Fuel Run

Getting Ready For a Fuel Run

One of my jobs on the boat is to ensure we have enough fuel.  So just before leaving Jacksonville, I loaded up the dinghy to make a run to a near by marina to load up our gas cans.

Based on the fuel we had used, it was going to take me 2 runs to Lambs marina.  Normally one would simply fill up at the marina they are normally in, but the Ortega Yacht Club Marina no longer sells gas.

Off to get Gas

This was the first time we've needed to fuel up since leaving on our trip.

All went well except for one thing .... and this one thing required me to have to do the next round of fueling on foot!!! Talk about heavy ... each can, when full, weights over 30 pounds! What could have been so bad as to make me walk a mile for gas?  You will see tomorrow!

Family Station Wagon Issues

Working on the dinghy engine

When we left the local park, our dinghy engine wouldn't spin the propeller.  The engine would start, but just not go when we put it in forward.  It would rev fine, just no propeller spinning.  We went into Gondola mode with me serving as the propeller system and 20 minutes later, we were back to the dock.

That night Val went into her mechanic mode.  She is totally in her element tinkering with stuff, and she LOVES it.  Being raised by a mechanic, she is comfortable tearing stuff down and building them up.  Yeah for me as I suck at such things. I know all the theory and can explain every law of physics involved, but getting the mechanic parts together, no f-n way. Go VAL!

Pulling out the shear pin

Val had reasoned that the shear pin had sheared.  The shear pin is a small piece of metal that keeps the propeller attached to the spinning shaft of the engine.  When the propeller gets hung up on anything and cannot turn, the shear pin breaks (shears) to protect the engine.  It is a great approach of keeping the engine safe.

Broken Shear Pin on bottom, New Shear Pin on top

Yep, it was indeed as Val suspected ... the shear pin did shear.  In the photo, you can see the shear pin had broken into 3 pieces, just as it was designed to do.  The top of the photo shows the new shear pin Val is putting in.  Notice how it has 2 score marks in it... those are the break points if it were to break too.

Happy as a clam, Val is putting it back together

Well done Val. Hats off to you. The Ford (Val's maiden name) gene pool definitely runs strong in you. I love you!

We have no idea what had hung up the propeller to cause the shear pin to shear.  It worked fine to the park dinghy dock. Another crazy ocean life mystery.

Family Day At The Park

Flower crown at the park (made by Dad)

A 5 minute dinghy ride away from Ortega Yacht Club Marina is great little park called Stinson Park & Baker Point.  It has a few slides, great climbing challenges, 2 swings (one for baby and one for kids), super grassy areas, wonderful shade coverage, plenty of park benches, and 5 picnic tables. The only down side of the park is that there are no bathrooms.  Be that as it may, we had a lot of fun.

KJ and Dy were totally ready for a day at the park, and were quick to jump in with the neighborhood kids.

KJ making a new friend

Cool looking Dy checking out the action

We packed a picnic of sandwiches, pretzels, water, soda, and M&Ms.

Val met a number of other moms whom were very gracious. One even offered us a ride to WalMart! :)

All went well until we left the park when our family station wagon engine wouldn't go into gear.  The engine would start fine, but forward wouldn't engage.  Good thing I practiced Gondola mode back at Cumberland Island! Now to figure out whats up with the dinghy engine.

At Disney!

Today the Sailboat Family is enjoying a day at Disney to celebrate Dy's 3rd birthday! Happy Birthday Dy! (and my 41st birthday!)

Going to Disney!

This is why we stayed another few days

Our plan was to leave Jacksonville, FL on Wednesday, but the weather Wednesday and Thursday were such that it wouldn't have been a pleasant boating experience.  The consequence is that we are staying another few days.  This gave us another great opportunity, to drive to Orlando and visit Disney for Dy's birthday!

Sunday, April 3rd, is Dy's birthday so why not make it extra special by going to Disney. Orlando is about a 2 hour drive from here, so we got a rental car and are heading out shortly.

