During a recent two week trip to the BVI, I asked my sailing buddy and slip mate to watch my H26 for me. I returned to find the boat in great shape except that a 6x8 blue tarp I had rigged to cover the companionway boards was torn to shreds. Ralph had scrawled the following series of notes and stuffed them into the cabin. Thought you all would enjoy them too….. Jim S/V Grizzly Bear ---------------------------- 5/21/04 (Friday) Jim & Dee, Checked your boat today – Still floating although listing badly to port – will check again tomorrow (Sat). Ralph – Hope you are having fun. Sat 5/22/04 (Saturday) Dear Jim & Dee, Things look better. I think. Boat no longer lists to port. It is sitting lower in the water. Easier to climb aboard. Will check again on Monday or Tuesday. Tarp came off and I re-tied. Ralph 5/26/04 (Wednesday) Dear Jim & Dee, Meant to check your boat sooner to see if it is lower in the water. It is. Still have 1 - 2 feet of free board left. Still no water in the cockpit – That’s a good sign. Will try to come out again this weekend. Hope you get home before too long. Capt. Ralph P.S. Tarp came loose again – re-tied. Probably a design flaw. 5/30/04 (Sunday) Dear Jim & Dee, Well, things are not getting better. Some water in the cockpit. Coming from cabin. I know you are getting back tomorrow – That’s good. I am not too worried. Water should only get to the base of the mast because water is only 8 feet deep under your boat. Boat can’t sink any further and should still be sitting up straight. Hope you find everything OK. I tried my best. Capt. Ralph.
