I've had TOO many boats...a confessed addict.I have always been drawn to Alberg designs.Man,could he draw a pretty boat!! After some larger boats and the stress that goes with them...I wanted a super simple Bahamas cruiser.Had to be sea kindly , easy to single hand ,have a inside shower,good icebox.. simple and dependable....oh ya..and I wanted to love to look at it.After seeing a pic of an ariel , I went searching. 'Revival' found me and we have been involved in a near complete re-fit ever since.
Frank,
Love to see the pictures of your boat posted here. Clicking on the links below your post give me
QuoteAn Error Has Occurred!
It seems that you are not allowed to download or view attachments on this board
You can load the pictures to the 'Sailfar Gallery' (http://sailfar.net/gallery) or just link to the photos where they are already posted elsewhere on the internet. Let me know if you would like some help with this.
Edit: Allowed display of attachements in the post. Does it work now?
{edit by s/v Faith}
Quote from: s/v Faith on December 27, 2005, 12:19:14 AM
QuoteEdit: Allowed display of attachements in the post. Does it work now?
nope
Frank - feel free to carve out a space for photos of your beautiful little boat in our Gallery, like Chris suggested. :)
Kurt...if you can swing it all over to gallery...go ahead.I have been 'fighting' with my computer all night and at this late hour...it's winning. Thanks
Does it work *now*???
Quote from: CapnK on December 27, 2005, 09:53:36 AM
Does it work *now*???
Good work there Capn !.... Now, I got this weems and Plath oil lamp......... ;)
Quote from: s/v Faith on December 27, 2005, 10:35:55 AM
Good work there Capn !.... Now, I got this weems and Plath oil lamp......... ;)
HEY!!! That's MY Christmas present!!!! (http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b289/Kailyst/Misc%20Pics/Invision12.gif)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b289/Kailyst/Misc%20Pics/TDLamp.jpg)
Frank,
Very nice boat. I like the layout, clean, organized just right. My boat is quite a bit bussier as my wife loves nick naks. In fact if you have an Oct. 05 Lats & Atts you can see for yourself. Featured boat. I'd like to see some exterior pics if you can.
----------------------------------------------
This morning it looked so nice out I thought I'd leave it out.
S/V "Tina Marie" Cal 2-27
Thanks..Check out' Capn K's Katie Marie' .He posted a great ext. pic...we have the same boat only mine has a light blue hull. I'm going to do a 'gallery' soon.
Skipper Dave...I put a few pics in 'gallery' under Frank There is one outside shot there.Alberg drew beautiful hulls !! They look GREAT out of the water too....to my eyes...nice lines!!
Hi Frank,
I cannot help but wonder, in the picture of your Ariel's saloon, above the louvered doors, there is what appears to be four dials. I can imagine that three of them are a barometer, a thermometer and a clock. But not sure what the fourth one is.
My WAG is that you may have two clocks, one for GMT, (AKA UMT) and the other for local time.
Can you fill us in?
Thanks!
A ........hydrometer
Hey Skipper Dave do you call them Nick Naks cause thats the nosie they make as they fly around the cabin LOL. The pic's are great Frank. I always love looking into other boat interiors. Never know when you might see a great idea you can use.
Yep....I stole all my ideas else where !!!
Hey Frank,
Nice boat. Where do you sail out of? I am in Hamilton - but in terms of sailing - Ontario is a big place.
Cheers!
John
a note to all ariel owners..... if you get the up and coming winter edition of the ariel owners news letter.....let me warn you I wrote it...it is a true account of my five year life aboard an ariel...it is not for small children to read.it involves love sex,death depression and ultimate triumph. the second half is on line on the ariel owners website....its the first half that is not on line.. they have informed me that it is complete and unabridged from what I originally wrote..if in fact it is... I am sure the ariel owners association authorities were possibly up in arms about putting it to print..
That is GREAT!! ???
::)
But what about us who do not get that :-\
we want to know also, what are we chopped liver stinkpot owners? :D
Oh, boy , it getting late I need some sleep :-X
About a year ago, while I was anchored in St. Pete on my way to the Bahamas, I met a friend from another board, and helped her move her 27' Ericson up to St. Pete from Sarasota. Well, it turns out that soon after I helped her move it, she got transferred to Baltimore, and found a steal on a much larger boat! So what does this wonderful friend decide to do with her 27' Ericson? That's right, give it to me!
