Safely nestled in the yard, winterizing

Now that Puffin is resting in our yard, we have some winterizing to do.  Boats are used to living in the water, salt or fresh, in the warm weather. We could have left the boat in water until mid November. Unfortunately the Marina we were docked at for the season, pulls boats out the end of October, unless you want to pay on a weekly basis for off season dockage. In the future, we hope to moor in front of our home or dock at a Coast Guard affiliated Club Marina for smaller seasonal fees.

We (Dean) have power washed and scraped barnacles and slime off the bottom of the boat. I supervised, not really, I didn't even watch. Meanwhile I am taking stored food off so it can be used in the house before we go. No sense leaving food onboard that has the chance to spoil. I also removed the bed pillows and quilts so they would not get moldy.

Winterizing---
The water tanks, lines and faucets, head (toilet) and holding tank get drained and antifreeze added to prevent freezing, just like a mobile home stored for the winter. Oil, oil filter and fuel filters get changed. Fuel- top off and stabilize. Charge the batteries. Ensure the antifreeze in engine is adequate for the winter. Install frame and cover the boat to protect from damage of freezing rain, snow and sun.

I will have to figure a way to easily access through the cover to work on the various projects needed to be done this winter in preparation for the coming spring trip.
Some of the projects I want to work on through the winter are: 1) new faucets 2) water filters for faucets and on hose used to fill tanks. We will be filling our water tanks many times and places throughout our voyage. No telling the condition of water supply along the way 3) vacuum gauge for fuel filter, so I know in advance when it is getting clogged 4)temporary mast for radar and radio antenna and deck light mounting (the regular masts are too tall for bridges along the route until I hit the Gulf of Mexico.), 5) solar panels, controller and inverter, to keep the batteries charged while on anchor or moored 6)mount dinghy davits, and the list goes on.

At some point, after the Holidays, we will open up all the storage spaces and decide what to keep.  The previous owners left everything onboard the boat when sold to us. Some of the tools are doubled and tripled- probably 5-6 storage areas with tools and parts in different areas on the boat. There are 2 storage spaces with plastic containers for food items. Lots to go through, lots to decide on. As this is my first boating adventure, I'm not quite sure about all kitchen stuff to be equipped with. I will learn.
I have my books- 2 by Joy Smith, www.joysmith.net "The Perfect First Mate" and "Kitchen Afloat".
We have introduced our cat "Woodstock" to the boat as he will be taking our Great Loop trip with us.

On land, nice and cozy for the winter, easy to work on.

Puffin is wintering in our yard. How awesome is that? Why, might you ask, do we want our boat so readily accessible?  We can winterize and do the myriad thing necessary to prepare Puffin for our trip in 2017, right here at home instead of carrying tools and supplies back and forth to a boatyard. Additionally, it is less expensive than boatyard storage.

Dean piloted Puffin around the corner to the Niemiec Marine boat ramp and hauled by Brownell Services, Mattapoisett, Ma. Specialized boat movers and sailboat transport services, South Coast Massachusetts. The Brownell people were awesome, Jonathan the hauler, knew and handled everything to do with getting an 18,000 lb. sailboat's masts unstepped and the boat safely to it's destination. We would highly recommend their services including their stands - they manufacture boat stands for all sizes of boats-"Best Boat Stands Ever Made" many distributers worldwide.

Now to our coming out of the  water experience.
As we came around the corner to the boat ramp, Jonathan was there with trailer backed into the water waiting. He had told Brownell he'd like to haul our boat as it was an older boat from England with classic design. The boat is a North Seas trawler style sailboat, very sturdy and rugged, with nice lines. Dean motored the boat onto the trailer with the hauler's direction, and was pulled up the ramp to a resting place at Niemiec for unstepping (taking down) the masts.  When that was finished, the masts were strapped to each side of the trailer ready for the short journey to place Puffin in our yard.

The driveway was empty, the fence was taken out, and low branches were cut from the trees. Jonathan backed the trailer with boat diagonally into position as close to the side fence as possible while being able to drive the empty trailer straight out of the yard without touching the boat. For us it was a feat, for the hauler, all in an afternoon's work.,

The boat was backed into the yard diagonally, not as close to the side fence as I would have originally liked and actually where it ended is a better position, nestled among the trees before the back deck with masts laid along side on stands.
Now we can get electric to the boat and ladder to reach the side deck to organize during the winter.
Now comes winterizing water tanks, lines, engine, and whatever else is needed.

