Sharin' with Barefoot & Fatty Knees

A most kissable nose

Deltaville, on the Hard: 22 October 2010

Well, the Motleys are in the Deltaville Boat Yard.  Windjammer is all hauled out and propped up near some big, sheltering pine trees.  Our Cap'n is busy winterising and GS is cleaning & oiling timber - none of it fun!  We are scheduled to fly out in a few days, so this is most definitely the last post of the season.

A real windjammer on (a grey day) Chesapeake

We'll add some photos to the posts when we get home and have a chance to play with this new blog site.  Our tracking site however is still operating here so you can see how many pins we've put into America's East Coast and zoom up close into our anchorages - or perhaps even wave to us in the boat yard. 

Deltaville Boatyard.  WJ3 & our flash bikes

Fair winds & following seas

Moving to the Start Line....

Jackson Creek 30 July 10 (noon)

Puppy Love (Rosie)

Not wishing to overstay in Deltaville (11 weeks now was it??) we packed and positioned ourselves on “the start line”.  Decorated with new solar panels, a newly serviced engine and various other absolutely necessary commodities, WJ3 dropped anchor and some very, very rusty chain in muddy Jackson Creek. 

On anchor at last!

After some social days starting with dinner on board with Greg & Bev, who also have a Hunter 460 & are Aussies too, we were kindly invited to neighbour’s cocktails by Bill and Mary in their Jackson Creek boathouse.  The GS was kindly invited to the Sting Ray Quilters monthly meeting.  The odd bit of prep work was worked in around our social mores and then finally we set about throwing away our dock lines.  Only WJ3 caught us napping and threw a solenoid spanner in the works.  The solenoid belonged to the gas bottle and that meant, horror of all horrors, NO COFFEE….

A Working Deadrise

So we delayed for yet another day.  Meanwhile Hurricane Colin was threatening and predicted to head our way.  Life is never simple. 

(Editorial note:  We are sitting in Starbucks, Staten Island (yes - so close to NYC!) and it's the only internet we've had in a little while.  So you are getting posts now with photos to follow later when we have the luxury of wifi on an anchorage somewhere - anywhere!  Meanwhile I feel like I'm on the set of a Woody Allen movie.)

A Short Message from Boy Wonder

Wanted:  Good Home

G'day Cap'n Speedo,

Yes, happy something birthday. I've lost count after your 50th, so I'll just assume its somewhere around that figure. I will have a beer this evening on your behalf.

How's everything, sailed anywhere yet or are you still pulling the boat apart to find that one rusty bolt that could cause a leak in maybe 15 years?????  Not much here has changed since my last e-mail so i'll let you get back to reading more instruction manuals, and remember, if you need any help, i know everything!!!

Take it easy,  BW

And then I saw it....blurp! blurp!  (recovering a lost mooring )

Giday BW,

Thank you for your birthday wishes and smart a*** comments.  I'll have you know that we simply haven't worked out how to undo the mooring lines - and we're working on it. 

Meanwhile, our solar panel kit arrived today, and we have resorted to paying a fabricator to make the frame work to hold solar panels.  Also today we finally worked out what was wrong with the autopilot and fixed it (with just a  little help from an electronics technician!!!).  We are due to check out of the marina this coming Wednesday, hopefully, solar panel fitting allowing of course.

Jus' Hangin in the Vegie Patch

So there!  Great and significant progress is being made.

Cheers, The Cap'n

PS  Love from Mummy  (who has doubts about achieving our Wednesday departure....) 

PPS  We had a really nice fresh crab feast for my b'day dinner.  You would have really liked it!

On WJ2 in Broken Bay

Happy Birthday also to Tree Boy who really can sail (here's proof) but for the moment prefers trees.

(Names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent. Spelling errors left to incriminate.  Ed). 

A Dog an' a Cob

Heritage Day in Downtown Deltaville 2010

First came a Little Red Engine

We were warned.  A Chesapeake duster** strikes with force late afternoons on the hottest of days.  So too it was that the Deltaville Heritage Day Parade (celebrating 4^th July) swept into town.  Where did all these people come from?  The roads were so busy, we had to have traffic and pedestrian control; State Troopers, Local Sheriffs and even the Coast Guard came. The whole shebang... 

Then we raced a couple of crabs

The day started early with a nautical flea market (Cap’n Frugal bagged a few bargains) before we biked to the Art & Food Market to become involved in the heady atmosphere of Crab Races.  Kids were paired with feisty blue swimmers and given spray bottles of water.  The atmosphere was electric.  And a good few crabs survived although they were not expected to participate in the afternoon's scheduled parade.  (Someone had a steamroom bath already drawn for them.)

