2019-08-20 Port Washington, Cape May, Reedy Point, Bohemia River, Galesville

As was the passage north, the passage south was nearly as perfect! From Port Washington to Galesville is right at 270 nm.

First section, from Port Washington down to the Battery in Lower Manhattan does take some planning. The currents through this section are wicked so you have to think it through. On the recommendation of our friends SV Cutting Class we use the method outlined here: https://www.offshoreblue.com/cruising/east-river-planning.php

Execution Rocks Light – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution_Rocks_Light

This was the same model as SV Magnolia, a Morgan 44. I picked out of the crowded mooring field at 400 yards…such a great boat

The journey begins as we approach Throgs Neck Bridge – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throgs_Neck_Bridge

NYC Upper East Side – East River

Traffic moving well on the FDR Drive – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FDR_Drive

United Nations – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headquarters_of_the_United_Nations

This is how the well healed commute to the Hamptons $595 one way

Brooklyn Bridge – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Bridge

We generally stay SE of Governors Island to avoid the busiest ferry routes out of Lower Manhattan. Note each of those dotted lines a ferry route. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governors_Island )

Statue of Liberty as seen from East River/Buttermilk Channel ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buttermilk_Channel ) near Governors Island

Once we transit under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge we are bound for sea…in truth though we run the 3 mile line all the way down the coast of NJ.

This was passing Atlantic City NJ about 02:30 AM

There are some shoals at the cape on the south end of New Jersey. It it is light it is just easier and saves us 10 miles to cut through the Cape May Canal and into the Delaware Bay

Cape May Coast Guard Station – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Coast_Guard_Training_Center_Cape_May

An amazing amount of ship traffic in the Delaware Bay – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delaware_Bay This is the route that takes ships to Wilmington, DE as well as Philadelphia, PA

After 200 Miles and about 28 hours we pulled and dropped the anchor at Reedy Point before transiting the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_%26_Delaware_Canal )

The anchorage is fully protected by a sometimes submerged sea-wall. The swift currents and the somewhat narrow entrance requires close attention.

After a good nights sleep it was a leisurely 20 mile passage through the C&D Canal to the Bohemia River ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemia_River ) to catch with SV Kismet ( Jim & Laurie). We last crossed paths in Montauk, NY. Since then we of course went to New England and they made a trip up the Hudson River. Of course there was more talking than picture taking…have to get better!!

Monday morning Magnolia was underway before dawn to take advantage of a fare current. It was a long hot day heading down the Chesapeake Bay ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_Bay )

Near the Annapolis MD we pass under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and nothing says like we are like that moment.

From there 10 miles down to the West River and into Hartges Yacht Harbor ( https://www.hartgeyachtharbor.com/ )

We have had an amazing summer! It was just under 1200 miles, we visited friends and memories every mile. Thank you all who shared your time with us…it was great! Kindred Spirit where too next???

2019-08-16 Block Island, Shennecossett, Port Jefferson, Oyster Bay

As the title suggests, Magnolia has definitely been on the move but at a leisurely pace! After a lovely visit to Newport, meeting up with MV Privateer and delebrating Al & MIcheles Anniversary our hearts were certainly full. We still though were blessed to have dear friends in the area…and we were off to Block Island.

A short hop down to Block and we rafted up with MV Amici. We visited just the one evening but glad to know they will be bringing Amici south this winter so we are sure we will connect!

It was a brief visit which as I write is our “modus-operandi” this entire trip! Next stop was down to Shennecossett Yacht Club where we met up with Al & Michele along with Dean and MaryJo.

We have met Dean and MaryJo several times over the years. They are members at Schenny as well so the details are all a little fuzzy! Friendly, kind and always fun. We had some leftover Anniversary Celebrating to do so we just continued on!

It was a lovely evening as always. Hanging on the Watson Mooring Ball is a prime relaxation location!

After a night of celebrating and a reprovision run Magnolia was off to Port Jefferson. We had fair current the whole way down Long Island Sound.

In addition to the fair current we had some expected thunderstorms coming in at sunset.

Unknown to us that fellow Pentagon Sailing Club PSC) Members SV The Norm (Rhonda & Bruce) but not only that, another PSC Member, Ross was skippering a Naval Academy Sailboat which also was making a port visit.

First though we had to get through the approaching thunderstorms.

As it turned out much more a rain event…and there was a LOT of rain!

The next morning we stopped by marina where the Academy Boat Captains were and we managed to get Ross off to lunch

We did not find Port Jefferson an overly friendly place for visiting yachtsman but we muddled through.

