July 11th Britnick at Jekyll Island GA

I had dropped a shallow anchor the evening before when we were aground. The tough part was we were nearly in sight of the marina I was headed to in order to make repairs.

I dropped the anchor without much scope. Scope is the amount of anchor line (rode) you let out to allow for the boat to swing with the wind and current. More scope means the angle is lower and lets the anchor hook into the bottom better.

I had gotten lazy, and did not allow much scope because I was going to have to haul it all in again in a few hours.

When I woke up around 0730 I peaked my head up through the companionway to see how things were and...................I did not recognize a damned thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The tide had come in, the boat had freed itself, and the short anchor line had just barely done it's job. It seems that we had drifted MORE THAN A MILE while I was sleeping!

The Crew was still alseep, and I was more than happy to them remain there until I figured out where we were, and had figured out how to ge t back to where we needed to be.

I sorted out where we were, but with no navigation charts for that area I could not be sure just how to get back without running aground again.

I identified where the channels was off in the distance, and could even see a couple of other boats running there.

There was no guarantee though that there was enough water between where we were, and where the channel was. I just had to try and read the water, and pray.....lol

Once I did get us back in the channel, I began sailing under just the jib sail, and sailed right past the spot we needed to be. When I finally figured out I needed to turn around, I was nearly a mile away again.

Once I had gotten us back to where we needed to be I woke up the Crew and radio'd the Jekyll Island Marina to let them know I was inbound under sail, with no other power.

I had thought I was a little silly to spend the extra money for a handheld VHF Marine radio, but it paid off when all the other radios and instruments went down.

By shear luck we made a very smoothing docking at5 Jekyll Island Marine, and the Crew looked like rats escaping a burning ship.....................lol

They had all had enough of that boat for a while, and I can't say I can blame them. It had not been a "wonderful" trip so far and I was very afraid I had spoiled them forever on the idea of sailing.

Miss Bonnie had been a great sport but the endless heat had taken it's toll on her. Even though she had skipped a chemo treatment she just does not have the strength it takes to participate in the actual sailing, and eventually even climbing the ladder (steps) from the salon to the cockpit became such a chore she had to combine trips. The ventilation in here bunk was not all that ggod either so even when she could get down there it was pretty hot and stuffy.

At the beginning of the trip I told the Crew that if anyone wanted to get off the trip they could. I had asked the question in St. Augustine FL and everyone wanted to stay for the next leg, which was an open ocean leg.

When I asked the question again in Jekyll Island GA everyone was more than ready to take the ride home.

The Jekyll Island marina is a great place with pool, jacuzzi, great seafood restaurant, and free loaner bicycles to use.

I figured out the problem with the boat was due to some bad connectors on the alternator which I had been a little suspect of, but it was running so I had focused on other issues.

So... the batteries were charged, the engine was running BUT........we were running out of time because Miss Bonnie had to be back for her chemo, and I needed to be back to do an event in Raleigh NC.

We decided to dock the boat at Jekyll Island Marina. I decided I would hitch-hike the 80 miles back to Jacksonville FL to get my truck. Jim Brady arranged for a friend to come from Jacksonville FL to get me and take me back to get the Suburban.

The crew spent the night at the marina, and I returned about 0500 (5am) we loaded up the suburban and took off to return Britney and Nick (BRITNICK) to their Parental Units in Hillsborough NC.

Miss Bonnie and myself finally arrived back at my house about 10pm, and my bed felt very, very good.

July 10 2011 0045 (12:45am) Leaving the ocean

So being very pleased with the first open water navigation in a long time, and with the Crew all, asleep in the cockpit, I entered the Cumberland Sound from seaward.

It was soooo quiet, and sooo clear, and there was just enough moonlight to be able to make out vague features. The water was like a flat mirror.

In the song Southern Cross, there is a line that says something about "knowing why we came this way". It was that kind of feeling, where you say to yourself "all that other junk was worth it if it got me to this moment".

The engine had been working at about half power. I was not sure just why, but we were moving, it was dark, I was very tired, and I decided not to mess with anything as long as we were moving.

Britney and Nick were out like a light, exhausted from a tough day on awkward seas. Miss Bonnie had taken her evening meds she needs to deal with the effects of the her chemo, and was sleeping sitting up in the cockpit so the kids had room to curl up on each side.

We passed the Kings Bay Naval base where the Triton Submarines live. You pass right by it, but not too near because they get pretty tense if you get too close to their "Boomers".

I had paper charts to work with up to the point where we entered Cumberland Sound, and had lots of electronic navigation stuff as well. I had intended stopping in St. Marys GA to get the other paper charts I needed to proceed, but it was late and I decided to deal with it in the morning.

I noticed that the navigation lights seemed a little dim, then saw that other instruments had gone dead, and the engine seemed to be getting weaker and weaker.

