Another Travelogue

[RicM]

Although not specifically Albin related, I thought my fellow Albineers might enjoy my latest adventure, a trip north on the ICW from Charleston SC to Norfolk VA on a classic, 60' Trumpy yacht.

LadyC.jpg

We met the owners, Richard & Catherine at Wickford Shipyard and have shared plenty of pleasant afternoons over cocktails on Lacy C's aft deck with it's lovely summer breezes and fantastic view of the harbor. Richard. a master woodworker has spent several years (I don't ask) restoring the Lady to her glory, and glorious she is. The salon boasts overstuffed wing chairs, wool carpets and other decor that you might expect to see in an English drawing room rather than on a boat. After years of living aboard and restoration, they finally fulfilled part of their dream and started to charter her out to the well heeled of New England and the west coast of Florida. Now she is on her way North and Richard is always happy to to have volunteer crew, as you can plainly see from the photo, Lady C is a handful for a single hander, designed and built to be crewed by 4 with the "owner" lavishly ensconced in the master stateroom with no knowledge of the working elements whatsoever.

So today, Easter Sunday, finds me flying South on Southwest, heading to Charleston SC where I will meet up with Richard at City Marina for 8 days voyage ending up (hopefully) at Norfolk VA from where I am scheduled to return a week from Tuesday. I look forward to learning the ways of this lady, and spending a fair amount of time at the helm of a boat over twice the total length of our 28 TE, Time after Time, and getting some experience on the ICW as well. Check here often and I will do my best to keep you all posted.

[RobS]

Very cool. Bringing the Accurates? Is the head up to your standards?
Safe travels and do keep us posted. And photos too please.

[Legacy]

Very cool Ric. Safe travels and post their contact info, you never know who might hear about a charter opportunity.

[RicM]

II
Part of my mission was to carry a new gear for the Ideal Windlass (made in RI, all parts available 50 years later) that stopped working a few days before I arrived. A 6" diameter bronze gear weighing about 5 pounds made for an interesting trip through airport security. They could not figure out how I could use it as a weapon, and it was less that 7" in length so I was allowed to proceed with a simple swabbing to be sure it wasn't explosive.

The aft deck

AftDeck.jpg

Of course I was keen to see the windlass repaired as it would be my job to manually lift the all chain rode and 60 lb anchor if it was not operational. Richard met me at the entrance to City Marina in Charleston, a spiffy looking place around the corner from Ft Sumpter (Civil War, where it began). We got the new gear installed last night and plan to finish it up today.

The windlass under repair

Winch.jpg

Anchorage.jpg

Morning dawned sunny and mild. Looks like a good day for traveling. In for provisions as soon as the stores open, then off to the north.

The salon

Salon.jpg

[DougSea]

Very cool Ric! Have a great time!

I'll be looking forward to your updates. I did a portion of the ICW back in November when we were moving a friend's boat up from North Carolina.

Say hello to Coinjock for me. (If you don't know "whereinthehelliscoinjock" you should after this trip!)

[loubennett]

Now that's a real yacht. When and where was she built? Two thoughts come to mind. First - some of my earliest boating experience were on an 80 ft motoryacht named Diana. She belonged to some friends and was kept at their summer home on the Magothy River. She went for a day cruise every Sunday afternoon and if you wanted to go you just hopped onboard. The experience really spoiled me. Second- I now frequently have cocktails and dinner in the old Trumpy shed where Lady C was likely built. It's now the Annapolis Chart House Restaurant. Times have certainly changed on the Annapolis waterfront.

[jleonard]

(If you don't know "whereinthehelliscoinjock" you should after this trip

I learned in 07 when I helped a friend bring a 41 Defever from Southport to Baltimore

[Panhdjoe]

We were crusing the harbor Sunday afternoon with Kippy Girl our 27 family cruiser, "the Lady" must have already been headed up the ICW. I am shure I would have noticed her, and would love too see her.

[RicM]

Sorry we missed Kippy Girl, but Lady Catherine was there in the anchorage off City Marina all day Sunday and she was hard to miss in and among the Canadian sailboats (we left Monday AM).

