Norfolk VA 4/29/10

Mechanics did lower half of engine last night with anticipation of the final piece (head) arriving this afternoon. Well we got word it will be delivered by FedX not later than noon tomorrow. JT tells me he's got about 3-4 hours work left plus a short sea trial. Plan now will be to leave Saturday assuming everything checks out.

Anthony and Joe are flying in tonight. They are being picked up by some relative of Joe's and will visit with them for a while before coming to the boat. It will be good to have friends aboard again. Tomorrow we'll be true tourists across the river in downtown Norfolk. There is a lot to see there and some great places to eat. We'll all be happy about that. Today I got to see more of Portsmouth than I waned to see. There is a free "downtown" bus which does a loop throughout the downtown area. Interesting but I've seen enough of it to know tomorrow it will be Norfolk only.

While engine is apart I did the batteries, checked belts, had the mechanic check the reaw water pump and a few other things. All checked out fine.

Guess I close it off here. Anthony and Joe are at the airport and will be here shortly. Hope to have a quiet night, maybe some cribage with Joe. Looking forward to having fun tomorrow.

Norfolk Va 4/27-28

Had a good day yesterday. All parts for the engine have been ordered and should start arriving today. Starting to look very good for a Saturday start again.

Cool here this am, had rain most of yesterday afternoon but was a great day for boat cleaning and laundry. Today last load of laundry and a bit more cleaning.

Kevin left about 7:30 and had a good trip back to Boston. Anthony and Joe have adjusted their vacation and will arrive on Friday, assuming I can give them a green light.

Norfolk is a fantastic place. You can take a water taxi or a harbor boat to the city. I'm actually in Portsmouth which is across the river from downtown. Nice marina, good food and overall facilities.

Time to dig out the next set of charts this am and refresh my plan. With a bit of luck with weather my hope is to be at least at Fiddlers Cover within 5 days, or less.
Originally though about skipping the Chessepeak Bay/CD route but have had second thoughts on that. Out in open water with a reworked engine might not be the best.

Note to Kevin: All the Reeses Peanut Butter Cups are now gone.

That's it from Three Corners. Will try to post again in the next day or so with updated.

Norfolk VA 4/2610

Trip from Coinjock was fantastic. We did the 60 miles in six hours on fantastic water. We did not do the Dismal Swamp. We came up what is called the Virginia Cut. A beautiful ride and convinced me of what I had said earlier that the Dismal Swamp something everyone might want to do once but that is it.

Stopped here in Norfolk to change crews. Went to fuel dock to top off. Restarted the engines...bang. Port engine made all kinds of noises you don't want to hear. Checked a few things and called for the local mechanice. It's now almost 9PM and the are still working on the engine. It seems she dropped a valve seat, and will required new piston, sleave, and a few other things. Plan is to order parts and have me running before the weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I'll get to see more of Norfolk, not a bad thing.

Kevin just called to setup his cab to the airport tomorrow. Remainder of trip and crew is up for adjustment. Will update again in the next day or so.

Wrightsville NC Departure 4/24/10

Great trip from Wrightsville, we departed at 0700 We stayed outside to Morehead City/Beauford a bit after noon. Fueled up at the same place we used on the way down. Great people and they still had me in their computer.

Leaving Morehead perhaps a mile or so we got a aft bilge pump alarm, not a good start. Investigation revealed nothing but could not the the alarm to shut off. After further check I discovered a small tie wrap had in some manner, vibration or whatever, worked its way into the switch float and was keeping the switch on. Removed the tie wrap and all was well. Remember everyone keep your bilge clean.

From Morehead we stayed on the ICW and it was a fantastic ride until we hit the Neuse River. From that point on for the next 3-4 hours it was water in the face, 3-4footers. We actually stopped and put us the glass. This was a reminder of what may come on the NJ coast for us. Those who have been following the blog will remember, I sure know Kevin and Jeff do.

