Power to the People

This is Vicki’s primer of power management for the uninitiated…

The boat can be powered (i.e. electricity provided) in four ways:

Shore power – When in a marina at a dock, the boat is plugged into electricity similar to what you have in a house. But, just as you can overload the electrical circuits in a house, that also happens on the boat. We have to stay within the constraints of 50 amps.

Large generator – When at anchor or on a mooring ball, the large generator will power the major heat-making appliances (stovetop, convection oven, dryer), more than one at a time but not all at the same time and will recharge the batteries.

Small generator – When at anchor or on a mooring ball, the small generator (Little Genny) will power everything except major heat-making appliances, usually one at a time, and will recharge the batteries.

Batteries –When underway or at anchor or mooring, we use the power stored in the batteries. The device that converts battery power to electricity we can use is called the Inverter. The inverter is our friend – it lets us use the microwave at any time to heat coffee or the all-important quiche for lunch.

All this means that we can’t just flip the switch like in a house! We very consciously practice power management. For example, if it’s been a while since we ran the engines (since the engines heat our hot water tank) and when using the small generator in the evening, our typical pattern is to turn on the hot water heater for showers before dinner, then turn it off before using the microwave for dinner, then after dinner run the dishwasher and the coffee maker. If the stovetop or oven is needed for dinner, then we use the large generator. It took us a while to figure out what we could use when – the learning curve was frustrating (it’s easy to feel defeated when all the power goes down), but we’re now pretty savvy power managers.

Lynnie made Clams with Linguine and got acquainted with the necessity of sequential cooking when the boat is being powered by generator. If we draw too much electricity, everything shuts down. So, when using the cooktop which draws big-time amps, we can’t use anything else that creates heat like the toaster, crock pot, or microwave/oven.
Making the linguine meal required heating the garlic bread in the oven first, turning off the oven, and then turning on the stovetop to cook the linguini first, and then the clam sauce.

Another power management accommodation…We carry two types of rice aboard – (1) the type you cook on the stovetop and (2) the pre-cooked shelf-stable version that you reheat in the microwave. The stovetop version is used when we’re plugged into shore power at dock or when the large generator is being used. The microwavable, more expensive type is used at other times – the microwave can be used on the small generator and on the inverter.
Poor Lynnie – twice she’s asked if she could use her blow dryer for a few seconds and Norm told her that we’d have to shut everything else down, so she’s given up! We seem to like her hair curly more than she does.

Attack of the Killer Mosquitos (and Flies)

Two great anchorages Sunday and Monday: Carver Cove on the Fox Island Thoroughfare and Merchant Island near Deer Island Thoroughfare, both in Penobscot Bay.

While at Carver Cove, we met up with Jeff and Karen Siegel on their DeFever and Smokey and Jo (friends of Jeff and Karen) on their Lord Nelson Victor Tug. We all dinghied over to North Haven for dinner. After walking the town, which took 15 minutes going from one side to the other, then back again, we dined. It was great to see Jeff and Karen again and to meet Smokey and Jo. Hopefully we will see them all again on the water.

When we woke up on Monday morning at Carver Cove and started getting ready to go, we were beset by giant black flies. They’re big and they have a big buzz. We’d heard about them in Maine, but hadn’t seen them until now. It was a very still morning and we were anchored fairly close to a wooded shore, so the conditions were favorable for them. One took a chunk out of Rick’s leg that required Vicki to dip into the wound box to get antibiotic cream and a bandaid. (The wound box has been dormant, thankfully, but it was pretty exciting for medical officer Vicki to give it a workout.) And, of course, after Rick got bit, we all started feeling phantom flies on us and jumping when nothing was there. Lynnie was posted on the bridge on swatter duty to protect us while we got underway. We haven’t seen them since – Lynnie must have scared them.

Yesterday’s anchorage at Merchant Island was selected specifically because there were good hiking islands around. We’re getting porkier with each great meal (not to mention chips and wine on the back porch while watching the full moon) and wanted to get some exercise. We dinghied over to Harbor Island which was just 20 feet from the boat. A trail wanders up a meadow into spruce trees and bisects the island. We got as far as the spruce trees and then were attacked by (literally) clouds of mosquitos – and they were hungry. It was a race back to the dinghy and some of them stuck with us back to the boat. Again, we’d heard about mosquitos in Maine, but not experience them until now. We were fortunate that our three weeks of hiking in Acadia National Park was essentially bug-less.

