Island Bound 2007-2008 - Fernandina Beach

ISLAND BOUND 2007-2008!!

Hello everyone I know it’s been a long time since I have written anything for you to read. Time has just not been on my side lately. That and internet has not been very available. We have been anchoring a lot lately since the temperatures have been reasonable. We are in Cocoa Beach Florida, which is just north of Ft. Lauderdale by about 130 miles. The temperatures are around 75 degrees every day now and that’s a relief. The trip is hitting the four month mark and I can feel the length of the trip getting to me. I wish that we had a larger boat so it could provide a little more space for us to stretch out in. It seems we are so cramped in this small space. I’m not sure just what it is I’m looking for in this trip, maybe it’s nothing at all. Sometimes as I look out into this ocean sitting so empty still and calm one minute, turbulent and completely out of control the next. It kind of reminds me of the way I feel sometimes. I seem never to be content with just what is. I’m always looking for what’s around the next corner of life or what the next day will throw at me. There’s a restless uneasy about my travels and my reasons for adventure. The world of order and repetition is just not for me it holds no value or attention. I need the ups and downs of day to day adventure to hold my attention. I enjoy the ability to never predict what life will throw my way next. I find that inner peace with my self each time I meet different and interesting people doing something so against the norm that society places in our trained life, an example: Last week we pulled into Fernandina Beach, Florida. We pulled in because the engine died on us. It was the carburetor I was sure of it. I untied the Dinghy and fired it up and towed the boat into this small marina in Tiger Creek. Now there was this one gentlemen getting ready to go out with his sailboat as we pulled up and started to tie our boat up. He was having a hard time getting off the dock on his own so I went over and helped him untie his 52 foot old classic wooden boat that I would love to have owned myself. Well he was able to get out into the river and headed for the sounds channel to enter into the ocean for his afternoon sail. I started in on taking the carburetor off the engine and prepared to clean it out and reassemble it. When the gentlemen returned from his sail. The wind was even stronger than earlier and he was never going to dock alone with this wind blowing him off the dock. I went over and helped again get his boat in and tied up and secure too the dock. He invited me on his boat and we had some coffee and stated talking about sailing trips and life’s adventures. It turned out he sailed around the world when he was in his twenties, now he tops 67 years of age and still living life to its fullest. When he turned thirty something he got into the movie industry and built sets for the motion pictures. He did interview with a vampire with Tom Cruise and worked on a set with William Defoe. He built some of the sets for Natural Born Killers and many others. I looked at some of the pictures he had of his adventures and the famous people he met and I couldn’t help but feel this sense of excitement and couldn’t wait to keep on with my adventures knowing there’s more out there to discover. It turned out that Baird was a good carpenter and had hurt his shoulder a few weeks back and he had this small tile job to do and asked if we wanted to do it for this guy. We went and looked at it and said yes and two days later we were done and made 350 dollars on the job which helped in our travels down the Florida Coast. Yes it was the carburetor and we cleaned it out and the engine has been running great ever since thanks to Bairds help in cleaning the carburetor better than it has ever been cleaned. Well that’s all for now. We will keep going down to Ft Lauderdale and then over to the Islands. Sometimes a little thing can lead to great things and a good friend. Skipper Out!!

Island Bound 2007-2008 - Annapolis to Norfolk

ISLAND BOUND 2007-2008!!