Admittedly, it's a bit of a project, mostly cosmetics from being unused for long periods of time while she was off making a living. A lot of rewiring and painting, as the owner before her seems to have been a moron... but you can't beat the price! FREE! All she NEEDS to be seaworthy is a new jib and a long-shaft outboard.
So, end of April, I go up to Ruskin, FL to do a bottom job on her, then I bring her back home to the lower Keys. Here at my dock I intend to completely restore her, inside and out, replacing wiring, tanks, installing a head, fixing the cold-plate reefer (or taking it out), and possibly repowering with an atomic 4 or small diesel. The bottom job is necessary because I have nowhere ashore to keep her, but I have a well equipped shop 12' from where the boat will be at my house:
(http://www.fooswah.com/dock.jpg)
Is there anybody in S. FL that would loan me/rent to me a longshaft O/B motor to bring her down from the Tampa Bay area? Right now all of my funds are reserved to just get her home, and I don't want to buy an outboard if I decide to put an engine IN her... any help would be appreciated!
Website and stories to be coming soon!
Adam
Congrats!
Man what a deal! that is great Adam!
I have a spare motor , (see sellfar add) but the shipping to FL and back would probably be a couple hundred bucks. :P Hope you find something local.
Good luck!
Thanks :) If found that I could borrow about 30 outboards if shipping weren't an issue :) sometimes living in the islands can be a pain in the ass, so few people around with similar interests... one way or the other, I'll get her home :)
Adam
Congrats! That's pretty cool. Post some pics before and after your work if you can.
I'm a picture taking fiend... there'll be more pictures than you want to look at :)
Now, I gotta find something to entertain myself until I go pick up the boat!
Adam, that is great! What a deal! I can sense the excitement in your entries!!! Wish I had one to bring you. I am heading to Tampa then to Miami in the next 2 wks. for work. If you find one in the NFL area, I would be happy to pick it up and bring it down with me.
Can't wait to see picts!!
Kewl, Adam! ;D What a great price! ;) I bet you're stoked... and really looking forward to April. I believe we have an E27 here in the marina, over on C-dock. Looking forward to seeing those pics of her. That dock arrangementis *great* for what you are planning, you are very fortunate in that, too.
Good for you Adam, as I always say, "Sailors are GREAT people.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This morning it looked so nice out I thought I'd leave it out.
S/V "Tina Marie" Cal 2-27
www.thetinamarie.zoomshare.com (under construction)
Hey Adam - been following some of your writings on the other board - I think since you first started. Congrats on your new fortune. Good luck with it. We'll all be looking forward to seeing your progress with her.
Cheers!
John
Well, I am the lucky guy that bought/is buying her. Actually, I send the first of the money tomorrow. This will be the smallest sailboat I've owned (other than a Sunfish when I was little), but studying the layout made me realize that this is probably the IDEAL boat for me. K.I.S.S. is the way to go. I'll be living aboard her in Key West for at least the rest of the year, maybe going over to the Dry Tortugas, or long weekends up the ICW towards Marathon (hopefully with some sort of feminine companionship! :D ) Either way, this is only the beginning of a new chapter of adventures for hull #50.
In a few months, my friends are sending their twin 8 year old daughters down to spend a week on the boat (and at the beach) with me. Then after hurricane season, We're taking his wife and the girls from Maine to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal. He'll only be on the boat briefly. Either way, this delivery will add to the adventure kitty for #50!
Anywho, be prepared for a lot of pictures and stories to be posted here :)
Adam
yeah, while the girls are here, there will be netting along all the lifelines too... part of the plan is to teach them to swim (at the pool!) while they're down here.
:)
Congrats Adam!~
Great boat for a great guy. Glad that #50 found a good home.
Might want to check out the pearsonariel.org home page for a lonk to the deck log of the pearson Commander (same hull, different cabin top) that did the Panama Canal (Chicago to Berkley).
I am right now typing this from Elizabeth City, NC where I am doing a delivery for the new owner of Ariel #3.... the other Ariel that was for sale on the east Coast.
Look forward to hearing your future reports!
Speaking of Ariels I saw one I think it was #383 or something this past weekend whilsit I was taking my class over in the Esuary. I said hey there goes what I had as my 1st boat! They went ohhhh ahhh nice.
