Publish Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Location: New York City, NY
Coordinates: 40° 47.036′ N 73° 59.303′ W
The morning we left St. Augustine.
I’m sure for many of you old salts, our five day offshore cruise is just a walk in the park. But for us, there is a wonderful sense of accomplishment:
– Learning to read the weather accurately for selecting the right weather window.
– Understanding and having the appropriate navigation tools providing a safe passage (AIS, radar, GPS, charts)
– Taking care of ourselves so no one gets sea sick , or injured (sleep, food, Bonine).
– Securing the boat properly so items aren’t crashing about.
This first year aboard Three@Sea is about all about learning and honing our boating skills so we feel comfortable/confident to begin our circumnavigation this fall. This voyage was another big step towards that goal. All of the items mention above worked beautifully, plus there were a few new things learned as well.
I wondered if 5 days at sea would feel long, and makes us feel confined or “over exposed” to one another.
Ayla and I making dinner one night.
Interestingly enough, I saw Dave and Ayla less than normal. Since I had the 3:00 am to 9:00 am shift, they were both sleeping when I was on watch. We’d all have breakfast together after my shift; then Ayla would do school, and I would spiff up the boat while Dave was on watch. When Ayla was done with school, she would take a watch; Dave would do a few things, and I would take a nap. After my nap, I’d make lunch and we’d all have some time together usually discussing the current cruising plan, etc.. Dave would then take a nap; I’d stand watch; and Ayla would read or play. When Dave was up, it was time to make dinner, clean-up the dishes and then hit the sack early (around 9:30, so I could be up at 3:00 a.m.) Dave and Ayla usually watched a movie together, and then Ayla went to bed. It was an easy routine, and seemed to work well for everyone. I just hadn’t expected to have less time with them.
Dawn on our second morning at sea.
Dave and I both really like the six hours shifts at night. It gave the person off duty enough sleep to feel rested, versus always feeling sleep deprived. Luckily Dave tends to be a night owl and I enjoy the early morning, so the schedule worked well with our natural rhythms. I felt like I had the better deal, as I was able to enjoy the spectacular night sky, along with the beauty of dawn.
I liked sleeping in the main salon while we were underway much better than sleeping in our cabin. My stomach was more settled when I was perpendicular to the axis of motion of the boat versus parallel to the axis of motion.
My only truly unnerving moment was when I came within a quarter mile of a drifting fishing boat (apparently they were sleeping). The radar signal was so intermittent, I didn’t pick it up clearly. We have since adjusted the gain on our radar to get a bit more detail, and I’m more vigilant about watching seven or eight cycles versus just three or four (when doing 15 minute instrument checks). Finding the correct gain on your radar can be an art. Too high and you are picking up all the wave action around you and can’t really tell anything; to low, and you might miss a small fishing boat with no lights on. 😉
Even with great seas, there is still plenty of motion in the boat. When walking around (or even standing in
There is still motion to the ocean, even with nice seas.
the galley) you have to be careful. It constantly feels little like you’ve “had one too many”.
The Crock Pot is awesome underway, while pressure cooker is better for being at anchor.
Without a doubt the most stressful part of our five days was the last four hours, when we were coming into New York Harbor in the dark. Two things on that note:
1. It is amazing to me how hard it is to read distances at night.
2. Thank you Jim Mobley for emphasizing the need to be able to read tug boat lights accurately. We saw just about every configuration, and knew what to expect long before we could actually see the barge they were towing.
Two most magical moments:
1. One morning, just as dawn broke, I had a pod of thirty dolphins playing around the boat. The pink light of dawn and the sounds of their powerful bodies took my breath away.
2. Having the Statue of Liberty on our port side and the lights of Manhattan on our starboard side, after 5 days at sea, gave me just the slightest glimpse into how our ancestors must have felt upon arriving in New York (after 60 days at sea in less than ideal traveling quarters). Very cool.
Our view from the boat at 79th Street Boat Basin south mooring field.
Since arriving we have thoroughly cleaned the boat, and had a good night’s sleep in our own cabin. We are now ready to take on New York! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all of you who sent us good wishes and prayers for a safe voyage—they worked! 🙂