Hello everyone, remember I spoke of the sweet and of the sour in life and in travels, well the sweet has arrived. It was 74 degrees today sunny, sails were up and the shorts were on with a comfortable southwest breeze blowing across the starboard deck carrying the Wanderer to a comfortable 8 to 9 mph. We left Annapolis with 3 inches of snow on the deck, YUK. We sailed to Prudenville some 50 miles down and it was still a little cold and wet with our snow turning somewhat to ice on the deck. We stayed the night and continued down to Deltaville some 60 miles down the Chesapeake bay. The next day we sailed out knowing there was a warm front coming and temps would be going up some today. The day started out a little wet and cold but better. As the day progressed we started to see the sun and the wind picked up a little. By 2 pm the sun was out it was 57 degrees, we had all our sail up and the Wanderer was in full bloom. We sailed into Norfolk Virginia with comfortable weather 77 miles under us a smile on our faces and hope in our hearts. Norfolk was quite nice with the usual tall buildings and city looking fur sod to it. The real eye catcher though was the Naval Battle ships along the river and piers. We seen air craft carriers and battleships, transport ships, destroyers and ships I'm not sure what they used them for, but with their radar and battleship grey they looked very intimidating to say the least. Security was very tight and the river was always being patrolled by military police. I took some pictures only to be looked at with very strange and careful eyes. We talked with a sailor who tried to get a better look at the Nuclear Sub only to be intercepted by three Naval Police boats discouraging his curiosity. We are suppose to stay out away from all Naval Ships at least 500 yards. We missed the Nuclear Sub it had already left the Naval Base. We pulled in across from Norfolk to Portsmouth. This was a beautiful Marina with million dollar boats and was a small Boston like town. The streets were named Landon street. and Essex, upper court, canal street. the Bostonian avenue, things like that. There were lots of Irish pubs on every corner. The view of Norfolk was spectacular from the dock I couldn't keep my eyes off it. It was all lit up and the patrol boats coming down the river with their running lights on looked kind of pretty. I ran and got fuel and the temps now were 62 degrees at 7 pm. I couldn't find anyone at the marina so we just stayed for free at this one which was probably a good thing considering the look of the place. The next morning was like a spring day in Ludington were we come from, the sun was coming up over the water the temps were 67 degrees a light wind from the Southeast and we were off to start down the Virginia Cut to North Carolina. We were working our way down the river having to wait on some bridges opening for us, six in all. The temperature was up to 70 degrees by 10:30 am and we were in out shorts and tee shirts feeling like we sailed into a summer day. I found it hard to describe the day, it was sunny with 75 degrees by noon we had the sails up and were living like no one else, it was the sailing life again. The day was just with out words sunny warm and that smell of sea air and trees growing with life again. The good news, at least for us is its going to be sunny and 73 degrees for the next 5 days. We will be in Wilmington by this weekend we hope. In the past four or five days we have logged 200 miles and today will be another 47 miles. So the weather has turned, the mood is great and the Wanderer is alive and well somewhere in the Northern part of North Carolina. They call it the Outer Banks. SKIPPER OUT!!!

Island Bound 2007-2008 - Blog 11

Island Bound 2007-2008!!

http://www.myspace.com/skipperfound

The trip is moving along in a semi slow way. I left Annapolis MD the other day with 3 inches of snow on the boat. Wow that was refreshing. The news is good though the temps are climbing and it will be 75 degrees in Norfolk Virginia on Monday. We should be in Norfolk by Saturday if all goes well. The boat still sails like a champ and the engine is purring like a kitten. Check out the pictures I put on here of Annapolis, you will see the snow. That first day out I felt like I was in a 28ft sarcophagus going to my grave, yet this boat is mine and she still feels like a home even in 20 degree weather. The spirits are high knowing that the temps are climbing now and will be steadily going up as we sail on each day. We have been running with other sailors now and meeting more at each marina. They are all heading to the Florida Keys or the islands as we are. We are traveling with three other boats as we speak. You see there are others out there that are living their dreams and just plain pissing on society and its precast notions. I talked with a couple the other day that sold everything they had and they are sailing to the Islands to live for three years. They are a husband and a wife and their six year old daughter. They are on a 44 foot pearson sail boat which was quite nice. I asked them if they were going to home school her and they said yes till they get settled then they will enroll her in a school down in the Islands. Just think of the stories and memories she will have sailing with her father and having all that time and experiences together. I must say I was somewhat jealous. I would love to sail to new adventures and experience life like that with my kids. I'm amazed at the increadible people we meet out here and all the stories and dreams they have. Remember its just a thought away, living your dream. Dont be scared it starts with just and idea and then the first step and its all memories and life after that. I thought about the end of the trip the other day and I felt a tear well up in my eye. I mean I have lived in this boat now for three almost four months. I will be in it for another four maybe five months and then I figured I would sell her and move on to a new adventure. This boat has become a part of me like my home and the security that comes along with that. I'm not afraid to sail her anywhere she performs well in any sea and has always gotten me to a safe harbor. I get made at from time to time and cramped but it passes. I feel as though she is like a living breathing entity. Its crazy right? well maybe not if you know how much your car is to you if you have had it a long time. Well the Chesapeake Bay is beautiful and very easy to sail. Its long but not very wide maybe a few miles wide but almost 200 miles long. I will write some more soon take care and Thanks For checking us out. YOUR SKIPPER OUT!!!

