Ladylove is on the move.

[Ed Schenck]

This might be more exciting for me than for Ed A. and Don. Some of you may remember that I am in Ohio and Ladylove is in Port Richey, FL. Well as I write this and intermittently answer questions from Ed my boat is going south. Ed lives on Davis Island in Tampa Bay and is taking Ladylove to his slip near his home. These are two of the most experienced sailors I know. Ed is a long time H37C owner and contributor here as well. He lost his boat to an airplane incident that was reported here over a year ago. Ed was the delivery captain when we took a boat from Tampa to the Abacos. Don was one of the crew.

The plan is that Ed will sail and maintain the boat during the best of the spring and early summer season. Then he will put here in one of the yards in St. Pete for the summer. There she will get new standing rigging and a new furler. With some luck I might get to sail her a time or two before that happens.

I have not seen the boat since August. In that time I guess a lot of things have gone wrong electrically. The Link 2000 is blank assuring that the start battery is dead. The shorepower was evidently off. But the house bank was still good and the Yanmar started right up.

They arrived early this morning because they need high tide to go the hundred yards into the Pithlachascotee River and then into the Gulf. It is such a great sailing boat, I hope they have favorable breezes on the run south.

Last time in the American Marina slip(picture). Notice the nice handrail that I built and used maybe four times. :neutral:

 

[David in Sandusky]

Great crew

How good to have such reliable friends to move (and enjoy) you boat, Ed. I do hope you get a chance to sail her soon!

 

[Bill1565]

Winds on Charlotte Harbor are 5-10 out of the East forecast to increase. Temperature 70+ also forecast to increase. Great day to be on a boat offshore going south, and North to Davis Island after they enter the Bay. Hope you get to sail her.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Is there anything more true than "too soon old, too late smart"? David's point about friends is one of those things that took a long time to sink in. Years of chasing the almighty dollar and being basically selfish. Then you get old and realize how important all those relationships should have been and now are. Funny too how many of those friendships developed right here on SBO.

I did check that forecast Bill. Looks pretty good, fifteen would be better. I checked the webcam at Clearwater Beach( http://www.beachtourism.com/pier.htm ), looks pretty benign. Maybe it will build. They brought provisions for an overnight, not sure where. It is almost twenty-five miles from the Skyway to Davis Island so they have quite a haul.

 

[Jim Boernge]

Ed, You better get out of Ohio and down for some time on the boat before the yard! Time passes so fast when you have a boat so far away. I tto have had previous experience with remote ownership and effect on batteries and other maintenance.
Make time for the sailing.
I'll come join you!!

 

[Ed Schenck]

Ladylove is in her new home at N27 55 49, W82 27 16 on Davis Island in Tampa Bay, actually Hillsborough Bay I think. Check it out with Google Earth, maybe the prettiest place she has ever been.

Ed and Don spent Saturday night in the bay on the west side of St. Pete. The boat performed well except for water under the galley sink that they could not source. Likely from the strainer for engine-cooling, the only thing I can think of above the cabin sole.

No one wants to be with their boat more than me Jim. But you play the cards you are dealt as they say. We will try again end of April.