It"s cold as hell!

One of our biggest concerns with keeping Blue in the water this winter is keeping her from freezing. We have installed two heaters, one in the salon and one in the engine compartment. Both are set to turn on at 40 degrees.

Blizard of 09

The main difference between this snow storm and all the others was this was the first one that Anna and I have had a boat in the water. High winds and heavy snow gave us a sleepless night. Up early in the morning to remove the ice from the boat, we felt like we were on deadliest catch. Much to our relief Blue once again showed us how tough she is.

I went for a walk on the docks the other day and saw that two great boats had come in to the harbor. The trawler looks like a boat that could go long as we like to say. She is an aluminum hull and looks very seaworthy. I tried to find the crew to ask them where they were headed but it has turned wicked cold here on the island and they were battened in. The other boat I recognise as the Black Dog from the Vineyard. This a old wooden schooner constructed of wood. Can you say Maintenance! During the summer these two boats would almost go unnoticed when compared to the mega yachts that occupy these slips. No Gray Poupon for these boats, these guys are mariners.

Trent Severen Waterway

A lot of people have asked us what part of the trip we are most looking forward to. So far I would have to say it is the time we will spend in Canada. This is the big Chute on the Trent Severen Waterway. I can not wait to watch Blue go over this railway.

Cold Turkey Plundge

three minutes to go

These guys are can't wait to get back to the station for their turkey dinner

In they go!

Thanksgiving on Nantucket would not be the same without a hundred or so crazy people all willing to get wet on a cold New England morning. I always get a kick out of this event, it is loads of fun and for a great cause.

The Route

For those of you that don't know the loop, here it is.

Winter slip location

This is our location. Google Earth is going to be great for letting everyone know where we are in our trip .

This is Mobey

He is the third member of our crew. We don't expect much from him besides looking cool and letting us know when the boat is rocking to much.

Nantucket Ships Chandlery

If you find your self on Nantucket be sure to stop into the Chandlery. There are not many Chandlerys left, West Marine seems to be the Home Depot of the marine world. This shop is run by Kim and Ellen Tonkin, they are great to talk to and can get you almost anything.

This is Blue's winter slip. It is a very protected spot right in Old Swains Warf . The best part is that she is right in with the Scallop Fleet.

This is a great scallop boat here on Nantucket. You can see the dredges stacked on the sorting table. You throw the dredges over the side and drag them at a slow speed. After a few passes in an area you use the donkey motor and the A-frame to haul the dredge in and dump its contents out on the table. You can then sort through your catch. Scallops must be of a certain age in order to keep them. A scallop must be allowed to spat in order to reproduce, if you take all the scallops that are still seed, the fishery would be destroyed. This shellfish is one of Nantucket's greatest treats.

Scallop Season is always a great time on Nantucket

This is the best. A bushel of Scallops off to the shanty to be shucked. You have not lived until you have wrapped one of these babies in bacon and broiled it till its crisp.

Movie I made about a fishing trip with the guys at work

For the past few years I have worked with some of the greatest guys. At the end of a long season our boss Roger would take the crew out fishing for the day. We called it A Nantucket Snow Day. Working in the Marine Trades requires long hours. Unfortunately they all take place when you would rather be out on your own boat. Taking a break and getting do do what all our customers have enjoyed all summer.

Priceless!



Click on the link below to watch the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXB0PvzV3Rk

Love the seals welcoming us to our home port

The right boat

After searching for months, Anna and I found the perfect boat for us to do the loop. We called Connie Conner at Wilde Yachts in Essex and she helped us close the deal on this great boat. If you are interested in Nordic Tugs these are the people to call. Connie did a great job helping us with our search and she did a great job helping us find a home for our old boat Tootsie. Here are a few picks of when we first took her out of the water. The guys at Brewers in Essex did a great job.

The Blue Yonder

This is our Boat. It is a 32 foot Nordic Tug. She is powered by a 220 Cummings diesel engine. These boats have always caught our eye, having first seen them at the Miami Boat Show in 2002. Having worked in the Marine Industry for a number of years we sleep easy knowing she is built with the best materials and skill. She is a wonderful boat.

Our old boat "Tootsie"