Sail To Dominica

Our enclosure

Have I mentioned how much I love our cockpit enclosure?  I do.  And yes, dear..... I am saying it here in writing!!  This is one of the best upgrades/investments we made to sv Honey Ryder.  We had three different squalls on our sail from Martinique to Dominica.  We saw winds up to 30 knots and substantial rain, but we stayed dry and comfortable.  Not everyone can say that.  Many of our catamaran friends get soaked with each drop of rain or splashing wave.

Happy Anniversary Honey Ryder - 6th

The adventures continue.  

Winyah Bay Anchorage

10-04-13
FYI for you fellow cruisers.  We anchored in Winyah Bay - west channel, right downstream from where the ICW joins here for the run up to Georgetown.  It was very, very buggy last night.  This morning this stretch has been the autobahn for small local fishing boats.  No less than a dozen have zoomed by wakes and all.  It was a little alarming to come up into the cockpit, see the fog all around and hear a little skiff zooming closer and closer but not see it until it popped out of the fog passing close by our boat.

A Bounty Of Bikes

The bike fleet

When we arrive in Brunswick, we only had one bicycle, my folding bike Ms Moneypenny.  She's a light weight, 16" (wheels) folding bike - think circus music.  Tom wanted to get a bike as well and started dutifully checking Craigslist for one.  Every time a candidate would come up, he would call the seller to find he had just missed out. 

The new 20" next to Ms Moneypenny

Inquiries with others around the marine soon found Tom the new owner of a used 20" folding bike.  It has some rust, shifts gears (sort of) and usually on it's own when it feels like it but rides really well.  Soon we were biking here, there and everywhere together.  Big fun and handy for runs to Central Hardware and The Grog Shop.  I found I had to peddle pretty fast on my 16" to keep up with Tom on the 20".

Rusty - the latest addition to the bike fleet

Several weeks went by when fellow dockmates got new to them folding bikes.  He had a full sized, older folding Dahon bike.  "Rusty" had gotten him many places but was getting very.....rusty.  They purchased a set of folding bikes so he no longer needed Rusty.  I asked what he was going to do with Rusty.  "Why?  Do you want it?  I was going to throw it in the dumpster."  I thought for sure that Tom would be interested so he said he would gladly give Rusty to Tom but was worried about all the rust on Rusty.  I assured him it was fine that Rusty had rust.  Did you follow all that?

It must be Xmas

Tom was like a kid on Christmas morning when I told him our dock neighbor was gifting Rusty to him.  They were "tickled Tom could use and enjoy it."  Next thing you know, the top of our dock turned into a full bicycle shop with our dockmates and Tom all tinkering with bikes.  By the way, we think of the rust on Rusty as a barrier coat, protecting it from getting stolen.  And it adds character.    

Rust - a new type of barrier coating

A quick run to a local bicycle shop and Wal-Mart netted us some vital parts (like a bike seat) along with some spares and a kewl FOLDING basket for the front of my bike. 

Off to The Grog Shop

So now we have THREE folding bikes.  I have taken to riding the 20"- yet to be named.  It's easier to ride however it's heavier to store so I am not sure if it will go with us or Ms Moneypenny.  Tom is riding Rusty exclusively.

Sweet ride

But for now, we are enjoying the bounty of bikes.  Total investment on the latest additions to the bike fleet - $50.         

Our Garage

Temporary garage

Have you ever spent a morning, afternoon or whole day cleaning out your garage?  It takes time doesn't it?  We did just that yesterday morning in preparation for friends that will be visiting.  You see, our aft cabin is our garage on this boat.  We didn't think our friends would appreciate trying to sleep on top of and around all the....stuff.  But where to put it all? We were able to cram most of it in our forward head, specficially in the separate shower area - our backup garage.....not unlike a utility shed in your own backyard.  (We take all our showers in the marina showers so it's not being used currently.)

