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