Winter Haul Out 2015

     Taking our baby out of the water for the winter.  We have lots of work to do before we splash her next spring.

Newport Marina October 10-12, 2015

October 10, 2015

     We left our slip at 10:05 with hours at 3174.34.  We cruised to Newport and stayed at the Newport Marina.  It was off season and we got a good deal.  We cruised with Manny and Joanne and their boat Moving Up.  We got to Newport Marina at 12:05 with hours at 3176.47.

     Even though it was off season Newport was still crowded.  There was a different cruise ship in port every morning with thousands of tourists.  The weather was great and we had a great time. 

October 12, 2015

     We returned to Brewer on Monday morning.  We left at 11:25 and got home at 1:40.  Hours went from 3176.47 to 3178.94


                                              Our boat at Newport Marina, Newport RI
                                              Smallest boat in the marina at 39'

Cruise with Stacy, Frank, Ted, & Mary September 12,2015

September 12, 2015

     We left port at 11:00 with engine hours at 3170.9.  We cruised with Stacy and Frank Stubbs. and Ted and Mary Leblanc.  We cruised to NEB for lunch at Mellville’s.  We went south of Prudence Island on the way over and North on the way back.   When I called for a slip they put me next to a $700,000 brand new 48 Defever.  We put all of our fenders on that side and slowly made it into the slip with no problems.

     We returned to our slip at 4:15 with the hours at 3174.3


                                                Frank and Mary

                                            Nice seas during our cruise of Narragansett Bay

                                                                Stacy and Ted

Lunch at Melville's September 6, 2015

September 6, 2015

We left port at 1300hrs for a cruise to NEB and lunch at Melville’s.  Engine hours were 3167.5 and we were operating on the port tank only.  We were accompanied by Barry and Suzanne Shapiro and their dog Lucy.

The seas were a little rough and the wind was about 15kn out of the south.  We cruised around the north end of Prudence Island and down the east side of the island to get out of the wind.   It worked as things settled down.  We called NEB on the phone and they gave us a slip assignment while we had lunch.  It was a double slip and we had it all to ourselves.  This was good because I used all of the slip to dock.

Lunch at Melville’s was good.  This was our second time there.  The food and service are good.  We sat on the deck with a view of the marina.  I had the Cajun fish and chips which were good but not great.  Elaine had the fish tacos which were very good.

After lunch we walked the docks and looked at some of the big expensive boats.

The ride back was smooth along the east side of Prudence Island.  However, when we made the turn around the north side of the island and headed south we were hit with an outgoing current pushing against the south wind.  The passage between Warwick Point and Patience Island is narrow and is usually busy with boat traffic.  Throw in the current and wind and it was quite a washing machine.  Our boat tends to get rolly and it did.  We turned west to head for home and it was a little rough for another mile before smoothing out.

We arrived back in our slip at about 1810hrs.  Engine hours read 3170.9.  About an hour after we got back the wind died right down.

Diesel fuel fill up at Brewer Greenwich bay September 5,2015

September 5, 2015

            We left port at about 1050hrs.  Engine hours read 3164.3. 

            Elaine and I were headed over to Brewer’s East yard in Warwick Cove to get diesel fuel for our port tank.  It was about a 45 minute ride over to the fuel dock.  It is a well marked channel but is a little narrow and twisty in some places.  It was a Saturday morning and there was a lot of boat traffic.  As we were entering the channel the harbor master motioned for us to slow down.  We were careening through the water at almost 6kn so I slowed down to about 4.5kn to make him happy.  I was about to slow down anyway as this was where the channel makes an S-turn.

            We got to the fuel dock and only had to wait for one boat to finish up.  We got in and out with no problems and fueled up with no problems.  The fuel dock is two slips on an outside dock right on the channel.  We made extra sure that we were putting diesel into our tank.  We put 65 gal. into our port tank and with our Brewer discount it was only $170.

            It was such a nice day that we decided to cruise around for a bit.  We rounded Warwick Point and headed up the Providence River for a while.  We went up to about Nayatt Point and then circled around the bay toward Bristol Heights and then back home.

            The seas were smooth, 1ft or less, and the wind was light out of the southeast at

 5-10 mph.  Weather was sunny with blue skies and about 75-80 degrees.  It was like cruising on a big lake. 

            We were tucked back safely in out slip by 1400hrs. with the engine hours reading 3167.4.

