Slow Motion 6/3/08

Well...we've found another boat. A 1985 Albin 27, aft-cabin. It's going to work very well for us. Not quite as handy for beaching or sneaking into those shallow little spots we like..but there is always a trade-off.

We did a sea-trial and had a survey done. The boat was located in Green Cove Springs, FL. Once all the paperwork was taken care of we picked her up....Jim had modified our old trailer for the Albin and we'd decided to cruise down the St Johns River to Sanford Boatworks Marina. We'd haul out with their lift and set the boat in place to see if it would fit. That way we'd only be trailering about 15 miles and have 4 or 5 days on the water. If it didnt fit we'd have it in a marina near the house until the necessary changes were made.

We loaded up the dogs and bird...a few days supplies and bedding and set out on our trip. Everything worked good except for fueling. The vent was plugged..mud daubers..The ride across Lake George wasnt bad but the water was a bit rough. We were pleased with the way the boat handled....the sleeping quarters were comfortable..plenty of room to move around in the cockpit...we were really starting to like it. South of Blue Springs..in a "no wake" zone ..she quit..we coasted to the side and dropped anchor in a spot near a bunch of lilly pads out of the main channel...checked the fuel filter..it was a mess...changed it and tried to start it...couldnt get anything out of the fuel pump no matter what we tried to bleed it...spent a nice night on the water...couldnt believe the number of boats using the river. It was constant traffic both ways all day. Sunday morning we continued to try to start it but to no avail..finally had to give up and call TowBoatUS.....they sent a boat out of Sanford and took us to the BoatWorks Marina...

The haulout and trailer fit went perfectly..few minor adjustments and it fit like the trailer had been made for it ( actually it had.Jim had totally remodified the pads for the Albin)...Jim said he could hardly feel it behind him even going thru construction.

I called Jesco (engine is a Nissan LD28 and they have parts) and their tech said it sounded like the fuel injection belt was the problem. With plenty of tools and lots of cold water and a fan...Jim went to work..all the bolts were rusted in etc. but that was the problem...and with a new one in place it runs like a top...cant wait to get back on the water.

We need to add an inverter...hook up the fridge..rebed the rubrail...and a few other small things and then we'll be doing another trial.

The boat's old name: Onager (Wild Asian Ass)...thought it kinda fit except for the Asian...but we are changing it to Slow Motion...6 or 7 mph is fairly fuel efficient...she'll do 10+ but then we'd be spending our time looking for fuel..

Thank You!!!

Jim and I want to thank all the good people in Oriental NC who helped us at a tough time....Tom, at the Oriental Marina..for the loan of your car to get groceries and food for the dogs, and your unending patience with me for all the faxes and phone calls necessary to straighten out the insurance mess. Lisanne Erickson at the Oriental Pet Parlour ...for making a special trip to the motel to bring me much needed bird food for Babe..I'd only been able to get parakeet food at the grocery....so if you are in the area and need grooming or boarding...contact her at 252 249 0243. If she will go above and beyond for someone who wasnt even a customer..think what good care your pet will receive.....and to the annominous donor who left a gift certificate at The Inland Waterway Treasure Company for us after hearing we had saved only the pets and the clothes on our back..minus shoes..

We talked to several people who had either visited Oriental because of a problem with their boat or to wait out a storm and ended up staying...We can understand why...It is a pet, boat and people friendly town......we'll be back.

And, of course, the Coast Guard at Hobucken, NC....for making such a rapid response to our "Mayday" and the care and concern for us and our pets. We are deeply indebted to you.

3.30.08

We found out later that a fishing boat sunk a few miles from us for the same reason...taking on water....a sailboat was towed in the same afternoon....the Coast Guard has been busy the last few days...

Coast Guard Rescue

Well...the trip has ended for Lingerawhile......Jim and I...Ruby and Raisin and our bird Babe are fine....but that's all we were able to save....(the whole crew).

Never dreamt we'd be posting this picture. But no better group of guys to pose with...they do an incredible job....Wish we were younger...(I doubt they'd take Great-Grandparents)...This would be a good profession for anyone who likes the water...and for those of us who do....they are definately a necessity!!!!....we never realized how important they were...this stuff always happens to someone else...