Ready for guests - only thing missing is the chocolate but it would melt

So if you are having trouble getting motivated to clean out your garage, I suggest you invite some good friends or even relatives to come and stay in it - not in your house but actually sleep in your garage.  That will get you motivated.  Or turn good friends into acquaintances.  Gotta go, they are here!     

Visitor in the Night

I woke up sometime after 2am.  Something had changed on the boat.  This usually wakes me up so nothing new for this to happen.  Any little change - wind shift, boat direction shift, increase in waves and/or wind, decrease in waves and/or wind, weather, etc....  I wasn't concerned because we are securely tied to the dock in a very secure marina.  But I went into automatic mode none the less.  First I listened.  Where there any sounds that would tell me what had changed?  There were.  There was a faint tinkling/clinking sound - like metal but very faint.  I noticed the wind was up and thought perhaps our sun/rain shade was clinking around somehow.   I could see the sun/rain shade out the overhead hatch and it seemed ok.  Hum?  Then I heard it again and suddenly saw a dark shadow move past the open portlight in our stateroom - very close to where we sleep.  WFT was that!  In a split second my mind raced.  Was someone peeping in the windows?  They would have to lean WAY in on this portlight and thus really want to peep.  OMG!  Mind you this thinking all happened really

fast.  Then at the same time as I was getting up to investigate I saw the dark shadow move quickly past the next portlight, this one nearer to our heads therefore giving me a better look.  It had four legs - a cat.  It was a freaking cat!  The tinkling sound was it's collar/tag.  Someones cat was out for an evening stroll and decided to take a spin around our deck.  I laughed and looked over to see if any of this had awoken Tom.  Nope, dead asleep.  The cat fled leaving me to try to fall back asleep after that sudden adrenaline rush.  It didn't happen.  I guess it's good to know that not only is the marina patrolled at night by a security company (humans) but apparently we have a cat patrolling as well. 

Maybe Larry could be our guard cat?

Maybe Reba would have made a good guard cat?

Since this was their 23/7 mode I don't think either would have made a good guard cat

 

  

Happy Anniversary s/v Honey Ryder

Simply gorgeous!

April marks our three year anniversary with s/v Honey Ryder.  Wow, times flies when your having fun.  We are really look forward to the next phase of life as liveaboards.

 

October Brunswick Continued - Cap10 Tom

Coffee and smoothies

I made a midnight run to Jacksonville to pick up my sailor man Tom.  Yay!  While I have gotten a lot accomplished this week so far by myself, I am much happier to have Tom here with me.  We arrived back at the boat around 1:30 AM so morning coffee was a bit later than it has been on previous mornings.  Later I treated him to some Georgia BBQ.  Check out this smoking rig.

Pulled pork sandwiches and fries - yum

October Brunswick Visit

Sailing lessons/club for local kids

Wednesday was filled with odds and ends chores but I did manage to get out for a stroll up and down the docks.  There are always so many good boat modification ideas discovered when walking the docks.

Lacking wind inside the marina this team used rocking method to get in

Ever eat at a Bonefish Grill?  See below.

That is a lot of Bang Bang Shrimp

  Four tenders.  Stack em and rack em.

  s/v Honey Ryder is much prettier.  She just IS!

Look at the water beading up on the newly waxed hull

Wax Martyr

Like looking at a mirror

Yes, I am probably milking this a bit but doesn't she look fantastic?  The real lesson here?  Stay in school kids! 

Does anyone have a mirror?  Never mind!

And to Jessica who waxed our C30 Distant Drum, I am sorry you didn't charge more and I am sorry I didn't pay you more. 

Ooooh, shiny!

Nothing Waxing Poetic About Hand Waxing a Boat

Another breakfast of waxing champs

Day 3 of waxing - ugh.  But I am determined to complete this task.  Boat coffee and a smoothie rally me and I hit it hard.  The day is perfect, overcast to the point that no sunscreen or sunglasses are needed.  It was cool enough that I actually started with a light, long sleeve high- tech runners shirt (ha-those that know me are laughing that I have anything "running"....stuff works on boats too).  However I soon shed that. 

