The Boat Trip

**Stargazer** · 02-04-2010, 12:47 PM

So as to not hijack antoher thread I will tell my story here.

My neighbor had bought a 34' Bravaria sailboat in Sandy Hook NJ a few years back.After looking at the cost to have it shipped up we decided we could sail her home in about three days.

We made a few weekend trips to fit the boat with most of our gear before our adventure began in Sept of 04.Keep in mind that the boat was on stands when the sale was made and we put her in the water the day before we made the trip.

There was a storm heading our way and a few of the locals said our best bet would be to take the East River up through NY instead of hugging the coast.It will be pretty and you will enjoy the trip more.

We get underway at first light and start out trip of a life time.A few houres worth of motoring and we had enough.Up with the main sail and jib.The main went up with out a hitch.I wish I could say the same about the jib.It was jamming in the roller furler about half way up and with only the main it was slow going to say the least.We would never get home at this pace so the iron genny got fired up again.

Looking at Lady Liberty in the distance was a great feeling.It hit me that my great granparents had seen her the same way as I was.I was at the helm and said maby we should get closer to take a couple of pics.That sounded like a great think at the time.We had to cross the shipping lane which was not the best thing to be doing.Not only are the tankers huge but the water taxi drivers are nuts.We got about a hundred and fifty yards or so from the statue when we see a high speed inflateable heading our way in a hurry.We look at each other and chuckle that someone is going to get busted.Not once did we think it was us at the time.Wow the coasties look like they are coming at us.Now the man behind the big bow gun is telling us to clear the area.I cut the wheel hard and crossed the shipping lane heading back up the river.Well the coasties are along side us now reading us the riot act.We got a free pass that time but trying to get that close again would not be in our best interest.It didnt help that we were on anundocumented boat.Thankfully we had the bill of sale with us.

Not far past Governors Island is a V in the river.Our chart said there was a bridge to the right but we thought we could get under it with no problems so we headed that way.The bridge(that is now the famous pink bridge) was being worked on.We called for

**Stargazer** · 02-04-2010, 02:09 PM

We called the bridge tender to see if we could get the it to open but no one was there.So we slowly made our way to see if we could make it.There was a spray painted sighn saying 30' at mean high tide.It was dead low at the time and the low tide mark was showing a 6 foot drop.We could make it with a few feet to spair.What we did not think of was how low the safty net hanging down was.Almost half way under the bridge the mast head caught and wrapped in the the net.Because of the current we were quiclky turning so that now we were broad side to the current.The boat pitched over with water running over the rail and the rigging on the port side was singing like tight piano wire.We thought we were going to either loose the mast or turtle the boat.I left the bow so I could get the motor into reverse while Andy was doing all he could to keep us from turning over.I think I made the 34' in two steps.The net finaly gave way and spit us out.We left our VHF antena,wind speed pick up unit,and mast head light dangling from what was left of the netting.We did get a small piece of net and some empty soda cans in return.After half a pack of smokes and some time to think about what just happened we grabbed our hand held radios and called the costies to tell them what had happened.They met us and looked at the bridge and said that the mean high tide reading was wrong.Other than loosing some gear we were OK and a bit shaken up.We should have taken that as a sighn to find a port and just leave the boat and fly back home.But NOOO we decide it cant get worse and motor on.

**Rick** · 02-04-2010, 02:17 PM

And left some stories for the guys when they got back.

"Hey! What the.....? There's a hunk gone out of the net!"
"What?! Do you know how much that net costs?!"

Glad you guys are okay and made it back with the boat....almost in one piece.

**Stargazer** · 02-04-2010, 02:42 PM

Oh theres more.

**Stargazer** · 02-04-2010, 02:52 PM

We found a piece of junk floating just under the surface.When we found it the boat shudderd and almost stopped.I ran below deck expecting to find water.But thankfully everything was dry.Now to figure out why the boat was shaking.We thought of stopping and tossing the anchor.Has anyone seen the warning signs that are on Rikers Island? Well they pretty much tell you not to stop,not to set foot on the land, guards will shoot etc.Stopping was not an option.If we went slow the shuddering was not too bad but under any kind of speed the shaking was too much and we were afraid to do more dammage.After zigging and zagging we finally got rid of what we had hit.What looked like a stageing plank got spit out.All we can think of is that we had T boned the plank either with the keel or between the keel and prop shaft.When it came loose bumped its way along the hull.Another trip below decks to check for water showed that there was no immediate problems that we were going to have to deal with.

That was the end of the bad spells during the trip.We did learn that the fuel gauge sticks just past the half tank mark.It could have gotten ugly if we didnt notice it when we did.

All in all the trip was fun.Im not sure how either one of us did not get hurt.Two nights and three days later we were back home telling everyone our story.A few did not believe us until we showed them our treasures from the pink bridge.And when the boat came out of the water the hull,keel and rudder had ding marks marks from where danced with the plank.To this day you can feel a bit of a vibration coming from the rudder.

**Ken** · 02-04-2010, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Stargazer

Oh theres more.

I can't read any more of this thread.........

Joe, do you remember me telling you that my dad was with the Mass Environmental Police for 32 years? Do you remember me telling you that for many years I was his "crew?" Do you remember me telling you that I grew up like the kid in "Flipper" except that I didn't have a dolphin? Do you remember some of the stories I told you about the misfits we encountered on the water? .........

Reading this was painful. I'll call you later.

**rebel** · 02-04-2010, 02:53 PM

I'm sorry for your troubles but, you tell a good story.

**Stargazer** · 02-04-2010, 03:13 PM

Ever try getting on a plane with tons of sailing gear? And no checked luggage. Ya the bozo's freak.Whats all the rope,hand held radios etc for? Youre doing what? Almost missed the flight to NJ

**2dumb2kwit** · 02-04-2010, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by Stargazer

Ever try getting on a plane with tons of sailing gear? And no checked luggage. Ya the bozo's freak.Whats all the rope,hand held radios etc for? Youre doing what? Almost missed the flight to NJ

So, you tried to get on the plane, looking like this???

**Rick** · 02-04-2010, 04:47 PM

It wasn't the gear. It was the hat.

**hunter63** · 02-04-2010, 05:08 PM

Thanks for the rest of the story.

**crashdive123** · 02-04-2010, 07:28 PM

Nice story - thanks.

**Rick** · 02-04-2010, 08:52 PM

And somewhere in a Coast Guard station.....

"Yeah and you should have seen those guy. Smitty hops up on the .50..."
"Did you see their eyes? They were like saucers..(chuckles)"
"And they turned and high tailed it to the other side of the river with us hot on their tails."
"Why do you guys do that? You know they can sail in that area."
"Nothin' else to do."