After the peak of Irene

This was taken after the eye of Irene passed us by 10 miles or so.  Went back out to check on the lines one more time.  Braved the winds and some flooding as seen at the end of this video.  Quite a strong storm, but not as bad as it would've been.  We were very lucky!

Pre-Irene

Prepping for the storm and making this video for our insurance purpose, should we need it.  Thought we'd share it in my world of Knotical Adventure.  It will truly be an adventure for RO.  She has been through many blizzards and high winds last winter.  Actually, the biggest threat we have now is not the winds but the storm surge which is expected to reach between 6-8 ft.  Call it bad timing when it will arrive at the time of high tide (8 ft) as well.  The boardwalk to the marina could potentially be underwater by tomorrow morning.   If necessary, we may leave the boat later today and stay with family in the next town.  Avalon across from the marina may also free up the vacant apts for us and other liveaboards until the storm passes.  Stay tuned....

Our solo voyage for the day!

As many of us boaters and sailors head out to sea, we hope and depend on the gods of sea and wind to keep us safe on each and every voyage.  Our solo trip was an exciting and challenging one as we make our way to Northport Bay, Long Island.  With respect to many others sleeping in at the marina, we decided to pull out at 0900 instead of at the crack of dawn.  Full of energy and ready to go at 0600 became difficult to wait for 3 hrs.  :) 

Finally, Capt Tom blew the horn by its long deep low sound to let everyone know that we were headin' out!  He did great maneuvering out of the marina, channel and finally to open sea.  With RO moving gently on the calm surface, I feel the salt water breeze blowing as I pulled the fenders back inside on the port and starboard sides and reorganize the lines for the return trip.  And I stood out on the fore deck thinking of just us and RO out in the open, it was a pretty cool feeling! 

After one hour's trip to Northport Bay, we found a great spot and tried out the anchor for practice.  We got settled in and had an early lunch before we went to work on the sundeck roof.  The sundeck roof had been repaired with epoxy on the entire roof and 4200 sealant around some stubborn areas.  We thought it was a good time as any to paint the final coat of oyster white paint with curing agent to guarantee sans leaks while the weather was still cooperative.  Over the winter, we noticed a spot here and there and they progressively got worse when the longest and wettest spring hung over us.  With a job almost complete, we ran out of the paint.  A little quart approx $70.  When you have a boat, you better be prepared for BOAT (break out another thousand).  This told us that we needed to take a break and go swimming!  So we did! 

All in all, the trip ended with us safely back to our slip by dusk and we high-five'd each other for a great success on our first solo voyage.

Boat Naming Ceremony

A GREAT success for Red October!  It was an open invitation at the marina; we also invited several of our friends and families to come and celebrate the commissioning with us.  The ceremony is considered as an ancient tradition to purge the old name and properly rename to appease the sea and wind gods.  More details attached: http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/rename.htm

At least 25 folks joined our party which followed by a handful left until almost midnight.  When the evening breeze came, the remaining crept up to the flybridge to stay warm and much of their conversation transversed into some kind of pirate lingo.  It was amusing and equally entertaining!  Honestly, I think it was the free booze and food that did it.  LOL 

All in all, the process is now complete with her name bearing Red October.  She was already registered with the USCG under that name when we bought her in late October 2010, but we had to wait until the weather and temp were more cooperative for the boat lettering.  It is indeed a very exciting and special time for us liveaboards! 

Red October's new decals

A special thanks to Stamford Signs for designing this for our yacht! Tentatively, this will be installed on our transom on June 3rd.  Another great excuse to have a party at the docks! 

Lesson #2 of 3: The Zig Zag

Another part of the lessons is the zig zag maneuver--moving sideways without a bow thruster.  Our yacht does not have a bow thruster which is always nice to have, but not needed.  In this video, Capt Tom attempted to move sideways to land at an open dock.  The practice was done at a semi-empty marina on the other side from us. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWRUR6PExD8

Driving lessons #2 of 3: Controlled Radius Turn

Last Mon, Capt Tom learned to steer RO using a constant radius turn and did very well.  Excerpt from Capt Don Fleming's docking maneuvers: "The constant radius and controlled radius turns represent in controlling the boat in close quarters.  The boat can be held in position during the turn so that the natural slide outward due to the turning inertia, as well as any wind force blowing the boat off the intended line can be eliminated." 

Each practice, he gained more confidence in handling the yacht.  If he can land a jet, then he certainly can land RO anywhere. 

New slip for the summer!

Hard to believe that spring has been here for a couple of months--I think that Puxsutawney Phil's predication of an early spring this year was erroneous.  Although he gave us what we wanted to hear at the end of a brutal winter in the northeast, we were in complete denial until it was time to renew our dock lease for the summer.  A probability of moving into an open slip further down on B dock also prompted a major event for us to bid. This would give us a better view and more privacy since there will be many increased activities around the marina soon.  We had already reserved a new slip, which was open, at the time of the lease.  Shortly after, we found out that another slip we REALLY wanted may be open and made our bid for it.  We were granted a first refusal on it when the time comes.  Yea! 

When I returned from NJ last Sun, Tom asked if he could meet me at the marina parking lot and help me carry some things back to the boat.  Awww, what a sweet husband!  In all of the years with him, I still can't tell if he has a surprise in store for me or was just being a gentleman.  Looking out from the boardwalk, my first glance at RO was not right...something happened.  It was not at our usual slip anymore!  RO was proudly residing in the one we wanted!!!  Tired from running a marathon a few short hours ago, I found enough energy to rush down there and jumped for joy! 

left our old spot to the new....

