In late January, we left a cold and snowy Amsterdam to make another return trip to Seattle. While there we spent time at the Seattle Boat Show and attended our first Nordhavn Owner’s gathering since leaving Seattle in 2012. During the evening, PAE president Dan Streech presented us with two special pennants: one for having…
Tag Archives | trawler
Niagara Falls Day Trip
During your visit to Toronto it’s worth the trip Niagara Falls just to see these majestic falls – which ranks as one of the top 10 most visited attractions in the world. Although they are not the world’s highest falls, they … Continue reading →
Toronto Bicycle Tours
We are pleased to partner with Pedal Toronto to offer our guests Small Group Tours of 2 to 4 cyclists to explore Toronto’s neighborhoods and islands with an experienced guided tour to feed your soul with urban and natural beauty … Continue reading →
Barriers
Ever since Dora’s first docking adventure Red Head has been outfitted with an increasing array of barries. She’s been nicknamed Houdini as she finds new ways to get where she wants to go.
Her dad created a platform to assist getting the dogs from the boat to the fixed dock at various tides here in the Bahamas. Incorporated is a barrier to keep them from attempting a getaway – actually, to keep Dora from escaping.
A 100+ foot yacht pulled in beside Red Head this weekend. There were several young crewmembers who spoiled the Red Head crew. They were preparing to leave just as the crew returned from the beach. As Dee Dee was being rinsed, there was a commotion on the dock. Dora had escaped and was running around on the yacht. As no one saw the actual escape, we assume Dora crawled under the ramp and unto the dock.
So now there is a new barrier…
AIS For Our Tender
The Marine Automatic Identification System is a simple yet effective means of reducing the risk of collision at sea. These systems work on a reserved VHF frequency and each boat using the system has an AIS transceiver on board that transmits the vessel’s position, speed, and course, and other data including the vessel size and…
A Change
This morning Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora did something a little bit different. They hung a right out of the marina and went to Bardot Beach. It’s a small rocky beach a bit closer to the marina. It is also on the leeward side of the island so the waves were quite small. Dora even ventured further in and swam once or twice.
Of course, Dora also went on a little adventure up the cliffs. Maybe she is named after Dora the Explorer.
Dylan was happy to settle in with a coconut. Where will the crew head to tomorrow morning? You’ll just have to wait and see.
Steelhead Wireless Remote
We’ve had three pendants fail on our Steelhead Marine crane over the last 9 years. The proportional switch proximity sensor is very fragile but there are other failure points as well. These pendants cost just under $1000 each, so we really needed a longer lasting and more economical solution. Steelhead does sell a remote-control for this crane,…
Is That Fair?
Dee Dee is the one who does the heavy lifting every morning at the beach here in Great Harbour Cay. She braves the waves to retrieve the bumper.
Dylan and Dora wait to ambush Dee Dee when she gets back to shore.
There’s a little tussle which usually ends with Dora getting the bumper. Dee Dee is tired, after all, from her swim. Unfair, you might say. Not really, Dee Dee just loves to be out there swimming!
Picking It Back Up
Nope — haven’t written anything in a while, haven’t taken any pics to speak of either, however, we’ve made the best of our time. Christmas in Jupiter was great; much better weather than Christmas in Memphis, and it was cool hangin’ out on the boat up in Georgia. Mel’s been hankering for some fall weather and Brunswick/St Simons did serve that up from time to time.
St Simons Sound Sunset
We rode out the thankfully benign hurricane season at Brunswick Landing then moved over to St Simons Island and Morningstar Marina for their view and breeze. We like spending time in Glynn County, the local culture is comfortable and the local restaurants are good— especially after Labor Day.
Maggie Mae’s downtown Brunswick serves a blue-ribbon country style breakfast and the service is sincerely old school southern. Fox’s Pizza is good too, but never pass up Willy’s Wee-Nee Wagon and their Pork Chop Sandwich. It’s in the hood which gives it authenticity and street cred. (Some cruisers we spoke with scoffed at Willy’s but if you’re into geniune cultural experiences, you’ve got to go to Willy’s Wee-Nee Wagon.) Out on the island is Southern Soul BBQ and it’s truly fine. At the marina is Coastal Kitchen serving their version of Shrimp and Grits. The Half Shell, Halyards, Barbara Jeans, and Benny’s Red Barn – All Good!
Though it’s 350 miles up the boring and sometimes treacherous I-95, we made the trip several times a month to check on the boat and boater buddies. It was a nice break from S Florida’s summer heat.
We took advantage of our time in Brunswick/St Simons and made a few interior changes. Nothing major but the slight update made a surprising difference.
The ladies at Overall Upholstery on the island did a good job of recovering our Salon bar stools.
We considered home-porting Istaboa at Morningstar Marina, and she will probably soon return, but several maintenance jobs are needed and it’s great place to stay if we decide to take on the house project in Jupiter, so we picked a good day and started the milk run back south.
Last year on our trip north we ran outside in the ocean. This year on the way back down we took the slower more complicated route and stopped at several marinas to take care of a little business. A layover in St Augustine followed by a short run and a few days stay at Palm Coast Marina. (We really like little Palm Coast Marina, Rosey, the Harbormaster, is a kind person and a pleasure to be around. We watched the NFL playoffs there.)
Then with the purpose of finding warmer weather we pushed rather quickly to Daytona and Cocoa Village.
Leaving Cocoa was somewhat exciting. As was predicted, a nasty weather front was pushing through and in the blink of an eye a nice day turned into a raging storm.
Off to the west we watched the blow heading our way with a vengeance, soon dark skies covered us and blacked out all sunlight, the wind was crazy, and it was raining sideways; on board, our instruments were indicating gusts of 50+. Luckily we were in a wide area of the ICW and our electronics were working as they should — for an hour or so we couldn’t see much more than the bow of the boat but with an eye on the radar and chartplotter we slowly followed our old track lines. Then as quickly as it started, the storm passed and the sun came back out, though the harsh northwest wind remained all day.
Next up was Harbour Isle Marina – Ft Pierce, a quick bite at Chucks Seafood, and the following morning we cast off for home, Old Port Cove.
All in all, a nice, comfortable little run. Istaboa seemed to enjoy it, she hummed along, never missing a beat. It was a pleasure to be aboard, cocooned in her warm dry wheelhouse, during the bad weather we encountered leaving Cocoa Village. She heeled a bit during the big gusts but nothing more.
So now we’re home, Istaboa’s tied up at OPC, we’re diggin’ the Jupiter weather, happy, and as far as we know, healthy.
Boat Projects
A new venturi windshield, new lifelines, new dock lines, and a new spare anchor rode hatch. I feel carpet will be replaced soon and there’s a bottom job in our future.
Over the years, we’ve found that Istaboa treats us like we treat her – She’s been kind to us so we reciprocate.
Good Music
On long beach walks, a favorite diversion, this guy has been in my ears lately. Michael Franti. Very positive, very kind, a good mash-up of reggae/jazz/funk/folk and hip-hop.
Feel good music with a cause.
Cut from Wikipedia
Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock. He is also an outspoken supporter for a wide spectrum of peace and social justice issues.
Worth a listen
So what’s next for Crew Istaboa? We’re not sure yet… surprised? After finishing a couple more boat projects, we sense a good stiff boat trip is in our future. In the meantime though… we’re content.
Good beach, good music, good food, life’s good.
Cheers,
Nordhavn 57-26 Istaboa
