Sans Souci was laid up longer than we had anticipated. All told, she was on the hard at Ross Marine in Charleston for 2 months. I (Hugh) returned to retrieve her on Memorial Day. At the same time, Sylvia embarked on a whirlwind tour of MN and IA, including family visits and a College reunion in Grinnell.
Work completed on Sans Souci was as follows:
New prop shaft- the existing was bent about 20 thousandths out of true. This was enough to cause all of the vibration problems we had been experiencing. You might recall that we installed a new prop strut in October/November in Cape Charles. I should have tested the shaft at that time. I would have replaced it then
Max prop sent back to PYI in WA for servicing. All new blades and internal parts will give us at least another 10 years on the prop. Well worth the money, in my opinion
New engine mounts- the old ones were likely original and two were completely warn out and it was a metal-on-metal situation
New cutlass bearing- just wise to do this again, given the bent shaft probably unevenly wore the replacement I installed this fall
Prop stuffing box (where the prop shaft exits the boat- holds back the ocean from entering the boat) restuffed
Rudder stuffing box restuffed and snugged
Other minor repairs
I was happy with the quality of the work and communication from the yard. Would use Ross again for sure.
On May 31 I departed solo from Charleston for Beaufort, NC. It was a salty sail overnight with gusts to nearly 30 knots and building seas around Frying Pan Shoals off Cape Fear. Reefed both main and jib, I made excellent time to Beaufort and decided to continue up Adams creek for the afternoon. The next day, Monday, I took the day off and motored 100 miles up towards Norfolk. Tuesday morning, I decided to stop in Coinjock for a couple of nights where I met some great people. I spent two nights at the free dock in Great Bridge. I’m now sitting in Little Creek, VA, near Norfolk where Sans Souci will sit while I travel for work next week. SS and I covered 420 miles from Charleston to Norfolk over the last couple of weeks.
The plan is for friends Mike (features often as crew,) and Kim & Dave who I know from Popes Island Marine to drive down together in a rental car, arriving here Friday. Weather depending, we plan to leave straight away for the 3 day passage to New Bedford.
Meanwhile, Sylvia is working and unpacking in our new to us apartment in a refurbished mill building in New Bedford. More on that later. We aren’t swallowing the anchor, but we were missing a home base. We signed a year lease.
(This caption is for the photo above this one. Anyone looking to blog should avoid WordPress!) An old friend of my parents and new friend to Sylvia and me. Sarah was my savior in Charleston!
Always a treat to have guests while sailing solo
Spicy sailing overnight
Canadian wildfires making for pretty sunsets
I met the couple who own Adriana, a Stanley, in Coinjock. You don’t see these outside of Maine very often. The Stanleys were built by my dad’s cousin, Jock Williams on Mount Desert Island.
Rafted up with Vela at the free dock in Great Bridge.
Through the Great Bridge bridge. It’s pretty great. Photo credit to Ed from Vela.
The other free dock, not as nice as the one on the south side of the bridge.
In the Great Bridge Lock. The lock protects the brackish waters south of it from salt intrusion, helping keep the wildlife healthy.
Lonely in the lock early on Saturday morning.
Surprise visit from my old friend Chris Renkar. Chris and his wife, Shelli made the 100 mile drive down from Richmond for a visit. Chris, it can’t be another 35 years before we meet again!
I like to call it the penthouse. We scored the NE corner, 3rd floor apartment in the Cliftex Mill
Great windows and 20 foot ceilings. Don’t mind the mess as we unpack.
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Wait, Sylvia’s a Grinnellian? Class of ‘83 here!
Also—love reading your adventures!
You Grinnellians are everywhere! She will be happy to hear it.
Great seeing you! Well worth the small drive to catch up!
We will do it again before too long!
Great update! Keep Holly and me in mind as potential future crew!