Boating the Upper Chesapeake

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I also pumped some through the head thru hull fitting..... (name is escaping me right now)

That would be the pump-out or holding tank port.

I didn't do anything with the A/C because its currently not working. (control board maybe?) instead they installed a small window unit which I think will be coming out. Although, now that I think about it, I may head back over and pump some through just in case I can repair/fix it.

Yeah, you need to get some AF in there. The good thing is that the A/C system doesn't need to operate. Just locate one of the the A/C thruhulls (suction or discharge, doesn't matter) and pump AF thru until it comes out the other end. Check out this video: http://www.liboatersclub.com/home?view=article&id=82

Is there anything that you think I may have missed? Trying to get over there for the day Friday to work on it some more and I can work on anything you suggest!

I think you've got everything covered.
Maybe splash a little AF into any bilge area that might see rainwater.
FWIW, I just drain the potable water tank and heater- no AF. That stuff tastes bad and can be difficult to flush. I also have bypass valves at the water heater (makes winterization easier).

Rob, just out of curiosity, why leave the seacocks open, just to make sure that there isn't any water trapped in them?

Exactly!

Also, by your comment, I assume that you would close them if you are leaving the boat in the water? Could you explain the reasons behind this?

Yes, and not just in the winter. I keep all of my seacocks CLOSED when not onboard for more then 24 hours. Very cheap insurance. You know the other 34 Silverton on Pier 6? Well, a few years ago it sank at the dock because one of the engine intake hoses slipped off. OOPS.
The 'dangerous' part of this process is remembering to open the valves before firing an engine. I keep a piece of paper attached to the helm keys to remind me. At this point it's automatic for me to open things up when entering the cabin.

Sorry, I am just always trying to learn more and more and it makes it easier when I understand the theory behind it! Thanks again for all the info you share with us, it is very much appreciated!

Hey no problem Brandon. I'm happy to help.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Rob - thanks!!

I will get to the boat this week and get some AF through the AC, hopefully it's not to late.

That was some great info about the seacocks, I never thought about closing them when not on the boat. I will have to make sure mine are easy to get to although I think they are.

So how do you winterize your water systems Rob? I got kind of confused. I followed the draining of the tanks and water heater and using a bypass kit for the water heater. So do you pump pink stuff through the city inlet to winterize? If so, how do you make sure there isn't any water in the fresh water pump? So I guess you are saying that it is easier to just flush out the lines to get rid of the taste in the spring vs. having that sit in the tanks all winter? That makes sense to me. Just curious about the water pump mainly.

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

You should be OK with the A/C- I don't think CM has seen any sub-freezing nights yet.
Did you cover the bridge or cockpit with a tarp?

So how do you winterize your water systems Rob?

First, I run the freshwater tank dry by opening the faucets. I let 'em run about 5 minutes after it starts gurgling to make sure the pump is empty. Close the faucets then drain the water heater and turn the bypass valves.

So do you pump pink stuff through the city inlet to winterize?

Yeah, that's the next step. I connect a submersible pump to the inlet and stick it in a bucket of pink. Open the faucets one at a time and flush the head until I see it come out.

If so, how do you make sure there isn't any water in the fresh water pump?

By simply running it dry for 5 minutes.
No pink goes into the freshwater tank or water heater. Any residual water has plenty of room for freeze expansion.

On another subject, You guys have motivated me to (finally) do some serious work on the Nova.
She's now on the trailer and I set up a fuel polishing system to clean the tank.
See this thread for pics: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=523441

 

[Blue Crabber]

Rob - thanks again for taking the time to explain, that makes perfect sense. I never thought about just running the pump dry for several minutes to ensure all the water is out, so easy. I guess when It comes to boats, I try not to run anything dry! Guess I don't have to worry about the FW pump.

Thanks again Rob. I always enjoy learning new stuff and am always open to new, easier ways to do something. I think I will try this approach next year.

I actually went ahead and had the marina shrink wrap the boat this year. I decided that it would be the easiest thing as the boat is 3 hours away. I wanted peace of mind too, to ensure that no water/moisture was going to seep through window or hatch seals, etc. I know that I need to replace all 3 hatch seals before spring as they were stiff and starting to show some cracks.

