09/08/2009, Annapolis,MD
Well, as I mentioned in my previous posting, Norma is back in the water. I have one more significant boat job to accomplish before heading back south for the winter. My refridgeration system has been a little under the weather and needs some attention. Once that's done, I'm all ready to head out.
The plan is to hang out here for the next three weeks or so. Then, I'll start moving south while keeping an eye on the hurricane activity. My rough plan is to get to Florida sometime in November and to be back in the Bahamas by December 1st. We'll see how that all works out.
Thank you Pete and Jim for posting comments and thanks to those who sent emails. It's nice to know that people are still listening. Here's another pic that I took while sailing up the Chesapeake.
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Comments [6]
Great Blog!
09/03/2009, Annapolis, MD
Well, here she is with her newly raised water line and new bottom paint. She went back into the water today after getting her hull buffed and waxed. I think she's feeling better now and ready for another year.
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looks like a million bucks!
jim
08/31/2009, Annapolis,MD
Will this is Norma after fifteen months in the water. The staining on the white part of the hull near the bottom is why I am raising the water line. That should provide a bit more protection. Also, as you can see, her bottom paint looks a little tired.
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08/28/2009, Annapolis, MD
Well, from what I was hearing, the NWS was predicting that Danny would remain off shore for the time being so I went. I was up and off at 0600 this morning.
The weather was unsettled to say the least. According to you-know-who, there was a stalled warm front in the area, an approaching cold front and several thunderstorms wandering around in every direction. I could see lightning on western horizon as I left the dock and, as I left the Patuxent River, I watched a brilliant RED sunrise. ("Red sky at morning, sailor take warning")
Most of the trip up the Chesapeake was overcast, drizzly and windy. Fortunately, the wind was on my starboard beam for most of the trip and I was
able to motorsail for most of the day and average nearly 7 knots. About half way through the trip, the Coast Guard began broadcasting "Warnings to Mariners" regarding severe weather in the area with the closing admonition to "seek safe harbor immediately" if you were in the path of the storm. (I hate it when they say that....You try seeking safe harbor immediately when you're more than five nautical miles from land in any direction and your maximum speed is about 7 knots)
For most of the day, the areas mentioned did not happen to be where I was at the time. As I was arriving in Annapolis, that changed. I had no more than passed the Thomas Point lighthouse when the next weather advisory included that location as being in the path of a severe thunderstorm. (Swell!)
This particular storm hit right as I was getting tied up at my marina, which made my arrival a little more exhilirating than I would have liked, but no harm done. Anyway, I got checked in and Norma is scheduled to be hauled out on Monday. My plan is to post updates regarding the work, complete with pictures.
Here's a picture from the trip up.
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08/27/2009, Solomons Island, MD
Well, the National Weather Service (you KNOW I love 'em!) is having a little trouble making up their collective mind what Danny's gonna do. In any scenario, it doesn't look like its gonna get this far north before Saturday afternoon at the earliest. Consequently, I'm going to hot foot it to Annapolis tomorrow morning.
Here's another Virginia bridge picture for you. Sorry, I didn't take any new ones today.
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08/26/2009, Solomons Island, MD
Well, I arrived in Solomons Island, Maryland today after a beautiful sail. I had great winds from the right direction and I decided to forgive the National Weather Service. Until I heard about Tropical Storm Danny!
They're saying it could be a hurricane by the weekend and, naturally, its heading my way. Grumble Grumble Grumble........
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