Gotta love the ups and downs of boat ownership, its a disease without cure I think
. Last weekend was our (the missus and I) final prepping time for our (my son and youngest daughter and I) 300 mile trip from Kingston NY, up the Hudson river, and through the Erie Canal headed to her waiting slip in Ithaca NY.
We were scheduled to splash our “new to us” Hunter 28.5 on Saturday morning in a 2 hour window around high tide. Due to a miscommunication and traffic we arrived 20 minutes too late and were forced to watch the day waste away while waiting for the next tide. All the last minute “projects” required her to be afloat.
Splash down went uneventful with 2-3 hours daylight left. The Yanmar fired after barely cranking over at all, love these lil diesels:dance:. Motored around to our temporary slip and its an all out rush to unload the truckload of supplies into the boat and load all the stands and winter storage paraphernalia into the truck and trailer.
Sunday we awoke early and picked up where we left off when we passed out in the berth. One last minute test was a nice short motor down river to check fuel consumption rates, which by the way is impressively low.
We went about 2 miles past the Esopus Meadow Lighthouse and turned around headed north. Just as we passed the light house again we both noticed a large bird winging towards us. Within seconds we realized it was a mature Bald Eagle on the hunt. As we unsuccessfully scrambled for a camera he swooped down just off our starboard side and snagged a 12-14” fish without slowing a bit. The feet and talons on that bird where as big as my hands and I'm guessing a 6-7' wingspan. It was an incredible and once in a lifetime event.
We shove off this coming Saturday at first light. If the trip goes as well as the shakedown cruise we will be sitting pretty in Ithaca NY by Memorial Day with many memories to cherish.
. Last weekend was our (the missus and I) final prepping time for our (my son and youngest daughter and I) 300 mile trip from Kingston NY, up the Hudson river, and through the Erie Canal headed to her waiting slip in Ithaca NY.We were scheduled to splash our “new to us” Hunter 28.5 on Saturday morning in a 2 hour window around high tide. Due to a miscommunication and traffic we arrived 20 minutes too late and were forced to watch the day waste away while waiting for the next tide. All the last minute “projects” required her to be afloat.
Splash down went uneventful with 2-3 hours daylight left. The Yanmar fired after barely cranking over at all, love these lil diesels:dance:. Motored around to our temporary slip and its an all out rush to unload the truckload of supplies into the boat and load all the stands and winter storage paraphernalia into the truck and trailer.
Sunday we awoke early and picked up where we left off when we passed out in the berth. One last minute test was a nice short motor down river to check fuel consumption rates, which by the way is impressively low.
We went about 2 miles past the Esopus Meadow Lighthouse and turned around headed north. Just as we passed the light house again we both noticed a large bird winging towards us. Within seconds we realized it was a mature Bald Eagle on the hunt. As we unsuccessfully scrambled for a camera he swooped down just off our starboard side and snagged a 12-14” fish without slowing a bit. The feet and talons on that bird where as big as my hands and I'm guessing a 6-7' wingspan. It was an incredible and once in a lifetime event.
We shove off this coming Saturday at first light. If the trip goes as well as the shakedown cruise we will be sitting pretty in Ithaca NY by Memorial Day with many memories to cherish.
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