Cruise to Jamestown bridge August 29, 2015

August 29, 2015

            We left port at about 1315hrs.  Engine hours read 3160.7.

            Elaine and I were just going out for a little boat ride, no special destination in mind.  We cruised through Greenwich bay and turned south toward the Jamestown Bridge.  We cruised past the west side of Hope Island and the west side of  Conanicut Island before turning around just before the bridge. 

            The weather was beautiful and the seas were calm and the winds light out of the south.  We cruised along listening to Island music and watching boats.

            After we turned north and passed the northern tip of Conanicut Island we noticed a nice sailboat healed over with several people up on the starboard rail.  We joked about how they did not look quite as comfortable as we were.  We then noticed that the sailboat looked familiar and as it got closer we saw that it was URSA.  We then noticed that two of the uncomfortable looking sailors on the rail were Mike and Cheryl Marrone.  We waved and they saw us and waved back.  They were just finishing a race in Wickford.

     As we were approaching our marina we decided to go over to the North Yard to get some fuel for our port tank.  When we got to the fuel dock we told the Brewer attendant that we only needed about 50 gal. of diesel for our port tank.  The attendant handed me a nozzle.  I told him that it was a much smaller nozzle than the last time I put diesel in the boat.  I started to slowly put fuel into the tank and we were joking with the attendant about the last time we fueled the boat when we had a little diesel back flow and I got soaked with diesel.  The attendant then said “I gave you gas, we don’t have diesel here”.

            We had mistakenly put 16gal of gas in our diesel tank.  I shut all of the fuel valves from both tanks to the fuel filter and both return valves.  Luckily the engine was not running.  The attendant called his service manager to explain the problem.  They wanted to have us leave the boat there, a Saturday, and they would take care of it on Monday when the yard opened.  We really did not like this option.  Adam and Tom from the south yard graciously volunteered to tow us back to our slip. 

            We got back to our slip, bow in, with the engine hours at 6163.7.

            The south yard service manager, Mike, short hauled and pumped out the port tank on Tuesday and we were back in the water and operational.

            It was a very good day up until the little miscommunication.  We learned yet another valuable lesson.  I guarantee that we will never again put gas in our diesel tanks.

Cruise with Tim and friends to Potter's cove August 2, 2015

August 2, 2015

            We left port at 1344 with the engine hours reading 3117.6.

            Tim was visiting with his friends, Dickie (Mike DiStaula), Carolyn St. Lawrence, Fred Howland, Darthur Petron, Robert Morris, Kerry Molloy, and our nephew Mike Coughlin.

            We cruised on a beautiful day with calm seas and light winds over to Potter Cove on the northeast side of Prudence Island.  It was a Sunday so the anchorage was packed.  We anchored on the outside to the south in about 15ft. of water.  We put out about 90ft. of line and had good holding.  We all went for a swim, had lunch, and listened to the Red Sox game on the radio. 

            The boat flew a kite on the ride home and got back around 1830hrs with the engine hours at 3120.2

            We cleaned up the boat and had a cookout by the pool.

Cruise to Melville's NEB for lunch July 25, 2015

July 25, 2015

               We left port at 1120hrs with the engine hours reading 3114.  The weather was sunny and in the mid 70s, seas were calm and winds were light.

            We cruised over to NEB, New England Boatworks,  to have lunch at Melville’s.  We went out Greenwich bay and turned south down the west side of Prudence Island.  We cruised around the southern tip of the island and turned north and east into NEB.

            We called on the phone and they told to us to go to the fuel dock to get a slip assignment.  It was our first time there so we did as we were asked and went to the fuel dock.  The dock was very crowded and there was just enough space to parallel park between two very big and expensive boats.  After we got tied up we were told to go to a slip that was two docks away.  We cast off, spun around perfectly and headed over to our slip. 

            Melville’s was very good.  We sat inside as it was sunny and hot out of the deck.  We had a window seat overlooking the marina.  I had a yellow fin tuna sandwich that was very good.

            We walked around the marine for a while and had a very comfortable cruise back to our slip.   We cruised up the eastern side of Prudence Island and then turned south and then east into Greenwich bay.  We got in at 1617hrs with the engine hours at 3117.6.

Kickemuit Clam boil at the Van Vlecks CHNYC July 18-19, 2015

July 18,2015

     We left our slip at 11:30 with the hours at 3109.  We went to the Kickemuit River to grab a mooring for night.   We got there at 1:50 with the hours at 3111. 

