After what turned out to be one of the most peaceful nights sleep, I awoke at 4:00 am Sunday to a slight breeze coming in the hatch of the dining settee, a 'clanging' from the rigging of a sailboat four slips down, and the bells of the Mantoloking Bridge immediately outside the marina gates. I got up and made breakfast; dinner rolls from the night before warmed in the galley oven, cold orange juice, hot tea and cereal. The only thing missing was the Sunday morning newspaper (note to self; more reading material). The small TV I had brought on board the day before worked fine, just no TV reception. DVD only. I am going to get VERY used to this lifestyle.
But I wasn't here to watch TV. After finishing breakfast, I made another large mug of hot tea, and began going over the systems of Vintage Viking that either the surveyor couldn't due to lack of shore power or only did cursory reporting. Up to now, all of the 'major' systems functioned on the boat (engines, trannys, propulsion) but the electronics were uncalibrated and unreliable. I had brought along a handheld GPS, which worked perfect. But ever since I entered the shallower Barnegat Bay, the depth sounders didn't keep accurate reportings. I believe it is just a sensitivity setting that I need to sort out.
Most of the interior systems of the boat were functional but ill-kept. I spent the next 3 hours cleaning the head, galley and salon. Checked out the AC, the heat, the water tanks and systems, cleaned the helm and inventoried the engine room. I have a solid boat under me; not too big and not too small. But even so, there were hundreds of things that I needed to review, familiarize myself with and develop a plan for refurbish/retrofit. But for now, I wanted to get Vintage Viking to the marina in Barnegat.
By 8:00 am, I had stowed the power cords and the water lines that had given Vintage Viking life the afternoon before. The wind, still coming from the north-west, had picked up again and was approaching the 25MPH from the day before. However, since the Bay was more protected from the wind by the barrier islands, the waves were a mild 2-3', but they did have white caps on them. I pulled out of Hinckleys, confident in the boat's ability to reach my destination, but cautious of the electronics aboard. This concern would prove to be well-founded, as the sensitivity of the depth reporting continued. But Barnegat Bay is well marked with daymarkers, and with chart in hand and eyes on the depth marking of the chart, it was a process of heading southbound from one daymarker to the next. Vintage Viking had no problems dealing with the wind and waves. The only casualty was I had lost my Life is Good Kayaker's hat when I stuck my head out of the flybridge to verify a number on a daymark. Fittingly, the hat was the one I had given my brother Tom, who when he was alive used to love the water and kayaking. I'm sure he is wearing the hat now.
Even with the wind, the waves and the anxiety over the depth recording, I was very comfortable and confident on the boat. She didn't prove to be too much boat for one person to operate, at least until docking procedures called for additional hands. Up till now I had the luxury of dock attendants, gas-pumpers, or anyone else around. I hoped that as I got used to the boat I could develop procedures and systems for 'self-docking' as I do with my 20-footer. But this is almost twice the boat, four times heavier, and only operated from up on the flybridge. By the time I could leave the helm to attend to a line, the boat could be 25 feet or more away. I guess I'll need a Second Mate. I think my grandson Dominic has his eyes set on that job.
By 10:00 am, I saw Barnegat Lighthouse to port, meaning that my new marina would be to starboard. At 10:30am, I pulled Vintage Viking up to the fuel dock at Sun Harbor Bay Club for the first (but surely not the last) time. Once again, I topped off her tanks, another $200. Gas was selling for $4.00 a gallon on the water in October '08, so I estimate that the boat was burning between 20 and 25 gph. Not unrealistic for the age and size of the boat. Refurbishing the engines over the next haul-out will help to improve this. With the help of the marina owner and his son, I moved Vintage Viking into her new slip at the marina. Crosswinds, tight turning space, and the fact that she is the LARGEST boat in the marina didn't keep me from placing her in the slip on the first try. Almost like I knew what I was doing (LOL). I was like the proud father, showing off his newborn in the nursery. A few more pictures to mark the occasion. If only I had cigars to pass out!
There will be much to do to bring Vintage Viking back to her glory. But she is a classic and solid vessel, well worth the time and effort. Not many boats have her lines and heritage. She has a rather unique layout for her breed, with a forward master stateroom, head with separate shower stall to starboard, a dinette/settee to port that drops to a double bed. This area could also be converted to a second stateroom with little effort. Up three steps into the salon has a galley to starboard, with plenty of natural light and ventilation from the salon slider windows and front windshield. To port is a couch/pull out bed.
Until next time...................
No comments:
Post a Comment