I sit here is Northern Virginia (NOVA) while my boat sits at Snead Island Boatworks, FL. So it is time to write a short report on leg 1. Moving my 1997 IP37 "Hamba Kahle" (a Zulu phrase meaning go peacefully, or, go safely) to Colin Mack in Stewart FL for chainplate replacement and other maintenance items.
I purchased Hamba Kahle in February 2020 and embarked on an extended maintenance and refit project which took me twice my estimated time.
Mike Fauser (my friend from the days of Island Yachting Centre, now at Whiteaker Yach Sales) and I departed Herrington Harbor North 10/22/2022. To say my boat was in disarray a few days before and up to departure is an understatement.
We sailed down the Chesapeake with an extended stop along the way as I did battle with changing out the fresh water impeller and clearing obstruction in the exhaust mixing elbow.
By 10/24/2022 we had made it to Hospital Point, Norfolk. Along the way Mike had hurt his back and so needed to depart. He kindly arranged and put me in touch with Captain Blaine Parks.
Mike and I stopped in at the free dock across from Norfolk to re-provision (see pic 20221025_085608.jpg) and then on to a marina to refuel.
There I met Darlene and Dave aboard IP37 "Sugaree".
As many know, Captain Blaine Parks is a pro. He and I discussed options and it was decided I would forge ahead single-handed and meet up with him in Beaufort, NC. Even though Blaine was not yet aboard he was extremely helpful with daily guidance on next target destinations, guidance and places to stop over for the night.
Along the way Sugaree and Hamba Kahle ended up in the same locations a few times and it was a pleasure chatting and getting to know them. "Sugaree" ahead of me on the ICW (20221027_121027.jpg). Note the small white sail forward of "Sugaree" starboard). We passed this boat a few times during he trip. A single-hander grinning from ear-to-ear day by day.
On 10/28/2022 I stayed overnight at Whittaker Pointe Marina. After settling into the slip, we all realized there were 3 IP representing 3 generations. An IP35, IP37, IP370 all in adjoining slips. Amazing!
10/29/2022 at 1300 I docked at Beaufort Docks. Blaine and I met up, re-provisioned and went out for dinner and drinks.
0745 10/30/2022 we departed for the Atlantic.
Hiring Captain Blaine Parks was one of the best decisions I made. While I have reasonable experience sailing IP31, 32 and 37 out on the Gulf of Mexico, this was my first Atlantic venture and we needed to make time. Breaking a golden rule - do not have a time limit, I was caught in this situation to get my boat to Stewart FL and get back to work.
Blaine taught me so much on this leg, not least of which was the importance of a good hot meal once a day. A stop-and-go at St. Augustine 0615 11/02/2022 showed again how much Blaine knows of these waters. While I could not see unlighted buoys Blaine confidently said steer X degrees for the next 1/4 mile and we will be upon a green buoy. And BINGO, so it was.
Thursday 11/03/2022 around midday we made it to Mack Yacht Services. Thank you Blaine for the lessons and getting me and Hamba Kahle to our destination!
Thursday afternoon and all of Friday I spent unloading the interior of the boat so Mack Yacht Services could begin their important work.
Next update - Stewart FL to Bradenton FL December 27 2022 to January 01 2023
