November Adventure to St. Michaels

We decided to go to St. Michaels with two other Ranger tugs, LONE STAR RANGER and SHARED DREAMS, for Oyster Fest and the launching of ROSIE PARKS (Chesapeake Bay dredger originally built in the 50's and just restored). The weather on Friday postponed our departure until Saturday morning. We left the West River at 7 AM and did a fast convoy at 14 knots across the Bay.

SHARED DREAMS at head,
LONE STAR RANGER in the middle
and NUDGE bringing up the rear.

This was the first flying of the Chesapeake Bay Ranger Fleet burgee, soon to be a collectors' item.

St. Michaels was crowded with oyster revelers. From our berth right off Navy Point at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, we watched a Chesapeake Bay Retriever demonstration. Chelsea Seadog watched as well, but she wasn't as impressed as we were. We had dinner with our group at Ava's but we kept a weather eye on a rapidly approaching cold front. We decided that we'd better get back across the Bay first thing on Sunday morning.

Sunday morning, we woke up to NE winds at 15-18 knots. We knew it would be a blustery transit back home. And it was. We couldn't really get good pictures because we were bouncing rather dramatically (we're going to install seatbelts). Seas were close together and steep with lots of white caps made blindingly brilliant by the sun. There were occasional groups of three 5' tall waves and so close together that when we went over the first one, we dropped to the bottom of the next, plowed through and got totally covered with water. 

Valentine and Chelsea were not amused. We put them in our stateroom and closed them in to keep them from bouncing all over the cabin. They didn't whimper or cry (or barf) but it was clear that they were concocting a scheme to find a new home with owners who were not crazy.

And video!

Cruise to St. Michaels MD

Ben came down from Boston for a visit and we were able to do an overnight cruise to St. Michaels. Nudge found her way across the Bay with ease – outside of a few fishing boats, we saw only four pleasure boats. We practically had the whole Bay to ourselves. We berthed at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. There were only three other boats on our dock and we were in an easy access slip against a 20’ wide grass bulkhead – perfect for the dogs. The Museum Marina was quiet in the extreme. The heaviest traffic was one local fisherman tending his trotlines.

Ben honed his navigation skills, helmsmanship and line handling. Valentine was her usual laid back self and Chelsea Seadog provided the comic relief. As we were berthing and line handling, Chelsea seized upon the opportunity to explore beyond the open, unattended pilothouse door, navigated an 8” wide side deck between the pilothouse and the edge of the hull and hopped onto the foredeck. We were able to re-secure her before any acrobatics off the boat occurred. While we fueled at the St. Michaels Marina the following morning, Cathy and Valentine took a relief walk, leaving Chelsea aboard. While Fred was fueling, Chelsea decided to repeatedly test the horn, running lights and anchor light. Fortunately, the dock master thought it was hilarious.

The transit back to homeport was calm under grey skies. Occasional drizzles made us appreciate being in a powerboat under cover rather than in an open sailboat cockpit. We passed two sailboats and again had the feeling that the Bay was all ours.

Ben and Valentine

Fred and Ben underway

Fred concentrating at the helm (autopilot!)

Fred napping in the cabin with Chelsea as eyeshade

Fred and Chelsea at rest in the cockpit

Nudge berthed at the Museum

Worth the Wait!!!

We've waited since March to get our canvas (window and screen) enclosures and it was totally worth the wait. Donnie Gioia, Jr of Gioia Sails (http://gioiasails.com) did a masterful job. We'll be able to extend our season into the cold and wet and we'll resist the Chesapeake Bay bugs!

Bench Cushions Done!

We love them! The cushions will be stored while we're under way, but the benches can stay in place. Very happy with the modification. The benches can be easily removed if we want access to the swim platform.

Starboard Bench Cushion in place!

Fred's first major cushion project is a success!! Port cushion is under construction.

The cushion is open cell foam to allow rapid drainage. The fabric is Phifertex, a heavy, open weave, breathable fabric. To quote Fred, "...and a bitch to sew."

Fred as Bos'n Mate

Prepping the fabric for new cockpit bench cushions

Making the Zipper plaques - yea Sailrite machine!

Zipper Details

Chelsea Seadog Onboard

Chelsea Not Posing!

Cockpit Modification

We decided that we needed seating in the cockpit without the addition of chairs to stow. We also wanted an easier way for the dogs to board and a place to put things while at the dock or at anchor. These benches rest on cleats made of starboard and are easily removeable by one quick-release pin. There's space underneath to store PDFs while underway. Fred's next project is the custom fit cushions held in place by dot snaps. Photos to follow when that project is completed!

Underside with battens to stiffen the seat

The plywood is AA birch 1/2"

Edge (red oak) holds cushions and also acts to stiffen the bench

Two coats West System epoxy to seal the plywood, 

then Marine White paint with non skid added to the top coat

TA-DA!

Nudge and Lone Star Ranger convoying to the Rendezvous

First Outing May 31 2013

Our first overnight shakedown cruise was to Oxford MD 
for the 

2nd Annual Chesapeake Ranger Rendezvous.

Here are Nudge and friends - there were 20+ tugs there!

First photo of all of us aboard

Chelsea Seadog immediately found her underway spot.

The only challenge was finding a place for Fred to sleep...

Nudge is finally at home!

Here's what 17 knots looks like on her transit to her new home.

And here she is in her covered slip at Shady Oaks Marina. 

Beside her is Shared Dream, another Ranger 29.

Our burgee arrived in time for the transit!

Fred's Canvas Adventures

While waiting for the dinghy lift, Bos'n Fred has been hard at work. This is a custom fit navigator's kit that holds a nautical chart book and plotting equipment. It's on the back of the Pilot's chair.

The Dinghy Lift

Nudge arrived on the East Coast without the Pacer lift. It had to be trucked from Seattle and then we waited for proper installation weather. It's done! This allows the dinghy to be stored on the cabin top instead of on the swim platform. It can also be used to heft recalcitrant dogs out of the water.

She Floats!!!

Nudge was splashed on Friday after her bottom paint was dry!! There's still more dealer prep to do, testing all her systems etc. But it's getting closer by the minute

Nudge was surging against her mooring lines in a stiff breeze and seemed eager to go!