     While there we went to the Van Vleck’s annual Clam Boil.  It was attended by many CHNYC members.  Mike Van Vleck came out to show us to our mooring ball.   Our first mooring ball with the new boat.  Elaine grabbed it on the first try like a pro.  We looked like we had been doing this for a long time.

     We ran the generator for the first time also.  We ran it for about an hour to charge the batteries.   It worked perfectly, the fridge stayed cold.

July 19, 2015

     We returned to Brewer from the Kickemuit.  We left at 8:45 and got home at 11:45.  The engine hours went from 3111 to 3114.  We cruised home north of Hog Island and almost into Bristol Harbour.

First ride by ourselves June 14, 2015

June 14, 2015

          We left port at 1045hrs with the engine hours at 3092.  This was our first cruise by ourselves.  We were contemplating going out when our dock neighbor Barry said “what’s the worst that could happen”?  We said “why not, we have insurance” and off we went.

            The weather was nice, the seas were calm, and the winds were light.  We went out Greenwich bay and turned south.  We cruised around Hope and Despair Islands and then followed the same route home. While cruising around we practiced backing around bouys.

            Docking was a bit tricky but we managed to get Anegada da Vida home without damage or injuries.  We got back at 1315hrs with the engine hours at 3096.

Boat delivery Chesapeake City to Narragansett Bay

Boat Delivery Cruise

May 28, 2015

            We left Bohemia Bay in Chesapeake City MD at 0600 to begin our journey north.  The engine hours were 3035.  The weather was beautiful the seas were flat and the winds light.

            Elaine and I, along with Capt. Bill Madison, cruised up the Elk River and into the C&D canal.  From there we then headed southeast down the Delaware River with the outgoing tide at our backs.  The boat handled better than expected and we made great progress entering Cape May Harbor NJ at 1400. 

            We took a slip at the South Jersey Marina and settled in for the night.  The marina was hit hard by Sandy so most everything was new construction.  The docks were great, the service was excellent and the marina facilities were very clean.  It was a stern tie with pilings, no finger piers.  We had dinner at the Lobster House restaurant which was a short walk from the marina.  If you tell the marina you would like to eat there they will get you in without waiting. 

 May 29, 2015

            We left Cape May NJ at 0550 with the engine hours at 3049.  Again, the weather, seas, wind, and tides were perfect.

            The trip up the coast of New Jersey was as good as it gets there.  Everything lined up perfectly.  The water was as flat as being on a lake.  We were not sure how far we would get.  We were hoping for Sandy Hook, NJ but also considered Atlantic City, Barnegat Light, and Manasquam it the weather or seas were bad.  Luckily everything held and we made Sandy Hook, NJ at 1900 with the engine hours reading 3073.  We got a slip at Atlantic Highlands Marina.  This was also a stern tie with pilings and no finger piers 

            We had a little incident while getting into our slip.  It was very windy and the wind was pushing us into the next slip and boat.  The dock hand had trouble catching a stern line and when he did he put one wrap around a cleat without tying it off.  When the cleat slipped the line went into the water and wrapped the prop.  Fortunately the line was old and did not wrap too badly because we were able to spin it off. 

            The marina was no big deal.  It is a municipal marina. The people on the dock were nice.  The showers were clean but very basic.  We had a nice dinner on the boat and drifted off to sleep.

May 30, 2015

            We left Sandy Hook, NJ at 0530 with the engine hours at 3073.  Once again the weather, seas, wind, and tide were perfect for us.

            We crossed Lower bay and under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge into the Upper bay of New York City.  We cruised toward Manhattan, went east of Governor’s Island and into the East River to cruise up the east side of Manhattan.  This was the most picturesque day of our journey with beautiful views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan.  We continued on up the East River, through Hell’s Gate and past Riker’s Island and up into Long Island Sound.

            We took advantage of the perfect conditions and made it all the way to Old Saybrook, CT by 1800.  The engine hours were 3085.  Here we had our second incident of the journey.  After clearing the breakwater and entering the Connecticut River we called the Saybrook Point marina to request a slip and to tell them we were coming to the fuel dock.  However, about 200 yards from the fuel dock, we ran out of fuel.  We dropped anchor in the channel, may our securite call on the VHS and called for SeaTow.  Fortunately we had purchased the unlimited gold insurance only weeks earlier.

