Resting...

It has been a very hectic time here at Zimmerman Marine. There have been numerous boat projects underway, boat cleaning, list making, and other assorted activities.

Then there's talk about driving back to New York, bringing some big boat back down the coast, more boat projects and more cleaning. Just listening to it all has the crew exhausted.

So Dylan and Dee Dee thought they'd better rest up while they can. It seems some big things are coming...

Bittersweet

Today may well have been the last cruise the  crew takes on aCappella. Last night might have been the last night at anchor on her. It was a perfect cruising day.

If all goes well with the final survey on Red Head, Dylan and Dee Dee will be moving into a new home. It is bittersweet.

While we are excited about this next adventure, aCappella has been a home for over 13 years.

We took our first trip to the Bahamas with her in 2004, with our beloved Tucker. 

Dyna and Dylan learned how to be top notch crew on her. And Dyna passed over the rainbow bridge from her bed in the pilothouse.

Dylan learned to love dolphins and dinghy rides.

Miss Dee Dee has spent most of her three years onboard arriving when just seven weeks old.

To say we have many good memories would be a gross understatement. But boating is about adventures and new experiences, and we hope to embark on our next phase.

No matter what form our floating home takes in the future, we will be blessed with the best crew anyone could hope for

Best Buddies!

 Ahhhhhhhhh....

Busy, Busy Times

Dylan and Dee Dee apologize that they have been remiss with their blog. It's been a very busy time for the whole aCappella crew. We may be getting a new home.

Last week we loaded the crew into a rental car and headed for Kings Point, New York, home of the US Merchant Marine Academy, for the first of several surveys on a boat known as Red Head. She is an unusual, one could even say quirky, steel boat that Dylan and Dee Dee's parents became enamored with 9 years ago but fate intervened. She came back on the market and we decided to go for it and made an offer.

Of course, a requirement is that the crew approve. So Dylan and Dee Dee made sure they were there for the 2-day survey. Dee Dee was a little unsure at first but she came around.

Dylan and Dee Dee liked the bigger settee.

During the sea trial they discovered they liked the large well deck where they could stand on the cargo hold cover and look out.

Dee Dee had never seen such big lines. She may have to help Mom handle them.

Dylan didn't think they were that big of a deal.

The outside stairs were a little scary - we'll have to do some work on that.

There were lots of new people onboard which is always a boon for the crew. They all wore hats which made Dee Dee happy (if you know her, you know how much she loves hats).

But the coolest thing was when some academy students delivered lunch to the boat while we were underway. Dylan and Dee Dee never even knew that was possible! It has never happen on aCappella. We haven't had the heart to tell them the students aren't part of the deal...

In a couple of weeks we have the hull survey to do. Dylan and Dee Dee will then learn if they have a new home. Fingers crossed.

Storm Front Comin'

We delayed our departure from the anchorage this morning while a front passed through. Dylan and Dee Dee watched some lightening, listened to the thunder, and saw some rain and wind. It was a short day to Coinjock Marina. The crew was happy to wait it out.

Long Haulin'

Crew Hangin' Out Offshore

Dylan and Dee Dee sadly left Great Harbour Cay Marina, Berry Islands, Bahamas last Sunday. They pulled into River Dunes Marina in Oriental, NC, USA on Saturday. To say we were makin' track is an understatement. That was approximately 1,000 nautical miles in 7 days.

St Johns River Sunrise

We did an overnight passage from Great Harbour to Port Canaveral, FL, a run to Halifax Harbor, FL, then anchored off the St Johns River to take-off for Brunswick Landing, GA. The conditions were good so we changed our plans to go overnight to Charleston, SC.

Sunset Offshore

The next morning remained nice so we pushed on for another overnight to River Dunes Marina. Making that passage a total of 55 hours. That was the longest one ever for this crew. Dylan and Dee Dee even got a military escort into the Beaufort Inlet.

Dylan and Dee Dee watch the warship in the Beaufort Inlet

Dylan and Dee Dee have shown once again what a first class crew we have. They handled it all with aplomb. And even managed to have some fun along the way.

Looking for Dolphins

So today we rested here at River Dunes Marina - visited our first US grocery store, took the kids for walks - we all deserved the break. Tomorrow we once again head north looking for dolphins and the next adventure.