Sailing Adventures aboard SV Bubbles

Belhaven, United States

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 15:00:00 -0400

Into Portsmouth and down the ICW Tom - The jaunt from our anchorage in chisman creek to Portsmouth was rather uneventful on Thursday, October 3rd. We didn’t have much wind and we had some narrow areas to maneuver through, so we motor sailed with the Genoa out at times. At first surprised by the lack of commercial traffic - then saw that the longshoremen were on strike - so that was nice for us! Got a slip at tidewater yacht marina because we needed to fuel up, add water to the tanks, do laundry and do some provisioning before heading out - so not a fun, lay around the pool marina kind of day - a day of work so we could be out early on Friday. The marina suggested using door dash for groceries because the closest grocery store was a good 30 minute walk and not through the nicest areas - so we did and that worked out well - saved me time to get everything else done. Going to download instacart too as that might come in handy in the future. We were both exhausted and after a nice meal and a beer at the marina restaurant- we collapsed. Up early on the 4th to make the first opening of the gilmerton bridge at 8:30. We got there in plenty of time, but had to wait a bit for the railroad bridge as Amtrak wasn’t running on schedule (go figure). We ended up traveling behind a pack of motor yachts, trawlers, a tug pushing a barge and another sailboat down the river, under a few bridges and then the great bridge lock. After that, they all sped off and we were alone traveling down the ICW. We made good time, batteries were charging nicely as we had nice sun. Decided to stop at Coinjock Marina for the night as all the anchorages before that were sketchy at best (even for me) and ones past that were a bit too far. We averaged about 5.5 knots (which is great for bubbles) and we made 50 miles the first day. Tomorrow the Albemarle sound and the Alligator River! Trish - Chismen Creek to The Tidewater Marina was typical with light winds, Temp 66-75•, tshirt and ☀️Shorts weather ☀️made me happy. Tom said we would be wearing shorts, tshirts and flips-flops!!! We are!! As we entered Portsmouth, Va we saw so many tugboats, Navy war ships that Tom quickly Googled to identify each one! We arrived at Tidewater Marina right before lunch. Toasting our sail at the Fish and Slips restaurant with a good draft, we had several chores to complete just like at home. Take out the trash, start laundry, fuel up Bubbles, fill water tanks and figure out how we were getting to the grocery store because this marina did not have bikes or a courtesy car for us to borrow. Walking to the store wasn’t recommended my the marina staff so DoorDash from Aldi it would be. Tom placed our ordered and now we had to wait. We waited and waited finally the food was delivered. It just took a really really long time. The bath houses were very nice and not busy at all. ICW SOUTH was exciting! Bridges and Locks were a lot easier than I thought! For the bridges we had to call the bridge tender when we were close enough for the bridge to be opened. The Lock, was really cool. We got our long dock lines in order and put Bubbles in neutral, then we were ready. The Lock master took my loop and wrapped it around the cleat and He told me to allow some slack when the water went down. This was an easy task. Hold my line and wait. We stayed aboard Bubbles however there was a playground on the ports side of the lock and a great big field on our starboard tie up. If you know who ( BK😳) was with us, Poppy would be on that playground!!! The long hours of following the chart is not for lightweights! You have to pay attention and stay in the deep water cause skinny water has one outcome! Oh no! I stuck!!!!!

Big naval vessels

Bubbles in slip

a stowaway

another large naval vessel

Gilmerton Bridge - bridge #1

At Great Bridge Lock

Great Bridge Lock and Bridge

Happy First Mate

Yes, there are billboards on the ICW!

Belhaven, United States

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 15:00:00 -0400

Well, it seems that a hurricane is coming along to disrupt our travel plans for a bit. Milton has appeared in the Gulf and is projected to go over Florida and then out the Atlantic and up the seaboard a bit off the coast of Georgia and the Carolina’s. We should be on the west side of the hurricane cone, but we are going to slow down a bit and stop in some of these little towns and drag our feet until Milton gets out of our way. All the other named storms seem to be heading out into the eastern Atlantic and northern Atlantic so they are no concern.

Portsmouth, United States

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 15:00:00 -0400

Tom - When we first started thinking about this adventure, my plan was to go outside all the way down the coast. I was going to do it in short hops, mostly 24 hour hops with a longer one around hatteras. I started looking at pilot charts, started looking at weather, started looking at waves, started looking at where the golf stream comes close, in order to better understand what was going to happen out there. I believed Bubbles was more than a capable boat to go around on the outside, and I confirmed that with others. The only thing I wasn’t sure about was the crew of bubbles and how we would handle it. I shared my thoughts with sailors I knew, and trusted, and I sought their advice and their thoughts. After listening carefully to everything they said and talking it over with first mate, we have decided to go inside until we get to Beaufort, North Carolina. The common thing I heard that going around hatteras is 1) never fun, 2) the engine really needs to be on - don’t try to just do it with sails, 3) it can be treacherous if conditions aren’t perfect - and they are never perfect. So, inside we will go, and then continue with outside hops once we get to Beaufort. Trisha - thank the good Lord that the captain changed his mind.

