Firefly's Cruise to Ticonderoga, NY

2013

June 1 - Firefly arrived in Oriental, NC on her trailer and was launched in the late afternoon. After a short trip to the Oriental Marina and Hotel, we docked her close to the street and the compliments began - almost immediately -  from people walking by. We met a man who knows all about Arundel 27s and has been interested in buying one as well as other "wannabe" owners.

June 2 - Took Firefly out for sea trials and drove her hard for 1 1/2 hours in the Neuse River which is just outside of Oriental. All systems OK, however found water in the fuel/water separator. Drained it at the dock and ran engine for 15 minutes on each Racor filter, then continued running the engine another 30 minutes to see how much additional water we might find. Decided not to take a chance and scheduled a local mechanic to polish the fuel.

June 3 - The local mechanic, Chuck Courtney, works out of his truck and met me at Firefly first thing in the morning. He polished the fuel and took out several cups of water. Although this would not have been a serious problem, we were now able to leave in the morning knowing that we had addressed the issue.

June 4 - Oriental, NC - Norfolk, VA

Firefly's Crew - John W Burgess (son) and Paul Cooper

Time Depart: 0600   Time Arrival: 1600  Engine Hrs: 734  Fuel: 51 gals.  Odometer: 181sm

Odometer Total: 197  Average Moving Speed: 20 mph

Weather: Cldy then sunny  Seas: calm then bumpy in sounds.

Marina: Waterside  Hotel: Sheraton

Neuse River calm to start and FF skimmed along. Cldy but breaking sun. 0700 no water in f/w racor. 

Alligator Canal

1000 hrs went thru Albermarle Sound and very bumpy - lots of spray and water finding its way between gasket on front curtains and windshield frame. Water poured onto chart top - water pressure must have been enormous. About 20 mins. from Coinjock checked f/w separator and couldn't see the fuel in the bowl - completely filled with water. Switched to 2nd filter and continued on. In Coinjock, refueled, drained racor and checked 2nd racor (no water). Problem must be the O ring in the fuel deck plate. Although it's a new O ring, it must not be the correct size. Put duct tape over deck plate to help seal.

Coinjock, NC

When checking bilge at the end of the day, pumped out a gallon or so of water. 

After arriving in Norfolk and securing FF, we had a wonderful dinner at Joe's Crab Shack.

Norfolk, VA

June 5 - Norfolk to Stafford, VA

Time Depart:0700   Time Arrival: 1300  Engine Hrs: 740  Fuel: 37.5 gals.  Odometer: 157sm
Odometer Total: 355  Average Moving Speed: 26.2 mph
Weather: Sunny all day  Seas: Flat all day
Marina: Hope Springs Marina  Hotel: Best Western Aquia/Quantico

We left Norfolk at 7:00 and slowly made our way through the No Wake Zone in the harbor.

Upon leaving the harbor we went on a fast plane and stayed there for the rest of the day. The water was dead flat, the sun was out and the temps around 75. It made for a perfect day.





Picture of the Waterside Marina

Flat Day on the Chesapeake

No water in the f/w separator and the bilge was bone dry. Entered the Potomac and appreciated its width at the mouth - I figure about 8-10 miles wide. As we went up river, it narrowed and felt much more like a river. Around 10 miles from our destination, we entered a Marine live firing range and were directed by a navy patrol boat to buoy hop by following a 3 mile course that hugged the MD shoreline.
We were met at the Hope Spring Marina by Herbert McMillan, our former farm manager who delivered my son's car to him; unfortunately, John W has to return to work.

June 6 - Stafford, VA to Kent Narrows, MD

Time Depart: 0730   Time Arrival: 1340  Engine Hrs: 747  Fuel: 33.5 gals.  Odometer: 140sm
Odometer Total: 496  Average Moving Speed: 22.7 mph
Weather: Cldy  Seas: calm then very bumpy in lower Potomac and waves in Chesapeake 2'-3'+. Small Craft Advisories all day
Marina: Mears  Hotel: Holiday Express

