A New Boat, A New Sailing Adventure
Preface
2009 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, now named 'Sweet Chariot Too ', was purchased on Oct. 12, 2008 at the Annapolis Boatshow from Norton's Yacht Sales Inc.; at least a downpayment was paid until, as the agreement stated, final payment was due July 1, 2009. The boat returned to it's home port, Deltaville Virginia. We continued our trip along the Chesapeake eastern & western shores from Maryland to Virginia on our Viking 33. Upon arriving in Deltaville we were received with open arms & a warm southern welcome. We had an hour's sail out on the Rappahannock on a beautiful, sunny day. On May 13, 2009 we returned to Deltaville on our northern trek home. At this point we decided to end this first adventure here in Virginia. We made our final payment, made arrangements to transport the Viking home on a flat bed & started transferring non-perishables from one boat to the other. The question we repeatedly asked ourselves was: what can we leave safely on board a boat that will be locked up tight for a hot mid US summer& that we do not need back home? We placed an order for canvass work in the colour dubonnet , black stern sunshade & vinyl side panels to be done over the summer. 'Sweet Chariot' arrived safely back in Ottawa on June 3, 2009 & 'Sweet Chariot Too' survived the summer quite nicely until our return on Aug. 31, 2009.
Throughout the proceeding months we took our pictures of many parts of the boat & measurements to make personal improvements & preparations. Then we had the great pleasure to actually customize her internally & externally on our return to the Deltaville Aug. 31, 2009. Over a nine day period we fine tuned the new canvass ie bimini, dodger & connector, added a BBQ, installed the dinghy motor mount & repositioned the jenny furling line to the port toe rail. Internally oil lamps & bookcase installed, new linens for V- berth & aft cabins, head & galley accessorized & shelving units added to increase storage capacity with convenience in mind, designation of location for non perishable foods according to frequency & convenience to mention a few of the many jobs. The Maiden Voyage took place on Sept. 12, 2009 on the most glorious sunny, warm day with the bluest of skies & light gentle wind but enough to sustain a full main & jenny. Over the next two months we explored the many bays, rivers, creeks, & parks on both the eastern & western shores north of the Chesapeake. We attended the Annapolis Boatshow on Oct. 9 & 10. We met a warm, kind, gracious & generous family, the Buckleys while anchored in Harness Creek off the South River when staging ourselves for arriving guests before, during & after the boatshow--- the Godfreys , Carol Laidlaw & the Dargavels. With them we explored more of the Chesapeake north of Annapolis. All good things must come to an end; on Oct. 27 we drove back to Ottawa after putting our new baby to bed for the winter.
An event filled winter it was ie I was selected as a volunteer at the Vancouver Winter Olympics (Feb. 7-Mar.2, 2010). On April 20, 2010 we returned to the 'Sweet Chariot Too' & explored more of the middle & upper Chesapeake. The Dargavels revisited us. One week prior to our planned return home my grandmother died on May 29th, 2 months shy of her 100th Birthday. More thinking & planning & prepping took place over the hot Ottawa summer for this is the winter that we will be returning to the south after a year off for a possible eight month adventure. That was the agreement Graeme & I made since both of us enjoy all seasons especially winter for our skiing. Now let the show begin...