Voyage 2002-2003: Chapter 1

26 Mar 2002, Spash 2002, 38 46.500 N/ 076 33.880 W

It has been 8 months and 21 days and 5 hours since S/V Jule III has had water under her keel. Our excitement can not be expressed fully. Our work is finally paying off. The yard had some difficulty getting her out of her land berth. The ground was still wet and she had to be pulled out via trailer. After and hour and a half, she was berthed on the bulkhead next to the well at Herrington Harbour North.

The babies enjoyed embarking (no pun) and claimed their turf. Levi and Bob had an encounter on who should be on the main salon berth. A lightning storm came up tonight and scared the pee out of Levi. We hope he soon gets used the rumble and bumble of the storms. The storm is letting up now. Ann is in bed. Gina is in the berth with her, Sammantha Jane is watching me type, and Levi is under the table. Six months to go to the Bahamas!

30 Mar 2002, Back to Homeport, 38 43.537 N/ 076 32.599 W

Yesterday Steve came by to tune the rigging. Jule III had to be in the water several days to regain her natural shape before the rig could be properly tuned. He finished around 1200. We were planning a 1400 departure but the wind picked up to 20-30 kts. We were on a lee dock with little chance of leaving without hitting something. Today, we left early before the wind picked up as it was still blowing us onto the dock. At 0710 we left Herrington Harbour North. Four minutes later we smacked into the dredge pipe and went aground! The local knowledge that we received regarding the dredge pipe was not too knowledgeable! We tried for nearly a half hour to 'power' off the sand bar but finally had to call Conlyn Marine Services (we woke him up). Twenty minutes later, a gentle tug from Conlyn had us on our way. What a way to start the season! At 0850 we arrived at M-17 at Herrington Harbour South. Home at last!