We left the marina under cloudy skies, a forecast for rain and Small Craft Advisories. Although the upper Potomac was flat and we could scoot along, it became bumpier as we rounded the last turn in the river and headed directly into the wind. As the seas built, I continued playing with trimming the hull, using both the trim tabs and engine trim. That, combined with adjusting the throttle, set us on the most comfortable attitude. In spite of doing this, we hit some pretty big waves and had lots of water washing over the bimini and landing behind us in the cockpit. Firefly seemed to enjoy the conditions and wasn't phased by the building seas. As we rounded Pt. Lookout, (northern tip of the Potomac's mouth),  the seas were higher but became following seas and much more comfortable. I quickly learned that the autopilot didn't work well in these conditions; as Firefly would come off a wave or series of waves, she'd periodically bury her nose in a trough and the autopilot would drive her further down. But by steering and keeping a gentle hand on the helm as she hit the trough, I'd let her round off as she wished, and it resulted in a much easier and smoother recovery. We continued on like this for 56 miles and gradually turned to the northeast into Eastern Bay. By now, the seas were calming down and we could increase our throttle to 26 mph.
After embarrassing myself trying to dock in a tight area, we secured Firefly and did our daily engine check; no water in f/w separators but we did have a few gallons of water in the bilge. After checking the anchor locker, I'm convinced water is coming from there in spite of my efforts to lock down the hawsepipe cover. The chain and rode were soaking wet and I'm wondering if the water pressure from driving the bow into waves is forcing water back up the drain holes in the anchor locker sole?  The locker door has cut-outs for ventilation and the forward end of the berth cushions were soaking as well. Added to that, the fresh water fill hose that goes through the anchor locker floor has a gap of 1/4" all the way around and is an excellent place for water to get into the bilge.

An amazing thing happened - when we cleaned the boat after docking, we noticed a machine screw hanging in one of the drain holes in the engine hatch gutter.

This drain hole (aft port) had a machine screw and washer stuck in it.

I couldn't figure out how it got there or where it went until we discovered a missing MS from the radar mast (it's one of 3 holding the mounting bracket to the mast). It must have fallen out underway and rolled into the gutter before we locked the hatch when it was getting rough. Until then the cover would bounce up and down.

Mears Marina is a favorite stop for us. The hotel is a close walk and there are good restaurants specializing in seafood.

Great Seafood at the Crab Deck

June 7 Kent Narrows, MD to Havre de Grace, MD

Time Depart: 0700   Time Arrival: 0910  Engine Hrs: 749.7  Fuel:11.5 gals.  Odometer: 49sm

Odometer Total: 545  Average Moving Speed:  22.6 mph

Weather: Cldy  Seas: calm at 5kts but fog and rain  the entire leg.

Marina: Havre de Grace City Marina  Hotel: LaQuinta Inn, Aberdeen

We left Kent Narrows in light fog and rain which continued with us to Havre de Grace, MD.  Firefly planed along on flat water and we were able to comfortably cruise around 27mph. The entrance to Havre de Grace is very narrow and to get there you have to connect the dots from channel marker to channel marker. The marina is at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the height of water at the marina depends on water flow from the river, wind, rain and tide from the bay. We have learned to secure Firefly with long, low-angled dock lines to allow for the unpredictable change in height. Lin met us at the marina and we'll spend 2 days in the area while we attend a wedding Saturday night.


June 8 - Wedding

June 9 - Havre de Grace, MD to Saugerties, NY

Time Depart: 0620   Time Arrival: 1915  Engine Hrs: 762  Fuel: 85.2 gals.  Odometer: 294nm

Odometer Total: 768nm  Average Moving Speed: 23.8 kts

Weather: Sunny, warm and flat seas. Ideal conditions for long distance cruising

Marina: Saugerties Marina  Hotel: Comfort

A Perfect Storm depends on the convergence of several unusually strong weather systems that creates a super storm. And I suppose the opposite of the perfect storm is when ideal conditions converge to create a perfect day on the water. It was under these latter conditions that we left Havre de Grace and set a new long distance record for Firefly - 294 nautical miles (338 statute miles) in one day. Under hazy skies and flat water, we left the marina and picked our way into the channel leading to the C and D Canal. The Delaware Bay can be among the worst seas I have seen but today it was tamed and subdued - perhaps asleep. We made the best of it and keep Firefly skimming along at 26 kts.


