Day 155 - Cape May, NJ - Robert & Margaret

Days Events: Wx - winds SE 10-25kn, with SCA [Small Craft Advisory] in effect tonight; temps 78/87. Tuesday is 'D-Day' though.

Storm Prep - adding 3 forward spring lines on each side [prevent going aft from SE winds] and a couple in opposite direction for stabilization, plus bow and spring stern lines; removed the bimini [canvas] top, to reduce 'windage' and potential damage; and tied a line through the bimini's frame to hold it from rattling; crisscrossed lines over the dinghy, around the freezer and e-bike, over the bench covers. Removed loose items from aft deck and tied down the e-bike and chairs. All drains are open. Removed canvas covers over skylights and on the flybridge helm and captains chair. Added extra fenders at stern and paired with the fender board midships and a large horizontal fender at the forward piling. [see photo] Unneeded fenders are tied into their racks. We should be good; with storm not likely to remain a hurricane apparently. Better to have done everything needed to prepare than needed it but it wasn't done.

Photos - the midnight skulker - nice effect from haze/humidity. A few showing our storm prep with lines and no bimini top, [no Ernie, I did not mean to say 'bikini top'].

Admirals Desk: Compulsively checking the weather channel. Removing/tying down loose items. The Captain seems to have an endless supply of rope appearing from many hideyholes.😁 The Loopers forum also recommends having an adequate beer supply during storms. 👍 Let there be light!! For the first time, we have removed the hatch covers over our bed. The first time ever we've had sunlight in the room. Adds a whole different perspective to color choices, still good, and dust, not so good. Since I found yeast at the grocery store yesterday it seemed I should attempt to prove it was old yeast that caused my last attempt to produce lead doorstops. Much better results today. Does the term "windage" sound like a euphemism for passing gas to anyone but me!?

That's all for today.

Maintenance:

Just the storm prep was enough. Time for a large slice of Margs fresh bread, with butter and raspberry jam; and chips and a beer. :)

Supper - Will have one of her great salads - maybe another pre-chicken one - I complimented her on a chicken salad recently and she replied it was actually 'pre-chicken [i.e. egg] , and chicken salad was " post-egg", although it all tastes like chicken to me.

Stay safe.

Comments:

Dd - 3 Aug 2020: Keep safe

Tim - 3 Aug 2020: Are y’all going to ride the storm Out in the boat? I bet hotel rooms are full. --

Ernie R - 3 Aug 2020: Rob, you get A+ in preparation! However, I was not aware that all our ground tackle (like fenders/lines) did not match! It can be overlooked in extenuating circumstances like hurricanes but perhaps new fenders or at very least matching covers are in order! The little runabout in aft deck picture has probably stopped to observe all the mismatch! You are right about the bimini top, the bikini top reference properly belongs in photo section! Be safe! --

Robert & Margaret - 3 Aug 2020: Tim, we are staying aboard now that the storm has been downgraded from an official hurricane; the locals say this is not a big deal apparently now as long as we have prepared properly - which we are told we have. Ernie, I wasn't embarrassed by the fender conflict in color until you mentioned it with your incredibly keen power of observation! :) Unfortunately, your comments have supported the concerns expressed by the Admiral who always enjoys and prefers that everything should be color coordinated. She was willing to have the black ones at the stern and the white at the bow; or, the black on stbd and the white on port; but after having one stolen and losing 2, we tried to buy more white - without the center tunnel - but couldn't find any without taking out a bank loan! So, acquired two extremely reliable black ones - without tunnels - for less money and I won't have to clean them as often as the white ones!! :) BTW, the little runabout in the photo had stopped to gaze upon my sweaty physique working diligently and were obviously impressed what an old guy could still do. I had hoped for some bikinis but they said they heard about some friend of mine named Ernie and didn't want to encourage him. :) :)

Dd • 03 Aug, 2020

Keep safe

Tim • 03 Aug, 2020

Are y’all going to ride the storm Out in the boat? I bet hotel rooms are full.

Ernie R • 03 Aug, 2020

Rob, you get A+ in preparation! However, I was not aware that all our ground tackle (like fenders/lines) did not match! It can be overlooked in extenuating circumstances like hurricanes but perhaps new fenders or at very least matching covers are in order! The little runabout in aft deck picture has probably stopped to observe all the mismatch! You are right about the bimini top, the bikini top reference properly belongs in photo section! Be safe!

Robert & Margaret • 03 Aug, 2020

Tim, we are staying aboard now that the storm has been downgraded from an official hurricane; the locals say this is not a big deal apparently now as long as we have prepared properly - which we are told we have. Ernie, I wasn't embarrassed by the fender conflict in color until you mentioned it with your incredibly keen power of observation! :) Unfortunately, your comments have supported the concerns expressed by the Admiral who always enjoys and prefers that everything should be color coordinated. She was willing to have the black ones at the stern and the white at the bow; or, the black on stbd and the white on port; but after having one stolen and losing 2, we tried to buy more white - without the center tunnel - but couldn't find any without taking out a bank loan! So, acquired two extremely reliable black ones - without tunnels - for less money and I won't have to clean them as often as the white ones!! :) BTW, the little runabout in the photo had stopped to gaze upon my sweaty physique working diligently and were obviously impressed what an old guy could still do. I had hoped for some bikinis but they said they heard about some friend of mine named Ernie and didn't want to encourage him. :) :)