Oh, it also happens to be my birthday on Sunday too. :)

Inside the Sailboat Family Boat

The center of family activity

After 3 weeks, the inside of the boat is finally taking its living form.  We've been moving things around, finding proper spots, tossing stuff out, and cleaning.  This diary entry is to capture what our boat looks like, on the inside.

View from kitchen across the inside of the boat

Kitchen

Plate Rack

Pantry

Inside Refrigerator

Can storage

Master Suite :)

Dresser

KJ's Room

Toy Wall

KJ's Library

Head Sink Area

Head

Hot Water Shower

Family Station Wagon

We trust you enjoyed the tour of our home. :)

Savannah, GA to Jacksonville, FL : Day 8 : Jacksonville, FL

Cargo Ship Under Guard

Leg 1 : Day 8 (23MAR11)

Big Boy Day

Today we made our way to Ortega Yacht Club Marina..... in Jacksonville, FL! Leg 1 is complete!

The journey was another serious learning curve as we faced new obstacles and challenges.

First big hurdle was communicating with bridge operators (called tenders) to open up to let us pass.

Bridge Closed at Sisters Creek

"Sisters Creek Bridge, Sisters Creek Bridge, Sisters Creek Bridge this is Sailing Vessel Ariel, Ariel, Ariel over" I confidently hailed.

And through the magic of radio, there was a guy on the other end!  We were polite and respectiful, and had zero attitude from the bridge tender.  We had been lead to believe that we could face attitude.

The operator told me to make my way towards the bridge and he would open it.  Taking a deep gulp of air, I plowed forward at 5 knots.  The bridge wasn't going up yet, I just trusted that it would all work.

WOW! It is actually opening on MY request!

As we approached, magically the bridge started to go up.  Am I aligned? Am I centered?

Moment of truth, going through

We made it through!

Once through the bridge, we made our way towards Jacksonville and entered a manatee zone.  Sure enough, we spotted manatees!

Then we went into tug and working boat land. At one point, we had a big tug on our front and each side! Holy Shit! It was intimidating to say the least.  They are big, powerful, noisy, and rough beasts.

Once through the working boat area, we passed the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium.

The glory of going down the waterway through a city was finally ours, with big buildings on either side.

Then we saw it, a big bridge with only 38 feet of clearance! This was the main street bridge, the blue bridge.

The Main Street Bridge is closed! How do we get through?

Do we actually ask the main street bridge to open up?

We did a pass looking things over, and decided that after 4 hours, big tugs, cargo ships, and manatees, what the hell.

"Main street bridge, Main street bridge, Main street bridge, this is Sailing Vessel Ariel, Ariel, Ariel over."

After a few particulars, the bridge actually started to open up and all the traffic began to back up.

Main Street Bridge Going Up!

Yes, we were those folks.... those folks whom stop the traffic to let our boat through. :)

Racing under at 5 knots, we then found we were hemmed in!  There was a 5 foot rail road bridge.  Were we to ask for this rail road bridge to open up separately? Oh shit.

Crap! A train has hemmed us in.

Ding! Ding! Ding!  And the low rumble of a train could be heard.  At the moment we had decided to traverse the bridge, a damn train was making its way.

Boxed in, we motored slowly around in front of Jacksonville Landing, between the now closed Main street bridge and the closed train bridge providing a major part of the ambiance.

Train has passed and now the bridge is going up.

The train passed after what seemed like an hour (it was 20 minutes), and the bridge went up!

We were on our way to the marina, to meet Paul ... the dockmaster.  A totally cool guy whom helped us all the way in.

One last bridge to get down to the marina, the Ortega river bridge.  Damn, this one was more narrow than my car, the tide was going out, and the wind was blowing us sideways.

The final bridge, the Ortega River Bridge.

We made it through and docked just fine! We can't thank Paul enough for the help to get in.

Leg 1, Savannah GA to Jacksonville FL complete.  Time to provision, rest, repair, and enjoy Jacksonville Florida for a few days.

