NC to NYC, time to go

[camaraderie]

Were you IN the Albemarle today? Or at the north end of the Alligator? Should be good to cross tomorrow if you get an early start. 35 miles to Coinjock and the famous 32 OZ Uncle Buck Prime Ribs!! If you get to Great Bridge and see a Valiant40 named Tamure...tell em Cam sez hi. Safe trip...you should be glad you didn't leave friday...it was a killer on Saturday!

[CoreSoundSouthbound]

Hi CrazyRu,
I enjoyed hanging out with you on Thursday. Sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way but I feel I should clarify since we were both a bit buzzed.
I haven't climbed all possible peaks. I've been a mediocre technical rock climber at best - Never a mountaineer. I've got lots of respect for the pain that mountaineers endure in the interest of fun.
The reason I'm not doing the EC in 09 is not the 300 miles of sailing. It's the fact that the schedule conflicts with another trip. If that conflict didn't exist I'd still have trouble figuring out how to justify 1900 miles of driving and 300+ miles of hitchhiking for a 300 mile cruise. I can do a 300 mile cruise with a day-long round trip to the coast rather than driving all the way to Florida and having to deal with a shuttle. That's very attractive in comparison when I look at my available vacation time. I'd really rather sail than drive.
I'll be following your trip back home with a smile of envy at your ability to get the time off work to do the things you want to do. It was nice to meet you after having read your posts on the watertribe website and I hope to see you again on a cold rainy evening when we can share a drink and a laugh.

[CrazyRu]

Hi, CoreSoundSouthBound!
It’s nice to hear from you. I’m doing some creative writing here, don’t you see.
Hope to share a few more drinks in a future.

CR

[CrazyRu]

Gale.

Slit is hitting cabin top, boats rocks. It is quiet inside and brutal outside. I’m in a little side creek somewhere north of Albemarle sound in 5 foot of water, protected from every side and I’m rolling.

What a difference a few minutes can make. I crossed the sound in light breeze, flying both sails wing to wing. I was in shorts and I had sunscreen applied. Hour later I was in full winter gear, lashing sails, hardly able to stay upright.

Winter blues started in a morning. My engine wouldn’t start. Night was cold; I sucked some air into system yesterday. I stayed in Alligator creek marina – at $1/ft it was worth it, I needed shower and laundry. Despite electric supply and full cranking power engine wouldn’t start. I replaced filters, purged air, wasted 3 hours of perfect weather. Eventually I won, but I got one big concern – how to start cold engine.

This fret waked me up an hour ago. I got out from my two sleeping bags. I cranked engine and sure enough – it wouldn’t start. Now I need to preserve batteries.

I put full kettle on a stove, open engine compartment, make sure there is no air in a system, hand cranked shaft with compression off – just to spread oil inside, removed air filter, sprayed some WD40 into intake, hand cranked little more, sprayed more, put the filter back in place. I waited till water boil. Make a cap of tee. Slowly soaked engine with hot water, making sure that fuel system is getting hot.

The engine started from a single crank.

Isn’t the yachting a fun?

[CoreSoundSouthbound]

Hee hee! There I go taking myself too seriously again.

I'm glad my boat has a tiny motor. If it frustrates me too much I can throw it overboard.
I'm in a warm office and a co-worker is out picking up lunch for me right now. You've probably got a better view at the moment, though.
I hope you get good weather today.

[CrazyRu]

I’m at outskirts of Norfolk.
It surprised me how many boats I recognize from my spring travel. Now they all head south and I’m still going north…
Long cold boring day motoring. The only entertainment – rudder got hold of crab pod. While I was getting rid of it, another sailboat sailed by to check on me. And sailed right into shallows… No damage done, both boats were sailing free in 10 minutes.
CR

[CrazyRu]

The weather just downright *****, excuse my French. I’m beaten up, tired, cold, and still moving up-north. Everybody is questioning my direction, even I started doing it. Am I lost?

[bubb2]

the forecast is improving here this weekend! Take care of yourself.

[mgmhead]

In Michigan they're named Party Stores... that's logical. In Pennsylvania Party Stores are where you go to buy paper plates, plastic flatware and party banners...logical too I guess. But I like the Michigan system better.

[ballastmike]

Good day Crazy RU!

This is Ballast Mike, Ken's friend. It was so nice meeting you, and I really enjoyed spending the time with you and getting to see your boat. Anyone reading this should know that Crazy RU is a fantastic host and runs a tight ship. I'd crew with this guy any time and anywhere, period! If you'd like to get some pics of the Freedom 28, take a look at the messing-about.com website, look for forums, and see the messing about thread. Crazy RU has friends here in NC and I'd be willing to help out anytime.

Thanks again for the hospitality!

Ballast Mike

PS Coming from Michigan, I learned long ago that there's nothing Mother Nature can throw at you that can keep you from home long, and we're all pulling for ya!

Good Luck and I look forward to getting together with you again soon.