We’re hoping for nice weather this month as we have some traveling events.
The first trip from 10 to 13 July was to Point Lookout Marina. We had moved the boat from The Boathouse Marina to Cole’s Point Marina for at least the rest of the summer as we wanted to make traveling to different places a bit shorter trip. Albert and Veronica Schick joined us on Friday the 10th for the boat trip to from Coles Point to Point Lookout. We met up with about a dozen CYC boaters at Pt Lookout for a great weekend. Many gathered at the pool and we all enjoyed evening meals, one at Salt restaurant and one at Pier 450. Had a little bad weather on Sunday so there were mixed plans to getting home, with some getting there a day later, Monday. All in all a good weekend. We’re now home for the week and will be heading back to Coles Point for an MTOA (Marine Trawler Owner’s Association) fish fry this coming weekend.
Well, the 5-month ICW/Bahamas trip is over and we’re settled in at our home in Colonial Beach. At our age we had a host of medial appointments to take care of and we were anxious to visit with friends from the town. Well, we did both. There is a lot going on in town so we were busy. We even managed a few more boat trips, one to Norfolk to watch the Tall Ships parade through the Elisabeth River, which we missed because foul weather kept us out of Norfolk on the parade date. We did make it to two stops on the James River –resorts that were well acclaimed — Wrong! The resorts were over-priced and not all that great. We decided it was ok we visited but the hometown spun marina is for us. We made the decision to move our boat to Cole’s Point — 20 miles down the Potomac for the summer as they have a pool and a nice beach to enjoy quietly. I guess I could have provided a daily tally of activities but decided not to. We’ll start again now with our showcase of activities.
We woke on Thursday, April 2nd at Atlantic Yacht Basin to warmer weather, the long‑awaited part for the boat, and a calmer Chesapeake Bay. With genuine relief, we applauded the newly installed gear‑driven raw water pump on the port engine. After returning the rental car and settling our bill, we pointed BenjOllie north and slipped through Norfolk.
Six boats entered Great Bridge Lock at Chesapeake to get us through to Norfolk—BenjOllie was number two—and what should have been a routine passage turned into an unexpected maneuvering drill. The lead sailboat was being driven by a novice who simply couldn’t get tied up. With his engine and bow thruster working overtime, he kept drifting toward us, coming uncomfortably close to crashing into our hull. Thankfully, he missed and eventually managed to secure himself on the opposite wall of the lock, well out of our way.
Once clear of the lock, the rest of the day unfolded easily. We made a smooth two‑hour run to HOSPITAL POINT, next to Portsmouth Naval Hospital and officially mile zero of the ICW. There we anchored for the night, ready to tackle the 100‑plus miles to Colonial Beach over the next two days.
Carey made my favorite loaded hot dogs for dinner, complete with a side of spicy corn, beans, and tomatoes. We ate while taking in the evening views from our anchorage (see photos below). A full moon over the Norfolk skyline and the Battleship Wisconsin with a full display of lights. A peaceful end to a very nice day. Now to bed.
On to WINDMILL POINT MARINA at the bottom of the Rappahannock River. The winds were almost 15 knots but the ride was not unpleasant as we had following seas. It was a 60 mile run so we were ready to stop when we arrived there about 2 PM. We moored quickly as we hadn’t had lunch yet and wanted to check out their Tiki Bar. A pleasant visit as we enjoyed the outdoor seating and a nice lunch. Once back on the boat we made plans for our last day of the trip — tomorrow when we pull into Colonial Beach.
Underway at 7:30 AM Saturday morning we motored up the Chesapeake Bay in 1 foot seas and light wind, turning into the Potomac River 20 miles north of Windmill Point for our 50 mile trek up the River to Colonial Beach. All total it was a 70 mile run that ended with a 3 PM arrival at our old familiar slip. The Boathouse Marina group welcomed us home and helped get us tied up. We truly enjoyed the 5 month trip but realized that we’re advancing in age and some of the chores on a trip like that took a lot more out of us then previous runs over the last 20 years. We’ll see how we feel about another winter trip after a couple days at home. If you have followed along we hope you enjoyed the story. And, we absolutely recommend long cruises to fellow boaters. The journey is definitely as enjoyable as the destinations!
The last four days (Sunday through Wednesday) have been an extended stay at Atlantic Yacht Basin for two reasons. The first involves the pump that needed to be replaced — the wrong pump was shipped over night — not once but twice. Secondly, the winds have been over 20 knot winds on the Chesapeake Bay. Today we rented a car and did a bit of shopping and found a good Japanese restaurant for lunch. Tomorrow will hopefully clear up the issues … the weather is improving and the correct part should arrive. So, we are now wishfully thinking we’ll be underway sometime tomorrow and home on Friday.
Out our salon door we get to see young adults racing crew on the ICW
Colonial Beach—only 110 miles away from our current spot at Atlantic Yacht Basin. Yahoo.
Working towards Colonial Beach
We slipped out of Beaufort early, aiming for Belhaven. The plan was to anchor in Belhaven Harbor, but when we arrived the wind had kicked up and the idea of rocking and rolling all night lost its charm fast. Instead, we eased into Belhaven Marina and ended up having a great evening catching up with old friends—the marina owner among them—and sharing end‑of‑day drinks with a few fellow boaters. Dinner in town, however, was a swing and a miss. You can’t win them all, and we’ll chalk that one up to experience. A better meal awaits somewhere up the waterway.
What’s Our Plan — Revised The real debate that night was whether to push on to Coinjock or sit tight and wait out the weather brewing ahead. By the morning of the 26th, Carey and I decided to go for it. The forecast along the East Coast wasn’t exactly friendly, but we also needed to keep making our way home. So at 8:30 AM we pointed the bow north and began the 85‑mile run to Coinjock. It turned out to be the right call. The weather held, the miles slipped by, and by 5 PM we were tied up quietly in Coinjock—surprisingly the only transient boat there, a rare sight for such a normally busy stop. The next decision loomed: a gale and small‑craft warning were settling in for the coming days. We figured we’d decide after dinner… and what a dinner. Coinjock handed us two fantastic meals, easily the best of the trip so far. Up early on the 27th, ready to make the day’s call. I walked up to the marina office where everyone was buzzing about the expected gale. The consensus was unanimous: if it arrived at all, it wouldn’t be until after 5 PM. That was all we needed to hear. Start the engines—we’re going. The 38‑mile run from Coinjock to Atlantic Yacht Basin was exactly the stepping‑stone we needed before Norfolk and the final push toward home. We made the trip in just under four hours and are now moored in Chesapeake, VA.
Unfortunately, a quick check with a mechanic revealed that the port engine’s raw water pump—a gear driven pump lubricated by oil—has a leaking seal. Ouch. No replacement pump readily available and we initially decided to continue on and watch the pump carefully. Cooler heads prevailed this morning the 28th. That pump freezing up could cause damage to the engine. We are not going to risk that event. We are retired and low risk boaters. We’ve now decided to wait here and get the pump replaced before heading to Colonial Beach. So, we must now suffer through more good meals eating out, and some relaxing down time for other activities. Not bad.
For now, we’re watching the weather closely and will move toward CB as soon as the pump is replaced and the weather allows. One thing is clear: becoming a true expert on weather—and having the right resources—has climbed to the top of the list for anyone boating in this time of climate change. Weather is so much more important to our boating pleasure during climate change. A downer though … we’re bringing along unhealthy amounts of devilish yellow oak pollen! It started in South Carolina and keeps floats around up the East Coast.
Below is just one example of the many commercial vessels we share the ICW with on days like this.