It really was a fun afternoon catching up and how we all ended up doing what we are doing. I guess self validation we were not completely nuts! (L-R Ross, Bruce, Annette, Rhona, Anthony)

A beautiful wrap to a fun day!

Next stop was a visit to Oyster Bay New York which I have looking forward to for a long time. It is the home of President Theodore Roosevelt. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagamore_Hill_(house) )

Before….I did not know Billy Joel is a resident as well. Below is HIS cycle shop ( http://www.20thcenturycycles.com/ )

Famous Theodore Roosevelts Rough Rider Equestrian statue, copy from original in Portland, Oregon ( I have no idea why Portland)

To our surprise MV Unforgettable made an overnight visit. A quick visit and dinner plan was assembled…except for the picture!!!!! A great evening and always happy to catch up with Scott & Melissa.

Thanks to some boater advice we were able to beach Blossom and then a mile walk to Sagamore Hill ( https://www.nps.gov/sahi/index.htm ) Gratuitous pictue of Magnolia at anchor

So the dead tree….the tree has not been removed because there is a court fight over who will get the wood!!! 🙁

With an extra day in the schedule the Admiral wanted to look for seaglass at the beach…when the Admirals….well the Captain gets to work. It was a couple mile dink ride out to the beach

with pretty fair success

Next up Port Washington and preparations to go offshore to Maryland

2019-08-15 Dinghy/Tender Hoist System

Long time readers of this blog know I have tried to document things we do or have done on and to Magnolia. Some things I miss documenting but if I get a question or two I try and get things written down.

While we were doing the refit on Magnolia in the summer/fall of 2017 we found the hoist that was installed was not serviceable. Notice the wooden frame on the aluminum mast…not to mention the metal wire rope it had on it. I wish I had a better picture but at least it and all its badness is GONE!

Our friends on MV Lali, a KK-42 of similar vintage had re-done their hoist and I did exactly what they did so I this is most certainly NOT my idea or information!

The ease of launching the dink is one of the things I miss about the sailboat, it was so easy, convenient and safe! The dinghy launching on the trawler is a bit more of a deal. Having the davits up so far above the water really really adds to the danger and the necessity for safe handling equipment…hence how we got here.

The hoist system is made up a hoist motor mounted on the boom which actually raises the dinghy.

A second hoist motor is used to raise and lower the boom. Raising and lowering the boom extends the dink over the side of Magnolia.

The first step was to have a bracket fabricated to mount the hoist motor on the boom . We utilized High Seas Fabrication, 151 NW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994, (772) 692-0000. They fabricated the bracket out of aluminum and I painted it.

There was a metal bracket on the lower part of the mast that I was able to re-use so we only needed to have the boom mount fabricated.

As far as the hoists motors themselves we utilize Warn DC1000 hoist motors. There are two, one for the boom and one for the mast. The part numbers for the hoists, control packs and remote controls are below and should cost about $1800.00

DC1000 Industrial Hoist 82469
Control Pack 278041
Remote 25110

“Jerry” is the contact at Ivy R Redding Co Inc I spoke with.
Address: 168 Redding Rd, Calhoun, LA 71225
Phone: (318) 644-2883 ( http://www.reddingco.com/ )

Note to two control packs mounted just below the book hoist.

To power the hoists I chose to mount a seperate group 31 battery on the fly bridge which is charged with a small 100 watt solar panel and in-expensive solar controller. This is the same model battery as the ones used as start batteries for the main and generator engines. A little built in redundancy.

Remote controls, one each plugs into the hoist control pack

In addition to the equipment you also need some strong line and a heavy hook/weight at will keep a load on the line even when disconnected from the dinghy/tender.

I purchased Dyneema line from Defender. I used 1/4 inch, 90 feet for the boom and 50 for the hoist. Dyneema requires some specialized knots to create a splice so I also had Defender put a eye splice on the end. Rookie mistake I should have had them put a eye splice in each end so in case of chaff I could just swap end for end like you do with a rusty anchor chain!

Believe it or not the hardest thing was to find a hook/weight to connect to the end of the line. I finally came across a solution. Not the cheapest but the combination has worked flawlessly for us.

www.bosunsupplies.com
S0455-0150 Stainless Steel Swivel Eye Hook 6 $49.20 1 $49.20
S0115-FS16 5/8″ Stainless Steel Chain Shackle $33.49 1

This description is simply what we have done on Magnolia. Launching a dinghy from fly-bridge height in unsettled weather can be dangerous and why the quality of the equipment is so critical. I keep an extra set of lines aboard to replace the the moment chaff develops on the Dyneema. Also, go back to the very top picture in this post. That gooseneck fitting must bare a huge load, inspect the pins and fixtures often!