By the way, is "Winter Dream" ready for the winter yet? I am always willing to lend a hand if needed! (as you know, I get down there fairly often.)

Scott - how is "Hard Crab" progressing along? I hope the progress is coming along well for you.

And finally, have a great Thanksgiving everyone! I count it as a blessing to have you guys as friends.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Good deal. If you need any crew when you bring her home I'm available!

Scott - sorry I just realized that I never responded to this. Thanks for the offer! I will definitely keep you in mind (and Rob as I know he has taken his Silverton to CM before.)

However, I am hoping that I can find a nice weekend in the sprig that my wife and I can make a trip out of it and enjoy the journey. Maybe take the train to Atlantic City and then a bus to Cape May. Spend the night on the boat at the marina and then cast off in the morning. Maybe try for Chesapeake City the first night and stay in the mooring area on the hook overnight. Then finish the trip to Tydings the next morning.

Anyway, that's rough plan but a lot has to come together before that can happen. Although it may be fun to have a boat to run along with back from CC!

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I actually went ahead and had the marina shrink wrap the boat this year.

Good decision IMO.

By the way, is "Winter Dream" ready for the winter yet?

Yup, she's all done. Hopefully we won't get so much snow this year....

And finally, have a great Thanksgiving everyone! I count it as a blessing to have you guys as friends.

Back at 'ya!

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Finally got some time to myself and figured I'd check in at iboats, see what you all have been up to. Looks like a lot!! Congrats on the new boats to Scott and Andrew, they look great! Hopefully I'll get to see them next summer. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I haven't been on the water since Fourth of July and I am wondering where the year went. Now it's cold out and the boats are begging to be covered and protected....hopefully tomorrow it should be nice enough out to do that, although there is something about covering a boat in 60+ degree weather that just doesn't seem right to me.

On a good note, I am now a member of Pennsylvania Water Rescue Station 72. We do swiftwater, ice and scuba rescues and recoveries all over Pa.

Well, if I don't get back on iboats before then, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. <-} )

And remember; The only difference between a Snow Woman and a Snow Man is a couple of Snow Balls.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Actually, it is not bad luck at all if you follow the proper renaming ceremony to appease the boating gods.

I would rather not risk it. I'm fine with just keeping the name on there. But I was never big on looks, all i care about is if the boat functions, and gets the job done.

I still don't know why someone would name a boat "sinbad"

 

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Scott - sorry I just realized that I never responded to this. Thanks for the offer! I will definitely keep you in mind (and Rob as I know he has taken his Silverton to CM before.)

However, I am hoping that I can find a nice weekend in the sprig that my wife and I can make a trip out of it and enjoy the journey. Maybe take the train to Atlantic City and then a bus to Cape May. Spend the night on the boat at the marina and then cast off in the morning. Maybe try for Chesapeake City the first night and stay in the mooring area on the hook overnight. Then finish the trip to Tydings the next morning.

Anyway, that's rough plan but a lot has to come together before that can happen. Although it may be fun to have a boat to run along with back from CC!

Ok, so what if you did this in the spring. Get the boat launched, drive down, and get her ready to sail. Then sail her over the AC, near the train station. Then drive back home, and take the train back to get the boat. You would need 2 cars to get back to your car in cape may.

But i guess if your doing that you might was well dirve 1 car there, sail back, and drive the second car to NJ to get the first.

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Stan,
Congrats, that is great news!

Kyle,
Sinbad was a sailor after all, who knows? My Wellcraft had no name the first 31 years of it's life. And this new boat's name is cool, and has a nice graphic of a crab with it, so I am fine with it. Now if it was named "Captain Jerkface" I might have to take my chances hehe!

 

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

yea, i hear ya. I did not like sinbad. Because i associated it with the comedian. I forgot about the Sinbad from the stories.

And i think those rules are really for bigger ships over 60 ft anyway.

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

yea, i hear ya. I did not like sinbad. Because i associated it with the comedian. I forgot about the Sinbad from the stories.