Ship John Shoal Light - Delaware Bay

The Bay was a huge playground for porpoises who traveled in groups and broke the water every 5 minutes. As we approached the Cape May Canal, fog set in and our visibility was limited to 1/2 mile. In Cape May, we refueled and as headed out of the harbor toward the open ocean, we had some unexpected visitors.

For the 3rd time Firefly in her lifetime, Firefly was boarded by the Coast Guard whose mission was to check for safety equipment. 

Lots of boats and ships were taking advantage of the sunny weather and flat water and all sizes and shapes were within range at all times. 

The run up the Jersey coast was easy and comfortable. Atlantic City was visible from 15 miles away. As we rounded Sandy Hook and approached NYC, the waters became bumpy and confused. This was due to a combination of prop wash from huge commercial ships, tides and currents where the Hudson and East River shake hands with the Atlantic. 

 I always find the sight of the New York skyline breathtaking as is the Statue of Liberty. 

Leaving NYC

The Hudson was smooth and although we were getting tired, it was easy to zip along toward Saugerties and make another 100+ miles up river.

Saugerties Light

At the Saugerties Light, we turned to the west and at the end of a narrow inlet, came to the marina where we tied up for the night. 

June 10 Saugerties, NY to Whitehall, NY

Time Depart: 0830   Time Arrival: 1755  Engine Hrs: 772  Fuel: 40 gals.  Odometer: 100nm

Odometer Total: 868nm  Average Moving Speed:14.6 kts

Weather:  Rainy all day with little wind

Marina: Whitehall Marina and RV Park  Hotel: Home

We left Saugerites after a big breakfast at a local diner - no more waking up at 4:30 and underway  as soon as possible.  Once again, the water was flat but we had a lot of rain during the day. We arrived in Albany after a couple of hours and topped off the fuel tank at the Albany Yacht Club. They also sold us a two day pass for the Champlain Canal. And somewhere along the line, we pick up water in our fuel tank which filled one of the Racor fuel/water separators.

Including the Troy Federal Lock,  there are 12 locks on this approximately 70 mile stretch of canal. Most of the lock masters are friendly and cheerful and many turn a blind eye to the fact that Firefly drifted above the speed limit once or twice. However, one or two of the others set the "Grumpy Record" with acerbic comments on the VHF. These we took with good humor knowing that they get paid to fill and empty the lock, not police canal traffic!

Inside a lock

Between the Mechanicsville and Schuylerville locks, we hit a submerged object which felt like we went aground. The engine shut off but when we got underway, there was luckily no damage.  Lin met us at the marina in Whitehall at the foot of the canal and took us back to Ticonderoga for the night.

June 11 - Whitehall, NY to Ticonderoga, NY



Time Depart: 1100   Time Arrival: 1215  Engine Hrs: 774  Fuel: 5 gals.  Odometer: 20nm

Odometer Total: 888nm  Average Moving Speed: 16 kts

Weather:  Flat water and lots of rain.

Because of all the rain, the lower part of Lake Champlain was filled with tons of debris. With floating logs, branches and whatnot, driving Firefly proved to be a test of agility and hand-eye coordination for the first 6-7 miles. The odds finally bet us and we hit another submerged object like we did the day before, but this time it caused some damage. At 2600 RPMs there was an entirely new harmonic and the sound of cavitation. 

Fort Ticonderoga in background

Shoreham-Ticonderoga Ferry

Firefly's outdrive after 1,022 statute miles

This ends our cruise north. Our former farm manager and friend, Herbert McMillan, met us at the Ticonderoga boat ramp with the trailer and we hauled Firefly for 3 days on land (to kill invasive plant and animal life) before relaunching on Lake George.

Firefly is now looking forward to a summer on Lake George where she will enjoy fresh water, repaired props and the relaxing activities of water-skiing, tubing and general puttering around the shoreline of this 32 mile lake. Meanwhile, we are already planning ahead to the fall cruise when Bud Seidelmann and Hops will join us when we go back south. This will be a first for us - cruising in company with another Arundel 27 and I already know it will turn a lot of heads and elicit a lot of glowing compliments. Can't wait!

Great get-together at the Landing School this past weekend! Thanks to all! Dan

Moored at NYYC for AC World Series

Could go right up to the AC boats on their moorings. Wings stay up all night.