Friendly firemen in big red trucks led an advance guard.  Miss Spat and Miss Oyster candidates sat on the back of comfortable convertibles.  Others were towed by their mums in decorated pull-along wagons.  Boys and girls marched and gymnasts leapt about despite the heat.  Clowns posed for happy holiday snaps and buggies, dangerously overloaded with balloons and sweets shared them liberally with little (and big) kids.  Old cars, new cars, enviro cars and bat mobiles edged along Route 33 with unaccustomed reserve.  It still sounded like a tank invasion.

And a Gaitor blowin' bubbles came by

By far the largest representation was from ACCA Shriners, a large troupe of Masons who support children’s hospitals.  Their membership had precision driving teams of go-karts, motor bikes, bright orange clown cars and even bubble blowing 'gators - all worthy of Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances.  These guys take their community support role very seriously but even so manage to enjoy themselves. 

Hey Dad...want one?

After the parade, we headed for the dog and cob stand to try some local fine dining.  The dog cost $1.50 and GS had ketchup.  But where were the onions, hmmm?  The Galley Slave also picked up some farm-fresh peaches and corn for later, then roved an (experienced?) eye over too many garage-sale tables in search of a treasure she could sneak on board. 

Antique Tractors rolled by

We followed the crowd to a baseball game scheduled to “play ball” in a vintage 1940’s ball park shrouded in chicken wire netting pocked with ball impressions.  Don’t sit behind the pitcher!  Cap’n Rowdy showed the reserved locals a thing or two about barracking for your team, a-la rugby style.  I’m not sure Rudy (on the opposition’s team) appreciated being told his mother drives a truck! 

We all love a big old car

Watched a ball game in a 1940's stadium

Despite such fantastic support, the home team, the Delta’s, lost.  After the game, the really old & bolds were paraded out before the crowds for a batting demonstration.  Some of them should have been invited back to play in the home team (especially those who hit balls outside the ground!).

Supported the local team from the bleachers

And finally, waited in the cemetery (in the dark) for fireworks 

Behind the ball park the crowd gathered for 9pm fireworks and were a trifle fidgety.  Fireworks had been delayed by at least an hour while the winning baseball team kept hitting ‘em home.  It wouldn’t have been so bad, except the parking lot/picnic spot for the fireworks was the local cemetery.  “Pull up a pew.  Oh sorry, that’s someone’s gravestone!” 

We rode home in the dark in time to watch the fireworks from our floating home (and to eat real food).  Indeed fireworks erupted around the Creek and all over nearby Gwyn Island.  It was some show.  A celebration of independence; a hazy memory of a war-torn land, and a show of national pride.  Everyone joined in!

**A Chesapeake duster is like our Southerly buster

White Pepper

Life on the Farm

Of course they do other things in Deltaville.  We did look twice at this sign before realising it didn't mean certain death for happy, bouncy little spring lambs.

Sun Dried Tomatoes

Stingray Point Marina

With all that spare time, we’ve managed to bike our way around Deltaville and get to know the environs fairly well.  The village is spread out along a 4 mile stretch of road that starts at the supermarket and ends at Stingray Point (more or less).  Given the area’s maritime history and current recreational boat standing there are several gift shops, two West Marines and lots of boat yards and marinas.  Other boat accessory shops (canvas, sails, surveys, electronics etc) are scattered along the road too.  Even so, the road remains fairly quiet; the feeling is definitely rural with a nautical bent.

Nautical Nostalgia, Deltaville

Chesapeake Bay was known to be explored by the Spanish as early as 1525.  An expedition was launched out of Hispaniola.  (This is now current day Dominican Republic/Haiti but back then it was prospering New World colonies founded by Columbus after his voyages in 1492 & 1493.)  

Captain John Smith, an Englishman, made a thorough survey of the Bay during 1607 to 1609 in search of foods & supplies vital to Jamestown’s survival.  Stingray Point was named by him after he was stung there by a cownose ray.  His life was saved by local Native Americans who administered an antidote.  Smith’s voyage route was declared a National Historic Trail (all water) in 2006.  Unless you own a river punt drawing 2 inches, then forget it! 