Can you see it? 

The starboard side via dinghy turned out to be the bitch I thought it would be using only the dinghy.  However s/v Honey Ryder and I  chatted along as I worked.  She didn't even make fun of my humming and singing to the tunes coming from the cockpit.  She's happy I am doing this.  So am I.  And then I look....can it be?  The stern of the boat?  OMG!  I am almost done.  Wax, wax, wax, go, go, go.   

Looking good

Done!  Ten hours of waxing alone.  Whew!

The tools

Holy crap - s/v Honey Ryder is covered in wax and so am I.  Do you think Madame Tussaud will take me?   

Portlight Shades - Modification

In the up position for maximum light

With the clouds and rain of the afternoon, there wasn't a lot of natural light coming in the closed portlights.....thus the nap.  At least that is my story and I am sticking to it! 

I measured in about 6" to 7" in from edge

I decided to modify the design to add an elastic piece to the underside of each so the cover could be held up even when the portlight is closed thus letting natural light in.

A little over an inch, I put a flame to each end to seal them a bit

The fabric I used for the shades is lightweight enough and yet has some structure so it will stand up a bit when raised. So just like the sailors on Columbus's ships, below in the dim light hand sewing, I sat hand sewing as well.

Port side shades get it sewn on right, starboard on the left

However unlike Columbus and his boyz, I was snug and comfie in s/v Honey Ryder with my halogen lights (no, we have not made the jump/investment to LED) while I jammed away to tunes on our kickass Fusion stereo.

Viola!  Light!

Oh yeah....and I am not swilling rum making up stories that I discovered a new continent unlike Columbus (never mind the explorers that were here before plus the Indians that lived here!)  *For the previous post on this project from the start, click Portlight Shades.

Columbus Day Afternoon

I fell in the same sleepy boat trap Tom is falling in here

Cloudy, raining, inside boat day afternoon  = A. interior boat project day?  B. boat nap?  What do you think?  Remember the day before was spend scrubbing and waxing the boat, not to mentions the morning waxing.  Answer?  C. both!  I couldn't help it.  Most of my boat chores this trip are outside chores.   Plus it was absolutely perfect napping weather.  However, it was a short one.  I roused myself around did a few things and then dashed out to run a few more errands.

Have you tried Recaito?  I recommend it.

I returned to the marina in pouring rain so I sat in the rental car waiting for it to ease while I pictured the exact location of both my foul weather jackets!  Oh well.  I made a run for it as my mother's voice rang in my head "you won't melt."  Indeed I didn't mom.  Dinner of  chicken and rice Recaito -yummy.

AIS VHF FCC MMSI

Still waiting for SH to update their manual - hint, hint SH!!!!

WXYZ...now we've said our ABC's.....  I met marine electronics Guru Lester on s/v Honey Ryder so we could review the re-installation of our AIS VHF with the new FCC issued MMSI number.   (Anyone want a BoatUS MMSI number?  I've got one to sell). We also did a review of our radar.  It wasn't working on our trip down from Charleston.  I was pretty sure it was a user error-meaning me.  But even with the manual open I couldn't figure it out.  It seemed there was a step missing to get it to come on...the radar part.  Turns out I was right.  The step.....having the radar actually connected!  It had been disconnected behind the panel.  Ah-ha.  We had a discussion of "best practices" on the radar use, viewing mode and when we are away from the boat for extended periods. We wrapped up our marine electronics discussions by reviewing the SSB antenna.  We decided to move it up.  More on that later.

WAXing Poetic on Columbus Day

Leftover cheesy grits and 2 fried eggs - breakfast of waxing champs

I hit the waxing mid morn.  *Get it?  WAXing Poetic? I finished the stern and the remaining portions of the port side before it started to sprinkle.  I decided to take a break and run an all important errand to Central Hardware - one of those old time hardware stores that has the vital stuff plus a ton of really kewl stuff and knowledgeable staff.  Of course the Grog Shop is just up the street so I popped on over there as well.   Marine electronics Guru Lester rang me while I was in the Grog Shop so I dashed back to the boat to meet him.

