Ep# 6

Norfolk to Langley VA. I get an airshow.

[@woodycooper7551]

A few bits of advice for the single hander -- When you exit the dock, fix your lines so they go from the boat, around a cleat on the dock, and back to the boat where you can tie a simple overhand knot in a railing or stanchion. Release the line from inside the boat, pull it through the cleat and back into the boat, no need to untie then get on somehow, just release from inside the boat. For that anchor, pull it in fast all the way until it hits the pulpit, when the shank bangs on the wheel it will turn around straight. It will make a bang as it hits and turns but it works. You may need to practice this but you'll never need to straighten it with your feet and hope it works. Happy Booating!

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks for the advice.

[@JohnFKetcham]

How about a boat tour❓ I have watched all of your videos about your Great Loop adventure and still do not know what kind of boat you are on⁉️🤪😂😳🤣👍

[@braviabenjamin7565]

Love your videos and following you. Please consider using two hands when scooterering. It's easy enough to lose balance, especially with a heavy weight bag on the front. Breaking a clavicle or injuring your body just for a cool video is not worth ruining your trip due to an accident. Take care!

[@MV_Checkmate]

So true.

[@Porchdog]

Very amusing videos, I enjoy them a lot. I like the way you are able to appear to have a cameraman. Thank you for taking me along on your adventure.

[@MV_Checkmate]

Glad you like them!

[@fish1860]

You’re gonna love the Mantus, we have an 85 lb. For our 42’ MY it’s awesome!!!

[@BobEstler]

From what I have seen and read it is recommended not to rely wholly on the mechanical latch to take the weight off your windless but to also tie it off with a small rope in case there mechanical component failed. Also, one thing I heard on a podcast that might be helpful for solo locking is someone took some 1 inch soft plastic tubing and ran their tie off line for the lock through it. rather than having to lasso a floating bollard they could just lean out and the tubing had enough rigidity that it would stay stiff and they could just drop it over the bollard.

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks for the advice.

[@ottoschellin1256]

Nice job with the videos, Michael and good thing the Go Pro is fairly rugged. Glad you got the new anchor installed. The Raptors are awesome! 73 de NO3U, Otto

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks 👍

[@jayknight850]

The big derrick at Langley NASA looks like the device they sawed the MV Golden Ray apart with. And that Mantus has you!

[@Steve-qn8gn]

If you don’t know how to dock single handed with the ropes you should think about learning it. Allows you to tie/untie but not have to get off the boat. That can be sketchy in heavier current and wind.

[@MV_Checkmate]

Yep, I am aware, but I had to get off the boat to get my camera.

[@jmcnulty44]

I enjoy watching your adventure. Btw you look like Sully Sullenberger. Can’t wait to see ya on the Hudson 😂

[@MV_Checkmate]

Keep them Canadian geese out of my props. Ha.

[@johnschieffelin3226]

Enjoyable video as always. Great choice for your new anchor -- a big Mantus should hold you just fine in almost any conditions. Your scooter is a great asset -- love the way you can fold it up and put it on the bottom of a grocery cart. Very clever.
You are clearly happy with your boat, but I still wonder at the choice. Running from a fly bridge in bad weather looking through rain-covered isinglass is quite difficult, and traversing down to the bow from a fly bridge when docking takes too long. A boat like an Eastbay 43 or Legacy 40 with a pilothouse and quick access to the cockpit and side decks would be much easier to operate single-handed. Boats like that would also be very comfortable for a live aboard. Having done all the locks in the Erie Canal I can say with assurance that a low-windage boat with very side decks would be far easier to keep under control than a flybridge boat. But I guess you have thought all this through already.

[@MV_Checkmate]

I agree with your boat choice. This boat fits my necessities in a different manner. I will be making a video soon explaining my boat and why I chose it.

[@ldirk58601]

Im a new subscriber. I live in North Dakota. My son is a seal and lives in VA with my granddaughters. I would love to do the great loop but I have my doubts. I love watching others though. Scho and Jo being my fave. They were newbies too and were very honest and it made it so interesting and educational and I was invested emotionally in their story because they kept it real.

[@NervusEnergy]

You are doing great! I boat on the DC area and was down in the Chesapeake last weekend. It's way bigger than you think when you get on there. Keep up the great work and great videos!!

[@eddysmith8924]

I enjoy your video and your talk before starting. The map showing where you are going it helps me to follow you on the loop app. (in Australia)

[@jerplane400]

Great episode! I love following you and the video quality keeps getting better with each one! Thanks for taking the time to film, edit and post!

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks a bunch!

[@fredbrillo1849]

I suggest on your anchor, attach a 12 tob18 inch of chain directly to the anchor, then your swivel, then the chain rode. That way the anchor can easily twist and turn without binding on the swivel and breaking. Those are expensive anchors. Protect it.

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks for the advice.

[@fredbrillo1849]

@@MV_Checkmate A study was done on lost anchors where the swivels failed. The solution to the swivels binding on the tang of the anchor is the 12 to 18 inch length of chain. Enjoy you're journey, I'm with you vicariously. We are both of around the same vintage, you're a few years younger than I. I had too many ties to my home base to be able to do the trip myself.

[@ONEMOORwithJimmaaaaaay]

Let me know when you hit the erie Canal. I'd be willing to join you for that trip. I will pay my own way!

[@NealThomas]

Hope to see more as you're underway.

[@richbowie76]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Williamrobertkoller]

So why the shackle from the anchor to the swivel? Why not just go Swivel to anchor and eliminate the shackle?

[@stevecameronbennett5821]

Driving a scooter with one hand and holding a camera with the other with water on both sides of you on a dock.i can tell before this trip is over there's going to be some good content 😆 🤣

[@MV_Checkmate]

Well said

[@mikeytravel4095]

If you happen to become interested in a contributing crew member thru the north east and Great Lakes to help with all those locks drop me a text. Recently retired with no schedules! Great videos, best wishes.

[@tascosaeagle]

Sadly I think that you are the only looper to label your videos in order by the episode # , other loopers don’t list their videos n order of their travel, all of them ,almost, skip around .

[@danielprice9997]

At 12:40…no grocery bag?

[@MV_Checkmate]

Haha.. good eye. I left it in to see if anyone would notice. Thanks for watching.