Classic Deadrise ready for repair 

The American Revolutionary War did not leave the Chesapeake unscarred.  In 1781, the French Fleet defeated the Royal Navy in the Battle of Chesapeake.  Many towns dotted around the Bay, large & small, have direct links to battles during those war-torn years.  Lush county vistas contradict the military complexity and political preferences that split brothers, families and towns.

Renamed in 1909 from Sandy Bottom, Deltaville now supports a small community of up to 800.  It’s location on the delta between the Rappahannock River to the north and Piankatank River to the South made it the perfect commercial boat building centre.  Many designs were customised to the needs of the local oyster and crab watermen and Deltaville’s most famous is the Deadrise.

F D Crockett

Holly Point Maritime Museum has an interesting exhibition of restored craft including a log bottom buyboat, the F.D. Crockett.  These larger craft plied the bay buying from watermen and getting a fresh catch to market. And yes, these boats were actually crafted from whole logs - an amazing skill.  Our photos do not do them justice. 

Hmmm..... I wonder if we could make a swap?

The museum also has a shallop, Explorer, launched in 2007.  After much research, it was build as a replica of Captain’s Smith’s versatile, open wooden workboat, that had a wooden mast and sails of hemp canvas.  Smith’s original shallop was though to have been transported in the Susan Constant to Jamestown in 1607 with the first colonists.  See our previous post to remind yourself how small this ship really was!!

Likewise, WJ3 is loaded to the gunnels….and there’s only the two of us.  We have a shed load of tools (from a fantastic local hardware store that we now almost own) and our two trusty bikes.

Hope Floats

26th June 2010

Watermelon Summer

Hope Floats……. And so does WJ3!  Ya’all be pleased ta know that WJ3 has splashed.  She is now in a pen at Deltaville Marina for a month.  Yesssireee bob, we’ve moved a grand total of 400 metres – most of it by travel lift.

Well, I know you’re curious.  Remember the planned 2 week "working on the boat and it will all be done before madam arrives” thing?  Well it all fell in a heap beginning with the 2 weeks home alone and continues still, even after 6 weeks of working on the hard in Virginia’s impossible summer heat.  We’re now enjoying daily heatwave conditions varying between 99 to 100F’s mixed up with the odd 104F (40C) days for good measure.  Did I mention the humidity?

Hey!  That's my spot!

Work and modifications continued in sauna conditions up in the yard until “we” made a decision that life would be a wee bit better afloat.  You know – mod cons like refrigeration, aircon (so we can sleep at night), a bath house and even a swimming pool a mere 10 steps away.  Sign me up!  The Cap’n continues with his to-do list and has added a few unplanned extras like solar panels in prep for the big crossing next year.  Why not, indeed?  Things are cheaper, easier to access and we have professionals close at hand if it all turns to you-know-what.  The First Mate continues to direct traffic from either the pool or the air conditioned sailor’s lounge. As you would expect!

Prime Position at Deltaville Marina

We are now into week 2 of our 4 week stay at the marina and WJ3‘s engine is in bits – a major service is underway and the cheque book is in need of a little defibrillation!  Our float plan is also in need of a facelift as summer (in the north) is fading quickly.  Watch this space – we may get as far as Reedville this year!  (Reedville is on the other side of the Rappahannock River – about 30nm or an afternoon’s sail away). 

Yes, it's not a blue moon

It’s just that Windjammer seems to really like it here.   And she wants to stay…

Head First

Down at the Docks

It’s been a little over 3 weeks since we arrived in Deltaville and all I’ve seen of the Captain is ahemmm!… his rear end!  He’s been head first in the bilges, in the engine bay, in the rear lockers, in the water tanks and especially in the head….

The Cap'n tests all his new equipment

Heads, as every landlubber knows are fickle devices - ones that cause embarrassing moments such as not working or blocking up. They’re a likely cause of sinking (stinking too!) the boat or even worse, guaranteed, at their mere mention, to incur the Captain’s wrath.  Here in the US, they are very head conscious and have potty patrols (in stinkboats, ha ha haaaa!!!).  I kid you not!!  You can be waved down, boarded and have your heads checked and tested – making sure that you’re not, sin of sins, pumping overboard. Then you're fined too!  In the interests of sound ecological practices aboard WJ3, we have turfed out our forward cabin head and replaced it with a new COMPOSTING loo.  Yes, that’s right folks, made by sailors for sailors, composting loo.  We have humped aboard a large bag of peat moss for said compost starting agent and….when it’s fully installed, cross our fingers and hope it really works.  And or course, at that time, it will be christened “the turdis”.

