New England - here we come!
Returning from our Bahamas trip, we worked at the do-be list of projects, lots of little ones that make life aboard more comfortable and efficient. There have also been larger projects.
Adding radar was a major step for us but necessary as we planned to travel north in foggy areas. Jay researched to find the best system for Priority. Mounting the round unit just below the spreaders turned out to be the best location.
A new Chartplotter to show charts and coordinate the radar display took more research.
Learning how to read what the chartplotter showed included a steep learning curve but time and experience has built our confidence. Figuring out what all those pink blobs picked up by the radar unit and displayed over our chart is a difficult job sometimes.
We installed a new autopilot which attaches to our steering quadrant under the cockpit.
When set for a specific heading, the autopilot makes the boat hold a steady true course better than our older smaller autopilot that attached directly to our steering wheel. Of course, we still keep a sharp lookout but it helps to have an extra pair of hands sometimes.
A winter basement rebuild of our boat engine and transmission left Jay knowing much more about every nut and bolt he dismantled and reassembled.
A Chesapeake Bay sea trial trip in early May left us feeling success with all of these projects. Even new side rain flaps we made that zip and tie to the canvas we already had have been tested several times.
The side flaps keep rain from splashing down into the cabin hatch opening. It is much drier below deck and we feel more fresh air when we are able to keep the hatch open during rainy times.
We are happy to have these successful projects completed and want to try them out as we take a trip northward along the coastline. In July 1989 our family of four took Priority to explore Block Island, Marthas Vineyad, Nantucket, CuttyHunk, Long Island and the Newport area. Andy was almost 12 and Amy was almost 5 years old as we passed by the Statue of Liberty. Lots of happy memories!
This will be a very different trip for just the two of us with all of these new pieces of equipment and tools to help us. We are excited to explore these places and hope to go farther north to Maine.
Today (June 18th) we said goodbye to Tom and Marge who gave us a car ride to the boat.
Norma is saying " We better take this photo quick. Do you see those clouds behind us?" In between rain showers we left the dock and traveled with tugs and a auto carrier ship in the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal.
We anchored in the harbor at Chesapeake City, MD with the bridge in view. Rain flaps are doing a great job as showers continue. We plan to leave in the morning and travel with the current down the Delaware Bay to Cape May, NJ.