Say Goodbye to the water and hauling to land for the winter

The area we live in, South Coast Massachusetts, seems to want to haul boats out by end of October, probably as the weather can turn cold and windy anytime.
We have to do what needs to be done to the boat before it is hauled out. Holding tanks need to be pumped, we have some water leakage in the bilge that we need to figure out while in the water.  Luckily, we may be able to store "Puffin" in our side yard and ready it for our May trip. In our yard we can work on the boat at our own pace.
Dean is getting the boat ready to have the masts un stepped and hauled to it's resting place for the winter months before our Great Loop journey. Taking down the sails and booms is step 1. Disconnecting any wires, connections that are in the mast is step 2.
We reconnected the auto pilot for the stove and oven so are ready for cooking inside aboard. The stove is powered by propane that is stored outside the cabin in a nook in the pilot house. He also tried the heater for the cabin and it works fine- powered by diesel fuel.
Boat is out of the water, settling on land for the winter.
Will attach pictures in next blog.
Sorry this is so late, we had new grandchildren arrive. twins on 17th.

Comfort and Convenience while living aboard

We spoke with a friend who lived on a 42"sailboat with his wife and 2 children-this is what he had to say.
Outfit your boat as if it were your home. Comfort is key and convenience for cooking, communicating.
Make your berth like your bedroom using comfort items that are easy to maintain. Flannel sheets are good for all seasons and easy to wash and dry without a dryer. Remember quilts, comforters for those chilly days and nights. A net hammock is good for towels, sheets, and extra blankets, also clothing up off the bunks and out of the way. Many pillow cases can be stuffed with extras and used in the main cabin or outside for lounging.  In the galley and dining area use another hammock for crackers, pastas, snacks and other items that don't have to be kept cool, cold,  and hanging tiered baskets for fruits and vegetables.
Dean is listing mechanical and technical items to be done before our trip in May 2017.
Solar panels, outline for the chart plotter (I-Pad or other small laptop), LED lighting where possible, wind turbine, any advantage to use more natural resources for traveling.  He also wants to get another anchor for areas that may have different bottoms to anchor in. We will be in fresh waters for the majority of our trip and anchoring circumstances may be different than ocean waters.
Many of our friends and neighbors are excited for our adventure and may be meeting us along our way. We hope to have some companion boats to travel parts of the trip with. Some 100 boats a year make this trip, all sizes from small sailboats to large power cruisers.
Next- Hauling our boat out for the winter, to our yard, and getting ready for the Great Loop Trip.

Puffin Travel Adventures at Cuttyhunk Island

Our first longer overnight getting used to the boat before our Great Loop venture in the Spring- May 2017.
We ventured outside the hurricane barrier about 2 1/2 to 3 hours from New Bedford Harbor to a little island, Cuttyhunk, at the western  end of the Elizabeth Islands, a chain of islands extending west from Woods Hole in Falmouth,.  This island is close to Cape Cod (Woods Hole), Martha's Vineyard (8 miles) and a little further, to Nantucket. On a clear and bright sunny day, one can see from the Bourne Bridge connecting the mainland to Cape Cod, down the shore line to Rhode Island. The trip was great, beautiful weather, motoring at about 6.5-7 knots, for approximately 14 miles total.
Several ledges, Phinney Rock, Great Ledge, and Wilkes Ledge to name a few, appear along the course to Cuttyhunk forcing the skipper to stay  alert to keep the boat in deeper waters until you reach Penikese, a small island in front of Cuttyhunk, and the mouth of Cuttyhunk Harbor. There are two separate mooring fields to use in the Harbor, some in shallow water. We decided to bypass these and go in to Cuttyhunk Pond. Incidentally, Penikese was formerly used as a leper colony, then a home for troubled boys.
Once in the harbor you can see an opening leading into Cuttyhunk Pond with moorings and dock slips to the very small town of Gosnold.  Cuttyhunk Island is part of the town of Gosnold. We arrived on a Friday afternoon after the busy summer season and made our way through the narrow and shallow channel to the pond. We picked up a mooring, had dinner on the grill then dinghied into town for a little tour. Gosnold has under 20 residents in the winter, yet offers Library, Schooling, Methodist Church, Post Office, Town Meeting Hall, and Cuttyhunk Market.   During the summer  the town swells with seasonal residents, both on land and in the water. There are rental homes and apartments during the season plus Cuttyhunk Fishing Club Bed & breakfast Inn, and Avalon( The Inn at Cuttyhunk). Many homes are multigenerational dating back to the early 1900's. Cuttyhunk Ferry brings visitors to the Island at 9:00 am and leaves at 3:00pm weekdays for New Bedford. One needs to check with the Ferry company for weekend times. Transportation on the island is mostly by 4 wheel ATV's and golf carts, or bicycling or walking. There are very few cars or trucks on the island

Cuttyhunk Island has a small beach, a great harbor, good fishing, some beautiful hiking trails- I have pictures from the top of the hill.
Shellfish Farms "Floating" Raw Bar delivers to your boat. Cuttyhunk Oysters delivers meals to your boat also. Cool!!
There are a few other places to eat, Cuttyhunk Corner Store, and of course, Ice Cream.










