Author: Low Wattage

Expat Welshman, educated (somewhat) in UK, left before it became fashionable to do so. Now a U.S. Citizen, and recent widower, playing with retirement and house remodeling, living in Delaware and rural Maryland (weekends).

Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet – Monday August 12

Off the hook at 7 am,  The work boats went at 6.

Round Sandy Hook and off to the South, had a sharp rainstorm at 8 then largely clear.

Our route South is about three miles off the beach in around 70 feet of water, we had a shock at about ten am, the engine suddenly overheated, red lights and alarms everywhere.  A quick look below showed a broken V-belt which powers the engine’s primary cooling water pump.  A spare was located, in one of my many bins.

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Haverstraw to Sandy Hook – August 11

Tide challenge today, need to arrive at The Battery New York on something other than a rising tide, slow boats like us make miserable progress against strong currents.

Too many variables to calculate so we leave at the usual time, 8:00 am off the dock.

Cool and calm to start across the Tappan Zee1

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Sauguties to Haverstraw Marina – August 10

Rained hard all day on the 9th so we stayed put in our little creek.

On the trail at 7 this morning in order to get the most of the falling tide, always difficult going downriver.

Past some scars from quarrying operations, interesting contrast in colours.1

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Canajahorie Monday – Tuesday to Lock 7

The prime mover needed an oil change so we made a trip to NAPA in Canajahorie Monday morning for oil and filters.

Decided to bag the rest of the day and make it up tomorrow.  Cooked a chicken vindaloo for dinner.

Tuesday, brilliant day, still and bright, got started at 8:30

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Not a breath of wind but a chill in the air (temp about 60F)

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Utica to Canajahorie – August 4

Raining hard in the early hours so held off a start until it eased at 9:45am

Plan to run Locks 19 through 14 today (all down) for a total descent of 120’ over 40 miles, may be tight given our late start.  Especially as we are getting into the area that was worst hit by the rain damage in the late spring.

Signs of remediation work everywhere, dredgers old and new

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