After 101 days at sea, Belle Bateau is snug in a new slip on the South River. We thought it would be fun to kayak from our Annapolis land-based home in Riva Trace to our water-based home Belle Bateau in Edgewater. It took about 40 minutes each way because we paused to admire nature and other boats. So much fun to be close enough to our boat to kayak to her!
Century Club: Cheryl Duvall
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Kayaked from land-based home to water-based home (Belle Bateau)
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 to Thursday, September 14, 2023
Number of days:
101 days
Day 3 Docked in Baltimore
Day 8 Overnight passage from Lewes to Sandy Hook
Day 10 Hello Lady Liberty!
Day 26 Anchored in Block Island
Day 30 Foggy approach to Cuttyhunk
Day 37 Provincetown mooring
Day 43 Whale sighting at Stellwagen Bank
Day 47 Passing Isle of Shoals
Day 49 Boothbay Maine mooring
Day 54 Anchored in Hell Half Acre near Stonington Maine
Day 58 Northeast Harbor Maine (Acadia)
Day 62 Camden Maine harbor
Day 65 Port Clyde Maine
Day 66 Ferried over to Monhegan Island
Day 68 Passed through swing bridge west of Boothbay
Day 70 BB at anchor in Potts Cove Maine at Sunset
Day 72 Wicked current on mooring Portsmouth NH
Day 80 Surprise safety inspection by USCG near Woods Hole MA
Day 80 Arrived Martha's Vineyard, Edgartown MA
Day 82 Ferry with bikes to Chappaquiddick
Day 86 At anchor in Newport RI
Day 89 Sewing repairs to dinghy chaps at anchor, Fisher's Island NY
Day 91 Mirage en route: Ferry boat flying into power boat
Day 92 At anchor in Northport NY (Long Island Sound)
Day 97 Passing Statue of Liberty during storms
Day 98 Offshore passage on September 11 with rainbow
Day 99 Overnight passage from NJ, entering Delaware Bay at sunrise
Day 100 Cheers at anchor on Sassafras River
Day 101 The Bay Bridge says "welcome home"
Day 101 Back in slip on South River
Garmin Track from June 6 through Sept 14, 2023
My husband and I recently retired and finally have time for a long cruise. On June 6, 2023 we threw off our dock lines in the South River and began a 100+ day sailing adventure to Maine and back. It's our first time north of Philadelphia in Belle Bateau. We are chasing 72 degrees up to Maine for Summer 2023 and returning to Maryland in the fall, as the wind blows. For more information about our journey, see https://www.sailingbelle.net.
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Hoisted up the mast
After much debating, we decide on a Pep Wave unit to provide our new and improved internet/wifi experience while out at sea. My husband determined best and highest placement of the unit, on our starboard shrouds. While I don't mind heights, I unfortunately don't possess keen mechanical skills. So he got the job of being hoisted up. It was one of the few remaining tasks on our To Do list before departing on June 6. Counting this as Day 6 of 10 allowed.
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Securing outboard to dinghy
One of the most dreaded tasks in the spring is installing the very heavy and awkward outboard onto our dinghy. Counting this as day 5 of 10 allowed for prepping/maintaining.
Sunday, May 14, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
About to leave slip, on South River
We needed a short shakedown cruise to test some systems, so we sailed down South River, across the bay, and then back. Engine performed well, and all three sails were flown with no issues.
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Our new though short-term slip at Pier 7
We sailed from Whitehall Bay to the South River, and into our new though temporary slip at Pier 7 Marina.
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Supplemental refrigerator unit
In preparation for our 100+ days at sea, we purchased and installed a new cooling unit to supplement our refrigerator and/or freezer. We installed it today, and confirmed I still had kneeroom when working at computer at dinette. Unit can be removed after long trip to return this to 2-seat dinette. Counted this as Day 4 of 10 allowed for maintenance.
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
One of three sails, with new telltales
We had a windless day at the dock so were able to put all three sails on Belle Bateau. So excited to have new tell tales! Counting this as Day 3 of 10 allowed for maintenance.
Friday, May 5, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Belle Bateau is splashed!
BB was splashed at Whitehall Marina, and we continued to test systems since we had hired professionals to service the engine. Discovered leak in injectors so can't move boat to Annapolis tomorrow. Counting this as Day 2 of 10 allowed for maintenance.
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Riggers up the mast while we were prepping BB
We were aboard Belle Bateau on the hard preparing for her spring splash when the riggers returned to complete their work. Counting this as 1 allowed day for prepping/maintaining boat.