I may have not been clear. I'm taking HIS boat (55' Roberts cutter) and HIS wife and kids around to LA from Maine... I'm not ready for that adventure yet :) Too much to do and see from right where I am! Probably the first big cruise will be up the east coast, at least as far as Cape Cod...
after that, who knows???
Oh... that makes much more sense... and that many people on a 26' boat sounded a bit crowded. :D
Adam -
When you head N on Revival, we'll have to time it so me, you, Faith, and Ariel #3's new owner meet up in Southport or something. :D
Congrats on the new boat - she is so pretty, and I know Frank did a nice job on her. Plus, she's proven "Shaken Down, and Cruiseworthy"... ;D
Adam, this sounds like an awesome trip coming up and an awesome purchase on your new boat. Congratulations. It sounds like Frank got her perfect for her new owner.
Enjoy the little ones! What a fun adventure for them.
Quote from: CapnK on June 08, 2006, 09:45:34 AM
Adam -
When you head N on Revival, we'll have to time it so me, you, Faith, and Ariel #3's new owner meet up in Southport or something. :D
Congrats on the new boat - she is so pretty, and I know Frank did a nice job on her. Plus, she's proven "Shaken Down, and Cruiseworthy"... ;D
;D What a great idea!
Adam,
Lucky DOG. ;)
;D
Well gang, stage one of Operation Get Adam To His Boat is complete. I have gone a stupendous 25 miles up US1!
Quick background: I live in Key West, FL. The boat is at Indiantown Marina, which is up near Lake Okeechobee. I bought the boat about 3 months ago, but have not been able to get away from work to go get her.
The plan for a while had been for my Project Superintendent to give me a lift up, since he has a truck, lives 20 miles from where my boat is, is a sailboat owner/enthusiast, and was going home this weekend anyway. To make a long story short, the "storm" hype caused everyone on the job to panic and run for home, leaving me stranded (and poor). My "ride" decided it was a perfect excuse to go see his mother in NY, since it turned into a 7 day Labor Day weekend.
I didn't get my time slip, because they got a last second flight home.
I didn't get my bonus, for the same reason.
So, I adapted and overcame. I got the Project Manager to call and authorize a paycheck to be cut for me and I got my sister to loan me my bonus $ on the promise of Fedex showing up with my bonus from NY. So now I'm set with a little sailing scratch.
Now, to get me, 3 duffels, two backpacks of computer poop, and an outboard motor to the boat:
Stage One consisted of my sister bringing me and all of my poop from Key West to Ramrod.
Tomorrow is stage Two, which is my brother-in-law taking me to Marathon, where I'll meet either my Mom or my baby sister. From there, I go to Florida City, where I'll buy out as much of Wal-Mart as I can cram into the trunk of a Camry around a 4hp Suzuki.
I have triple redundancy in cameras, 4 media cards, two media readers, and blank DVDs should I fill up my 62 gigabytes of free hard drive space. There will be pictures.
Stage Three - Saturday... good 'ol mom is going to drive me by Ray's (Anya's betrothed) to grab the inflatables (in Ft. Lauderdale) then on to Indiantown Marina...
I'll be heading west across FL, then spent a week or so putzing around Punta Gorda with friends. Then down to Marco Island, then straight across to Key West.
I should be fully provisioned, have an extra outboard, plenty of fuel and water, and if all else fails, I have roughly half of the value of the boat in cash... If all else fails, and I have a problem, I plan to throw money at it until it goes away.
All this for a simple little trip across S. Florida?!?!?!?!
:)
Adam
Have a good trip, Adam. I'll be looking forward to those pics!
Adam-
Fair winds, and looking forward to seeing some nice pix. :D
Dear Lord man, it is about time! ;D
You have admirable patience. I think you are going to be quite happy with that boat, following Frank's work on the internet he seems to have done some really great work.
Have a great trip, and FWIW, when Rose and I delivered 'Ariel Spirit' we had so much stuff packed in our friends van I wondered if it would even fit aboard!
It did.
Have a great trip.
that place is like a scene from jurrassic park.if ya fall in the water ya come out the ass end of a gater.they never did rebiuld that marina in pahokee did they--wrongo time of year to be there----and that water in palm bay-----poorly marked channel----yuzza gunna hit bottom fer sureI remember Annie saying"whats that alarm?" then came that unnerving----lurch foward as the bottom hit
Have fun Adam.I'm 'just back' from a buzzards Bay cruise.....give me an e-mail off site.Phone # ??
