Tomorrow

[sailaway78]

Finally the big day has about arrived. The past three weeks seem like three years. Am off in the morning for New Jersey, to start the trip home to New Orleans with our new boat. New to us anyway. I greatly appreciate all the offers to stop and visit along the way, and whenever possible we will do that. Also have met some on here who are traveling the same way, so some buddy boating will be in order. Trip logs will be posted up as much as is possible, limiting factor being my cell phone internet hookup, but will try at least a couple of times a week to inform all of our progress. There are no time constraints, and no schedule to keep. The only schedule I have is to try to be back in New Orleans by Christmas, at least a week in the keys and a visit to the Dry Tortugas. Planning on smelling lots of roses along the way.

 

[tom]

Back by Christmas???

That doesn't sound like a lot of rose smelling!!!! Cold weather will chase you south. Are you going to motor down the ditch all of the way or go outside??? Will you head straight from the Keys to New Orleans??? With a good weather window that would be about 4-5 days. I'd be interested in crewing that leg of the journey for 9-10 days. I've only done a few overnights from Pensacola-Panama city. My boat is on a Tennessee river lake right now and I could use some salt water. Tom

 

[Gary Wyngarden]

Bon Voyage!

Sounds like a great adventure. Hope you have a wonderful trip.Gary WyngardenS/V Wanderlust h37.5

 

[sailortonyb]

Have Fun Phillip

Call me from along the way when you can.Looking forward to hearing all about it.

 

[Scott]

Phil, where will you be departing from?

It sounded like you are picking the boat up at a location on Raritan Bay? I would like to stop by and say hi ... my office is nearby.

 

[sailaway78]

Answers

To answer Scott, Raritan Bay is correct. Currently at Pedersons Boatyard in Keyport. Arriving there tomorrow afternoon. Planning on two or three days going over all the systems, gathering up spares and groceries. Hopefully we will leave there by Monday. Taking first day to go over to New York, as my girlfriend wants to see Statue of Liberty from the water. Probably meet up with another member of this board and buddy boat south. Would enjoy meeting you, and anyone else in that neck of the woods. Tom, we are going to run like hell from the cold weather. Was on the Chesapeak last year in late November. Temp in the low 20's a couple of mornings. Way too cold for a southern boy.Plans are to run offshore to Norfolk, weather permitting. Cape May offshore for sure. Then the ditch to somewhere around the Florida line. Back offshore from there. We want to spend a little time in the keys, and I would love to make the Tortugas, time permitting. Then a straight shot across to New Orleans. All plans subject to change. Have several crew offers. Tony B will join us for a week or so if his work schedule permits. Would not mind having a couple more crew aboard for the Gulf Crossing. My girlfriend is not yet an accomplished sailor, so a long offshore journey would be better with more crew. Me and the auto pilot can do 24 hours or a little more if needed, but much more than that?????????? I will keep the board up to date on our progress, and offers for crew are appreciated, and some probably taken up.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Fair winds

and a workign engine Have a great and safe trip,Stu

 

[Steve Kamp]

Nice n Easy

If you are in the North Carolina portion of the Ditch the last 10 days of October, swing up river on the Neuse River when you leave Oriental. I would be pleased to make your aquaintance and assist should you decide to visit New Bern. The Carolina slips at Bridge Point.Fair Winds, Steve Kamp.