Almost September and here it is

It has been a busy summer with family and friends, not much time for getting the boat ready for adventures and ventures. Not boating much this summer. It seems to have passed too quickly. Most of the boat is ready for travel. We ordered a replacement battery holder for the stove igniter, ready to install. Put off working on the antenna for the top of the mast and installing a new mast head light until the mast is on the ground end of season.

Just recently we had the remnants of Hurricane Hermine. It was not too bad on our South Coast, the winds were from the N NE.15-25 mph.  We secured Puffin from the winds by adding additional bow, stern and spring lines. Dean went to the boat at our slip many times to make sure we and others were secured for no damage to the boats.
We have made a new list of boat items we want to accomplish this winter while out of water to make the boat comfortable and tech savvy for our Great Loop trip next spring.
We need to have a chart for our expenses while traveling and those at home still being paid. Someone on Sailblogs.com just posted their boat travel expenses for 2016 so far.
These expense charts give a wealth of information generalized for the Great Loop trip.
You can find these charts on various sites including AGLCA site.
Back to the List:
1) Puffin is a ketch sailboat, thus we have 2 masts- you can not have your masts up while traveling on the rivers and canals due to low bridges to pass under. Maximum height for the trip is either 15ft. 6 inches or  19ft depending on your route. We have to decide whether to take the main mast onboard, put up a small back mast for radar, radio, and mast light which can act as one crutch plus an additional crutch forward, or just leave the mast at home and motor the whole trip. I believe carrying both masts and booms, the majority of the trip in crutches above the pilot house will be too much gear overhead, and too much hassle and cost to take down, store on board then put up again in the Great Lakes and then again in the Gulf. Having the masts trucked to the Gulf to await our arrival is another option, but I think,an expensive one.
2) We would like to install 2 solar panels and a wind generator for energy independence on mooring or at anchor and change the lighting to LED.
3) Screens for ventilation in cabin windows and hatches are a must as we will be traveling where there are many insects I don't care to have inside the cabin and a ventilation system for the aft cabin.
4) Mount the dinghy davits so we don't have to drag the dinghy behind-especially handy in locks.
5) To ease the strain of many hours of piloting -an Auto Pilot
6) Inverter to change 12 V to 110, and
7) I-Pad for backup technology for the chart plotter and trip planning.
There are a few more items, but you get the idea- we have from now to spring to prep and be ready to roll - sail/motor to and up the Hudson River in May, 2017. Our boat will be stored in our yard so easy access for repairs and completing our list.

August 2016

Enjoying what little time we have for the Boat. As stated, life gets in the way. Working some and with 2 children pregnant and helping them care for their little ones, sometimes doesn't leave time for our time.
Dean- still working on the mast issues. Have mizzen and main sail in place, jib is not roller furling, so hank it on for each use. And still looking into electrical/technical issues or add-ons that would make our boat more energy efficient and independent for mooring and anchoring, such as LED lights, solar panels, and wind turbine among the options. The new masthead light is LED.
We have been out a few times so far this month, same areas, a little further reach.
Suzan's sister was in town so we motored around the area one day. We were going to take the boat to the Newport Jazz Festival and moor or anchor off around Fort Adams. There are some mooring/anchorage areas around Newport Harbor run by Old Port Marine Services that also offer launch services to and from the moorings. You can reach them on Radio VHF channel 68. Good to know. During the Festival it was "first come" so we opted for land parking. Next time we will take the boat over early for the weekend.
As mentioned in July's post, our first overnight was just off West Island to our north. Suzan is learning anchoring strategies to make overnights on anchor comfortable and worry free.

Ty at the helm

The 2nd overnight was Dean and his son in the same cove. That was quite an experience. We anchored off like last time. Grilled some burgers. Chatted over a beer, and I hit the sack around 11pm. Tyler (son) still up on deck enjoying the night air and peaceful setting. Wind about 7 knots out of the west. Suddenly about midnight I hear a disturbing sound-significantly more wind 25 to 30 knots whistling thru the rigging. As I came up on deck to get Tyler's stuff-cushions etc. under cover, the wind shifts quickly around to the north, giving the water a lot more fetch to build up seas and pointing the aft end of the boat at a spit of land not more than 400 to 500 feet  away and shallow water a lot closer than that, leaving  very little maneuvering room if the anchor were to let go or drag! Quite scary I must say. As expected, the waves built up very quickly, putting more strain on the anchor and rode. We both put on life jackets and waited it out in the cockpit, me at the helm, ready to start the engine to prevent us from grounding. Then the rain came, knocking down the waves and calming things a bit. Not long after, the wind died off and things eased back to normal. Thank God we set the anchor well and gave plenty of scope so Puffin held her own. So glad Suzan wasn't there to suffer through that!

