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