Catain's Blog - June 22, 2013

So, finally getting a chance to post a little about last trip on the Merrimack.  It was a great sunny day, and it also happened to be my father in-law's birthday.  The perfect time to take Tim and Vicki (Tim's lovely wife) for a trip on the Merrimack.  When we got to the ramp we were very surprised to see the water level has dropped significantly, but not so low that I couldn't launch in Nashua.

With all our gear for the day loaded, we headed to our beach, unloaded and started the process of doing nothing but lounging on the beach.  We did take a nice slow cruise down river towards Lowell, but stopped at the Tyngsboro Bridge.  The bridge (built in 1949) has been under construction to make it safe and looking like new.  They have removed the temporary bridge, and are in the process of removing the concrete pylon foundations.  This is probably why the level had dropped.

We did meet one of our neighbors who recently purchased a runabout, and is completely sold on being a river rat!  He was having engine trouble and we thought we might have to rescue him, but he managed to get it going.  The afternoon was wearing away and we brought Tim and Vicki back to the ramp to head home. 

Deb and I stayed until about 6:30 and then we headed home ourselves.  We loved having them join us for the day, and look forward to repeat before the seasons end.

One quick side note.  I have been longing for a hammock for our beach since we've been going there.  To my happy surprise Tim and Vicki have supplied me with one!  So a word of advise, if your want to come on my boat for a cruise, it doesn't hurt to bribe the captain!  So until next time, "See You on the River".

Captain's Blog: June 15th 2013

Another great June day on the Merrimack!  The rain this past week had increased the river water level to a new high.  The water is the highest we have ever been on the river with, but our beach was still accessable (Thankfully).  We also invited my lead guitarist MIke, and his son Devon out for the day.  This was the first time that Mike has ever been on the Merrimack with his boat.  If you think my boat is old, Mike has a 1964 Starcraft Runabout.  It's a little rough around the edges, but it's a 1964!

We started out of Nashua and headed straight for our beach.  Once we were all setup, we headed down river for a cruise on my boat into Lowell.  There was an event happening at the Lowell Pavillion, and so Mike (being the consummate fisherman)  dropped a line in the water and we drifted about listening to the music music.

Whether drifting or running about on the boat, or just lazing around on the beach,  I have to say Devon was a great kid.  He enjoyed piloting the boats, or fishing with an impromptu rod (made with a stIck, thin wire and a rock).  I'm sure he is destined to follow in dad's shoes.

So a good time had by all!  Looking forward to next weekend and another great day on the river.  So until the next time,  we will "See you on the River!".

FIRST CRUISE of 2013 - Captains Blog June 9 2013

So after a really bad 2012 season, due to accidents, broken bones, and hospilizations, Deb and I finally made it back to the Merrimack River.  Before we were able to make our first cruise of the 2013 season, we needed to make a few repainrs, improvements and modifications.

When I first turned the electrical on to inspect the lights, they didn't appear to be working.  At first I wasn't sure if it was the sun playing games, so I went to the bow to check the running lights by covering them with my hands, and as I looked back at the steering console I could see smoke billowing out!  After the initial panic to shut it all down, I found that I had some shorts in the wiring.  So it was obviously time to re-do the wiring.  Before I could think about it, I ripped it all out!  I figured now I would have to do it right.  So now all wiring is new and up to code.

Next was my passenger captain's chair.  The wood inside the chair had rotted, and now I needed a new seat.  The only problem was being too cheap to buy a new one.  The answer, it was time to learn how to fix it myself.  I brought it to my work shop, routed out new wood, ripped the seam apart end replaced the guts!  To my great releif and satisfaction, it worked well, and looks like new.

Next was my bow deck.  It had been added to the boat by my dad (with me helping, a little) many years ago.  The plywood was becoming weathered and needed to be repainted after only a few years.  So I decided since the boat was aluminum, maybe I should skin the bow deck in aluminum as well.  With any luck it will outlast me.

Finally, I have been wanting to add floor lighting for night cruises.  So this year, since I had to rewire the boat anyway, I added some blue led lights in der the bow and stern seats.  It looks great in the driveway!  I'll hopefully get a picture the first overnighter on the beach.

So, Third Generation was finally ready for it's first 2013 cruise.  We left out of Nashua, and the river was as high as we had ever seen it, with the exception the the flood of 2011 (which wiped out everything on our beach).  When we pulled up to the beach, the water was so high that we were uncertain whether we would be able to use it.  After a closer inspection we saw that it was dry, and actually the water level made it easier to get on the beach.

Not much happened all day (which is just fine with us).  We made several cruises, and some very relaxing drifts throughout the day.  Not much fish jumping activity, or wildlife.  A few Blue Herons, and hawks.

We did meet a group of young people who tethered a bunch of floatation tubes together and went for a drift down river.  When asked where they were going to?  They all replied in unison "That Way!", and pointed down stream.  Oh to be young and carefree again.

Anyway, it was great getting on the river again.  With any luck next weekend, camping!  So until next time,
"See You on The River!"