Hammock with a view

The following morning was fogged in but cleared off early and presented another fine day.
Our zinc on the propeller shaft is being eaten quickly and fell off in my hand on an inspection dive, due to the salt water and stray electrical currents in New Bedford harbor. A day later, with a friend on board to keep an eye out, I installed a new zinc. We are learning.
August is almost gone and we haven't spent nearly the time we want with and on the boat. Still, September and October here in Southern New England offer nice boating time.

New Bedford Hurricane Barrier

Tidbit of Information for those who don't know the Hurricane Barrier History

Largest Hurricane Barrier in the World

Started Planning in 1957, Construction in 1962 and Completion in 1966, creating one of the safest harbors for commercial and recreational boats on the East Coast.

High and Wide as the Great Wall of China

The New Bedford Hurricane Protection Barrier lies across New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor. It is approximately 50 miles south of Boston. The project protects about 1,400 acres in New Bedford, Fairhaven, and Acushnet from tidal flooding associated with hurricanes and coastal storms. This acreage is thickly settled with industrial and commercial properties, particularly along the waterfront and the shores of the Acushnet River. The area represents about 80 percent of land flooded in the September 1938 and August 1954 hurricanes, the latter storm causing $8.3 million in flood damages.

Construction of the New Bedford Hurricane Protection Barrier began in October 1962 and was completed in January 1966, costing $18.6 million. The project required the relocation of power cables, modification of sewerage and drainage facilities, and acquisition of a small boat yard, several buildings, and about 36 acres of land. The city maintains the project, with the exception of the navigation gates and the barrier extending across New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor which are operated and maintained by the Corps. The project is divided into three principal features: a barrier extending across New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor with an extension dike on the mainland; Clarks Cove Dike in New Bedford; and Fairhaven Dike. The project has prevented $24.1 million in flood damages and coastal tidal surge since it was built (as of September 2011).

The barrier extending across the harbor consists of a 4,500-foot-long earthfill dike with stone slope protection. The barrier has a maximum elevation of 20 feet and a 150-foot-wide gated opening to accommodate commercial and recreational navigation. It also has two gated conduits that are each nine feet high and six feet wide. The extension dike starts at the western end of the main dike and stretches for 4,600 feet along Rodney French Boulevard East. It has a maximum elevation of 22 feet. The extension dike has three circular gated conduits with diameters of two, three, and four feet, and a street gate on Rodney French Boulevard East. 

Clarks Cove Dike consists of earthfill with stone slope protection. It is 5,800 feet long and extends around the north and east sides of the cove, tying to high ground at both ends. On the north side the dike has a maximum elevation of 22 feet, and on the east side the maximum elevation is 23 feet. The dike also has street gates at Rodney French Boulevard West and Cove Road, and a pumping station.

Fairhaven Dike consists of earthfill with stone slope protection. It starts at high ground near the foot of Lawton Street and runs easterly about 3,100 feet, with a maximum elevation of 20 feet. The dike also has a four-foot-diameter gated conduit.

Courtesy of US Army Corp of Engineers/New England District website

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July 2016 Summer Fun and---

We really haven't had the time we want to spend on our boat this summer, so far. Seems like life gets in the way. In July we have gone outside the hurricane barrier a few times to visit Padanaram Harbor in Dartmouth. Also ventured to Mattapoiset waters, both along south coast Massachusetts Buzzard's Bay area offering some interesting cruising grounds, both busy and secluded. You can see the spires and steeples on some of the structures that Henry H. Rogers (Standard Oil in 1800's) had built while he was on the South Coast. You also see the wind turbines along the shore and estates of the rich and famous? don't know about that.
One of our girls came down with her children and husband to spend some time on the boat and go fishing. Her son, Toby, age 5, is really into fishing, mostly in fresh water. We took them out past the hurricane barrier and tried to catch a few- to no avail. None the less, it was a fun day just to be on the boat with family.
Dean-  A day later, I climbed the mast for our radio antenna issue and mast head light. I used a mast climber and ladder to reach the top, once there, I used a bosun's,
chair while working. Unfortunately the mast climber was for a smaller mast, thus too short by about 12 feet so I had to stand a 12 foot ladder on the cabin top, against the mast to reach it- very amateur, but it worked. the radio antenna had a badly corroded connector, so that has to be replaced and reconnected. The mast head light base, made of plastic, which sits atop the masthead was broken and corroded-  so we are taking the opportunity to get and install a new LED light. The one removed , probably original to the boat, is tri-color/ anchor with strobe.  The newer LED lights have deleted the strobe. We are moving toward having as much of the boat electrical power source done with energy efficient lighting (LED), solar panels, and perhaps some wind power.

So far our boat under motor seems to run quite smoothly and Suzan is getting used to the boats response to wave actions with our normal breezes of 10-15 mph. the sails are not yet attached as I wanted to finish the project at the top of the mast before attaching the sails for use.
 She is getting the galley, berths, and head organized with what we need to be comfortable for an extended stint aboard. Each time we venture out, we make a list of items that would work for us.

