Monday, September 30, 2013

Plan B
My apologies for the delay in up-dating our whereabouts… a lot of time and energy has been required to change our course of direction… and our Verizon Hotspot has been less than stellar… the bill has been right on time but the service has NOT…
We made a retreat Back down Lake Champlain finding a tranquil anchorage behind Schuyler Island – directly across the lake from Burlington, VT.  Sean and I hopped in the small boat and made our way ashore for a little exploring… 

Quick stops were made in Mechanicsburg, NY a great town with free dockage on a beautiful waterfront, Waterford, NY and down the Hudson River to Houghtailing Island were we spent another beautiful night anchored out.  As we made our way south we searched for replacement batteries to solve the electrical problem to no avail.
As we made our way back south thorough New
New York City Sean had the helm as we passed the Statue of Liberty – and we headed on to Shark River, NJ. Eventually we came upon a golf cart dealer at Cape May, NJ who was able to quickly supply us with replacement batteries.  It was a task for Sean and I to pull and replace all eight 75lbs batteries from the engine room – (I don’t think the rental car a Mini Cooper liked it either), but the result were worth the effort.  Once again, the hospitality of Mary & Scott Rae was greatly appreciated and we are looking forward to cruising with them in the future. 

 In the ever continuing battle of boat maintenance we ordered a starter for the generator and had it sent to Spencer P. in Virginia who later delivered it to when we went to our good friend- Master Chief Dan Boe’s retirement in Virginia Beach. Dan and his bride Heidi concluded a successful 30 year career with the U.S. Coast Guard – the organization will certainly miss his technical skills and leadership.
As we headed up Delaware Bay we made contact with another good friend, Bob Morrison. 

Bob, Sean, Tim and W.T
Bobs boat
Tim, Tamera and Sean
Sean and Tim getting ready to transit the C&D Canal
 He and his son Tim sailed down from Philadelphia to Delaware City to meet us. We had an excellent time day sailing Delaware Bay on his boat and passing through the C&D canal to Chesapeake City.
Bob and Tamera
 Spent a couple of days back in Norfolk, VA – where we started.  It was great to spend some time with our oldest son Spencer - and visit with friends.
Onslow Beach, NC
Spencer, Tamera and Sean Onslow Beach, NC
We made our way south to Goscaulk Marina on the New River in North Carolina, where we stayed for two weeks! The original vision was four days – but it was such a great place we had a hard time pulling up stakes.  We were fortunate that Spencer was able to visit us twice while there and celebrate his 21st Birthday.
Spencer's 21st Birthday
Underway breakfast
Traveling south we anchored in Wilmington, NC and pushed on to Southport, NC. for three days.  What an excellent place to stay – we had the opportunity to enjoy their Wooden Boat Show, free Maritime Museum and an outstanding candy shop.
Key West, FL here we come!
Sean's favorite artifact at the museum


 Of course Tamara loves a bad boy so she found a pirate to hang out with at the boat show…
 
 


 

 

 



 

 

 



 




 

 



 



 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 
 

Thursday, August 8, 2013


29 July – 1 August 2013
 
We arrive at the outpost of Gaines Marina Rouse Point, NY approximately one mile south of the Canadian border.
 Beautiful spot – most of the regulars are from Montreal about an hour away by car.  Arrangements have been made to forward mail here; we take on fuel - 220 gallons, give the boat a wash down - all looks right with the world.  The temperature is definitely cooler at 0600 it was 11celsius – getting ready for the break north (52degrees) – but it warmed up to 72 degrees.    

As it turns out two day priority delivery for here means four days…

So we entertain ourselves by going over charts, reading guide books practicing our French, walking the beautiful neighborhoods of the town and chatting with the marina regulars and locals, etc.
 
Gaines Marina, Rouse Point, NY
 

we spotted Captain America and his crew
 Tam spent time making delicious meals
Including home made pizza - crust and all...

