’m sure the manufacturers of CS would still recognize the hull lines but the whole interior and exterior has been modified. The mast has just received the ladder rungs, we have built a propane tank locker forward of the mast (holds two 25lb tanks). Just in front of the dodger we have the jerry jugs (four diesels, one gas for the outboard and two water) rather than along the lifelines.

Up forward in the V Berth we have installed a seven foot bookcase for all the country guides and cruising manuals one needs for this journey. Topaz has a new hammock, in hopes to keep her off our feet.

Members of the Dartmouth Yacht Club all have had a good roar…as a friends ½ ton pulls up…chalked full of provisions to go on the boat. “You need a larger boat”, “When are you hauling to paint a new water line?”. All I could say was “It’s not as bad as it looks!”…..”Worst case….we’ll have a flea market here on the jetty before we sail.”

This is a very belittling time as we reduce ourselves to the confines of a 27 ft sailboat. You can’t imagine trimming from two large closets and the six drawer dresser to two 12” by 18” plastic containers four pairs of underwear a couple pair of shorts 1 favorite sweater, two shirts and pants then our sailing gear. No room for non essentials just necessities.

SUMMER OF 2005 SHAKEDOWN....

2006-02-11T14:46:00.000-08:00

SUMMER OF 2005 SHAKEDOWN..….

Pat has not sailed single handed watches before, therefore, summer of 2005 was the practice time. We planned to sail straight through, from Halifax to New York, back to Boston then home. Mid July one would not have thought you’d need so many layers of warm clothing to cross the Gulf of Maine. Now...that’s one cold body of water! In fact, I don’t believe I have enough clothing in my wardrobe.

It was an interesting shakedown…..we were doinig 3 hour watches. My first watch Ted slept in the cock pit...just incase, plus reassurance. Second watch I insisted that he sleep down below. However, it didn’t take long for me to have a comfort zone of doing my single hand watches. The auto helm and radar were comforting, especially having the radar as a third eye. This kid has night blindness, so I was not comfortable with night sailing at the best of times. During the entire trip, Ted and I were challenged in in every sense of the word. We utilized every aspect of sailing knowledge and skills. Every little trick and judgement. The only challenge, we didn’t have, was dodging the lobster traps in Maine…but we were prepared to do so. Engine problems, along with no wind, fighting the tide of Fundy and the Gulf of Maine. After being becalmed for the fourth night, we decided to turn around and head into Yarmouth, NS. At least there was wind in that direction. We knew Canada would honour the warranty on the engine and weren’t too sure about the Americans. Not wanting a shock to our wallet, we decided it best to be in Canadian territory. At least then Ted can work on the engine himself. While in American marina's you are restricted from doing your own work while tied to their marinas.

By now, we came to terms and knew New York and Boston were no longer in the picture. Both of us had to return to our place of employment within eight days. The winds were fair until we entered the mouth of Yarmouth at 6 p.m. or 1800 hours. Not planning to travel the coastal waters of Nova Scotia, charts were on board even though cruising books were not. I then radioed Fundy Traffic, to request info of where we’d tie up for the night. Once again the wind died. The engine was not reliable, did I tell you this was a new engine not enven 100 hours of running time. It would heat up then quit. We wanted to save it until the worst part of the channel. Yarmouth Harbour, is not a friendly harbour to come into at night. The city lights reflecting off the water was more hinder and the unlit channel markers. Often, if it weren’t for the flash light shining on reflection tape (to identify the solid concrete channel markers) we could have some nasty bumps in the hull. Fundy traffic contacted us twice in the nine hours. Puzzled as to why we haven't reported into them for a while...0300 hours we finally come along side. Found a finger to tie up to, the tide was high and we could see the restaurant and other buildings. It didn’t take long, for Ted and I, to tuck ourselves into bed and go off into the dream world. We woke up about ten hours later to low tide. The railway track, that the marina system is on, for the tide levels, is ideal. Meant you don’t have to man the lines regularly, but made for a very noisy visit. However, twenty-eight feet tide, meant a long climb up with a weeks worth of laundry.

To make a very long story short…the next morning we made a call to the engines dealer. After Ted describes what the engine is doing, we were informed that it sounded like we had taken on gas rather than diesel. Sure enough…after sniffing the three remaining jerry jugs…gas it was. Now we had to find some method of emptying the tanks and disposing the contaminated gas/diesel. Our search is on. Lucky the owner of the Ultramar Gas Station, a few blocks up the road was very accommodating. Two days later we got provisions and ice to head back to Halifax via anchoring every night along the coast. Discovering new anchorages that we’d not anchored before from Yarmouth to Liverpool.

To my disappointment we didn’t view as much wild life as I had hoped to see. There where lots of seals, many sunfish, along with one huge leather back turtle. In fact, he was so wide, we figured he was too large to fit in our cockpit area that is six feet wide and eight long. Its head alone was the width of channel spar. As we grabbed for the camera he dove…so we never did get a picture. Lots of pilot whales, at the mouth of Liverpool harbour…but we didn’t get close enough to see the big whales breach. Only blow and break the surface with their humps and tails. All in good time I guess.

