-
July
-
August
<
>
Tuesday 28th of July
NOAA identified Cyclone 9 developing in the Atlantic Ocean, moving in Lesser Antilles. They predict it wil move into Florida on Saturday.
Before a thunderstorm hit 1530 - 1630 EST, winds were 4 knots. It had 30 knot winds for 2 minutes, then blew 20 knots for an hour. Little cold. You never really dry out here, not even in a stiff wind. Captain handles the storms fine with sails down and one engine running. His mom and Petite Femme are a little anxious with the storms. Storms initially hit with high winds, then the seas build and the ride gets rough. We run with it at an apparent wind angle of 120 to 150. Keeps the ride as nice as possible. After 20 min, we get back on course. The ride gets rough until the storm ends. I can handle winds up to 25 knots. Captain first reefs in main at 18 knots, second reef when over 20 knots, and down at 25 knots. He takes it all down about 30 minutes before storm hits. We ran with the storm for 3 nautical miles before starting running at 95 deg wind angle to get back on course. The stroms completely Peter out when they get 20 miles off shore.
Before a thunderstorm hit 1530 - 1630 EST, winds were 4 knots. It had 30 knot winds for 2 minutes, then blew 20 knots for an hour. Little cold. You never really dry out here, not even in a stiff wind. Captain handles the storms fine with sails down and one engine running. His mom and Petite Femme are a little anxious with the storms. Storms initially hit with high winds, then the seas build and the ride gets rough. We run with it at an apparent wind angle of 120 to 150. Keeps the ride as nice as possible. After 20 min, we get back on course. The ride gets rough until the storm ends. I can handle winds up to 25 knots. Captain first reefs in main at 18 knots, second reef when over 20 knots, and down at 25 knots. He takes it all down about 30 minutes before storm hits. We ran with the storm for 3 nautical miles before starting running at 95 deg wind angle to get back on course. The stroms completely Peter out when they get 20 miles off shore.
Sunday 26th of July
Super bright today, no clouds, only 4 to 5 knots of wind from the south east. Since the weather was nice and Captain meant to get some great video footage of my handsome vessel cutting thru the water, he put his DJI drone up. I glistened in the sun as it filmed me going 8 knots downwind run on autopilot and spinnaker up. It seemed to have no issue panning around me, but when Captain brought it back to the boat, it seemed to loose lift for a moment but safely Whai caught me. This didn’t deter him. He set it out for more. He was not so lucky this time. The drone lost lift just as it was approaching the boat, a moment aloft gave Captain hope, but then fell into the water. The shocked crew scrambled. Captain and Petite Femme took the dinghy out to retrieve the drone, but it was already sinking from sight into the blue deep. It now lies more than 100 ft below water at the bottom of the ocean.
Then, with a heavy heart, they turn back to me. The Dinghy motor prop rubber broke, giving only half the power it should. They became anxious as it was difficult to close the distance to me. Whai debated turning me around, but God must be watching out because the dinghy managed to get back. 2220 EST - We are at 28 deg 7.64 N by 80 deg 16.57 W. Have to run on engines for now.
Sunday 19th of July
Captain picked up a part at Fort Lauderdale. He always gets me nice things. They have to wear face masks and keep 6 feet apart from strangers. The traffic is no less than any other time, though. The past few days a manatee. has been visiting me. He likes the fresh water hose. If they leave it in the water, he comes up and sucks on the hose.
Friday 17th of July
The Captain’s oldest daughter is flew back to the United States from New Zealand, after completing an internship for her degree. She flew from Wleeington to Auckland, Auckland to Los Angelos, Los Angelos to Miami, now finally with us. She is a beautiful, young woman too. Since her tattoo is her Maori spirit animal of a stingray, I will call her Whai. She once crewed a tall ship, the Elissa. If she can crew an big, old ship like that, she can handle me just fine! She is very organized and mindful of what is needed sailing. She posted sticky notes on the salon door of all the tasks needing done. Having the help of his family has made Captain much more at ease.
Thursday 16th of July
Captain’s mother and one of his daughters came today. They said “Wow!” When they saw my impressive stern. His daughter is a beautiful, young college student. Since her body is like a Solcat to my size, I will call her Petite Femme. I’m not french. Infact, I am an American made boat, but if my owners can appropriate words from languages that aren’t their own, I can too.