Scrub Scrub Scrub Rise Rise Rise

The white bottle is NOT creamer!

I started the day with coffee (boat coffee is simply the best) and a few interior projects.  The dew finally dried on the deck so I headed outside to begin a thorough scrub down.  All 40 ft x 2 (both sides of the deck, cockpit included) and then the actual sides of the boat.  I had to adjust the dock lines to do the port side-untie, tug in this one, let out that one, more, again, more, again...you get the point.  I used the dinghy, hanging off the toe rail to scrub the starboard side.  Next came the waxing.

Can you see the newly waxed vs non-waxed?

I keep telling myself that I got about 1/3 completed.  But in reality it was probably more like 1/4. More tomorrow.  I finally stopped around 7pm and drug my sunscreen, bug sprayed, wax residue covered self up to the shower. Dinner of (boat made) shrimp and grits revived me somewhat. However my shoulder blades feel like they are fire.  It will be interesting to see if I can even raise my arms above my elbows when morning comes.  Another spectacular sunset with pop up Tshowers.
*Morning has arrived and while I am somewhat stiff, I can actually raise my arms.  The Tshowers flashed lightening all around last night but not a drop fell on s/v Honey Ryder.  But they did bring a slightly cooler weather today and a great morning breeze.  A quick cup of coffee and then it's back to waxing.

Waiting to Exhale

Pop up TStorm made for a dramatic sunset

When we are not on s/v Honey Ryder, (which these past 2 1/2 years has been more land life than boat life) it sometimes feels like I am taking short, shallow breaths just waiting to exhale...ie waiting until we can be on the boat again.  I arrived to Brunswick early this afternoon and soon found myself exhaling deeply in the cockpit of s/v Honey Ryder.  I didn't even realize I had exhaled so deeply until after when a calm, warm, balanced feeling washed over me.  Aaaaaahhh.

More James Bond in Celebration of 50 yrs of Bond

Tres chic oh la la

Check out what University of Pennsylvania students did with the James Bond theme.  Go ahead, I'll wait.  Ok, that was the kewl factor James Bond.

Another fabulous classic

Now for a funny but weird tribute to James Bond,  Bunnies - Yes, BUNNIES.

Release date of October 9th, good tunes -a must get

And of course, you can't have a tribute without a James Bond Lego tribute.  There are tons more out there... funny, interesting, weird and a few scary.  This includes those of the everyday schmo acting like James Bond in their basement's.....adults, not kids.    

Dr No 50th Anniversary

Classic

October 5th 2012 is the 50th anniversary of premier of Ian Fleming's 007 James Bond Dr No the movie.  The crew of s/v Honey Ryder will OF COURSE be celebrating this occasion given that our boat is named after that first and infamous bond girl, Honeychile Ryder.  She quickly became the gold standard by which all other bond girls have been judged.  *And I am sorry but Halle Berry playing NSA agent "Jinx" coming out of the surf didn't even come close to Ursula Andress.

Joseph Wiseman as Dr Julius No

So dig out your best James Bond tuxedo/wetsuit combo, shake up a couple of martini's and join in the fun.  It's bound to be on TV at some point on October 5th.

Coming to a theater near you soon

Also - New James Bond film "Skyfall" will be out at the end of October.  A little internet research/rumors tells me Adele is singing the theme song.  Most importantly, seems 007 will be spending some time on the lovely pictured below....the Perini Navi yacht s/v Regina.  Sssheesh, people - where is your mind.  Then again....it is 007.

Mega yacht Regina

s/v Regina

Can't wait to see 007 in "Skyfall"! 

 

Happy Anniversary s/v Honey Ryder

Two year anniversary!