Day 1 - Shakedown Cruise

We arrived at the boat in Yorktown, VA right on time to meet Maxwell and Jen; the people we bought the boat from. After giving a short tour of the boat to Matt, Brynn, and Linda,  I went with Maxwell and Jen to finalize the paperwork. 

When I returned, everything from the truck had been loaded... including the two new batteries we brought for one of the house banks. With everything aboard, we were not stepping over boxes or containers, even though they were not unpacked. Brynn joked that it was all there and wished me luck in finding anything in particular. However, it was all placed in logical locations. The only box I could not find, turned out to be in the garage. This was confirmed with a phone call to Grace; who was going on a retreat this week and was unable to participate... this time.

I worked on a few tasks. Linda made us lunch, and then we prepared for departure. We didn't do a lot of unpacking. We simply ensured that everything was stowed in a location so it would not get tossed across the boat.

Matt and Brynn having lunch in the cockpit.

Matt and I removing the sail cover from the Mainsail. You can see one of the solar panels and the wind generator.

Linda relaxing at the helm.

We're off!

Finally, it was about 3:30 pm and we were departing. A little later than I would have liked, but we didn't waste any time. Driving the boat between pilings is definitely NOT my favorite thing to do! Especially the very first time. It all went well, though. With a full keel (the long fin hanging down underneath a sailboat), she backed very straight... until the wind hit the bow (front of the boat). I just went with it and turned around going forward.

Later, Brynn would tell me Maxwell and Jen were "very emotional". Jen said she was always on Anastasia and had never seen her from shore before. Brynn said she told them "the boat couldn't be going to a more loving, although crazy owner". The laughter broke the emotional tension. Soon after, they all left.

A few miles into the trip, Matt took the wheel.

Hmmm... I'm sure he's checking the weather!

We had a simple plan. This week would be a shakedown cruise where we plan to test all the boat systems, a little at a time. So we planned to sail to the East River off of Mobjack Bay; just 21 miles and about 4 hours away. With the light wind, it was the first test of the engine. We motored the whole way.

One of my primary rules is to never make landfall in the dark. Especially at a new location. Once we reached the East River there was plenty of daylight. We stopped the boat and had dinner drifting in Mobjack Bay.

Matt's photo near dinner time.

After dinner, we motored up the East River and called Compass Marina via cell phone. The entry is narrow, but it was recently dredged. So, it was plenty deep enough for us. The Marina owner, Keith, stood out on a pier at a point of land waving me closer to the marks. Red marks, which there were none should be on the starboard side (right). I thought I was very close to the green marks (left side). He called back on the phone and told Matt to have me get closer. I swear, we could reach out and slap the poles as we went by, but he knows the channel and I did as he requested.

It was about 8 pm and still daylight. Keith was standing on the floating dock and helped us bring the boat into the slip. With a 22,000 lb boat, I started coasting way before making the turn for the dock. That is the dry weight of the boat... no people, no fuel, no water, no oil in the engine... you get the idea. Keith was happy the way we came in. We have the same rule. "Go as slow as possible and still maintain steerage".

Not being accustomed to the full keel, I turned a bit early... not bad, but earlier than I needed. First day with the new boat, and I learned something new. It was a good day!

The floating dock was low. I mean, it was a good stretch getting down to it from the boat. That would not due for Linda. I grabbed the boarding ladder and attached it to the boat... not knowing how well it would work. It was the first time for attaching that too. It's placement on the hull was perfect. Sailboats do not have flat sides; they have gentle curves. The ladder was folded in half. Without opening it, it was absolutely perfect!

Boarding ladder attached.

I tied a safety line to the ladder... just in case. I did not want to go diving for it. It turned out, that the safety line was a good idea. The following day I was hurrying and stepped rather abruptly on the step, and as my feet hit the dock, I heard a splash. I turned around and the ladder was hanging by its tether. I will change the safety line to something more appropriately sized in the future. We never had another problem with it.

Keith the marina owner was a great help. Although we planned to stay just one night, we ended up staying a second. This gave us time to get the boat in order.

Tomorrow, we'll also take some time and walk through the village of Mobjack, VA.