This trip was hard on a couple of our instruments…mind you they owed us nothing. We did the math and realized they served us for a number of years. Both the auto helm and GPS gave out. So needless to say, by the end of the summer, both had been replaced. However, not thrown out, I’m sure we can get a couple of more ventures from them, if we ever need them in emergency.

Shake down cruises are very beneficial from the Skipper down to the last Crew member. If you don’t test your emergency plan. How will you know if it works? Five hundred miles out to sea and a broken fuel pump in a gale, then blow out your main sail. This should not be an emergency. UN planned and UN comfortable (Not an Emergency). Our plan for a situation like this will be told in another BLOG entry to follow.

2005-12-28T09:22:00.000-08:00

DELAYS HAPPEN FOR A REASON..…

Ted and I have been cruising the coasts of Nova Scotia for over twenty years…on the same boat. Xcelsior handles very well; she’s forgiving and loves the open waters. Three years ago, we were to have headed south…but Mother Nature turned against us. Hurricane Juan, hit Nova Scotia and damaged the marina system at Dartmouth Yacht Club. The morning of Sept 29,2003 Ted and I ventured the quiet streets of Dartmouth, power lines down everywhere. We didn’t speak to much, as we both feared the worst. One had to question, if it were safe driving these roads? I can not describe the eerie quiet…not a bird or a cricket made a sound…I don’t believe anyone, of the few people down the marina, were even breathing. As we tried to shine as much light, as our flashlights would put out, on those like Ted brave enough to try and find their pride and joys, as they climb over the rubble of boats. All I could feel is the loss of our life long dreams vanish before us. Not having any control on the situation. There were a few sinking boats and broken marina in the water, sat amongst the floating debris. While others up on shore, sitting if not on their sides or keels…on top of each other in a giant heap. It was like a chain reaction, once one of the heavier powerboats gave way, it all gave away. There was only one trunk that held up and that was the trunk that Xcelsior was tied to. She sat where we left her the night before. However, one of the other trunks got caught up underneath her. We weren’t sure if it damaged the shaft or not. The cleat on the finger in the middle of the starboard side (right), rubbed almost through the under water hull. This was caused by the boat oscillating back and forth during the storm surge and wind.

It didn’t take long for every available member to chip in and help clear the mess up. Those boats that could be were towed out to safer waters and rafted up to a couple of others. The trunks that could be savaged, were trucked out to property in the industrial park area (owned by one of the members of the club). Then boats that could be safely taken off the shore line and the break water (rock) were then towed to the mooring field for mooring or travel lift camber to be hauled out, which ever was the best solution.

Before long boats were ashore and safely placed in their cradles, to survey the damage and to expedite repairs. Through the fall and into late summer various companies hauled boats away, for repairs. Xcelsior was amongst them, she was trucked out in May and returned mid August. Therefore, another year delayed our departure. Delays happen for a reason, November 4th Ted had a heart attack and in February had a stent repair his artery. Giving us more time to prepare the boat and research our trip. The following year we planned to depart April 5th…the new engine we installed vibrated so bad…thought the vibration might stop once it hit 100 hours of running…break in time. April 5th came and the engine was lifted out of the boat. One year later and we are still living here in Dartmouth. Last week of March first week of April 2006 which ever gives us the best 10 day window will be our departure date…we are now ready.

More Mod's and Seasons Greatings

2005-12-22T16:08:00.000-08:00

More Xcelsior Mod’s:

We are now working on building and installing an upper deck propane locker for forward of the mast. This will provide a nice place to sit when at anchor and enjoying a nice full bodied glass of Cabernet and Crimson and Gold sunsets. This box is partly finished on the spare room table very near completion, the cat seems to like to hide and sleep in it and then observe what is happening outside the window from this vantage point.

Over the years we have observed a number of long distance cruisers who have stored spare fuel and water in jerry cans lashed to the safety lines on the upper deck. I never liked this practice as so many boats have been surprised to find every thing they stowed on the upper deck, missing due to sea state conditions at sea or pirates when in anchorages. I hope to make two large covers that bolt to the deck and properly secure our valuables and make it as difficult as possible to lose from either of these problems.

Our next project, we hope, is going to be refrigeration.
I have made the decision,
Refrigeration and that is my final answer. There is no way we will be down south with out ice cubes for our rum.” No way, never, naah, naaahhhaaa”
There is still the possibility we would keep our fresh food, fresh fish, milk, margarine, and the like, in the icebox. There are life support items we will not go with out. Sunsets must be toasted whether you see them or not, they still occur close to the western horizon every evening.

We will throw in a few pictures here to show what is happening.

We also want to pass on to you all, our very best wishes this Holiday Season and the Absolute Greatest NEW YEAR

Topaz the sleeping crew member.....

2005-12-10T11:19:00.000-08:00

Topaz the sleeping crew member.....