The odd thing was that later in the day other people in the anchorage went ashore on the island, went into the woods and didn’t come flying out, and explored the rocky shore without swatting frantically. Perhaps the mosquitos gorged on us and were napping. Or perhaps those people were savvy Maine hikers and used bug spray in advance.

Cruising with the Tierney's

This blog is a joint effort by Vicki, Norm, Lynnie and Rick:

Friends Rick and Lynnie joined us in Portland on Tuesday. They’ll be with us for about two weeks. It’s already Sunday and time is flying.

We provisioned on Tuesday afternoon using their car which is now parked at the marina. Discovered that it’s easier to navigate Portland with a map than without. Kudos to Lynnie for spotting the Enterprise car rental and grabbing a map from them.

Wednesday got off to a rocky start when the water went out on Vicki in mid-shower. Norm had changed from dock water to tank water and forgotten to throw one switch, then left to take a walk. Lynnie saved the day by filling water bottles from the dock for Vicki to rinse with. The day improved with a beautiful cruise to Five Islands Maine on the Sheepscot River.

Thursday we ran in heavy fog and decided to bail out early at Boothbay Harbor. Took the dinghy into town for a lobster dinner which was delicious. On the way to Boothbay Harbor the lobster trap buoys were everywhere, and Capt. Norm did an excellent job of picking a path through the “Crayola” field with aplomb.

Friday we ran in fog again for the 4-hour run to Tenants Harbor. Jamie Wyeth (famous painter) owns the estate on the point. His studio is in the pyramidal building which was a bell tower. As the launch was taking us to town, the launch driver pointed out Jamie’s boat moored in the harbor, and we saw Jamie and two dogs in his dinghy.

Saturday was on to Rockland—yes in dense fog all the way—1/8 mile visibility. Fortunately, the route was in deep water and there were not many other boats out. Lots of cool galleries in town. Also the Farnsworth Museum which has a lot of paintings from the Wyeth family, but we didn’t visit – our art appreciation sensibilities are not that well developed. Instead of the Farnsworth, we chose to appreciate the largest iron lobster sculpture in the universe.

Today there is no fog and we’ll be cruising the Fox Islands Thoroughfare in Penobscot Bay and anchoring in Carver’s Cove with Jeff and Karen Siegel and friends of theirs. We plan to spend the next week in Penobscot Bay and then back to Portland to drop off Lynnie and Rick. We’ll leisurely head south from there, arriving in Delaware sometime in October or November.

Mom Tuckered Us Out!

Mom’s visit was lovely, but too short. She returns to Tucson today. It’s been good to see her relax – she’s usually a whirlwind of activity. Mom got a sampler platter of life on the water which is just what we intended. Marina and anchoring (but no mooring ball), rain, fog and sun, calm waters and rolling (but no waves more than 2 ft), hiking, shopping and exploring, waste management, water management and energy management (more about these in an upcoming blog)—and, of course, an adventure around every corner.

For the last two days we anchored in the crotch of Cliff Island, Casco Bay, Maine. Saturday we dinghied over to Eagle Island where North Pole discoverer Admiral Robert Peary built a home resembling a boat (scuppers on the porch, portholes, a simulated bow). Yesterday we dinghied to Jewell Island for a couple hours of hiking and a picnic lunch. Jewel Island was an observation outpost for spotting German U-Boats during World War II. There were over 400 troops assigned to the island during the war and they had two 6-inch guns that could hurl a 100 Lb shell 10,000 yards and several 90mm anti-aircraft batteries. While they did not see any fighting action, they did spot one U-Boat.

Later in the day we landed the dinghy on Cliff Island in search of a Sunday paper. The locals on the beach gave us directions to the lone store on the island. It turns out that you need to sign up for a paper in advance and the store proprietor has that many papers delivered to the island – we were out of luck. A disappointment as we wanted to read about the Olympics.
Vicki was very disappointed not to be able to watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. We were at a marina in South Freeport Maine on Friday night when the broadcast occurred and thought we would be able to plug into cable there, but no such luck. And there wasn’t a TV available in a public area nearby, and we couldn’t access any online streaming. So, if any of you recorded the opening ceremonies on DVD (not tape) and wants to send us the disc, we would be grateful. Generally we like not having television because it’s too much of a sedative, but we’re thinking that we’ll get some rabbit ears to try to bring in a program now and then (Dancing with the Stars and Boston Legal come to mind). The rabbit ears may not work, but it’s certainly worth a try. The onboard satellite TV systems cost several thousand dollars – not worth it for us, in spite of missing the Olympics.

