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Captain's Log: Hopewell, Virginia—The Sequel

5/2/2022

7 Comments

 
Seven months ago today we arrived here for the first time. Our host, Robert had been following our travels on Facebook for a while, and when we were coming south, he invited us up the James River to visit his berg, which we did. It was then, with the help of the generous loan of his well-loved Jeep that I attacked a major repair/upgrade to Stinkpot's engine room.
Picture
Stinkpot arriving in Hopewell, Virginia, Nov. 2021. Photo Credit: Robert Walker.
Both of our alternators had failed, so we were very dependent on our little Honda EU2000 generator to keep batteries charged, as daylight (we also charge batteries with solar panels) was getting scarce for the approaching winter. I knew I'd need to upgrade and rewire while I was replacing the alternators, which would take a lot of back and forth to auto parts stores and chandleries (marine stores), so I put it off until we had ready access to wheels, and as it turned out, that was here.

Picture
At the Theatre.
We stayed here for eight days. I installed two alternators, fuses, and some big, beefy wire to handle the current that the 150 amp port alternator supplied and the 200 amp starboard alternator (for house loads) cranked out. We had a lot of fun getting to know Robert all those months ago. He took us out to dinner and even bought an extra two tickets for us to the see the Tab Benoit concert that he and his lady-friend, Paige, were going to at a nearby, historic theatre.
Ever an enthusiastic, attentive host, Robert invited us out for an afternoon on his boat, the Lauren Leigh, Stinkpot's sister ship and named for his daughter. He told us that he had ordered a new generator for the Lauren Leigh though the existing generator still worked. We gently asked him what he planned to do with the old generator, hoping we might be able to buy it from him, and his answer was "giving it to you," though he made it clear we'd have to wait until the new one arrived in the spring. ​
Picture
An afternoon cruise on the Lauren Leigh. Robert gave both of us a try at the helm. So much like Stinkpot, and nothing at all like her—very surreal!
Picture
The Lauren Leigh's old generator being removed.
​So here we are. Seven months later. Full circle. We are readying Stinkpot for the installation of Robert's generous gift: cleaning out, throwing away, preparing wiring and plumbing, repairing/replacing old or worn parts on the generator itself in advance of installation. Cutting access hatches into the deck to mimic those on the Lauren Leigh to make maintenance of this specific generator possible.

​You'd think, being nearly identical boats, that this would be a simple "drop in," but in fact, the one-model-year difference between Stinkpot and the Lauren Leigh happened at the very time that Bayliner changed
from Westerbeke generators (original equipment on Stinkpot) to Onan generators, and that difference means modifications. So here we are, buying and borrowing tools, ordering parts, and making the most of Robert's genuine and generous hospitality.
Picture
Robert and Paige setting off to move the Lauren Leigh to her new slip.
Just this past weekend, Robert moved his boat to a different marina near Norfolk. He wanted a change of scenery and to locate the boat nearer to the waters he wanted to cruise for a while. Following his instructions, after he cast off on Saturday, Stacey and I moved Stinkpot into his now-former boat slip, which she will call home for the next month or so. This month of May will see us install the generator, and attack some (more) deferred maintenance,
after which I will be flying back to New England in a couple of weeks to watch my son, Kieran, graduate from Lesley University.

​To wit, the plan is that I will leave Stacey here at the boat, fly one-way, into Portland, Maine, where my good buddy, Steve, will pick me up at the airport. I'll spend a day or two with he and his wife, Leah, while I get my car, which has been parked in their garage all winter, ready for a trip south. I will then drive to Medford, Massachusetts to impose upon some other dear friends, Jeanne and Charlie, for a few days whilst the graduation and other related (and unrelated) festivities happen. Finally, I will put myself behind the wheel for the long trip from 
Beantown to Stinkpot back here in Hopewell, at which point we'll decide what's next for Stinkpot.

As of this writing, we plan to be cruising Chesapeake Bay for the summer. I might play some gigs here and there, and there will also be some online concerts from the boat as we go. Where around the Chesapeake Bay region would you like to see Stinkpot drop anchor? Let us know in the comments. 
​
Picture
Hopewell, Virginia sunset. Photo Credit: Stacey Guth.
7 Comments
Nancy King
5/2/2022 07:57:05 am

I think it would be great if you could be in the West River area of the Chesapeake around Sept. 30 to Oct. 3, when WE HOPE the Folklore Society of Greater Washington's first Getaway will take place in person for the first time in two years. I know you'd have a good time, and we'd surely enjoy seeing you. Our plans are still in the formative stage, and I expect I'll be contacting you again before long. Happy travels! -- Nancy

Reply
David Rowe link
5/2/2022 11:03:17 am

You and Mira should talk. We should be "generally" around the bay area until late October/early November and certainly have no plans that far out. Mira is actively working to book shows and appearances for the summer/fall as we speak….

Reply
Cherie link
5/2/2022 08:01:49 am

Welcome to the blogosphere! Robert sounds like an amazing soul, and so glad your paths aligned for this upgrade to Stinkpot.

We'll be following along as to where you end up for some potential Bloopot adventures this summer!

Reply
David Rowe link
5/2/2022 11:00:20 am

We're certainly looking forward to that! Right now we're thinking Baltimore area in mid-late June, a bit of time around Solomons, MD, and we may spend some time at Olverson's Lodge. Who am I kidding? I have no idea what we're doing. This entire summer will be throwing the proverbial excrement at the wall and seeing what sticks, but we'll be somewhere in VA, MD, DE, or even PA, if we run up to Philly—a trip that has been on my to-do list for a little while. No real plans and plenty of time to accomplish them! It's the 2022 way!

Reply
Stacey Guth
5/2/2022 01:24:38 pm

Bloopot! haha!

Reply
Albert
5/2/2022 04:10:14 pm

OK, now I know why you are in Hopewell. I have been enjoying your and Stacey’s stories of your charmed life. Many of us have equally charmed lives if we take the time to notice. Jenny and I enjoyed listening to you at the Seamans Club back in the day. Looking forward to meeting Stacey at some point.
The Chesapeake is great. For some ideas, see either http://alpeaks.blogspot.com/2019/05/ or a short piece at https://www.pointseast.com/it-two-two-years-but-eventually-we-got-magus-home/
The Eastern shore is the Bay version of waay down east. Annapolis would have lots of gig opportunities. Hard to find a free dock, but you can anchor in Spa Creek for awhile. I could go on, but you will find your own special places. Enjoy your adventure.

Reply
David Rowe link
5/2/2022 04:20:07 pm

Hi Albert,

I will have to check out your links. Thanks for the ideas. Take care and hope to see you on the water!

Reply



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    Stacey and Dave are nomadic explorers who travel the waters of the eastern United States aboard their Bayliner 3870, m/v ​Stinkpot.

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