Kilmarnock, United States

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 15:00:00 -0400

Tom -September 30 was a gray day as we headed from Solomons (after a day of rest from all nighter) to dividing creek. Had reefs in for a while as expecting 10-15 with gusts over 20 at least early. 1st mate almost took us into a prohibited area the military uses for targeting, passed the Pride of Baltimore II coming up the bay but otherwise uneventful. Tucked into dividing creek in VA and hunkered down - Tuesday was supposed to be quite gnarly out on the bay - plan to head off on Wednesday. Really glad I upgraded to the lifepo4 batteries - with the night sailing, clouds and rainy days my old lead acid would be at their 50% limit!! Trisha - Today we hoisted the anchor at 7:10 am to head to Dividing Creek with a little mist and fog. Tom hoisted the Mainsail as we headed out of one of my favorite anchorages in Solomon, MD. The tugboats are right across the street/creek!!!! Otto the autopilot is much cooler than cruise control! Otto was in charge and we stood watch for other vessels, nuns,cans,bouys /day markers. Sailed all the way to dividing creek, ziti and salad for dinner! Rain in the evening. First shower with the new shower head.😄 Tuesday was a stay in the cove and read day. We organized a few things due to the high winds and strong waves so we kept the anchor down. We are retired and not in a hurry. Sweet dreams…..

Trisha loves these tugs!

Solomons Island, United States

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 15:00:00 -0400

Throwing off the dock lines and heading out Tom - Woke up at 6:30 after spending the preceding evening washing the boat and filling the water tanks. Threw the dock lines off at 8:20 and headed out. Winds were still out of the east - so we were able to sail down the Chester to Kent narrows. Wind fell off, but picked back up and we decided to head across the Chesapeake to herring bay. Had a great sail even though we were expecting to have to motor more. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to enjoy the sail as much as I should of as I was trying to repair a whale foot pump which had failed the evening before and was leaking water from our freshly filled tanks. Anchored in herring bay for the evening because the NWS issued a marine report which said winds overnight from sw at 5 knots or less - which turned out to be completely wrong. We had - starting about 10:30 pm NE winds at 10-15 knots and we were totally exposed. Way to rolly so we picked up the anchor and sailed 6 hours down to Solomons. First night sail/motor in the Chesapeake - exciting. Moral - don’t trust the NWS-check multiple sources, have a backup anchoring site somewhat close, and when in doubt choose the safer alternative even if it will cost you time, miles, or money. Trisha’s entry- It was very weird to see our slip without our dock lines, electric cord and hose as Tom prepared for our departure prior to 7:00am. Saturday. We had a very smooth last departure with me at the helm. We have practiced for this day for a couple of years and now we were on! We are able to sail down Langford Creek almost all the way to the Kent Island bridge. Tom hailed the bridge tender and motored through. We motored for a few hours as the wind was on our nose with shifting winds. The wind was increasing and filled our sails nicely with speeds of 5.0, 5.4,6.0 Knots. We were able to sail into our next anchorage Herring Creek. At this point, the wind continued to increase however the weather forecasts did not predict this. At about 9:00 pm I heard some loud noises. What the heck could this be….. another boat? Did our anchor drag us? Fireworks for the nearby marina! At this time the wind continued to rock and roll us all night. Around 11:00 pm we decided to seek a safer cove to protect us from the waves unfortunately the closest cove for us was Solomons, MD. Needless to say Mrs. Potatoe Head had a rough night! We dropped the anchor and went to sleep!

Rock Hall

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 15:00:00 -0400

Preparing to throw off the Docklines Tom - we had originally planned to leave in October, but as we prepared, we found we would not need as much time, so we pushed our date ahead to September 30th. We are down to the last week now and have just a few chores left to do! On Friday night, the 21st, we said goodbye to some of our dock neighbors that we have gotten to know over the years and then on Wednesday evening we had a wonderful dinner with my next door dock neighbor Captain Dave and Sara at the rock hall yacht club. We are going to miss them all but plan on catching up with all them when we return in the spring/summer. We made an appointment to have carvana pick up the car and our last tasks are emptying out our marina locker - and finding a home for everything on Bubbles, fueling up, getting the bottom cleaned and a big provisioning. Going to be busy up until the moment we leave! Trisha - There were many chores that I needed to assist with before our Big Day such as cleaning and organizing. I helped with teaking the toenail and cockpit wood, scrubbed the 3 years growth of slime off the fenders what protected Bubbles in our slip at the marina. (suggestion: every year scrub off some slime off your fender. This will give you as the first mate extra brownie points with your captain!) I was at the helm as we motored over to the fuel dock, having Tom spin her around to dock on the starboard side filling Bubbles and our two jerrycans of diesel and filling our dinghy fuel, taking all our extra sailing items to Rock Hall Consignment (definitely check out this place), emptied all trash including my small toilet tissue container ( recycled Lysol wipe container with lid). I wiped down the bulkheads in the cabin and in the head. I wiped down inside the food lockers in the galley and the cookware lockers with soap and water. I organized my clothes moving my swimsuits to make way for long sleeve UPF shirts, and wicking pants. I ordered a windbreaker and foul weather gear. While preparing for this journey, Tom and I had another practice session with me hoisting the mainsail. I always thought this was a scary job with the boom clinging and clanging violently, it was rather easy and I used our wench to take me up a short distance to the top. I guess I’ll be lifting water bottles to strengthen my arms to get her to the top! Taking down the main wasn’t pretty, I didn’t quite get the flaking system down yet. When Tom does this it looks so pretty almost like ribbon candy….. mine looked messy! Our list of jobs quickly shortened and one last chore left was to sell Tom’s car to carvana on Friday. We provisioned, hit up the bank for some spending money, picked up some fresh fruit from Fresh market and restocked the galley. It was an exciting time and I feel we are ready to head South! So, I plan to write my side of the journey so stayed tuned! I hoisted another new CRAB flag so friends be on the look out for us if you are headed SOUTH, we can meet up for a sundowner. - There were many chores that I needed to assist with before our Big Day such as cleaning and organizing. I helped with teaking the toenail and cockpit wood, scrubbed the 3 years growth of slime off the fenders what protected Bubbles in our slip at the marina. (suggestion: every year scrub off some slime off your fender. This will give you as the first mate extra brownie points with your captain!)