Southward Bound

[Bay Ranger]

You know you are getting closer to leaving when you are crossing off more from your "To Do" list than you are adding!
We finally left Annapolis, MD for the Florida Keys on November 7 on the new R-27 Bay Ranger which arrived in Annapolis from the factory on October 27. Thanks to Chuck and Ian at Chesapeake Ranger Tugs for getting us commissioned quickly so we could get underway.

We spent the first couple of days heading down the Bay in beautiful autumn weather, overnighting in colorful anchorages on the South, Rhode and Paxtuxent Rivers while sorting out and further organizing all the "stuff" we put onboard in the previous days.

We knew from the start that breaking in a brand new boat on a long cruise wasn't the smartest thing we've ever done, but it probably isn't the dumbest either! Sure enough, after a quiet night at anchor, the engine would not turn over. I did all the troubleshooting things I could think of - checked for loose connections, checked fuses and battery switches, jiggled the shifting lever to make sure I was in neutral, and made sure the emergency ignition kill switch was in tact. I knew fuel and batteries were okay. Called Kenny at Ranger Tugs and went over a few more things - no go.

To make a long story short, got a long tow and a short diagnosis from a Yanmar tech in Solomons Island. The bracket holding the shifter lever in postiion had come loose from the side of the engine and would not make contact with the end of the throttle cable to complete the electrical loop to allow the engine to start in neutral. Ten minutes and a little LockTite on a couple of screws and we were good to go!

We dodged some bad weather on the Chesapeake but finally make it past the notorious 8-mile wide mouth of the Potomac River, hit a couple more nice anchorages, and are currently in Deltaville, VA getting our 50-hour engine service completed. Thought we'd never get out of Maryland! With a little break in the weather, we'll be off for Norfolk, VA tomorrow. Forcast for the weekend promises more good late fall cruising weather.

We will post more updates along the way.

Ed & Elaine

 

[Ainokea]

If you stop in Daytona Beach we are in Halifax Harbor Marina. Stop by as our southbound plans got cut short.

Frank

Ainokea
R25

 

[sportner]

Ed and Elaine,
Toni and I were in the Keys about this time last year and had a wonderful time. We had less than 100 hours on the engine and had no problems, hopefully you have had your only mishap on this trip. We stored our boat after the Keys, came home for family, then returned in April. We cruised for three months up the ICW to New York and had the trip of a lifetime. We envy you and know you will have a wonderful time. While in Key West we made a weekend trip to Marquesa Key, 25 miles west.We had our own beach to walk, fished, kayaked, barbecued, and watched the stars on beautiful night... priceless. We hope to return someday. Next year, Alaska.

 

[Bay Ranger]

November 19 finds us in Hampton, VA. We successfully dodged the big U.S.Navy warship entering the harbor the same time as we did. We gave him the right-of-way !!! We never tire of seeing the big ship here up close and personal. Looks like we'll pass by two aircraft carriers tomorrow morning as we head for the Dismal Swamp Canal.

The Dismal Swamp Canal is anything but dismal. It is a beautiful 24-mile tree-lined peaceful canal through the Dismal Swamp - America's oldest operating artificial waterway. The idea of the canal dates back to the 1720s but construction didn't get started 1793 and it was completed in 1805. No doubt, it was dismal building it through the swamp!

Frank - We have stayed at the beautiful Halifax Marina in Daytona in the past and will most likely stay there again sometime in December.

Toni and Russ - THanks for sharing your memories of the Keys. Our last trip down the ICW we spent January and February on Anna Maria Island at Bradenton Beach and enjoyed it immensely. We hope to enjoy the Keys just as much. We'll have to check out Marquesa Key.

Ed and Elaine

 

[Ainokea]

Ed,
Let us know when Bay Ranger will be in Daytona. Hopefully I will be in town. We are on C dock

Cheers

Frank

Ainokea
R-25

 

[Irishpilot]

Bay Ranger,

No that you have some hours under your belt in the R-27...how does it compare to the R-25 you had previously? What options did you get on the 27 you wished you would have had on your 25? Have a safe trip south...although we had almost 70 degrees yesterday in the Annapolis area ;-)

Take care and happy thanksgiving,

Mike

 

[Bay Ranger]

Mike -

The list of upgrades we appreciate on the R-27 is pretty long!

