Where there's a will there's a way

I found this interesting article about a sailor, Martijn Dijkstra, from Holland. I found it very inspirational because he is cruising on what appears to be little money, a lot of hard work and ingenuity. 

http://towndock.net/shippingnews/prinses-mia

Princes Mia in Oriental, NC
(photo from Towndock.net)

Very good article that touched on his cruising philosophy and how he handles problems with little money.

Great read on another wet, windy and miserable day here in southern Virginia

Changes

Just got back from a workout in the park with Crystal, temperature was a beautiful 70 degrees today. 

Now it looks like we're in for some gale force winds and rapidly dropping temperatures overnight. The temps will be in the 30's within 24hrs....

So goes the weather in southeast Virginia.

Go with what you have- An Alberg 30

If you don't know by now, all boats are a compromise. Some shine at certain things and fall short on others. There is always a great debate on which boat is right for this or that. There are many opinions on the subject; just look at any internet forum. My best advice is go with what makes you feel safe, secure and comfortable. But opinions are like assholes: Everyone has one...and they usually stink. 

That being said, I am a firm believer that you should go cruising or sailing with what you can afford. I also believe in go-small-go-now; hence, my reason for buying the trusty old Alberg 30. She is slow, with a primitive inside cabin but I'm confident that she has been there/done that. If I had the money would I have a different boat but it would probably just be a larger version of the same old slow, primitive boat. I love the look of older classic sailboats, and most importantly I get that warm fuzzy inside when sailing with a full keel boat.

I have attached a link to a video of Matt Rutherford where he talks about his circumnavigation of the Americas. In the video he talks about preparing, sailing and traveling on a small 27ft classic sailboat. He says go with what you have or you'll never go. I agree

Link to video

My first sailboat- O'Day Daysailor II

Here is the O'day Daysailor II I learned to sail on 25yrs ago. I had many great sails on her. This is where she is today, hopefully someday she will return to the water once again!

Great sail yesterday

Finally got of the dock yesterday. It was a great day for a sail. Outside temps were mid to upper 60's and wind was out of the west south west at steady 17knots with gusts to 20-23knots. It made the bay a bit rough but nothing too terrible. Here a few shots from the GoPro from the day.

A bit choppy on the Chessie yesterday...these are the conditions Sal likes best!

Is the camera on? yep seems so

First mate a bit over dressed for the occasion

reefed main and working jib seemed about right yesterday for a nice day sail

Putting things back where they belong after a good day out on the water

Classic Trawlers/Power Yachts

 Classic and beautiful yacht

 Holy varnish work, absolutely beautiful!

 Coastal Queen

1914 originally steam powered now has a diesel and in need of restoration named Strathbelle

While I am a sailor at heart and hate using/paying for fuel, I have to say I love these classic yachts. I am sure they are lots of work and cost a pretty penny to maintain, but they are extremely easy on the eyes.

I'd like to take a trip down the intracoastal on anyone of them!

no title necessary

This is how I feel most days... especially when I'm not sailing!

Congratulations to my first mate!

 Congratulations on your graduation of 200hr Yoga Instructor training. I am very proud of your hard work and dedication to your practice! One step closer to going cruising!

 Crystal and her instructors AJ and C'Mae

Funny!

10th Anniversary: Part 1

        I would like to start out by telling you all how lucky I am to find the woman of my dreams. For the last 16 years she has been my best friend and not a day goes by that she does not  make me smile and enjoy her company. 

For months we had been talking about how we wanted to spend our 10th wedding anniversary. I really wanted to spend it sailing the Chesapeake on our Sal. For those that don't know, my First Mate and I met on a boat, got married on a boat, and both love being on a boat. It seemed fitting to me that our 10th anniversary be spent on a boat; this time it would be our own boat, our Sal. Unfortunately, Sal was really not quite ready to go. Her v-berth has been in a construction state for...well...way too long. I am sad to report it is still that way today (updates on this later). After much debate and a few direct commands from the First Mate we decided on a road trip to Cape Cod. We had talked about going there earlier in the year to visit the newest additions to my family but just couldn't iron out any solid plans. If you love boats and the ocean but are forced to be land-bound, there's no better place than Cape Cod. Now we had a destination that was meaningful to us.

We headed off on our trip on the actual day of our anniversary. First we were going to spend a few days at Yogaville, a special yoga community and ashram, for Crystal to take part in her teacher training. We drove out west to the ashram in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the James River. It is beautiful there. When we arrived we set up our tent and had a nice relaxing evening. The next morning we woke up before the sun and headed to the top of Mt. Kailash to look out over the river valley and hills.

 Premium sunrise viewing spot for sure. A misty pale morning.

"I think Cape Cod is that way....yea...I'm sure of it."

Looking down at the Lotus Temple

On the James River during our hike

After our trek to the top of the mountain we went hiking for a good 2 hours along the James River, then went for a late breakfast of coffee and freshly baked goodies at Mandala, the small cafe there. It was just about then that Crystal's yoga classmates showed up. They were here as a group to further study some of the spiritual points of yoga. When they all headed off to practice I went down to the campsite to set up my portable amateur radio station and spent some time listening to the airwaves and trying to make radio contacts. After a few hours Crystal and her friends returned and we enjoyed the rest of our day together. The next morning we woke up early and broke down the tent. We were both very eager to hit the road and get to Massachusetts for the rest of our anniversary adventure.