Scott Gaston's great sailing adventure
|
|
|
|
|
|
From: sgastondesign@yahoo.com The Rusty Rudder spent the last week tied up at the River Forest Marina (riverforestshipyard.com) in Belhaven, NC [N35 31 57.4 W76 36 51.4] due to the freezing temperatures we have been experiencing. Living on a boat in these conditions is much more tolerable when the heaters are fired up. This requires the electrical cord to be plugged into an outlet and therefore reducing our radius of travel. Belhaven is a quant town with not much going on. Our cell phones do not work in this area and the town has two traffic lights, one of which is always flashing yellow. We do have access to a Food Lion, post office, ABC (liquor) store, and a half dozen marine stores via the courtesy car provided by the marina. We have dubbed the car “the hoop’dy.” Restaurants and tourism are obviously not creating an impact on the economy in Belhaven. However, if engine realignment or duck hunting is what you are after, this is the place to visit. | |||
| 16 January was the day of truth. A diver met us at the boat and inspected the ship’s propeller. He reported the shaft spun smoothly and the folding blades worked without problem. Kevin was relieved that there was no damage to the prop or shaft that would require pulling the ship out of the water. We still did not know why water was gushing in at the stuffing box when we ran the engine over 2000 rpms. The diver suggested we have the engine realigned. |  |
||
 |
17 to 24 January was spent performing miscellaneous tasks aboard the boat while the weather was unfavorable. Kevin and I made many trips to the local hardware store for odds and ends. Theresa spliced a new eye and thimble onto the anchor rode that Kevin parted. The propane system was upgraded. Kevin fashioned chafe protection for the anchor rode from an old fuel hose. The crew lashed a board to the lifelines in which to secure the fuel tanks. We tested the reefing points on the mainsail and attached reefing lines. At the River Forest Marina I upgraded the computer system and helped set up a wireless network. Two guys from the shipyard showed up on 18 January and realigned the engine. It was ¼ of an inch off. (Yes, as bad as cutting your black board for Hendrik ¼ of an inch too big.) | ||
| We departed Belhaven, NC on 25 January. The temperature was cold. The wind in our face only made matters worse. Once out of port we gave the engine full throttle only to find that the boot around the shaft still allows water to pour in. So, our cruising speed remains 4.5 knots. Upon entering into Pamlico Sound we were able to set both sails and motor-sail, making 7 knots. We arrived in Oriental, NC [N35 01 29.8 W76 41 44.4] at 14:30. Oriental is a nice clean town. Next to the town dock is the Inland Waterway Treasure Company, a great marine store. | |||
| Today, 26 January, s/v Rusty Rudder left Oriental under a beautiful rising sun. I have included a photograph from this morning. The sign in the foreground is the typical Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) marker. They are used to guide ships on the water during the day and night. |  |
||
|
We slowly motored all day. There were a few exciting times, however.
To depart the dock in Oriental three locals had to help us push the boat
out of the mud to get away from the dock. Theresa manned the helm most of
the day without collision. I ran aground getting out of the way of a large
tugboat pushing two of the biggest barges ever built. Approaching the Beaufort
Inlet we felt the swells rolling in from the Atlantic Ocean. Kevin got so excited
I thought he was going to have me take the ship out to sea.
The ship is currently berthed in Beaufort, NC [N34 42 58.3 W76 39 54.5]. She will remain here for a week while the crew returns to Delaware. Kevin and Theresa must conclude the sale of their home and the rest of their belongings, finalizing their commitment to the sea. I must talk with an instructor to determine if I have acquired enough sea time to attend class for my Master Captains License. If so, I will spend the next month attending classes and working on shore. | |||
|
Thank you for following us on our adventures. Sorry these updates have
not included sunny beaches and sand. We would have liked that also.
Imagine living on a boat in the winter with only a Colman lantern to keep warm.
Kevin and Theresa have been great students. They have learned a lot in the last
month and will be prepared to confidently live aboard in due time.
Scott Gaston Aboard s/v Rusty Rudder Currently in Beaufort, NC [N34 42 58.3 W76 39 54.5] |
 |
||
|
|
|
|
|