Outside it's the larger cleats, cockpit shorepower connection, larger cockpit lockers, solar panel, front-hinged mast, step ladder to the access the cabin top, freshwater pump moved to engine compartment, hinged cockpit storage locker to port (genset locker), larger, more substantial swim platform, and improved fuel fill set up.

Inside it's the propane stove/oven, upgraded headliner and cabin wall covering (much less mouse fur), slightly larger head with electric flush toilet and larger sink, improved pedestal for the dinette, engine that does not extend into the cabin (quieter), windshield fans, inverter, microwave, TV, galley countertop and stainless steel splash panel on galley side of head compartment, touch screen Garmin chartplotter, upgraded upholstery, and slightly larger and more energy-efficient fridge.

Although we're fully loaded for an extended cruise in addtition to the additional weight of the boat, it seems to handle like a bigger boat.

It also has 860 fewer engine hours than I had on our R-25!

One thing that has remained the same is the great owner support from the factory!

Ed

 

[Bay Ranger]

Here's a long-overdue update on Bay Ranger's ICW cruise.

The day before Thanksgiving we hit River Forest Marina at Belhaven, NC. s We were looking forward to Thanksgiving at the Manor House. We had experienced their "world famous" buffet on our trip south in 2002, but alas, it has closed down. So while we were hoofing it to the grocery on the outskirts of town to shore up the supplies for Thanksgiving on board, we were offered a ride by from the local resident. He invited us to his church's annual community Thanksgiving Dinner. We mentioned that that there might be a few other wayward boaters at the marina who might enjoy such an event and his response was, "Y'all come!" By the way, Roger's southern hospitality included waiting for us while a few things at the grocery and driving us back to the marina! Six of us from the marina joined about 50 community residents for some great southern home cookin'. They wouldn't let us leave until we filled an extra plate for Thanksgiving Dinner II that night on the boat.

The ICW through North and South Carolina is a favorite part of the trip for us. We spent day after day on a maze of remote rivers, creeks, and cuts mainly through cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. On Black Friday, while many were flooding the shopping malls stocking bargins we saw very few people - an occasional fisherman or duck hunter quietly stocking their prey. At one point a deer with a huge rack swam along the side of a narrow passage and climbed out as we got near. He stood warily on the bank and watched us go by.

Starting just north of Beaufort (Bo'-fert), NC we started seeing dolphins and have seen them literally everyday since. We also enjoyed the bald eagles keeping an eye on us along the way.

In contrast to the remote areas of the Carolinas, we also passed thru Myrtle Beach, SC where the waterway is lined with beautiful homes, shopping centers and golf courses. At one point, there was even a gondola carried golfers and their gear high above the ICW from the parking lot on one side to the course on the other. Beaufort (Bew' furt),SC is one of our favorite ports of call. It is a historic waterfront town with roots back to revolutionary war times enough southern charm to spare. We had a calm Charleston Harbor crossing with the impressive Fort Sumter on one side and the beautiful Charleston skyline on the other.

The character of the waterway changes a little in Georgia as the waterway is lined with golden sea grasses. The tides run about 7-8 feet, the currents are swift. Just when we were getting a little tired and bored with all of that, we entered Cumberland Sound before crossing the Florida state line. We were hailed by a large Coast Guard patrol boat politely firmly telling us to get as far out of the channel as we possiby could. Then they dispatched a small, speedy fully armed patrol boat with a serious-looking crew right beside us to made sure we complied! Turns out they were escorting a nuclear sub to the nearby King's Bay sub base. It was an impressive site. In addition to the sub, there were two large Coast Guard patrol boats, two small Coast Guard Patrol boats, and three military support ships escorting the sub.

We crossed the Florida line just short of a month since leaving Annapolis. We made good time and have decided to go up the St. John's River past Jacksonville to visit friends in East Palatka, FL. Tomorrow, we'll head back to Jacksonville, and then rejoin the ICW and proceed on south.