And i think those rules are really for bigger ships over 60 ft anyway.

I think the name Sinbad is entirely appropriate!!
From Wikipedia: "Sinbad the Sailor is a fictional sailor from Basrah, living during the Abbasid Caliphate ? the hero of a story-cycle of Middle Eastern origin. During his voyages throughout the seas east of Africa and south of Asia, he has fantastic adventures going to magical places, meeting monsters, and encountering supernatural phenomena."

Compare Sinbads adventures to your own.
In the Upper Bay we have magical places (The Flats, Sand Island), monsters (Chessie the manatee), and supernatural phenomena (an actual iboats raftup!).

As far as re-naming, size doesn't matter- unless you want to tempt fate....


Hey Stan- I thought you fell off the face of the earth. Great to hear from you!
I was thinking maybe you got out of boating.
MAJOR props for doing the water rescue stuff. That's some tough duty, but VERY rewarding.
Here's Station 72's site. Great pics and info:
http://www.pawaterrescue.org/

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Good to hear from you Stan! I was wondering what happened to the guy that started this fine thread!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We did! I hope that you did too!

On a good note, I am now a member of Pennsylvania Water Rescue Station 72. We do swiftwater, ice and scuba rescues and recoveries all over Pa.

Congrats! That is really awesome and takes a certain kind of person to be able to do that. Keep up the great work!

Ok, so what if you did this in the spring. Get the boat launched, drive down, and get her ready to sail. Then sail her over the AC, near the train station. Then drive back home, and take the train back to get the boat. You would need 2 cars to get back to your car in cape may.

But i guess if your doing that you might was well dirve 1 car there, sail back, and drive the second car to NJ to get the first.

Well, maybe I wasn't clear enough in my orginal post. I had only talked to a couple people on options and not really checked into it yet myself. At this point, it looks like I can leave a car at the Bay (NE or HDG - This should be really easy to do as I am down there often with other people and can grab a ride home with someone else.)

Then when the perfect weekend comes in the spring, we will drive our second car to the local train station which is only about 10 mins away. Then we can catch a train to Philadelphia with connections beyond (Like Atlantic City) Then it looks like we can grab a bus from either Phily or AC down to the bus station in Wildwood NJ. The bus station is only a few miles from the marina so I will arrange to have a taxi pick us up and take us to the boat that will be waiting in the water for us at the marina. (Hopefully we can do this all late on a Friday and then shove off Saturday morning for a cruise to Chesapeake City or thereabouts, and finish the trip on Sunday to HDG)

Then when we return home, we only need to get the car at the local train station which is only 10 mins away.

Yes, I will be spending a few days in the spring getting her ready for the voyage but that wont play into the vehicle situation. Of course, this is only a rough plan at the moment and wont be finalized until the spring.

http://www.pawaterrescue.org/

Thanks for posing the link Rob. Again, congrats to Stan for doing this!!

 

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

i bought a 7 mm wetsuit last year. When it first came in, it was march, and we went down to the bush river and went swimming. The water was maybe 40 degrees, but you could not feel it.

I love that feeling of swimming in water you have no business being in.

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I know what you mean Kyle. I lived in Ocean City when I was in my early 20's and we used to surf in the winter. Peeing in your wetsuit warms you up too!

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

So, I met Mike down at Tydings yesterday. It was an interesting time.

So, I swung by Tydings yesterday as I had a few minutes to kill before a meeting at Perry Point VAMC. Thought that I would walk out Pier 6 and check on "Winter Dream" - all looked well! Then I saw that "Tranquility" was in the slip and looked to see how they had the canvas/covers set up on it, as this boat is the same model I have, just 4 years newer. After that, I strolled out to the end of the dock to glance across at the island slips, as I may end up with one out there next year and I was just curious how they looked. I was just enjoying the weater and nice stroll along the pier.