We've gone out again a few times down to a small harbor - Padanaram (South Dartmouth). It is a picturesque little harbor with many sailboats moored. Also ventured out of the hurricane barrier east toward Cape Cod. Stayed overnight in a little cove off West Island, dropped anchor and enjoyed the peace and quiet of a secluded anchorage and  beautiful sunset, sunrise and more stars than I have seen in a long time.
There are many islands and harbors to explore close to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. We can moor or anchor in at Cuttyhunk, the south western most island of the Elizabeth Island chain off Woods Hole in Falmouth, just 15 miles away from Fairhaven/New Bedford.
 Loving life on Buzzards Bay.

June 2016 Boat in the Water, in a slip, By the Bridge

Dean -
    Finally in the water and at a home for the season. Now we can start to get some items replaced, repaired, organized, and whatever else to do on a boat that is now your own and are getting ready for our boating venture May 2017. We purchased a mast stepper so I can climb the mast to finish my electrical wiring and attach the wind indicator, radio antenna, and mast head light. I have installed a new wind indicator guage in the pilot house and as in replacing most old with new, it doesn't fit with the other older gauges. I had to create a new casing out of some scrap mahogany I had on hand so it would match with the speed and depth finder already in place. Also had to clean and re-attach the depth finder transducer under the forward v-berth cabinets. The masts are up and booms in place.

Suzan-
    Meanwhile I am trying to organize the inside- galley, sleeping, and head items for our small trips this season to Martha's Vineyard, Block Island, Cuttyhunk, and Nantucket. It is much like camping supplies and food staples. I am reading some books by Joy Smith- "The Perfect First Mate" and "Kitchen Afloat". Very informative!!
We washed all the cushion covers and cleaned the galley, bathroom, and whatever else could be wiped down. Joy suggests dish detergent w/ non-chlorine bleach in a bucket of water.
We have an ugly brown carpet over plywood in the main cabin which I would like to replace with something more Nautical. Not to be found online, only the dull colors of grey and brown. Let's brighten it up a bit.
We decided to keep the cushion covers for now- Forest Green and accent with lighter colored pillows. Again, Do you think I can find canvas fabric that is a bit in the Nautical colors- something that has the green, blue, and red.Why is this so hard? Were all these designed  by men for men, who care more about the technical aspects than comfort and style? Boring!!
So much for now. This brings us to July.
Oh yes, friends from North of Boston came to visit and we motored outside our Hurricane Barrier for a cruise to Padanarum. Beautiful Harbor!! Very Yachty!

May 2016

     Since we had decided to postpone dropping a mooring until we return from our trip, we chose a Marina to dock Puffin for the summer. Now to get the masts back up and our boat launched. We are not docking at the same marina where it is stored, so need to put in water to motor to a new home.
     Dean has pulled some new cable but not connected the wind indicator, radio antenna or masthead light, all at the top of the mast. We get a call from the company that steps the masts and launches the boat.  They are ready to launch tomorrow, Thursday, May 12, 12-1:30. We are there. The truck arrives and launches 2 other boats and then sends a truck to step our masts. We are not finished with our mast work yet, but if they can put the boat in the water, we can finish the rest on the water. So- the masts are put up and-- it is now after 3:00, the tide is too low to launch.

We are told we will be put in shortly- within a few days. We wait and call and wait and call. One week goes by. 2 weeks and finally on Thursday, May 26,  the marina owner calls and says "be there at 12:00 noon". The launch truck does not arrive until after 1:30 and by then , the tide is going down. Now we are frustrated, we can't finish the mast work without the equipment to climb the mast ourselves, the professionals are all too busy at this time, yet it seems we can't get the boat in the water, either.  The Marina owner is on the phone with the launch company to see how quickly they have a slot for us. It is now 2 tries. Perhaps third time will bring good luck, if it doesn't take 2 weeks again. He gets a definite date and time for Tuesday at 11:00. We will be there. It is almost June and we have paid for a new Marina for the season. Before I leave this Marina, the owner tells me they called back and can launch the next day, Friday at 12:00.  Seems to me a magic time for launch companies. Apparently high tide is around 1-1:30 so noon is good.
By 1:30 I am in the water and Suzan is at the new Marina, less than 1/4 mile away. Third time is the charm!!
Both Marinas are north of the New Bedford swing bridge so we have to call ahead for the bridge to open for us to go to open sea. It opens every hour at quarter after if you call or radio ahead.
We are now secured at our slip, Puffin's new home for the season.
Much to be checked, replaced, cleaned, and trial run and familiarize ourselves with before our Great Loop trip this time next year-2017.