Survived another winter...

Enough potty humour for now… WJ3 is well on the way to becoming a spoilt princess as more and more repairs, maintenance or upgrades are completed. Two new sails (Rolly Tasker spinnaker & storm trysail); a series drogue; a wash-down pump (to wash muddy anchors & stop GS swearing – sound carries across water you know!); a cute little crane to lift Bruce’s engine (no more winch grinding now!); a new stereo and assorted electronics including the autopilot, to replace our Titusville frizzled ones and finally, a nice new radar to complete her ensemble. 

It's still a long way to the bath house

Bruce has not been spared beauty treatment either.  He sports new wheels (in a lovely grey to match his sun jacket) and will soon have a boarding ladder fitted.  The GS’s slithering seal impersonations (getting on/off Bruce from the water) inspired this addition.  Why can’t everyone be graceful like skindiving super-chick, Valerie Taylor?

Adds a whole new meaning to "outdoor dunny".
Photos of toilets?  OK, so we're excited to go composting.

From the First Mate’s perspective, nasty mould has been cleaned off woodwork; water tanks have been cleaned out and refilled (twice); a new freezer installed (at last, one that works!); another sewing machine (canvas work not quilting, darn!) has been added to the “fleet” – we have at least one each per boat now; nautical pictures have been hung jauntily on walls, and best of all, new, comfy mattresses installed.  Guests will appreciate the new luxe look in their aft cabin.    

Hooray!  New mattresses thanks to Dennis in Deltaville

This week’s major challenge is to drive (on the correct side of the road) to Richmond to renew our cruising permit… If not then it’s back to the boat to spend the rest of our sailing season growing veggies in our cockpit.  We’ll have lots of compost, you see.  Yes, the Captain actually convinced a local that’s what we were going to do with it…. 

End of the Trail

Yorktown to Deltaville: 13 Sep 09

The Motleys celebrated their last night in YRYH marina’s Crab Deck with friends Tim, Sherrie, Timothy and Sarah.  Chesapeake is famous for its crabs and we were not disappointed. After a casual & late Sunday start, WJ3’s engine was warmed up and off we went - the long and circuitous route to Deltaville (remember those shallow patches and ships channels?).

YRYH Marina up Sarah Creek

The weather was somewhat kinder; sails were set and we had lots of company.  Yes folks, people sail in this neck of the woods.  There’s the usual gin palaces though, for getting from one marina & restaurant to another in a hurry, but it was good to see so much sail & keel action happening.  The Chesapeake is quite wide at this point.  You can’t see one side from the other and certainly couldn’t get too close to land anyway - one of the disadvantages of shallow water cruising.  We knew however, from our Yorktown wanderings, that Virginia is very pretty.  Deltaville did not disappoint us.  A nice quiet little anchorage up a scenic creek overlooking a marina and WJ3’s new home. 

First Sighting of  Deltaville Marina

WJ3 has to be “winterized”, prepared for her cool climate boatyard, so we are now busy taking down sails, cleaning and changing oils etc – the not-so-fun stuff.  I’m sure the Cap’n will soon start his own boats & bobs blitherings (on our Hunter460 link) for all you people interested in the more technical aspects of boating….  Come on…there’s got to be at least one of you?

Wolf Trap

From this point on, Motleys are spending a week cleaning up and then setting off for New York – sure hope our friend there likes to see lots & lots of photos…..  Anyway, this will be our last post of the season, until we get home at least.  The Motleys gratefully thank all family & friends who have endured all our posts (& many photos) and have not been too upset when we haven’t sent timely replies to your emails.  Ah, the relentless quest for wifi…   It has been fun to have you along for the ride, so as to speak!  We’ve finally decided to come back next May to cruise further north, perhaps up as far Canada to do a little bear & moose trackin’.  While we’re so close, then why ever not?  Perhaps give us time for a few more chin ups in preparation for that Atlantic crossing the year after…

From: Yorktown, VA  Lat/Long: 37 14N  76 30W  Date/Time: 13/9/09: 1300

To: Deltaville, VA  Lat/Long: 37 32N  76 19W Date/Time: 13/9/09: 1845
Time Taken: 36nm (6hrs)  Distance (this year): 2791nm (521hrs)
Distance Total (since 2008): 3640nm  (699hrs)   Fastest Speed: 7kts**
Weather: Winds NE 5-10kts; Seas 1-2ft; an assisting incoming tide
(** Mostly motoring with a little sail at times; avg 5-6kts)