Ed and Eaine

 

[Bay Ranger]

After time with friends on the St. John's River, we returned to Jacksonville and spent a night at Jax Landing's free dock. The landing was festively decorated for the holidays and we were docked only an imaginary snowball's throw from the shoppers and live entertainment and nightly light show at the city Christmas tree.

Then it was back to the ICW for a nice 6-day run down to Force Pierce, FL. Although a bit windy at times, we enjoyed blue skies, sunshine, dolphins, an occasional manatee, and temps in the mid 70s all the way. Our only marina stay was at Halifax Harbor in Daytona Beach where we hooked up with John from Ainokea. We had a nice visit and were impressed with the upgrade John and Kathy had made to their beautiful red-hulled R-25.

One of our anchorages after leaving Daytona was on the Indian River just off Cape Canaveral. On our previous trips, the huge NASA Vehicle Assembly and working launch pad were bathed in bright light as crews prepared for upcoming space mission. Sadly, his time the builing was barely lit at night and no launch pads were visible - reflecting current times when launch activities have been curtailed.

Ft. Pierce is a good boaters' town with marina faciities right downtown and all amenities with walking distance. We particularly enjoy their huge weekly farmer's market in the waterfront park next to the marina and their great public library in that same park.

We'll be leaving Bay Ranger in Ft. Pierce, renting a car and heading for Tampa to spend Christmas with our son, grandsons, daughter-in-law, and her family.

We plan to continue southward to toward the Keys on Dec 27.

Happy Holidays to all.

Ed and Elaine

 

[Irishpilot]

Thanks for the updates....many of us are living vicariously through you as we commute into DC etc. ;-) What were the upgrades Ainokea did to their boat? Again, thanks for the updates and Happy Holidays!

Mike

 

[sportner]

We enjoy reading of your travel, it brings back happy memories. Keep enjoying.

 

[Bay Ranger]

First of all, I must correct myself. It's Frank on Ainokea, not John! Not sure why my fingers typed John. Shame on them. Sorry Frank!

Mike - Ainokea had so many upgrades! I'm sure I don't remember them all, but for starters, in the cockpit they have gone with the complete zippered screen enclosure, added a custom cockpit table and floor mat/carpeting. They have a nice dinghy rack on the swim platform that does not required any attachments to the dinghy itself. I believe they also have a mount for post for a bar-b-q on the swim platform.

The teak is varnished to a high gloss throughout the cabin. There have added wine glass rack and upgraded galley storage, and a magazine racks on the front side of the dinette bench seat. Sunshades have been made for each hatch and new curtains have replaced "factory-issued" ones. The new, smaller dinette table has been installed as they have no need to use the dinette as a berth. A magazine rack has been added on the front side of the dinette bench seat. Net bag storage has been strategically added throughout the v-verth and in the "cave". V-berth bedding has been customized with velcro fasteners. Storage racks have also been added to the head. They have mounted a 12-volt TV above the v-berth companionway.

The beautiful red hull has been clear-coated torit back to new or better. Again, I'm sure I have forgotton sum of the upgrades on Ainokea but they have done a great job. You'll have to PM Frank for details on the ones that interest you.

Ed

 

[Bay Ranger]

BAY RANGER returned this week from its 5-month, 2,800 mile sojourn to the Florida Keys. It was a great winter and we returned to a beautiful spring in full bloom here at home in Annapolis. Elaine and I are still speaking to each other after living aboard for 160 days! We came home with a boat load of great memories. We kind of fell behind on our updates along the way. I guess 'island time' caught up with us.

Although we had other obligations that kept us from making the Ft. Myers Ranger Tug Rendezvous, we still cross paths with half a dozen or so Ranger Tug owners between North Carolina and Florida. It was a pleasure to meet and exchange ideas with all of you.

Since this was our initial “shake down” cruise and winter trip all rolled into one, we would like to thank Chuck and Ian from Chesapeake Ranger Tugs for getting us underway as quickly as possible after a late October delivery. A debt of gratitude also goes to Jeff at the factory for facilitating the purchase or our R-27 and to Andrew for supporting us when we needed it along the way.

We’re looking forward to a good summer on the Chesapeake kicked off with the Chesapeake Ranger Tug Rendezvous in June.

Ed and Elaine