Looping with the Chequamegon Ark

 We had a very smooth and calm day from Norfolk to Smith Point Marina - no electronic gremlins and very calm seas. Our nephew Perry joined us Saturday evening in Annapolis. He knows how to do a selfie. Beautiful sunset in Annapolis. 4 foot seas coming out of Smith Point this morning. You know you have a big boat when your dinghy is a 26 foot center console. Fish everywhere today except on our hooks. Very shallow coming in and out of Smith Point Marina. Very quiet nice spot once you got in. Sunset at Smith Point. Open water cruise Friday to Smith Point. No comment. Amazingly calm day on Friday. Another James Bond day. Lots of lighthouses along Chesapeake Bay. Container ships anchored waiting to get unloaded. Nice sunrise over Chesapeake. Near the outlet - huge number of Navy ships. Lots of container docks too. Rolling out of Tidewater - really nice pool as it looks from the boat.

I was able to figure out the radar issue and we are back in business there.We have spent the last 2 days working on our electronic diesel control gremlin, radar not powering up and ongoing generator issues. I was able to figure out the radar power issue and we are back online. We had a 37 year experienced Volvo guy who thought we had it but just as we got in to the dock after our sea trial it happened again - the crazy 2.7 default code - total loss of control of the engine - almost always port side. We have decided on a work around and have a new recalibration protocol so we hope and pray that takes care of it - losing the engine 9 times over the previous 3 running days was not something we wanted to continue to fight. I replaced the new voltage regulator - no effect. Switched out the mother control board - no effect. This stator or exciter assembly was the next thing up and it tested bad. Now trying to get one ordered and shipped out ahead of us so I can install and hopefully get our

We have been battling the electronic gremlin multiple times each day the last 3 days but by the Grace of God we haven't scratched any fiberglass and have made it safely to the dock each day. Now we are in Norfolk and have a Volvo technician coming tomorrow - hopefully to slay the gremlin for good this time. Lots of shallow shoals and interesting stuff to avoid on Pamlico sound. Most of the time the last 3 days we have had the AICW to ourselves. Mayo brothers seafood marina - working shrimp port. Shrimp boats - in a better state of repair than most of them we have seen along the way. This area was plenty wide but more wind and waves - the Ark gives us a real mild and smooth ride in 3 foot or less waves. Monday morning was blinding heading into the rising sun. Some of the man made sections are arrow straight and when it follows the river it can be crazy curvy. Lots of cyprus and yellow pine line the waterway. "Secret agent! On whose side? Alligator river swing bridge - this one