Sean and I went to the Dodge Library circa 1927


and looked at interesting architectural details
 
Meanwhile in the background Tamera and I are having hard discussions about our present plans...

 As we sit on the Canadian border with the temperature dropping - and we review our plans we come to the conclusion that to start our Canadian adventure the first week of August is not prudent.

To spend the necessary time to explore and enjoy the rich history of Canada to include its canals systems of the Trent Severn Waterway - 45 locks, 240 miles, the Rideau Canal a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Northern Channel and Georgian Bay - approximately a 1200 mile trip -  we would not be to the top of Lake Michigan until the beginning of October. 
 
This by most accounts is not where Captain Ron, Kitty and Swab should be on a 36 foot fiberglass boat...
 
As the saying goes; 'You've got to have a plan to change the plan.'
 So we came to the conclusion we need to pull a one eighty and go south -
Florida here we come!
 
See you next year Canada
    

 

 

Tuesday, August 6, 2013


28/29 July 2013

After spending the night on a mooring ball at LCYC (with no electricity) we headed north to Plattsburg, NY.  The weather conditions were a little rough...

(so were guest and crew)

We pulled into Champlain Boatworks with no injuries  - despite the choppy sea-state and high winds - Bravo Zulu to deck force, they kept me from looking bad again.  There is an excellent restaurant Dana’s Rusty Anchor at the marina were we congratulated ourselves on a safe arrival. 
 
Now onto the maintenance concerns;
Just in time for Dan's visit the generator failed... and Sea Chantey has been experiencing some issues with the house battery system so electricity has been limited when on the hook... it's always something... 
The service manager at Champlain Boatworks lent us a load tester to trouble shoot. The good news is we isolated the problem to a single battery with a failed cell; the bad news is 3 or 4 days to get a replacement... 
The generator is a different story - it looks like the starter failed - replacement time TWO weeks... 
 
Discussions happened, decisions were made... Let's do like congress does, kick the can down the road and see if we can solve these items later.
 
We say goodbye to Dan and head North.  
 

 

26July 2013
I was told there wasn't enough fish on hooks...
 So our good friend Dan Boe drove from Virginia to upstate New York to straighten us out.
Welcome Aboard Ceremony on Sea Chantey @ Champlain Bridge Marina 
 
 Alright Bill this is how you do it...
 Sean Kelly and Dan Boe slaying the Lake Champlain fish population 
'Don't give me any lip... I am fishing'.
 
 Beautiful Champlain Bridge Marina Crown Point, NY. ... a really great place. 
Dan adjusting to being underway 
Sean exiled to the small boat 
 Next stop Lake Champlain Yacht Club... 


25 July 2013

We pushed all the way up the Champlain canal today – seven additional locks to arrive at Whitehall, NY.   This is where Benedict Arnold built a fleet of twelve vessels to confront the British at Valcour Island on Lake Champlain – a battle the U.S lost.  So this gives Whitehall the honor to claim itself as the birthplace of the U.S Navy. 

Deck force working us through a lock
Bos'n leading deck force

Canal charter boat
Canal locals



Fort Ticonderoga
 
lunch

 Skene Manor home of Philip Skene Military Governor during the French and Indian War
 

 
 My kind of place... Whitehall, NY
Tamera and I stopped in for a cold one at the American Legion Post 83 Whitehall, NY

American Legion Post 83 crew 

 
 

Wednesday, July 31, 2013


24 July 2013

Departed Waterford, NY… what a great place.  We headed up the Champlain Canal and made it as far as lock four… another great day.  We were allowed to tie-up on the upward side of the lock – peace and quiet was everywhere – what a beautiful spot.     

Sean bring us up the Champlain Canal
Lock 1 Champlain Canal
 
Tams office

Going up!
 
 
 Sea Chantey on the wall upside Lock 4
 

Sean walking the lock gate
Art in the park Lock 4
 


 Contrast in home maintenance