Day 310, Year 8: Woods Hole to Boston to Waterford, Connecticut and Back to Woods Hole
Date: Monday, September 9, 2013
Weather: Beautiful, Clear Day with Winds Moving from NE to SW
Location: Eel Pond, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
We made a long loop today from Woods Hole to Boston, then out to Waterford, Connecticut to Defender Marine, and then back home to Woods Hole. Mark had a routine appointment with his urologist, Dr. Cutie, at Mass General, and Chris and Geoff went to Boston to check out of the country. But that was not so easy. We made calls ahead of time to make sure they were going to the correct place, but when they got there, it was not. They found some helpful people who redirected them and after a $25 taxi ride, they found the right office in the part of Boston where cruise ships dock. They are leaving the country with the hope that when they return they will be issued a US cruising permit. They had one, but sailed to Cuba his summer. They knew US boats couldn’t do this, but they didn’t realize that this is a problem for foreign boats. But it is—especially when you come back and check into Key West. Hopefully when they return from Canada, the trip to Cuba will be forgiven and they can move on. They plan to leave Eel Pond early tomorrow morning and sail directly to Shelburne, Nova Scotia. They should be there by Thursday morning if all goes well. The winds look favorable, so it should be a good trip. We have had a wonderful time with them and have been encouraging them to return by mid-October to sail to the Chesapeake when we do. If it is too cold for them up north, they just might do this. In the meantime, happy sailing wishes to Chris and Geoff.
Our second trip to Defender Marine in two days was once again frustrating. Yesterday’s trip was frustrating because the place wasn’t open. Today’s trip was frustrating because the items we were looking at are going to be reduced in price starting Thursday morning for the Newport Boat Show. But you can’t find out what the Boat Show price will be until it is posted online early Thursday morning. Chris and Geoff wanted to an AIS unit, but knowing the price will be cut in just three days made buying it today seem crazy. Of course, they won’t be here in three days, but we’ll find a way to send it to them. Besides, they were going to have to pay Connecticut tax if they bought the unit in the store, but they won’t if they order it online. They were also looking at dinghies, but the salesman really encouraged them to wait and check the Boat Show price. We were also looking at dinghies in the case that ours cannot be repaired. If one or both of us should buy a new dinghy, it will mean another trip to Waterford to pick it up. I drove there and back both yesterday and today. I think someone else will have to drive on the next trip!
