Shark River to Atlantic City

Ran with a following current to Barnegat and arrived before noon. A closer study of Barnegat revealed shallow water with limited sailboat facilities. It is very popular with sport fishermen, as is much of the Jersey Shore. Decided to push on to Atlantic City, NJ. The tight channel into Atlantic City was lumpy and rough. Susan booked dockage at Kammerman's Marina, directly across the inlet from the Trump Marina and Harrah's Casino. Even though the inlet was barely 200 yards wide, the two sides of the inlet were a world apart as you can see in the pictures.

Atlantic Highlands to Shark Inlet (Belmar), NJ

Tuesday, July 20 was a rain day and we decided to stay put in Atlantic Highlands. Bought some provisions, discovered we could not get back on board the boat due to ebb tide (too big of jump), so we visited the public library and had a nice dinner at a local pub. Woke to sunshine on Wednesday and released the Gratitude from cumbersome dockage. Had a nice sail off the coast of New Jersey south to the Shark River Inlet and the town of Belmar, NJ. Beautiful homes lining the inlet. Had to go through two lift bridges (draw bridges) and one fixed bridge with 50 feet of clearance at mean high tide. Our mast is just under 48 feet. Beautiful evening and oysters on the water at local waterside spot.
Wednesday was another rain day with tremendous winds and squalls. Trashed one umbrella. Caught up on laundry, etc. Sunny skies the next day and shoved off early well before high tide headed for Barnegat Bay, NJ.

Long Island Sound and East River (NYC)

Dear Faithful Readers,

We had a long, tedious sail from Stonington, CN to Port Jefferson, LI, across Long Island Sound (60 nm). Nice night on a mooring at Setauket Yacht Club. On to Cold Spring Harbor, NY next morning. Todd and Amy had arranged for a mooring at the Beach Club so we were almost in front of Ed and Kay's (brother & sister-in-law) house in Cold Spring. Lunch at Beach Club outside. Relaxed by the pool at Ed & Kay's and had some great meals out. Launched Ed's sailboat 'Melody II' and secured on a mooring. Peter and Jamie & Stacey and Ryland came out from NYC. Ryland wowed us with his cooking skills - we had fantastic barbeques along with perfect weather. Enjoyed a day sailing with the gang on Saturday around Cold Spring and Oyster Bay. Harbors filled with boats.


Reluctantly left Cold Spring Sunday afternoon and sailed (motored) to City Island, North Minneford Yacht Club, just north of NYC. It is a part of the Bronx. Very friendly place. Great maritime history on City Island. Walked to a fun restaurant in town. Got some valuable local knowledge for trip past NYC.

Monday up early and walked back into town for last minute supplies and coffees. Left marina at 8:45 am to catch the ebb tide south on the East River. Passed under 8 bridges and had unsurpassed views of Manhattan, UN, financial district, Roosevelt Island, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the narrows. Hit Hell Gate at the perfect time and current propelled us south at 10.5 knots over the ground as the motor idled. Made for Sandy Hook, NJ, actually Atlantic Highlands Marina, where I am updating this blog. Exhausted after dealing with giant pilings to tie on to and no floating docks! Richard had to use his Okie lassoing skills to get a line over one.

Southern Rhode Island & Long Island Sound

Nice sail over to Bristol, Rhode Island. Stayed two nights with Susan and Sher. Bicycled around and had some great seafood. Monday was a bit rougher ride to Point Judith, RI. Called the Harbor of Refuge to give you an idea of what the conditions can be there. Today, enjoyed a nice day and easy sail to Stonington, Ct. Reputed to be the most beautiful harbor in New England. Whether true or not, it is an idyllic harbor. Great view of Amtrak Acela zipping by periodically. What could be better? Tomorrow will continue working our way west in Long Island Sound with the hope of arriving and Ed & Kay's thursday if weather cooperates.. Thanks for following.

Voyage has resumed.

Dear Faithful Friends and Family,

After a great week-end in NYC we flew to Bangor, ME (July 22) where the weather was awful. Arose the next morning to a flat tire. Launched Gratitude on Tuesday, July 23 and began provisioning. Weather was cold and foggy with drizzle. Left Thursday for Tenants Harbor, ME. Foggy. Oil leaking from oil filter fitting when we arrived. Tightened oil filter. Great dinner in Tenants Harbor. Left Friday morning bound for Boothbay. As we approached open ocean (in the fog) low battery alarm sounded on instruments. Back to Tenant's Harbor. Called boatyard in Rockland. They brought out new battery but we discovered they had neglected to connect alternator cable this spring. No charge. Connected cable and problem solved. Off to Boothbay the next day (in patchy fog). At mouth of harbor, we were hailed by a power boat with no power and drifting for the rocks. With shallow water and fog we knew we could make only one pass by the boat to throw a line. Susan took the wheel, swung the helm and headed directly for the boat. She turned at the last possible moment allowing me to throw a line. We began towing them into boothbay harbor. As we approached Boothbay, a small power boat came over to investigate as they thought it was ironic that a sailboat would be towing a power boat. As we offered to allow them to continue the tow, our engine alarm went off. Small power boat towed large power boat into harbor and then came back and towed us. I inspected engine compartment and oil everywhere. I check into marina and told tale of woe and the owner told me I had been double gasketed. He said to remove oil filter and I will discover that mechanic had failed to remove old gasket when he installed new filter. I removed filter and there, hanging on the engine block........old gasket. So we are furious with boatyard. Cleaned up mess, put in new oil and the old Gratitude has performed flawlessly ever since.
Weather forecast in Boothbay was for fog and drizzle for next week so we got our car and drove to the Cape to visit dear college friends and celebrate Barbie's (college pal) birthday. Cape was delightful. Had a great time and we dried out.

Returned to Boothbay, re-provisioned, parked car in a lot, and sailed to Portland, ME. Beautiful day. Next day sailed to York Harbor, ME. Marina operator told me over the phone on the way that we would be docked next to HW and Barbara. Thought he was kidding. Arrived and discovered we would have to parallel park boat in a space 3 feet too short and it was indeed next to HW's monster power boat and a black secret service boat. Managed to get boat in without ramming either HW or SS. Later, HW and entourage hobbled down the dock, got in their 900 horsepower (not kidding) boat and sailed off into the sunset with SS following close behind. York Harbor is beautiful.

Next day, sailed to Salem, MA. Marine forecast, which is usually quite accurate, was way off. Rain, wind, rough seas. Stayed in Salem the next day to rest. Explored Salem Essex Museum, etc.

Next leg was to Cape Cod Canal. Nice day with following winds. Next day through the canal to South Dartmouth, MA and the New Bedford Yacht Club. An absolute jewel. More later