Fleece......Flannel........who needs those stinkin' things? We are warm again!

Its been a couple of weeks and we have tried to be very productive during that time.  Productive being defined as moving the heck out of the cold and into warm weather!  Are we swimming yet?  NO...but shorts are back on and we haven't had to use the heaters for a while.

To recap.......

After we left the upper portion of the ICW we high-tailed it to Renate & Reiner's home for a couple of days.  Nati got to show off her new decor and the four of us had a lot of laughs.  It's not often that you become friends with people that sold you a boat but we have now done that for almost 4 years!  Time is really flying by......

The old south

which way to we go?

you  think we have high water today?

the dock is almost gone!

No diving at low tide

Sunrise over the Atlantic

With that completed we motored down Adams Creek, said hi to Duff as we passed by his home and then shot out Beaufort Channel and into the Atlantic.  It sure felt good to be away from land, buoys, other boats and all the other things that the ICW gives to you.  The sailing wasn't too good but we still put 266nm under Nati's bottom and had two good nights with a full moon.  We came back inside at Charleston, SC and continued down on the inside.  The anchorages we have been to have been really nice and right now we are a mile or so north of Isle of Hope Marina where we will go tomorrow to meet up with friends, Mark & Monika for Halloween.  Oh boy.......Savannah for the witching hour.......it should be lots of fun!

Super Moon in Factory Creek

We are still cold so we aren't stopping to enjoy!

October 13, 2015 is the date we departed Annapolis to head south .  Because of the weather we decided to attend this year's Boat Show.  We picked up a couple of things we ordered but can't say we saw any boats that would make us move away from Nati.  Now if a million bucks wasn't an issue......well, that is just something we don't need to bother with.

Sunrise in Annapolis

We really wanted to have a favorable weather window to turn the bows south but it wasn't to be.  Between rain, cold weather and current, we took the current and dropped the mooring.  Even though we left in mid morning we still made Solomon's Island for the night.  From there we made another long day to Deltaville and then on to Norfolk.  Because of work being done on the RR bridge we decided to go all the way to the entrance of the Deep Creek Lock so we can make the 0830 lift in the morning.

Heading out of Solomon's Island

Sunset at Deep Creek Lock

Locking was done with no issue and we made it to one of our favorite anchorages at Goat Island.  Nice and quiet with a couple of other vessels.  From there we wend down to Alligator River Marina to plug in (I said it was cold!) and then we had a run down the Alligator/Pungo Canal and into Oriental for a couple of days.

Heading into the lock in the morning

Making our way down the Elizabeth River (trail through the duck weed)

Right now we are having some laughs with Reiner & Renate at their home.  We talk about Nati and their boat, going on trips to Cuba and all sorts of things.  From here we hope to high-tail it on the outside to Savannah.  We are keeping our fingers crossed to have a fine weekend for following seas all the way down the coast.

Back in the Chesapeake after almost 2 months!

Last Thursday we were launched Nati back into the water.  Of course hurricane Joaquin decided to make a name for himself and for a short while it looked like we were going to be right in the way.  Thanks to the low that is hanging just off the coast, the storm took an exit stage right and we are out of harms way for the time being.  We always say that we'll take out luck on the water.....

We had a very long project list while on the "hard".  It included:

• Rebuilt engine injectors
• cleaned heat exchangers
• new seals in the lower sail drives
• 4 coats of polish and wax
• soda blasted the hulls taking all bottom paint off (Choptank Soda Blasting ..... great job!)
• 4 coats of Interprotect epoxy barrier coat
• 4 coats of bottom paint
• interior completely cleaned and updated paint
• floors cleaned of all glue
• new digital TV antenna
• new chart plotter
• rebuilt 1 alternator
• all interior Corian polished to a matte finish
• head hoses cleaned and rebuilt
• canvas cleaned, polished and waterproofed
• new boot stripe
• the list just went on and on and on!!!!!

You get the drift.........LOTS of work!

What mess?!?!

taping the whole cabin!

both new tanks are lighter than one old one

direct USB power plug

Once wet again meant we were out of the "sand pit" so it was time for Nati to get some new flooring. Anne worked with Diana & George from Carriage House Canvas and came up with some terrific ideas and you can see the results.  Nati has been catapulted into the 21st century!

main cabin .....before

With new flooring

a close up

hulls before......

with new carpeting

cockpit before......

with new flooring

much more comfortable

Flooring and driving cushion

Nati is set and ready to go!!!!!  Thanks to all the folks at Worton Creek Marina!