I made a bad call at this point. I needed to go below and see what was causing the electrical problem, but needed someone to steer while I did it.

I awakened Miss Bonnie out of a very deep sleep, said "take this tiller and steer for a minute" then jumped below to check things.

This was in a very narrow channel, and about a minute later I felt the boat come to a pronounced stop.........

It was totally wrong and unfair to have put Bonnie in that position, and she had not had time to wake up or focus and she strayed out of the channel, and we were aground, the engine stalled, and would not restart. The batteries were all dead, the lights were out, the navigation stuff was blank.

It was 0300, I had been at it for 17 hours, I was very tired, and told everyne to go to their bunks and get some sleep.

For the next 2 hours I did what is called "kedging". This is where you do your best to throw an anchor out as far as possible, let it set, then haul it in, hoping you can pull the whole boat in the direction you want that will get you ungrounded.

Using 2 anchors, for the next 3 hours I tossed and pulled, tossed and pulled, until I finally got us of the bottom. I was exhausted.

I decided to just anchor there, and get some much needed sleep.

3 hour later I woke up, only to see that I had NOT gotten up into deep enough water, the tide had gone out while I was sleeping, and we were now aground AGAIN!!!!!!!!

It was 0800 and there was nothing to do but wait for the tide to turn and bring back enough water for us to float off and be on our way.

At 1530 (3:30pm) I finally had enough water up me to try to get away. I began to haul in an anchor and it seemed "hung" on something. I tried the stern anchore and got the same thing. After and hour of hauling, grunting and cussing, I finally figured out that during the night, with the turning of the tide the boat had spun a couple of times and the anchor lines (rodes) had become twisted on each other.

More cussing, grunting, tugging, and with the help of the Kids, I was able to untangle the mess.

Finally we were floating free, but still in a narrow channel, with no power, now batteries, and I had NOT gotten the fresh paper charts I needed so we were really going to have to be "Real Sailors".

For the next 6 hours we sailed under just the jib sail, through narrow channels, thru salt marshes, in switchy winds, with no charts. I think it was actually one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip for the Crew. We were doing some difficult sailing, and doing it well.

At about 2330 hrs (11:30pm) with a marina where we could make repairs, eat, shower, and just plain get off the boat in sight.....I felt the all too familiar thud of the keel of the boat going into the mud AGAIN.

I had done pretty well in such shallow waters all day, but in the dark, and with only 3 hours sleep in 2 days, I had run us aground again, within sight of our goal.

I tried to kedge again for a little while and then decided to just sleep it off, and deal with it in the morning.

I dropped a shallow anchor, and layed out in the cockpit (where I like to sleep when it's nice weather) and pretty much passed out.

I woke everyone, told

July 9th We left St. Augustine

So with the repair made, we were better rested, and fed and left St. Augustine light behind us at 1100.

It was the first open ocean exposure for Miss Bonnie, Britney, and Nick and my first time "on the outside" with BRITNICK. (she is a fine sailing boat by the way)

The seas were wonderful, the wind out of the south, a clear sky and a good weather forecast.

The course from the St.Augustine sea buoy to St. Mary's Inlet GA is nearly due north, and with the south wind it should have been an easy sail.

There were some large thunder storms far to the south, and while we were not getting any of the wind, or rain, we were getting some confusing wave patterns, and in the light winds caused the boat to pitch and roll in some very awkward rhythms.

The rolly-polly motion sent poor Nick to the rail in short order, where he remained most of the next 10 hours or so.

Britney's runs for the rail were less frequent but still enough to make for a tough day. She seemed to have a little better time of it.

Miss Bonnie seemed un-phased, and I will have to admit there were a few times where I felt a little twinge of queezyness.

We sailed all day, then the afternoon t-storms began to build. We were very lucky that they seemed to move around us, but the flukey winds, and confused seas made the ride unfriendly.

Finally the wind died, though the seas retained a slight chop. We had to fire up the engine in order to make way.

They engine started very awkwardly (should have been a clue) and it never did run up to snuff the rest of the evening, and gave off more offensive exhaust fumes. The engine was weak as if only running on maybe 2 cylinders out of 4.

Once again due to my fear of the sour exhaust fumes I made everyone remain on deck. It was not a popular decision but I just could not figure out how to explain how I had let the whole crew die from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Finally about 0045 on the 10th we left the open ocean, and entered the ICW again. I was very pleased with myself that after the issues of sick crew, fluky winds, confused seas, and engine issues, we had arrived only about 1/2 mile form the St.Mary's Inlet sea buoy. Not bad for being off the water for the last 20 years.

Then it gets a little interesting. See the next post.

