But I wasn't going to be discouraged. I brought my 20' walk-around, PipeDreams, down for the weekend and stayed on Vintage Viking and fished off PipeDreams. It rained all weekend long, and the fishing was off. On a bright note my wife Alice traveled down Saturday night to pick up Jesse. He was supposed to have a street fair/concert that he was to play in on Sunday so Alice was coming down to bring him home. She did stay long enough for me to cook up a hot Pasta dinner for all and we enjoyed some quiet family time.
After spending a wet day on PipeDreams on Sunday, I left both boats in slips at the marina and went home discouraged a little. Another weekend of mechanical setbacks.
The following week, Eddie spent more time fiddling with the boat, eventually installing the new carburetor. Jesse and I traveled back down Friday night to spend another weekend on the boat. Hopefully all of the mechanical issues would be fixed and we could enjoy some motoring time on Vintage Viking. When we got to the marina, she was tied up at the service dock. The guys don't like to put her back in the slip if there is wind or current, and I am pleased that they take this position instead of trying to play bumper-boats getting her into the slip. She does have considerable wind surface, so it does take time and skill to get her into the slip on certain days.
However, because she was away from shore-power for 3 days, the inverter had drained the house battery bank
just enough that the port engine wouldn't start. (Oh no, not more bad luck!!). but I was able to eventually get her started, and we took her out on the bay for a late Friday cruise. Once we cleared the NWZ, I throttled her up and she responded beautifully. The new carburetor and the adjustments Eddie made were apparent. She was finally out on the Barnegat Bay under power of her new power plants and was stretching her legs. Jesse got to drive her a little, and this was a special day because he had just received in the day's mail his newly-minted Boater Safety Card. He was 'official'. He was also surprised when I let him drive her. But he did very well, and I was pleased with his progress of running his own boat, "Little Vike".We brought Vintage Viking back to her slip just as dusk was upon us. We tied her up, loaded all of our stuff for the weekend, and then went out for dinner. After dinner, we came back and settled in for a good night's sleep. I was pleased that she was running good, and in the morning I planned on taking her out for an extended run to make sure all the items on the list were complete.
I awoke about 6am, and made a quick breakfast for myself. Jesse was sound asleep and even food wouldn't shake him out of his sleep. After cleaning up, I started the engines and cast off the lines. By 7am I was clear of the NWZ and out on the bay. Jesse was still asleep, until I came upon Forked River, about 5 miles to the north. He came up on the bridge, and after a few minutes, went back down to make himself something to eat. I was heading north on the bay, following the ICW up through Barnegat Bay. Past Toms River, we ran into some light rain, but it was brief. We continued north under the Mantoloking Bridge and into Bay Head. This is a reverse-trip from the initial Shake-Down cruise, so I was familiar with the ATON's and the area. By 10am we were in the Point Pleasant Canal, heading to the Manasquan River and Inlet. We were approximately 20 miles north of the marina, and Vintage Viking was running fine. The engines were responsive, she got up on plane with ease, and there were no noticeable vibrations or shutters in her drive train. Because I was still in the 'break in' period with the engines, I never left it running at the same RPM for more than 5 minutes, and would adjust it up or down as needed to keep her moving.
I had contemplated taking her out the Manasquan Inlet and then running "outside" along the beach south to the Barnegat Inlet. This would have been a nice circuitous trip, but I didn't want to press my luck. The boating gods were finally looking favorably upon me and iI didnt want to stretch my luck. So I turned her around in the Manasquan and went back into the Canal for the return trip. I had made arrangements earlier to meet up with a friend, Karen, for lunch anyway. We would meet her in Forked River for dockside dining at the Captain's Inn.
Returning from Point Pleasant I kept her at a better clip, around 18 to 20 knots. The wind was now behind us, so the ride was a little smoother. Back under the Mantoloking and Toms River bridges, and then a short run up the Forked River and we docked at the Captain's Inn for lunch. This was going to be Jesse's first time as mate for a strange slip, so I went through with him what was needed and what I would be doing. Oftentimes there are dock hands at the restaurant, but you can't always count on them being there. Even with a stiff southeasterly wind, I was able to get Vintage Viking into the slip first time. We tied her off, and Jesse went to get a table.
Eating at the Captain's Inn is one of those things that I look forward to. Not just because the food is good, or that they have a dockside patio/bar called the Tiki Bar. But what I like most is listening to the other people that come there to eat without boats (Landlubbers!!!) talk about this boat or that boat, how nice it would be to have one. Well, I now own one of those boats, and I truly enjoy having people comment about how good my boat looks. Even though she is aged a little, she maintains her classic lines. With all of the work we put into her since we acquired her, it is nice to have people notice how she looks.
After about thirty minutes of sitting at the Tiki Bar (and finishing off a few appetizers) Karen showed up, looking for us. We waved her over, and she turned and noticed Vintage Viking. Although she has seen many pictures, this is the first time that she saw her up front and personal. She walked out onto the dock and just before boarding, she turned to me so as to ask permission from the "Captain'. I like how that sounds! Permission granted, she hopped aboard and took the tour, self-guided, and gave her nod of acceptance.
After ordering lunch, we sat at the Tiki Bar and talked about 'stuff'. She was down on Long Beach Island still looking at homes to purchase. The right one (at the right price) still hasn't come along yet, but she and her husband Bob aren't giving up yet. The real estate market in New Jersey is wacky, as it is in the rest of the US right now. But this area of the Jersey Shore still thinks it is booming years and the prices reflect that. Oh well, the market will eventually reset itself once people realize that a 'million-dollar view' home need not sell for a million dollars.
After we finished lunch, we moved the drinks and ourselves onto Vintage Viking. Still docked at the restaurant slip, we continued t enjoy the surroundings and the conversation. Even the Dock master, Bob, told us to relax and enjoy. Just let him know when we wanted to leave, and he would assist in casting us off. After about an hour, Karen needed to move on, traveling to family in the area, and we needed to get back onto the water. We said our farewells, and with Dock master Bob's help, we shove off back onto Forked River and out onto Barnegat Bay. We eventually headed back to Sun Harbor Marina and slid Vintage Viking back into her slip.
All in all, the first real excursion with her rebuilt engines was a success. We enjoyed a barbecue steak dinner later, and turned in early. Later that night the weather turned windy, the full moon raised the tides to near flood, and Viking rode high in her slip. I awoke about 2am to adjust her lines and reinforce her windward lines. Sunday morning brought even more windy conditions, and we spent the day around the marina talking with several people who had just launched their boats for the season themselves. Boaters, in general, are very social people, and when you get the right number of the right people in the right marina, it can be very enjoyable.
I think we are going to like it at this marina on this boat!!
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