AC World Series Newport

October 2 and still feels like summer! (in Westport, Connecticut).

Pulled right up to beach in 2.5 feet and caught minnows and swam (cleaned outdrive too). All on October 2! It's still pretty warm!  

My 5  year old took this shot.
Cheers!

FIREFLY'S FALL CRUISE TO NC

Our cruise from Lake Champlain to Oriental, NC has encountered a few obstacles. So far, I may look back on it as the "Cruise That Never Happened" or perhaps worse, "The Cruise From Hell".

Here's the story:

9/7/11 Picked up Tom Hart, crew member, at the Albany airport with the intention of launching Firefly in the Hudson just south of Albany. The delivery was rescheduled to begin there as the Champlain Canal was closed due to damage caused by Irene and that prevented us from starting in Whitehall, NY. When we trailered Firefly to the ramp in Coeysman, NY two things happened. First, the ramp was badly damaged and not serviceable and second, a local came over and said, "what you think you're doing?" When I answered, he said, "look at the river" in a tone that suggested he was talking to an idiot. The river was the color of coffee with only a splash of milk to make it a reddish brown. Heddy, the woman in the marina office, told us that the debris we saw floating by (logs, branches, stumps, etc) was nothing compared to the days immediately following the hurricane. And the heavy rains from a couple of day ago were stirring it up again. They had witnessed horses, cows, refrigerators and vehicles as well as numerous boats go by, carried by the swift current toward the ocean.

Given the conditions, we decided to go to Plan B which was to pick up our other crew member at the New Paltz exit on 87 and head toward Baltimore.

9/8/11 We found Dominick Pagnotta in fine spirits when we met off the ramp on Rt. 87 and headed to Baltimore, towing Firefly and still talking about the Hudson while scratching our heads in disbelief. Given the unusual circumstances, we were allowed to cancel room and marina reservations without being charged.

In Baltimore, we found a ramp and also slip in the inner harbor and got Firefly ready for the morning.

9/9/11 Boarded Firefly and headed out for Annapolis around 0800.

Although there was some debris in the inner harbor, we were optimistic about keeping our plan of scooting down the Chesapeake at cruising speed (26 kts) to Annapolis, then over to the Chester River to explore the eastern shore of Maryland. Leaving Baltimore from the water is great - lots of vessels of all descriptions and representing the old and the new.

However, the occasional debris in the harbor turned out to be the first very first signs of an enormous wave of junk we were about to hit. As we crossed the Susquehanna River the day before, we were stunned by all the debris - you could literally walk across this wide body of water from shore to shore. Again, brown water, logs, trees, branches and I imagine everything else. It rushing toward the Chesapeake and even though the Coast Guard had told us the Chesapeake was clear, I don't think they knew or understood the whole picture. About 20 minutes out, we found ourselves in a debris field that was getting worse as we ventured closer to the open waters of the Chesapeake. The only other boats out there were two sailboats, rafted together, and we concluded one was towing the other - probably a bent prop.

We were left with no alternative but to haul Firefly and change plans again. This time to go further south to Norfolk were we are now. Firefly spent the night at the Waterside Marina and we're staying at the Sheraton Hotel a short walk away.

TD: 0800 TA: 1625 EH: 590 AMS: 19.5 kts Fuel: 36 gals. OD: 108 nm

9/10/11 Unbelievable! The sun is out this morning and the water is still clear. The sky is blue and it's warm. We feel like we're in a strange but wonderful land. We headed north, then northwest up the James River and passed numerous fishing boats, both commercial and pleasure. The fish must have been jumping into the boats because the water roiled and there were so many boats it made me think of a mob scene during a sale at Fil-

ene's Basement. Further up the river was a mothballed fleet of navy ships, laying at anchor.We continued past them and skimmed the flat water in a state of pure joy. Eventually we noticed Jamestown off our starboard bow and on whim decided to explore it. We left the channel and squeezed under a bridge, inching forward in very shallow water until we found a suitable place tie Firefly to a tree and jump to land.

Jamestown was very interesting and well worth the time. The national park service runs it with efficiency and deserves a lot of credit for making it such a good educational experience in well kept facilities.