Island Bound 2007-2008 - Life and All

ISLAND BOUND 2007-2008!!


Well the days seem to melt by like ice cream on a hot summer afternoon. I find myself asking someone what day it is at least once a week. The boat traffic is becoming very congested and heavy now. I’m in Ft pierce Florida and this is were all the sailboats start getting ready to cross over to the Bahamas, they either pick here or West Palm Beach which is only forty something more miles down the coast. I will continue there to get ready to cross the Atlantic to the Bahamas putting me in the Abaco’s Islands. It’s cheaper in the Abacos and there are more anchorages for us to pick from saving us money. I’m anchored on a mooring ball which is only 10 dollars a night here, there must be a hundred sailboats anchored here waiting on the weather to continue on down the Florida Coast. The wind is very gusty with 40 MPH winds and a cold front is moving through right now. The front will move through tonight and it will be calm tomorrow with 70 degree temperatures on Tuesday. The rest of the week looks good for us with 75 to 79 degree temperatures for the next few days .I took the day to due laundry and clean the boat up it needed it so badly. I wiped everything down with water and bleach to kill the mildew from the wet and warm days we have had since we entered into Florida. I can’t believe I have lived on this boat for almost six months now. The life I live sometimes makes me shake my head in just plain bewilderment. What happened to being normal like everyone else; house, wife, dog, and job that’s a big one. I guess there just is something in me that says normal is not enough for my personality to be satisfying. The boat does smell much better good for another six month, just kidding. I’m trying to get some more pictures of the boat under sail but its very hard to do and all. The engine is still running very well except I have a small oil leak on the rear main seal. I have to pull the engine to change it and I will just live with it till I sell the boat or take it back to Michigan. Its amazing the people I see in the marinas that are out here sailing and searching for a different kind of life. I have seen young people with kids as young as 5 or 6 just sailing and enjoying one another. You see they share a common goal and live to take care of one another. They haven’t the outside influences of others trying to sabotage their lives every other day. They truly rely on one another to live and fulfill a dream that I would assume they both share. I seen a young couple a few weeks back that had an old rough looking boat sailing together with their 4 year old daughter the couple was no more than 23 years old, I was to say the least very envious of them .I love the idea of someone finding a better way to carry out their life .They seemed so very happy with each other .They didn’t have a fancy boat or a lot of money but they had what truly counts in this world they had one another and their family together sharing each and every day as it presented itself. I talked with them a bit and could only think how wonderful this young couple was. They were only 23 and found the secret to life that we are all searching for in books, pills, magazines and television programs .It’s the simplicity of living together and taking care of one another through good times and bad. Always dreaming and finding that perfect place in each others lives. It exists in all of us we are just to busy trying to search for it in the wrong places. Please think back to the basics of life and how we survive. It’s not in the material things or the amount of stuff we can acquire. The truth is in us all, we just need to except it, and be content with it, and happiness will follow. Well there is my two cents for what it’s worth take that and put four quarters with it and it might by you a bottle of soda. That’s all I have for now take care and Talk to you soon.”” Don’t Dream Your Life: Live Your Dream. “”
SKIPPER OUT !!!