Savannah, GA to Jacksonville, FL : Day 7 : Submarines

Kings Bay Navel Submarine Base

One of many patrols to pass us

Leg 1 : Day 7 (22MAR11)

Today was a long day, covering 37 miles in 7 hours.

The most fascinating part was transiting the Kings Bay Navel center, the home of 6 Trident Nuclear submarines.  The area is heavily patrolled and

Our navigation system showing Kings Bay as a security zone.

monitored.  We listened as lots of pleasure craft were hailed by the Navy and Coast Guard folks.  We were never called, and I'd like to think this was because my obvious good captaining (and following every channel rule, no erratic course adjustments, and slow speed).

We also crossed a number of commercial traffic lanes, a first for us. Watching the ferry go back and forth, plus seeing tugs go back and forth was really cool.  We also saw some awesome looking dredgers, with 4 smoke stacks. We were a part of the water way show today, and it felt good.

Great Lakes Dredge And Rock Company Dredging Vessel

As the hours drew long, we decided to find an anchorage just off the ICW, marker 55.  The little place we tucked ourselves into is very very shallow. We are totally taking advantage of our 18 inch draft tonight!  In the water we can hear all sorts of creatures..... ones we've not heard before. They sound like underwater wood peckers. I sure hope they don't eat through the hull.

Tomorrow our plan is to make landfall in Jacksonville Florida.

Savannah, GA to Jacksonville, FL : Day 6 : Land Ho!

Todays workout - see Ariel waaaay back there?

Leg 1 : Day 6 (21MAR11)

Today was a land excursion day, the first day the family has touched
land in 6 days.  Everyone was excited about going to Cumberland island
and exploring.  The plan was for me to take them over in the dinghy
and then for me to return to the boat and wait until 1pm.  At that
time, I was to return to the drop off point and pick them up.
Everything went to plan!

When I dropped off the family, we were near the camp site of those sea
kayakers .... they had stayed the night.  On the way back to the boat,
I decided to bring the dinghy back gondola style.  Standing up like I
was riding a surf board, I took the long oar and slowly worked from
side to side propelling the dinghy and myself half way back to the
boat.  Then I elected to start up the dinghy's engine and enjoy fossil
fuels.  Rendezvousing back with Ariel was nearly perfect.  I had come
up behind Ariel (going into the current) and the dinghy engine cut off
as planned.... I glided to within 3 inches of the grab point!  I just

KJ and her field journal

missed, so as I floated back away, I started the engine back up and made another pass.  Perfect amount of throttle this time as I just drifted into reach of the boat's boarding ladder.

After the girls returned to the boat, I got the run down of the days adventure. I had asked KJ to draw pictures for me of the things she saw.  These were to be drawn in her field book.  I required 1 animal,
1 flower, and 1 building.  From KJ's pictures and her description, my job was to guess, for example, what animal she elected to chronicle.

Working water pump on Cumberland Island

My guess was wrong today, but it was a lot of fun. KJ had highlighted an Armadillo.  I was surprised to learn that those little buggers have made their way onto this island! I remember them making their way
across Texas, but how did they get here?  There are no bridges to this place.  Anyway, today was a good adventure day.

Savannah, GA to Jacksonville, FL : Day 5 : By the Numbers

Is the bridge high enough?

Leg 1 : Day 5 (20MAR11)

26.2 miles covered (a marathon!)
2 bridges
1 catamaran
3 islands
2 sounds
1 horse
7 sea kayakers
12 dolphins
83 pelicans
171 seagulls

It was listed as 65 feet!

On the way over, we crossed under 2 bridges. That was a first for us.
The bridges listed their clearance as 65 feet, and our above water
mast height is 45 feet.  Regardless, it was still one of those pucker
moments as we went under.  Talk about a potential disaster!


Cumberland Island is one of those islands with horses roaming free. We
were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of one of the horses grazing
near the banks.  Quite a treat.