Wednesday 15th of July
Captain came back to me. He has been working hard in getting me sea worthy. Captain is exhausted and misses his wife. The strut on the fridge is old, like much of the appliances. The refridgerator is small but the door is hefty. Unfortunately, Captain’s knuckles were in the path of the door coming down when the strut gave way. He facetimed with his wife, who is stuck at their house, still healing from a hip surgery. Captain told his wife about the work he’s done on the boat - repairing the salon air conditioner unit, replacing a blown capacitor on alternator of generator set, installed new bilge pumps, and more. He complains about how much I keep costing. I get that alot. I’m happy my new Captain knows how to fix mechanical, electrical, and plumbing things. Maybe he can get rid of my bad odor.
Friday 10th of July
I don't remember much about my younger years with my first owner. I know I have been in Florida all my life. My second owner had me for a year and didn't take me out sailing much; I mostly sat in the marina. In July 2020, the Schusters bought me. They are my third and current owner. Now that I am old enough and the marina has internet, I get to share my life with you all!!!
Captain came from Oklahoma City to the Florida Keys to look at and sail me. He was pretty happy with the assessment. He bought me and I was renamed from El El Sea to Heihei Rere. He says he dreamt of owning a sail boat since 2013. He set a goal to sail the world. The global pandemic has been going on for about half a year now. Most people wear mask and stay home, but the U.S. still works tirelessly, and keeps commerce alive. Captain's wife has browsed sailboats for sale for years, and when she saw the prices were low and financing was at low rates, she told Captain that now is the time. I am glad they were able to buy me!
Monday 10th of August
We manuevered into my new year round slip with the help of dock hands. The view of the Naval Station is impressive, and the many U.S. flags waving in the breeze as the National Anthem played at 0800 instilled a sense of gratitude. Captain’s wife flew back to Oklahoma to return to work.
The next few days; Captain, Whai, and Petite Femme cleaned me up and prepared me for winter storage. Whai went up my mast. Removed jack lines off when de-rigging the boat. Next time, Captain will install slip rings that rigger advised to use. Petite Femme has cleaned and organized much.
The next few days; Captain, Whai, and Petite Femme cleaned me up and prepared me for winter storage. Whai went up my mast. Removed jack lines off when de-rigging the boat. Next time, Captain will install slip rings that rigger advised to use. Petite Femme has cleaned and organized much.
Saturday 9th of August
Entering the shipping tunnel can be a bit intimidating, with large tankers and cargo ships lining up. It was clear that many hung back until they were allowed in. We heard chatter on the radio concerning pilot boats coming to deliver a pilot to some of these gigantic ships. It was sunset when we were approaching the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-tunnel and we could see the glimmer of the roofs of vehicles as they disappeared into the under water tunnel. It was dark by the time we were heading into little creek, and the channel markers blinked the way. All hands were on deck - Captain at the helm, Whai watching from the portside and relaying calls from Petite Femme at port dolphin seat and Captain’s wife at starboard dolphin seat, looking out for any obstacles. The marina directed us to pull up to the transient slip, since the dark could make maneuvering into the designated long term slip hard. A patrol boat from the Naval station monitored our course. The sounds that came from that direction elecit imagination of large ships.
Sunday 8th of August
Petite Femme does yoga on the trampolines between my pontoons. She is really enjoying the sea life. She shunned boats for years since getting a little green on a small monohull in the Gulf of Mexico. She loves me, though. Motoring overnight. Not only are the winds dead, but the ocean water is like glass. The Captain’s wife took her turn at watch in the middle of the night, revelling in the peacefulness. When daylight started to pierce the water, many jellyfish were visible.
Friday 7th of August
We motored in thru Beaufort Channel and rounded Pivers Island, to traverse down Taylor Creek. We found a place to anchor off and Captain took the 3 ladies to the peir with the dinghy. They needed to grab a few groceries at a little convenience store. When they returned, we motored over to a marina for fuel and water. We anchored off in Lookout Bight / Cape Lookout. There are about a dozen other boats about the bight. The crew swam around me and checked all my thruhulls, then they used the dinghy to picnic on the beach. After hours of piddling about on shore and in shallow waters, they came back looking like lobsters. Everyone slept very well that night.
Sunday 2nd of August
1438 EST 32º 52’ 10.7” N 79º 51’ 57.9” W - Captain’s mother took an Uber to the airport to fly back to OKC. North Carolina ordered evacuation of Ocracoke Island becasue of Storm Isais. We are motoring to anchorage now. We are anchored with 2 large anchors with 150 feet of rope, and tied together at bridal. Good wave protection here bot no real wind protection. The crew stripped the jib, lashed the main boom into one position, cleaned off the deck, dropped the dinghy to let wind blow thru under canopy. There is plenty of room so if there is any drag, we won’t run into anything.
Summer
'20
Florida Keys to Norfolk Virginia
-
July
-
August
<
>
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|||
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
1 |
||||||
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
