It happened (pt.3)

This was the sign that greeted us each morning

After our barnacle lunch, it was time to sand and caulk the bottom. Our friend Glenn helped with both these jobs, and after it was all done we took a poll and decided, that in all our short individual lives, this job was the worst any of us have ever done.

Glenn caulking the bottom

Me getting beaten by the bottom paint

T grinding prop shafts

I tried to shelter Chopper and Billy as much as possible from the horribleness going on down below. Chopper just didn't understand why he had to say on the boat, he's such a good dog!

Me and T caulking

A picture for my upcoming calender,"So You Want to Buy a Boat?"

It wasn't only the grueling positions or the dust and stickiness that surrounded us. The worst was the incoming tide, which we had to wade in waist deep at times while holding a sanders and caulk guns. I got zapped by the electrical cords a few times, and even though it is all over now, I hesitate a bit before plugging anything it.Anyhow, we managed to get the bottom and the waterline painted in four days. The local boatyard boys were amazed that we accomplished this so easily, and kept congratulating us on how great the boat looked. And it did look sharp!

Sitting in the railway admiring L.M.'S new bottom and waterline

After all that, this is what we have been waiting for ... our reward. To celebrate we invited some friends and took off to anchor out at the local hangout Heart Miller Island. Again the boat performed great, reaching its top speed of 17 knots, without a problem. This was our first time taking a boat that is ours out for a joy ride, and it was awesome! I can't say that enough, it was the best Monday ever, ever!

A jet ski jumping our wake, stupid jetskis

So after four grueling days of hard work, and countless days of preparation, we did it! We painted our first bottom, and came back to dock, all without a mishap, sort of... Billy did fall off the boat as we began to take off, but the little guy climbed up the side of the boat. Another life used up. By my calculations he has four left.

It happened (pt.1)

Us very scared before take off

We were as nervous as two ticks on a frying pan. I would have chewed my nails down to the quick, if it wasn't for the toxic chemicals that have stained them black. The pressure of the preparations was getting to me, as I watched while "the men" turned knobs, tapped guages, and ran around with screw drivers and pliers. Wasn't it a little too late for pliers? The silently waiting motors told me nothing.

Diesel smoke fills the air, ahhhhh

Then, with a roar and a belch of smoke the beasts came to life. The pliers worked! Suddenly, magically, the mighty Lucy Maru was fully awake, shuddering from her own power, every plank and line swollen with the anticipation of a voyage. Her voice, a low deep rumble, was steady and reassuring. She told me, in that moment, that she will take care of us, just like we took care of her. She understood, she really understood.

Leaving the dock

As promised, we slid thru the water at an easy 6 knots, idle speed. Heading in between channel markers and crab pots, I thought of the differences between motor boating and sailing. 6 knots was fast sailing, while aboard this motor vessel we were hardly breaking a sweat. Am I gonna be able to give this up? Can I truly follow the unreliable, invisible force known as wind, to move me across the world? Can I give up the control and luxury that comes with a motor yacht, for something as unpredictable as a sail boat? While all that remains a mystery, I offered a silent THANK YOU to the universe for allowing me to even ponder those possibilities.

Drawbridge ahead

It was time to get nervous again, as we were nearing our unknown destination. Joe was at the helm, asking questions like, "what's the number of that marker?" and "where the hell is this place?" Soon we approached a dock with three men waving, ready to grab our dock lines. This was the place, now only to squeeze into the slip without damaging the good side of the boat.

Our friend Joe driving L.M

Joe, morning tequila shot and all, was steady at the helm, expertly guiding our boat into the narrow slip facing the railway. The men on the dock grabbed our lines, and within minutes we were securely nestled into our spot. Lucy Maru rolled off the last of the water that splashed onto her deck, and floated, gleaming in the sunlight. Her first trip in over four years, and our first trip ever, went smoothly. More them smoothly, smeauthly... and I swear she was smiling as we stepped off deck. Perhaps she knew what lay ahead...