On the Hard 2015/2016

     Our boat, Puffin, is finally at our new home South Coast of Massachusetts. We scheduled to have Puffin put on the hard (on land) 2 days later not knowing we would have good weather for the month of November. We also had the masts un-stepped and laid on sawhorses next to the boat.  I (Dean), had some work I wanted to do with replacing cables inside the main mast and thought it easier to work on land than  on the boat. I needed to reattach the radio antenna cable, at the top of the mast, and pull new cables for the wind indicator and the masthead light.
     Winter season passed and a cold early spring.  In April we started thinking about doing the cable work so the masts could be put up and our boat launched to a mooring or dock slip. We investigated a mooring in front of our home in New Bedford Harbor area. I went out with the Harbor Master and Mooring person to figure the best place we could drop a mooring.  The estimate from the mooring person was between $2500-$3000 to place the mooring.
     At the same time Suzan was suggesting that: 1) As we are not going to be in the area summer 2017, to wait until returning to drop a mooring and 2) Would like to be on a dock so we can meet other area boaters and it's easier to do some inside and outside work on the boat requiring electric and/or water.

Summer/Fall 2015

     We are safely moored in Salem, Massachusetts Harbor. Unfortunately with our Bed & Breakfast business we were too busy to spend much time with our new boat. I got in only one short day trip with my son in Salem Sound. As our season closed and the Inn was sold, we wanted to venture south coast of Massachusetts so Suzan would feel more comfortable sailing/motoring on coastal waters than direct ocean. We purchased a home on Buzzard's Bay, south coast, in October and proceeded to move our boat, Puffin, to it's new home, a feat in itself. I did not have much experience on Puffin before sailing to our new home and wanted someone onboard. Suzan had other commitments at our new homestead so I recruited Justin, her daughter's husband who is chief engineer on an oil tanker from California to Alaska,

Justin looking out t'ward Boston
 

for part of the trip, stopping in Plymouth, Ma and Dean's daughter's inlaws, Alicia and Paul, who are sailors, for the rest of the trip.
     Justin and I, both lacking much sailing experience, waited to put up sail until just out of Salem Sound at the Channel entrance buoy. Out there, the waters were already rough and Puffin was bouncing so much, neither of us felt comfortable enough with the procedure to unfurl and raise the jib or main sails, so we just motored with the mizzen as a stabilizer to Plymouth completing that part of the trip. Justin is the navigation/technology person and we chatted about the technology onboard Puffin. Total trip time to Plymouth Harbor was about 7 hours for a distance of 41 nautical miles. Justin jumped off and the following morning, Alicia and Paul jumped on for the trip through Cape Cod Canal and on to New Bedford area.

At rest in Plymouth Harbor

Tug and Barge on Cape Cod Canal

             That next morning it was beautiful and
unfortunately for sailors, almost no wind. So we again proceeded under power for Fairhaven/ New Bedford via the Cape Cod Canal. I had planned the trip to give us a good tide through the canal, otherwise the canal authority will force you to take a tow (very expensive) as the currents can be very strong, slowing a sailboat to a crawl. Thus we hit the canal at slack and got a boost into Buzzards Bay on the ebbing tide. Eight hours later we were approaching New Bedford swing bridge at Popes Island. Once through, we tie up at Cozy Cove Marina and are home.

Tied up at Cozy Cove
 

June 2015 Decision made, offer accepted.

Survey is scheduled for June 25, 26. First we will haul the boat from it's protective covering for over 2 years. The protective covering is not a tarp but a large barn on the owner's property in Appleton, Me. The survey will first be done on land and then Puffin is transported by Drinkwater Boat Transport to Rockport harbor, Maine for an on-water survey. Alan Drinkwater was chosen because he is the only driver the former owner trusts to extract the boat through the tight confines of the barn door. The trailer literally drags on the ground as the boat exits.
Once in the water, masts stepped, sails on and covered, a pretty sight. Now for a few preparatory steps for the trip to Massachusetts, roughly 140 nautical miles. Take care of any operational details mentioned in the survey, condition the diesel fuel which sat for 2 plus years in storage and top of the tanks, stock the galley and we're ready to go.

Scott, our broker and a seasoned sailor, graciously volunteered to make the journey with me. So as to arrive in daylight and meet prior commitments for the day, we began our voyage south around 4:30pm. Clearing the Islands of Metinic an Monhegan, we set a course for Nun "2" off Thacher Island, Cape Ann, Massachusetts then steered a more westerly course into Salem Harbor where Puffin would spend the summer. About 22 hours later we were on our mooring, awaiting a pickup by the Hawthorn Cove Marina launch. Unfortunately, no lessons in sailing were to be garnered as the wind was on our nose the whole trip so we motored. 

 

 

Mid May 2015 A Few then ready to choose

We are pretty much at the end of our search, traveling around New England  to find the boat for our venture on the Great Loop.
Locally we visited a Mariner 36' in Easton, Ma. Suzan liked the layout of the sail boat, but then it is a typical sailboat with steering in the back and no pilot house steering. We felt it was on the long side to be maneuvered alone. Pretty boat, though.