After Franks Bahamamamas trip, and now Adams "bringing her home" trip, Journey is going to be one of the most photographically well-documented boats on the internet. ;D
Frank posted on the Pearson Ariel Site (http://www.pearsonariel.org) yesterday;
QuoteI spoke with Adam (#50's new owner) today by cell phone. He has finally got her launched and they are currently on route to his home in the Florida Keys.
He is motoring along the 'ditch'.I preferr sailing 'outside'...less stress...waves/wind are friendlier than bridges and powerboats. He reports the engine doesn't miss a beat and is good on fuel (6hp yachtwin evenrude)
I'm glad....I'm always nervous selling something and hope it all works out. Hope he sends us an update.Good to see #50 on the move again.I understand 'revival' will be re-named 'Journey'...I wish him many adventures and safe journeys.
I don't think you have much to worry about Frank, I think Adam is going to be very happy with your work. I wish you had owned 'Faith' at some time in the past. ;D
Well gang. I'm in Placida FL at Gasparilla Marina. I'm going to paste in some stuff I posted on my other board, although after the past week, I am now truly a believer in the small boat philosophy! Oh, and Frank? She has a Johnson Sailmaster outboard :) And the charging system works great. :D
I apologize for the "cross-post", but I definately wanted to share this with you guys.
The short version is, I have had ZERO problems. NONE. ZIP. ZILCH! I think my biggest delay was having to turn two donuts waiting for a napping bridge operator. I didn't even have to slow down for any other bridges! I am tickled pink and don't want to stop going when I get home!
Pictures are at http://www.svjourney.org/gallery2 under "The Journey Home".
I'd planned to put together the pictures with the trip report, but I'm sitting on the dock at Gasparilla Marina at 11pm, waiting for my laundry, swatting mosquitos, and having to use the touchpad (I forgot my mouse on the boat). Maybe when I get home? :D
----------------------------Start Cross Post Here ----------------------------------------------------------------------
09/05/06
Left the dock at 1240. Winds from the east at about 10 kts. Easily made 4.5 knots without running the motor too hard. I was passed by one Viking motoryacht. Then, at the 49' railroad bridge just east of Port Mayaca, there was a ~45' ketch being loaded with blue poly barrels to induce a list and thus allow the boat to pass beneath the bridge.
Arrived at Port Mayaca Locks at 1440. I advised the lock-keeper that I was singlehanding on a new-to-me boat, and he promised "no problems". Well, I could see why he could make that promise, there was only an 8" level change between the canal and Lake Okeechobee. He advised that it would be pretty rough out there, but I decided to give it a try.
That didn't last long. With rain and 15-20 (higher gusts) right on the nose, my little 6hp was barely making ANY headway. I got about a mile out, and headed right back to the locks. 45 minutes out, 6 minutes back in.
At 1550, I dropped anchor, just east of the "52" red marker. I was offered the use of the "dolphins" (pilings lashed into a pyramidal shape), but I declined. I didn't want that black poop all over Journey (named "Revival" currently, but renaming in Key West when I get the letting made).
So far, everything is going great. The crappy little danforth anchor didn't want to set in the goo here in the canal, so I had to monkey around with in for about half an hour in the rain. That wasn't a lot of fun. Made quite a mess on the foredeck with the ooze that they call a bottom here in Deliverance-land. After that, I headed below, dried off, and finished watching "Troy" with Brad Pitt. One annoying thing about that movie. In some scenes, Achilles (Pitt) has a wound on his left bicep. In others, he's got a smallpox vaccination scar. Good to know that ancient Greece was up on its biotechnology.
Anyway, I'm going to hang out here tonight, then head across Lake Okeechobee in the early AM.
Note at 2000: I'm very glad I decided to head back into Port Mayaca. All evening I've been able to see the flag at the lock rippling straight out from strong winds out of the southwest. Now, at dusk, I would be in the middle of the lake, pounding into the wind, with the added bonus of thunder and lightning. At least I have a great view of the storm while protected from wind and wave. Also, with gasoline at $4/gallon at the marina, I'd really rather do a little better than .01 - 2 knots.