Getting out of Charleston was a chore. The anchor was hung up on some type of immovable object. Apparently the anchorage was once a mooring field and there are a number of abandoned bases in the muck. We badly bent the anchor getting it up and although we have a spare, it was decided to go to a slip in Georgetown, our next stop, and try to get it fixed. Georgetown is a great little southern town with lot's of history. The river is dominated by a huge steel mill that has been idle since 2009, but is supposed to be reopening "soon". Last night, after a nice dinner at The River Room (Shrimp & Grits! my favorite!) there was someone playing sax on one of the boats in the mooring field. He or she was of top professional quality to my ear, playing unaccompanied jazz for about an hour. Haunting and beautiful.

Clyde, the mobile welder, showed up at 6:45 to pick up the anchor so here we sit. The weather is still, warm, and humid. Perfect for gnats, and they are loving it. Us not so much. Will try to post again later today with some pictures.

Made good time yesterday even after a late start. Quickly got the hang of steering Lady C. It is weird to be charging forward at 10 kt and have no idea what's behind you. Every once and a while an 18 ft skiff pops into your periferral vision from behind and scares the crap out of you. Otherwise very peaceful. Lot's of dolphin (flipper) that are crashing bait and occaisionally swim along in the wake. Haven'y caught one on camera yet.

[RicM]

We appear to be having a problem getting out of Georgetown today. The "mobile welder" showed up 15 min. early this AM for his 7AM appointment, always a good sign. Said he'd have to take it back to the shop, however. Said he'd call as soon as he get's it set up. It's now 10 AM and no word. Big rumbles of thunder and occaisional showers mean there's no big enthusiasm for leaving, but the lack of communication makes everything uncertain. I didn't hear Richard state any urgency to Clyde, perhaps a mistake.

Lady C in Georgetown:

CaptainHamilton.jpg

anchor amiss:

Anchor.jpg

Took a walk around town. Very southern. Pretty houses from the very grand antebellum style to gentrified "shotgun" cottages. A few of the shotguns remain un-gentrified and exceedingly eccentric. My favorite one was extensively flashed around windows & roof lines with many layers of standard issue gray duct tape.

[tbnolin]

You must be having a time of your life...something that you will always remember. Good Luck and have fun!!

Tom

[RobS]

...We badly bent the anchor getting it up...

Shame on you, a boat that size and no scuba gear, especially in warmer southern waters

[RicM]

It's Thursday AM and we are headed for Beaufort, NC. Short run today, hoping to be at a dock by Noon. There is a major weather front passing through most of the east coast mid day today, mid NC is under a weather watch for hail, heavy thunderstorms and tornados. The wind is picking up from the SSE as we are heading across a relatively open area with only the minimum of barrier islands far to our South and East across Bogue Sound.

Bogue Sound

BogueSound.jpg

A wider view....

Map2.jpg

Last night was very peaceful for the most part. We spent the night in a cove just south of Fort LeJeunne. There was a large ramp wide enough to launch about 20 boats at the same time and a lot of military trucks parked around. Right after dark we could see green nav lights streaking down the intra coastal in front of us at a speed that made them look more like aircraft landing than power boats, and into the anchorage cruises 6-7 of some very strange looking RIB (rigid inflatable boats) bristling with 50 Cal machine guns and a bunch of very cheerful young men who appeared to be having a hell of a time. That, and the anchoring dragging after the first set was our entire menu of excitement for the day. Made over 100 NM, which will allow us the short run today and an afternoon and evening in Beaufort. Re-provision and laundry is on the agenda.

[Russell]

Rob: Do you know where you intend to stop in Norfolk, VA? I would like to stop by for a look if it is OK with the Captain.

[Pitou]

]We spent the night in a cove just south of Fort LeJeunne. There was a large ramp wide enough to launch about 20 boats at the same time and a lot of military trucks parked around. Right after dark we could see green nav lights streaking down the intra coastal in front of us at a speed that made them look more like aircraft landing than power boats, and into the anchorage cruises 6-7 of some very strange looking RIB (rigid inflatable boats) bristling with 50 Cal machine guns

I think they're looking for you ... keep your head down.

Sounds like a blast, enjoy the trip.