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