JULI-IV's Final Cruise

So we departed Quantico Marine Corps Base Marina on Wednesday morning at 0700.  This was the final view of the marina.

The Potomac River was pretty rough because of wind, but fortunately (not) the temperature was 34 degrees.  As the day wore on the waves subsided and on the enclosed bridge, with the sun shining through the isinglass, the temperature at times soared to 84 degrees.  We stopped at Point Lookout Marina, where we had stayed on the way up river in August.  We added just enough fuel to get us to our final destination. No point in giving the next owners any freebies.  The on-site restaurant was closed (winter hours) so we dined in.  We got under way at 0645 this morning.  The course was 7 miles out the Potomac River, then 60 miles up the Chesapeake Bay.  Once we entered the Chesapeake we were heading into 2-3 foot waves and were taking quite a pounding.  Temperature by 0900 had risen to 38 degrees and no sun. Around 1100, the waves settled down and it was a balmy 46 degrees.  We arrived at the Mears Point Marina at 1500 and the broker had us circle around in front of his position so he could take pictures of JULI for the sales brochure.  We then were directed into the tiniest hard to get into slip that we have encountered on this whole journey.  Once in the slip, I checked out the electrical connections and discovered that there was only one outlet and we needed two.  I called the broker and told him, and he said that we only needed one since the boat was just going to sit there for sale and there was no need for two power inputs.  I reminded him that we were still going to be on the boat for several more days and needed the second power supply to run the heaters.  He moaned and groaned and said we could move several slips over to get more electricity. So we fired JULI up and I maneuvered out of the slip. About halfway through all this maneuvering, I lost the use of the port engine, engine was still running, I just had no propeller output.  We got into the nearest vacant slip without incident and tied up. I determined that in the shallow water of the first slip, someone had left a crab trap complete with line, and that as we were pulling out the line snagged on the prop and wound up bringing the metal trap into contact with the propeller, keeping it from turning. Ultimately, I got down on the swim platform with a boat hook and started poking around the propeller and rudder. Sure enough, there was a crab trap hanging there and it would not budge. So, pulling harder and harder against it, the boat hook slipped loose and I did a slow roll off the swim platform into the 56 degree water. Quite shocking. It is hard to tell, but here Joe is laughing at my misfortune as I am completely soaked.  Quite amazing, after cruising JULI over 5000 miles, that in the last 100 feet of our partnership this happens.  We have a diver coming in the morning for only $100 to undo the mess.

Soaking Wet

 Into the hot shower to warm up, then over to the new boat to make a plan.  We had a fine dinner and went back to JULI for Thursday Nite Football and sleep.  We start switching stuff over to Maggie Mae in the morning.

Tuesday, 19 November 2013 - BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Today, Beth, Joe and I flew to Baltimore and completed the purchase of our new Loop Boat!  She is a 1988 Carver 3807 Aft Cabin Motor Yacht.

"Maggie Mae"

Her name is "Maggie Mae" and we will keep the name.  After completing the purchase, we traveled by car down to Quantico, VA where JULI-IV is currently berthed.  Tomorrow morning we will depart down the Potomac River and up the Chesapeake Bay to a marina in the vicinity of Annapolis, MD to begin the change over of our stuff from JULI-IV to Maggie Mae.  This is quite an upgrade for our cruising style.  More later

Sunday 25 August 2013

We arose around 8 and made preparations for departure back down the Potomac.  Jason and Jonathan were joining us for the trip down river and would take a taxi back home at the end of the day.  Jonathan showed up with enough food for the four of us for a week.  Much appreciated.  Our first stop was at a nearby marina to top off with fuel.  As Jonathan was lacking in nautical experience, we started him off with dock chores. 

Once under way, Jason declared that he was only going to bask in the sun and relax, no boat chores for him. 

 One of the stops we made going down the Potomac was at Mount Vernon, home of the late George Washington.  The dock facility was a little rough, both wave wise and price wise.  A lot of large tour boats come into this dock to disgorge tourists (I guess we are tourists also) and they create very rough water and the dock we were tied to offered no protection from bouncing around.  It was only $64.00 for two hours, plus the price of the tour.  

However, it included a golf cart ride to the top of the Mount.  We toured the property, which was very pretty, and  then paused to rest.  

  Once rested, we went back down the hill to the dock and departed.

Since Jonathan now had 1 hour of cruising under his belt, I began training him for advanced duties. 

   Here he is studying the electronics to determine his course, I told him it was not "brain surgery". 
We arrived back at the Quantico Marina, had lunch and Jason and Jonathan departed back to Maryland in their taxi.  A most enjoyable day.  Beth and I prepped the boat for a several month unattended stay over.  Now stay tuned for a BIG announcement next week.