After almost exactly seven weeks elapsed time, six visits from the mechanics, and what was undoubtedly the worst customer experience we’ve ever had with any marine vendor, Oso’s main diesel engine roared back to life. Hearing the engine running smoothly again was an absolute delight, and after so much time and so many false starts, it was also a shock!

Relieved and happy to finally be on our way north
Sunrise sailing wing on wing

Ordinarily, after a significant repairs we would take the boat out for a sea trial or two – a couple of several hour trips to verify that the engine, along with everything else we repaired and replaced, is working properly. But the very slow pace of the engine repair meant that it’s now hurricane season, and the first tropical storm of the season is threatening the South Carolina coast.

Lazily reaching our way north
Cape Henry Lighthouse at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay

After some discussion, we decide that the risk of the engine (or one of the many other recently replaced components) failing again is lower than the risk of the forecasted tropical storm impacting Hilton Head. And the current weather forecast is excellent for sailing. So less than 24 hours after the engine started running again, we push off from our temporary home at Skull Creek Marina for the trip north.

4th of July fireworks celebration on the beach while anchored at Lynnhaven Roads, Chesapeake Bay
Heading north again

The engine continues to run smoothly for the long motor out of Port Royal Sound, and once into the Atlantic the actual wind is exactly as forecasted. Two days of lovely downwind sailing later, we decide to pull into Beaufort, NC, because of a forecast for strong overnight thunderstorms. And sure enough, Oso is hit with a 50 knot wind gust and torrential downpour in the narrow entrance channel to the harbor.

Humpback whales off the coast of New York
Humpback whales feeding

One night of restorative sleep at anchor, and then back to sea at first light for the 36 hour trip around Cape Hatteras. Another night of sleep anchored off Virginia Beach just inside the opening to the Chesapeake before a two day sail north along the Maryland, then Delaware, then New Jersey coasts, past the entrance to New York City, along the outside of Long Island, and then into Newport, RI.

Another lovely sunset
Oso at anchor in Newport, RI

And just like that, Oso has arrived in New England – only two months behind our original plan.