FYI all North East sailors, team Island Spirit has departed Rock Hall, MD for points NORTH. With the current high pressure and forecasted winds we may go for a non-stop passage to Block. Otherwise the plan is Reedy Island or C&D tonight, Cape May Monday night, Block Wed by NOON. We are a mobile hot spot via Verizon broadband and my digital cell antenna out on the solar frame. More on the ship’s network later. We have Jeff Gabor aboard and since he missed Block Island last year, we hope to show him a better tour of Block this year. OK, time to get a power nap as we approach the top of the Chesapeake Bay.
An Island Packet Wedding!
IP350 Unfazed owners Bill and Vicki Fay’s son Ben got married and we were invited. How lucky were we! Ben and Kristen’s wedding was so beautiful! The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club was lovely, the weather magnificent, and we had a wonderful time.
Hayden had fun trailing the professional photographer in search of great photos of the happy couple.
Loading Up
Packing and loading up for a 7 weeks sailing vacation is a real challenge. Every summer we move aboard our Island Packet and head off sailing for the summer. Last summer we ended up in Maine, this summer we have no plan but we do plan on spending the summer in Block Island. That is one of our favorite places, so why not spend the summer there. If all goes as planned, we will be heading for the offshore run to Block on Sunday at Noon! The high pressure is looking PERFECT for ocean sailing. Let’s hope it holds out. Here are afew photos of loading up….ugh!
departing sunday for Block Island
Dealing with Engine Room Noise
Jeff and I have designed a new wooden toggle that will help to press the engine room doors closed and hold them tightly against the newly added foam gaskets. We hope this will reduce the engine room noise below in the cabin. The newer Island Packets have the engines placed lower in the hull making them more quiet. This 1994 boat is old school and needs some work on the decibel reduction program. This should do the trick. Now to add another layer of sound proofing to the doors. (post added via email posting!)