I took my son (8) for a sail last night on our O'Day 23. It was the first time I have had the boat out in over a year.
He had been asking to go out and clean (read play) the boat lately, and I have just let him. We also have another trip to the BVI planned for the fall, so I wanted to get some sailing time with him before then.
So yesterday (Saturday) I first had to move our '67 Scout out of the way. Not as easy as it sounds, as she had been down for major surgery and just had a new engine installed. I had been waiting for a part, which finally showed up, before I could finish. It took about 4 hours work on the Scout before it could drive out of the way.
Next I had to fix the flat tire, so I drug air hose all the way around the shop to the trailer and got that taken care of.
Then I backed up the truck. I had to back through my gantry crane, which was purchased withing the last year, and then between the posts of the car lift in order to hook onto the boat. I was within 6" to the side of the ball and couln't correct any more due to the obstacles. Well, the wheel on the trailer tongue has given up the ghost, and it proved to be a bugger to move it over, but I got it.
I have also moved several large job boxes there as well, as the site work was over in the last year. So I am beginning to pull the boat forward, watching the boat as best I can with my mirrors folded in (too wide for the gantry crane). I can see the sides of the boat and the large job boxes just fine. What I missed was a small Knaack box behind the large ones, but with a small steel handle that protrudes out just a shade more. Well, the trailer fender didn't miss it and I dented the aluminum fender in a bit. Will have to pull that and straighten it out to hide my shame.
I pulled forward even more and discovered that the boat will not fit through the gantry, as the side supports get narrower at the top. So I disconnect the boat and roll the gantry crane down the hill (have to use the forklift to bring it back up later) to get it out of the way, reconnected the trailer and proceeded to pull the boat out. I got my son all set up with a bucket of soapy water for the cockpit, and I ran the pressure washer on the topsides and deck.
At this point my wife asked if I was ready to go (I was, but I was absolutely exhausted). After a quick shower to try and revive myself we were off. Had to turn around a mile into the trip and come back home to get the battery (so we could have lights at night) and the annual registration stickers that have been sitting on my desk since January.
After a stop for gas and the grocery store for some dinner items we were off to the lake. Rigging went well, launch went well. We were able to get about 45 minutes away from the dock and found a vacant cove where we anchored for the night, just as the sun was setting.
I sat watching for the meteor shower, but never saw a one. I moved one of the saloon cushions up to the cockpit and slept up there because it was cooler. I pulled the blanket over me about 2am. Got up at about 7am and sailed to the marina and met my wife and daughters for breakfast, had another short sail, and swam for a little while before heading in, and loading up the boat to go home.
All in all, it was a good time. I wish it was cool enough to stay out longer, but I can't handle being out in the direct summer sun like that any more. I need to add a Bimini top for comfort while out there.
He had been asking to go out and clean (read play) the boat lately, and I have just let him. We also have another trip to the BVI planned for the fall, so I wanted to get some sailing time with him before then.
So yesterday (Saturday) I first had to move our '67 Scout out of the way. Not as easy as it sounds, as she had been down for major surgery and just had a new engine installed. I had been waiting for a part, which finally showed up, before I could finish. It took about 4 hours work on the Scout before it could drive out of the way.
Next I had to fix the flat tire, so I drug air hose all the way around the shop to the trailer and got that taken care of.
Then I backed up the truck. I had to back through my gantry crane, which was purchased withing the last year, and then between the posts of the car lift in order to hook onto the boat. I was within 6" to the side of the ball and couln't correct any more due to the obstacles. Well, the wheel on the trailer tongue has given up the ghost, and it proved to be a bugger to move it over, but I got it.
I have also moved several large job boxes there as well, as the site work was over in the last year. So I am beginning to pull the boat forward, watching the boat as best I can with my mirrors folded in (too wide for the gantry crane). I can see the sides of the boat and the large job boxes just fine. What I missed was a small Knaack box behind the large ones, but with a small steel handle that protrudes out just a shade more. Well, the trailer fender didn't miss it and I dented the aluminum fender in a bit. Will have to pull that and straighten it out to hide my shame.
I pulled forward even more and discovered that the boat will not fit through the gantry, as the side supports get narrower at the top. So I disconnect the boat and roll the gantry crane down the hill (have to use the forklift to bring it back up later) to get it out of the way, reconnected the trailer and proceeded to pull the boat out. I got my son all set up with a bucket of soapy water for the cockpit, and I ran the pressure washer on the topsides and deck.
At this point my wife asked if I was ready to go (I was, but I was absolutely exhausted). After a quick shower to try and revive myself we were off. Had to turn around a mile into the trip and come back home to get the battery (so we could have lights at night) and the annual registration stickers that have been sitting on my desk since January.
After a stop for gas and the grocery store for some dinner items we were off to the lake. Rigging went well, launch went well. We were able to get about 45 minutes away from the dock and found a vacant cove where we anchored for the night, just as the sun was setting.
I sat watching for the meteor shower, but never saw a one. I moved one of the saloon cushions up to the cockpit and slept up there because it was cooler. I pulled the blanket over me about 2am. Got up at about 7am and sailed to the marina and met my wife and daughters for breakfast, had another short sail, and swam for a little while before heading in, and loading up the boat to go home.
All in all, it was a good time. I wish it was cool enough to stay out longer, but I can't handle being out in the direct summer sun like that any more. I need to add a Bimini top for comfort while out there.
