November 6th
Well Eleanor has an engine once again. Still a bunch of work to do with the installation, but I’m hoping to be under way in about a week. I can’t wait to hear her roar to life for the first time!
My friend Darryl (manning the engine) is building a new centek exhaust system, and is re-welding and re-designing the air intake manifold. It didn’t fit with the new exhaust manifold/heat exchanger/and coolant tank combo I bought in England. However in the end, I think I’ll have the nicest 4.236 around. My engine, transmission, drive train, prop, and cutlass bearing are all top notch. Add some clean air and fuel, and she should run forever and a day (knock on wood)!
I delivered a little ensign sailboat to a marina about 5 miles down the river. They told me they recorded 84 knots of wind during the storm the other night. Believe it or not I’m still shaken up by it. I feel like I’ve lost my mojo, it was an event that I hope not to repeat anytime soon. I experienced 104 knots during hurricane Isabel but it didn’t oppose the 2 knot current of the Hudson which made it an easier ride by far! This was the worst wind event I have ever endured and it doesn’t even have a name. When I tell people on the land about it they are somewhat oblivious to it, as the worst wind was over night when everyone was asleep in their homes. It also shows me how connected to the television people are. If the weather channel had been going on for a week about hurricane force winds everyone would have been out buying generators, propane, fuel, and water. But because this storm wasn’t publicized it didn’t get much attention except from the boating community that saw the damage first hand. Also the wind on the rive is much higher than on land as it comes barreling down the river.
We have another gale warning tonight and I find myself walking around town not wanting to return to the boat. It’s very unlike me, I usually want to be on the boat no matter what. I suppose it all boils down to control, and right now I don’t have it. The engine, rig, hull, and ground tackle are paramount. I don’t have a motor or windlass and I’m not comfortable with my rig. So as a result I’m super-stressed and working my ass off to put Eleanor in order. Once my hand has gone over every inch of Eleanor, this kind of weather doesn’t frighten me as I will have confidence, control, and options (redundancy).
I’ll be really happy to be down in Norfolk, VA. I’ll be in protected water until I’m in warmer climates, I’ll have my wife, and by then I’ll have broken in the motor and hopefully have bonded with Eleanor a bit more.
November 8th
I just got a call from my friend who is also my mechanic and we will be dry-fitting the new exhaust system today, and will work all day Sunday to hopefully get the motor running. If this is the case I plan on leaving here by the 15th for Norfolk VA where I plan to collect my wife and make way for Charleston where I hope to have a reunion with my sister, Momma D, and some close friends. Carla will stay with me for 3 weeks or so, then I will continue my path for Ft. Lauderdale where I will spend some time with my brother and his family before heading for the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Panama.
Every day over the past weeks I have been questioning my path. I’ve been unprepared and have had to deal with two very violent storms. Everything here is so super expensive it boggles my mind, people on the river (working on boats) all want to make $90-$110 an hour. I know it’s all relative as the cost of living here is so high, but it is very foreign to me.
I have however made some important friends here, and friends I hope to keep for a long time which is worth more to me than a boat, frozen toes, or spending time away from my home in Paradise. I have to say my trip here has been wildly successful, although more than hard at times.
I still need to install navigation lights, do some sort of repair to the hawsepipes that were damaged in the storm, straighten the bow roller which is going to be tricky as it is welded to the bowsprit, figure out my fuel system, go through the rig and figure out my reefing system, along with a handful of other small projects. All things coincidered I’m only two weeks behind “schedule” at this point.
I’m also out of money (can’t believe I’ve made it this far) so I’ll be looking for crew that wants to pitch in for fuel. I figure every day (24 hours) of burning fuel is roughly $130. Days on the ICW are 1/2 days (12 hours) so will cost $65ish. I’m planning on burning 1.5 GPH?
My plan is to pick up Carla in Norfolk and see some of my family. Then take the ICW to Cape Fear where I will go offshore for Charleston. If weather is bad, or I have crew to help with fuel, I’ll continue on the ditch (ICW) as it is so beautiful this time of year. After Charleston I’ll go off shore and sail for Jacksonville or ports South depending on weather.
The Trinka is turning out to be the nice little work boat, eah? :)
Once again I have to thank all of you who have pitched in and hit the donate button.
It has been hard for me to finish my 3rd film “The Minimalist Sailor” and now the reason has become clear. I needed a more minimalist boat. I have been dreaming of a West Sail 42 for over a decade, and have had a vision in my head of it with a 10′ trinka (sailing dinghy) laying behind her. Funny how it all works out!
For those of you who were interested in crewing, the time is getting closer so let’s touch base soon.
Peace, love, and coconuts.
-alex