Boat Notes: The little 6hp Johnson Sailmaster seems to be very smooth and reliable. It took about 6 pulls to get her to start, which isn't bad at all for an engine that's been sitting in the yard for 6 months. It's possibly underproped, as a little wind and wave on the nose seems to easily stop all forward motion under power. Thank goodness for this awesome custom dodger (Natty of Ontario is on the label). With the low freeboard, this is a pretty "wet boat" in rougher conditions. Before I head to Key West, I'm going to have to move some weight forward, there's quite a bit of stern-squat under power. It's a little disconcerting to someone who's never had this little freeboard! Otherwise, everything is working perfectly. Having a bilge that's so dry that it's dusty is going to take some getting used to though. At the end of tomorrow's leg, Journey is going to get a good scrubbing to get the yard filth off of her. I was going to do it today, but between the chilly rain and frustration at the danforth, I called it a day after sloshing the bottom-goo off of the foredeck. A WHOPPING 10 nm net movement today!
09/06/06 Wednesday
Underway at 0740, there were no problems going back through the lock at Port Mayaca.
The trip across Lake Okeechobee was completely uneventful. It was like glass 90% of the time, the rest of the time, there were faint ripples. There was no breeze, and it was HOT! Every ten minutes or so I'd dump a bucket of lake water over my head. Very refreshing! I was passed by a single large Sea Ray at about St. Mile 45. Other than that, I just listened to MP3s or made phone calls. Oddly enough, once I was about 5 miles into the lake, my cellular phone beeped, indicating that I had a message. I figure that the cell tower must be in Clewiston.
I arrived at Clewiston at 1345, and made the right at the Red 20 to continue along the Okeechobee Waterway. From this point on, it drizzled off and on. I alternated between being hot enough to pour water on my head and shivering in the drizzle. When the rain would stop, I saw one little pontoon lake boat and a barge/tug combo. Of course the barge/tug came around one of the few bends in this stretch of waterway, just as I was approaching from the opposite direction. I got around him on the outside of the bend, but it turns out he was trying to pivot, which left a huge swirling mess behind him. I had to throttle up and just ride out of it. It wasn't too bad, but because I didn't know what to expect, it was bad enough! Following the western shore of the lake, there's a large levee to the left and nothing but brush and dead tree trunks to the right. Plenty of wildlife though! I couldn't count the alligators and herons. I saw several osprey, and I THINK I saw a bald eagle, but I couldn't make sure. As usual, I took a lot of pictures.
The lock at Moore Haven was also a breeze, but I had a little bit of last-second running around on deck to move my fenders from the port side to the starboard side. Under power, even idling, Journey wants to ease to port. Frank (the previous owner) left a Tiller-Tamer for me in the drawer, but I didn't have the hardware to install it. So I'm able to leave the tiller for 5-10 seconds to perform quick tasks.
I exited the lock at 1700, and decided to just go on for another hour. When that hour was up, I was by Lake Hicpochee (according to the chart). This alleged lake wasn't visible to me, as the sides of the waterway were all grown up and looked just like the rest of the banks. BUT, it was right at this point that my route was clogged by a LOT of floating vegetation. I throttled back some, and decided I'd just get past all of that poop before I anchored. Getting past the bulk of it took almost an hour (3 miles of this garbage!). So here I sit, anchored in 22' of water, right next to the northern bank of the Caloosahatchee River. I backed down on the anchor, and it seems to be holding, but when I killed the engine, I'm just floating somewhere above it with slack rode hanging down. No current and no breeze... the mosquito coils are lit. I'm going to eat, watch a movie, and go to sleep. Long day (but a good day). 41 nm covered today.
09/07/06
Underway at 0720. No problems at anchor the night before. The mosquitos would have been horrendous, but at sunset, I put mosquito netting over the companionway and lit a mosquito coil. Within a short time, I had several hundred dead mosquitos on every surface in the cabin, and NO live ones.
It was a day of locks and bridges, none of which were any problem. Well, the bridge tender at La Belle was sleeping on the job and I had to call the toll-free number shown on the bridge. She apologized in a sleepy voice and said that she was having radio problems. It was no big deal, I just did a few donuts in the waterway waiting for her to get the message. I didn't even have to slow down for any of the other bridges, I'd radio the bridge as soon as I could see it, and they all said just "come on up to the bridge, I'll have it open for you". That must be a boring job.
