It was our first experience at TrawlerFest. American Tug was an Exhibitor at the Stuart, Florida, show and asked Esmeralde to be there for the event. We were apprehensive as the event approached, but we had a great time!
Days 142 – 148, March 4 – 10 2019
Our itinerary since leaving Key West on February 17 was loosely geared towards getting the boat to Stuart in time for TrawlerFest in early March. TrawlerFest is a six-day event sponsored by Passagemaker Magazine. The event includes a lengthy list of seminars presented by seasoned industry professionals designed to offer educational opportunities for those contemplating the trawler lifestyle, or for those looking to improve their experience and knowledge. It also includes shore-side exhibitors and an in-the-water boat show featuring — wait for it — trawlers! Continue reading We Survived TrawlerFest!→
Key West, Part #1 was about loss and grief. While that is not what I would wish of Key West, it is what it was. There is another side, though, and this is that story.
Days 84 – 127, January 6 – February 17, 2019
Our visit to Key West was split into two distinct segments, as the previous post makes clear. I’m not really going to define our experiences in Key West in terms of how they were in the first part or the second part, even though they were different. Instead, I just want to talk about the Key West that we experienced overall. Continue reading Key West, Part #2→
As the summer is winding down, I can’t help but think back over our adventures this past season and remark that our best cruising was during the early spring, when we had cool, crisp refreshing (although not always dry) weather, few crowds, anchorages to ourselves, and generally happy vibe everywhere we went. This is so different from high-season-mid summer that I really want to share the perspective.
Memorial Day on Block Island
Our first trip was a four-day run to Block Island for Memorial Day weekend. While weekends on Block Island are a hectic affair during the summer, late May is always a different story. We left on Saturday May 26 with a mixed forecast, happy to be off the dock and cruising once again. Continue reading Spring Cruising in New England – Part 1→
When we ordered our American Tug 395, we were aware that the boat comes from the factory with two different versions of climate control.“West coast boats” are delivered with a single small air conditioning unit that includes reverse cycle heating capability, plus a separate Webasto diesel hot air furnace. “East coast boats” come with three air conditioning units that have reverse cycle heat, but no diesel heating system. Both boats also include a pair of King electric heating units. As we intend to take our boat south, the additional air conditioning capacity of the East Coast boats was something we need. However, we also cruise in some pretty cold and damp conditions, so heat is important to us. Continue reading Got Heat?→
We took delivery of our new American Tug 395 Esmeralde on April 1st, 2017, so she will forever be our April Fool’s Girl. (This year, she was also our Easter Girl.) In order to celebrate, Bruce got her winter cover off on Saturday so on Sunday April 1st, her birthday, we could have a little celebration on-board and herald the start of her second season. It turned into a bright sunny day, perfect to enjoy being aboard again. Continue reading Happy 1st Birthday Esmeralde!→
All things fun (and tasty) in the life of the Beards
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