Back to the Mainland

Scott and I spent 2 very unproductive weeks in Avalon Bay. The first problem was the chop of the sea. Reisender was bounced around rather violently over several days due to the wind and waves. A couple of days we just rode it out on the boat, but we finally had to go ashore and get our balance back. Then, when we settled our mooring with the harbor patrol for a second week everything seemed fine. The next day we were informed that if we extended over 14 days we'd have to place the city of Avalon on our insurance. That wasn't a problem, but we were only planning on staying another week and it wasn't worth the hassle for 7 days. Newport Beach was only 4 hours away after all! We needed to re-provision anyway and it was time to see a new place, besides the rolling in the bay was getting to both of us. Linux seemed green most of the time. So we set off to Newport on the Tuesday before Christmas. It was a nice sail most of the way. Actually, we are still motor sailing most of the time, but that is soon to come to an end. The main-sheet should be fully rigged soon. About halfway through the trip the engine decides to give a little hiccup. It is actually a problem with the full tank that we noticed on the way down the coast. We have a flex fuel tank. It seems that the intake collapses and it gets difficult to siphon fuel. It's an issue we are still verifying so we haven't done anything just yet about it. As always, it seems that a second issue must arise at the same time. The voltage regulator started to burn out. Scott caught it in time and we motored guessing at the rpm's. The best part of all of it was I got to sail the boat for the 1st time. No engine to aid us along. The quiet was the first thing I noticed, then the pride in what we've done. It wasn't really an emergency and I was enjoying the time. Unfortunately I was at the helm and not Scott. After all, this is his true child. I felt a little guilty to get the honor of Reisender's first time under sail alone.

Coming into Newport was an experience. Avalon has spoiled us on mooring balls. Their system is truly idiot proof! Newport's will make an idiot of the best of us. Avalon has a system of two connected mooring balls with a pendant you pick up very easily. Newport is two balls with a loop to each. You need to use your own gear. Avalon has all the lines attached that is simply looped to the bow and stern cleats of the vessel. The crew of Reisender wasn't prepared for this. LOL! That's an understatement. Once we realized our error we set to getting spare lines ready and making do with whatever shackles we could quickly get to. After 3 passes we had the bow line and had to figure out how to get the stern hooked. We launched the tender and I began to row a line out to it. THE LINE WASN'T LONG ENOUGH!!!! Row back! Get a longer line and row out again! The tender got a little sloshed when we launched her in such a rapid hurry and I was in 5 inches of salt water. Now I'm tired and wet. We finally get her secured and make for land to find some dinner.

We've started to familiarize ourselves with the area. I've found the grocery stores, wine shops, bank, and boating stores. Christmas was lovely. It was 70 and sunny. Now we are back to work on the boat. New Year's Eve will be quietly spent on Reisender.... don't worry... I know where to find champagne.... it won't be that quiet!

All are safe aboard Reisender.... Happy New Year's from the Crew...Jerid, Scott, Linux and Pixel!