MacGregorSailors.com

Hi All!

Hope everyone is having a great start to October 2023!

Last couple of days have been rather hectic.
Recall we mentioned earlier a ‘To-Do List’ of things to accomplish this year …. Well it’s October already and I’m behind on the list!!!
What happened???🫣

Wel we did get out ont the water most weekends and there were a few modifications and there was that trip up north in July and there were the yard clearing efforts before that and…….. but there are still things “to do” on the list….sheesh!
Bet no one else gets behind on their lists….

A week ago on Saturday September 30 the Admiral and I were able to get out for several hours on the estuaries (after a installation vendor flaked out on us… so much for trusting a contractor to actually show up ).

The time out on the water was FANTASTIC,
We were over near Brickyard Landing when we stopped after spotting several Dolphins .
It was a magical moment as a mother and calf took the time to visit us!
A really special event!





















It was a real WoW moment for us!

Unfortunately as much as we wanted to continue to stay in the moment the sun was starting to set and we had to head home… with a beautiful sunset!
















On out to-do list front we’ve been attempting to get the replacement door and windows installed at our home here in SC that we are incrementally fixing up. The installation was supposed to occur on Friday, September 29th and all the work was unposed to be completed that day. The weather was perfect, the doors and windows were already on site as of the preceding Wednesday. The house was prepped so there wouldn’t be anything in the way for a promised 8 AM start….. except no installers showed…..… finally we got frustrated around 11 AM and called the company…. Oppsies the foreman had a doctor appointment and could they please reschedule for next month sometime..,… I said no that wasn’t acceptable as we’d had this scheduled for over two months and the doors and windows were already delivered…. They asked if their installers could come on Saturday… We said ok… Saturday at 8 AM …9…10…Phone rings and could they come on Sunday instead? …… Okay…. Sunday at 8 AM…9…10…11…and nada again. What to do? Texted the sales guy who finally called back around 2 PM… another crew was being assigned and would be there on Thursday Oct 5 but will need two days to do the work… Huh? Where did the second day come from? But Okaayyy…. They crew arrives at 9:30 AM and then leaves at 1 PM … They weren’t gonna flash the openings… got that straightened out but they needed to go back and get the materials and would be back Friday… humph…..
Friday they show up but gotta leave as the lead’s wife was being discharged from the hospital that afternoon…. So another half day …. They are supposed to be back Monday… I’m not holding my breath….

Such is life in the South as my neighbors keep telling me…

We’re going ahead with our cruise planning for the week long trip up to Charleston SC between Oct 13-to-Oct 22 on the ICW.

Hope you all are doing well and are enjoying the changing of the seasons.

Best Regards
Over Easy

Hi All!

WE GOT A NEW (to us ) TOW VEHICLE!!!
It’s a 2018 Ford Transit 150 “Explorer SE” conversion van!
It started out as a late 2018 Van that was bought new to convert by Explorer Van Company in Warsaw Indiana.
The conversion was completed in mid 2019 (so use wise it’s really only 4 yrs old) and has only about 35k on the odometer.
Had it checked out by the Ford Dealership (not the seller) bow to stern, port to starboard, top to bottom and it passed with flying colors.
The seller even added four new LT tires and alignment to go with the new 4 yr warranteed & road hazard.
Clean CarFax and no recalls. Ford Dealership also verified all scheduled maintenance intervals were complied with.
It’s GORGEOUS!!!
Mid high top with view ports and power sunroof.
Removable midsection swivel Captain seats and an electric drive rear bench that can be converted full flat in case one wants to stretch out.
Electric front seats with heaters (for when we’re up in New England).
Heck, it even has a 36” TV and DVD player!

It wasn’t something we actually sought out but serendipitously came to the Admiral’s attention.
We had been daydreaming of how nice it would be to have a larger tow vehicle with more margins than our Dodge Caravan provides.
The Transit 150 gives us 4500 lbs of towing capacity which is 1000 lbs higher than the Caravan’s 3500 lbs.
This is just perfect for our needs.

We had looked at cargo versions in the past but the insurance companies all wanted to insure it as a commercial vehicle regardless of actual usage. The banks also wanted any loan to be at commercial rates rather than regular car loan rates.
We really didn’t want the extended length versions as they are a pain to maneuver so this standard wheel base is just right! There is plenty of head height interior too!
We had also looked at the factory passenger wagon models with seating for a 12 man football team or orchestra set…. The insurance companies and banks didn’t really offer much of a break on that configuration either…..they were asking if either of us had chauffeurs licenses….
But with this conversion van we found a sweet spot as it seats only 7 passengers that the insurance and bank people liked! Definitely not a commercial and or cargo vehicle.
And yet if we want to we can easily remove the middle seats when desired and still carry 5 adults using the rear bench seat. If I do any interior modification it would be to put the bench seat of a valid rail mount so it could be moved to the middle section if/when desired to open up the rear area for pet crates, tools, supplies and boat stuff. Not a difficult thing to accomplish as there are several DOT approved systems out there for just that purpose. This will come in handy if we get to take future road trips with our now grown daughters.