We continued to make good time despite the conditions in the river. Started looking for marinas about 3 only to discover we missed the best. The decision was made to spend the night on the hook…. Hmmm that turned into a problem. First location we did not care for, it was just to open. In the process of relocation to the other side of the channel in Eastham Creak we picked up one of those wonderful crab pots, not just the marker mind you. I knew we had it on so as in New England I figured a little reverse would free me from the line. Not here! We found a good location, put the hook down. Kevin went in the water to cut the line off. Water temp in the 70s and although brown in color he said he wanted to give it a try. No line, the whole pot was on the prop. After Kevin made several attempts I decided to call Towboat US, they are binging a diver in the am to cut it off. My membership will pay for itself this season as they told me I am covered for the diver also There does not appear to be any other issue from what Kevin was able to see so we should be underway mid morning.

The night was great. We had a sail boat just behind us also spending the night. Big problem here, which really it isn’t, is no cell or anything else. I feel like a true sailor tonight.

Mac and cheese for supper this evening, not bad. Planning on bacon and eggs for breakfast while waiting for TBUS. We watched a couple of DVDs and were down for the night about 10PM.

Bacon and Eggs in the AM 4/26, while we wait for TBUS and the diver. If I must say, and I must say so, I'm a good cook.

TBUS and the divered almost on time 9ish. Tow nice southern older guys, the captain was 75 years old and knew more about Boston Harbor the either Kevin or I. He spent his working life as a Captain on a tanker making runs to Boston from all over the world. Very interesting guy. Anyhow, the diver had the trap off in about an hour. He checked out everything and said we were good to go.

As you can tell I've fixed my computer issue here at Coinjock NC. Great marina, great resturant; 32 oz prime rib is their special. I had a 16 oz, it was fantastic. Kevin had a burger and shrimp, also good.

Beautiful morning here in Coinjock. We have 50 miles to go but they will be slow the remainder of the way. Anticipated reaching Norfolk early to mid afternoon.

All is well on Three Corners.

Wrightsville beach 4/24

Great run again. Mike left this am for home. Kevin still sleeping. Will be outside today to Morehead then back in. Boat running great but laptop acting up. This is being posted from iPhone so please excuse typos. Changed something on laptop and can't seem to get back to zero. Other than that frustration thing are great. Kevin and I spent a bit of time in the pool in the afternoon. Was great sitting there with beverages.

Osprey Marina, Myrtle Beach 4/23/10

Fantastic run outside from Charleston SC yesterday afternoon. We came back inside onto the ICW at Georgetown. Great ride up the ICW to here at Osprey. We went out to eat at local place (Paul and Don will remember). Waiting for marina to open so I can fuel up and then we will be off. Plan will be make Wrightsville or beyone today which should be easy. All is well on Three Corners, crew is great.

Charleston SC Megadock - 4/21/10

Another great day on the water. Left Port Royal about 6:45 am and arrived here in Charleston about 11:30. Great ride outside, light breeze (w); easy swells of maybe two feet max. Auto took her most of the way, very relaxing. It is nice to have the ICW there but outside, not having to watch for markers is just so sweet.

Charleston is a great spot for those looking for a new vacation spot. Great walking city, beautiful beaches, and fantastic food.

Spent a good part of the early afternoon washing Three Corners and if I have to say so she is looking good. There is a fantastic boat (ya) here in front of my. She is black, twin masts, 245 feet, name is Tamsen, home port George Town. Just beyond belief. They have been putting supplies on all afternoon.

Shirley arrived about 5PM; We went to dinner and then they left for Manning SC. Was great having Roger on for this first leg.

Next crew arrives tomorrow (Thurs 4/22) mid morning. I'm hoping to get outside in the afternoon for a few hours but then we all know about the ocean in the afternoon. Time will tell with that one.

All is well on Three Corners

Port Royal Marina, Pt Royal SC

Arrived yesterday about 5PM. Again a full day inside, as I suspect today will be also. By staying inside we got to go directly through downtown Savannah GA which was slow but interesting. Saw one of the biggest SeaRay Dealers on the water I've ever seen and a good sized Hinkley Dealer also. The inside also took us on the back of Hilton Head so got to check out that marina also, very nice but smaller than I expected.

As when I was here in October 09 (that seems strange to say) the people here are fantastic. This marina is owned by a young couple and Jason remembered our stop for repairs on the way south. Once again he offered the courtesy truck, a nice little Ford 150. We got directions to The Dockside, a fantastic seafood place and once again I can repeat my comment of the fall. Without exception the best seafood I've had anyplace.

