THE FIRST VOYAGE OF THE SEASON! ! !

SHIP'S LOG:

Today I took the first voyage of the season! With 2 yard guys, I backed out of the slip on "C" Dock, turned right into the Mystic River and headed toward the Sound. The wind was blowing and the temp was in the low 60's. We passed "B" Dock and then . . . .turned into slip # 12 and tied up again. A short trip engendered by the fact that the guy whose boat goes into the slip I've been in since November, got his boat splashed and need it. So it was that I had to move again. The good thing was that the engine ran fine and the boat didn't sink, and even though I only "voyaged" about 200 yards, it was great to be underway.

Back on the boat and back to work again. I fabricated a doohickie to hold the aluminum tube in the main mast around which the main sail furls. Seems to work just fine and when the wind dies a bit, I will re-install the mainsail and see if it actually works.

I also took the time to install weather stripping around the inside lip of the propane locker hatch. The water had been getting in to the locker and that is just rain and melting snow. Seawater rushing along the rail might really pour in, though if the boat is heeled that much, water in the propane locker will be the least of my problems.

I also took the time to begin the actual clean up of the boat. Stuff either had to be stowed or removed. It is tough to do for a "packratter" like me. I always save stuff on the off chance that I might need it sometime someday. That's fine when you have a house and a garage, but a little difficult when all you have is a 39' X 12' boat. I now have more than one place to sit in the main cabin which is a good thing.

MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:

I can't quite begin to express what is was like to be "underway!" To be able to look out over the bow and see Fisher's Island Sound . . . .well it just sent chills of excitement up and down my spine. It won't be long now, not long at all.