We are already looking for another boat to continue our trip but have to start from scratch....so will be heading home to regroup. The "Google Search" has several news releases..

We are currently in Oriental NC ...waiting for the water to calm enough for boat recovery...This happened on Wed. and it is now Sun...so there may not be much to salvage...we were informed the hull and cabin had seperated after we were rescued.

3.24.08

Jim thinks he finally found the leak in the dingy and we have it on the dock ...all patched...needs to dry for 24 hrs.....gives us a good reason to spend another night at the dock...with electricity...and perhaps a walk across the bridge to a seafood restaurant....courtesy car if it's too cold for a walk...

Plenty of hot water with great pressure in the showers.....we paid $3.30 for gas. Very nice people here...we are enjoying our stay....the marine store is a superstore for fishermen. I could go broke buying lures and stuff here. Fun place to shop and it looked like they had a lot of the necessary stuff too.

We sit so low they put us at the launch ramp dock...it works perfectly for us...short distance to walk the dogs....they sure do aim to please their customers.

The grocery store is only a few miles away and so is the postoffice...as well as, a couple of waterfront restaurants.

3.23.08

7:45 and the heater is going...50's this morning..inside....I didnt get any pictures today...too cold to stand outside and the windows are coated with salt spray...pretty much the same thing so far....fancy houses....some are pretty unique...

We are headed for Dudley's Marina in Swansboro NC for fuel and a slip for the night.....$.75 a ft, courtesy car, showers, etc....cant pass that up....

3.22.08

We had the anchor up at 0715 and were cruising while I made coffee. At 0730 we crossed into NC...sunny, warm and the water a beautiful light green. We arrived at a pontoon bridge about 10 minutes before it opened....our timing was great...and we had never seen one in operation....traffic is stopped...and the cable that pulls the bridge to the side and opens the channel has to be lowered and then he signals you to pass thru...The bridge master works from the building on the moveable bridge.....very interesting.....

Visited with Mitchel and Martha aboard M&M Journey..via radio...future "Loopers".

There are a lot of interesting homes along the route....these are a bit "gingerbready" for my taste...but I still thought they looked good together...

I have been aprehensive about cruising the Cape Fear River....today was the day....it can be a very dangerous place....the wind was right...the tide wasnt...we were a bit early...so had steep rolling waves but not quite as bad (or as much fun for Jim) as Winyah Bay...this time we had other boats crossing and wasnt sure we enjoyed the company...when they flew by us the "confused" seas were really confusing...but all in all it was a fun ride...

At the Carolina Beach Inlet at G155 a tug and barge were grounded...we'd been hearing about their problem for quite awhile on the VHF radio. A beautiful boat, Sequel, had passed us in the morning and he was calling for a tow as he was grounded in front of the tug....by the time we got there...Sequel was off the bar...8 or 10 boats were milling around trying to find a way thru.....we tried going behind the barge but the wind was so strong we were being pushed towards shore so spun around and tried crossing in front of him ...in the main channel...we lightly grounded....and we only draw 1 ft (maybe a few inches more with all our stuff). We could feel the bottom as the waves bounced us...Jim raised the motor and the wind blew us into deeper water....and off we went....3 more boats grounded and were calling for tows a few minutes later......Many of the boats at docks were sitting on the bottom...I dont know if that is normal or not....perhaps an unusually low tide? We are still trying to figure them out...

We found a spot off the main channel to anchor....near R130....had to cross 2 1/2 ft of water at the entrance but anchored in 6' and the tide was still out so we should be good....we'll just have to watch going out in the morning.....

It's 2am...the wind is kicking up...and colder....will be on anchor watch till it lets up....

The ICW is full of boats...sometimes it's a worse ride than either of the rough bays...you not only have to watch out for big boat wakes but some of them dont even realize they could be shoving you into shallow water or a marker or even a smaller boat...we have always tried to avoid weekends or holidays....but here we are...Easter Weekend...in a narrow channel with alot of miles to go....