Although we still have a long project list (doesn’t every boat?), we have headed out for our first east coast cruise in the new tug. It is bizarre traveling these well-known home waters in a power boat when I have spent my entire life exploring them in a sailboat. The Twilight Zone. Our priorities have changed, our decision-making parameters are adjusting, the passages are faster and the destinations are different. Continue reading First East Coast Cruise – Block Island
Category Archives: Cruising
♬…on The Road Bay Again…♬
Seven days and five hours after she rolled into New England Boatworks on a truck, Esmeralde headed out onto Narragansett Bay for the first time. We were joined by my brother Charlie, his wife Maria and son Bret, all seasoned sailors. This trawler business is new for all of us, but we’re adaptable! Best of all, they arrived with a lovely bottle of Veuve Cliquot, which we stashed in the fridge until we were organized and under way. Continue reading ♬…on The Road Bay Again…♬
Back to LaConner – Cruise Over
Wow, the end of our shakedown cruise in the PNW was emotional.
We had grown to love LaConner during the three weeks we spent there prior to taking delivery of the boat, while living in our Airstream at the LaConner Marina Campground. So while we did have reason to celebrate our return to the little town, we were very sorry that our excellent cruise on our new boat was drawing to a close. Continue reading Back to LaConner – Cruise Over
Shakedown – Part 10 – The Last Hurrah
As we hauled up our anchor after a pleasant layover at McMiken Island State Park in South Puget Sound, we could smell the end of our Pacific Northwest cruise, and the finale to our shakedown of Esmeralde. In order to deliver the boat back to the factory in time for them to hit our punch list and prepare the boat for her truck-ride across the country, we had to think about getting her back to LaConner. We figured we had two more nights. Continue reading Shakedown – Part 10 – The Last Hurrah
Shakedown – Part 9 – Gig Harbor to McMicken Island
When we woke up in Gig Harbor, the skies appeared to be clearing. As I sipped my coffee in my PJs and slippers in the salon, an apparition appeared as I gazed out towards the harbor entrance: seeming to float above the clouds to the east, in the distance, a hazy but massive rugged snow-covered mountain peak loomed. I learned later that this was Mt. Rainier, and that it is a special sight. Indeed. A good start to the day, a good omen. Continue reading Shakedown – Part 9 – Gig Harbor to McMicken Island
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