Kitty, Amelia, keeps her cool.
But her crew mates had a stressful day. It started out fine, if EARLY, as we left New London Harbor before 6:45 am. But I was tired. More than a week on the boat pushing to keep moving twd NYC and get down the NJ coast before this beautiful weather window closes to less beautiful. I stayed below to do computer work and sit w/Amelia while David took us out of the New London Harbor and set a course. Calm enough seas, bright sun w/high clouds.
Topsides to help out I heard David talking with a friend about voltage regulators and noticed our voltage and amperage guages were showing way below normal. David assured me that the engine would continue to run - whew!- but we'd have no electronics (depth sounder, gps, etc) without volts and amps. Well, more complicated explanation than that but you get the point. Soooo, what is our closest port with a technician who can help us determine the problem and fix it today - Friday?
Aah Ha! Brewer's Dauntless way up beside Saybrook. We picked our way up-river, under 2 bridges and were doing great (me at helm) until the "yellow bouys." Eh, what do yellow bouys mark? Am I supposed to stay inside them, or outside. HA! I'll go through the mooring field. Those big sail boats have a deeper draft than Grace. It worked. At the dock the technician came. He and David found a loose wire. Piece of expensive cake! that finding. But we stayed at the dock and David fixed it. Iwas reminded of the many hours in my life so far that I've spent choosing and handing tools to the male fixit person, starting w/my dad and airplanes. Sweet memories. And off we went again.
Then there was that RailRoad bridge we went under when it was open. Now it was closed. Watched a train go by. Other boats joined us to wait and circle. Watched another train go by. Wait. Now this bridge operator had lectured us on the way up-river about not being a traffic controler. So wanting no more wrist slapping, we waited. Another boat called the bridge and the controller said, "Okay, I had some phone business to finish I can open it now." We're thinking a little power tripping going on up there in that control booth.
We decided to call it an early day, both of us being pretty tired and knowing there were only 2 ports before a long haul to New Haven. We're at Harry's Marina in Westbrook, CT. A delightful place on a tiny, shallow river with boats packed like sardines. Reminds me a bit of FL's west coast in early '60's. Showers taken, we joined a gathering of the boatyard crew, other liveaboards, and locals for popcorn and beer at the gazebo. Then a couple came to continue a conversation. Dinner over and I'm whipped. Off to bed! The journey continues tomorrow when we may decide to head for Long Island rather than hugging the CT coast.
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| New London, CT from our mooring |
Topsides to help out I heard David talking with a friend about voltage regulators and noticed our voltage and amperage guages were showing way below normal. David assured me that the engine would continue to run - whew!- but we'd have no electronics (depth sounder, gps, etc) without volts and amps. Well, more complicated explanation than that but you get the point. Soooo, what is our closest port with a technician who can help us determine the problem and fix it today - Friday?
Aah Ha! Brewer's Dauntless way up beside Saybrook. We picked our way up-river, under 2 bridges and were doing great (me at helm) until the "yellow bouys." Eh, what do yellow bouys mark? Am I supposed to stay inside them, or outside. HA! I'll go through the mooring field. Those big sail boats have a deeper draft than Grace. It worked. At the dock the technician came. He and David found a loose wire. Piece of expensive cake! that finding. But we stayed at the dock and David fixed it. Iwas reminded of the many hours in my life so far that I've spent choosing and handing tools to the male fixit person, starting w/my dad and airplanes. Sweet memories. And off we went again.
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| Saybrook Swan and youngsters |
Then there was that RailRoad bridge we went under when it was open. Now it was closed. Watched a train go by. Other boats joined us to wait and circle. Watched another train go by. Wait. Now this bridge operator had lectured us on the way up-river about not being a traffic controler. So wanting no more wrist slapping, we waited. Another boat called the bridge and the controller said, "Okay, I had some phone business to finish I can open it now." We're thinking a little power tripping going on up there in that control booth.
We decided to call it an early day, both of us being pretty tired and knowing there were only 2 ports before a long haul to New Haven. We're at Harry's Marina in Westbrook, CT. A delightful place on a tiny, shallow river with boats packed like sardines. Reminds me a bit of FL's west coast in early '60's. Showers taken, we joined a gathering of the boatyard crew, other liveaboards, and locals for popcorn and beer at the gazebo. Then a couple came to continue a conversation. Dinner over and I'm whipped. Off to bed! The journey continues tomorrow when we may decide to head for Long Island rather than hugging the CT coast.
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