The Trip Almost Comes to an End

Red sky at morning, sailors take warning ...




The sun is rising over Plymouth, MA.

This isn’t one of those husband/wife blogs where each spouse alternates a post.  This is Molly’s blog, and I thank her for letting me make an occasional entry.  I want to document that Molly has been a trooper.  It is an understatement to write that the weather conditions have not been conducive to cruising.  Since Saturday, October 22^nd, we have been exposed to fog, 25 knot winds with stronger gusts, downpours, unsettled seas, large swells and cold weather.  In fact, the temperature has dropped every day since we left Maine. 

We thought this bridge was named Bascule until we passed
under multiple bascule bridges.

Of course, on top of the weather are the needed boat repair and maintenance items that challenge both relationships and wallet.  First there was the heat that didn’t work as the temperature was dropping to 45 degrees outside.  I gained some spousal respect in figuring out that the motor that pumps the salt water coolant to the unit was not low enough in the boat.  I lowered the pump and, presto, heat!  Then we lost steering today that I diagnosed as needing some more hydraulic fluid, and that was also fixed.  Finally, we continued our travels through the very interesting Shinnecock Canal and Lock and Long Island’s own Intracoastal Waterway, complete with more canals and beautiful houses, including one all-glass house. 

Checking in to our motel room, waiting
for a new lower unit.

So, all is good and I am starting to look like a hero until mid-morning when we hear an unwelcome noise in our main motor, sounding to Molly, at the helm, like a helicopter overhead.  The motor sounds like it is toast.  Fortunately, we are in a protected bay only a few miles from a boatyard, although the water depths approach the draft of our boat.  We use our 10 hp auxiliary motor to limp into a small marina in Moriches, Long Island, have the boat pulled, lower unit removed, and, yes, find it ruined because of metal grinded on metal due to lack of oil.  Thanks to a very nice crew at Moriches Boat, we are hoping that our boat will be operational again by late tomorrow after a new lower unit is shipped overnight from Georgia. Still hoping to make NYC by Sunday.

Stay tuned!

Through Canals to Long Island

In the Cape Cod Canal

Mark said goodbye after passing through the Cape Cod Canal.

Ok. No joke. This first five days has been an adjustment for this landlubber.  Not to say I haven't had my share of adventure on the water (I'm married to Bill Webster, for God's sake!). We have had some rough weather and wild seas. Very few boats on the water, because of course, who would be out in this?! After Salem, we spent a night in Plymouth, Ma and a night in the beautiful village of Mattapoisett, Ma. We spent a little time visiting some historic sites in Salem and Plymouth, and despite my best efforts, I slept through all three videos describing the towns' histories. Maybe they were a little boring, but more likely it was because the stress of the rides just exhausted me. After Plymouth, we did have a


quiet ride through the Cape Cod Canal with our friend Mark Cutler. Mark is a wonderful photographer, and even though he has been a lifelong resident of Mass, he had never been through the Canal. Check out some of his pix on Instagram.

The temperature got down to 28 degrees before
the heat was fixed!

We did eat well.

We anchored for the first time this trip in Mattapoisett. The anchor held just like a "state of the art" anchor should. We have eaten well on the boat, played lots of cards. slept well. Bill has spent quite a few hours fixing stuff, like the heat. It now works!!!  We had pretty good weather today and decided to get some miles in and hightail it to Long Island and calmer waters. Should be fairly calm from here on, or did I just jinx us? We're in the Shinnecock Canal near eastern end of Long Island.  The Canal is a connector between the north and southern part of this long island.  Tomorrow we will head down the well-protected southern in-land route, planning on 1 more stop before NYC. Hamilton Broadway on the 30th and then on to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).


Port Judith, RI

Headed South in Cold and Rain

Heavy rain in
New Gloucester

Hot oatmeal and coffee quickly became
our staples.

So, the weather has not been great so far. The night before we left from Spring Point Marina in South Portland, the skies opened up. That's me with my first set of clothes soaked. We set off the next am before sunrise (sun?) in thick fog. The seas were rolling, and the fog only occasionally lifted, but thanks to bonine and my anti nausea wrist bands, it was only my anxiety level that was effected.  Bill, of course, was cool. At least that's how he acted. We got into Gloucester Harbor and took off for the dock in our dinghy.  That's when the skies opened up again. I admit I was pouty. Sorry, Bill, I promise I will get my sea legs.  Back on the boat, and now most of the rest of our clothes were wet. To top things off, our heat was not working. Rain, gale winds and cold, but at least we were on a secure mooring for the night. Yesterday am we headed off for Plymouth, Mass. Ok, no laughing matter, this was perhaps one of the most frightening experiences
of my life (so far!). Gale winds > sturdy little boat. I wish I had pics, but it's hard to capture. Check out the movie Perfect Storm.  Slight exaggeration, but that's what it looked like to me! Even Bill wasn't too happy. We cut our day short and pulled into Salem Harbor. We had a lovely day in Salem. We saw many witches, Bill got the heat working, we were able to dry our clothes in the sunny, windy weather and off we go again this morning. Stay tuned.

Getting Ready for Departure

At our home dock in Robinhood, Georgetown Island, Me.

Stephen Fay joined us early
for our Open Boat.

Boat punch list, how to store food in a small space, what clothes to pack for New England fall to NYC to Bahamian winter, folding bikes storage, leak in dinghy and more. These remain open items but we are getting closer to leaving Maine on October 22nd on our way to the Bahamas.

We invite everyone to our Open Boat Event, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, October 16th, at Spring Point Marina in South Portland, near Southern Maine Community College.  Call for code and slip number on that Sunday.

[The pictures to the left and below are from the open house and were posted later to this blog.]

Great to see Elaine Runyon, Anne and David Gould, Jim and Sharon Handy
and Caroline and Noah help send us off.  The Gormleys, Geants, Krill/Andrews, Mary Herman and
Whitfields also came by.

  

Spring Point Marina, South Portland

See that little boat in the middle? That's us! First fog of the season, as far as I can tell. Getting all supplies and food stowed. Wine cellar filled. So you didn't think we had room for such a thing? Listening to Hamilton CD non stop. Having dinner tonight in South Portland with daughter Caroline and her bf. Heading out in the am, weather permitting. Will high tail it to NYC and  warmer climes, so maybe some long days at the beginning of our voyage.  Working on figuring out how to allow comments on our blog. Thanks to all for the kind words and great send off. Looking forward to sharing our adventures here.