Heading for the water

And now..........almost time to get wet again!!

This morning we are getting packed and into the rental car to finish up our trip north to see Teagan & family.  We had a great time and just give"T" one more hug and kiss as she caught the bus to school.  We can't believe she is already in 1st grade......time goes too fast.  Also, BS&T are proud owners of a new boat for next year!  Yes, Teagan has already named it!!!!!!!

The O'Connor family with SHARKTOOTH WEDGIE!

"T" and friends at the parade

But we will be back at Worton Creek tonight and we'll prepare Nati for the last few days on the "hard".  As we predicted we have been working (almost nonstop) on her for 6 + weeks and we have been able to do a whole list of projects.  Most were on our list but we even had a few items come up that are now behind us.  I won't get into them on this post and will save them for the wrap-up on the next post.  All we know is that we are really ready to get into the water and begin our fall trek.

Besides all the work on Nati we have also been able to spend time with Amy & Evan.  He is getting bigger by the hour and is now off to Pre-K 1.  We expect him to be running for class president at any time!

"E" is off to school

Next was a good few days at Binnacle Island with Bob, Steph and Teagan.  We didn't have the crowds like we have had in the past but we had a great time.  The food was great, the weather behaved and swimming was part of each day.  It also gave us a chance to see Tom, Sue and Erika on s/v Ambassador, Larry & Carol on s/v Coral Wave and the Chief and "Jackson" showed up with food and drink.

As mentioned above, we have been really working on Nati.......



Both on the inside and out.....we can't wait to get out of the "sand pit" in order to get her vacuumed out one more time.  Just wait until we finish her off.....she will look great!!  In the meantime here are a few pictures of what we have been up to.

Injectors rebuilt

New anchor gypsy

rebuilt alternator

repair escape hatch

Nati soda blasted bottom

Anne's workout tools

The hull is shining

Dick painting in "dick crick:

"only a few more coast of paint!"

The Internet and phone coverage on the east shore of the Chesapeake is horrible.  That's one reason for the delay in posting but the real issue is that from morning till the whistle blows we are flat out working away.  It will be fun when we can take more that one day off......

NO…..we have not disappeared!

We know we haven't been keeping weekly updates but haul out has us working all day long and at the night we only have Internet near the marina office and the bugs will carry you away.  So………so sorry!

Right now we are wrapping up bottom painting and many other projects.  Perhaps this weekend some time can be allocated to doing an update but in the meantime …….back to work!

s/v Nati

The Chesapeake 2015

This summer is proving to be a rather fast one as it is already the later part of July and haul-out is less than 2 weeks away.  We have decided to stay out of the water for 4-6 weeks this year and do a lot of projects that should be done.  If and that is if, we can make it further south this coming winter then Nati will be shipshape.

To back up we had a good trip up the Chesapeake this summer.  We had two good sails of greater than 60 nm and that got us up to Tighlman Island.  Along the way we stopped at Mill Creek (a favorite of ours) and then a new harbor just north of Knapp's Narrows.  Both proved to be excellent and we even found an old Waterman hangout, Lowe's Warf.  It is also a weekend party joint but we had a good light dinner and a couple of cocktails, just to make sure all was well…..

Fishing boat heading into Reedville

Going through Knapp's Narrows

Mr Turtle

Since we shave been around Annapolis we have anchored in the Magothy, sailed up to Worton Creek and for the last few days we have been hanging out in either Back Creek or Spa Creek.  Right now it just feels good not moving and relaxing.

Oh look who is in town!

sv Woodwind also….

Woodwind under sail….very nice!

Keeping cool in the Severn River

Happy campers……

Last night was "beer can" racing in Annapolis.  We had the best seats in the house, so long as you didn't mind sharing the water in front of the Navel Academy with 100+ boats!  Was lots of fun to watch from the swim platform on Nati.

Heading out to the race course

Some of the spectators

Going to finish

All ages for "crew"

Sailing right through the mooring field

Right past Nati's bow

As mentioned haul-out is coming down the road.  We will try to keep track of the work but we'll be somewhat slow with updates as when we go to the east shore, Internet is not the best.  Time will tell…..

And another perfect sunset!