Getting it all caught up

So we ended up leaving the dock on the morning of the 4th of July. We sailed during the day and decided to anchor in the St. Johns River where it runs thru downtown J-ville.

They towed in 2 huge barges loaded with fireworks and we watched a great fireworks show from the boat, then slept there at anchor for the night.

As we were setting anchor, with Miss Bonnie at the tiller I heard the tone of the engine change (bad sign). When I checked it out I found that a connection in the exhaust system had blown out. It was very noisy, and releasing heat and ugly exhaust fumes below decks.

I worked up a patch from an olive can and 2 soda cans which solved the heat and noise problem a little, but the fumes were still terrible and dangerous.

We motored all day and until about 2230 (10:30pm) and I could not let anyone go below for more than a couple of minutes. Everyone had to stay on deck for the whole long day, and it was tough on them.

We got close enough to St. Augustine to see the glow from the city, and we anchored out for the rest of the night.

I was far too tired to try and pick my way into a strange harbor at night so we just went to sleep. At least we could all go down below since the engine was shut down and the fumes were not an issue for a while.

The next day (July 5th) we motored in to St. Augustine early in the morning, got a slip at the City Marina, and spent most of the day just getting well needed showers, doing a little laundry, and looking forward to dinner at the Santa Maria Restaurant which is right next to the City Marina. It was good but not great. The kids enjoyed feeding the fish thru the trap doors though. See santamariarestaurant.com

The original idea was to sail south to watch the last Space Shuttle launch. When we started hearing that there was a 76% chance of no-go due to weather we decided to just hang out in St.Augustine and enjoy it.

I removed the offending exhaust parts, did a little 4 mile round trip hike to the local muffler shop, where the guy made a PERFECT replalcement part from looking at the broken bits I had brought along. When I asked how much, expecting to really get gouged, he thought for a minute and said "$5.00 should cover it". I shoved a twenty in his hand and walked out the door. He was an Artist of the Exhaust Tube Bending Arts.

I really fell in love with St.Augustine. I see myself going back there often. I love the old feeling of the city, as well as the flavor of the ocean setting. It's also a college town so it's also a bit of a freak show, which I like too.

Sunday last day in J-Ville Florida.

FINALLY made it out for a sea trial with the green crew.

I am very pleased to say that everyone did very well with it.

This is a tough thing though. They are trying to learn a whole new language about sailing, with new terms, and lots of procedures. I am very rusty in my skills, and am trying to get back up to speed myself.

When you add the problem of two "very large" adults who are hard to get around in a small space, the heat, and the fact that for the most part none of them have ANY boating experience to speak of....well I think they did great.

Britney has called "dibs" on that spot way out on the bow, and seems to enjoy the quiet as we are moving thru the water.

Nick is doing well with trying to stay focused with all this new information flowing in, and while his stomach is a little uneasy, he seems to be learning ways to deal with that too.

Miss Bonnie is watching everyone flying around, listening to all the new weird terms, and being very concerned about where "all this junk" is going to go?"

I have to be careful and remind myself that she has the Cancer, and even in her good weeks the chemo makes here tired. It's hot, and a lot of activity, and she has been being a real champ.

When I am giving directions, especially on the boat, I speak loud, and get a little stern, so it can easily be misconstrued for being mad, when I am not. It think it is a leftover from the Marine Corps, and most folks don't know how to take it. To some folks it sounds like yelling, but I am really just trying to make myself clear....."crystal clear".

So far the plan is to actually depart Jacksonville FL today, probably sometime in mid afternoon.

We will try to leave in time to take advantage of the outgoing tide in the St. Johns River where we are berthed, and ride it out towards the ocean, where we will go south on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) towards St. Augustine FL.

The is an Air Show scheduled for for over around Amelia Island FL for around 1630 (4:30pm), and I would like to be out there in time to see it but my guess is it will be a miracle if we make it out there by dark....lol

I had thought about seeing the local huge fireworks display, but then The Crew informed me that I was running a day ahead of time in my brain and seeing the J-Ville fireworks would involve staying another day.

So the sun is coming up, and it's time for me to get rolling on some things I need to do before the Crew wakes up.

I do want to say that while there has been a lot of work to do, and money has been spent, this boat so far has exceeded ALL my expectations. It sails like a champ, is very stable, seems pretty fast even when I am not trying to squeeze every bit of speed out of her I can get, and it's a pretty boat as well.

Because I did not have the time to bring all my sign stuff with me, I have not painted the name on the boat.

Miss Bonnie insisted we could not travel without a name, so I finally relented and went down to the local "Signs this very freakin second" stick on sign shop", and was going to order some vinyl letters from a local place. This was ALL very much against my ego to pay some other Dude over a hundred scoots for some stick on crap, but I was trying to be sensible. After all I can only be some many things at one time.