            SeaTow was very prompt and courteous and got us to the fuel dock.  We fueled up with 98 gallons in the starboard tank and 80 gallons in the port.  We had a little bit of a back flow problem and I got a little soaked with diesel.

            This marina had the best staff on the docks that we had encountered.  They knew exactly how to work lines and got us into our slip and hooked up quickly.  The facilities were beautiful.  They were affiliated with the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa.  However, the Inn did not treat the marina guests very well.  We felt a little like second class citizens.

            We again had dinner on the boat and slept well.

May 31, 2015

      We left Old Saybrook at 0745.  Engine hours were 3085. The early part of the cruise was calm and we had the tides with us.  As the day continued the wind and waves continued to build.  As we neared Point Judith we ducked into the harbor for a few minutes break.  After leaving Point Judith harbor we headed northeast toward Narragansett bay.  We surfed a few waved and broke 15mph on the GPS a few times.  Once we reached Beavertail things calmed down quite a bit.

     As we made our way up the bay the Quonset air show was going on.  We got to see the Blue Angels perform as well as a few other aircraft.  Bonus.  We reached our slip at Brewer Cowesett at 1500 with the hours at 3092.

Choosing the RIGHT Trawler

     When it came time to choose the type of trawler we wanted many people would ask us "how are you going to use the boat?".  This is probably the best piece of advice we got.

     We made our list of wants, they included:

1.  Plenty of outdoor space for entertaining (flybridge, cockpit, sundeck)

2.  Be able to fish from the boat (cockpit)

3.  Be able to sit on a very comfortable chair or sofa at the end of the day. 

4.  Separate shower stall in the head.

5.  One engine, diesel.

6.  Small enough to take out and handle easily with two.

7.  Sleep 2 with the very occasional 1 or 2 guests.

8.  Large open saloon.

9.  NO OUTSIDE TEAK

     We looked at different types of trawlers.  We considered a sundeck style trawler.  It offered plenty of outdoor space but it was not easy to fish off the sundeck.  The saloons of these boats, in our size range, have too many built ins that are not comfortable to sit on for long periods of time.  We would be giving up saloon space for a second state room that we really didn't need.

     We then looked at trunk style trawlers.  These are similar to the sundeck trawlers.  They have the same limitations and less outside space.  Most of these boats had too much outside teak, including teak decks.

     The sedan model was the most attractive for our wants.  They offer a large flybridge and open cockpit for entertaining and fishing.  The saloons are large but most have built in setees and dinettes.  Finding one in good shape in our price range was also proving difficult.  Most had teak decks that we did not wish to deal with.

     Then we discovered the Mainship 34 trawler.  It seemed to fit all of our wants.  Most importantly it was within our budget.  It had a large flybridge and a large open cockpit for fishing.  The saloon is wide open with no built ins.  We can add a sleep sofa and/or a couple of very comfortable recliners.  It is powered by a single diesel.  It is easily handled by two.  NO TEAK.  

In the beginning. Our journey toward owning a trawler

     I was sitting in my office one day when a colleague came in and asked "do you like to sail?".  When I said that I did he then asked if I would be interested in chartering a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands.  I said that I would ask my claustrophobic wife and get back to him.  To make a long story short, my wife said yes. We chartered a 39' sailboat out of Tortola and we were hooked.

     We chartered three more times and loved our experiences in the BVIs.  Here are links to our sailing charter videos.

  We also joined the Coasters Harbor Navy Yacht Club in Newport RI and sailed with many new friends on lots of boats.  Here are links to our Narragansett Bay sailing adventures.

     Although we loved the boating life and loved sailing we soon learned that we did not really love sailboats.  We learned that we could sail almost anytime we wanted as most sailboat owners are always looking for crew to help sail their sailboats.  However, after we were done sailing for the day and came back to the dock, grabbed a mooring, or dropped anchor we noticed that sailboats were not all that comfortable for relaxing.  We noticed that we almost always ended up on the big power boat for cocktails at the end of the day.

     So after five years of sailing and thinking about owning our own sailboat we came to the conclusion that we were really more suited to be power boat owners, but what kind of power boat?

     We decided on a trawler because since we were sailors we were used to going 6-8 knots.  We loved the space and comfort.  We also liked trawlers because of the fuel economy and range.

     Next:  Which trawler to choose.

The Boat. Anegada da Vida

Anegada da Vida is a 1979 Mainship mk1.  She is powered by a Perkins T6.354 160hp turbo diesel engine.