Launch Day...Again!



Well, let's hope this is the last time we hafta do this for a long while!

We wanted to lay eyes on one problem spot under the keel before we sailed Dolphin offshore (even if it is just Lake Ontario), so  we spent a week at Collins Bay Marina on the hard. Some jobs are so much easier when a boat is out of the water, so we tried to get as much done as we could.

 

 Her waterline wasn't quite right; the antifouling paint was too low for long distance cruising, so we raised it by five inches.  I gave her topsides two more coats of Tremclad Loving Care and cleaned up her transom with some sandpaper and two coats of Epiphanes varnish.

 

 Jim hauled out a small amount of rot from the deadwood area of the keel, where there are two bolts holding it on. He removed a wiggly one and repaired the area with epoxy, then screwed on some pressure treated planking to make up the new shoe. Layered it all out with some good, old, sticky roof patch compound...mmm...tar. We gunned a couple of seams with SikaFlex and called it a day.

We took advantage of having some scaffolding nearby, so Jim went after two more areas and made  repairs to the deck and rub rail on the port quarter. After some fairing and paint, she'll once again be the Belle of the Ball.  I took advantage of having a new, yet good friend to take me into Kingston and get all the last minute stores for the trip south.

 

Then we were ready to go back in, so on with The Show!

 
As long as he wore a hard hat, the crew let Jim stay on board and play with all the toys!

Here's Paul and Tony, a couple hard working guys. You couldn't hope to find more attentive, knowledgeable crew.  

The leading man Henry, crane-guy extraordinaire. As the song goes, he's got our whole world in his hands!

Down, down into the sea.

The Ringleader, proud yard owner Gerry. Another job well done. We found Collins bay Marina to be one of the tidiest, most organized and  best places to haul, heck just to hang out with The Gang to enjoy the coffee and goodies that Lori puts out for the live-aboards. Thanks again, folks!

 

And special thanks to Susi for all her help with pick ups and deliveries. We met a few years ago at Rosehaven Knitting Group, but only linked up now, as she lives only three km away from CBM. She and her husband Hans had us over for a splendid meal, and spent a couple of evening on board Dolphin sharing friendship and food. That's really what these cruises are all about.

So while Dolphin continues to tighten up after 8 days drying out, her leak rate continues to improve and give us confidence to take her out of Collins Bay. And if we make it out of Kingston, we'll head across to New York. If she still hasn't sunk, it's down the Erie Canal we go for trip #3 to The Bahamas. We'll chat again soon.