In the mid afternoon, we headed back toward Norfolk and into the Chesapeake Bay where we ventured out to the ocean. The bay was calm and relaxed - much different than most times I've seen it. Upon getting back to the Waterside Marina, we saw children playing in the fountains of the abutting park and took delight watching them have so much fun. All in all, a great day.

9/11/11 TD 0740 TA 1730 EH 599 FUEL 41.5 gal. AMS 23.3 mph OD 178 sm

We left Norfolk with the bimini rolled up and the sun rising in the sky. Immediately off the marina to the west, tugs were moving the USS Cole toward the public dock as police and CG formed a protective ring around her. We think the Cole must be on display today to remind us of the struggle in which we find ourselves with religious extremists.

We entered the ICW at mile marker 0 and once again followed the chain of rivers, sounds and canals toward our final destination of New Bern, NC. The day continued to be perfect and Firefly felt in her element; if she could express herself in human terms, I know it'd be with a smile. As we planed the flat water at 30 mph, we passed a lot of other boats heading south for the winter and we were again struck by Firefly's versatility; trailerable, fast and economical. An ocean going vessel as well as a lake ski boat. So many personas. Not bad.

As we left the Pungo River and entered Pamlico Sound, we turned right instead of left and decided to go to the top of the Pamlico River instead of home. The town of Washington, NC is situated 25 miles or so upriver and has a beautiful new public dock and best of all, no charge for tying up for the night. Washington is a very old town and appears charming - it has well maintained buildings that exude the flavor of southern tradition. We stayed at the Pamlico House, a B+B that was only a short walk from the dock and featured large and immaculately clean rooms with 10' ceilings. Breakfast looked like an artistic endeavor - the taste of banana pancakes was more than these simple taste buds could ever hope for.

9/12/11 TD 1015 TA 1510 EH 604 AMS 21.5 FUEL 23 gal. OD 86 sm

We got a late start as the RR bridge was down and the train on its way. As we waited for the bridge to open, we saw a floating junk pile coming by us that turned out to be a small barge carrying broken boats and docks, a reminder of hurricane Irene. On the opposite shore, boats were still stranded on land and frozen in grotesque poses.

The waterfront (dock) master was an interesting man; raised in Bristol, RI, a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy and retired pilot from 25 years on the Panama Canal. He owns a 38' Shannon cutter

built by Walt Shultz and lives in a townhouse overlooking his mooring. We had a lot to talk about.

The train finally arrived (behind schedule - imagine that...) but before heading out, we made a final sweep of the harbor to have one more glance at the town and took the photo below. It represents the simple, clean and quiet place it is.

Being low on fuel we found a maina several miles toward the Sound. Upon entering, the effects of Irene were not as subtle as in Washington. Boats were piled up on the docks like the playground of a deranged child and the extent of the damage must be driving up the sale of anti-depressants among insurance companies. Makeshift repairs kept things together; ropes tied from dock corners to land held them in place and temporary shores held some upright. Was the extreme damage a result of wind direction vs. marina orientation, or perhaps cheaply constructed structures gambling on probability?

It looks like it'll be a long while before things are back to normal and business as usual. I continue to be impressed with the devastation from Irene, from the tip of the Champlain Canal in upstate NY to the coast of NC.

We swung into the town of Bath, another old NC settlement that is picturesque and traditional. A quick turn around the harbor revealed much less storm damage than the previous one but not altogether without signs of the struggle of man and nature. But it appeared unblemished by comparison.

The Pamlico River was flat as we happily rocketed along, down to the convergence of river and Sound, then past Oriental and up the Neuse River to New Bern, where Herbert McMillan, our retired farm manager, waited for us with a truck and trailer. As we were close to the end of the cruise, we saw an interesting boat on our port beam. It turned out to be a 75' shrimp buyboat built in 1901 by a builder in Maryland. It's owner belongs to an association of these historic vessels that cruise together. A beautiful sight. Vessel's name: O. A. Bloxom

This years fall cruise was not the intended 6 days at sea but rather 1 legitimate day and 2 make-up (sightseeing) days. Boats are great teachers; they teach use adaptability, patience and are strong reminders that we are not truly in control, only endowed with the ability to navigate the circumstances given us. Although Firefly is now parked outside her boatshop and ready to go in for the winter, there's a nagging voice in the back of my head whispering "...not yet, not yet".