Today's features listed in order of appearance:
Ortona Lock
La Belle Bascule Bridge
Ft. Denaud Swing Bridge
Alva Bascule Bridge
JP Wilson Lock
Wilson Pigott Bascule Bridge
Ortona lock was an 8' drop, and I was a little nervous, but it was no big deal. My GPS, however, indicated that I had dropped 43'. I don't think the altimeter function is very accurate.
There really wasn't anything of signicance that happened today. In almost 12 hours of motoring, I probably saw 15 other boats, one of which was another barge/tug that passed me. Maybe 3 large sportfishermen, and the rest were just little bass boats or bowriders. Very quiet here on the waterway. I had to slow down in Ft. Myers, as the waterway has a 25 mph limit (Manatees). (for you non-sailors, that was a joke).
I decided to anchor at about 1900, just as I was between Ft. Myers and Cape Coral. So here I sit, half a from the south back of the Caloosahatchee River. I took my first cockpit shower at sunset, it was nice to get the Off, Sunscreen, and grime off! I'm in about 8' of water with about 60' of rode out. No wind and no current, but I did back down on the anchor to verify that it was set. Now the rode is just hanging slack from the bow. A little breeze would be nice! Nonetheless, it was a very productive day. I'll sleep well tonight. 48 nm today.
Fuel consumption to date: 13 gallons. Roughly 8 nautical miles/gallon. Not too shabby.
09/08/06
Underway at 0740. Pretty uneventful day. Beautiful sunrise over Ft. Myers though.
When I pulled anchor this morning, it was set (or seemed to be set). Somehow it had set with the chain fouled on the fluke. As I drifted around last night, it must have dragged the chain back over the anchor. I HATE the danforth type anchors! I think they call them flukes, because if the damned anchor works like it should, it IS a fluke. Nonetheless, I didn't drag... which is a good thing.
I did make a mistake coming out of the Caloosahatchee River. It was my fault for not having the next chart ready. I basically just followed the most likely looking set of markers, WRONG! So I lost a total of about 30 minutes total on that little detour.
It was a completely uneventful day. There was a decent amount of boat traffic (compared to what I'd seen the previous legs). A lot of big sportfish, and I passed two crusing sailboats going the opposite way. I could tell they were cruisers because they had jerry-cans, bicycles, etc.. secured all along their lifelines. The were probably wondering why in the world I was headed north in September.
I had a great outgoing tide pushing me out of the Cape Coral area, spent a big part of the morning at 5.8 knots. So I didn't bother running the engine very hard. Then, when I was talking to Les on the phone, she asked me my boat speed. I hadn't looked in a while (it's nice not being on a schedule!)... 3.1 knots... oops. I guess the tide changed? So I gave the ol' Evinrude a little more gas, and basically sat there and steered from every angle I could think of. Laying down, using the foot, switching feet, switching sides, standing on the seat, etc. Singlehanded motoring is BORING. I don't recommend it.
Anyway, I made it to my anchor spot in Gasparilla Sound at 1640. Tomorrow I have company. Also, for the following two days I have company. Different people each day. Decks are scrubbed, and my cockpit shower was wonderful. It was hotter than heck today, no breeze. 36 NM today, not including my little detour near Punta Rassa.
09/09/06
I picked up Marlys at Gasparilla Marina at 1000, bought some ice and sodas, and made arrangements to pick up my guests over the next few days. Great people! I will be staying there tomorrow night, dockside.
Anyway, today we only had about an hour of wind on Sarasota Bay, but it was GLORIOUS! I was tickled pink with the way Journey sailed! Very steady. I think I'm going to like the full keel and tiller combination. (Which is a good thing, since I'm stuck with it!). I was surprised at how large the genny is. It's got to overlap the mast by about 6 feet. All the way back to the companionway! So, with a lot of white canvas up, she looked GOOD! Having white sails is a new thing for me as well! As we didn't have a lot of wind, I didn't try her on different points of sail, just close-hauled running across the bay. It was very pleasant.
Marlys, however, got seasick when she went below to make us sandwiches (yes, I now have lunchmeat, bread, condiments, and snacks aboard, thanks to Marlys). She decided that she wanted to go back to the marina, rather than spend the night. This turned out to be a wise decision because...
