Days Events:
Wx - 51/71, partial sun, winds 5-10mph W but gusts to 15 at least. Wind and cloud and occasional rain is apparently the norm here.
Storage - to answer Ernie's question, they have 8 trailers to move all the boats into their 'warehouses' and put them onto 'stands' for the winter - the boats are not left on a trailer. They have an efficient process in place; the local boaters here say it is amazing to watch -- the staff look after everything, including piloting the boats from one's slip.
Admirals Desk:
A chilly day. The wind is cold but not as strong as yesterday. Not very nice for the last weekend of summer.
Ongoing cleaning jobs. I defrosted and cleaned the fridge. Fun.😁
Icemaker is still defrosting.
Rob has been on the top deck breaking down the "pot rabbits".!!! That's what my auto correct thought Porta-Bote should be!! Anyway, the deck is fiberglass and noisy and any noise is amplified x10 below on the main level. Totally frazzled my nerves which are already pretty frazzled!! And I kept wondering if he had fallen off.
Lots of friendly people on this dock. Mainly the men like to visit and talk boats. I leave them to it.
Using the last pkg of ground beef for supper. I'm getting short on ingredients so its meatloaf again. Also going to use a pkg of dried "4 cheese Idahoan mashed potatoes, made with real potatoes"! A tastey new gourmet treat, I'm sure.😁
Our table manners have become very relaxed during our months afloat. We haven't been able to have anyone join us, nor have we eaten at restaurants. Reentry will be interesting, but I guess everyone is likely in the same "boat" because of covid. We still use napkins though!
That's it for today.
Preparations for 'Leaving':
Dismantled the PortaBote dinghy - took everything out and folded it back to its transporting size. Will hopefully be able to sell it this winter here [or wherever - half price!]. Had to air out stuff that had acquired too much moisture under the tarp - even if in 'waterproof' bags. Good thing it was sunny and windy today.
Reorganized the lazarette a bit - the mechanic has to get to the generator.
Aired out the PFD [life jackets] stored on the Fly Bridge - they really don't smell but put them in the sun and wind for a few hours to freshen them.
Hull/Deck Work - met with the fiberglass/deck specialist, Jason, and am impressed. Has been doing this for 20 years and seems to know his stuff and divided what we were considering doing into 'Cosmetic' and 'Structural/Essential'. We will definitely be doing the latter [the swim platform needs repairs/refinishing; the gelcoat crazing mostly along/above the rubrails can allow water entry] and will see what his estimate is for the 'cosmetic', that being the peeling paint on the aluminum trim around the windows. He will look at the bottom when it is hauled out and advise whether it needs redoing [if it does, he applies 3 coats of epoxy for hardener followed by 3 coats of different colored paint - all thing I have read from the experiences of loopers who recommend exactly that].
He discouraged doing too much 'finishing' and replacing the whole rub rail since we still have another 4-5 mo journey next to complete the loop and all the locks ahead of us will certainly 'challenge' the rubrail, etc. Encouraged us to do that sort of thing once we are finished.
He will also fix our deteriorating sliding doors - the bottom rollers are 'jamming' and I had replaced the rollers on one door last year but they are worsening already. He knows of possible upgrades.
He also has staff to clean/shampoo the carpets and detail the interior for us next spring, after all the work is done.
Still have to meet with their electrician re work to do.
Tomorrow - will take D.A. for a pump-out - it's about 100 yds/meters away but we have to go out a bit into the harbor and approach it from a well marked channel so we don't bottom out. Winds predicted to only be 1-2 mph so Marg and I can handle the docking by ourselves.
That's all today.
Stay safe.
Comments:
Ernie R - 5 Sep 2020: Sounds like everything is under control as usual! Good loop stats! Hopefully can get that average speed bumped up a little! Be safe! One more thing, does boat stay on trailer?
Tom - 5 Sep 2020: It's been great following your daily challenges & successes and very happy to hear that you've arrived at your final destination before the snow arrives. Looking forward to touching base with you two once your're back in Florence. Safe travels on pavement
Jon - 6 Sep 2020: Can't wait to get a one on report, though I have been on your post every day.
Ernie R - 6 Sep 2020: Hope you get to document the haul out and store! How many boats can they put in building? Boat should be new when you return! Safe trip back!
Terry - 7 Sep 2020: Our boat was pulled in Toronto by a Travelift and deposited in a HUGE building that held 14 50' + boats. That was in 1983. Hope for pix of DW being hauled