May 13,14,15 back to Maine for third time to see the motor sailor that has the most to fit our needs..
 While in Maine, we looked at a Grand Banks Trawler in Portland. Nice 2 bedroom apartment on the water. Still too many finances for fuel while traveling.
The Coaster 33-Puffin is a one owner boat and very well maintained. We can't get an outside view as it has been housed in a huge barn for 1 1/2-2 years. Has not been in the water. The engine is newer 2001- very few miles on it
The inside needs some updating and everything is in working order.
The decision is made. Now to put in an offer with a lower price than it is marketed for.
After a few negotiations, we agreed on a price- next step- Survey/ land and water.

May 2015- On Our Way to a new Boat

It is now May and we have a business to attend to. The Bed & Breakfast business. We are Innkeepers on the North Shore coastal Massachusetts and are accepting reservations for our summer season. So--- Boat looking is starting to take a back seat to our revenue making business.
We are narrowing down our search and the two of us visiting some boats I have previously viewed. This included a whirlwind trip to Stoney Point, NY, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Stoney Point is the Mariner Pilothouse 38, I really did like the layout. After seeing sailboat, Suzan still felt it was too long to be maneuvered singlehanded and didn't like certain features such as the reefer being too deep and inaccessible and inside pilot located right beside the galley, additionally too much work to make it "Loop" ready. 
Next, Connecticut, to see a 36' Marine Trader Trawler. We felt we needed to see a few of the most popular style of boat on the Great Loop. A Trawler is literally a 1-2 bedroom apartment on the water, maximizing usable storage and living space. Some are complete with full size refrigeration, laundry, AC, queen size bed etc. After the Great Loop venture, I would consider a Trawler parked in Florida waters for our winter getaway.
The Marine Trader was a nice looking boat, but Suzan did not like the small ladder to the top deck and no railing on the second deck. If we are considering bringing children aboard, this is a safety issue.
On to Rhode Island to see a Morgan Out Island Pilothouse 33 in Portsmouth. 
All were ruled out for several concerns.
As said in the beginning, we had to make some decisions before our busy Inn season started or wait until after the season to purchase our Great Loop boat.
I still have my eye on the Coaster 33 in Maine. It has not much to do to be in the water and a length, draft,  and room to be comfortable for our trip.

Going Forward!!

April 2015- Dean- I look at a few more sailboats and motor sailors for our Great Adventure.  I took a trip with my Broker, Scott, to New Bedford, Ma area and on to Rhode Island and New York. We looked at a Mariner 38 Ketch in New Bedford. Morgan Out Islander 33 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and Mariner 38 (see below) in Stoney Point, NY.
The Mariners had  a pilot house with a steering station both inside and out.
  I really liked the appearance of the Mariner 38 Sloop in Stoney Point, thought it would both motor and sail well and thought it had a nice interior overall. So I arranged to take Suzan to see it. Suzan and  I felt a boat of this size might be too much for me to handle if out by myself, and both required more work than we were prepared to do. 
 The Morgan Out Islander, touted as a Motor Sailor, was really a sail assisted motor boat with minimal sailing ability per former owners and sailing forums, and it also needed among other things some deck replacement.
We  are also now considering the Trawlers for live aboard as they are wider, far more roomy than sailboats.  A trawler is a motor boat, therefore using more of your trip finances for fuel. Our goal is to enjoy the Loop, it's scenery and stops along the way, not support the oil industry. Now we are getting into May and need to make some decisions as we will no longer be able to spend time looking as our Busy season begins as Innkeepers at our Bed and Breakfast, The Sally Webster Inn.
Stay tuned for May 2015 and---our decisions!!

End of March 2015

We are getting more excited with our new venture and search for the boat that we can make our journey in comfort ( more or less).
This is the end of March- one year ago- and we are traveling to Maryland to view yet another sailboat and attend an AGLCA ( America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association)www.greatloop.org seminar held 2 times a year in different locals. We spent time with friends and viewed a Nauticat 33 while there. Also purchased tickets to the seminar and with that, became members of the AGLCA.
The seminar was awesome, lots of great speakers and many attendees in different phases of their journey. Some were just thinking, some like us, were looking for a boat, some were making the Great Loop venture shortly, some had finished, some on their second Great Loop trip.
Some of the speakers had finished the Loop and could answer many of the questions from novice Great Loop to be participants. Lots of knowledge to be gained and many introductions including Boat Brokers, Insurance persons, and Boat Loan officers.
We were looking at older boats so there is a learning curve for Boat loans and Insurance. Many companies either do NOT loan and insure boats older than 1990's or there may be a premium to pay for insurance and loans. Much like a home near the water or a below average credit score. All in all, when we decided on a boat, there were originators that would work with us. You have to research to find them.
Next time- April 2015!!!