2019-08-09 Newport RI

After a wonderful time in Eastern New England it was time to start making our way west. We planned to visit Newport…..AND THEN…we learned we would be visiting on Newport Jazz Festival Weekend which encouraged us to arrive early to get a safe anchorage spot. We decided to make a long day of it from Hyannis to Newport

We stayed south of Cutty Hunk thinking we would be better able to take advantage of favorable currents.

Newport RI

We encountered a “Pirate Ship” as we passed north of Martha’s Vineyard…thankfully our booty was preserved!!!!

This lovely vessel passed near the end of Cutty Hunk….

A quick “Google” revealed she is available for charter…$238,000 a week…..in LOW SEASON!….just ignore that wealth gap…..

Passing “Sow & Pigs Reef” south of Cutty Hunk…

really…see chart below

After a long passage we arrived a hazy Newport.

Gilded Age mansions everywhere…this is an Inn…room rate $1600 per night

Entering Newport proper is Fort Adams, sight of Newport Jazz Festival. Funny note, within two hours of dropping the anchor the fog was so think we could not see 50ft….i mean THICK!!!!

My cousins Ann Marie & Deb live in Newport as well as fellow Krogen MV Privateer. Do to poor planning my cousins were to be out of town so after a visit with Greg & Lisa aboard Privateer it WAS going to be a quiet weekend in Newport. That was until my friend Al texted asked what the plan was Saturday?…”I have an idea”….Al and Michele were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.

Upon their arrival along with Als son Tim & Amanda we headed for Magnolia.

Annette had made a brunch of Quiche, Cinnamon Rolls, Fruit and White Wine Sangria

We later met at thier hotel for a couple of pre-vow photos..

No we did not but the prop was RIGHT in front of the hotel!!!

This chapel is located in the Seamen’s Church Institute ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seamen%27s_Church_Institute_of_Newport

https://seamensnewport.org/ ) Al and Michele discovered the chappel years ago wondering around Newport. It was perfect for two mariners renewing their wedding vows

As we were pursuing the library we found one of our mentors books…”Its Your Boat To” by Suzanne Giesemann ( https://www.suzannegiesemann.com/books/ )

A pre dinner walk around Newport brought us to ” YRS School of Technology & Trades” ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IYRS_School_of_Technology_%26_Trades )

Annette nor I had ever been here before. What an interesting place and wonderful place to learn a trade.

The day of our visit they were setting up for an evening social event.

The schooner Coronet ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronet_(yacht) ) is being refurbished.

After a full day it was time for dinner.

So a quiet weekend ends in sharing a beautiful weekend celebrating a wonder anniversary and accomplishment!! Feeling blessed!

2019-08-07 Hyannis MA

Departing Vineyard Haven Magnolia headed for Hyannis MA. Another new stop for us. We departed late from Vineyard Haven and had a fair current the entire short passage.

The Admiral was not a huge fan but I wanted to anchor off the Kennedy in Hyannis Port before moving further into the harbor to Hyannis Yacht Club where we had a mooring ball reserved.

We anchored in at the red spot on the picture. Evidently man people confuse the large house to the right of the dock as the main Kennedy house. In fact it is the house and houses to the left of the picture that are the ones.

Note not the big house on right, but the one on the left.

After moving the boat over to Hyannis, we went for a lovely stroll around town.

One of the two big reason to come to Hyannis was so Annette along with her friend Debra could attend a Sea Glass Festival taking place in Hyannis

Debra had never visited Magnolia so of course was able to give Debra a tour of our home. She seemed to really like her time aboard.

We wrapped the day up with lunch ashore at the Hyannis Yacht Club…the ladies seemed like they had a terrific day and I was happy to meet Debra again!

The next day we walked around Hyannis and marveled at all the Kennedy historic locations. Here is the JFK memorial just up from the yacht club where we were moored.

Looking out to the harbor with Annette in front of the large mooring field.

There was also a Memorial to the Korean War as well.

John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_Hyannis_Museum ) I really enjoyed this stop. I thought it was very well done and a lot of interesting information and photos. Highly recommended!

This is the Hyannis Armory where JFK made his acceptance speech on election night November 1960 ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_United_States_presidential_election )

Now here is the really bad news…our friends Frank and Elaine came to visit the following day. Frank & Elaine were some of my oldest friends from the condominium we lived at in Arlington VA. They have a summer home on the Cape and came for a visit. Sadly we had such a lovely visit aboard Magnolia and lunch ashore no one remembered to take a picture!

Hyannis was a wonderful stop and so glad we made the effort to come up to the South Shore of Cape Cod!