Yes, like a lot of things in life it’s a compromise but we’re really happy with this one.
While in a perfect world a 250 version would have provided about 7500 lbs of towing capacity or a 350 version a capacity of about 10000 lbs we really didn’t need that much for our needs.
Getting the insurance at regular passenger vehicle rates saves us several hundreds a year over commercial rates.
The gas mileage isn’t going to be stellar but reasonable though.
The finished interior is nicer and better than what I would have done to any cargo version van.











We count ourselves fortunate that the Admiral serendipitously came across this vehicle!!!

The trips North and South and beyond should be more manageable, comfortable, faster and safer towing of Over Easy!
Very Happy!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

That is one sweet tow beast! The Admiral scored a big win!

Nice. Should make traveling with the boat much nicer.

Very nice

OverEasy wrote: ↑Wed Oct 11, 2023 5:57 pm Hi All!

WE GOT A NEW (to us ) TOW VEHICLE!!!
It’s a 2018 Ford Transit 150 “Explorer SE” conversion van!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

Hi All!

The Saga of the To-Do List continues…
Well another step toward ticking off one more To-Do List item has added to the List…🫣
The replacement windows and patio doors have been installed but not without further bloodshed to the bank account.
We had contracted with Lowe’s for the replacements only to discover that here in the South they don’t believe in following the window and door manufacturers recommendation to back flash the exposed openings with anything other than some minimal foam crud.
After going a few rounds with the installer and Lowe’s the only remedy (as there were great big gaping holes in the house and rain was forecast was to pay an extra fee to have it done right as this is the ONLY opportunity to do so.
Not happy and the wallet is several hundreds of dollars lighter.

It appears that here in the South they aren’t much for building standards and they consider “any back flashing as optional”.
As it wasn’t specifically called out in the contract they have you over a barrel once your house is opened up.
So a word to the wise…. If you ever get any window or door replacements installed MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CONTRACT SPECIFICALLY INCLUDES THE BACK FLASHING OF THE OPENINGS BEFORE THEY START WORK AND WATCH THEM LIKE A HAWK TO BE SURE THEY DO IT PROPERLY!!!

Once the being raked over the coals was over and I made sure that the back flashing was done correctly.
Not happy about the process but it’s done and over with. Time to move on.
I’m finding that there are few actually trustworthy Southern contractors to be had.
I’m not saying Northern contractors are perfect but my experiences with them is they have been much more professional and knowledgeable on what and how to do it. Moving on….

The Pella windows and doors selected look great now that they are installed! We Like what we got!

Now all I need to do is replace the cedar siding boards I removed to get to the water damage that resulted from the original builder shortsightedness. A lack of planning by the original builder to properly ensure that water drained away from the siding led to some water damage to the stucture under the cedar siding. Now was the prime opportunity to correct this issue. A section of OSB cut to fit, primed on all sides was put in place to after the damage was exposed and removed. The vitrathane sheeting was applied to all the exposed surfaces. Replacement cedar lap boards were procured and now all I have to do is get a sunny day to cut to fit, prime them and install them myself.
Not a biggie but still another unexpected task for the To-Do List 🫣.

The long awaited 1st extended cruise on the ICW is nearly upon us!
We leave next week on our 5 night adventure to Charleston SC!
We are prepping this weekend!
Lots to do!

We already took care of engine oil and filter changes.
The new removable transponder system is up and running.
The better Chartplotter is operational.
The routes have been planned and loaded on both the iPad Navionics as well as the Chartplotter for redundancy.
The marina reservations have been set.
Refueling options have been verified

Now onto:
- the portolet getting emptied (🫣) -nice to have a clean one for the trip-
- wipe down and vacuum the cabin interior
- check the food locker supplies and cooking utensils
- grocery shopping and stocking (especially the enroute snacks )
- clothing packing
- a good exterior scrub of Over Easy so she looks her best for the trip

Plan is for a 5 night excursion.
Two days (one night) up North to Charleston SC to cover the roughly 80 miles at a reasonably leisurely pace.
Three nights in Charleston SC to see the sights (primarily from the water but also some shore excursions)
Two days (one night) back South to Beaufort SC.

We will be stretching the trip out by staying aboard an additional night at both the beginning and end of the trip for an total of seven nights aboard Over Easy. The forecast should be good weather and tide wise with cooler temperatures in the 70s during the day.
Shore power will provide our minimal electric cooking and heating needs. (We had considered bringing our portable generator and anchor out but decided not to this first extended trip on the ICW. Maybe next time…)

This should be a great way to wrap up our 2023 boating season!

Best Regards to All
Over Easy

Hi All!

We’ve started our 1st extended journey on the ICW this morning, Monday October 16, 2023! We’re on our way to Charleston!