On the look out for horses on Cumberland Island

Tonight we are anchoring up behind Cumberland Island.  The Atlantic is

just on the other side and we can hear its low rumble.  The moon is

full and providing an amazing dark orange glow.

After anchoring for the day, at around 4pm, 7 sea kayaks, with their
pilots in them, slowly paddled by.  I nearly offered them a drink, but
they were doing their own thing.  They pulled their kayaks up on shore
and are spending the night.  Pretty cool for them!

Tomorrow the plan is to stay put for the day and rest.  We need to do
some more schooling with KJ, plus we want to go explore the island
ourselves.

Breakfast was, you guessed it, oatmeal! :) Plus Frosted Flakes.  Lunch
was Asian pasta (e.g. ramien noodles). Dinner was burritos.

Savannah, GA to Jacksonville, FL : Day 4 : Sailing in my underwear

Leg 1 : Day 4 (19MAR11)

After pulling anchor, we headed out of Tom Sawyer land further down
south.  We had to make it through Little Mud River during high tide,
otherwise the depth would have made it possible for us to run aground
(even in our catamaran).

During the transit through Little Mud River, we experienced our first
Ship to Ship hail.  Someone heading northbound asked if we had a
reflector at the top of our mast, or perhaps did we leave the anchor
light on.  A quick check of our circuit panel showed that the anchor
light was off, so we suggested it was just the angle of the light.
This back and forth helped assure us that our radio system works as it
should.

Our intent today was to make it to Altahama river to anchor for the
night, a nice 16 mile boating day (just on the other side of
Buttermilk Sound).  However, we had made such good time through that
we elected to keep going and make it down to Fort Frederica, on the
North end of Saint Simon's island.

At ICW Mile Marker 666, flashing green 229 shows up indicating our
river to the fort.  We went port, around the sand bar, and made it
into the river.  We wound our way back near the fort and anchored up
around 1pm.  The river is muddy making anchoring really nice and easy.
 The current was running pretty strong when we set up.

There are lots of homes along this water way, some are incredible.
Along with homes, of course, come the other boats and we've been
buzzed by many of them.

The big meal today was burritos.  They were fantastic.

I wanted to wear shorts today, but the "clean" shorts are packed way
deep so into underwear mode I went.  I boated for about 2.5 miles
wearing wonderful black underwear.  Very liberating for sure.... and
there really isn't much difference between underwear and shorts other
than how we choose to label it.   As the Coast Guard patrol boat went
by, I was sure my underwearniss was completely obvious as we all waved
as we passed.  Lots of smiles, and looks of awe, from the coast guard
folks. ;)

Savannah, GA to Jacksonville, FL : Day 3 : Tom Sawyer

Leg 1 : Day 3 (18MAR11)

Anchor up at 8:30 without a hitch and off we went down the
Intercoastal Waterway, a water highway that runs from Virginia down to
the Florida Keys and over to New Orleans.

We wove our way down and around numerous marshes, wrecks, and shoals.
At many points it felt like we were on a Tom Sawyer type raft
exploring the little rivers off the mighty Mississippi.

We poked along at around 4.7 knots, covering maybe 5 miles every hour.  The nice
leisurely pace allowed everyone to enjoy the scenery.  There was no
rough water to speak of, and blue skies all day long.  We past a few
boats going the other way, headed North.

At the end of the day, we made our destination of New Kettle Creek.  The
anchor set nicely in the mud, in about 10 feet of water (at low tide).
 We all sat on the deck of the boat and admired the beautiful day.

For showers tonight, we decided to do them on deck at the front of the
boat (rather than in the head).  Each kid went into a bucket and got a
nice refreshing outdoor shower out in the middle of nowhere. Dad did too. :)

Tonight for dinner we are having ham, beans, and macaroni and cheese.
Lunch was hot dogs, and breakfast was Frosted Flakes and Oatmeal
(maple and brown sugar).  Snacks today included an orange, mixed nuts,
and some Pringles chips.