Like a Duck to Water

Mom is fitting right into boat life. The 80-year old babe has salt water in her veins. She fearlessly climbs in and out of the dinghy and up and down dock ladders (much braver than her weeney daughter was at first). Vicki was concerned about Mom walking around the boat while we’re underway, but she’s been very sure-footed. Norm was wondering if she was getting tired after a couple mile walk yesterday, but no. All that exercise is paying off – Mom has an exercise room in the house and regularly does the treadmill, cross country ski machine, jump rope, push ups, sit ups, stretching, weights, and a bunch more. The bottom line is that we’ll get fatigued before she will!

Our cruising plans changed yesterday due to changes in the weather forecast. We’ll be staying in the Casco Bay area while Mom’s here rather than taking the 6-hour run up to Boothbay Harbor. Yesterday was a wonderful day. We cruised about an hour from Portland to the northeast side of Great Chebeague Island. Anchored in the harbor.

Took the dinghy ashore. Mom saw the Tee for a water hole on the local 9-hole golf course and stepped over to take a closer look. She transposed herself to Tucson, took her imaginary driver out and took an imaginary swing--perfect "hole-in-one". No wonder she still shoots in the 80's.

We then visited the museum’s fascinating exhibit of the impact of World War II on the island and Casco Bay. The bay became a military zone - it was a staging ground and refueling station for the military ships traveling the North Atlantic. Nets were placed across the entire bay – from island to island to prevent enemy submarines from intruding. The nets had several gate areas to allow vessels to enter and leave. Gun embankments were placed on land, Mines and surface obstructions were placed in some parts to prevent attacks from boats on the surface. An electromagnetic cable was placed out a ways from Cape Elizabeth to Bailey Island allowing any boat that crossed it to be “seen”. The commercial and private craft in Casco Bay could travel in designated channels and had to contact security posts along the way – the maps show large areas marked Forbidden Zone. It was a fascinating, fascinating exhibit.

Mom took us to dinner at the Great Chebeague Island Inn. This is a great place! It’s a large inn overlooking the bay and a 9-hole golf course. Lounging area with many overstuffed chairs and couches in the great room with big fireplace. Wrap-around porch with overstuffed chairs overlooking the bay – we had cocktails there. Dining overlooking the bay. Mom treated us to Vicki’s second birthday dinner. Norm and Mom had lobster dinner – the ‘lazy way’ with the meat served without shell. Must have been pygmy lobsters – the tail meat was little bigger than a golf ball, but it was good. And then there were the flambé for dessert - yum.

We're Goin North Again, Mom!

Today, we are in Portland, ME docked at the Sunset Marina. Directly across the harbor is the "Explorer of the Seas", a Royal Caribbean Cruise Liner. As she was departing, she took up all the space in the harbor. See?

Mom is due in a few hours. Vicki wants to give her a sample of our cruising life. So, she has selected destinations that include anchoring in remote, isolated, out-of-the-way, nobody will find you anchorages; quintessential Maine touristy, crowded, souvenir-buying, shopping towns we dinghy to from a mooring; and, big city marinas. Norm, on the other hand, suggested that if we really wanted to give Avie a genuine taste of full-time cruising, let's have her do an oil change, wash the mustash off the bow, do a pumpout, change a diesel fuel filter or replace a burned out raw water pump impeller. That didn't fly, so, we're headed back North to places we know and some we don't. First stop is a place we have not been to--"Love Cove" on the Sheepscot River. Then it will be a day at a time depending on weather---and Avie.

We're really almost there, mom!!

Today, we made a quick, short cruise to Falmouth Forside, ME, just a few miles north of Portland. We're expecting rain and thunderstorms tomorrow, so wanted to be close, not to miss mom. We're moored at the Portland Yacht Club mooring field. This is one of the best mooring fields we've been in. Big mooring balls, spaced nicely. However, the painter lines are 2-inchs thick and Vicki asked Norm for help. Upon attaching the line to the boat cleat, Norm noticed living creatures on the line--like little shrimp/worms. Norm attached a bridle to keep the painter lines off the boat. Were the lines too heavy? Or, was Vicki affraid of the shimp/worms? She claims not to have seen the creatures. Didn't you Vicki? Didn't you really?

The Portland Yacht Club has a free shuttle which Vicki took advantage of immediately to go ashore and take a run. Norm stayed aboard and got ready for the long, daring, 5-mile run to Portland in the AM and washed the creatures off the foredeck.