Ariel #370 is For Sale

[Mike Goodwin]

BTW, I hope you like good beer or ale. because 4 blocks from where you will be docking here is the Bier Garden . They sell more of some German beers (Advintinus) than any pub in Germany or anywhere in the world. Thay also have excellent stouts and ales on draft , I'm an IPA drinker myself with a good stout when I feel I need the vitamins .

[CapnK]

Mike D. - "Spore" LMAO. Good one.

Mike G. - Cool thanks for the bridge help. The bottom is clean, and for a motor I'll be using a Merc 5 with a high thrust prop. How are the currents there? I may try to borrow a larger motor for the trip, but I know I have that Merc at least, because, well, its mine.

Update: I've been offered the use of an 8hp as well, Will most likely accept the offer, those extra 3 ponies might help here and there...

As far as bier, Heavens Forbid I should have to drink any of that.

Did I just write that? Should have said: Maybe I'll stay 2 days at that dock.

Homebrewer here, and a hop-head, IPA man myself. Sierra Nevada makes one of the better brews you can find just about everywhere, but so does Harpoon. As a matter of fact, I took some Harpoon IPA with me went I went up to finalize #370, and shared a little with her that first night. IPA is beer made to sail long distances, and that fits very well with my preferences and tendencies. That said, I'll not turn down a Boddingtons, or a Guinness, or a Sam Smiths, or a John Courage, or a Tusker, or a Red Hook, or a Black Dog , or a... well, you get the point. My mouth is watering already. As a bonus, I'll be able to make my brother jealous with tales of that pub.

4 blocks is a long way to walk. Makes a man thirsty, those long walks.

Might be fitting to head through a Dismal Swamp the next day.

[Mike Goodwin]

Have you had a Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA? 3 of those and you will be low crawling back to the boat !
I've got nearly 40years of brewing under or more likely behind my belt. Started in college in the late 60's


Currents;
The worst you may encounter will be at the entrance to Hampton Roads from ChesBay between Thimble Shoal lighthouse , Fort Monroe to the north ( your STBD ) and Fort Wool to the south ( leave to Port ) .The flow of the James, Nasemond and Elizabeth rivers all merge there and can be fierce.
If the tide is at max ebb and the wind has any west in it , it will run 3k or better . But ! I have local knowledge and can chart you through the maelstrom.
There is a return current that flows along the NW shore just off Buckroe Beach and Fort Monroe , as you pass The mouth of the York river put more west in your heading and you will find a marked small boat channel heading SSW ( more or less) . Follow that on down and there is good depth within 100yds of shore. When you see the fishing Pier at Buckroe stay that distance + 50yds off the beach and head for the Fort. You are in a return current all the way to the fort. You can get closer to the beach if you dare, but without me along I wouldn't . You follow the  curve of the fort right around and will miss all but a few minutes of the tide.
I used to race in that area and we used that trick many times to pass several boats.
I'll make up a chart for you when the time is nearer.

[CapnK]

Haven't had a Dogfish, though I admit it sounds intriguing.

I'll have a sounder installed for the thin water spots, that might help when I'm following your route. Sounds good! Thanks, Mike!