As I came back off the pier, one of the guys working in the parking lot asked which boat was mine. I explained that none were and that I was checking on a friends boat for him. He then proceeded to point at the "No Trespassing, Boat owners and guests only" sign and said, I know you don't have one as I know all the boat owners and you arent one. That was just a polite was of asking what the heck you are doing out there!" After I explained more and about who's boat I was checking on and that I recently purchased a boat and was on the waiting list, we chatted for a little while and he was cool. I finally figured out that it was Mike, who bought "Hard Crab" for $100 bucks just a few years ago. He proceeded to tell me that wasn't the only boat he bought from the marina either.

So now I can put a face with a name

Anyway, he told me that the last thing I want is an island slip. That they are trying to get rid of them as they just aren't worth the aggrivation. I told him about the boat I purchased and he said that he would be afraid of the boat ripping pilings out in a heavy wind. I know that there is not any water or electric out on the pier, but I thought it would be at least a safe spot to dock for a year or so until I can secure one of the other slips. Now, I am not so sure. Anybody actally been out there and seen the condition for themselves?

Still keeping my fingers crossed for a permanent slip, but need to figure out a back up plan if that doesn't happen. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Brandon,
glad you finally met Mike. he has bought a few other boats for nothing, just like mine!

I did talk to one guy who works there, a new guy in his 50's or so? He said a transient slip is cheaper than a regular slip. Sounds fishy to me but I will ask next time I'm down there. I'd take a T-head if I had to until I my spot on the list comes up. I doubt that guy is correct because they charge $1 per foot a night, unless they offer a discount? Wouldn't make sense to rent out their transient slips like that though, IMO.

I am not a fan of the island, and will go somewhere else until a regular slip opens up if need be.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Yeah, I asked the same questions. If memory serves correct, I think a transient slip is $9/foot for the month which isn't to bad. Of course, this is only if they are available.

So, where else have you looked or are considering for a back up plan? Just curious what you have been finding.

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Yeah, I asked the same questions. If memory serves correct, I think a transient slip is $9/foot for the month which isn't to bad. Of course, this is only if they are available.

So, where else have you looked or are considering for a back up plan? Just curious what you have been finding.

I haven't really looked at all.

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

So, I met Mike down at Tydings yesterday. It was an interesting time.

Yeah, Mike's a good guy. Just wish ALL the marina employees would walk the docks more often.
He's pretty much the only one I ever see on Pier 6 - well, unless the police are called.

Thought that I would walk out Pier 6 and check on "Winter Dream" - all looked well!

Thank You! It's been a few weeks, so I appreciate the "eyes".

Then I saw that "Tranquility" was in the slip and looked to see how they had the canvas/covers set up on it, as this boat is the same model I have, just 4 years newer.

Believe it or not, that is the original 1989 canvas from Sea Ray!

Anyway, he told me that the last thing I want is an island slip. That they are trying to get rid of them as they just aren't worth the aggrivation. I told him about the boat I purchased and he said that he would be afraid of the boat ripping pilings out in a heavy wind. I know that there is not any water or electric out on the pier, but I thought it would be at least a safe spot to dock for a year or so until I can secure one of the other slips. Now, I am not so sure. Anybody actally been out there and seen the condition for themselves?

I kayak and fish out there regularly. Don't worry- the island piers aren't as new as the main piers, but IMO they're perfectly safe in normal conditions. In a really BIG blow (-like Irene-) just deploy anchors like I did.
But I DO think Mike is correct as far as the 'aggravation factor'- I wouldn't want to dinghy out to the boat every time...BUT it'll certainly work until you're able to get a regular slip. Also, you're not going to find a slip anywhere nearby for that price.
What about Northest Isles, Brandon?

....He said a transient slip is cheaper than a regular slip. Sounds fishy to me but I will ask next time I'm down there. I'd take a T-head if I had to until I my spot on the list comes up. I doubt that guy is correct because they charge $1 per foot a night, unless they offer a discount? Wouldn't make sense to rent out their transient slips like that though, IMO.
.

I agree, that doesn't sound right.
Let's see, a transient slip for a 30 footer would be $900/ month, so it would have to be a HUGE discount!
I thought the island slip rates are half of the regulars, which are now $55/ ft.
For comparison, I pay just under $2K for the year.
Sounds like the $9/foot/month is the long-term transient rate, but that's still about 15% more than a regular slip.