May 25, 2007 . . . Ocean Marine to Mobjack Bay

Upon departure more friends gathered for assist in the send off with kind words, a toast, and casting off the lines . . . departure was promptly at 1000 . . . 1018 actually; then up through the Norfolk Harbor to the Chesapeake Bay.


Starting on the evening of the 24th dock friends and tennis friends arrived for farewell party; everyone has been so thoughtful.


Anchored in 11 feet of water with 60 feet of anchor chain out on an anchor bouy. A quiet evening on the East River at Tabbs Creek off Mobjack Bay. N37-23.01 W076-20.20 Underway on the morning of the 26th for Deltaville and Dozier's Regatta Point Yachting Center. ...Arrived at Doziers at noon on the 26th.

Departure for the Great American Loop is planned for Friday, May 25, 2007

SONATA at Ocean Marine Yacht Center, Berth B-3, Mile 0.5 of the ICW, Portsmouth, Virginia. SONATA draws 4'2", length is 42', air-draft is 22.5', with the mast down the air-draft is reduced to 16'. Engines are 135 Perkins diesels and on board is an Onan 8.5 kw generator. SONATA can carry 600 gallons of diesel and some 300 gallons of fresh water.


The Bridge, Navigation Station where much time will be spent piloting over the next some 6,000 miles of the Great American Loop. The Captains have a Garmin 2010C GPS Chartplotter, a Garmin Streetpilot for the land areas along the waterways, three VHF radios, with the primary radios MMSI loaded, a surface radar unit, and two depth sounders. Paper charts and cruising guides for all of the planned trip, along with Navigation tools and rules are always close at hand.


The enclosed Bridge area has been refurbished to include a lounge area for us to enjoy both underway and once we arrive in a marina or anchorage. Very comfortable for 6+ people to enjoy an evening.


The aft cabin, our cabin for the next 12 months. The cabin has been recently modified to include cabinets for extra storage; there is a private "head" with vacu-flush toilet, sink, walk-in shower, desk, large closet space and access to the outside via a rear hatchway.


The forward berth for those that wish to join us for a portion of the journey. Two berths, drawer and closet space, and a private "head".


The Galley area has a deep sink, cabinets, a three burner glass-top electric stove with oven, a refrigerator and freezer. There is a microwave oven, toaster oven and other conveniences of "at home" at your fingertips.


The Salon is very comfortable with easy seating for four or six. There is TV, DVD/VHS, CD and Sirus sound systems; as well as a lower helm station with Garmin GPS, and two VHF radios.

Final Preparations for Departure

Final preparations, good-byes, all being taken care of as the count-down continues. Scheduled departure is at about 1000 on Friday, May 25, 2007, with the first stop at anchor in Mobjack Bay; 37-19.6N 076-26.7W. The next day is planned for Deltaville then . . . well who knows; that is the pleasure of being on a cruise, decide the next stop when you wake up in the morning and check the weather and all else that is going on in your life.

Preparation for Great American Loop - Ocean Marine Yacht Center, Portsmouth, VA

Haul out at Ocean Marine Yacht Center for final preparations for Loop; bottom paint, propellers trued, new zincs. Plan to depart the week of May 20 . . . much to do; great joy in the preparation. AGLCA burgee in place.

Trip to Pungo Ferry Bridge

Sunrise at our anchorage was beautiful. We enjoyed a quiet breakfast then started our return to home berth at Ocean Marine in Portsmouth.

After the Great Bridge Bridge, and, the Centerville Turnpike Bridge, passage is clear on down the Intercoastal Waterway. We arrived at our anchorage after dark.

Once you clear the Lock the next waiting period is for an opening of the Great Bridge Bridge. Both the Lock and Bridge are timed to work together, therefore, the wait is minimal . . . both operating on the hour.

January 6, 2007, was to be a Saturday to remember with tempatures in the 70's. Bay winds were predicted to be 20-25 knots, therefore, we decided to go South, down the ICW. The first stop on our trip to an anchorage near the Pungo Ferry Bridge was in the Great Bridge Lock shown here.

Charlie and Bonnie

Charlie and Bonnie aboard SONATA at Ocean Marine Yacht Center, Portsmouth, Virginia

Nansemond Colors

A closer view of us at the dock.




We stayed at the Suffolk Hilton Hotel; City docks. We are to the far left.





Fall colors on the river show God's paintbrush.






The Nansemond River flows into the James River across from Newport News, Virginia. The river, upstream, may be traveled to Suffolk.