Southbound 2018 – Page 4

Category: Southbound 2018

Short motor and yet another freaking tow

Posted on October 28, 2018November 28, 2018 by Gybe

Motored out of Mill Creek looking forward to a great sail towards Hampton when the motor acted up again. A few harrowing seconds of a runaway engine and a lot of white smoke before I shut it down.

Justin from Reedville TowboatUS towed Ferrity to The Crazy Crab dock in Reedville.

The restaurant opens at noon and when the owner – Charles – arrived, I asked about local mechanics. He gave me a couple of contacts. Despite it being Sunday afternoon, I was able to talk with Lynn at Ampro Shipyard at in Weems, VA. Lynn would have their mechanic – Jim – contact me Monday.

Hunkered down in Mill Creek

Posted on October 27, 2018November 28, 2018 by Gybe

Even tucked here in Mill Creek, the wind gusted to 30 knots overnight. A little better today but I stayed as did 4 of the 5 sailboats nearby. One catamaran left and per AIS made it to Mobjack Bay.

Tomorrow looks like a go with west then southwest winds. We’ll see. At any rate, I’ve worked out three routes depending on reality vs. forecast. I’m using Navionics dock-to-dock autorouting for planning purposes. In real time, I always eyeball the chart.

Short hop is to Deltaville, with the two longer routes to points across York River. Screenshot from my Samsung Tab A 10.1″ tablet which is mirroring my B&G Zeus2 MFD. (see Tablet mirroring for further explanation.)

Anchored Mill Creek (Reedville, VA)

Posted on October 26, 2018November 28, 2018 by Gybe

Just hunkered down in Mill Creek (below Reedville, VA). Great sailing for several hours today, but the fading wind, arriving rain, and forecast suggested finding a safe harbor for the next 36-48 hours.

For those who wish to follow vicariously but not nefariously, this link “should” launch a map. The track displays when I remember to activate/charge my Garmin inReach. IF it works! (Garmin, FB, legacy DeLorme amalgamation.)

Underway again

Posted on October 26, 2018November 28, 2018 by Gybe

What Ferrity loves. Perhaps warmer weather. Terrific sail from Solomons to Mill Creek (below Reedville, VA).

Barnacle Barrier… ha ha

Posted on October 25, 2018November 28, 2018 by Gybe

Elaborating on engine failure. It ran out of fuel (yeah ha ha). I knew this immediately but what I didn’t know was why it slurped 14 gallons in 8 hours running at normal RPM when I should have reached port with 6-8 gallons in reserve.

Boatyard suggested fouled prop, hard to believe because 3 months ago Herrington Harbor North did a complete bottom job including $30/can Pettit “Prop Coat Barnacle Barrier” (possibly laced with barnacle food/aphrodisiac). Divers not allowed here so a short haul.

Result: bottom had some minor soft growth in spots. Prop photos after 3 months!!!

Next time I’ll save $30, douse the prop with a big batch of homebrew urine and launch Ferrity.