....slip, a great view from RO

Red October's first cruise in 2011

Today was Earth Day, but not for RO--we burned a few gallons of diesel fuel cruising up and down the channel and through "battleship" rows.  It was the first of 3 driving lessons for Tom with our new instructor, Capt Don.  He came in highly recommended for training and was exceptional!  Most people would just rather learn as they go--but for us, we like to play it safe and get ROI as much as we can.  I read that most people buy boats, and never leave the docks because they are not comfortable driving them.   With that kind of attitude, it can't be fun.

As I was approaching down to the cabin, where the lower helm was, the transmisson controls moved in sync with Tom's maneuvering from the flybridge.  I thought it was quite funny--a short video was made before I got called again to give distance direction from the sundeck.   I was his "eyes" at the stern. 

All in all, the morning lesson was very successful and I'm super proud of him! 

Spring is.....not here yet

We've had several days of "spring" weather, but they didn't last long--what a tease.  Not quite time to commission the engine, remove the enclosures, and turn on the direct water line from the dock.  It is safer to wait until the danger of freeze is over for good before we could do anything.  Right now, it feels like January.  So sad.  I think at this point, it's harder to wait for the warmer weather once spring gets here.  In two weeks, we will be busy getting the yacht ready for the next six months--the moment we've been waiting for.  We look forward to welcoming the warm breeze from the sound and drinking our cocktails from the sundeck...

Thinking Ahead for Summer

There's always something on Red October that needs to be attended to whether it is a simple maintenance or a big repair.  Recently, we replaced the old A/C unit with the new.  So, why did we bother with that kind of repair in the middle of the winter?  Everyone is looking for work, especially an AC guy at this time of the year in New England.  Cheap labor and discounted unit.  Yea, love it (thumbs up).  :) 

While we're on the subject of thinking ahead and finding ways to keep the hot sun out in the summer, we contemplated and finally decided not to buy a windshield cover for the large windows outside of the cabin. We have enjoyed the views and do not want anything to obscure them.  We found an alternative way to allow the new unit do its job efficiently.  Window tinting!  After researching the idea, we found that Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines wanted to impact fuel efficiency with an environmentally friendly, energy saving film product that would tolerate salt water environment and preserve the views in all common areas of the vessel.  With the installation of the Huper Optik window film material, it literally turn them into "super windows".  They reportedly were able to reduce fuel cost and save the interiors from sun damage.

Armed with lots of new information and knowledge , I searched the internet for a local company who carries the same or similar quality of window films for yachts.  The consultation went well and we were given 3 samples with various degrees of privacy as well as sun blockage.  We settled with the one-way mirror effect that offers maximum privacy without altering our view (see second photo with 3 samples, the one on left).  It also blocks 84% of the sun's heat and 99% of the sun's damaging U/V rays.  And it was also....the most expensive.  Sigh...but he did throw in one of the windows for free after I haggled on the quote price.   Good job, Pammy (another thumbs up). 

Update on Snow Removal project

Update from the previous post on 2/5/11:  It appeared to have worked its way through the snow and a layer of ice at the bottom.  While the sun was out for most of the morning, Tom took advantage of climbing up to the sundeck roof and cleared most of the snow and ice blocks into the water.  Odd how we could toss them overboard!  I think we've altered the tide chart by a few min....

Snow Removal

How do you remove heavy snow from the rooftop?  There are lots of solutions, but we heard of one suggestion that might work for us.  Fill the panty hose with rock salt (the same kind used for snow and ice) and lay it on the roof.  Oh, a bright idea indeed!

So, we went to Target for a few things including one white control-top panty hose.  I felt pretty silly since I haven't bought one of those in ages.  We opted for that color since we didn't want our "science project" to look very obvious from the boardwalk--it would blend with the snow.  Aren't we clever?!  I had to laugh pretty hard watching Tom fill each leg with rock salt. :)  Without further ado, it was laid out on our flat-top roof.  Well, we had to improvise....and hope that it works.  Stay tuned for a follow-up photo tomorrow. 

February!

A big welcome from Mother Nature!  We are enduring through this snow/ice storm and cabin fever since yesterday.  RO is now covered with ice like an igloo. This morning, I made it to the ramp and barely walked 2' on the boardwalk before I turned around to return to the boat. The boardwalk is nothing but a skating rink.  I'm not risking this for the gym today.  At the same time in Punxsutawney, the groundhog didn't see his shadow!  Thinking to myself, should I trust him?  It doesn't matter--I like good news!  :)  Yes, spring is right around the corner. 

Ohhh, good lord...Blizzard #2 Jan 11-12

 Starboard side of the sundeck (note the door is already opened).

Looking out from the stern...humm quite a job in store for Tom. 

Oven Repair

We expected RO to give us some challenges periodically.  One evening, the oven just quit working.  Our first thought was "BOAT" (Break Out Another Thousand).  Tom found part of the problem, the element was simply not working.  Yesterday morning, he pulled the unit out from the wall and discovered that the wire connecting to the element had shorted.  An easy and inexpensive repair makes my day! No need to fetch the credit card. :)  Tom returned with the supplies needed to fix the wire from Home Depot.  What a shock, did we actually buy something from Home Depot, not West Marine!!??  Now the oven is working again, and he got points from me.  I love you, honey!

 

Bubbler

Our neighbor approached us with a 1.5 hp bubbler and asked if it can be lowered and situated underwater between our yachts.  For those who are not familiar with the marina jargon, the bubbler is an electric motor (sealed, of course) with a small propeller that spins in high speed to keep the water moving at all times.  Consequently, the water around us won't freeze and also protects the docks as well.  With that mind, we have already started the countdown for spring and can't wait to drink & dine on our sundeck....