Evidently the "stick on, crap sign business" is good enough around here that the local "Sign Guys" do NOT need to work Saturdays, so I was rescued from the prospect of doing all that.

I just don't think I can deal with someone else's plastic on my boat. I'll deal with it after I get it back to NC.

I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July! While this holiday has so much to do with our history if rebellion, and revolution, I think it would be a great time fr us ALL to take a look at things that are going on around us in our country, and ask some very serious questions about if we are conducting ourselves in a manner of "the loyal opposition" and just how damaging all this divisiveness in our country is. I think of folks that call themselves Christians but have no charity or compassion. Call themselves Patriots, but then put profit over people and ship much needed jobs overseas.

I see trouble on the horizon, and it's not from China (although they do scare me) or Muslims, or the Russians......it's from US....the Citizens of the U.S. who are becoming so polarized that I am afraid we have become our own worst enemy.

Greed, self centeredness, and concentration of wealth in the hands of too few may well be our downfall. It's a historical thing that has repeated several times throughout history.

We have a lot of questions to answer and it's not about President Obama, it's about each and every one of us, our values, and if we are on the SAME TEAM or not?

Am I REALLY "my Brothers keeper", am I REALLY following the instruction to "Love One another"? Is this one nation or not?

I am a Veteran, and some days I hear a LOT of stuff that I just don't understand. They say "this is what we fought for". Well a lot of what I see and hear these days is NOT what I signed up to Honor, Protect, and Defend.

We have met the enemy......and unfortunately.....he really IS US.

Saturday July 2 STILL in Jacksonville FL dammit!

Yesterday was a bit of a challenge.

Let's see....battery cables fried on Suburban and had to clean and fix all that.

One Crew Member was down all day with the "monthly flue".

It turns out that some things that I needed to finish some tasks on the boat were left back in my garage in NC.

I tried to wear a pair of used deck shoes someone had willed me a few years ago, and they immediately caused multiple blisters.

Then the truck ran out of gas (bad gauge) and I had to walk a good ways barefoot, on the hot pavement, with all the sand spurs to get the refill.

And did I mention it's so freakin hot I can't think?

The good news is....I own several vehicles that I can drive.

My Crew member will bounce back.

There are plenty of stores, and I have the money to get the stuff I need to finish the boat.

I have more shoes than any "straight " man should own.

I had a gas can in the truck, and the station was not too far.

I am in Florida on a long vacation, with my Grandkids, and Sweetie, so we can play with MY sailboat.

I did NOT have to put on Body Armor before going to work this morning.

It's not NEARLY as hot as it is in Iraq.!!!!!!!!!!

We hope to sail this afternoon, and move aboard the boat in the morning. Then actually move on toward central Jacksonville FL. There should be great fireworks from the barges, and bridges, and they do a radio simulcast, and time the fireworks and strobe lights to the patriotic music.

Friday July 1 2011 Still in Jacksonville FL

Soooooo like usual, something that should have taken maybe one day has taken all week

I broke off a bolt in the shift/throttle control, and it took the better part of 3 days to get it out, drill out the broken bolt, re-tap the thing, then get it all back where it needs to be, and adjusted.

I have also spent a lot of time running around getting other stuff I have needed or just wanted. It's a never ending list....lol

Today I should actually get everyone out on the water for some sailing instruction. For most of the week "The Crew" (Britney, Nick, and Miss Bonnie) have been safely tucked away in the hotel sheltered from the heat, and steps away from the pool. They have also not had to put up with all my cussing every time I bust another knuckle.

The original concept was to leave here this morning, sail north on the Atlantic Inter-coastal Waterway and arrive in the Savannah GA/ Beaufort SC area to visit friends and share the Fourth of July.

I remembered that the LAST Space Shuttle Launch is on the 8th, and have decided that we will instead sail south to the Titusville FL area so we can watch the final Shuttle launch from the boat.

Then we will sail north to the Pamlico Sound area of NC where we need to arrive by July 17th. It was the 15th but Miss Bonnie got her chemo appointment changed by a few days.

I feel like today things will start falling together and everyone will feel like we are actually on a sailing vacation, and not being held hostage in a hotel.

This evening should be a shopping night and tomorrow we should leave on the 1000hrs ebb tide. That will make it easier to get out of the St. Johns River to the Atlantic Ocean entrance.

We will still stay in the Inter-coastal Waterway (ICW) but the junction of the river and ICW is near the mouth of the river.

When we head south towards the Kennedy Space Center for the launch, we will be able to make stops in St. Augustine FL as well as Daytona Beach FL.

The biggest challenge of today will be getting The Crew up, fed and out of here by 0800. They have been on a pretty slack schedule, and when I say we need to get an early start, there is a fair amount of frowning and eye rolling, with Mis Bonnie being the ring leader.......lol