Sail La Vie, LLC

March 31, 2007 - April 3, 2007:  Four day trip from Deale, MD to Jersey City, NJ.  Wanted to run the first tank empty and got air in the fuel lines.  After two hours at sea trying to bleed the air we called Boat US for a tow.  It took a mechanic 1 1/2 hours under ideal conditions at the dock to break connections and bleed the air out of the system.  I've got to take a Diesel engine course!  Crew: Skipper Steve, Kevin, William & Michael

April 22, 2007:  Had the boat out in New York Harbor with my wife Karen practicing "spinning" the boat.  After a successful clockwise spin we tried counterclockwise and the engine now shuts off when put in reverse.  No tow needed this time, but we are getting another mechanic to look at the boat again.  I've really got to take a Diesel repair course!

May 5th - My son William, home from college for the weekend, dons a wetsuit and retrieves a length of rope that was wrapped around the propeller - no need for the mechanic.

Even with the wet suit William said it was COLD.  The same day, my other son, Michael and I rebuilt the rudder stops and my sons washed down the boat.

The new rudder stop going in and a shot of the old stop.

May 13th - checked the engine oil prior to running the engine and there was no oil in the engine!  There must be a leak, as the oil is in the drip pan under the engine.  I really, really have to take that Diesel engine course.  My son Michael cleaned the engine and we checked for leaks.

June 8, 2007 - Sailing in New York Harbor!  The boat handled great.  We had a few gusts to 15 knots and the boat is very stiff and well balanced with just a very slight weather helm.

Passing the Statue of Liberty during our Friday evening sail in New York Harbor. 

June 17, 2007.  Took Sail La Vie on a boat trip up the Hudson River to Julius Peterson's Boatyard in Nyack NY.  With a crew of my son Michael and three of his friends we left at 6:15 AM to catch the incoming tide.  There was no wind and we took five hours to motor to Nyack. 

Randy at the wheel passing Jersey City. 

Checking the oil every two hours I noted that the oil level did not drop and the engine ran well the entire trip.  Did the oil leak stop? 

Nicholas takes us under the Tappen Zee Bridge and the final approach to Nyack, NY. 

June 24, 2007:  An afternoon sail up the Hudson from Nyack to Haverstraw.  William crewed for me and we raised the cutter sail in a light wind.  The boat handled nicely, then the wind died and we spent the balance of the fternoon searching for wind.  Had a light meal on board while moored out on the Hudson and a short dinghy row to shore.

July 3, 2007  Rafting with Kevin and Diane Silver at Haverstraw.  We watched the fireworks from the water then motored to Haverstraw Bay and anchored out overnight.

Sail La Vie and Silver Lining rafting on the Hudson

July 4th we dropped Michael and William at Nyack and Karen and I sailed back to Haverstraw to anchor out another night.

July 5th we motored to Nyack and met with the mechanic at Petersen's and arranged for new gaskets on the engine to stop our oil leaks.  Karen and I overnighted on a mooring.

July 6, 2007 - Karen and I motored to Jersey City to meet with the Northern New Jersey Sail and Power Squadron. 

July 8, 2007 - William and I sailed from Jersey City to Nyack to get the boat back to Petersen's for the engine work.  Here we are passing the George Washington Bridge.

William got some reading time this trip.  With southwest winds and an incoming tide we covered the 24 kn in about 3 1/2 hours under sail.

Michael resting his eyes.  My crew was at the Sandbar till 4:00AM, but we still dropped the docklines at 6:15 AM for the trip up the Hudson.

Ian getting some sun on the trip to Nyack NY.

Skipper Steve and Randy leaving New York City.

 July 4, 2007 - A really cool day on the Hudson in July.  We spent three hours tacking in cool winds in July.

 Foul Weather Gear in July?  With 20 knot winds and cool temps it's good to have some warm gear.