Well, the deal on our "new" 1999 Chris Craft 24 Express finally came together and we picked her up yesterday. We had to run it around from Seaford to Bayshore. I took one look at the chart and realized I was going to want some help. There's virtually no open water in the Seaford area- just long, narrow, winding channels that lead here, there and everywhere. It only took a couple of phone calls for Linda and I to gather up a "crew".
CaptNCamille (Mike and Camille) were quick to volunteer, as did long-time boaters Gene and Carole Johnson. Gene's also the Education Officer of our local Power Squadron chapter. Having that moral support and skill aboard proved to be a real blessing.
I got us out of the long, winding, narrow canal from the brokerage and then took turns swapping helmsman duties with Gene the rest of the trip. A heckuva (UNPREDICTED) east-west wind started during the morning- moderate when we left the dock, but picking up until it was continuous and gusting over 30mph.
We motored South and picked up the state channel Eastbound around Zach's Bay (where the Jones Beach theater is located). Lots of traffic in that area and I handed off to Gene often when things were getting a little too busy for me. I'm still kinda new at this stuff, but Gene's an absolute pro. A long run East through the channel, and then we cut North at the Babylon Cut and into the Great South Bay. From there we headed East again. Holy cow! That strong wind whipping out of the east had made an absolute mess of the bay. 2-3 foot waves may not seem extreme to many of you, but the bay is fairly shallow, the wavelength is short and the frequency is high. The "slop factor" is huge.
We were slowed to a crawl, and everytime the bow cut into a wave (about every 5 seconds), a wall of water was flung up and blown right into our faces. We looked like a bunch of drowned rats by the time we pulled into the Bayshore Marina for fuel. Gene was at the helm the whole time we were in the bay, and he did a great job of piloting us through the worst water I've ever seen there.
Pulled out of the marina, made the short run East to my canal and dock (soaked again!), and we were finally home. All told, it took us nearly 3 hours from start to finish. ALL of us were damned glad to finally dock the boat.
To Gene, Carole, Mike and Camille-many thanks! It's just great for Lin and I to have friends willing to pitch in and support us. Next time I'll get you all out on a NICE day! Promise!
To my lovely wife of 29 years... Happy Anniversary, Linda!
(Linda told me in no uncertain terms yesterday, that today is THE LAST TIME I can say, "I bought you a boat" as an excuse for not buying her a gift. It got me through Xmas, Valentine's Day, Her Birthday, Mother's Day and our Anniversary. I had a pretty good run!
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Picked Up the New Boat Yesterday! A Wild Ride!
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