Atlantic Highland's, NJ -- STILL HERE! N40° 25.018' W74° 01.333'
24 September 2008 | 40 25.018N 74 01.333W
Randy
As I said in my last update, I expected to be here through at least last Saturday. There was a weather window of 2 days (Sunday-Monday) where it looked like I could make a run for Cape May. In making preparations on Saturday, I went to start the engine in a final check and found out the starter motor shit-the-bed. Being a weekend, there was no way to have it rebuilt or purchase a new one, so I had to wait until Monday, and that effectively took away the chance to head out. I was able to get a new starter yesterday and install it and all is well there again. However, strong winds and high seas are keeping me here through at least this coming Saturday now, and maybe Sunday. Hoping to depart Sunday or Monday for Cape May. We'll see ...
In the meantime, I moved off the hook (anchored) and into the mooring field, which is more secure than lying at anchor out near the end of the breakwater, which was more exposed to some wave action and wakes from passing boats. The forecast for winds by tomorrow is in the 40+ kt range, and I feel more comfortable here. Although, I have to say the holding in the muddy bottom was excellent. So good, that I had a hard time getting the anchor to release, and when it did, hauled up a 20 pounds (or so) hunk of mud with it. So I suppose I may not have gone anywhere in the high winds anyway. I did have two anchors set ... Oh well, this is still better.
Don and Maryann continue to be great travelling companions, checking in on me from time-to-time to make sure all is well, sharing their knowledge of some of the finer points of cruising, and inviting me over for the occasional dinner. Since I have no skills when it comes to cooking, I finally had to insist they let me do the dishes, which they did. Don and I went ashore Monday night to a bar to catch the Packers game and watched them LOSE. It was fun anyway, and even though I found out that while very well read, Don is still a conservative, but I like the guy anyway.
Enough of this for now. Making final preps for the wind to blow ...