Shirley did not join us yesterday but will be meeting us in Charleston this afternoon.

All is well on Three Corners.

Saint Simons Island GA 4/18/10

Another great day yesterday. After leaving Palm Coast on the ICW had minor delay. As some would say "those who haven't will". Little to close to the edge and came to a halt. Just part of the adventure. Refloated only to find port eng starting to heat. Put the hook down and found the strainer packed solid with the finest mud you wanted to see. Cleaned strainer and found intake hose also blocked solid. Disconnected and flushed it also, so nice of SeaRay to have a hose faucet in the bilge, great idea. Underway in less than an hour and very happy the bottom here is so forgiving.

Went outside for a bit of a run from St Augustine FL to St Mary's inlet, a very good run for about 3 hours. Winds were picking up as we were close to St Mary's so made the decision to come back to the ICW. Took a bit of spray coming in, plant caught the worst. It was the right move as when we got here (additional 40 miles from the inlet) they told us there were seven foot seas outside in the afternoon. Gave the flowers a good rinse when we got here, hope they make it all the way. They are looking good.

Quick check of the strainers this am, just to be sure and we are off to Port Royal which is the same place I stopped for repairs on the way down. Shirley is going to meet us there for dinner and overnight on the boat (I expect) and then on the Charleston in the am. Charleston is about 90 miles further north on the ICW and Shirley will meet us there for the crew change.

All is well on Three Corners.

Palm Coast FL

Well, a great start. Left Stuart at 7AM yesterday and arrived here at Palm Coast Marina, 5:30PM, at the fuel dock as we were in the fall. Estimate a total 160 miles yesterday, much to long a day. The plan was to stop at Cape Canaveral but we were to early there so made the decission to push on.

Waiting for the fuel dock to open so I can top her off. Plan today will be no more than 6 or 7 hours. Don't really care where we stop as I'm one day up on the original plan now.

All is well. Good dinner with Jack last night. Roger is being a good crew member, feeding me and getting me beverages as required. Nice to have him along. Well, except he made coffee at three this am. I'm sure he'll be doing a power nap today.

Coundown Three Days to Go

Well here it is three days before departure. I delayed my departure a week from my original date for weather and now we've got the strongest NE wind in weeks. O well, it will be inside for a while. Wind might ease a bit by Saturday but I am not counting on it.

Boat is ready, with exception of topping off. I'll do that tomorrow or Friday. Crew seems set. Roger going as far as Charleston now, which will be a great help. Charleston to Norfolk will be a long hall and will make the decission when the time comes to do the "Swamp" or "Coinjack". I really hope timing is right for the swamp as I think Kevin will enjoy that. Lock opening schedule very strict there so we'll see. We must make the first opening at 08:30. We missed it on the way down which put us much to late for dock space at Elizabeth City on the south end. I must hit Norfolk in the daylight going back.

Just heard this am we could be delayed due to the shuttle return to Canaveral. We'll play that by ear.

Will be posting as wifi permits along the way.

March 2010

Well another month here in Florida and the weather has finally turned to what one would expect to have in Florida. Showers, now and then, some good T-storms, but overall much warmer and much more sun.



It has been a great month. Have been using the boat a lot since returning from Ft Lauderdale last month. Have taken another trip to Peanut Island in West Palm. Look it up on the web, its a fantastic place and very interesting. Very few people know there was a bunker there for JFK. Also took a ride north up the to Ft Pierce, out the inlet and back down the whole outside of the island coming back in at the St Lucie inlet, and fantastic and full day with a great gang. One of the best days so far and my most enjoyable on the outside. Good to be able to open Three Corners up and let her run hard. Last weekend a trip to a great sandbar at the mouth of the St Lucie inlet, had burgers, dogs, swimming just another great day. Amazing how quickly I have forgotten the cold of January here.



Starting to prep for the trip North. Going to be a light crew going back so far but I expect that to change. Boat is ready, everything checked only a few more weeks. I have the itch to head north but need to get a bit warmer up there.