Left Port Royal (Beaufort) at 9:45 AM after spending the night on the boat in our slip. Nice start albeit with cool weather and cloudy skies.
By 11AM the clouds had burned off and the warm sunshine was appreciated. The distance over water was about 50 miles which we accomplished without incident in 6 hrs 30 minute! Nice run that varied between 6 to 13 mph (via GPS). Upon arrival in Bohicket Marina on John’s Island we found stiff currents as we gently docked at the refueling pier. After refueling we found we had consumed 11.14 Gallons of fuel during our 50 mile trip leg. This is actually better than anticipated!

After refueling one of the marina staff came with us as we moved over to our transient slip for the night. It was interesting with the strong currents and we did our first lateral transition through the slipway! That was a first for me!

Well we’re at set for supper and an early night!











The Admiral did Yoeman’s service after we landed in our overnight slip taking care of our critters Mac and Zaboo as well as cooking up a wonderful Chicken & Rice supper! A couple of sundowners also managed to appear as well!
Best Regards!
Over Easy

Way cool! I am so envious (in a positive way)

Nice

We can live vicariously as I'm getting ready to cover ours for the winter.

Hi All!

We made it to Charleston SC today!
!!!Hip Hip Horay!!!
Here’s some pictures to share with you:

















































































The Crab House is a place to eat in Charleston.
Done it from land in the past and hoping to do it from sea this time around! Good food & good prices.
Pretty homes and great scenery on the route in
From Bohicket! (Nice people at Bohicket Marina if you get an opportunity to visit there! )
Made a quick pass by Fort Sumpter on our way into Harborage Ashley Marina. Gonna spend two nights here so we have a full day to explore Charleston form the water! Battery Point, Ft Sumter, other forts, the Aircraft Carrier Yorktown and lots of other interesting sights to see.

My Dad grew up in Charleston during the Depression at 14 Cannon Street. I’d like to possibly get over to see it in person someday but it’s more than a bit of a walk for me nowadays…..

So to all who are buttoning up for the winter please enjoy these moments as much as we do!
We finally got out onto the ICW for more than a day trip! VERY HAPPY!!!

We too will be hauling out at the end of October. but it has been a wonderful Spring-Summer-Fall season on our Southern waters!


More to come……

Best Regards
Over Easy

PS: Cruising time was a little over 6 hours
Distance over water about 35-to-40 miles
Fuel consumption was about 11.3 gallons
Peak GPS ground speed was 18 mph

Hi All!

The mid morning view from Over Easy (10/18/23) at the slip in Charleston SC!


Took the opportunity to sleep in then took time to get hot showers! That felt GREAT! Amazing what a shower and shave with hot water does for your sense of well being and adventure!

Right now the Admiral is cooking up a half dozen Jumbo eggs, sausage crumbles and shredded cheese pan Fritata with hot coffee too! It doesn’t get much better!

Hope that you all are well and happy!

Best Regards
Over Easy

Hi All!

We had a wonderful day on the waters surrounding Charleston SC.
The Admiral started the day with a scrambled (6) egg, turkey sausage crumble with a little shredded cheese for breakfast. Then we cleaned up and went to the marina showers. Amazing how a hot shower can revitalize!

Then we headed out onto Charleston Bay. Up along the west side of Battery Park and out past the shoals before coming back along to south eastern side of Battery Park. Lot of old fancy homes but pretty architectural work. The out to and around Drum Island to see the big container ships unloading/loading at the shipping ports.

A little later we went to see the Airctaft Carrier Yorktown which is now a museum. Lots to see from the water. Gives you a unique perspective seeing it from water level.

We continued along the eastern shore across from Charleston to Shute Folly Island which looks to have a small fort on it. There’s a story there to find ……

Continuing toward the Atlantic we made our way to Fort Sumter again just about 4 PM when the last ferry was leaving. We had the place to ourselves (at water level anyway ). Interesting to be able to motor around it at our leisure and pay attention to the waterside details imagining what sights it has witnessed.

After that we headed out toward the Atlantic again to the end of Sullivan Island. The eastern end of the island is part of the Fort Sumter Park with what looks to be some beautiful beaches.

From there we backtracked a bit and entered Sullivan Island Narrows proceeding up to about what would be the middle of aisle of Palms and ICW marker #117. Officially the farthest north we’ve gotten on the ICW so far!!!


We’ve finally been able to make more than a day cruise on the ICW!!! This is something we have been wanting to do for a while! We are happy that things have worked out as well as they have!

Tomorrow morning is up early, refuel and head back south to Bohicket Marina again to spend the night. After that is farther on to return to our slip in Port Royal Marina.

This has been a wonderful Spring/Summer/Fall season on our Southern waters and we are very appreciative for this opportunity!

Took lots of picture today to share with you…..

A few more photos….

And some more…..

Whew !!!
It was a busy day!

Made it back to our slip at the Harborage Marina just in time for Sun Down with Long Island Iced Tea Sundowners! Well deserved and appreciated!

The Admiral out did herself and made a very nice supper of Musroom Ravioli with Turkey Italian Sausage slices with a light sauce! Delicious!

We’re all gonna sleep good tonight!

Perfect weather!
Warm, Sunny and a clear blue sky!

Best Regards!
Over Easy