Island Bound 2007-2008 - The Boat

Island Bound 2007!!

http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SKIPPERFOUND

Well I guess since we haven't too much to speak of about the trip right now I though I would devote this one to the boat. My Catalina 28, She was built in California at the Catalina plant in 1973 with a lot of soul and heart I might add. I refer to her as she. I'll tell you why just wait. This boat is referred to as she because it reminds of a women , she cost a lot to maintain, demands attention daily, and pisses me off every other day. But, But she has beautiful lines, has grace and beauty, and is my rock when I know I need to count on her to get us through the days sail. See you thought you were going to hear something bad. She came with six sails. We have two main sails, two jibs, one Genoa and a running spinnaker. We have an Auto helm this allows us to dial in a course, a compass reading and set the helm, a computer and leave the cockpit and the auto helm will steer for us. Its like having cruise control on your car except you can leave the steering wheel to go to the back seat or some thing. The Auto Helm is like magic as the wind picks up the rod attacked to the tiller will just move to compensate the gusts of wind. I will get a picture posted of the Helm in action in the next day or so. The next thing is the tiller we have to steer the boat. A sailboat either has a tiller or a wheel to steer with. They say a tiller is more responsive than a wheel and its preferred by most sailors. The only thing is a tiller is not as comfortable as wheel it least not to me anyway. The next thing is the sides of the boat. The starboard side is the right side of the boat and the left side is the port side of the boat. The bathroom is the head the steering area is the cockpit and the cooking area is the galley. The dinning area is the salon and the beds are the v-berth and the aft berth or if its large enough the state rooms. We have two sails on this boat the jib in the bow of the boat and the main sail in the center of the boat. Our navigation equipment is the Silva compass we have on the port side of the cockpit and the GPS and depth gauge along with the mileage and knot meter on the starboard side of the cockpit, you getting all this there is a test at the end. We have a solar panel in the back of the boat that charges the batteries two of them, if the suns out. There is an inverter in the battery compartment that we can run all 110 volt items on while we are anchored or at sail. This converts AC power to DC power. Our daily work is cleaning up the boat checking the bilge pumps, checking engine gauges, looking at charts every hour and putting in coordinates on the GPS to keep our course and position relative to our point of destination. Working on correcting the Auto Helm and fixing lunch adjusting sail lines and what ever else needs attention. Our little sailboat is a magical yet orchestrated performance each and every day, never a dull moment it seems. I love this vessel and sometimes I think she loves me back, by getting me to new places each and every day sometimes with grace sometimes by sheer luck and sometimes I'm not sure how we got there. The way she glides through the water slicing it and cutting her path to my prescribed course just melts my heart and makes the hair stand on the back of my neck. I have this welling of power in me as the wind picks up and she heals over only to feel her gain strength and pull tight on those sails standing strong after thirty some years of sailing from the day she was launched. She is my rock and she stands up to what ever I ask of her not once backing down from the course I dial in. When the wind is just right and all is tuned I walk up to the bow to hear her power through the water like magic. Like magic from a magician I cant explain it I can only feel it with her. The wind cutting through the sails is like a song that pulls at every fiber of your adventurous soul till it bleeds almost. It's a pain so sweet its always got you coming back for more, like a drug or addiction. You really do feel like you are king of the world, at least the king of your world. You are the king but only there because of this little sailing vessel that puts you there. She is a tool of mythical powers that all come with you and her working together pulling up ideas that you set forth and she will execute them in fine detail giving all she has. So how can I not refer to her as a she, someone that makes me feel in love or how a new romance feels each day. Something that powerful can only be referred to as a she. SHE"S THE WOMEN IN MY LIFE . AT LEAST RIGHT NOW ANYWAY?? !! SKIPPER OUT!