March 2015 Boat Search

Let's get going so we can bring you up to this year 2016.
March 2015 we are up in Maine climbing on stored boats under plastic in 20 degree weather and 4 feet of snow. Second showing of a Coaster 33 motor sailboat from England. Only 3 ever made it to the United States and 2 were in Maine. Dean researched the history of this boat and found it was built for North Sea sailing. This intrigued him so I journeyed to see this boat stored in a barn in Appleton, outside of Camden,  Maine.  This one owner boat was shipped  from England in 1982 to East Coast as a model to be shown at sales events.
I think we saw 4-5 boats in 2-3 days in the cold weather, narrowing down our choices. Most motor sailboats have a center enclosed cockpit, inside steering, occasionally outside as well, not the usual exposed or canvas covered cockpit of a regular sailboat.
Did I mention, it has to have shoal draft as many areas along the Great Loop are shallow.
What we were looking for was no more than 4 1/2 foot draft. Dean was interested in a ketch/ 2 mast boat to keep the height of mast lower and sails more manageable single handing, and I was more interested in what the interior room looked like. If I am going to live on this boat for at least 6 months, I need to know I can work with the inside space.
we also took some trips, again, to New York, Connecticut, and Maryland to look at boats. While in Maryland, we attended a seminar with the Great Loopers and learned some valuable information.
Enough for now.
Next time, The final choice!!!

The Search continues!!

By now it is end of January- first of February 2015 in the Blizzard.  I have to go back a few months- almost a year earlier, we (Dean) looked at a sailboat on Long Island. First observed in Wooden Boat magazine, it was an older boat, owned by a man who had owned a boat yard/marina and had since passed on, handing the boat and marina to the "kids". His children now owned a power boat and were ready to let Dad's sailboat go at a very small price for the size of boat. It was kept in a large storage shed in the boatyard and from the ground looked to be in pretty good shape. An all Teak Fisher's Island 44ft. motor sailor, built in 1962 by the original builders of the Grand Banks Trawlers in Hong Kong, a beautiful boat. But on closer inspection, she was going to need a lot of TLC, time and money to bring her in to prime cruising shape. Also as with most older wood boats, insurance, hauling and hired professional work are very expensive and difficult to find. I was in love but fortunately, Suzan helped me keep my head on my shoulders and keep searching for something more reasonable.
So now we are back to February 2015

OK Here we go- We live in New England so you remember last year's (2015) snow. Over 4 feet with drifts as high as 7.
We- Dean was out with our Boat Broker, Scott, wandering the New England country and ocean to find our boat for our venture. Went to New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine to visit different styles, sizes, and cabin orientation that we would find comfortable for our trip. Also, we are looking for a motor sail boat- different from the traditional sailboat in that the engine is a little stronger and it has an enclosed cockpit so when the weather is bad, you can motor from an enclosed area. This helps if you are traveling for an extended period and won't always have nice weather. We (I) also wanted a sailboat that Dean can sail himself  as I am not ready to learn how to sail at my age. And-- did I tell you- he is a power boat person. Limited experience with sails. We live on the South Coast in Massachusetts and wanted a boat we could putter to Block Island, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, with some ease.
Many boats were ruled out due to size- length or draft. Many parts of the rivers in the Great Loop are shallow so a short draft is required 4.5ft or less. So that also was a challenge.  We liked some of the sailboats- most were loo long to maneuver in narrow places and had too long a keel (draft). What we did like was the width- most sailboats are at least 12 ft wide-lots of room inside.
Enough for now.

Searching for the Perfect Boat

We wanted a sailboat that could be motored with no wind. And- a length so it could be sailed( sails put up and down) by one person. The search is ongoing- looking at older boats as most have more character than the newer and less pricey. I started looking in Maine, then New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island. It was an adventure to look at comforts you think you need and in reality what 2 people can live with for 6-9 months.  Some were eliminated for width and inside maneuverability. Draft can be an issue. Some of the waterways and marinas along the Great Loop have draft restrictions.
We narrowed down and decided that a motor sailor length 30-36' might  work for our trip and pleasure sailing. Now the real search begins: length, width ,draft, functionality, and price- not easy to find. Next page

Search for Great loop Boat

Going back to January 2015. The search begins- I am looking for a motor sailboat that we can live aboard comfortably for 6 month to year to sail/motor the Great Loop. For those who are not familiar- The Great Loop is an adventure on Eastern US rivers, lakes, and waterways.
Boat Brokers are the less aggravating way to go. We found the perfect Boat Broker in Maine. Scott was willing to chase our dream of finding the boat for our trip. Last year was the Blizzard of 2015 in January and February. We/Dean was out scouring New England for this boat. Stay tuned for more.