About five years ago, Topaz our chubby tabby cat, was introduced to the sailing life. Two seconds within coming on board, she flashes forward to the V berth and manages to squeeze her body down the anchor chain hole. I swear this hole isn’t one inch wide. Meow….Meow comes out from under the fresh water tank. No room to turn around, she’s unable to get out of the prediciment she found herself in.

Basically I said to Ted “we have got to get her out of there….I don’t care if we have to cut the bow in half”. We drain the fresh water tank, so Ted can unbolt it and budge the tank in order for her to move out from under it. Through all the noise she continues Meow….I literally thought I killed her. It wasn’t long now before the PURR comes back.

Didn’t take long though for her to get cozy and comfortable on the way to Bras D’or Lakes, tucked up under the dodger. Entertainment continues as she hops from boat to boat….We found ourselves having to get her a strobe light so we’d know where she’s at. With no street lights, only the stars (which believe me can be pretty breathe taking) every now and than you'd can see a movement of a white chest and sometimes catch a glimpes of her eyes. She's like clock work…8 p.m. on the nose Topaz will come to life on deck, almost like a child saying "look ma...no hands" as she leaps from boat to boat looking in all the windows as she passes.

Topaz, didn’t get away without preparations. Besides her annual vet check ups and immunizations, she was fitted with a life jacket. This lifejacket is made of diving wetsuit material, neoprene rubber. It fits right around her chubby body, protecting her vital organs from the cold waters. With a loop on the back, this allows us to retrieve her with the boat hook. Ted is also going to make her a life ring for us to throw from the boat, in order for her to pull herself up, out of the water. It’s not her favorite piece of wardrobe…when jacket is placed on her she’ll fall stiffly sideways with all four limbs out, and lthe look of total discuss. It’s a hoot to watch this performance. Because Topaz gets stressed out with this device, in most cases we only have her harness on.

Xcelsior Gets Upgrades

2005-12-10T06:14:00.000-08:00

Xcelsior gets upgrades…..

In order to make our extended journey, Xcelsior (1976 CS27) required a number of upgrades, to make living accommodations more comfortable. After all this is our home for a least the next three years. We started at the bow and worked our way aft. Ted and I built and installed a bow extension with rollers and fittings for our spinnaker sail and stow both anchors. One, twenty two pound "Danforth", with 200 feet of 5/16 chain and the second, being a "Bruce" type with 30 feet of chain and 200 feet of rode. This is required for the Caribbean waters with coral bottoms.

Showing our colours, we purchased a new “A” symmetrical spinnaker flying proudly the Canadian Maple Leaf as seen on the first photo on the first page. The spinnaker is designed for light winds and two people can handle it easily in downwind conditions. While our mainsail shows our numbers 1134 with the two full battens and two half battens. Ted rigged jiffy slab reefing, which is made easy to operate from the cockpit. For those no sailors, reefing the main means that we have reduce the sail size. This is done in heavy wind conditions, stabilizing the boat and making life more comfortable.

The stern doesn’t get away without receiving a new look. Dragging a dinghy can become hazardous; in the wrong conditions the dinghy can over run the boat. Therefore, the rubber dinghy is now lifted out of the water onto the new Davits. One can’t go cruising without the silent third crew members, auto helm and radar. The auto helm attached to the tiller, steers the boat on course, while the radar, used sparingly during fog and night sailing. It acts as an extra eye, more so for Pat while on night watches (one likes their comfort zones). In order to power all the new electronics, a new wind generator was installed. We have two 8 D Deep Cycled batteries lowered in the cockpit lockers.

In the interior of the boat, the old two burner alcohol / kerosene stove was replaced, with a three burner propane stove and oven. Although, we lost drawer space, we gained a much better comfort zone in lighting the stove and oven. Not to mention a better variety of meals offered. Up forward the “V” Berth received 2” foam on top of the existing foam during reupholstering all the cushions. The “heads” washroom facilities were converted into a holding tank. By taking out the bathroom sink and placing the holding tank we didn’t loss any storage space.

2005-12-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Xcelsior Sailing from Halifax Harbour
Halifax, Canada
Pat and Ted Haight have been dreaming of a long sailing adventure on our sailboat Xcelsior. Our daily highlight will be toasting Sunsets from Halifax, Nova Scotia and beyond. We will be departing Halifax southward to Bermuda, and then continuing south to the Virgin Islands. We’ll Island hop to the Southern Caribbean for hurricane season around the 1st of June.

In early November, point west transiting through the Panama Canal. Once in the Pacific, North towards Vancouver Island and Victoria, British Columbia. This cruise will take almost a year to complete the first three legs. With fair winds and seas we should arrive in early May 07. We are looking forward to visiting Pats family and friends we made while in the Navy. From there, no plans are made for what direction we will take to return home, East or West??? Halifax is still Home. The Odyssey will begin April 2006... We hope to keep this Blog current until we are back in Halifax. This first Photo is form this past summer sailing from our home port in “Nova Scotia”. Visit our site often, leave us your comments below, or drop us a note at "xcelsior_ca@hotmail.com"