I have been sitting here for about 90 minutes in a gale and whitecaps, with continuous thunder and lightning. I have about 10:1 scope out on the rode, and am monitoring my position with visual land fixes (when I can see land) and GPS. So far, I've not dragged one inch. Just tonight, I won't complain about the danforth anchor. But, the boat is rocking pretty severely, I have a cross-current to the wind, so it's a pretty bad motion. But, it's bearable. A good set on the anchor, lots of scope, and chafing gear on the rode. Plus, a freshwater rinsedown for the decks! I'm only worried about the lightning. It's pretty bad.
My cellular service is a joke in this area. I use MetroPCS, which used to be just south Florida, but they've recently expanded to include all of this area. There's still work to be done. I think my closest cell tower is wired to someones bathroom light, as I only get a signal for about 10 minutes at a time, about every 2 hours or so. It's pretty aggrevating. BUT, I've been able to contact all of my guests, so everything is arranged for their visits.
Net distance moved today: about 200 yards (I anchored in the same place as last night... breezy but protected, and no mosquitos!)
Anyway, time to shut this thing down and read my book. I have the GPS right beside me, with my waypoint at my anchor. This will let me know at a glance if I'm dragging. I hope this doesn't last too much longer.
Ok, it was over by around 2100... It got pretty bad, but I didn't drag at all.
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Glad to hear your trip went relatively well. :D
It'd be nice if you had captions for the photos setup in the gallery software. I particularly liked the cumulonimbus cloud on Day 4, photo 2. Very nice.
Glad to see that you were able to get some sailing in. Motoring long distances is deadly boring...and to be avoided if at all possible. :D
Well, I'm back in Indiantown Marina, headed to the east coast and home... two weeks aboard, and ONE problem. My Discount Auto inverter died. The folks here at Indiantown gave me a lift up to buy another so I can charge my laptop and cellular.
Nice folks!
The gallery will be captioned, verbosely, but I need to get home first. What little internet access I've had was brief and used while sitting outside in the mosquitos :)
More to come!
(well over 300 trouble-free miles! Starting tomorrow - Indiantown to Key West!)
What, you don't like the mosquitos?? We've been spraying for them over by my marina, as they're carrying EEE and West Nile virus this year. UGH.
Good trip report, Adam - couple of good laughs in there. :D These little Ariels sail like a dream, eh?
Glad to hear you got some proper lunchmeat and bread, to complement those Viennies... ;D
Hope the rest of your trip goes as well as it has been so far!
Hi gang. I'm home in Key West. Over 600 miles, no problems while underway.
Numerous problems once here though.
Dinghy (which was GREAT when tested up in Indiantown) disintegrated (the glue holding the bottom on) upon being used. Solution - New dinghy bought
Anchored for a week off Fleming Key, no problems. Wind started howling, dragging and bumping. Not the fault of the anchor, too much poop on the bottom in the several areas I tried to reset. Kept pulling up old rope and other misc. garbage. Solution - moved to the mooring field. ($$$ :( )
Brand New Dinghy - manufacturing defect, the U-Bolt for the painter came off. I went swimming at 7am (before sunrise) to get it. It's a good thing that I'm very attuned to hearing the lapping of the water on the dinghy, I heard it STOP lapping. Less than 100 yard swim in 20 knots winds to catch up to the dinghy. Solution - replacement from West Marine being delivered to the dinghy dock tomorrow. Sleeping at friends condo tonight (can't tie up to the boat!)
The Flu - 'nuff said. Solution - Time
Problem - Out of Money, too much had to be used for emergencies once I arrived home. Solution - 60 hour work week while sick with the flu.
That said, I still love my little Ariel more every day. It's a pleasure pulling up to her in the anchorage. I slow down and savor the view every time :) Dolphins in my yard, peace and quiet (when I'm not dragging aground), fresh air, and freedom. It's going to take a few weeks to get caught up on my finances, but then the fitting out starts!
I'll be online more once I get ahead $-wise, until then, it's spotty opportunities to hop online.
The trip report is all ready to post, but I have to get my laptop ashore to a wifi hotspot to get the photos uploaded. Should be this week!
Adam
Glad ya made it home Adam !! Really glad you're liking #50.....she can sure still turn heads for an ole gal.She will always be that 'old girlfriend you're still in love with' to me.Keep us posted and more of your great pics please.
Bueno... :D
Great to hear you made it, Adam! I'd wondered how things were going for you...
Without 'bad', there'd be no 'good', eh? ;)
Get well soon, try some Echinacea herbs for that flu (works for me like a charm). Looking foward to your trip report!